This is the most common question we’ve been asked over the years. When we first hear the term used, most of us conjure of images of women of wild abandon, running naked through the streets getting into all kinds of mischief. Alas, that’s not quite what we’re about as you’ve probably figured out by now.
In 1992, Jungian psychoanalyst Clarissa Pinkola Estés published Women Who Run with the Wolves. Many of us read and were impacted by it though it is not an easy book to digest. In her controversial book, she uses fairy tales, folk tales, intercultural myths, and stories, many from her Mexican heritage, to help women reconnect to their wild instinctual nature. It became a feminine empowerment manifesto encouraging us to reject rules and make change in society by living our lives with passion, creativity, and a connection to our inner knowing.
Clarissa Pinkola Estés claims that we understand the words wild and woman intuitively and the very use of the words Wild Woman opens the door to the deep female psyche stirring an old memory that is brought back to life. The memory is of our “absolute, undeniable, and irrevocable kinship with the wild feminine, a relationship which may have become ghostly from neglect, buried by over-domestication, outlawed by the surrounding culture, or no longer understood anymore.” She also maintains that “healthy women and healthy wolves share certain psychic characteristics: keen sensing, playful spirit, and a heightened capacity for devotion.”
The wild woman archetype is associated with wolf, the old woman, the wise one. She is someone who is free and spontaneous. She is determined to overcome the restrictive social roles that have been imposed on us. Being a wild woman is about being our true selves, connecting to our intuition, getting in touch with and responding to our needs. A wild woman is both vulnerable and strong. Wild women connect deeply with nature, natural cycles, and value their gifts and guidance.
When I was approached in 2002 to host a Wild Women Weekend at Thirteen Moons, I was initially a bit apprehensive. Although I had listened to an audio of the book and was familiar with the term, I was not aware that the organizer was as well. I was relieved to discover during our conversation that she was merely trying to support the development of wild women philosophy not looking for a place to host a wild party. With that cleared up, I was about to be exposed to the most incredible gathering of seven committed and brave women. During the first weekend this troupe brought their annual gathering to my retreat centre, they so generously invited me to be a part of their community. And, my life has not been the same since.
Over the years, I have had the honour of evolving into my wild woman self alongside the three wild women sisters who have remained steadfast in their commitment to this process. We strive to live authentically, from the heart, be open to adventure by stepping outside our comfort zone, and most important of all we support each other’s journey wholeheartedly.
Are you ready to reclaim your wild woman self? It is our greatest hope that your engagement in the 4 Wild Women journey will help you to do just that.
Some links about the "Wild Woman Archetype"...
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