Last time I wrote about the archetypes found in
the Tarot, I left it at "La Papisa" (The Popess or High Priestess)
archetype in Latin American Art and History. Before we continue discussing this
fascinating topic I consider it of vital importance to understand the primal
archetype that gives birth to all others. Since the following archetype to be
explored is " La Emperatriz" (The Empress) or the Major Arcana III
and the previous card, "La Papisa" related to the feminine Lunar
Principle, it makes perfect sense to reflect on "The Mother"
archetype which can be found in more than one Tarot card including the ones
just mentioned.
Patrick McGrath Muniz
Inmaculate Immplants (2008)
Oil on Canvas triptych 72" x 36"
Available at Galeria Antigua
If you missed the first two articles
concerning "El Loco" (The Fool) and "El Mago" (The Magician), you can click on either them
to see what we are dealing with here. This research is based on the study of
the Tarot and how the archetypal figures represented in the major arcana cards
relate to historical figures from the Americas. In the past I’ve been studying
patterns of colonization and the role of globalization and corporations in a
new wave of economic neocolonialism that affects Latin America. But as things
progressed with my work and studies I felt compelled to open up the discussion
to even larger global issues than those affecting one region of the world. By
using the symbolic language in the Tarot, Astrology and Art History, I intend
to shed light into global issues that affect our lives today. Of course I do not
pretend to encompass it all in this blog and therefore I’m more than open to suggestions and
comments from all of you who wish to contribute to this discussion.
Patrick McGrath Muniz
Four of the Major Arcana "Mcolonial" Tarot Cards (2012)
From Prehistoric times, to our Global Age of
Information Technology, "The Mother" archetype has transcended time
and space changing forms from culture to culture but remaining the same in
essence. Her essence can be traced to the stars and that is why we have
archetypal astrology to study the patterns and behaviors of archetypes.
Gromyko Semper
Our Lady of Perpetual Abandon
Ink on Paper 12" x 18"
To View more of this artist's work click here
In many religions around the globe, the
"Great Mother" or Heavenly Queen has occupied a sacred space. This is
quite evident in the importance the "Madonna" or Virgin Mary, Mother
of God has been given by the Catholic Church. With the Counter Reformation,
conquest and conversion of the native peoples of the Americas, the devotion for
the "Mother" was heightened, often equating her to the Church itself
and bride of Christ.
Manuel Garcia
Escudo de Monjas
The feminine archetype, container of all life, the "Primium Mobile", Anima Mundi
and Magna Mater Matrix, She is the Greek Mother Earth Goddess Gaia. In
Buddhism we see her as Queen Maya, Buddha's mother. In China, Kwan-yin, the
goddess of mercy is also associated with many of the same motherly qualities
that define the Christian Madonna. In the Afro Caribbean Yoruba religion she is
called Yemaya, She is the Ocean, protector of Children and prime representative
of Motherhood. In Classical Mythology she is Ceres or Demeter, goddess of
fertility and grain. These are just but
a few of her many faces.
Hans Sebald Beham
Venus, from The Seven Planets with the
Signs of the Zodiac, 1539
From an astrological view, she may be found in the
Moon, Venus and our own planet Earth. Being Lunar in nature, she presides over
the Amniotic fluid, milk, oceans and basically all liquids as they all posses
Yin receptive energy qualities. Being Earth-like she obviously presides over
all minerals, geological, plant and animal life. She is Mother Nature, nurturing
matter allowing it to evolve and grow and also die. Soil, rocks and even money
(coins derived from minerals) are considered to have Yin receptive qualities.
Hans Sebald Beham
Luna, from The Seven Planets with the
Signs of the Zodiac, 1539
Being Venusian she is the the embodiment of love, beauty and art. Perhaps this
explains the amazing amount of artwork related to her. It would take very large
volumes to document the many expressions of this archetype in art through the
ages. Interestingly most of the Mother's Day celebrations around the world are
held in spring (around May) which is associated with Taurus, the Bull ruled by
the planet Venus. The bull, a fertility symbol with horns that look like a crecent Moon comes to us from Antiquity. From Ancient Egypt to Modern India, bulls, cows and cattle in general have a sacred place in religion. They
represent wealth, abundance, fertility and selfless giving, the same attributes
hold for the great "Mother Archetype".
Felipe Rivera Ortiz
Alimento de Vida (2013)
To view more work from this artist click here
Just think of all the goddess from around the
world, from Ishtar to Lakshmi, from Ēostre to Yemaya, in all goddesses there is
a mother to be found. We should also be reminded that this archetype like all
others has both a light and shadow sides to it. More obscure goddesses like
Kali, Durga, Lilith or Hecate contain a darker destructive aspect of the "Mother"
archetype.
Liba Waring Stambollion
The Godess Energy as Re-Incarnation,Pro-Creation and Transformation
To view more work from this artist click here
With growing ecological awareness, the image of
the "Mother Earth seems to gain more presence in contemporary culture. The mother being a female archetype becomes associated with the cycles of life and death as with the Moon or the Seasons. Change is constant while the term “container”
often comes to mind when discussing this archetype. We might see her as a
sacred container and nurturer of all knowledge, matter, forms, life or the Cosmos.
Robert Place
Strength from the Sevenfold Mystery Tarot
Available for purchase at:
In a Social context, not only do mothers sustain
life at home and hold families together, they have become independent workers
and active participants in many positions at work, in the government and Church
among others where patriarchal power has long denied them an opportunity. A recent Pew Research Center reported to NPR that now mothers are primary
breadwinners in 40% of US households.
Carlos Barberena
Palestinian Mother and Child
To view more work of the artist click here
As an artist I find it impossible not to be
captivated by this archetype. We all have a deep subconscious and conscious
connection with her. After all we are all born of a mother and the mother/child
bond represents our first relation coming into this world. To be inspired by
motherly love is to be inspired by the most noble and beautiful love of all. To
give and do good without expecting anything in return. Perhaps this is the
greatest lesson we must learn from the "Great Mother of all". It
would heal humanity, our environment and all life if we all adopted this
compassionate attitude more often.
Patrick McGrath Muniz
Nuestra Senora del Altisimo Capital(2012)
Oil on wood triptych 24" x 18"
I personally feel quite optimistic with the
future as women's rights gain momentum in most parts of the world, even if it
is slower than we might wish for, but just think of how women and mothers in
general were portrayed in TV shows from the 50's or go further back to the
nineteenth century when women were kept out of the public discourse. Things are
certainly changing for good. Social media and the internet are making a
difference in awakening the collective consciousness on social and
environmental injustices committed around the globe as they are documented and
made visible to all. As we enter a new age of social and environmental
awakening, the Great Mother archetype shines her light upon us and encourages
us to realize our fullest potential as a species in this motherly planet.
