Sacred Feminine Profile: Juana Inés de la Cruz

Sor (Sister) Juana Inés de la Cruz was a self taught scholar, philosopher, poet, playwright and feminist writer of the 17th century. Born in colonial Mexico under the Viceroyalty of New Spain, her scholarly aptitude lead to a position at court, as a lady-in-waiting; which she tolerated for three years, before deciding she wished “to have no fixed occupation which might curtail freedom to study,” and became a nun to support her chosen trajectory. Her literary works were vast and inclusive of classical forms with modern to mythological themes, satires and spiritual tones. Her work was also highly sought after, commissioned and published by the same colonialist court she walked away from. Some of her notable works include “Hombres Necios” (Foolish Men) and El Divino Narciso (the Divine Narcissus). She wove indigenous Nahuatl, Hispano-African and Spanish dialects into her writing and became the first, published feminist writer of the colonized world. She died assisting her fellow nuns during an epidemic and today, her legacy is remembered on Mexican currency. Naturally, she was a Scorpio.