Wild Wise Women of Science Fiction: Guinan

Last updated on: May 14, 2014 at 8:33 am by Lilith Dorsey

Wild Wise Women of Science Fiction: Guinan 2014-05-14T08:33:25-05:00 Lilith Dorsey

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Madame Tussauds London Whoopi Goldberg photo by the12thplaya. Text added. Licensed under CC 2.0.

“So why do you write these strong female characters ?”

“Because you’re still asking me that question.” – Joss Whedon, Equality Now speech 2006

There are many ways in which magic and science fiction are the same. If you are a fan you don’t need anyone to tell you this. Both worlds allow us to change, transform, escape, explore ourselves and others. Magic is religion. A religion as old as time. Science Fiction is it’s baby cousin born of a new world, and a new unknown tomorrow. Exploration of other cultures eventually led to outer space. This led to discoveries and fantasies we never could have dreamed of before. As my girls used to say when they were little, “what are we finding?” In the cosmos there are spaceships and aliens, captains and robots, and everything else in our wildest imagination. One of the things we see most often, especially in the Science fiction of the last 50 years is a predominance of powerful women. The Sci-Fi ‘verse is one of those unique domains where women fortunately rule the roost.

This feminine rule comes in many different guises. There are wise hostesses like Guinan, sacred and sensual companions like Inara and Number 6, and tough and ballsy captains like Ripley and Janeway. No one wants to tangle with these ladies. They are powerful and infinitely wise. They have become cultural icons for women everywhere. We’ve come a long way baby. Thank the Goddess.

Tell It Like It Is

Guinan photo by SisterUkthi. Licensed under CC 2.0

Confession, bearing one’s spirit and one’s soul, in the land of Science fiction seems often to be the special domain of the ladies. Their counsel and wisdom is infinite and practical, albeit illogical at times. It is as if they are accessing the primal feminine, pulling the knowledge of the past kicking and screaming into the future. This is one of the prime reasons for it’s appeal. These women have a deep and profound knowledge that is beyond instinctual. There is no denying it Whoopi Goldberg is amazing. She has captivated audiences since she put a white shirt on her head and spoke of her “ long, luxurious blonde hair. “ Her persona makes her an iconoclast, which is why she was the perfect choice for the character of Guinan on Star Trek: The Next Generation. The following quote from Star Trek: The Next Generation illustrates her wisdom and power “Every fiber in my being says this is a mistake. I can’t explain it to myself, so I can’t explain it to you. I only know that I’m right.” Everyone on the ship knows that she is right. The television show proves over and over again that they would do well to listen to this humble hostess. We can all do well to listen to these women, to follow their insight and their inspiration as we take our own journeys into the unknown.

Stay tuned to the Voodoo Universe for more forays into the wild world of these Science Fiction Goddesses and modern Priestesses in the upcoming weeks, subscribe to our Feed and if the spirits move you please leave your own wild and wise thoughts below.

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