The Wounded Feminine:
A Reflection on Healing
By Dr. Anna Biela 22.01.2025 Wrocław 10:48 am
Recently, I found myself staring at an image of Mary breastfeeding Jesus. In this depiction, Mary bore a wound near the same spot as the lump in my left breast. This synchronicity stopped me in my tracks. It wasn’t just a coincidence—it felt like a message, a call to explore the deep connection between my personal experience and the archetype of the “wounded feminine.”
I asked myself: Did I manifest this?
The question lingered, not as an accusation but as an invitation to reflect on the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. I couldn’t shake the feeling that this moment, this physical challenge, was more than just a health concern. It felt like a wake-up call to heal not only myself but also the collective wounds carried by feminine energy.
The Archetype of the Wounded Feminine
Mary, as a symbol of divine feminine energy, embodies nurturing, compassion, and unconditional love. But the wound in the image brought a stark reminder: even the divine feminine is not immune to suffering. It echoed the pain of suppression, neglect, and imbalance that many women (and men) carry in their own lives.
The left side of the body, often associated with feminine energy, represents qualities like rest, receiving, intuition, and creation. A disruption in this area—be it physical, emotional, or spiritual—can signal an imbalance or neglect of these aspects. For me, the lump in my left breast became more than a physical reality; it became a symbol of something deeper, something that demanded my attention.
Manifestation or Message?
When facing illness, it’s easy to wonder, Did I manifest this? But this question isn’t about blame or guilt. Instead, it’s an opportunity to examine how our inner world—our emotions, thoughts, and spiritual energy—might be mirroring itself in our physical bodies.
Rather than focusing on whether I manifested this, I’ve chosen to focus on what this experience is teaching me. The lump is a message, a reflection of my journey, and an invitation to heal—not just physically but emotionally and spiritually.
Steps Toward Healing
1. Reconnecting with Reiki: After more than a decade, I’ve returned to the practice of Reiki. This self-healing technique has helped me channel energy into the areas of my body that need love and attention. It’s a reminder that healing starts within.
2. Exploring the Heart Chakra: The heart chakra, linked to love and compassion, is a focal point in this journey. Through meditation, affirmations, and intentional practices, I’ve been working to restore balance in how I give and receive love.
3. Honoring the Feminine: I’ve begun reflecting on how I embody feminine energy in my life. Am I allowing myself to rest? To nurture and be nurtured? To create and express freely? This process has been both humbling and liberating.
4. Letting Go of Judgment: Rather than overanalyzing the “why,” I’ve embraced the “what now.” What can I do to heal? What lessons can I take from this experience?
The Collective Call
The image of Mary and her wound wasn’t just about me—it was a mirror for the world. The wounded feminine is everywhere, in how society undervalues rest, intuition, and emotional expression. But just as the feminine can be wounded, it can also heal.
Healing starts with awareness, and awareness starts within. This journey has reaffirmed my belief that if I want to heal the world with love and art, I must begin by healing myself. The personal transformation we undergo ripples outward, creating the collective change we wish to see.
Where I Am Now
As I navigate this experience, I remind myself: this is not just about a lump. It’s about rediscovering balance, nurturing myself, and reconnecting with the divine feminine energy within me. It’s about learning to heal the wounds we all carry—both personal and collective.
And as for my face now? It’s the face of someone transforming, someone embracing vulnerability, and someone choosing love and growth over fear and stagnation.
Let’s heal the world, starting with ourselves.
