The many faces of power.

Abstract

When we talk about 'power', we're often referring to subjugation by external forces, to potentially abusive situations, to violence and to the objectification of humanity. In short, we often talk about power when we feel powerless, so we end up focusing on its destructive aspects. We experience a plethora of different powers: economic power, political power, religious power, the power of nature, parental power, the power of a boss or master. It's always an asymmetric relation; someone holds the reins of power, and the others must submit. Our psyche, whether on a collective or individual level, seeks to express itself and to be acknowledged. We fight to become, to realize our potential, to get ever closer to our individuation process. Power dynamics however, go beyond such collective (and frequently sombre) arrangements: power is also an essentially creative force. In this paper I want to discuss power as something intrinsic to all creation. Through the symbolic analysis of myths and legends, I argue for the need to integrate the deep feminine in the exercise of power in order to release and express its full potential. I also discuss the need for power, love and wisdom to work together as complementary forces.