Sovereign isn’t a synonym for solitary. It’s got nothing to do with isolationism. Though Sovereignty does have everything to do with independence, it has just as much to do with interdependence, too.
This passage from my new book, The Sovereignty Knot, is my modern feminist answer to that old bit of poetry from John Donne:
No man is an island entire of itself;
every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main
It feels particularly important to explore this dance between the personal and the collective as the world reacts not only to the actual spread of Coronavirus, but also to the fear of what might happen next.
We are all part of one another. We are all involved in this great continuum of life. To think that anyone is separate - either because they are so good, so terrible, or so inconsequential - is a dangerous illusion.
And yet, this understanding of our vital role in the collective does not diminish the powerful need to claim ourselves as individuals with our own inherent sense of worth.
Though our society does not yet fully believe in and invest in the dignity of all people, that’s the ultimate goal. One of the reasons I get up every morning is because I am dedicated to creating a world in which every person and every story is allowed to matter.
The Dance of Independence and Interdependence in the Face of Contagion
Right now, as every newscast leads with headlines about the demise of stock markets and the closure of borders, we need to get clear on what Sovereignty really means.
We need to recognize that we play a vital part in the whole. And, we need to practice robust, focused self-awareness and self-care, all at the same time.
Yes, that means staying home if you’re sick, both to protect others from infection and to allow yourself to heal.
And yes, that means refusing to lose yourself in the growing fear that will only worsen the situation.
It means practicing a mind-body-soul kind of Sovereignty in which you understand yourself to be part of the vast continent of humanity as well as a distinct individual with your own needs and your own sense of self.
Sovereignty In the Face of the Greatest Infection: Fear
I am not afraid of this virus. According to emerging accounts, many of us may have already been exposed to it and assumed it was just another seasonal flu. To be alive is to be at risk of death, and the risks associated with this particular illness are spectacularly small compared to the hype.
Edit: Ten days later, I see the inherent ableism in this comment.
I am breathing (with my healthy, fortunate lungs) into the discomfort. Instead of deleting it, I will say that I have learned a lot from those with suppressed immune systems and other underlying health concerns who are put in serious jeopardy by “just another seasonal flu” (that is statistically much more deadly).
I stand by the rest of this article. When it comes to my immediate family and myself, I am not afraid of the virus. That said, I am concerned about other relatives and, when I think about them in particular, “to be alive is to be at risk of death” feels too cavalier to be my heart’s truth.
Ok, back to the post as written on March 2.
What I am concerned about is the viral contagion of fear.
This kind of fear of the unknown, of the improbable but not impossible, seeps in and erodes your sense of peace and security.
This is the kind of fear that causes your sense of self to fall into the churning seas, regardless of whether you see yourself as a tiny island or as bit of shoreline. You feel ungrounded and lose your connection to the earth. You might find you become part of the tumult of collective disorientation.
This is the kind of fear that quickly shows you the strength (or lack of strength) of your Sovereign foundations.
Right now, it’s all too easy to lose track of your spiritual center, your creative vision, and your professional drive. You find yourself scrolling through social media, tripping from doomsday scenarios to “Don’t Worry Be Happy” memes.
In such an environment of collective worry verging on panic and utter discombobulation, we’re all at risk of losing track of our own intuition and our own sense of truth and self-trust.
Sovereignty Is About Doing the Inner Work, But It’s Not About Doing It Alone
If you’ve come across my new book, The Sovereignty Knot: A Woman’s Way to Freedom, Power, Love, and Magic, you’ve met the three archetypes of Sovereignty: the princess, the queen, and the wise woman.
We all have these archetypes within us and we all have access to them, regardless of age. And in moments of societal stress, we need to be able to embody all three with greater ease and grace than ever before.
Especially now, when so many people are so confused and don’t know what to do with their anxiety.
Especially now, when we aren’t quite sure our health system is prepared to handle an influx of sick people or whether our social fabric is strong enough to care for those who might suffer in all the disruption.
Especially now, when women will be the ones who will end up offering care, either for the sick or for those in emotional pain.
A Sovereign Remedy for this 2020 Dis-ease
If you’re new to my work, you may associate the word “sovereign” with nation states and politics. That’s the common usage today, but this multifaceted word glitters with many definitions associated with ancient myth and modern feminism.
There’s one particular dictionary definition of sovereign that’s obscure, but especially important here: the idea of having the “generalized curative powers” of a sovereign remedy. Once upon a time, peddlers sold nerve tonics and other herbal potions that promised to cure all ills. Certainly, there are laboratories around the world trying to mix up elixir that can eradicate this disease, but in the meantime, I have another solution:
Be your own sovereign remedy.
Look to the archetypes of Sovereignty and ask them to guide you as you respond to the the growing fear about the Coronavirus and what turmoil it may bring.
You may find you gravitate to one more than the others or that your particular situation calls you to stand in one energy more than others. I invite your to consciously step into relationship with all three. Embodying the princess, the queen, and the wise woman archetypes will help you not only withstand this moment in history but will enable you to stand as a lighthouse that shines over the waves.
Explore with your princess... Within all of us is a princess who is brave, optimistic, and brimming with vitality.
Rather than getting mired in the fear that shuts down the body and erodes your sense of connection, go out and play.
Put on a dress and go dancing. Grab your yoga mat and get to the studio. Be out in the world, refusing to be controlled by the monster that almost definitely does not lurk in the shadows.
(Edited to add: if the infection rate has increased so much that public gatherings just aren’t happening, put on that dress and dance in the new spring grass.)
Follow your queen… Within all of us is a queen who is capable, responsible, and ready to manage any situation.
Rather than feeling helpless and paralyzed by your own concerns about what might happen if they really do close the schools and limit access to public spaces, make your plans.
Stock up on rice and beans and frozen kale. Make arrangements to work from home. Get real about how you will handle the financial hit that might come from this kind of widespread disruption.
Listen to your wise woman… Within all of us is a wise woman who is still, insightful, and able to see the big picture.
Rather than feeling like the world is lost in some dystopian plot and deciding to turn your back on the world, remember your spiritual practices and your belief in a Greater Reality.
Get on your meditation cushion and say the mantras that make you feel centered. Kneel before your altar and send prayers to those who are on the front lines. Focus your healing energy on those who are besieged by the disease. Trust that your spiritual contribution to the collective energy field does make a difference.
Learn How to Stand Sovereign In Your Life & Work
Want to know more about how to use these archetypes of Sovereignty to meet the challenges of everyday life?
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