VOLVER with Dara McKinley: Returning a fiercely loving feminine legacy - Returning to our feminine essence.

Sacred Pussy

Crazy. If anyone would have ever told me that one day “pussy” was going to be one of my favorite words and I would write a blog post about it, I would have certainly asked them what drugs they were on. I’m not one of those chicks that cringed when I occasionally heard the word, but I did think it was vulgar and not a word respectable women used. Now it’s my favorite word. I love it, love it, love it. And I love mine. I love everything she feels and creates. If I ever wonder where the Goddess is, I don’t have far to look. This was one of many phenomenal angles of my womanly re-education by Regena Thomashauer (AKA, Mama Gena.)

I see a lot of powerful women walking the front lines in breaking the silence of “down there.” There’s Oprah (vajayjay), Eve Ensler (vagina), Chelsea Handler (peek-a-choo), and Alison Armstrong (the place) to name a few. Lot’s of different names eh? Cheers to all the straight-up mothers who taught their daughters the anatomical word “vagina.” However, the issue that Mama Gena raises is that a vagina is where a penis enters a woman and where a baby comes out. It connects the uterus to the outside world and can’t truly be seen without a speculum. As Wiki so perfectly states: “The word vagina is quite often incorrectly used to refer to the vulva or female genitals generally; strictly speaking, the vagina is a specific internal structure.” The correct word for the external genitalia is vulva and within the vulva there is a clitoris. Yes, the urethra is also part of the package and there are many other parts that have parts, but their functionality is not the reason for this name confusion.

Now that we’ve identified the three biggies of “down there” – what is the word for the whole package? With men, there is a shaft and glans (and many other parts that have parts) but the whole package is called “penis.” One word. Penis. Crystal clear.

Women don’t have one word for the whole enchilada. Soooooo, let’s make one up right now. We have vulva, clitoris, and vagina…. how about vulclivag? Nah, too Dr. Spock. OK, how about clivagulva? Hmmm, clivagulva. Ouch, sounds like something sharp. Ok, how about ginavultoris? Nah, that sounds like a dinosaur or some sort of infection. OK, how about pussy?

How did I go from “ginavultoris” to “pussy”? You see, when Regena recognized this problem she really thought long and hard for a word that could represent the utter magnificence and sublime multi-functionality of “down there.” When it was all said and done, “pussy” was the only one that could even come close. How’s that? Well first off, when people hear this word – they listen. It instantly commands complete attention. Second, the women I know who use it are reclaiming the sacred. They are well aware of the power this bold word possesses and appreciate how it brings even their own egos to a dramatic halt. One word. Pussy. Crystal clear.

However, here’s the part that really turns me on: maybe a unified reclamation of “pussy” is just the radical move that feminists need to make if women are ever truly sit in the thrones of their sensual power. I know, radical indeed.

I end by answering a few burning Q’s some of you may have:

Am I suggesting that we teach children to use the word “pussy”? No. My daughter is 4 and I taught her the word “yoni” which is Sanskrit for female genitalia and the source of all life. Just recently, I have broached the specific parts of her yoni. I imagine when she is mature enough, I will teach her about “pussy.” Or even better, I will send her to the School of Womanly Arts.

Did I choose the name “Volver” as a wink to “vulva”? You bet.

Did I make even just one cell in your body smile? If so, please share this with your world (and let me know – I love to beam with appreciation )