Reclaiming Your Feminine Essence in Business

A Lesson in History: From the Celtic Women to The Feminist Movement

Important Note: While I use 'man,' 'woman,' 'feminine,' and 'masculine' somewhat interchangeably in this first lesson, it’s essential to note that both men and women embody both feminine and masculine energy. It’s just more natural for women to embody more feminine energy and vice versa. However, I believe we have built a society from a toxic masculine state, which can be connected to religious upbringings and the degradation of how we honor women in society, dating back to the early AD time period. This has resulted in both men and women embodying more masculine qualities energetically as the feminine energy has been suppressed for eons. 

There was a time, a million years ago, when women were once praised in Celtic cultures across the rich lands of Europe. 

Over time, and throughout the development of religion, you could say the feminine were robbed of their very own essence through beliefs and traditions that abolished honoring the strength of women or mistakenly underminded them. 

You could call it an epidemic that spread like wildfire and impacted every aspect of our world as we know it today, creating a Wasteland in our lives and in our hearts as we’ve built a society from a place of toxic masculinity.  

For centuries, our society has made it a point to oppress women and also suppress the very qualities that make us all feel whole, grounded, and connected to the earth—traits such as envisioning, artistry, vulnerability, nourishment, connection, and community—characteristics of the feminine energy.

We have replaced these qualities with rigid systems, structures, and protocols that have depleted the essence of the feminine that resides within us, both women and men.

To live in a way that goes against these systems we’ve heartlessly created is to go against the governing laws that keep us stripped of vitality. But to not accept these laws and to go against the grain is to impeach oneself as you become an outcast, a maverick, a disappointment. 

In the enlightening book on rediscovering who we are as women, ‘If Women Rose Rooted by Sharon Blackie', she makes a pungent point on what we accept when we do abide by societal rules:

"We live then in a culture by the standards of which most women are doomed to fail. But it is easier to just go with the system, because the world values women who do: women who stick to the rules, women who do not rock the boat, women who do not push for more. Women who are like men, or women who become what men want them to be. But in becoming what we are not, in colluding with the patriarchy, we are cut off from the source of our creativity, from the wild mystery and freedom which makes our hearts sing. And in following this path, we prop up and perpetuate the system which destroys us and the planet. In living like this, we embrace the Wasteland.”

Women can feel this. I know I can, and I’d bet you can too if you’re here reading this—digging for a solution for another way of living; recklessly hopeful that this cannot be all there is. 

It’s no wonder women began to feel outraged enough to take back what was rightfully theirs as the Feminist Movement took off in the late 1840s. 

I do commence the initial efforts of The Feminist Movement, prioritizing women's rights such as voting, opportunities in the workforce, and encouraging independence beyond being a housewife and mother, if one so chooses. Personally, I’d love to be a housewife (and maybe a blogger, and a couple of other things too 😋). Yet if I’m being completely honest, I sit here writing this as a single, career-orientated woman who's gone through the trials and errors of battling my own masculine and feminine energies and still continues on a day-to-day basis. But I worry that in recent times, we have misportrayed and lost sight of the true representation of women we were initially fighting for: the natural and nourishing qualities that play a key role in business and our society, while different from the masculine, just as powerful. 

In our struggle to gain what men have that we don't, we've lost a crucial element that makes women unique, strong, and empowered—we've depleted the feminine essence in business and in our personal lives that we were fighting to establish as a root, and instead grew a weed we felt needed to be destroyed, or a shadow nobody wanted to face. 

What began as progress during the sexual revolution in the 1960s and 70s—granting women reproductive freedom—gradually shifted toward objectifying women and diminishing respect for traditional feminine roles. Today's social media culture has intensified this pattern, promoting both aggressive careerism through the ‘girl boss movement’ and casual hookup culture through endless dating apps and mindless swiping. At the same time, I've seen some major push back from those who do choose more traditional roles, creating an image on social media of an 'idyllic feminine lifestyle' as if making it sound like the choice to stay home to care for the household and support your partner is easier (or better) then making the choice to have a career.

Throughout this time in the 21st century, I’ve also seen more women emasculating good men, talking to them as if they are dogs that need to be trained. I’ve personally witnessed this throughout Hollywood movies, in homes, and amongst groups of women gossiping about their husbands, boyfriends, and partners. I don't think women mean to do this or even realize they are. I certainly have emasculated men in the past without even realizing it and it's something I've had to consciously work on as I've learned how different men think and the words they respond best to through 'The Queen's Code by Allison Armstrong.' It really does break my heart as I concur that we’ve collectively neglected to see the extraordinary qualities that men and the divine masculine can offer. It feels to me this society we've built and it's governing walls seems to be in glory at us pointing fingers at each other, especially when women say 'men just need to step up,' as if that is the solution, when perhaps, the fault lyes much deeper then men simply 'stepping up.'

But, there seems to be no doubt that the modern age has been dominated by the toxic masculine, and the aggression and force from it has placed a type of weight on women that is turning them into the thing they were avoiding the most as they fight back for the years they’ve been oppressed.

We also need to mention the rising cost of living, which makes it feel nearly impossible for the average household to live on a single income. This forces women who would rather be at home, nurturing and caring for their families, into the workforce, and into a masculine dominated state, as the feminine energy is once again depleted.

Now, that’s not to say you can't embody your feminine energy in business and while working, as there are wonderful practices to help with this, which we’ll dive into in the next section. It is to say that for many women, especially for highly sensitive women like myself, it takes an incredible amount more energy. And I know with all my heart I’d never have the bandwidth to be fully in my feminine state and caring for my family if I had to work outside the home in addition to all that comes with taking care & managing  a household. I would be more than depleted, and so I mention this to sympathize and bring awareness to the very state many women end up having to live in because of the faulty systems we’ve created as a society—systems created from the toxic masculine states. Systems that can feel like there are insurmountable obstacles to overcome in order to escape. 

Furthermore, there are women who detest the very notion of traditional domesticity, yet find themselves ridiculed for pursuing careers in a masculine dominated world and shunned for their natural curiosity to channel their energy into their professional endeavors. And, my heart breaks for them too, as I like to think of these women as our little fairy guardians to the homebody feminines—out there in the world, keeping the balance with their own unique magic.🧚 But mostly because, all women should have the choice of which path they would like to embark on and to not have that choice be dictated by societal laws.

Altogether, I can’t help but feel we’ve perpetuated the issues through our own acts—even well intentioned. All throughout the media I continually witness women fighting women, men fighting women, women fighting men, and we all seem to be at war against one another. And so I feel in some ways we’ve created these problems and the very Wasteland so many of us today are now trying desperately to climb out of, as Sharon Blackie boldly points out. 

These issues are undoubtedly complex and challenging to explore fully in a brief blog post. The exhaustion is real and pervasive, affecting women and men alike. As the fourth wave of feminism emerges, staying attuned to diverse perspectives becomes increasingly essential, given the profound impact these changes have on us all.

It can feel disheartening to say this has effected everyone in society, collectively, as both men and women have fought against one another versus working collaboratively together towards the same goal I believe resides in both our hearts desire—to build something beyond ourselves as we honor what each party uniquely brings to the table, to leave the world a better place then we found it, and to transcend to new heightend realms together. 

When did we lose sight of all of this? How can we come back into union and live harmoniously amongst one another, while in balance with our feminine and masculine energies? 

While I don’t have all the answers, I do believe we have the choice to go against the grain and live a more intentional life that honors our feminine energy. And in doing so, we allow others around us to follow suit. I believe this work begins with understanding the history of how our world became dominated by toxic masculine energy—in understanding where the faulty traditions, anger, and uproar came from, so that way we can delicately discuss where the truths need to be revealed and change the direction in which we are going.

With all that said, moving forward, we’ll take a look at some tactful practices we can embody to reintroduce our feminine essence in business while holding space for the masculine. We’ll rediscover how the two energies are present and vital in everyone, regardless of gender, and how to embrace the positive nature of both. 

Feminine vs. Masculine Approach to Business Strategy

The divine feminine and divine masculine energies, when working harmoniously together, provide a robust business foundation. As we learn to embrace the two, we’ll see why each plays an essential role in running our business. 

Masculine Approach to Business 

The masculine energy in business provides the structural foundation that allows us to progress through action and taking initiative. In this state, we are doing. When our masculine energies are healthy and in balance, we can see the positive traits cascade into our business, which may look like:

• Decisive leadership and clear direction - Making confident decisions quickly when needed, providing a clear vision and strategic focus that helps teams move forward efficiently without unnecessary delays.

• Healthy competition and achievement drive - Channeling competitive spirit constructively to push for excellence, set ambitious goals, and motivate teams to reach their highest potential while maintaining ethical standards. As a Solopreneur, this may look like setting goals to improve and master your personal skill set.

• Logical problem-solving and analytical thinking - Using systematic approaches to break down complex challenges, relying on data and objective analysis to make sound business decisions that drive results. This may look like utilizing data you’ve collected from your clients to improve workflows and final deliveries. 

You may find that intentionally tapping into your masculine energy when you first start your business or need to restructure your operations can be beneficial. For example, I like to tap into my masculine energies when I know I need to create greater foundational structures that will support my growth, which might involve committing to a consistent publishing schedule or dedicating sacred time to honing my craft and expanding my knowledge.

Feminine Approach to Business

The feminine essence in business is about bringing expression, collaboration, and intuitive nourishment into each project we may undertake. In this state, we are being. Allowing the feminine essence to emerge in business provides an opportunity to approach things from a slower, more intentional standpoint. When in balance, positive feminine energy traits may look like: 

• Collaborative leadership and team building - Fostering inclusive environments where diverse perspectives are valued, building strong relationships that enhance cooperation and collective problem-solving.

• Intuitive insight and holistic thinking - Combining analytical data with gut instincts to see the bigger picture, recognizing patterns and connections that purely logical approaches might miss.

• Adaptive flexibility and resilience - Responding gracefully to change, finding creative solutions when plans don't work out, and maintaining composure during challenging situations while keeping teams motivated.

When both the positive traits from the masculine and feminine energies are embodied in the workplace, a rhythmic environment is created for a business to thrive. The feminine energy is not subordinate to the masculine energy of structure, but instead works in flow alongside it to create more holistic operating systems. 

Discovering Your Feminine Essence & Healing Your Feminine Energy

Discovering your feminine essence for the first time can feel like a long-awaited, warm embrace. It resides in all of us, yet we have been trained to suppress the true nature of our feminine energy or think of it as nothing more than beauty standards. 

As you begin to dive deeper into revealing your feminine energy, you may also begin to see areas that you’ve been operating from a deeply wounded feminine state or a toxic masculine state. And thus, discovering your feminine archetype may lead to a gateway to learning more about your strengths and shadows, or serve as a starting point for identifying which feminine energies are most present and natural within you. 

It can be helpful to discover this, as it supports your feminine essence in business by learning how to leverage your strengths and nurture areas that require a little extra attention with newfound grace. As many of us can agree, building a wholesome business begins with creating a holistic balance within ourselves first. 

The Feminine Archetypes

While there are 12 well-known archetypes based on Carl Jung’s findings—The Jungian Archetypes, there have been numerous other archetype systems developed as well. One of those is the 7 Feminine Archetypes. This is a fun place to get started learning about archetypes with a feminine twist. 

Keep in mind, while you may be dominant under one archetype, it’s also possible to embody traits from other archetypes. It’s also important to note that the feminine energy goes far deeper than the 7 archetypes listed below. As mentioned earlier, it’s just a good place to start exploring your feminine side a bit more. And boy, does the feminine side love games! 

The Mother - Nurtures, protects, and creates supportive environments where others can thrive and grow. Shadow: Becomes overprotective, controlling, or codependent, smothering others' independence.

The Maiden - Embodies curiosity, playfulness, and fresh perspectives with an eagerness to explore new possibilities. Shadow: Remains immature, irresponsible, or naively unprepared for adult challenges.

The Huntress - Pursues goals with focused determination and independence, unafraid to venture into uncharted territory. Shadow: Becomes ruthlessly competitive, isolated, or destroys relationships in pursuit of objectives.

The Mystic - Connects to deeper wisdom and spiritual insights, serving as a bridge between the material and mystical realms. Shadow: Becomes detached from reality, self-righteous, or uses spiritual knowledge to manipulate others.

The Queen - Commands respect through sovereign leadership, making decisions that serve the greater good of her realm. Shadow: Becomes tyrannical, entitled, or demands loyalty without earning it through authentic leadership.

The Sage - Possesses accumulated wisdom and knowledge, offering guidance through experience and deep understanding. Shadow: Becomes arrogant know-it-all, dismissive of others' perspectives, or hoards knowledge as power.

The Lover - Embraces passion, connection, and beauty, bringing intensity and devotion to relationships and creative pursuits. Shadow: Becomes obsessive, possessive, or loses personal identity in relationships and desires

Signs You're Disconnected to Your Feminine Essence & Tips to Heal Your Feminine Energy

We’ve been conditioned to be productive and produce good work from a young age. Classrooms that make you sit at desks all day to ‘learn,’ are transferred to 9-5 jobs that make you sit at desks all day to ‘build.’ And if we aren’t constantly in motion, doing something, working towards something, we somehow become a failure in society's eyes, a waste of space. It’s no wonder so many of us feel disconnected from our feminine essence. It’s no wonder we’ve been operating our businesses from the systems we were taught would produce ‘good work’. 

But what if the best work comes from the nothingness? What if the best work comes from when we allow ourselves to slow down enough to see the beauty in the stillness? What if that stillness offered the type of light that illuminates the places we’ve neglected that hold the magic to our most authentic creations?

If you’ve been feeling disconnected from your feminine essence in business or personal life, or perhaps are not even sure what that looks like, you are not alone. Let’s explore how being disconnected from your feminine essence may manifest in our lives and in our work, and then we’ll examine a few ways to rekindle that lost feminine energy.

01. You feel disconnected from your body’s inherent wisdom and find yourself trapped in your mind more often

You may find it difficult to make decisions or feel scattered when prioritizing tasks at work. Despite having abundant energy, it feels misdirected and chaotic, making it hard to move through your day with natural flow and ease. You've lost touch with your body's signals and inner guidance system, leaving you overthinking simple choices that your intuition could easily resolve.

“The female body is a nuclear powerhouse, the portal that nourishes souls from heaven to earth. If that powerful energy you innately possess in your body is not channeled, it will almost always lead to something destructive.” India Ame’ye, Author 

‍Tip to awaken your body’s inherent wisdom: Practice intentional movement in your daily schedule. This can look like going for a walk, doing some slow stretches or yoga, or light resistance training. Focus on how you feel or the sensation that arises as you practice the movement. Or my favorite, just get lost in it! The key is creating space to reconnect with your physical self and allow your body to guide you back to center.

02. You suppress your emotions and vulnerability to keep the peace

You've learned to push down difficult feelings to avoid conflict or appearing "too emotional" in professional settings. This creates internal tension and prevents authentic connection with others, leaving you feeling isolated even when surrounded by people. Your emotional intelligence becomes dulled when you consistently override your natural responses.

Tip to welcome your emotions to the surface: Somatic practices and journaling are powerful tools for emotional release. Try breathwork exercises, body scanning meditation, or simply writing a stream-of-consciousness journal entry for 10 minutes each morning (Ana Juma has some wonderful journal exercises I’d recommend looking into as well if you’re in need of some inspiration). Allow yourself to feel without immediately trying to fix or analyze the emotions that arise.

03. You struggle to set boundaries and find yourself depleted from overgiving

You automatically say yes to requests without considering your capacity, often prioritizing others' needs over your own well-being. This pattern leads to burnout, resentment, and a loss of personal identity as you become defined by what you do for others rather than who you are. Your energy becomes scattered across too many commitments.

This was one area I have and still continue to consciously work on—overgiving to the point of my own destruction. I really loved Joanne Lee’s words on her perspective of what happens when you constantly give, shared in her podcast. 

‍Tip to set firmer boundaries in business and in personal life: Start small by implementing a 24-hour rule before saying yes to new requests. Practice saying "Let me check my schedule and get back to you" to create space for conscious decision-making. Begin with one clear boundary per week and gradually build your capacity to honor your own needs.

04. You feel creatively drained or neglect creative expression 

You may have pushed aside artistic pursuits or creative hobbies as "non-essential," focusing only on productive, goal-oriented activities. This disconnection from creativity leaves you feeling flat and uninspired, as creative expression is essential for accessing feminine flow and joy. Your problem-solving abilities may also feel limited without creative input.

Tip to rekindle your creative expression: Pick a form of art, listen to healing music while you sit on the floor, and allow yourself to sway side to side, back and forth. The goal isn't to create something perfect but to reconnect with the joy of being with the nature creation itself. Give yourself permission to play and explore without any outcome in mind.

05. You are constantly in motion, ‘doing,’ and struggle to slow down into just ‘being’ 

You feel uncomfortable with stillness and equate productivity with worth, making it difficult to simply exist without accomplishing something. This constant motion prevents you from accessing deeper wisdom and intuition that emerges in quiet moments. You may feel anxious or guilty when not actively working toward a goal.

Tip to allow yourself to just be: Schedule a morning, afternoon, or day with nothing to do. Resist the urge to fill this time with "productive" activities and instead practice presence through meditation, gentle movement, or simply sitting in nature. Allow yourself to discover what emerges when you're not forcing outcomes.

06. You struggle to trust that you are divinely protected and provided for, and have a need to constantly take control

You feel responsible for making everything happen through force and effort, unable to trust in natural timing or divine support. This creates chronic stress and prevents you from receiving help or opportunities that might flow to you naturally. Your nervous system remains activated from the constant need to manage and control outcomes.

Tip to allow yourself to rest in enough: My biggest tip here is to deepen your spiritual practice. Whether through prayer, meditation, or connection with nature, cultivating a relationship with something greater than yourself can feel like a sacred practice. The key is to find what resonates and works best for you!

For example, while I no longer consider myself religious, I have still adopted Sunday Sabbaths as a day of rest and reflection—something from my Roman Catholic upbringing. The seventh day of the week has always felt a little bit like a magical portal to me. And, I’ve found there is something beautiful that happens when I intentionally set a routine where I ceremoniously connect with Spirit, Universe, Mother Gaia. 

For me, it looks like taking time to write thank you notes to my angels for the for the blessings or gifts in my life from that season or week (as hard as it can sometimes be to find those things), as well as prayers for places where I could use some help or see change, and also prayers for people in my life or this world that may be struggling too. It’s a sacred weekly ritual I’ve come to cherish. 

I think this practice at the end of every week helps to gently remind me that I am divinely protected. I am divinely provided for—and so are you. 

Reconnecting With Your Intuition

When you’re running a business, freelancing, or embarking on the journey of a solopreneur, it can be easy to make more logically sound decisions. It feels like the safer approach to take. But over time, this can lead us to lose touch with our intuition. One of the most effective ways to heal our feminine energy is to reconnect with our intuition. That’s not to say there isn’t a place for more analytical thinking (the masculine trait), but rather reinforcing the idea that not everything needs to be analyzed to the point where you are overthinking. Five ways you can practice reconnecting with your intuition and feminine energy in business may include:

1. Creating regular quiet spaces for inner listening
2. Paying attention to your body's responses during meetings and decisions
3. Practicing the 24-hour rule for important choices
4. Journaling stream-of-consciousness about business challenges
5. Take walking meetings or movement breaks when stuck

As I began to write about this section, I was feeling ‘stuck.’ I realized I hadn’t gotten up for a while since I was hyper-focused on finishing the previous section. I decided to take a break, let my cat outside, roam around my yard, and sit in the grass for a bit. I came back feeling refreshed, and what may have previously taken me 30 minutes to write and come up with something to write about took me less than 10 minutes. I’ve really endeavored to try embracing taking regular breaks like this.

If you find yourself staring aimlessly at your computer, I invite you to try shifting some of that energy and come back later with a fresh perspective. Give yourself permission to slow down and the grace to take things in the capacity you can—that will look different for each and every one of us based on your archetype and natural temperament. 

Cultivating Season-Based Rhythms in Your Business

Historically, I used to plan out my years based on a quarterly schedule without really considering what that would mean until the seasons arrived and I felt behind and unaligned with what I had originally set out to accomplish. Then, I stumbled upon Danielle Gardner's work, where I was introduced to the concept of planning my business objectives around the seasons instead. 

Immediately, I fell in love with the concept and now enjoy taking off certain months of the year when I know my brain and body need to focus on rest and play more than productivity. I also think this is a beautiful way to nurture your feminine essence in business. It’s this idea that things don’t have to be structured the way most of us were taught and that there is flexibility and a wildly freeing feeling when we step away from those paradigms we were taught. 

A few thoughts to cultivate season-based rhythms in your business may include:

01. Create aligned business activities with the natural cycle of seasons:

Throughout the year, this may look like planning Spring for new launches and creative projects, Summer for high-energy marketing and networking, Fall for strategic planning, and Winter for behind-the-scenes development work and rest. 

02. Honor your personal seasonal capacity and mood shifts:

As a highly sensitive person, this point has helped me immensely, and I now always plan August and December through January as slow time and rest. It’s a time for me to wrap up projects, adjust schedules, prepare for the next chapter, and, quite frankly, do nothing! 

Your energy, creativity, and motivation may also naturally fluctuate throughout the year, and planning to schedule demanding projects during your peak seasons while allowing for slower periods of maintenance and renewal during your natural low-energy times can be beneficial to yourself and your business, as you are able to show up with greater devotion and presence. 

03. Create seasonal rituals and boundaries in your work schedule

Establishing practices that honor seasonal transitions in your business, such as adjusting work hours to match daylight patterns, incorporating seasonal business reflections, and holding work retreats, can be a way to allow business rhythms to flow with nature rather than forcing certain activities during a time period that may not be optimal. 

Embracing Slow Movement in Your Business

The modern culture mindset around business and success can make you feel like you are never enough, or you never have enough. This concept of constantly striving for more — more growth, more money, more things can leave us feeling depleted of our time and energy. 

In Paul Jarvis’ book, Company of One, which I learned about through Katie Leigh’s blog on Feminine Energy in Business, is a concept of focusing on your minimum viable income (MVI).

As Katies summarizes so well, “Instead of thinking “I want to be a 6-figure artist,” think, I need $X to be able to survive. And that’s what I focus on. As long as I hit that goal I’m doing great, if I’m below it, something has to change, if I’m above, hand me a bottled coke and let’s celebrate. But there is no pressure to go above. And to continuously hit above.”  

As a highly senstive solopreneur, this concept resonated deeply with me. It’s OK to stay small, be a one-woman show, and make enough to provide for yourself and enjoy the rest of your time doing other things that fill up your cup. Not everything needs to be race, and consistency over time with smaller gains can still feel mighty rewarding. Embrace the slow movement in your business and let the magic unfold over time. ✨

Welcoming Your Feminine Essence Back into Your Workflow While Honoring the Divine Masculine 

Throughout this article, I hope you’ve found something you can take away to practice integrating your feminine essence in business, from understanding how The Feminist Movement affects our energies, to discovering the masculine vs feminine approaches to business, as well as reclaiming your intuition, cultivating season-based rhythms, and embracing slow movement in business.  

Now more than ever, I believe we need conscious leadership, strategies that nourish rather than deplete, goals that flow with the seasons, not rush for gains, and business models that bring back the feminine essence our society craves in its soul. The divine feminine energies are needed to help us create new systems, new processes, and new structures alongside the divine masculine energies, who is here to provide the backbone, and whom we also need to allow to show up in its presence and fullness it so desires, in order for us to genuinely come into union as a whole. 

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Referances: 

Pruitt, Sarah. “What Are the Four Waves of Feminism?” History.com, A&E Television Networks, 2 Mar. 2022, www.history.com/news/feminism-four-waves.

Kersten, Katherine . “False Feminism | Katherine Kersten.” First Things, 1 Feb. 2019, www.firstthings.com/article/2019/02/false-feminism. 

Book Recommendations & Authors Mentioned:

• Sharon Blakie, If Women Rose Rooted
• Alison Armstrong, The Queen's Code
• Danielle Gardner, Quiet Marketing 
• Ana Juma, Journal to Self Course