Unexpectedly, the Barbie movie highlights the conflicts of balance in gender roles, brilliantly making It funny. Not being much of a Barbie fan, I was skeptical that I’d enjoy it. Of course, I was wrong.
The Law of Gender, the 7th Hermetic Principle, outlines how balance in feminine and masculine energetic traits are required in spiritual, mental and physical planes. A balance of these qualities is needed for anything to be created, having nothing to do with your sex.
Here’s a quick review of gender balance and how it’s played out in Barbie.
SPIRITUAL BALANCE
The feminine receives spiritual information from the unconscious mind in dreams or spiritual connections. The masculine side of spirituality takes those messages and interprets them.
In the movie, Barbie has the urge to be real and explore what was happening to her. She heeds her inner calling, using both qualities. Ken literally goes along for the ride. How often are the spiritual side of things considered woo-woo and discounted unless it’s upheld by typically male institutions such as church?
MENTAL BALANCE
The feminine side is the creative, intuitive, innovative part that has new ideas. The masculine side takes the ideas and is willful, decisive and action oriented. You need both to move an idea forward.
In the movie, Barbie exhibits both qualities, while Ken tags along. When Ken realizes that our culture is male dominated, he recreates the doll world so men rule. Feminine creative ideas are often seen as too fanciful and ignored compared to male practicality. We keep recreating the extremes.
PHYSICAL BALANCE
The feminine side is our interior self of desires, feelings, personality and appearance that give impressions and attract the right people. The masculine is the outward discipline over moods, discernment, and judgement to organize and plan the details. We need both to manifest.
Barbie highlights how stereotypical female desires and appearances are capitalized by male dominance. Balance means compromise to give room to the other. In reality, both qualities are necessary.
We’re a long way from balance! What do you think?
