Let us wander together into the mystical and soul-stirring world of myth and folklore, guided by the transformative wisdom of the incomparable Clarissa Pinkola Estés. Today the path leads us into the evocative myth of La Loba—the Wolf Woman.
In her profound work, "Women Who Run with the Wolves," Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés introduces us to La Loba, the Wolf Woman, a figure from Mexican folklore who roams the desert collecting the bones of creatures left by the wayside. She gathers these bones, these remnants of life, and sings over them, calling forth life from death.
But what does the myth of La Loba teach us about the resurrection of the Wild Woman, and why is it so significant for our lives today?
The Wild Woman Resurrected
La Loba's actions symbolize the resurrection of the Wild Woman archetype within each of us. This archetype represents the untamed, instinctual, and authentic essence of the feminine psyche—an aspect often buried beneath societal expectations and life's demands. Through La Loba's transformative ritual, Estés encourages us to unearth this wild, primal energy within ourselves.
Collecting the Bones
La Loba's act of collecting the scattered bones mirrors the pieces of ourselves that we may have lost or abandoned along life's journey. These bones represent our fragmented experiences, dreams, and authentic desires—the aspects of ourselves that may have been discarded or forgotten. The myth invites us to reclaim these lost parts of ourselves and reassemble the puzzle of our identity.
The Healing Power of Song
La Loba's song is a powerful metaphor for the healing and transformative power of self-expression and creativity. It emphasizes the importance of allowing our voices to rise, to sing our own stories, and to breathe life into the dormant aspects of our being. Through the song, we resurrect our true selves, healing and becoming whole once more.
Embracing Imperfections
La Loba doesn't seek perfection in the bones she collects; she cherishes the imperfections and the uniqueness of each piece. This reflects Estés' message that the Wild Woman is not about conforming to societal ideals but celebrating our individuality and embracing our quirks and flaws.
Reconnection with Nature
La Loba's presence in the desert and her connection to the wilderness symbolize the importance of reconnecting with the natural world. Nature serves as a powerful metaphor for the untamed aspects of our own beings. As we honor the natural world, we also honor the wild within ourselves.
So, my beautiful sirens, let us embrace the resurrection of the Wild Woman within. Let us heed the call to gather our scattered bones, sing our own songs of healing and transformation, and celebrate the imperfect, untamed, and fiercely authentic beings that we are.
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