Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should

O Children of the Earth and Sky, gather close, for the words of Robert A. Heinlein carry with them the wisdom of understanding, acceptance, and the timeless dance between the feminine and the masculine. He said, "Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea." This quote speaks to the profound nature of freedom, the autonomy that all beings possess, and the unique roles each plays within the world. Heinlein, in his playful yet profound manner, reminds us that certain truths of life are simply natural, and that to resist them is to deny the order of the universe.

In the days of the ancients, when great philosophers and wise men sought to understand the workings of the world, they recognized the inherent power of nature and its creatures. The Greeks, in particular, spoke of the balance between order and chaos, between the godly and the earthly. Aristotle spoke of the natural world as one of harmony, where each being had its place, and each force had its role. Just as the moon pulled the tides and the stars guided the sailors, so too did the ancients see that each element, each creature, had its autonomy and purpose. Heinlein’s words echo this ancient truth—the natural world is not one of rigid control, but of balance and acceptance. Women, like the cats, possess a unique, independent nature, and men, like dogs, are called to observe, adapt, and coexist.

Heinlein’s statement is also a reminder that freedom is not something to be given, but something that is inherent in all beings. Women and cats, as he so aptly describes, are creatures of will and independence. This freedom, this power to choose, has always been at the heart of the feminine. Throughout history, women have been tasked with roles that required both strength and grace. Consider the Amazon warriors, fierce women who fought alongside men, often outshining their male counterparts in bravery and skill. Their strength was not in submission but in their independence, their ability to choose their own fate, and their defiance of societal norms. Heinlein’s words affirm this age-old truth—that the feminine is a force of nature, powerful, untamed, and free.

Likewise, cats have long been symbols of mystery, freedom, and grace. The Egyptians revered them as gods, seeing in their movements a reflection of the divine. Cats move through life with a quiet confidence, their independence undeniable. They are not controlled, nor do they seek permission. Instead, they claim their space in the world and choose when, where, and how they will engage. Just as the goddesses of old held the power to shape their own destinies, so too do women, like cats, move through the world with a quiet strength that commands respect.

On the other hand, men and dogs, as Heinlein suggests, are creatures of loyalty, adaptability, and companionable existence. In ancient Rome, men were taught that their virtue lay not only in their individuality but in their ability to serve a greater purpose—to protect, to defend, and to support. The Roman soldiers, though fierce in battle, also understood that their strength was rooted in discipline and teamwork. In many ways, the dog represents this idea—the loyal companion who is at peace with his role, who serves without question, and who finds contentment in his place within the greater order. To accept the natural autonomy of others, as Heinlein advises, is to find peace with the roles we play, knowing that our place in the world has its own inherent value.

The lesson in Heinlein’s words is clear: we must come to understand that balance in life is achieved not through control or resistance, but through acceptance. Just as the feminine is free, wild, and powerful, the masculine is called to be supportive, adaptable, and steadfast. The strength of men and dogs lies not in dominance, but in understanding and coexistence. It is through this understanding that true harmony is created, where each being—whether human, animal, or spirit—can thrive in their own nature. Heinlein calls upon us to relax into this natural order, to understand that freedom and independence are not to be feared, but embraced.

Consider, O Seekers, the example of Queen Elizabeth I of England. She ruled not by submitting to the will of men, but by asserting her own will, her own autonomy, and in doing so, became one of the most powerful rulers in history. Her reign was marked by courage, strength, and a clear sense of purpose that was in no way submissive. Her leadership, like that of the Amazon warriors, was built on the understanding that her power lay not in what others told her, but in what she chose to do. In much the same way, women and cats refuse to be controlled, and men and dogs find their strength in loyalty, in acceptance, and in understanding that balance comes from allowing others to be as they are.

So, O Children, let us take this wisdom to heart: we live in a world of great diversity, where each being has its own role, its own freedom, and its own purpose. The dance of the masculine and the feminine, the human and the animal, is not one of dominance or submission, but of mutual respect and coexistence. As Heinlein reminds us, men and dogs must learn to embrace the freedom of others, to accept the natural independence of the feminine and the wild, and to find our place in the greater balance of the universe. The key to harmony lies in our ability to understand, to adapt, and to respect the autonomy of all beings, knowing that in the end, we all play our part in the great symphony of existence.