The relational animal
The shoulder is very characteristic of the human being compared to the rest of the animal world… its structure is adapted to a posture that we are almost the only ones to have: an upright posture.
The arms are not for us paws to take support, but members to enter in connection with the world… and especially the world which surrounds us, which we name « world of the medium ». The arms bathe in the air, literally plunge into it and go to meet all the living beings with which we share the same air, which are enveloped by the same matrix of the atmosphere.
Our link to reality, which passes much through the arms, is much more emotional than for the quadrupeds: with our arms we do not take support on Earth, but on the Air!
From this point of view, of all the « terrestrial » animals, we are the closest to the birds… and we know that the contacts we establish with our « wings » are indispensable for our work as incarnated alchemists: we must meet reality with a light firmness in order to transform it and ourselves.
La Farouche: anchoring in lightness
The shoulders are the root of our wings. From there is born our impulse towards others… the impulse to open or not our wingspan.
This first part of the arms, of the « Sensual family », is instinctive, wild… so that there is no retreat, apparent opposites must be permanently balanced, like a wild animal standing at the edge.
The anatomy reflects this balance. The scapula, clavicle and humerus form an inverted cup that rests on the rib cage. It is not a real joint, since there is no bony connection with the spine or the ribs… The shoulder slides and dances on them… both strong and light.
As the leg is anchored in the solidity of the pelvis, the arm is anchored in the lightness of the air, it rests on the volume of air contained under the ribs, in the lungs… marvel of precision, osteopaths know how delicate the « adjustment » of a shoulder is.
Freedom, link and pleasure
For this reason we call this archetype « Fierce »: it ensures the preservation of our « relational farouchey »… because yes it is sensitive to accept to open its wings, it has danger to lose them, to be cut in its impulses, to meet a bland reality without pleasure, not to find the bonds have direction, to lose its freedom…
Three essential ingredients for the fullness of the Fierce : freedom, connection and pleasure.
Our life is often a dance between these poles that oppose or seek each other rather than support each other : sometimes the relationship is without pleasure, pleasure is without connection, freedom cuts us off, pleasure deprives us of freedom… etc.
The symptoms of the shoulder
Frozen shoulders, tendonitis… and fractures of course… are perhaps a reflection of a lack of delicacy or sensitivity in the way we enter into relationship. Whether it comes from oneself or from the other, the result can be the same: a withdrawal from the relationship, typical of a protective attitude.
The body speaks in this regard often more clearly than our ability to feel : our culture continues, in many ways, to be « rough » relationally, and to not teach us to value the fine balances that do or do not make us want to open up… in many ways the sense of duty takes over this sensitivity.
The season of dance
To explore this archetype and give it back its value is to regain our ability to fly in this world… it is perhaps also the root of dance… and to dance freely, we need several things:
– a strong axis like the back, on which our arms lean to open up.
– The strength of the legs, the instinctive power that is the warm breath of movement that carries our wings.
Lively strength and security ensure our delicate ability to go out into the world.
To find freedom, connection and pleasure… that is why we dance listening to the intelligence of our body.
The message of the « Fierce »
The Fierce constantly reminds us of our place as humans caught between the needs of solitude, pleasure and contact. Perhaps the question she asks is simply « Do you take pleasure in living? « … or « What do you need to let yourself be carried by life? « .
Nicolas BERNARD
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)
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