How do you worship Mary (the Mother)?

[Morr]

To those who The Blessed Mary appeals to/speaks to -- How do you worship/honor her?

I am interested in hearing especially from the Pagans amongst us, not the Christians or Christian Witches.

She has been a guide to me for a few years now, but lately she seems to be taking a central role in my Spirituality and guidance. I am assuming it is due to my pregnancy and my transitioning into motherhood. As we know, Mary is one of the most famous mothers in history.

I consider myself a Pagan, or a Polytheist. I am on an Irish Pre-Christian path, though lately I have become a tad more eclectic while keeping my Ancient Irish practices and ideals as the core of m spirituality. I know Mary takes a huge role in Irish Catholic spirituality, however, Jesus and Christianity do not appeal to me or speak to me.

Only Mary.

I love saying the Rosary in her honor, I enjoy reading about her and her apparitions, and her image speaks to me (especially that of the Immaculate and Sorrowful Heart).

I am a tad confused as to what she wants me to figure out or know, and I am finding it REAL HARD to explore her seperately from the harsh Catholic Dogma. I say the Rosary in her honor, but I do not reflect on the Mysteries and such.

I dont view Mary as a Goddess, she is a guide to me.

So I was wondering how other Pagans who have a strong bond with her approach worshiping or honoring her, working with her and educating themselves about her, while trying to keep from the Catholic Dogma she is so strongly tied to.


I REALLY hope this made sense LOL


Thanks!

[EvieLee]

I find Mary to be one of the only parts of Christianity that appeals to me. It's only recently that I've found myself drawn to her as a Pagan. I find her image very soothing and specifically enjoy visiting "The Lady Chapel" at a Cathedral in the city. The energy there is similarly soothing and I was quite shocked to feel so "at peace" in a church setting.

Unfortunately, I haven't had much more experience with Her than that. I'll be interested to see what other say too. :)

[Teresa]

Morr, try doing a google on Mary the Mother pertaining to Santeria. I have a feeling that You will get a few articles at least to read on the subject. Hopefully you will get some spiritual writings about her.

[Sage Rainsong]

When I was a child before I became a Pagan I used to worship Mary all of the time. You could always set up a shrine to her, pretty much all botanicas have image candles with her image on them. My mother basically has one. Also, there are many Catholic churches that are dedicated to her or some other patron saint. Just do a search for a church with Our Lady of in the title. You can always go into the church when there is no mass and light a candle for her. Most Catholic churches stay open all day for people to come in and pray.

[_Banbha_]

There is so much on Mary! :D

The worship of the Black Madonnas is very special and often singular. I've tons of links but my pop-up link thing is broken since the up-grade. When it's fixed I can add some.

If you ever road trip towards NYC you can visit The Cloisters Museum (http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/medny/cloister1.html). Walking through their rooms with all the awe-inspiring medieval Mary alterpieces and art, is akin to a religious experience. Listening to the tape they offer as you walk through is recommended.

Another way of experiecing her is music. Medieval chants about her by groups like Sequentia and anonymous 4 are wonderful and soothing. I like Medieval Babes too but not as much. My all time favorite is "Tarantata: Dance of the Ancient Spider" by :fpraise: Alessandra Belloni. Traditional southern Italian with greek influences. Passionate. Amazing.

Offerings for Mary are rose petals or crowns made of flowers. I've an loose floral incense called Isis with lavender, Narcissus, and myrrh chips that reminds of her for some reason. Maybe it's the Isis connection. :)

[Brightshores]

Yes, Wylde Dryad - great idea. There is TONS of music, particularly medieval and Renaissance music, that is devoted to Mary. Of course, a lot of it is going to have a Christian cast and you might not be comfortable with all the lyrics, but it's worth a look. Look into the chants of Hildegarde von Bingen, as well as medieval popular song such as Edi be thu, Hevene Quene. (And, I have always wanted to go to the Cloisters. I'm not far away, but have never managed to get there.)

Anyway, I am an early music nerd. If you are interested in this sort of thing, feel free to PM me and I'll see what I can dig up. :)

[skilly-nilly]

I agree that Mariology has been an important part of the church for a loooooong time.

Like the other posters, I find that dedicated churches or Lady chapels in Catholic churches otherwise dedicated have a lovely 'feel' to them. I think Belief-Energy is ecumenical, and the belief of generations of women and mothers in the Blessed Mother leaves a wonderful Energy.

You don't have to go to a Mass, but going in and lighting a candle creates (I believe) a bond with the past.

A quick google pointed up:
http://www.intheplace.com/olobs/Church/home.htm

this site has a slide-show of some prelate visiting that looks like loads of fun...
http://www.intheplace.com/olobs/Church/bishopcistone/FlashSlideShow.swf


Then there's a 'Shrine of Mary' that also has a long history:
http://www.cammonline.org/pages/home.html

they have a slide-show of the inside of their church/shrine
http://www.cammonline.org/pagesTours/upperShrine/shrineTour.html

Here's another list:
http://www.southphillyreview.com/view_article.php?id=3105

[Morr]

Thank you everyone, you brought up wonderful ideas!

It is definitly the ""mother"" connection. I've always had a bond with Mary but it seemed to have gotten SO strong, and her calling me has become so intense since I got pregnant.

I will look into the links, and suggestions! Thank you so much :)

[_Banbha_]

Yes, Wylde Dryad - great idea. There is TONS of music, particularly medieval and Renaissance music, that is devoted to Mary. Of course, a lot of it is going to have a Christian cast and you might not be comfortable with all the lyrics, but it's worth a look. Look into the chants of Hildegarde von Bingen, as well as medieval popular song such as Edi be thu, Hevene Quene. (And, I have always wanted to to the Cloisters. I'm not far away, but have never managed to get there.)

Anyway, I am an early music nerd. If you are interested in this sort of thing, feel free to PM me and I'll see what I can dig up. :)

Me too, lol.

There are many CD's of chants and hymns devoted to Mary alone. And most are in latin too so some heavy catholic stuff just gets lost in the devotional beauty of the song. I have a bias for hearing female voices in the Marian chants.

Noirin Ni Rianin sings many traditional chants to Mary in Irish especially in 'Soundings.' Anuna and Clannad do some too I believe. Some of the early Irish chants have pre-Christian imagery or at least early church in Ireland imagery. :)

[SoulFire]

In my tradition, Mari/Miri/Miriel (sometimes identified with Mary) is the outer name of the full moon aspect of the Mother Goddess, and the closest to the Star Goddess in terms of fecundity. We have a traditional prayer, based on the rosary, which we say. We sometimes light a candle to the Virgin of Guadalupe, though my favorite saint is the Virgin de la Soledad of Oaxaca. To me, she is much more than just a "guide"; she is God Herself. My favorite way to think of Her is the "Knowing Light" or the "Atmospheric Presence", which may be less anthropomorphic, but just as romantic.

[Nitefalle]

In order to try and get closer to her sans Christianity, I would try and think of aspects that remind me of her, and try and go with that angle. For instance, when I think of the Virgin Mary, I think of the Heavenly Star, compassion, unconditional love, sacrifice for the greater good, children, endurance, sorrow, acceptance, etc. Then, you can try and offer things or do things that are coming from that place, rather than just using Christian correspondences. My favorite imagery of her is of the Lady of Guadalupe, especially when it's mosaic tile. Perhaps that's because I grew up close to Mexico.

[Teresa]

Some people relate her to Yemaya. Yemaya is the Great Mother of All. When the slaves were brought here from Africa they saw similarities to the different Saints in Catholicism and many even today think it was genius that they related their Loas to the Saints.

Maybe also google Yemaya as well .

http://www.jazzsupreme.com/yoruba/index.html

http://zer0dmx.tripod.com/gods/yemaya.html

The sites above have some good information. She is the Orisha of Motherhood and the Ocean. Related to Mary Star of the Sea, Our Lady of Regla and Our Lady of Immaculate Conception.


I hope this helps some. I didn't have time this morning to get into details. She protects babies in wombs among other things so check out that second site and see if anything clicks. There are some suggested offerings there for her too and I know the Semi can help ya with this some as well.

[Brightshores]

Me too, lol.

There are many CD's of chants and hymns devoted to Mary alone. And most are in latin too so some heavy catholic stuff just gets lost in the devotional beauty of the song. I have a bias for hearing female voices in the Marian chants.
Yay - it's always wonderful to meet other early-music people; we're so rare. Most people I know either (a) have no idea what I'm talking about or (b) just think I'm strange. :lol: (I'm used to the second one, though. :bigblue:

My only problem is that I know Latin too well to ignore some of it, so I just go by the advice my high-school choir teacher gave us... "you don't have to believe it to see the beauty in it."

Anyway - titles for Latin pieces that will have something to do with Mary include: "Ave maris stella," "Ave Maria" (obviously ;) ) Magnificat (which has several parts), Salve Regina, and Stabat Mater.

On further thought - definitely check out Monteverdi's Vespers of the Virgin Mary - one of my all-time favorite classical pieces. (Vespro Della Beata Virgine). Here's the Amazon page of one CD of this; you can hear samples on Windows Media player. http://www.amazon.com/Monteverdi-Vespro-Vergine-Venetian-Vespers/dp/B000031WJB/ref=sr_1_3/103-8739859-9538257?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1174098438&sr=1-3


Noirin Ni Rianin sings many traditional chants to Mary in Irish especially in 'Soundings.' Anuna and Clannad do some too I believe. Some of the early Irish chants have pre-Christian imagery or at least early church in Ireland imagery. :) Ooh, thanks! I'll have to check those out!

[_Banbha_]

Yay - it's always wonderful to meet other early-music people; we're so rare. Most people I know either (a) have no idea what I'm talking about or (b) just think I'm strange. :lol: (I'm used to the second one, though. :bigblue:

Me too, lol. Medieval music is so soothing and beautiful, I love how some more contemporary artists are using it and blending it into their compositions as well.


My only problem is that I know Latin too well to ignore some of it, so I just go by the advice my high-school choir teacher gave us... "you don't have to believe it to see the beauty in it."Exactly. I know a bit of church latin so I understand.


Anyway - titles for Latin pieces that will have something to do with Mary include: "Ave maris stella," "Ave Maria" (obviously ;) ) Magnificat (which has several parts), Salve Regina, and Stabat Mater.

On further thought - definitely check out Monteverdi's Vespers of the Virgin Mary - one of my all-time favorite classical pieces. (Vespro Della Beata Virgine). Here's the Amazon page of one CD of this; you can hear samples on Windows Media player. http://www.amazon.com/Monteverdi-Vespro-Vergine-Venetian-Vespers/dp/B000031WJB/ref=sr_1_3/103-8739859-9538257?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1174098438&sr=1-3

Oh, this is splendid, I'm listening right now. This is just a bit different than what I usually listen to and I'm finding it refreshing. Beautiful recording, I could be walking through The Cloisters now. :smile:

*puts on Wish List* Thanks for sharing!

[kotu]

I think if we all knew more about Mary Magdalene then she would be the Goddess of choice.