The fear of persecution—often called the witch wound—is an ancient, inherited trauma rooted in generations of silenced, embodied women. In this article, we explore how this wound still lives in our bodies today, and what it means to reclaim our sacred rage, sensuality, and the fierce feminine that has long been feared.

Witch-burned and still burning

An intergenerational trauma does not simply disappear. It influences the behaviour of later generations and their connection to feminine energy. The truth is, most of us are still influenced by the persecution wound and the fear of the feminine energy' power. For example, when a woman is judged for her sensuality—for how she dresses, moves, or carries herself with confidence—we can see that the witch hunt still exists, though in more subtle ways. Today, society might not use torches or violence to force us into silence, but shame and judgment are still very real tools of control. Many of us have experienced watching a woman dance freely and sensually. It can be a beautiful and powerful sight. But sometimes, it stirs something uncomfortable in us—perhaps a longing to be as free or feelings of jealousy, anger, or discomfort. We might think, "How can she move like that?" Sensuality, wildness, power, self-expression, chaos, and rawness are all natural aspects of the feminine. We all have them. But we have been taught to suppress this part of ourselves—to tone it down, stay small, stay safe. When we witness a woman who embodies these qualities without shame, it can evoke a mix of awe and fear within us. 

Moreover, what made the witch hunts so damaging was not just the violence but the unpredictability. A woman could be persecuted simply because her neighbours did not like her. Our ancestors were not only afraid of being labelled witches for practising healing or midwifery. They were fearful of being punished for no reason at all. That fear, passed down over time, taught many of us to remain invisible. The witch wound is a trauma of uncertainty. The unpredictability of their circumstances led our ancestors to develop an internal judge, prompting them to protect themselves by constantly analyzing their actions, movements, words, and behaviours to regain a sense of control. When faced with an unpredictable environment, we instinctively seek to regain control. In essence, our ancestors learned to manage their behaviours meticulously while also fearing the natural expressions of their bodies. This internal control and fear of being too much is still very real for many of us in today's world.

The silenced howl

Another way to understand the impact of the witch wound in today's world is by examining which qualities of feminine energy are encouraged and which are criticized or feared. Overall, the nurturing, caring, gentle, and supportive aspects of feminine energy are widely appreciated and validated. Archetypes like the mother have a clear and respected place in our society. In contrast, dark feminine energy, represented by archetypes such as the enchantress, the witch, and the seductress, is much less accepted. As a result, the essence of the dark feminine—characterized by qualities that are chaotic, wild, free, and empowering—often faces repression. Many women experience this internal repression, which reflects the historical judgment faced by women during the witch hunts. Our ancestors learned to suppress certain aspects of their essence to protect themselves, and this pattern of internal judgment continues to influence us today, stemming from our collective history.

Many of us naturally carry the codes of the sacred feminine within us. Our bodies remember, and our intuition knows. We feel, we vibrate, and somehow we recall that being a woman encompasses diversity, power, and subtlety. For women who embrace their wild feminine, it is impossible to restrict themselves to expressing only the accepted facets of feminine energy. A woman living in her wild feminine holds within her the codes to reopen the path of the free and sacred feminine. She understands that her body is sacred, that her sensuality is sacred as well, and that its expression can be gentle, nourishing, tempestuous, and powerful. However, the wild feminine often faces violent confrontation from the fear of persecution. This is one reason why women awakened to the wild feminine evoke strong reactions and projections from others. The collective has learned to restrict and label our expression as women, and many people are not ready to hold the feminine in her power. Beneath this incapacity to hold a woman's true potential lies a collective fear of the power of the fundamental energy, or shakti, which is a force far beyond our control. We live in a society that attempts to repress Shakti, but this is impossible. Feminine energy is like water; trying to contain it does not make it docile. Quite the contrary, it becomes more spirited and strong.

Divine feminine rage as a portal 

Divine rage is not chaos without purpose. It is the flame that burns away illusion. It is the cry of every woman who was silenced, a call to remember who we are beneath the layers of shame and fear. Sacred rage is more than just anger; it is a much deeper emotion. It is sacred because it is our body’s way of saying, ‘Enough.’ It’s a primal knowing that we were never meant to stay small. It serves as a call, an howl, and a vital need to reconnect with our true selves. I have written a more detailed article about sacred rage, which you can read here. In light of the fear of persecution and the inherited witch-hunt fear from our ancestors, we all experience, at some point, a need to reclaim our feminine energy as it truly is, rather than how society says it should be. Intergenerational trauma lingers in our bodies, and it is our bodies that scream in the night. They hold the memories of this legacy, which continues to influence our present. Our bodies demand acknowledgment of our experiences as women in a world that trivializes our feminine essence and obscures our power. This is where sacred rage comes into play. However, managing this powerful emotion is truly challenging. Often, we not only feel our own rage but also the collective rage of the ancestors. As a result, this rage can become really overwhelming. The most effective way to engage with divine feminine rage is to welcome it and recognize it as a sacred signal calling us home. When it arises, it is a sign that your inner fire has been rekindled by passion. Underneath the rage lies a desire—the desire to live in harmony with your truest self.

Sacred rage is a powerful fuel. This energy empowers us to reclaim our place, stop diminishing ourselves, and overcome the inherited discomfort of being fully seen, which is deeply rooted in the witch wound. It calls us to honour the heritage of women who were persecuted for unjust reasons. It urges us to embrace our wild feminine nature, our connection to the earth, the cycles of life, sisterhood, and our inherent need to lead and create our lives from a feminine perspective. The greatest challenge lies in viewing this rage as information rather than allowing it to drain our energy. Use it as fuel to free yourself from your internal judgment. Use it to overcome the fear of being visible as a woman who embodies all the nuances of feminine energy. 

Transforming the persecution wound through safety

In conclusion, the witch wound is not just a story of the past. It lives in our nervous systems, in the way we hold our bodies, bite our tongues, or question our right to take up space. But healing is possible. When we begin to honour our sacred rage, reclaim our sensuality, and embody the full spectrum of the feminine, we begin to rewrite that story. Healing this intergenerational trauma is not about pushing through fear with force. It is about gently creating safety within ourselves. To support you on this path, I have created a free resource: The Witch wound safety map. This map is a somatic tool designed to help you slowly and compassionately ease the persecution wound. Download it here, or click on the picture below:

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What Is the witch wound? A nervous system perspective on appeasement and ancestral trauma