Cunty Revolution: The Wise Wound, Cosmic Womb, and Sacred Creative Portal
Birthing Words, Reclaiming Power
Today, in my mentorship with India D’Scarlett, we dove deep into the wells of our inner wisdom. It was a session about tapping into our channel—that boundless creative force that flows through us when we step into our knowing. Not the mind’s chatter, but the deep, embodied voice that whispers truths waiting to be birthed into the world.
I found myself on the floor, my body moving instinctively. In a birthing pose, hips rocking back and forth, I felt the creative force rising within me. It was raw, visceral, and undeniable. I wasn’t just birthing ideas; I was birthing words, a poem that demanded to come through me.
As I rocked and breathed, it flowed. The grief of generations, the power of the sacred feminine, the reclamation of a word so often misused and misunderstood—cunt. It wasn’t just a word; it was a portal, a wound, a source, and a legacy. The poem poured out, and with it, a deep curiosity was ignited.
When the session ended, I found myself falling into one of my classic Rosie research rabbit holes. The word cunt was calling me to explore it further, to understand its history, its degradation, and its potential for reclamation. I delved into its roots, tracing its journey from sacred and descriptive to vilified and shamed. I uncovered its links to wisdom, creation, and the cosmic womb, and I realised how reclaiming this word is an act of reclaiming ourselves.
Through the mentorship, the poem (which you can read at the end of this blog), and the research, I saw how much power this word holds. It’s not just about language—it’s about the stories we tell about ourselves, our bodies, and our lineage. To reclaim “cunt” is to reclaim our power, our creativity, and our connection to the deep, sacred feminine wisdom that flows through us. I felt humbled by the process, reminded that creativity is not always a neat or tidy thing. Sometimes, it asks you to get on the floor, to rock, to push, to birth. And when you listen, when you let it flow, it can lead you back to yourself.
The History of the Word ‘Cunt’: A Linguistic and Patriarchal Perspective
Among the many words in the English language, few are as provocative and misunderstood as ‘cunt.’ Stripped of its reverence and demonised over centuries, its true essence is deeply sacred. Beneath the layers of taboo lies a word that connects us to ancient wisdom, the cosmic cycles of creation, and the universal truths of life, death, and rebirth. To reclaim ‘cunt’ is to honour the wise wound, the cosmic womb, and the sacred creative portal from which all human life emerges.
Language is a living, breathing entity that evolves with culture, society, and power dynamics. Among the many words shaped by historical and patriarchal attitudes, the word ‘cunt’ stands out for its rich, complex, and often misunderstood history. Once a neutral term and even a symbol of reverence, it is now one of the most taboo words in the English language, often wielded as an insult or slur. How did this transformation occur? And what does the contrast between ‘cunt’ and sanitised terms like ‘vagina’ reveal about patriarchal attitudes toward women and their bodies?
The Origins of ‘Cunt’
The etymology of the word ‘cunt’ traces back to Old and Middle English. In the Middle Ages, ‘cunt’ was a straightforward anatomical term for female genitalia. It was not vulgar but descriptive, appearing in medical texts and place names such as ‘Gropecunt Lane,’ streets often associated with sex work in medieval England. Far from its current derogatory usage, the word carried no shame or negativity—it simply named a part of the body.
The word’s roots extend further back into Indo-European languages, potentially linked to the Sanskrit word ‘yoni,’ which represents the womb, vulva, or divine feminine. In ancient texts, ‘yoni’ symbolised creation, fertility, and sacred power, contrasting starkly with the modern connotations of ‘cunt.’
The Decline into Taboo
During the rise of Victorian prudishness and the policing of language in the 17th and 18th centuries, words associated with women’s sexuality—especially overtly descriptive or celebratory terms—were increasingly suppressed. Female anatomy became cloaked in euphemisms or clinical language. The reclamation of control over women’s bodies by patriarchal institutions paralleled the linguistic shift. Words like ‘cunt’ were relegated to the realm of vulgarity, associated with crudeness, immorality, and disrespect.
This transformation wasn’t accidental. In societies where women’s sexuality and autonomy were controlled, labelling their anatomy with shame-laden language reinforced the stigma. The shift turned a once-celebratory word into a term of oppression, policing women’s sexuality and reducing their anatomy to an insult.
Cunt vs. Vagina: Language and Power
In modern usage, the distinction between ‘cunt’ and ‘vagina’ exemplifies the patriarchal forces at work in language. ‘Vagina,’ derived from Latin, literally means ‘sheath’ or ‘scabbard,’ implying a passive, secondary function as the receptacle for a weapon—a disturbingly phallocentric definition. It frames female anatomy in relation to male anatomy, ignoring the autonomous functions and significance of women’s bodies.
By contrast, ‘cunt’ centres the female body on its own terms. Although the word is deeply stigmatised today, its origins are more rooted in the female experience, unmediated by male-centric perspectives. The sanitised adoption of terms like ‘vagina’ and the vilification of ‘cunt’ reveal the ways patriarchal societies shape language to reflect, enforce, and perpetuate power dynamics.
Reclaiming ‘Cunt’: A Feminist Perspective
In recent decades, feminist movements have sought to reclaim ‘cunt’ as an empowering term. Works like Inga Muscio’s Cunt: A Declaration of Independence invite us to challenge the shame and stigma surrounding the word and to honour its historical roots. Reclaiming ‘cunt’ means rejecting the patriarchal narratives that label women’s bodies and sexuality as vulgar or obscene.
By using the word without shame or apology, feminists confront the power structures that dictate which parts of the body are acceptable to name and celebrate. This reclamation aligns with broader efforts to empower women, normalise conversations about female sexuality, and challenge linguistic taboos rooted in oppression.
How Gen Z is Reclaiming ‘Cunt’ and Making It ‘Cunty’
For generations, “cunt” has been one of the most taboo words in the English language, evoking shock, outrage, or discomfort when uttered. However, in recent years, Gen Z has begun to reclaim the word in ways that challenge its history of vilification, flipping its meaning into something bold, empowering, and even celebratory. Terms like “serving cunt” and “cunty” have emerged as part of a playful, rebellious, and creative reimagining of language, particularly within queer and feminist spaces.
“Serving Cunt” as an Empowerment Phrase
In the Gen Z lexicon, “serving cunt” is used to describe someone exuding confidence, power, and unapologetic presence. It’s a term often heard in LGBTQ+ and drag communities, where it highlights someone’s ability to command attention, embody fierce energy, and radiate a certain untouchable attitude. Whether it’s a killer outfit, an unforgettable performance, or a moment of defiance, “serving cunt” is about taking ownership of one’s power and aesthetic.
The phrase flips the derogatory use of “cunt” on its head, reclaiming it as a term of admiration rather than insult. It acknowledges the fierce, bold energy often associated with the word when applied to women or femininity, but strips it of its shame and replaces it with unapologetic pride.
The Rise of “Cunty”
“Cunty” follows a similar trajectory, transforming into an adjective that celebrates edginess, sass, and style. To be “cunty” is to embrace a sharp, confident, and sometimes provocative energy. It’s a term that plays with the audacity and boundary-pushing nature of the word “cunt” itself while softening it with a cheeky, light-hearted tone.
Often used in fashion, performance, or art critiques, “cunty” praises someone who is unapologetically themselves, unafraid to be bold, daring, and a little subversive. It’s a compliment for those who are serving looks, vibes, or energy that are “too good to be ignored.”
Why the Reclamation Matters
The reclamation of “cunt” by Gen Z reflects broader cultural shifts around language, identity, and power. By reclaiming a word historically weaponised against women and marginalised communities, this generation is challenging patriarchal narratives and taking control of how language is used to describe them.
This reclamation often occurs in queer spaces, where defying societal norms has long been a form of resistance. The playful and creative use of “cunt” and “cunty” transforms a word steeped in shame into one that celebrates individuality, confidence, and rebellion. It becomes a badge of honour rather than a mark of disgrace.
The Gen Z approach to reclaiming “cunt” is part of a larger movement to dismantle linguistic taboos and redefine words with oppressive histories. Much like how other derogatory terms have been reclaimed by marginalized communities, this reclamation is an act of resistance and liberation. It reveals the transformative power of language—its ability to evolve, to break free from historical shackles, and to become a medium for self-expression and empowerment.
By “serving cunt” or embracing their “cunty” energy, Gen Z is doing more than reimagining a word; they are reclaiming autonomy over their bodies, identities, and creative expressions. In a culture where shame and control have often defined language about the feminine, this bold redefinition challenges the status quo, creating space for confidence, self-celebration, and rebellion.
Ultimately, the history of “cunt” is a microcosm of the broader struggles over language, power, and autonomy. It shows us how words can be tools of oppression, but also how they can be reclaimed as tools of liberation. As society progresses, there is hope that we can reshape the narrative, recognising the words we use as gateways to inclusivity, respect, and empowerment. By understanding the roots of words like “cunt” and confronting the patriarchal attitudes embedded in language, we open the door to a more equitable and expressive future.
It feels fitting to return to where this journey began—on the floor, hips rocking, words demanding to be born. In that moment, I wasn’t just channeling my voice; I was connecting to the grief, wisdom, and resilience of countless generations before me. This poem emerged from that ceremony—a reclamation of the sacred feminine, the wise wound, and the cosmic portal that connects us all. It is both deeply personal and profoundly universal, a call to honour what has been vilified and reclaim what has been shamed.
Cunty Revolution
Unbelievable, overwhelming grief—
women, as far back as countless generations,
controlled, suppressed, shamed,
desexualised, birth demonised,
power raped, and stolen.
The birth portal between my legs
holds secrets of God,
Creation,
the whole universe,
and you dare call her cunt
as though it’s a bad thing?!
The wisest wound of all—
every man, woman, and child came from her.
My sex is sacred,
my womb is sacred,
my cunt is sacred.
You were scared
For millennia,
Fear of this wise wound
tightened your grip
to strangle us
as soon as we emerged.
A tsunami of grief rises
for the children born into a world
where their mothers,
and their mothers’ mothers,
were so violently mistreated
that their healing now rests
in the hands of those they birthed.
We are the children of the wise women
who came before us.
We emerged from birth portals,
the mystic realm,
the cosmic womb.
Our trust in ourselves was severed,
our connection to our communities severed,
our reverence of the earth severed—
like an umbilical cord
not ready to be cut,
cutting away all that connected us:
to source, to mother.
And now we wail,
we mewl like infants,
crying out for creativity, for connection—
for the life-blood, the milk,
of our mother.
The Cunt as the Wise Wound
If that poem made you feel something deep in your bones—or maybe left you squirming a bit—welcome to the paradox of the wise wound. The cunt isn’t just a body part; it’s a metaphor for the messy, powerful, transformative cycles of life. It’s the moon phase playlist of the body—one that spins grief, joy, pain, and wisdom into a rhythm older than time. Menstruation, birth, menopause—they’re not inconveniences or mysteries; they’re mirrors of the earth’s cycles. And guess what? The cunt is at the centre of it all, quietly embodying the kind of transformation you’d think deserved its own national holiday.
In mythology, this wise wound shows up time and again, from bleeding earth goddesses to the sacred rites of childbirth. It’s the paradox of the cunt: a site of both vulnerability and incredible strength, where life begins, ends, and renews. It’s not just the stuff of biology class; it’s the stuff of legends.
The Cosmic Womb
Now, let’s zoom out a bit—like, galactic scale. Across cultures, the cosmic womb represents the infinite void from which all creation emerges. In Hindu philosophy, the yoni—a term often linked to the cunt—symbolises the ultimate source of life, the yin to the universe’s yang, the place where masculine and feminine energies unite.
Every single one of us came through the cosmic womb. Yep, your whole existence started there. Makes you wonder why this portal of life has been treated like the Voldemort of words—you know, the thing that must not be named. When you stop and think about it, “cunt” deserves its own altar, not a swear jar.
The Sacred Creative Portal
The cunt isn’t just about birthing humans (though, wow, what an achievement). It’s a threshold between the seen and unseen, a sacred space where transformation happens in all its forms—ideas, art, revolutions. In spiritual traditions, the cunt is venerated as a source of power and potential. Tantric practices celebrate it as a sacred space, not in submission but in partnership with the forces of creation.
The cunt is a reminder that creativity isn’t tidy or predictable. It’s raw, visceral, and yes, sometimes painful. It’s the kind of messy magic that brings life, ideas, and art into the world. To reconnect with this sacred energy is to reclaim our humanity—and maybe our sense of humour, too. After all, the cosmic womb has been through millennia of PR disasters and is still standing.
Why This Matters
Reclaiming the word “cunt” isn’t just about language; it’s about reclaiming ourselves. It’s about refusing to let shame dictate how we speak about our bodies, our creativity, and our power. Language shapes the way we see the world, and when we vilify the very thing that brings life into it, we lose something vital.
Through this reclamation, we invite a deeper connection: to ourselves, to each other, and to the earth. The cunt—as the wise wound, the cosmic womb, and the sacred creative portal—becomes a symbol of life itself, a celebration of what it means to transform, create, and embody the cycles of existence.
So let’s wail, let’s mewl, let’s laugh at the absurdity of it all—and let’s birth a new understanding. Let’s reclaim what was always ours. Because if the cunt can survive centuries of shame and still demand respect, maybe we can too.
Photo Credit: Nuvenia's commercial Viva La Vulva