Hi, dear friends!
Today, we are going to dive into an interesting train of thought, something that may be unfamiliar. This is something that I simply would ask that you keep an open mind about. These are simply theories, but some highly insightful ones at that - ideas that I would love to share with you in hopes that it will spark some light for you.
The subject today: the Mother and the Spirit. So, this concept may be new to you, but it is my belief that the Mother is also the Holy Spirit, for several reasons. Now, many people will not agree with me, and you are free to think as you wish, and I will not mind either way. I do not know all, and my opinion is constantly evolving. I don't think we have to come to any set conclusions, but I hope you will give it some consideration as I share insights of other intellectual and spiritual minds, as well as some findings in my own study. We will address the perceptions behind the title, the gender, the generic use of the term, the far-reaching impact the Spirit has, the symbolism behind it, the Godhead, the familial aspect behind the Spirit, the placement, various patterns in the scriptures, how the Spirit and its symbols apply directly to ancient goddess archetypes, promptings, and my inclination to believe the Spirit was She.
THE MYSTERIOUS TITLE
I've heard many thoughts about the Spirit. Who is the Spirit, really? Who is this mysterious third member of the Godhead that we can't see and don't know the name of? Sounds similarly to the way we view the Divine Mother. We can't see Her. We don't know much about Her. We don't talk about Her much. She is sacred and widely unknown. We don't know exactly who she is or what she does, but we know She is there. (Of course, I am playing devil's advocate here, as I personally believe we have many answers to these questions, but for the sake of the argument, we can get into that another time).
But back to the question, who is the Spirit? If we think of it in terms of the heavenly family, what role would the Spirit fill. We already have a Father and a Son as part of the Godhead. Who would naturally fill that role? An uncle? A grandfather? Maybe. But what makes more logical sense to me is a person we already know of and speak of within our doctrine - our Divine Mother. Who better to fit alongside the Father and the Son in complete unity and equality, looking after the well being of all human kind, their own children?
LITERAL OR SYMBOLIC
I also get asked, does the Holy Ghost have to relate to anyone specific, or is it more just symbolism? Many people believe that the spirit may not be necessarily one distinct individual. It could be more like God's power or the energy of the universe. It could be our ancestors. It could be our higher selves. It could be the mission of a concourse of angels or past spirits on the other side of the veil. I respect that the spirit could be a generic term for many things. I recognize that we certainly use it that way as a community, that the Spirit is more of a feeling, or an expression of a message from God through some messenger, or even a sense of ancestors surrounding us. As broad as that sensation might be, I still find one factor to be interesting that in many instances in the scripture, it specifically states THE Holy Ghost, THE Holy Spirit, and appears to be referring to one individual. A member of the Godhead outside of the Father and the Son who makes an appearance to the God's mortal children.
THE GENDER OF THE SPIRIT
Another question I receive is why I would consider the Spirit female if the scriptures claim that it was male? A couple of reasons. One, mistranslation or even skewed information distorted by male authors and translator of the bible. Many plain and precious truths have been altered by the hands of men. And perhaps the author simply assumed that it was male, or that in a patriarchal society they disavowed female deity and higher beings.
But there is a more prominent reason I believe She is female. The first time I was introduced to this concept, that the Mother could potentially be the Spirit, was through an amazing church scholar, Mandy Green. Mandy studies Hebrew and Greek and the Divine Feminine in the bible, as well as the Book of Mormon.
The term for "the Spirit" in Hebrew, as is read in the bible, is the term "RUACH", which is a f e m i n i n e p r o n o u n. With it being a pronoun, this seems to indicate that the Spirit is a distinct, specific female being, and a significant one at that. Think about that for it minute; it referring to a particular supreme female being.
Who better than to be our Divine Mother to work as part of the Godhead, with her husband and son? A daughter perhaps? But it makes much more sense that the woman who would link and introduce these two - the Father and the Son - who provided the relationship they have through birth, would be the one working at their sides.
The first passage of scripture with this term that I would reference for you would be Genesis. In Genesis, it speaks about the Spirit (the ruach, feminine being) that moved across the waters during the grand creation. This something that Charles W. Penrose (a late apostle) stated to be directly linked to our Mother in Heaven. We know that the Mother co-founded the Plan of Happiness and was involved in our passage onto earth, created our spirits, our bodies. And it has been stated by the Patricia Holland (from the stand alongside her husband, our apostle, Jeffery R. Holland) that Mother had her hand in the creation of the earth - as do many theologies and tales of the Divine Goddess since prehistoric times. What's more, water also holds feminine imagery, with feminine flow being a key part of the element. What better for the Mother to bestow upon Mother Earth than the ocean waters.
FEMININE CHARACTERISTICS
When you think about all things that tie into the Spirit, I believe it is quite easy to apply these characteristics to a Mother, especially a Divine Mother. Comforting us. Guiding us. Inspiring us. Counseling us. Giving us insight and enlightenment. Bringing us joy and a sense of love. Granting wisdom. Giving warnings. The Spirit teaches us "all truth." Who better to grant us this than our own Divine Mother?
WHY IS SHE LAST
Some people have posed the question, if She is the Spirit, why is she always mentioned last? It rubs people the wrong way - that the Father and Son are always addressed first. We often hear the phrase, "The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost." To me, her being mentioned last does not have to suggest that she is secondary or the final thought. In fact, it could be more of an honorific title, saving the best for last. Imagine an announcement from a grand stage, "Announcing... the Father, Son, and the HOLY GHOST!"
Perhaps, if She is indeed the Spirit, She isn't mentioned last because she is being neglected or submitting, or being downgraded. Perhaps, it is significant placement, to honor and revere Her, supportive of Her grand role, Her majesty and glory. I believe Father and Christ honor Her above all else, as an equal. (Let's be clear that this is not to say that women are greater than men - because I do not support that argument. I believe we are all equals, and they are all equals). But perhaps, it is a nod, even a direct salutation to the Great Queen of Heaven.
THE DEBATE ABOUT FATHER
When I was a youth, I remember hearing an older man talk about how the Spirit came upon Mary and she was with child. He stated that the Spirit was the Father and implanted seed into Mary. (It was not my favorite Sunday School lesson, a bit jarring and disturbing - but, oh, the memory stuck). But I couldn't believe that was true. And come to find out that the Spirit and Father are indeed two separate beings.... And considering the high likelihood that the Spirit is in fact a Mother.... It makes perfect sense to me that perhaps it was the Mother that came to Mary and bestowed Her son within Her womb. Either through a transfer, a form of blessing or power, or Mary embodying Her divine presence.
MARY AND THE SPIRIT
Another person who has greatly influenced my studies is Margaret Barker. Dr. Barker is a world renowned Methodist biblical scholar, and has spoken at BYU and Fair (Mormon) Conference on the subject of Josiah's Reforms and "Mother in Heaven and Her Children." She has studied the Greek and Hebrew bibles extensively and has a wealth of knowledge on the material. Margaret has also written a book entitled, "The Mother of the Lord," providing a beautiful, yet dense summary of the text. Through her findings, Margaret discusses the Holy Ghost as a feminine being. She also dives into the Gospel of Thomas, an apocryphal work which speaks about the immaculate conception and immaculate birth of Christ to Mary, as well as Her divinity.
Margaret Barker introduces another concept, that perhaps Mary was the Divine Mother, Herself. I am open to it, but haven't determined this for myself. But the idea is, in my mind, that perhaps the Christ child and Mary were both divine beings, having descended from Heaven, brought about by immaculate births by the Spirit.
THE BOOK OF REVELATION
It takes me back to Revelation 12, where it states:
1 And there appeared a great sign in heaven, in the likeness of things on the earth; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars.
2 And the woman being with child, cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered.
3 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron; and her child was caught up unto God and his throne.
This takes place in Heaven. John sees this through the veil. It is addressing the Queen of Heaven, but strangely replicates the events that take place in Christ's mortal birth.
So perhaps there is room to assume that Christ's spiritual birth from the Mother also was connected to his mortal birth to Mary, maybe to one and the same person. Even if Mary is not the one and the same person, I do believe she makes a beautiful archetype and reflection of the Mother as her daughter, and as she also carried Her Son in her womb and held the titled "Mother of the Son of God." At very least, by his Heavenly birth was from His Divine Mother... and our Divine Mother has he is our brother (not half or step). Of course, this is all just speculation. Regardless of whether or not Mary is the same as the Divine Mother of Christ, there is reason to believe that the Spirit is certainly connected to a divine being.
DIVINE ARCHETYPES
As we study the Bible and Greek mythology, there is much we can glean about the feminine and the Spirit. One incredible example is Aphrodite. Aphrodite has been known to be the goddess of love, of sensuality, end of charisma, but don't Let that keep you from recognizing that she was also the symbol of the dove and the pearl. Both the dove and the pearl have been known to be symbols of purity. Where do doves and pearls show up in our biblical literature?
First, the dove. When we look at Matthew 3, Mark 1, and Luke 3, we see the Spirit descending upon Christ after his baptism, in the form of a dove. The words of the Spirit: " This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Note, that it is The Spirit speaking these words, and that it does not specify anything about there being the Father speaking these words. So already, we are seeing that the Spirit is taking on a parental role, likely separate from the Father. This leaves room to assume this being could very well be his Mother, speaking to Her Beloved Son.
And as we've discussed in past blog posts, baptism is very much tied to rebirth, and to the womb. One being renewed and returning to their first home. We can also see in the tale of Noah and the dove with the olive branch that it is upon water, and the Spirit of peace bringing them to new life outside the womb like space of the enclosed ship and the ocean, to new land. Could very well be introducing birth imagery, returning to one's home, through the guidance, love, and peace of a parent, the Divine Spirit. Jessica @milkmaidshoney has beautifully mapped out the symbology of Noah's Ark to the Mother, for further insight.
Now, the pearl. Where do we hear the term pearl in scripture? Well, there's cast not your pearl before swine. If it is indeed tied to the feminine, and the Spirit, perhaps it is saying to honor the Mother and not give her up to those who would shame her name. But then there is the pearl of great price. If you look at the scripture in Proverbs, "Her price is far above rubies..." the term for rubies can actually be translated back into the term "pearl." The pearl of great price... associated with a Her, and not just any Her, but Lady Wisdom , whom we have mentioned in precious post is a definite archetype for the Mother and may very well be the Divine Mother herself. What is our book of scripture tucked nicely behind D&C? The Pearl of Great Price, which also speaks of the Gods, plural, creating children in their own image, both male and female. It indicates Her divine presence, perhaps for good reason.
So here we see the two symbols of purity - the dove and the pearl, associated with the Divine Mother or the Spirit.
Let's take a peek at the book "Pagan Meditations". {Note that the term pagan has been demonized throughout the centuries and was removed from its original sacred form.} Ginette Paris describes the symbols of purity associated with Aphrodite in this manner:
"This instance on the physical aspect of sexy Aphrodite should not cause us to forget that she is also the dove and the pearl; these attributes should not be separated from her... The white dove is a symbol of purity and a bearer of peace. The Greeks associated it with Aphrodite, and it symbolized as did the many winged animals, the presence of the spirit, the "pure" spirit of Aphrodite. In removing the Holy Spirit (symbolized by the dove) From its link with the woman and with the body, Christianity confirmed the de-sanctification of sexual pleasure. The dove, associated with the meeting of the soul and body enjoy and orgasmic ecstasy, was associated by the christians with the hour of death when the soul leaves the body. The dove, like Aphrodite, seeks companionship and social contact; This cooing and loving bird symbolizes both the social and Pacific aspects of the Goddess."
She goes on to explain:
" As for the pearl, it evokes something exclusive, hidden, and difficult to find, something precious, feminine, and perfect. Like the diamond, the pearl often symbolizes matters spiritualization, a good image for the mystique of Aphrodite, And her link with corporeal reality. For one who knows how to find pearls, their purity and whiteness are not tarnished by their enclosures and the course shall buried in sub-oceanic slime. To be sure, the pearl is hidden, and as with all spiritual knowledge, it's acquisition implies a deep plunge inwards and disciplined attention."
So here we see that centuries prior to the birth of the Bible, the pearl and the dove were associated with divine feminine archetypes, recognizing their purity along with their ability to provide life and step into their Feminine Power by means of sexuality. I am a believer that intimacy is not only sacred, but also meant to bond and to create divine fun. That through a woman stepping into her sexuality, she can also owned her sense of purity.
The term for virgin actually originated from the meaning of a young woman who "belonged to herself." This term was applied to both married and unmarried women, those who had experienced intimacy and those who hadn't. It didn't matter. The term virgin was suprisingly not hinged specifically to sexuality in the sense of not having given oneself to a man. It was tied to a woman accepting herself, loving herself, and holding herself to a place of sovereignty, owning her own feminine energy, recognizing her sexual gifts, and stepping into her birthright, in the image of the Mother. It was about Her divine worth - as precious as rubies... or pearls.
So once again, we see that the symbol behind the dove and the pearl are definite feminine symbols, reflecting either the Spirit or the Divine Mother.
WISDOM AND THE SPIRIT
The pearl is also a symbol of Wisdom. Think Lady Wisdom. Margaret Barker speaks about the connection of the Spirit to Wisdom: "The gifts of the Spirit as re the elements of Wisdom."
First, direct connections to the Spirit and the Mother in symbols. There's the fruits of the Spirit... the perfume of the purest and holiest of anointing oil, stemming from the fruit of the Tree of Life... a symbol of the Mother bearing fruit. (See Proverbs 3, 1 Nephi 8 & 11 for the connection of the Tree to a mother, purity, and the Spirit). This same perfume belonging to the Spirit.
She goes on to say of the gifts of the Spirit, "The first gift to the Anointed One was 'Wisdom', which speaks of itself." The second is 'understanding', or Wise teaching.
The 3rd, counsel; which term is very closely related to the term for trees... (think Wisdom, Asherah, groves, Tree of Life. And who better to give counsel than a Mother?).
The fourth is might... think of Almighty... El Shaddai in Hebrew, with the transliteration to "The God with the breasts". The term for might being very closely written to the term for the "Great Lady".
The last gift, "The fear of the Lord," or reverence of the Lord, which the Spirit and the Mother both clearly have in common.
Now, Wisdom, understanding, counsel, and might are all symbols of the Kaballistic Shekinah - the great divine presence, who they recognize as the Divine Feminine herself. Something to consider.
Margaret also introduces us to the Theeedols First Thought. In the Barbelo text, to which this is describing, she is paralleled to Lady Wisdom. She describes herself in this manner:
"I am the Invisible One within the All. It is I who counsel those who are hidden, since I know the All that exists in it. I am numberless beyond everyone, I am immeasurable, ineffable, yet whenever I wish [I shall] reveal myself...
[I] Barcelona, the perfect glory, and the immeasurable invisible one who is hidden. I am the image of the invisible spirit, and it is through me that all took shape, and the Mother, the Light, which she appointed me as a virgin, she who is called Meirothea, the intangible womb, the unrestrained and immeasurable voice."
There is a definite correlation between the Mother and the Spirit in this text. Whether they are one in the same, we see that their characteristics parallel one another. The counsel of the Shekinah, the one who has been hidden from the world, whom others have to seek, the Supreme womb space, who created all within Her womb... there is some beautiful word play here that may very well reflect the Mother and a daughter, or a Son taking on the same qualities of his Divine Mother. The same Almighty qualities which She possesses, as does the Spirit. It all points back to the Mother and the Spirit.
MY EXPERIENCE
Last, but not least, promptings. When I've looked back, I've been able to recall specific times in my life where I felt a female presence speak to me. It felt like the Spirit, was as distinct as the Spirit, and it was familiar, someone that I knew I had a significant, personal connection to. I knew in one particular moment that it wasn't a female relative from this life. And it felt more than an ancestor, but I couldn't quite make up the pieces or fathom who it might be. It wasn't until I had connected with Mother and studied about Her that I recalled that experience and realized that Mother had been with me all along. And then I realized that She had answered so many of my prayers throughout the years. That so many of the gentle feelings and promptings I received had actually come from Her. That She carried the feelings of the Spirit with Her. Perhaps, She had always been that voice, calming me like a healing balm, soothing my heart. Warning me of dangers ahead. Helping me pause before making a rash decision. Speaking to me with insights that I needed for that point in time. Perhaps, Mother was the one all along.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, although we cannot make a definitive decision, there is much that points us to the concept of Mother potentially being the Spirit. The more that I study about the Spirit, and collected references about the Spirit, the more and more it makes sense to me that what we are feeling, the source that is speaking to us is our own Divine Mother. That She is working in perfect partnership with the Father and the Son. It makes sense that Hers is the presence we long to know, the one who gives us life answers, and the key to eternal life. That these roles that the Spirit fills are also ones that our Divine Mother could easily fill.
Those are my two cents for now! I might get into it further at a later date, but I will end here and leave you with plenty of food for thought. Have a beautiful day!
Warm regards,
Krystal Barnes
@myheavenlymother
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