Divine Feminine: 9 Ways to Awaken the Holy Fire of Shakti

Contrary to popular belief, the Divine Feminine isn’t limited only to females.

The Divine Feminine is an energy that we all possess, no matter where we are on the gender spectrum (or lack thereof).

Therefore, this article is for everyone who is interested in creating more inner balance – and shining that out into the world.

As our planet is cast into the horrors of environmental destruction and demise, it is clear that there is an excess of masculine energy. 

As a force that is responsible for organizing, ruling, fighting, building, and dominating, masculine energy is certainly useful – but only up until a certain point.

It is now time for the rise of the Divine Feminine. But not just in females (although women certainly have an easier time accessing it), but in all beings.

For our society, for this very planet, to survive, we desperately need to cultivate feminine energies within us, before it’s too late. This inner invocation is a crucial part of our spiritual awakening journey.

What is Divine Feminine Energy?

The Divine Feminine is a form of energy that all beings possess. It is known by many names such as shakti, yin, and lunar energy, and is often connected symbolically with the moon, Gaia (Mother Earth), and water. Just like the Divine Masculine, it is ‘one half’ of the Spirit of Life.

Both the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine arise mutually, and in their most natural state, work together effortlessly and harmoniously. This original state of being can be observed as being represented in ancient symbols like the yin yang.

Why Masculine Energy is Destroying the Planet

When the Masculine and Feminine are out of balance, the natural result is chaos. So why is masculine energy destroying the planet? To answer this question, let’s briefly wind back time.

As an active force, the Divine Masculine is responsible for progress and evolution. Unlike feminine energy, it gets sh*t done in an efficient and orderly manner. As the nature of life is growth and change, we need that force, and we have needed it since the dawn of time.

But the shadow side of the Divine Masculine is its preoccupation with power. When masculine energy becomes corrupt, it results in the toxic patriarchal society we see today that is based on a foundational philosophy of “get, reject, use, and dominate.”

The consequence is a world full of racial, sexual, and religious intolerance; gender inequality; unrestrained materialism resulting in large-scale environmental decimation; raping and pillaging of the earth resulting in climate change that leads to huge natural disasters and social collapse … you name it. 

Why has Divine Masculine energy “entered the dark side”? There are numerous theories, but mine is that Divine Masculine energy is, in essence, immature. It hasn’t ripened and is therefore like a wayward, nihilistic teenager still trying to figure out the ropes. 

If all of life is a process of growth, of maturation, Divine Masculine energy still hasn’t evolved to its fullest potential. It’s still an awkward, self-conscious, and insecure force that has come to believe (like a naive child) that power comes from overshadowing others. But it doesn’t. What it has failed to learn up until now is that true power comes from within. True power is shown through the mature Divine Masculine acts of mercy, integrity, honesty, and accountability. 

Similar to what the metaphysical Soul Age theory proposes (in short, that there are young, mature, and old souls), we could say that there is also young, mature, and old energy. And Divine Masculine energy is still in its teenage years – and perhaps not even that.

So where does that leave Divine Feminine energy?

Divine Feminine: Out of the Shadows, Into the Light

Like Divine Masculine energy, Divine Feminine energy, has, up until now, been immature. 

By hiding in the shadows and forgetting her own power, the domineering shadow side of the Divine Masculine has been permitted to get out of control. Who has been there to consistently put him in his place? It takes two to tango. Neither one is “more” responsible for the annihilation of the planet than the other. Both have an equal hand in their own way.

We can picture this scenario by observing two children squabbling in the backyard. One of them – the little boy – is throwing a tantrum. “THAT’S MINE,” the little boy thunders aggressively, trying to intimidate the little girl into giving back his favorite toy. “But you said I could play with it,” the little girl sobs, running back to mommy or daddy in tears. 

She plays the victim. He plays the persecutor. It’s an age-old dance. And it needs to end.

We are getting to a pivotal turning point in history where something needs to change. Our world – the very survival of our species and the spiritual evolution of our souls – depends on it. What is the solution?

The rise of the Divine Feminine.

We are seeing it more and more, with feminism, compassion for animals (resulting in more ethical eating choices), yoga, meditation, and even social media initiatives like the #metoo and #blacklivesmatter movements entering the mainstream.

But all things in life have a dark side – that is an intrinsic realization we must come to terms with on our spiritual journeys. We need to be aware of our shadow selves in order to move into the light.

The Shadow Side

With that being said, let’s break down the shadow side of the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine:

Of course, no person has purely Divine Feminine OR Divine Masculine shadow qualities – we tend to have a mixture of both. It’s up to us to develop the self-awareness and humility needed to recognize what we unconsciously harbor within ourselves.

The Light Side

Now, let’s look at the light side of the Feminine and Masculine energies. We could also call this the mature, fully-actualized Divine Feminine and Masculine:

You might notice that many of these traits are actually quite neutral, and here’s where words have a limit.

All traits innate to the Divine Feminine and Masculine are neutral, it’s only when they come out of balance that they become an issue.

Being compassionate, for example, is a Divine Feminine trait that can either be positive or negative depending on how it’s used. When there’s too much compassion, there is self-martyrdom and co-dependency, and when there’s too little, there’s cruelty.

So, in essence, the “light” side of the Divine Feminine and Masculine is really only another way of saying the balanced side.

Benefits of Awakening the Divine Feminine

She is so bright and glorious that you cannot look at her face or her garments for the splendor with which she shines. For she is terrible with the terror of the avenging lightning, and gentle with the goodness of the bright sun; and both her terror and her gentleness are incomprehensible to humans … But she is with everyone and in everyone, and so beautiful is her secret that no person can know the sweetness with which she sustains people, and spares them in inscrutable mercy.”

– Hildegard von Bingen

No matter what gender (or lack thereof) you are, here’s what you can expect to experience once you commit to awakening the Divine Feminine within you:

• Enhanced intuition (higher perception)
• Sharpened gut instincts (animal perception)
• More flexibility and spontaneity
• Greater self-compassion
• Increased love and acceptance of others
• Connection with the Divine Creator within
• More ability to enjoy the small things in life
• Greater receptivity to yourself, others, and life
• Increased ability to let go
• Deeper comfort with the unknown and reduced anxiety
• Heightened connection with your body and sensuality
• Enhanced ability to relax, receive, and be

9 Ways to Awaken the Divine Feminine Energy Within You

The deep Feminine, the mystery of consciousness, She who is life, is longing for our transformation as much as we are. She holds back, allowing us free reign to choose, nudging us occasionally with synchronicities, illness, births and deaths … But when we make space for Her, she rushes into all the gaps, engulfing us with her desire for life and expression. This is what She longs for, this is what we are for: experiencing the Feminine through ourselves. We simply need to slow down, and find where to put our conscious attention.

– Lucy H. Pearce, Burning Woman

To be whole and balanced beings, we need to honor both sides of our nature: the Divine Feminine and the Divine Masculine – also known in Jungian terms as the anima and animus.

But now, more than ever, we are all being called to awaken the Shakti within.

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Males need to get over their immaturity surrounding femininity, and females need to step more into their power.

No matter whether you’re male, female, or non-binary/trans, it’s your responsibility to create change within yourself. Only when we change ourselves can true change in the world happen.

Pointing fingers at one gender or group as being “responsible” for all world’s ills, being “less than” the other type of energy, and so forth, is infantile. We need to grow up and stop feeding our lower nature.

As I wrote in the article Divine Masculine:

Don’t give fuel to your shadow self. Don’t perpetuate more division within this world. Learn how to awaken both types of energy within yourself in a healthy way.

So with that being said, here’s how to start this sacred inner work:

1. Connect with your inner Divine Mother

This might sound strange, but the reality is that we are composed of many subpersonalities. Psychiatrist Carl Jung called them “archetypes,” and more recently, psychotherapist Richard C. Schwartz (founder of Internal Family Systems) refers to them as “parts.”

The Mother is a universal part/archetype that can be found within all people of all genders. We see the Great Mother portrayed through the ages in numerous forms; as the Virgin Mary, Lakshmi, Isis, Sophia, Mother Nature, Kali – you name it.

So the question is, what does your inner Divine Mother look like?

I recommend connecting with this part of you through practices such as journaling, drawing/painting, automatic writing, dream work, and mirror work.

You might like to create or print out a picture that resembles your inner Divine Mother and put her somewhere important in your house. Let her inspire and remind you of the importance of honoring and connecting with the Divine Feminine.

2. Examine your wounds surrounding femininity

Examine the following questions:

• What has society taught you about femininity as a male, female, or non-binary/trans?
• How did your mother model her femininity and what did she teach you (whether directly or indirectly)?
• What negative core beliefs might you have developed surrounding femininity?
• What habits and behaviors do you bring into the world that indirectly or directly oppress the Divine Feminine?

Journal about these questions and do some self-reflection. Understanding how you truly feel about feminine energy – from all angles – is vital.

Often we carry old programming that impedes our growth and maturation. The only way to move through these blocks is to see right through them.

For example, common negative conditioned beliefs include the notion that women should always be pretty, good at everything, never age, have a perfect body, be submissive to men, be meek and emotionally-restrained, and please everyone. (There are many other negative ideas out there – these are just a few common examples.)

However, your personal wounds might be totally different.

For example, if you were raised with an engulfing helicopter mother, you might fear women and see them as fundamentally dangerous. If your mother was manic-depressive, you might unconsciously perceive all women to be chaotic, unsafe, and unreliable. Try to examine both your personal and wider societal context. 

3. Tune into your emotions

How are you feeling? If you were brought up in the West, you’ll have more masculine-dominated values. You tend to ask people, “How are you doing?” rather than “How are you feeling?” We need to shift away from that mindset.

A person’s worth is not based on how much they do. In fact, a person’s worth isn’t externally based at all.

We need to start feeling things from the inside – this enables us to authentically learn more about ourselves and tune into our emotions. Getting to know our emotional landscape will empower us to develop self-love and self-compassion which are doorways into the Divine Feminine.

So stop right now and ask yourself, “How am I feeling?” (If you struggle to label your emotions, search for “emotions chart” on Google images and print one out.)

Are you feeling tired, moody, excited, intrigued, sad, nostalgic, disillusioned, surprised? Get into the habit of assigning a word to how you feel.

4. Cultivate your intuition

Intuition is a core Divine Feminine quality. Yet because so many of us live in our heads, we become disconnected from our hearts and souls (the source of our intuition!).

Sadly, the result is that most of us struggle to differentiate the voice of fear from intuition. Some of us even outright reject the value of intuition altogether!

To begin cultivating your intuition, try any of the following practices:

• Begin meditating (this helps to silence your mind and allow intuitive flashes to emerge)
• Experiment with oracle and tarot cards
• Tune into your body through mindfulness exercises
• Learn to understand the meaning of your dreams

You can also read my article on how to trust your intuition for more guidance.

5. Find a feminine teacher/guide/figure you admire

We all need role models, and finding a mature and embodied woman is a powerful way of tuning into the Divine Feminine. Fortunately, there are many beautiful expressions of the Divine Feminine out there.

You can begin your search in your friend or family circle, and extend it to authors, artists, therapists/counselors, historical and religious icons, and modern feminine figures. Once you’ve found someone (or a few teachers) you admire, put a picture of them somewhere special to honor the Divine Feminine.

Remember, the whole point of finding a feminine teacher/guide/figure that you admire is to learn from them. Please don’t idolize them or give away your power. Simply respect and appreciate them and make sure you integrate the lessons offered to you.

Also, if you find that there’s a male (or trans/non-binary individual) out there who reflects the Shakti energy in a healthy and respectful way, feel free to add them to your list of role models.

6. Slow down and be present

Masculine energy is all about do-do-do. But feminine energy is about being receptive, passive, and living in the moment.

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We don’t always need to achieve something. So make some time during the day to slow down and be present. Try to enjoy the little things and practice being grateful. You may even like to keep a gratitude journal – or if you’re into poetry, a place where you write poetry in appreciation of life’s small pleasures.

Slowing down, for instance, could be as simple as turning off your phone and going outside to enjoy the sunset. Or it could mean saying “no” to that extra task your colleague wants you to finish by Friday.

While slowing down is difficult at first, keep at it. Your brain has likely been wired to be on the “doing” frequency all the time rather than in the being state of mind. So be forgiving and patient (two more Divine Feminine qualities!) and don’t give up. Even if slowing down needs to be scheduled into your day, make sure it’s a priority. 

7. Practice self-love and inner child work

A crucial part of the spiritual path involves learning how to love yourself and healing your inner child. By learning how to love yourself, you are better equipped to show true compassion to others. What better ways to awaken the Divine Feminine within you!?

Self-love and inner child work go hand-in-hand, but before going too deep into inner child work, I recommend starting with self-love. Self-love is truly the foundation of all inner work because, without it, it’s possible to re-traumatize our already-wounded inner child.

To begin self-love, one of the most powerful practices is something called mirror work. Essentially, this practice involves standing in front of your household mirror every day and repeating loving words to yourself. These affirmations might include, “I see you,” “I value you,” “I forgive you,” “I’m here for you,” or whatever loving statement comes from your heart.

Read more about how to practice mirror work.

8. Connect more deeply with your body

The Divine Feminine is a sensual, visceral force that is at the heart of all life. She is the one who gives birth to all existence, tends it, and nurtures it: all very raw and instinctual processes.

To honor the yin energy within you, connect with your body. Learn its language. Discover more about what it means to be embodied in this life as a spiritual being. This might take many forms, for example:

• Learning bodywork and breathwork
• Uncovering the meaning behind your muscle tension
• Practicing body-centered mindfulness
• Exploring your sensual nature (honoring the pleasures of the body such as eating, sleeping, relaxing, and having sex)
• Taking care of your basic bodily needs (e.g., getting good quality nutrition, water, sleep, digestion, etc.) by learning self-care

9. Honor, protect, and celebrate Mother Earth

As the physical embodiment of the Divine Feminine, the earth is our ultimate provider. She sustains us, protects us, and allows us to flourish.

We are birthed within her, and we will die within her. And each and every day, she has endless reminders to share with us that reflect the Divinity, joy, beauty, and love inherent in life.

Connecting with Mother Earth is simple: go outside! Enjoy the trees, the wind, the clouds, the rain, the flowers, the sunshine, the soil – all of it. Be in a state of appreciation for her. But don’t let it stop there. 

To truly honor Mother Earth is to respect her through our actions. By committing to a sustainable, low-waste, and ethical way of living, we are putting our head where our heart is. We don’t need to be perfect. We can’t be. But we can do our best, understanding that no matter how many mistakes we make, we are loved. 

Takeaway

Our spiritual paths, our choices, our very lives are not separate from the greater Whole.

Learning how to reconnect with the Divine Feminine is a vital and desperately needed part of embracing both our humanity and divinity. No authentic growth or progression can be made without cultivating the yin, the Shakti within us. Our minds, our bodies, our children, our communities, our world are all crying for the rise of the Divine Feminine.

What is your relationship like with the Divine Feminine? Do you have any advice to share? Let yourself be heard below.