The Sacred Bonds of Sisterhood & Brotherhood and Why it’s Important

Since ancient times, in many indigenous cultures the bonds of Sisterhood and Brotherhood have been recognized and honored as a sacred part of culture and community. Women were often the gatherings, the keepers of wisdom, intuition and the arts. Men were often the hunters, the protectors, and the keepers of structure and culture.

THE STRENGTH OF BONDS WASN’T MEASURED BY BLOOD

Sisterhood was created between women in relation to rites of passage, children, herb medicine, cooking, gathering, weaving and menstrual (moon) cycles. Brotherhood was created between men in relation to rites of passage, war, common purpose, warrior training, building and sustainable action.

These bonds were created out of mutual understanding, support and respect for one another. The bonds of Sisterhood and Brotherhood created a healthy, safe and trusting environment for women and men to experience solace and support throughout life.

What happened to these ancient Ways?

The power of this collective potential and empowerment has been largely forgotten as time has passed. Greatly due to patriarchy, ownership and societal measurements of success. Women became less then and unable to make contributions to society. Forgetting their power, sacredness and worth. As Noam Shpancer writes in Psychology Today, “As women come to consider being prized by men their ultimate source of strength, worth, achievement and identity, they are compelled to battle other women for the prize.”

Most men began to work towards fulfilling personal success and accomplishments, focusing so much on the pressures to succeed that they have forgotten the true value of brotherhood and community along the way. Oftentimes, in society today, we are found negatively competing against each other and ultimately feeling alone with no real support.

In each way, we are forgetting our roots of sacred bonds and connection.

I am not saying these bonds no longer exist – I am saying that the value and true meaning of them is oftentimes lost or overlooked.

The sacredness of sister bonds

Gratefully, we are starting to see a rise in the feminine power, in women empowering other women and in self-love. This movement is so important as it is bringing us women back to our roots of sisterhood. So many of us women are finding value, purpose and contribution in ourselves — no longer through men. We are coming together and we are realizing that the sacredness of Woman is powerful. We are rising in harmony and respect for ourselves — as well as for Men. This movement by no means, devalues men, but rather helps us value ourselves as women more than we have before.

So how can developing sisterhood and sister bonds support us in our lives?

Support & Empowerment

Women have the innate gift of being able to support and empower each other with raw emotion, vulnerability and innate feminine wisdom. The power a woman can share with a woman is immense and unlike any other kind of support. The sister bond helps women to return to the divine feminine by providing a safe, nurturing space to be fully open, free flowing and fully capable of surrender. The healthy feminine expression is always heart centered. More women need this space in their lives because oftentimes women cannot find this at work, with their partner or in modern society. This is because society has often told women to be guarded, to be emotionless and to lead in the masculine. This can also be due to a woman’s partner or family not offering her the safe space she needs to express and fully step into her feminine.

Co-Creation

Together we are powerful. The mind, heart and innate wisdom of women is amplified and expanded when women come together to create. The mere act of inspiring one another is multiplied in power if it is from a woman to woman connection. When we develop true sister bonds we are supported, motivated, reassured, acknowledged and inspired to be the best version of ourselves. We can begin to believe in ourselves like never before because of the powerful support of our fellow sisters.

Freedom

When we develop sister bonds and understand the importance of sisterhood we will begin to love and appreciate other women in a way we never have before. In turn, we will be able to love and appreciate ourselves more. When this true love happens, we as women are set free. Free from competing, free from comparing, free from the heaviness we have carried for so long. We will then be able to empower other women and in return other women will empower us. We will begin to honor other women and in turn other women will honor us — the way we so deeply desire.

This is the yearning of the feminine.

I call on you my sweet sister.

Let’s get back to our roots and support one another.

The sacredness of brotherhood

So often men have been told to be “tough”, to be strong, to not express their emotions, to not feel too much because society has mistaken this for weakness. Consequently, many men have lost touch with not only their emotions but with their true self and the essence of their spirit.

Greatly limiting their ability to experience true brotherhood and emotional and mental support from others. The truth is men need this support, connection and love as much as women do but they may experience and express this need differently.

This support can be created and shared through the brotherhood bond. Gratefully, men are waking up to the power of these bonds and coming together for this common purpose like never before.

How can developing Brotherhood between men support you in your life?

Opening The Heart & Finding Support

The most common theme I see in men is a guarded heart. To honor the divine masculine within, one must fully open their heart. However, for men to be able to do this, they must be offered the space. True and healthy brotherhood bonds will allow this space to let the guards and walls down so that men will have the ability to speak their truth and seek support through other men. If you notice that your friendship bonds are not offering you this space currently, seek to develop deeper bonds with the men in your life or with new men. There are currently a number of different groups for men that are based around the principles of sacred brotherhood, embodiment and the return to the primal roots of man. I would like to personally recommend the group Sacred Sons or one similar to it in these core values.

The Space To Be Your Authentic Self

Brotherhood can also offer the space to express and honor your true self without the fear of being rejected, misunderstood or seen as less than. This is where trust can be built. When men come together with their heart centers open and all accepting — men are welcomed and allowed to be themselves. When men are truly able to step into their authentic self, they are able to learn who they really are. In turn, they are able to learn to love themselves. Just as they are. Wherever they are on their journey.

The Ability To Harness Your Power

Men, you have an innate primal, animalistic, power and fire. A gift that other men can empower you to awaken and express. A physical and mental force of this magnitude should be activated and welcomed within your life. It is within the presence of your trusted brothers where this fire can fully ignite within you. Brotherhood also has the power to guide you back to your divine masculine. The healthy masculine that leads with direction, discipline, integrity, reliability and loyalty. We become who we spend our time with, who we admire and who we trust. Take your time to find and create these true brotherhood bonds with healthy men in your life. Men who can help guide and teach you because self work is never done.

It is never too late to start becoming the man you were destined to be.

Return to your roots.

Find your brothers, build those bonds, learn to trust and learn how to fully support one another.

I hope this article has inspired you in some way. Please share with your brothers and sisters and make sure to subscribe to Join Our Tribe.

With Love Always,

Adriona Gaia