The Power of the Shapeshifter, Warrior, and Huntress Archetypes 🏹
“Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves. Water can flow, or it can crash. Be formless, shapeless, like water.”
THE BALANCE OF MENTAL WILL AND EMOTIONAL POWER
Throughout my life, like many others, I have held a deep identity around being emotionally strong, tough, and resilient. I resonate strongly with the warrior, or huntress archetype- the ability to hone in on and conquer whatever challenges arise in my reality.
This aspect of myself became further established as I began to occupy this role professionally- being a guide and healer, taking on clients, and being genuinely honored and fulfilled to help others find their center in an increasingly chaotic world.
A few years ago I began 1:1 boxing training.
I started because it was so opposite from my way of moving through the world, and I'd always wanted to learn the "art of combat” + self-defense as a young woman. I was getting over a breakup in the peak of winter, and just felt a general life revival coming my way. All of the Divergent + Hunger Games series also had a bit to do with it.
I remember feeling my body tighten and tone. My mental strength and agility focused. I felt more myself than ever. So proud that I had transformed my fluid, feminine body with no prior athletic disposition (find me stretching, walking, and dancing) into a regimented, high-impact powerhouse.
As our training progressed, I remember my Sensei watching me and saying “Allright, great. You have the motions down. Now don't be so rigid and stiff. Loosen up. Relax. Bring fluidity to your form. Don't think about it so much, and then your stance will be perfect.”
* Screeching halt * I remember thinking… “What?! I just trained myself to stop flowing, be more controlled/focused, and now I need to bring the flow back!?" I was offended 😂
He reminded me that it was about the merging of both. How I had to learn structure first in order to flow properly within that container. (Just like how security and safety first is a hierarchical human need.) It was about being focused and precise while moving, bending, and flowing like water.
BECOMING FLUID, FLEXIBLE, AND RESPONSIVE TO LIFE’S INITIATIONS
My whole life, I thought mental will and intention was the ultimate example of power. A negative thought arised, and I bulldozed through it. Challenges surfaced, and I would wire my mind to “find the positive” rather than just feel the presence of so much emotion and unknown territory. Then I naturally pendulum swung, to see that my vulnerability was equally powerful. My softness, openness, and receptivity to the mystery of life.
Both of these masculine and feminine principles, of action and surrender/faith, must be in balance. Somewhere between the two rests the alchemical gold.
I think about the example of water.. the greatest example of life force physicalized, and how energy tends to move and assemble itself. You may look at a river and see the gentlest current, but it is the same force that cuts through rock. Its consistent flow and presence will smooth and shape even the densest, hardest material.
Chi/ prana/ energy/ life force current, whatever you wish to call it.. needs to move, circulate, and flow in order for the body to exist in its most optimal charge, frequency, joy, harmony, and vitality.
One way that this energy becomes clogged + congested is through the “holding on”- the desire for control, the fear, the lack of expressing how we are truly feeling, and therefore receiving support in return.
THE WATER ELEMENT AS A SPIRIT ALLY
In this pisces season, allow yourself to tune deeper into your own emotional current, as it holds deep wells of wisdom. Call upon the element of water to bring greater ease and flexibility into the parts of your life that feel like they're restructuring, rearranging, and reforming with this incoming spring doorway.
*NEW* EARTH MAGIC MINI-COURSE: WATERBENDING 🐟
Elemental “mini-courses” are now available as pre-recorded offerings for your own at-home study + pace.
You can choose which element you desire to connect and train with, as each one carries a specific medicine that we need at different times in our life.
Our first class- WATERBENDING- is only $44, and will be on sale at this price until March 20th to honor Pisces Season.