TikTok has become the authority on everything from what we cook to where we shop so it's not that surprising that the platform is dishing out advice on what personality traits we should be embodying, the spiritual kind. Let us just say some of the discourse is looking a lot like classic gender stereotypes, wrapped up in this corner of TikTok's personal brand of spirituality.
Although 50% of the Tiktok population doesn't believe in traditional gender norms, there is no doubt that they are being reinforced by participating in the divine confabulation with the hashtag #DivineFeminine having amassed over 1.6 billion views.
What are the "Divine Masculine" and "Divine Feminine" traits?
Central to the appeal of spirituality is finding a place to exist with a set of values to abide by. Here is where creators have been stepping in to inform people how to tap into their divine masculine versus divine feminine selves. The divine dialogue suggests that the feminine is the "receiver," whereas the masculine is the "giver". The traits of the divine masculine and feminine look a lot like your classic gender stereotypes (boys are strong aggressive and bold whereas women are nurturing and giving and polite).
@katiejgln At first I thought nothing of it, but then I actually went through the content and… wow. It’s essentially just hyper conservative ideology with some crystals. #divinefeminine #divinefeminineenergy ♬ original sound - me personally….
The concepts of the "divine masculine" and "divine feminine" were popularised by a video posted by holistic wellness creator Carolina on TikTok. In the video, she advises her fans on how to tap into their divine energies. Masculine activities include high-intensity workouts, discipline and "having a sense of direction in life" whereas feminine activities involved "surrendering control" and "opening your heart to receive love" as well as glowing up by wearing makeup and conceding control. There are further distinctions too between the "dark feminine" who is confident and has high standards and the "light feminine" who is nurturing and accepting.
@thecarolinalifestyle the key to balance is tapping into both #yinyang #balancedlifestyle #divinefeminine #feminineenergy #masculineenergy #balancedliving ♬ sonido original - .__.
Although the creator encouraged people to step into both divinities, the intention underpinning both divinities is that each gender should step into its own gendered identity to 'heal' themselves in order to be together.
There's nothing inherently wrong about tapping into these qualities, but labelling them in such gendered terms is what could lead us back to the dark ages. The danger here is men misconstruing the 'divine conversation' and making it inherently misogynistic. A particularly disturbing Andrew Tate style TikTok entitled 'why masculine men love feminine women,' creator Zakroeddepolarity explains 'when a woman is in her feminine energy she is not trying to get outcomes.' The type of language is encouraging women to be submissive and discourages agency.
@zakroeddepolaritycoach why masculine men love feminine women #masculinefemininepolarity #union #relationshipcoach #awakening #sacredfeminine #awakenedfeminine #divinemasculine #sacredmasculine #sacreddivinefeminine #deepintimacy #consciousrelationship #awakening #sacred #consciousness #polarity #emasculation #masculinefeminine #relationshipadvice#relationshiptips #feminineenergy #darkfeminine #polarity #attraction #chemistry #dating #relationships #awakenedmasculine #awakenedman ♬ original sound - zakroeddepolaritycoach
He continues, '[a divine feminine woman] is opening herself up and receiving what a man is giving her. She is following her man's leadership. It's not just this creator either. Just searching 'divine masculine on TikTok reveals many just like him essentially telling women to step back and let men take the lead.
i am begging the spiritual girlies to do a lil reading on recognising propaganda, how the right infiltrates occult spaces, the current rise of fascism etc bc I see so many of you falling for hyperconservative ideology when it’s presented to you through terms like divine feminine.
— jessica ní mhacháin (@pink_priestess) November 7, 2022
Despite the heavenly sound of the divine power we are meant to embody on this journey, we ask ourselves if these concepts are just a mystic rebranding of classic gender norms.
