The Cult of the Mother Goddess

The Mother Goddess

• Different cultures have their own interpretation
• Dates back over 30,000 years
• She is a divine and sacred female with supernatural attributes
• Found throughout many cultures and time periods
• Regarded as the source of life

Origins

• Female goddesses originated in places like Mesopotamia, Crete, Egypt, Greece, the Aegean, and southern Europe
• A matriarchal society can be seen reaching back into the Palaeolithic period through the numerous Venus figures discovered in Europe

The Mother Goddess Represents

• The earth, nature, and energy
• Renewal, reproduction, and fertility
• Personification of creation and destruction

Three Interpretations

• A Universal Mother
• A Divine Woman
• A Personified Reproductive Organ

Goddess symbol

• The triple moon represents the Maiden, Mother, and Crone as the waxing, full, and waning moon.
• feminine energy, mystery and psychic abilities

Two Societal Systems Developed

• The matristic gylanic or peaceful goddess centered society - Based on the equality of men and woman
• Androcratic or belligerent patriarchies - Domination of society by males

Woman-Centered Societies

• Matriarchal societies were conceived of as harmonious and peaceful communities in contrast to the aggressive, warlike and patriarchal societies that replaced them
• Egalitarian- believed that all people are equal
• Men worked in trades and construction
• Woman were very liberal

Prehistoric Female Figurines

• Sometimes represented as a bull, snake, or bird
• Began being excavated in the 1890s
• vary in form, style, and context
• Over 300 have been found between France and Siberia
• Most are made of ivory, stone, horn, or bone
• Very round and voluptuous
• Mainly date back to 25,000 B.C. but some are much older

Video

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrB1HxQeuUI

The Earth Mother

• The idea that the fertile earth is female and nurtures humans
• Many societies believe this is how life originated
• Believed by the Greco-Roman world, the ancient middle east, Sumerians, and ancient Egypt
• Gaia, is also the personification of Earth she is a Greek deity. Gaia is known as mother of all, and the highest ranking Greek Mother Goddess, creator of birth to the Earth and all the Universe.

Catal Huyuk

• Large neolithic village in Anatolia
• 6,000 to 7,000 B.C.
• Many female figurines were excavated
• These figurines represent a Mother Goddess who lead the pantheon of a matriarchal culture
• The Goddess was shown as giving birth or seated on a throne of lions

Ancient Egypt

• Isis- one of the most important deities of ancient Egypt
• Was worshipped throughout the Roman Empire or from England to Afghanistan
• Is worshipped by Pagans today
• Represented as a beautiful woman wearing a sheath dress
• Feminine counter part of Osirus
• She was a protective goddess who helped the needy

Neith

• Said to have created herself out of her own being
• first to give birth to anything
• Did so before anything else existed

Gnostic Sophia

• ancient Virgin Mother deities
• Sopia existed sometime between between Paganism and Judeo-Christian tradition
• Can be predated to B.C.E
• She is considered to have fallen from grace to help create the material world
• Gnostic Tradition

Examples in Today's Religions

• Christianity- Mary the mother of Jesus
• Hindu- Durga represents the empowering and protective nature of motherhood
• Wicca- worship an earth goddess named Gaia

Relation to the Text

• The picture of the winking nun - everyone seems to be infatuated
• p. 95 "You may imagine the transports of delight that overcame me when i learned that Magdalen had been a high initiate of the mysteries of the goddess"

Discussion

• Can you think of any examples of a mother goddess from literature pop culture?
• What are your thoughts on the mother deity that represents death and destruction?
• How do you think mother goddesses compare to male dieties?

Sources

• https://ericwedwards.wordpress.com/2013/07/17/the-cult-of-the-mother-goddes...
• http://www.britannica.com/topic/Isis-Egyptian-goddess
• http://www.ancient-wisdom.com/earthmother.htm