Aglæc-wif

In Beowulf, Grendels mother presents us with the problem of the aglæc-wif. She is swift in retribution for her sons death. She is named monster, a monstrous hell-bride, monster-woman, monstrous hag; a half human half supernatural warrior.

She is a mother, a woman of power and although a water dweller, a thing of fire and fortitude. She is a mother. And through that gains access to powers that define her legacy because they impacted poorly on the men in the story.

Defender of her child, agent of revenge, woman of considerable power and not afraid to wield it. And thus reviled. Women as hero's don't do well historically.

That substance, that instinct should be feared. How much did we cheer, and by us I mean mostly girls and women, when Willows spell turned all the potentials into Slayers. Buffy was no longer alone.

“So I say we change the rule. I say my power should be our power. From now on, every girl in the world who might be a Slayer… will be a Slayer. Every girl who could have the power… will have the power. Can stand up… will stand up. Slayers, every one of us. Make your choice. Are you ready to be strong?”

So many women have had to fight, still have to fight, for the smallest thing, for a place that acknowledges shared humanity, a place at the table - not just cooking the food and serving it. They fight for safety, nutrition and health care, education, equal rights, not to be seen as slaves or servants, to have the chance to find their particular gift and develop and use it.

Wisdom is not solely owned by the crone. Every woman walks in her wisdom, sometimes it hides from her but she will always come back to it. It's what we bring to world with our blood and our bones. I know I have led a privileged life, as a child I had all my needs met in a safe home, and was given the chance to be educated and explore my possibilities. I had great female role models, and the times meant I had the shoulders of formidable women to stand on. The next time you feel you can't be bothered about voting, remember that women died horribly to gain that right for you.

We have a long way to go but every day somewhere, women are taking the small and often giant steps forward, and there are more and more brothers on the path along the way to support and help, celebrate and cheer. Shared humanity.

On this international Womens Day I wish that aglæc power for all women and girls. May they all have that substance, that consequence and the opportunities to ignite it and use it! (Without killing everyone in the mead hall!)

Me and my lovely Mum