The Fierce Feminine
Calling in the medicine of lioness to remember to care for your wise, instinctive self so it's there when you need it most.
Lioness in colored pencil, Nona Jordan 2025
Meeting the Lioness
It was the dry season. The river was low and the bush was languishing, trampled down by the heat. Next to the slow-moving Lower Zambezi River, we were captivated as we watched the lionesses and their cubs feast on the hard-won kill of that morning - a Cape Buffalo. Viscera strewn about, vultures moved in to clean up the mess while the cubs triumphantly trotted in and out of the empty cavern of rib cage.
Once the males arrived on the scene, the lionesses and cubs backed away to let them feast. Looking spent from the hunt, one female, belly distended and blood covering her muzzle, sauntered over to our game vehicle and lay down in the shade, languid like a house cat.
When we think of lions, we often think of the iconic males with their big manes. But as my friend Bridgette says, “Lioness is the back alley brawler of the animal kingdom.” I have to agree. The lioness is the fierce feminine center of a healthy pride of lions.
Lioness, your medicine is welcome.
Yes, this is a post about lioness energy, but we have to briefly talk about Cape Buffalo. Cape Buffalo are one of the most dangerous animals in Africa. Unpredictable and aggressive, they charge unexpectedly. Human hunters with guns are wary of these beasts, but the cadre of lionesses who hunted this one? Undaunted.
Working together, they isolate one Cape Buffalo and take turns with strategic attacks, wearing the Buffalo down until it cannot fight the inevitable. If the lionesses cannot get one Buffalo away from the herd after a time, they will abandon the effort, until next time.
The Lioness and her gang of gal pals may lose the battle, but they won’t lose the war. They will make sure that they take care of their own, which nourishes the health of the greater ecosystem. They hunt strategically in a group, know when to fight and defend, when to walk away, and when it’s time to rest and play. This instinctive response to the moment makes lioness an apt guide for all of us in these tumultuous times.
Embody the instinctive wisdom of lioness.
Sister, I know it’s easy to get stuck in a high-alert state, doom-scrolling and despairing. I so get it. And, I’ve had lioness showing me a different way.
Sink into Sisterhood. Who are your allies? Who can you talk with, laugh with, and march with? Who will strategize a way forward and give you a hug or make dinner and offer a soft place to land when you need to cry? Now is not the time to go it alone. We are stronger and more nimble together.
Know your Nervous System. Lioness knows when to fight, when to move away, and when to play. You cannot stay on high alert all the time - that is unsustainable. Yes, fight for the world that you wish to birth into being. But don’t forget to step away, play, and cherish life. Hot tip: regulating your nervous system isn't about always being calm —it is about responding appropriately and moving through different levels of nervous system activation with ease.
Rest and Digest. What is happening in the world requires time to metabolize. Give yourself time, space, and support to let yourself feel all the feels. Feel your rage, spill your tears, scream at the top of your lungs. All of that, and feel the wonder of birds singing, the earth warming in the northern hemisphere, and the kindness of neighbors. All of it’s real — give yourself ample time to digest so you have the presence and energy to know your next steps.
With the fierce love of lioness,
Nona