Every woman has a wolf inside

The publication of the book Women Who Run with Wolves, by Clarissa Pinkola, has inaugurated a new archetype for women: that of the wolf. The book has been a true success, to the point of already having translations into 18 languages ​​and several editions and reprints.

The most interesting thing about the text is that it makes it easier for us to understand feminism itself in a magical and ecstatic way. The basic premise of this work is that every woman carries a spirit within her wild, the spirit of a wolf. It houses a vital and powerful energy, which makes spontaneity its natural way of being.

This female animal is fierce, knows how to protect itself from predators and overcomes lack of experience or naivety. The wolf, therefore, has remarkable strength inside and can bring it out. Even though she’s been asleep for a while.

On the other hand, something we know is that the figure of the wolf has always been that of a stigmatized and sometimes belittled animal. His wild side is not simply pure ferocity. The wolf knows how to be a matriarch in her pack, she knows how to guide her people. He is capable of becoming a leader of others, without fear and without complexes. She learns from experiences and knows how to take care of herself.

The wolf and modern women

In a recent study carried out by Dr. Cathy Cohen, from the University of Chicago, she points out something interesting. The millennialsthat generation raised and educated in the new millennium, increasingly believes in the need to defend gender equality. He knows that women need and should be empowered. However, as curious as it may be, they are still reluctant to use or define themselves as “feminists.”

The explanation for this is, according to experts, that the media have always shown the figure of feminism as something rigid, as an extremist movement. It is a little understood reality as we see, an entity that Clarissa Estes Pinkola herself invites us to understand in an exceptional way through her book.

The ideas that allow us to understand with The women who ran with the wolvesare the following:

Although the modern woman has achieved immense achievements and has positioned herself in many places of poweris far from her wild wolf essenceThe latter does not bow to the commands of others, as the modern woman does with advertising. Nor does she allow others to tell her which path she should take. The wolf is creative, passionate, instinctive and wise.

Being a woman is a privilege. However, culture has caused this fact to be buried and on many occasions by the women themselves. Civilization itself originated around women. In principle, the only blood tie that was fully established was this one. Human groups gathered around mothers, because little was known about paternity. Human societies began with women as the center.

At the dawn of humanity, “the wolf” really took her place. Today, however, the feminine has been devalued. Many women try the path of their autonomy on the path of imitating men. A wild wolf is not a male: she is a wild and determined female, who appreciates the feminine that makes her up.

In particular, a wolf does not accept the dominance of others over her body. Dance alone or accompanied. She hugs and holds. She is cheerful and connected to her instincts and desires. She does not allow anyone to tell her how much she should regret herself, when she should have children or how she should act so that others will applaud her.

The wolf’s challenge

Culture has been imposing prototypes such as the “good woman” and the “bad woman.” The first is respectable, a true paragon of virtues in the opinion of many. The bad woman, on the other hand, puts stability at risk because she proposes advances.. That is why in many societies these types of women are called “bitches”, or “sluts” and also wolves. They are the ones who give “what to talk about”. They scandalize. Curiously, the word “whore” comes from “buzda”, which means “wisdom”.

Rome, which was the capital of the world, had been founded by Romulus and Remus, two abandoned children who survived thanks to being suckled by a wolf. In classical Rome, prostitutes were not women who offered their sexual favors for 15 minutes to the highest bidder.

They were usually educated in politics, astrology, mathematics, and much more. They did not simply offer sex, but comprehensive companionship. They were good conversationalists. The concept was similar to that of “geishas.” This may give the impression that she looks like a wolf, like a prostitute, but she is not..

The wolf does not demand, but offers. It does not ask, but it gives. Still, it is not domesticated. If he acts that way it is because he feels empowered, not because he is subordinate. He knows that he can leave any day, without having decided on his destination before leaving. He knows that he belongs, that’s why he can also give himself. He is not afraid to give himself to another because he is free. He is not afraid to suffer because he knows he is strong.

The wolf is a great friend, loyal and protective. She is also very spiritual: she orients her life towards universal values ​​and not towards end-of-month goals. She loves art, because it is the best avenue for free expression. She loves herself, without falling into narcissism or egoism. The best of all is that This wild wolf is in every woman. You just have to muster the courage to wake her up.

You might be interested…

Images courtesy of Lucy Campbell