Ignoring dark feminine energy is keeping you small—here’s how to change that

Darkness, it seems, has always had a bad rap. It’s the unknown, the unpredictable, the place where shadows twist into imagined monsters.

But what if this enigma has been misunderstood all along?

What if, instead of something to be feared, it’s actually a place where hidden parts of you reside and are waiting to be acknowledged?

It’s in this shadowy realm where a force lies, both fierce and transformative—your dark feminine energy.

It’s the parts of yourself you’ve buried, the emotions you’ve brushed off as “too much,” the desires you’ve kept locked away…

And when you embrace—not fear—that side of you, you might just find a raw, rich, beautiful, unapologetic truth that’s been waiting for you all along.

What is dark feminine energy?

Mystery, sensuality, emotional intensity, intuition, and your unapologetic expression of your true self—that’s essentially the “dark feminine energy” meaning. It’s the side that taps into raw, instinctual power.

Unfortunately, it’s also the part that many females often hide or suppress, mainly at the behest of society. Their emotional lawlessness, their desire to connect to their true selves, their willingness to speak up about things they care about… all marketed as “drama,”’ “meanness,” and “crazy outbursts.”

“We’re programmed to think that darkness is bad, is wrong, when actually it’s just another equally important aspect of ourselves,” explains Rachel Pringle, a sensual embodiment expert and trainer of Mindvalley’s Wild Woman Sensuality Quest.

Plus, research shows that people who stay true to themselves tend to feel better about their lives overall. They enjoy higher self-esteem, more life satisfaction, and stronger connections with others.

So, while “dark” can seem intimidating, it’s possible this side of you is dying to be embraced.

Common misconceptions

Just because something is “dark” doesn’t mean that it’s wicked. Erroneous much? 

The unfortunate part is, that’s how dark feminine energy is often dismissed, along with a few other misconceptions:

• Linked to traits like cruelty, maliciousness, and malevolence.
• Misinterpreted as being overly aggressive and confrontational.
• Commonly reduced to just sensuality and sexuality.
• Viewed as something wild, uncontrollable, and chaotic.

Think of Camille from Netflix’s Emily in Paris, being in the love triangle she never asked to be a part of. Her confidence, assertiveness, and mysterious vibe aren’t just Camille being “je ne sais quoi.” That’s just Camille being Camille—headstrong, fiercely authentic, and fully owning her feminine power.

How is it different from light energy?

Light and dark feminine energy might sound like they’re opposites, but that’s far from the truth. As a matter of fact, they complement each other, even if they serve different purposes:

Light feminine energy is what most people are familiar with: the divine femininity that encompasses nurturing, compassion, gentleness, and warmth. It’s all about giving, loving, and creating harmony. And because of that, there’s kindness, empathy, and the desire to connect and heal.

Dark feminine energy, on the other hand, dives deeper. It’s not about the chaos or aggression people think it is; rather, it’s about embracing intensity, setting boundaries, and tapping into that inner power.

Our darkness is just as important as our light.

— Rachel Pringle, trainer of Mindvalley’s Wild Woman Sensuality Quest

Going back to the example of Emily in Paris, the light energy has Emily written all over it. She’s optimistic, bubbly, social, charming, and a whole list of other qualities that make you feel like the sun is shining when she’s in the vicinity.

Vastly different than the dark Camille, who’s bold, fierce, and isn’t afraid to say “no.”

But let’s face it: Emily in Paris would be such a dud show if there was no Camille to the Emily. Why? Because both are essential. Both create a balance.

“Our darkness is just as important as our light,” as Rachel says in her Mindvalley Quest. And like the two female archetypes of the show, there cannot be one without the other.

Which celebrities and pop culture characters have dark feminine energy?

Sure, Camille is one. But who else makes the list?

Let’s take a glance at some notable celebrities first:

• Bella Hadid
• Michelle Yeoh
• Rihanna
• Florence Pugh
• Angelina Jolie
• Willow Smith
• Frida Kahlo
• Huda Kattan
• Priyanka Chopra
• Sofia Vergara

Now, when it comes to cinematic and television show characters, here are a few who come to mind:

• Rosa Diaz, Brooklyn Nine-Nine
• Blair Waldorf, Gossip Girl
• Daenerys Targaryen, Game of Thrones
• Veronica Lodge, Riverdale
• Cristina Yang, Grey’s Anatomy
• Miranda Priestly, The Devil Wears Prada
• Trinity, The Matrix
• Olivia Pope, Scandal
• Mia Wallace, Pulp Fiction
• Cookie Lyon, Empire

These are just some who might, at first glance, be mistaken for a femme fatale. But they’re more than that. They’ve tapped into their dark feminine energy—embracing power, mystery, and strength—and they know exactly how to use it to their advantage…

…like Rachel, who, too, has learned how to alchemize her dark, as well as her light, into something powerful and unshakeable.

“The moment that I brought my darkness fully in and united it with my light,” she says, “is the moment that my power came fully online.”

How to tap into your dark feminine energy in 5 ways

Whether you’re an Emily or a Camille, allowing your dark feminine energy traits to shine can be a source of strength and empowerment. Here are five ways you can tap into them:

1. Dive into shadow work

With all these parts you’ve suppressed, repressed, denied, or deemed unacceptable, shadow work will help you dig in as to why you felt the need to. In fact, a 2014 thesis paper on how the practice can support the adult developmental journey shows that it can help you gain a deeper understanding of your motivations, behaviors, and triggers.

So, how can you dive in? There’s journaling. There’s meditation and visualization. Mirror work. Working with a therapist or a coach. Or, if you’re more into artistic expression, there’s Rachel’s wild woman way: dance.

“If you’re feeling a little chaotic or anxious or shameful or overwhelmed or depressed, use it as an opportunity to dance it out,” she encourages. “Let those darker emotions fly freely through you, as you.”

2. Set firm boundaries

Saying “no” is something that many women struggle with, always making sure that others needs are prioritized before their own. It’s disheartening to know that even out of 1,000 U.S. adults surveyed, 51% of the women see themselves as people-pleasers, according to a 2022 YouGov poll.

That includes Emily. Take, for instance, when she tried to juggle working for both Madeline and Sylvie after Sylvie quit Savoir with the rest of the French employees—just so she didn’t rock the boat. No surprise, she was in over her head and ended up getting fired by Sylvie while also losing her job after Savoir went belly up.

Here’s the thing: being more feminine doesn’t mean you can’t ever say “no.” As a matter of fact, it actually thrives on it. It actually encourages setting crystal-clear boundaries.

So that you can protect your well-being. So you can communicate your worth and value to others. And most importantly, so you can take control of your life.

3. Tap into your intuition

Chances are, you’ve felt it—that gnawing feeling telling you something’s not right or that calmness telling you that something is. That is your intuition.

Rachel, too, has felt the sensation. There was one day when she realized that the expectations society placed on her weren’t aligned with who she really was.

“These are not my thoughts; these are not my desires,” she shares on her Mindvalley Quest. They were society’s.

“So in that exact moment, I dedicated basically the rest of my life to discovering my own intuitive voice, to listening to that inner guidance—that wisdom that I knew was inside of me and I know is inside of you.”

When you tap into your intuition, you’re doing your divine femininity a favor. You’re making choices that feel right for you, even when they go against what others expect.

4. Express yourself without shame

A female angry? Oh no, she’s gone mental.

A female crying? She’s being dramatic.

A female wearing something loud, something proud, something that society doesn’t allow? She’s doing it for attention.

Every corner she turns, there’s some rule or restriction or expectation. But enough is enough.

Dark feminine energy demands you embrace whatever form of expression feels most true to you. Sensuality, creativity, speaking your mind… 

“Society is scared of our power,” Rachel points out. So isn’t it time to let go of shame and fully embody your desires?

When you do, you may be surprised at the raw, unapologetic power that’s long been waiting to be set free.

5. Channel your sensuality

“You deserve to feel confident in your body’s expression, to use your voice, to speak your truth, and to live the fullness of who you truly are, to liberate the wild woman that is within you.” 

Rachel truly has a way with words. But she’s not wrong because the reality is, when you feel stuck or need clarity in life, it’s your dark feminine energy wanting to awaken your inner sex goddess.

No, that doesn’t mean accepting the party in anyone’s pants. It simply means how you carry yourself, the energy you project, and your comfort in your own skin.

Being sensual helps you “remember the confident and deeply empowered state of your natural existence,” as Rachel puts it. “It reminds you of your self-trust and your self-love, and it is accessible to each and every one of us.”

Dark feminine energy quotes

Dark feminine energy is all about embracing your full expression, from your deepest emotions to your sexual power. These handpicked quotes capture the essence of that energy, and they’re here to inspire you to fully own and embody every part of yourself.

• “The darkest part of your story gave birth to the strongest part of your soul.” — Unknown
• “We need more women who are allowed to prove their worth as people, rather than being assessed merely for their potential to create new people.” — Caitlin Moran
• “The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” — Coco Chanel
• “You can be an absolute woman and also be smart and tough and not lose your femininity.” — Priyanka Chopra
• “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.” — Marianne Williamson
• “What’s the greatest lesson a woman should learn? That, since day one, she’s already had everything she needs within herself. It’s the world that convinced her she did not.” — Alisa Vitti
• “It’s fun to be a woman. It’s fun to flirt and wear makeup and have boobs.” — Eva Mendes
• “She is both, hellfire and holy water. And the flavor you taste depends on how you treat her.” — Sneha Pal
• “So much of our power comes from actually just not caring what people think and you just being your own weird self.” — Chelsey Goodan
• “Let’s get crazy; let’s get wild; let’s get weird; let’s get fully turned on and deepened into our complete and utter unadulterated passion and pleasure.” — Rachel Pringle

Unlock your darkness within

Do you feel like something’s holding you back?
Want the confidence to own who you are?
Ready to stop feeling guilty for your desires?

If you’re nodding along, then Rachel Pringle’s Wild Woman Sensuality Quest is exactly what you need. In just 10 days, you’ll unlock a new level of confidence, freedom, and self-love through practices like breathwork, dance, and sacred rituals.

The first lessons are free when you sign up for a Mindvalley account, so why wait? This is your chance to step into the fullness of your dark feminine energy and live as the wild, unapologetic woman you truly are.

Just like Shruti Shailajan, a self-empowerment coach from Bangalore, India:

“This journey has been challenging yet so empowering for me that now I’m grateful and honored to have the beautiful wisdom and power of femininity and being a woman. I am embracing my inner wildness and sensuality with ease and pride, which is absolutely liberating.”

Here’s the thing: your dark feminine energy is equally worthy of your love. “They’re deeply powerful,” says Rachel. “They want you; they need you. So find them, discover them, claim them, own them right now.”

Welcome in.