The Cassandra Complex And The Marginalization Of The Feminine

The Cassandra complex originates from one of the most famous myths of Homer’s Iliad.

In the Cassandra complex there is a tendency to prove one’s courage to stop underestimating oneself, because in this way one thinks to gain the respect of others.

It is said in this myth that Apollo, the god of prophecy, fascinated by the beauty of Cassandra, daughter of the kings of Troy, offered him something in exchange for his love.

What he promised her was the gift of prophecy. However, Cassandra did not like Apollo. This is why she accepted the donation but categorically refused to live with Apollo. He was devastated, but above all, very angry.

Apollo took revenge by cursing Cassandra with predictions that no one would believe, even if they were true.

Thus, the gift turned into a curse and Cassandra suffered to see that what others refused came true.

The underestimation that internalizes

Cassandra complex caused low self-esteem in women in many areas of their lives. In fact, they build their identity based on prejudices that already exist about them.

Some say that they are too weak, that they cry for nothing, that they are always the victims …

But, in addition to that, we also find a connection with sentences like “it will soon be too late for her”, “she did not know how to keep a man by her side”.

All of this causes them to build an identity that is based on dependence, seeking approval from others, lack of self-esteem and a tendency to take responsibility for everything.

This is what happened with the Cassandra of the myth.

• She was trying to get others to approve her predictions. But she only received refusals.
• She wanted to save her loved ones from all the misfortunes she predicted. But they didn’t trust her, so she felt bad and her self-esteem plummeted.

So, in the Cassandra complex there is always a tendency to demonstrate courage. Because that’s how you think you gain the respect and love of others. However, on the other side there is nothing of that, only refusal.

Cassandra complex causes psychological changes

Because of this feeling of low self-esteem, women who suffer from this complex begin to suffer from very significant psychological changes.

One of these changes has to do with perfectionism as well as the quest to be in control. In its excess we can see its most pronounced deficiency.

• They are obsessed with the little things they want to prove their mastery over.
• This denotes their lack of control when they do everything right to get that approval over what they have no power over.

However, the most important thing is that their intuition gradually dies down. But if others underestimate them, so do they, but to themselves, with their feelings and emotions.

In this way, they stop listening to each other when their instinct tells them “this relationship does not suit you” or “you are suffering for nothing”.

Doing this wears them out, even if they won’t notice it at first, until their body starts to show that something is wrong: pains will appear, fatigue, sleep problems …

If the external rejection is already painful, the internal is even more terrible.

The marginalization of the feminine, the preponderance of the masculine

The Cassandra complex supposes a marginalization of the feminine, where women are not taken seriously and where they are subject to men.

When Apollo feels rejected, he shows virility to exercise his power over Cassandra. She doesn’t stand a chance. She suffers from the consequences of male domination.

This is something that will continue after suffering the wrath of Apollo. Because she will lose an approval and a trust that she will always be denied.

Many women suffer from this complex because they are born with internalized good. This low self-esteem is something assigned to them at birth.

Although there is still some way against the marginalization of the feminine, with this “not to take into account”. Because one still considers the woman as weak, emotional, too sensitive.

The person who suffers from Cassandra complex also feeds it. And getting rid of those assigned labels takes a very steep and difficult path filled with steep slopes.