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Natural Awakenings Naples and Fort Myers

Celebrating the Feminine

Apr 30, 2021 04:26PM ● By Sharon Bruckman

Welcome to our annual Women’s Wellness issue and to the month that honors all mothers and the important roles we play, whether we’re raising our children, caring for our parents, supporting a friend, nurturing a pet or developing a creative project. 


This broad idea of womanhood and mothering is something that I honor. It fueled my ability to give birth not only to my son and my daughter, but also to my business and it’s offspring of 50-plus Natural Awakenings publishers. Conceiving any creative idea and nurturing it to maturity requires the love and commitment of a mother.


When I tune into the energy of mothering, I realize how influential it is in our lives. A difficult or complicated relationship with our mother can have long-term impacts. I was lucky to be blessed with a loving, wise mom that I still call upon as my angel looking over my shoulder, always there when I need her. I know that my adult daughter still needs me, too, in so many ways. 


Our ability to give and receive nurturing, protective energy has a funny way of coming around and affecting our own level of well-being. As the devastating effects of climate change clearly reveal, if we don’t take care of Mother Earth, she won’t be able  to take care of us. Without our stewardship, eco-systems collapse and the world gets out of balance. All living things need the respect, love and nurturing of the Great Mother archetype, which symbolizes creativity, birth, fertility and nurturing. Without, it we feel fearful and insecure, just like a child without it’s mother. 


Our feature story,  on “Integrative Women’s Wellness” offers solutions for the top five women’s health concerns (page 28). Other female topics addressed this month include how to have a healthy pregnancy, the scoop on bio-identical hormones and how to make your own healthy baby food. 


It’s been said that it’s a man’s world, but things are changing, and it’s the balancing of masculine and feminine energies within ourselves and our world that will heal us and the planet. Regardless of what sex a person was assigned at birth and how we identify nowin adulthood, all of us can benefit by tapping into our feminine energy and the sweet fragrances and beautiful displays of May flowers, as sSpring awakens this month.


My deepest gratitude to all of the women in my life who have nurtured and supported me in my journey: my ancestors, sisters, girlfriends and mentors. We could all use more mothering love and hugs after this pandemic year, so spread your love around. 


Happy Mothering,

Sharon Bruckman, publisher 


PS: Don’t worry men, this issue isn’t all about women, and you’ll have your special Men’s Wellness issue next month.