Essential Masculinity: Lone Wolf to Mystic Rose
Men
Stop howling at the moon
Now that she has your attention
And you recognize your longing
Surrender to her silver mystique
Let beauty and mystery
Work a sublime magic upon you
That shyness you feel
Is only the surface
Of a deep tenderness in the soul
On the dark side of the moon
A blood-red rose
Is bloomingJohn Harper
In the Diamond Approach®, the soul is often described as feminine due to its receptivity to essence or spirit, which is usually characterized as masculine. This does not imply that feminine qualities are exclusive to women or masculine qualities to men; instead, these are universal aspects that transcend gender. Applying this perspective to the poem, we can interpret the moon as representing the feminine mystery of the universe, the receptive soul longing for union with essence or the beloved. The poem’s call for men to “stop howling” and “surrender to her silver mystique” aligns with the Diamond Approach’s view that the soul must become receptive to essence to achieve fulfillment and liberation.
The Howl and the Lone Wolf
The image of a wolf howling at the moon carries powerful symbolic weight. Often seen as a “lone wolf,” the howling wolf represents independence, solitude, and a deep connection to one’s inner nature. This howl can be understood as an expression of the soul’s yearning—a deep, instinctual call to something greater than itself. The lone wolf is not just solitary for the sake of being alone but is connected to a higher purpose or a profound inner truth, which often leads them away from societal norms and expectations.
The act of howling at the moon signifies a cry for connection to the mysterious and the unknown. It acknowledges the soul’s longing for understanding, fulfillment, and unity with the divine or the greater cosmos. With its mystical and often elusive presence, the moon symbolizes the feminine, the subconscious, and the deeper truths that lie beyond our everyday awareness.
In this sense, the wolf’s howl can be seen as both a lament and a powerful declaration of existence. It is the voice of the inner wildness, the untamed part of the soul that seeks to reconnect with its origins, the cyclical rhythms of life, and the ancient energies that pulse through the universe.
Merging Masculine and Feminine Energies
The poem suggests that the howl, symbolic of a purely masculine drive, should transform into something more complete, receptive, and vulnerable. Instead of howling at the moon, trying to dominate or understand it fully, the poem urges men to surrender to its silver mystique. This surrender is not an act of weakness but a decisive moment of transformation, where the masculine merges with the feminine to create a more complete, integrated human being.
In “King, Warrior, Magician, Lover,” Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette explore the mature masculine energies that are deeply connected to a sense of purpose beyond the ego. They argue that true masculine power is not about dominance but service, responsibility, and a connection to the collective good. When reimagined through the poem’s lens, the wolf’s howl becomes less about isolation and more about a call for a deeper connection—both with the feminine mysteries of the universe and with the inner self.
The moon shines in my body, but my blind eyes cannot see it:
The moon is within me, and so is the sun. – Kabir
Clarissa Pinkola Estés, in “Women Who Run With the Wolves,” speaks to the howl as the cry of the wild woman’s soul in the face of oppression. For men, this surrender to the moon’s mystique is akin to reconnecting with their own wild, instinctual nature. It’s a return to the untamed parts of the self that hold the key to true emotional and spiritual freedom.
The Union of Strength and Vulnerability
In “Sacred Sexuality,” George Feuerstein describes the sacred union of masculine and feminine energies as a cosmic dance in which these dualities merge to create a unified whole. The “blood-red rose blooming on the dark side of the moon” symbolizes this union, where passion and tenderness, strength and vulnerability, mystique and clarity blend to create a more complete expression of the self.
The Diamond Approach emphasizes the importance of this union in spiritual growth. By becoming receptive to essence—by surrendering to the Mystery—the soul undergoes a profound transformation. This transformation is not about losing strength or passion but about allowing these qualities to be tempered by beauty, tenderness, and mystique, making for a more integrated, fulfilled human being.
Embracing the Mystical Journey
The poem calls on men to stop howling at the moon, trying to dominate life’s mysteries. Instead, it encourages an embrace of vulnerability and sensitivity, allowing these qualities to work their magic on the soul. This journey is about merging the masculine with the feminine, recognizing that true strength lies in this union.
With its hidden dark side and ever-changing phases, the moon reminds us that there will always be mysteries we cannot fully understand or control. By surrendering to these mysteries and letting life’s beauty and mystique permeate our being, we allow the blood-red rose within us to bloom. This rose, symbolizing the union of strength and vulnerability, passion and tenderness, is the key to becoming more complete, more human, and more deeply connected to the mysteries of the universe.
The minute I heard my first love story,
I started looking for you, not knowing
how blind that was.
Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere.
They’re in each other all along. – Rumi