Becoming a mother for the second time has deepened my connection to the mother archetype. The mother archetype creates, nurtures, heals, teaches, and protects. Even if we did not receive this as a child, we can learn to cultivate this energy both for our inner child and our creations. Our womb (and yes, men also have a womb known as a “Hara”) has the magical and mystical power to create. We create human life, ideas, a beautiful home, businesses, gardens, ideologies and so much more. When we nurture our creation and stay attuned to it to know when to give it space, it flourishes. I have learned this lesson with my children, my inner child and my third creation and love, my business. When we learn to apply the mother energy to heal ourselves FIRST, we are then available to be present so our creations can heal their own hurt. Modeling and embodying the work liberates our inner child and all of creation.
I am learning how to protect and nurture my children while doing the same for my inner child, on a profound level (as a therapist I have been on this journey for 22 years). My work as a therapist and my children connect me to all of the feminine archetypes: Queen, Infant Self, Magical Child, Adolescent, Lover, Warrior, Crone and Shadow. These archetypes live in the unconscious and as we learn how to connect and access them in a healthy way, they support us instead of our unconsciously being dominated or controlled by one of them. For example, if our inner child gets triggered when we don’t feel seen or heard (that being an unmet need growing up), she may act out and behave in ways out of accordance with our adult values. Staying mindful, honoring and connecting to whatever archetype is most present and asking what it needs, will support us to feel empowered and integrated.
Here are a few tips to connect more deeply and strengthen the healing power of your Inner Mother:
Ask yourself: How is what I am doing serving my creation?
List everything you have given birth to. Examples include cooking, gardening, children, a beautiful home, a business, deep and meaningful friendships, artistic expression and more. Take the time to see your ability as a creator and breathe this into your body.
Feel your womb (for men it is their belly) and heart and breathe deeply. The womb is the center of creation. Listen to your body and breathe deeply. Check in with what you are feeling and what wants to be held and/or birthed.
Ask yourself: What do I want to create to make my life feel more full and complete? You can dance, write, draw or share with someone to create space for what wants to be born and emerge from within you
Spend time in nature.
Do new or full moon rituals.
Reflect and journal about what you did not receive as a baby, child or adolescent and make it a daily intention to give yourself NOW what you needed back then.
Use herbs, crystals, tarot card, oracle cards and other healing tools to connect with the Mother and source of creation.
(Note for # 3: Sometimes we have to grieve the loss of what was in order to allow our creation to be born. When I became a mother in my 40’s, I had to mourn the loss of my life and freedom such as sleeping late, going on retreats, traveling and attending dance festivals to study with teachers all over the world and much more. I created a collage to honor my maiden and welcome in my role as a mother. In this case, I gave birth to a new identity and needed to fully embody it to give birth to myself AND my offspring. As I mentioned, my role as a mother has deepened my connection to my Inner Mother and this energetic connection is what we and the world needs to heal.)
If you want to learn more about ritual, embodiment, spirituality and connecting with your Inner Mother or any of the 8 other archetypes, feel free to contact me.
Oceans of blessings, warmth and care,
Lara