What Is Masculinity?

A while back I wrote a post on femininity as I felt that a lot of posts on the subject at the time missed the mark. I’ll put a link to it in the comments. It has caused a few people to ask me to write one about masculinity, particularly after the ‘manosphere’ TV programme.

In the pagan and Wicca world the masculine is born from the goddess at the winter solstice, reaches full power in the summer, and sacrifices himself in the autumn to ensure the fertility of the earth.

He is Lord of the Underworld comforting the dead and teaching that letting go is a necessary part of nature.

He is the Lord of nature, the protector of animals, representing survival and the raw, instinctual side of survival.

Masculinity is sacrifice, a natural protector and carer for his family, friends, animals and environment. I was brought up in the 50’s 60’s and 70’s and in society at the time, men cared for, supported and defended family, friends, society and country.

Men were taught to be stoic, to not complain, to suffer in silence, to be tough, resilient and to care and protect.

This is still my world and that of my good friends and students from my generation. If you’ve followed me for some time you’ll know that my New Year’s resolution for many years has been STFU and HTFU.

I understand that this can go against the current zeitgeist.

For strength just as females have to find their masculine animus, males have to find their female animus, just as yin and yang must have a small circle of their opposite inside their area. Otherwise, they are weak.

Male and female need a soft front and a strong back.

Equality doesn’t mean that everyone has to be the same, they can be equal in their own roles, however they balance their relationships.

The problem arises when men lack knowledge, insight and wisdom. This is how the hubris and misogyny that we saw in the manosphere arises and the ‘influencers’ persuade men and boys for their own purposes, just the same as they persuade females and young girls away from true feminine qualities.

True masculinity is tolerant, compassionate and prepared to sacrifice for others, it is also strength, power and protection.