LIBERTINE: freedom or folly?
libertine
noun
a freethinker especially in religious matters
a person who is unrestrained by convention or morality
The word libertinus was used in early writings of Roman antiquity to describe a slave who had been set free (the Roman term for an emancipated slave was the Latin libertus).
The "freedman" sense of libertine was extended to freethinkers, both religious and secular, and later came to imply that an individual was a little too unrestrained, especially in moral situations. The Latin root of libertine is liber, the ultimate source of our word liberty.
In the 14th century, a libertine was "a freed slave," from the Latin liber, "free."
Starting in the mid-1500s, libertine had a religious and political connotation, referring to a group that opposed Calvinism.
By the nineteenth century, the word became strongly associated with immorality and debauchery.
Equilibrio" by Roberto Manzano
I wear the moniker “libertine” proudly.
And yes, I’m well aware that most people use the term pejoratively, but honestly, that kinda makes me love it even more, especially as a woman, and even more so, as a woman who grew up in Calvinist schools.
I find it ironic that you’d be hard pressed to find an American, let alone a bible thumping version who didn’t pride themselves on being FREE, free of tyranny and of the “wages of sin,” and yet they’ve long used a synonym for freedom - LIBERTY - as a slur for anyone going beyond their set proprieties.
As a clinician (and quite frankly, human), I am passionate about helping others find where they’ve limited themselves in ANY area of life, frequently due to the actions and beliefs of others, and then redefining what FREEDOM looks like for them.
You were meant to have a great life.
You absolutely can have it all, as envisioned and created by you and those you call into your community.
But to do so often entails healing the parts of you that were hurt by others, empowering the parts of you that are afraid to outgrow them and be judged, and enlightening the parts of you that need knowledge or inspiration on next steps.
There are amazing tools out there available in the form of books, podcasts, social media content, and mentors. USE THEM. Don’t wait.
GET WHAT YOU CAME HERE TO GET.
And if you think we might be a great fit, hit me up and let’s chat. I’d be honored to bring you a giant dose of Libertine energy for your journey.
