After years of on and off therapy, reading bell hooks, and approaching healing, the neurotypical way. I wondered why the methods of healing suggested in the norms of society, never mind with me towards the wholeness i wished to be. I dug deep to my roots to really see what water me, ignite my fire, ground my chaos, release my tension. Pole dancing, pottery, eclectic outfits, meeting new friends in bars, yelling back at unprovoked approaches, taking up space, demanding my expectations.. are examples of healing that rooted my wholeness.
“ If i make you uptight, that’s because you dont know where I’m coming from… maybe her mother is to blame” Dedicated to Press by Betty Davis
To the women of fire who drown in whisky, float in gin, and dance with tequila
To the women of air who spin until tension releases, who run towards darkness, who speaks their truth in light of being silenced.
To women of earth who refuses to bury their pain, who walks boldly bare foot on rocks, whose wilted flowers behold beauty.
To the women of water who lick their tears to quench their thirst, who bring the storm, who breaks the levees of burden.
In a world where neurotypical healing methods often dominate the landscape of wellness, there exists an alternative, potent form of rejuvenation that draws on the raw, untamed essence of siren energy. This form of healing, which I like to call chaotic good healing, thrives on the spontaneity and fierce independence exemplified by icons like Betty Davis. Her life and music not only challenged societal norms but also offered a blueprint for tapping into one’s deepest, most authentic self.
Muse to Huey P Newton:
Letter excerpt from Davis to Newton:
“You lied. You lied. I’m mad at you Huey because you lied to me. BUT HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANYWAY“
“it really hurts my heart to hear what’s going on out there. I can imagine how you’re feeling and what you’re going through now. …. It did my heart well to hear your voice. I know how busy and troubled you must become. I know your responsibility and your concerns for the people. I know you’re a collective person…. It makes me care for you more. That’s just the woman coming out in me my darling. But at the same time that other part of me realizes how unimportant I am compared to everything else.”
Jimi Hendrix, Slystone, Her exhusband Miles Davis, my to be disputed family members Pointer Sisters, Prince, Erykah Badu, Outkast Carol Santana, Fashion houses like Halston, and pyschedellic rock.
Yet boycotted.
Uninhibited Siren to Deranged Recluse
Betty Davis, often hailed as a pioneer of funk, was not just a musical innovator but a symbol of powerful femininity and unapologetic individuality. Her throaty vocals, bold lyrics, and dynamic persona embodied what I describe as siren energy — a force that is all at once enchanting, disruptive, and deeply transformative. Unlike the structured, often predictable methods of conventional healing, siren energy revels in the chaotic and the unconventional, drawing from the wellspring of one’s innermost passions and desires.
Chaotic good healing, inspired by such siren energy, prioritizes emotional catharsis and self-expression over the rigid, formulaic approaches of neurotypical healing. It’s a method that values the whirlwind of human emotions as a source of strength rather than a disturbance to be quelled. In Betty Davis’s music, we hear the scream of raw emotion, the shout of defiance, and the whisper of vulnerability. Each note and lyric carries the weight of genuine emotional release, offering healing not through suppression but through the very act of liberation.
Her approach to life and art challenges the conventional boundaries of healing, advocating instead for a more intuitive, fluid approach to wellness. This perspective doesn’t shy away from the messiness of human emotion but rather embraces it as a fundamental component of growth and healing. It’s about finding harmony in the dissonance, much like finding a melody in the chaos of sound.
Betty Davis’s legacy teaches us that healing can be an act of rebellion, a form of personal revolution against the societal norms that often dictate how we should recover, heal, and be. Her music—fierce, unfiltered, and steeped in the ethos of siren energy—serves as a reminder that sometimes, the most profound healing comes from embracing the chaotic, the wild, and the untamed.
For those of us drawn to the path of chaotic good healing, Betty Davis’s example offers a powerful testament to the beauty and effectiveness of siren energy. It’s an invitation to break free from the conventional, to dance wildly in the face of our fears, and to sing loudly in the embrace of our truths. In this light, chaotic good healing isn’t just an alternative; it’s a profound journey back to the core of who we are, powered by the irresistible call of the siren within.
Exploring further into the realm of chaotic good healing through siren energy, we can harness the powerful lyrics of Betty Davis as a guide. Her song “They Say I’m Different” offers a bold declaration of individuality with lines like, “They say I’m different ‘cause I’m a piece of sugar cane sweet to the core, that’s why I got rhythm.” These lyrics resonate as a manifesto for those of us who embrace a more intuitive, expressive approach to healing, contrasting sharply with the neurotypical methods that often prioritize uniformity and predictability.
Neurotypical healing might manifest in forms such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which involves structured sessions focusing on modifying dysfunctional thoughts, behaviors, and emotions. While effective for many, this method could feel restrictive for those who thrive on the spontaneity and emotional freedom that siren energy champions. In response, a chaotic good healing suggestion might be to engage in impromptu dance sessions in one’s living room, using Betty’s funk-driven beats to unleash and channel inner emotions. This practice not only honors the cathartic power of physical movement but also aligns with the liberating, unpredictable essence of siren energy.
Another example of a neurotypical approach is the emphasis on routine and structure in therapeutic settings, which aims to create a sense of predictability and safety. Contrastingly, Betty Davis’s lyric from “Nasty Gal” — “I’m a nasty gal, and I’ve got a nasty plan, just to do it ‘cause I can!” — encapsulates the essence of siren energy, which is all about embracing the raw, unscripted aspects of one’s personality. To integrate this into healing, one might adopt an approach like spontaneous art therapy, where individuals create visual art based on their current feelings without any pre-planned designs or outcomes. This method fosters an environment of exploration and self-discovery, essential components of chaotic good healing.
Moreover, traditional therapy often encourages the articulation of feelings in a controlled, verbal manner. However, drawing on the siren energy of Betty Davis, one could instead choose to express emotions through writing song lyrics or poetry, an approach that allows for a more stylized, less inhibited expression. Lyrics from Betty’s “Talkin Trash” — “I’ll talk trash, I can back it up. I got a right to sing the blues” — suggest that vocalizing one’s blues or difficult emotions can be a potent therapeutic tool, serving as a release and reaffirmation of one’s right to feel and express pain.
Through these examples, we see that chaotic good healing, infused with siren energy, offers a liberating alternative to traditional, neurotypical methods. It celebrates the uniqueness of each individual’s healing journey, encouraging us to find and use our voices, bodies, and creative spirits as instruments of our own wellness. Betty Davis’s life and lyrics not only provide inspiration but also a concrete model for tapping into this dynamic and transformative energy, urging us to live and heal not by the book, but by the beat of our own drums.
My Betty Davis Faves… See what she provokes in you:
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1lbpd102lUZJferuMoz4sj?si=H32qqYLUTgOnEJ8K0301zg&pi=u-E2gJhgH9Qg2I
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