Throughout my career, I’ve often encountered a disheartening scenario: older men presuming authority over my professional choices, suggesting that I was not ready, not good enough, or that my role was merely to serve their objectives. In one vivid shamanic journey at a retreat, this recurring theme crystallized painfully as I saw a man I worked with formerly who truly believed my sole purpose was to “serve him.” This wasn’t just an isolated incident—it was the tip of an iceberg that has surfaced repeatedly in my life.
From a young age, society’s patriarchal whispers insisted that I follow, not lead—guidance that never resonated with the purpose written in my human design chart, my astrological placements, and echoed in numerous other personal revelations. I am here to lead. Stepping into this role has not only been a personal triumph but a necessity; for us women, following the trodden path often reinforces the very frameworks that constrain us.
Recently, during a conversation with a close friend, we made a resolute decision: We no longer have space in our lives for older men telling us what to do. This declaration marked a pivotal moment in reclaiming our agency and defining our boundaries more clearly than ever before. Such clarity has been empowering, reinforcing our commitment to navigate our paths with autonomy and respect for our own wisdom and capabilities.
In this article, I will share how I uprooted my own entrenched beliefs about men, leadership, and the patriarchal system through shamanic methods. Through soul retrievals and connecting with my ancestors, I’ve begun to heal not just my own wounds but, potentially, the wounds of future generations.
Shamanism not only allows individuals to heal from past traumas but also facilitates a societal shift towards genuine gender equality by reconfiguring foundational beliefs that shape interactions. By engaging deeply with practices like soul retrieval, both men and women can contribute to creating a society where everyone thrives irrespective of gender. This transformation encourages a redefinition of roles and capabilities, promoting a balanced and equitable community.
If we heal our past, we pave the way for a healed future. Join me as I explore the profound transformations that are possible when we reclaim our power and redefine our destinies.
Historical Context
Understanding this historical backdrop is essential not only for recognizing the depth and breadth of patriarchy’s roots but also for identifying the ways in which these ancient threads continue to influence contemporary structures.
The roots of patriarchy are ancient and tangled, weaving through the fabric of human history with profound and pervasive effects. To understand the challenges we face today, it is crucial to trace the evolution of patriarchal systems.
Early Societies and the Rise of Patriarchy
Historically, the rise of patriarchal systems can be linked to the transition from hunter-gatherer communities to more settled agrarian societies. This shift, occurring over thousands of years, began to solidify as early as 10,000 BCE with the development of agriculture. As communities settled, property rights became central, and with them, the control over resources—and power—gradually shifted to males, particularly to those owning land or livestock. This marked a departure from the more egalitarian norms seen in many hunter-gatherer societies, where resources were shared more equally, and women often held roles of substantial influence.
Classical Antiquity and Patriarchal Laws
In classical civilizations such as Greece and Rome, the legal and social frameworks explicitly codified male dominance. Women were largely excluded from public life and legal rights, confined to roles centered around domestic duties and child-rearing. In ancient Rome, the *pater familias* system granted the family patriarch almost absolute control over his household, including his wife, children, and slaves.
Religious Doctrine and Institutionalization of Patriarchy
With the spread of major world religions, patriarchal norms were further institutionalized. Many religious doctrines and texts, interpreted through predominantly male lenses, reinforced the notion of male superiority and female subservience. This was not limited to any single culture or religion but was a common theme across various belief systems worldwide.
The Middle Ages to the Modern Era
The feudal system in medieval Europe and the subsequent rise of nation-states continued to reinforce male authority in both public and private spheres. Women’s subservience was embedded in legal documents, educational systems, and economic practices. The Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution brought some shifts in attitudes, but these were slow and often resisted. Women began to challenge their roles more openly, leading to the suffrage movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Colonialism and Its Impact
As European powers expanded their territories globally, they exported their patriarchal norms to other cultures. This often resulted in the suppression or alteration of local matrilineal or more gender-egalitarian systems. Colonial administrators imposed new laws and educational systems that devalued and diminished the role of women in colonized societies, framing patriarchal structures as more ‘civilized’ or ‘rational.’
Impact on Women
The impact of patriarchy on women is profound and pervasive, affecting nearly every aspect of their lives. This section explores how patriarchal norms and structures continue to shape the realities of women across various dimensions.
Patriarchal norms have historically restricted women’s roles in the workforce, confining them to lower-paid, lower-status jobs. Even in modern settings, women often face significant wage gaps, glass ceilings, and a lack of representation in leadership positions. This economic disparity not only affects women’s financial independence but also limits their ability to influence policies and decisions that affect their lives. For example, in many industries traditionally dominated by men, such as technology and engineering, women continue to struggle for equal opportunities and recognition.
From a young age, girls are often steered towards certain educational and career paths, subtly molded by societal expectations that prioritize caregiving roles over scientific or technical ambitions. This educational steering limits their future career choices and reinforces gender stereotypes. Socially, women are frequently expected to prioritize family and domestic responsibilities over personal growth and career development, a pressure that is seldom placed on their male counterparts.
A grave impact of patriarchal norms is the prevalence of gender-based violence. Societies that devalue women or view them as property of men create environments where domestic abuse, sexual harassment, and assault are rampant and often go unpunished. This culture of violence profoundly affects women’s safety and mental health, contributing to a pervasive sense of insecurity and fear.
Living under such constant disparities and pressures takes a significant psychological toll. Women may internalize these societal messages, leading to issues like diminished self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. The psychological impact is compounded by the frequent dismissal of these concerns in both medical and social contexts, where women’s pain is often minimized or ignored.
Resistance and Empowerment
Women have been resisting patriarchal controls for centuries, often at great personal risk. The suffragette movements in the early 20th century are one of the most notable examples, where women in the United States, United Kingdom, and beyond fought tirelessly for the right to vote. These movements were characterized by both peaceful protests and, at times, more radical tactics. Their efforts were pivotal in gaining political rights for women, which were essential for further legal and social reforms.
During the same era, the women’s labor movement began to take shape, with women advocating for better working conditions, fair wages, and the right to unionize. These efforts were crucial in the broader labor rights movements and helped to lay the groundwork for modern employment standards.
Modern Feminist Movements
The feminist movements of the 1960s and 1970s reignited the fight against patriarchy, expanding their goals to include a wider range of issues such as sexuality, workplace rights, and legal inequalities. The emergence of feminist theory provided a scholarly framework to examine and critique the ways in which society perpetuates gender inequalities. This period also saw the rise of intersectionality, a key concept in feminist theory that addresses how race, class, sexuality, and other identities intersect with gender.
In recent years, movements like #MeToo have brought renewed attention to issues of sexual harassment and violence, particularly in the workplace. This movement has empowered women to come forward with their stories, holding perpetrators accountable and sparking a global conversation about consent and gender dynamics.
Shamanism as a Tool for Transforming Beliefs
Shamanism, one of the oldest spiritual practices, offers powerful tools for healing and transformation, including soul retrieval. This practice involves recovering parts of an individual’s soul that have been lost due to trauma, stress, or loss, leading to a more integrated and whole state of being.
What is Soul Retrieval?
Soul retrieval is a shamanic journey where a shaman or trained practitioner enters a trance-like state to access non-ordinary reality. The aim is to retrieve pieces of the soul that have been lost through various life experiences, restoring the individual’s energy, vitality, and spirit.
My Personal Shamanic Journeys
During my practice, I have undertaken several shamanic journeys, delving deep into the past to connect with my ancestors. These journeys have revealed how women throughout history lost their energy and parts of their souls due to oppressive societal structures and personal traumas. By retrieving these lost soul parts, I not only healed myself but also helped to restore strength to my entire lineage. This process allowed me to observe the dissipation of inherited feelings like anger, which had been passed down through generations.
Shifting Old Beliefs
Soul retrieval and other shamanic practices enable profound shifts in deeply ingrained beliefs. Many women, including myself, have been conditioned to hold limiting beliefs about self-worth, capabilities, and independence. Through soul retrieval, I transformed my own beliefs from “I have to comply” to “I can do it my way,” and from “I am not worthy of getting paid as much as men” to “I deserve equal pay.” I also shifted from seeing myself as someone who must learn from men to recognizing myself as a teacher and leader.
Challenging Gender Dynamics
While many men express verbal support for gender equality, there remains a gap between their words and actions. It’s crucial for men to provide the same space and respect to women that they reserve for themselves. Through my shamanic practice, I have explored how to dismantle these discrepancies. Men can use these spiritual tools to reflect on their behaviors and genuinely support equality in tangible ways.
As women, we really must say NO to giving away our power. I know from my own experience that there are still so many subconscious behaviors in me, such as making myself smaller or making mistakes just to feel safe. Countless times I have done this. And then I thought I would be safe, but the truth is, we are not safe when we make ourselves small. We can only be safe by stepping into our power.
Reflective Questions for Men and Women on Patriarchy and Power
These questions are intended to initiate a process of introspection that can lead to significant insights and changes, facilitated by shamanic practices such as soul retrieval and ancestral healing. This reflective exercise can help both men and women identify and begin to dismantle the patriarchal beliefs that limit their full expression and equality.
Questions for Men:
-In what ways are you resisting giving women the same opportunities and recognition as you give yourself and other men?
– Are you open to learning from women as leaders and experts in their fields? If not, why?
– How do your actions align with your stated views on gender equality? Are there discrepancies between what you say and what you do?
– What assumptions do you make about the capabilities of women in professional settings, and how might these be influenced by societal norms?
– How do you actively support or hinder the advancement of women in your personal and professional life?
Questions for Women:
– In what ways might you be unconsciously relinquishing power to men, both in personal and professional contexts?
– Do you experience emotions such as sadness or anger around career advancement or compensation? What do you think are the root causes of these feelings?
– Do you feel genuinely acknowledged by men in your life, beyond superficial recognition?
– In your relationships with men, do you feel respected and valued for your thoughts and contributions?
– Does your income reflect the true value of your work and contributions? If not, what factors do you believe contribute to this discrepancy?
– How often do you find yourself modifying your behavior or decisions to accommodate men, and what impact does this have on your self-esteem and self-image?
