Sacred Rebellion: Marianismo Money & Self Worth
Let’s talk about something marianismo doesn’t like us talking about: money.
If you grew up in a Latine household, you might’ve been taught—directly or silently—that wanting more, asking for more, or even dreaming of more was selfish. That a “good woman” sacrifices, struggles, and stays humble. That ambition, wealth, and independence weren’t for us—they were for the men we were supposed to support.
But here’s the truth: marianismo didn’t just shape how we showed up in our homes. It shaped how we showed up (or didn’t show up) when it came to our own abundance. During Taurus season, where self-worth and prosperity take center stage, it’s time we have a real conversation about how marianismo taught us to make ourselves small—not just emotionally, but financially too.
The Silent Cost of Being ‘Good’
Marianismo taught us to serve, not to earn. To give, not to ask. To feel pride in getting by with less, even when it left us depleted.
A “good” woman is selfless. She sacrifices. She stays quiet about what she wants and makes do with what she has. But how can we build wealth, peace, or power when we’ve been conditioned to feel shame around desire?
Our mothers and abuelas didn’t talk about self-worth—they talked about survival. We carry that silence in our bodies, especially when we charge for our work, ask for a raise, or consider keeping more than just the leftovers.
Invisible Labor, Invisible Worth
Marianismo and machismo are two sides of the same coin. One dominates; the other disappears.
The unpaid labor of women—childcare, housework, emotional tending—is often seen as love, not labor. And that mindset bleeds into everything: why we undercharge, overextend, and burn out. Why we don’t rest until everything is done, even when we’re the ones falling apart.
Money is energy. And when you’ve been taught your worth is in what you give away, it’s hard to feel deserving of anything that flows to you.
Dependence Wasn’t a Choice—It Was a Survival Strategy
It’s easy to say “just be independent” now, but let’s remember: women in the U.S. couldn’t open a bank account or credit card without a man until 1974.
Let that sink in.
Of course our grandmothers taught their daughters to secure a man before they secured a future. Of course some women turned to brujería to keep men at home—because without them, there was no money, no food, no stability. That’s not manipulation. That’s survival.
So no, we don’t judge the choices they made in systems they didn’t create. But we do get to make new choices now.
Breaking Free Without Breaking Apart
First-gen daughters are often the first to say: “I want more.”
More peace. More wealth. More rest.
And we often get labeled as spoiled for it.
The tension is real: how do you honor where you come from while still evolving past what harmed you? When you start earning more than your male relatives or spending money on yourself, it can trigger generational guilt. But choosing to thrive doesn’t mean you’re abandoning your family—it means you’re expanding the vision of what’s possible for all of you.
You can love your mother and still reject the belief that you have to suffer to be worthy. Both things can be true.
Healing Money Wounds is Healing the Matriarchy
Money is not just about numbers—it’s about safety, power, and freedom.
Healing your money story means refusing to pass down the silence, the scarcity, the shame. It means asking your worth without guilt. Charging your worth without apology. And spending your money in ways that nourish you and your lineage.
Because what if you’re not just healing for yourself?
What if your abundance is an altar?
Affirmation:
I honor my ancestors by living free, abundant, and unapologetically worthy.
Need support on this journey?
If this post stirred something in you, know that I offer gentle 1:1 sessions for energetic realignment and spiritual clarity. Whether it’s a Tarot reading for guidance or Reiki to reset your energy around money and worth—I’d love to support you.
🌿✨ Book a session here.