Hello Everyone !
What is “divine feminine energy” ? A trendy topic on TikTok hijacked by some self-proclaimed love coaches. They misuse the concept to claim that women are responsible for unhappy relationships when they exhibit “perceived” masculine traits such as assertiveness and independence. These coaches might claim such behavior emasculates men. In response, we’ve seen a promotion of “tradwife” content that celebrates a traditionally gendered role within a marriage, typically focusing on : homemaking, child-rearing, and supporting her husband, who is often the primary breadwinner. While being a homemaker is a valid personal choice, the promotion of this lifestyle is often criticized by feminist movements.
1. What divine feminine energy is Not !
Divine feminine energy is often criticized because it is closely tied to the ‘trad wife’ narrative. When people talk about feminine energy, they are usually referring to the idealized image of women from the mid-20th century, particularly in the post-World War II era. This image portrays women as docile, nurturing, and entirely devoted to their husbands and children. However, this idealized woman is a fantasy and does not define at all femininity for several reasons.
First of all, historically the trad wife lifestyle was far from universal. In most working-class households, women have always worked outside the home: whether on farms, in factories, or in other jobs to help support their families. Being a trad wife was a privilege largely reserved for wealthier families who could afford to have one partner stay home.
Moreover, trad wife content is problematic because it weaponizes this lifestyle not as one of many valid choices, but as the ultimate expression of femininity. While not all individuals who identify as trad wives may intentionally devalue other women’s choices, the movement as a whole often promotes a very narrow and idealized version of femininity. This narrative implicitly undermines the femininity of women who choose different paths, such as pursuing careers, education, or other personal goals.
Additionally, the trad wife aesthetic often packages great values like: self-sufficiency, authenticity, and a return to simpler living but within a rigid framework that centers entirely on serving a traditional gender hierarchy. This reduces a woman’s identity to her domestic role, leaving little room for individuality, outside interests, or personal growth. Rarely do they mention hobbies, friendships, or passions that exist independently of their husbands or beyond the home. It also raises questions about the intent behind promoting this content, especially given that it romanticizes a time when the original trad wife archetype had limited rights and opportunities beyond dedicating their lives to their husbands and households.
So what is Divine Feminine Energy ?
2. Feminine vs Masculine energies: A Taoiste origin
The concept of feminine energy existed long before the first trad wives emerged. It comes from Taoist culture, a philosophical tradition that originated in China around the 3rd century BCE. Feminine energy is represented by yin energy, while masculine energy is represented by yang energy. (See illustration on the left.)
The Feminine Energy or Yin is associated to :
- Dark
- Feminity
- Wisdom
- Feelings
- Moon
- Cold
- Receptivity
The Masculine Energy or Yang is associated to:
- Light
- Masculinity
- Action
- Heat
- Sun
- Movement
- Competition
The Yin and Yang symbol represents the interconnectedness of opposing forces, not just externally in the universe, but also within us. These forces, often described as feminine and masculine energies, are not strictly male or female. They are complementary aspects present in everyone. The small dot within each section symbolizes that the world isn’t always black and white. Therefore, you can display a dominant feminine energy as a man or a dominant masculine energy as a woman.
3. Qualities associated to the Feminine and Masculine energies
Yin or Divine Feminine energy qualities are:
- creativity
- healing
- listener
- introspection
- intuition
- wisdom
- emotional intelligence
- compassion
- gentleness
- devotion
- calm
- collaboration
- reception
Yang or Divine Masculine energy qualities are:
- responsability
- action
- giving
- power
- strength
- focus
- generosity
- abundance
- control
- protection
- intellect
- assertive
The divine masculine and divine feminine energy within us can vary throughout our lives depending on the challenges, external influences, responsabilities, and roles we take on ( such as caregiver, leader, or entrepreneur).
It’s believed that balancing feminine and masculine energy within ourselves can promote a healthy flow of energy, which may contribute to good health. Staying too long in a single energetic state might be less beneficial.
Finally, the “trad wife” trend appears like another attempt by the patriarchy to change the narrative about the concept of “Divine Feminine Energy.” Diminishing a woman’s role to solely nurturing seems restrictive because it can lead to financial dependence and potential control. As stated above, being in your divine feminine energy is much more than being nurturing and being a women is so much more than just being in your feminine energy. Women have the power to create life, to create their own lives.
In my next article I’ll explain how to tap into your feminine energy. So stay tuned !
