Yin – n. – the female principle in Chinese dualistic philosophy.

Most of us are familiar with the ancient Yin-Yang symbol. Two teardrops, one black, one white, entwined in a circle. Yin, the dark, the feminine. Yang, the light, the masculine. Two opposing forces, interconnected and interdependent. A symbol exemplifying the quest for balance of these two forces in our lives.

Though balance might be the ultimate goal, the truth is that many women have had to defer to their masculine qualities in order to survive and thrive in American society. Whether that be growing up as “tomboys” just to be able play the sports we love. Or putting on a less-than-feminine business suit in order to fit in with the “good ol’ boys.” Or maintaining a ruthless, competitive attitude so that we are acknowledged as “having the chops” to get things done. Sadly, all of these tendencies and teachings have led the Feminine – the Yin – to be often repressed and uncelebrated.

Of course, this is a generalization. Many women have broken through the glass ceiling, and done it while drawing fully from their feminine roots. These are the women that have inspired us throughout history and have illustrated how our inherent feminine qualities can be a powerful counterbalance to the masculine tendencies in our society.

Now, though it might sound fun, this isn’t really about painting your toenails pink, sporting high heels, and wearing sexy dresses (though that may be how the Feminine expresses through you). Bringing our Yin into play is about embracing her archetypal qualities, acknowledging the symbols of her strength: receptivity, intuition, creativity, emotional intelligence, and tranquility. Take a look at how each of these plays a part – or not – in your life:

Receptivity: Opening to all possibilities without judgment.

Intuition: Listening for answers and guidance that comes from within.

Creativity: Cultivating ideas that inspire us and others.

Emotional Intelligence: Connecting consciously and wisely to our emotions.

Tranquility: Choosing a state of calm, peace and restfulness.

These characteristics act as good measures of the role that Yin energy plays in your life. By noticing where there is a deficiency of these elements in your day-to-day, you are identifying the areas that are out of balance. Perhaps you’ve been extremely judgmental of late, skipping rest in between activities, or trying to form logical explanations about something that just makes you want to cry. Once you have a lock on which fundamental feminine attributes are not operating at their fullest potential, you can start the process of invoking them more frequently.

Don’t be surprised if you have a less-than-enthusiastic response to these Yin qualities. You might shy away from letting them shine, as they are so often associated with weakness. However, once you start to try them on with conviction, you’ll see that these aspects of the Feminine are about strength, power, and balance. When it comes right down to it, who doesn’t want to be in the presence of a kind, self-assured, authentic, expressive woman that knows how to take care of herself?