Your take on the Tripel Goddess?

[HorseCrow]

How do you personally perceive the aspect of Tripel Goddesses? Do you see it as three states of the same goddess, that is the same goddess in various places in life or perhaps as three goddesses- daughter, mother and grandmother or three sisters or, or, or?

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

My experience with a the triple goddess is that of the Celts. Which means, depending on the goddess it can be a couple different options. Bride is generally considered a triple goddess: the goddess of poetry, smithcrafting, and healing. The Morrigan is also a triple goddess, though she is three sisters: Morrigan, Badb, and Macha. Though occassionaly Nemain is also listed. Then there is Eriu, Fodla, and Banba, a trio of sisters who ruled Ireland, and all of which have given their name to Ireland. There are several other examples of the triple goddess in the mythologies of the Celts, but I think you get the point. The one thing to note however is that the maiden-mother-crone triplicity was a recent innovation of Robert Graves and as far as we know has no part in actual historical practices.

[mucgwyrt]

My experience with a the triple goddess is that of the Celts. Which means, depending on the goddess it can be a couple different options. Bride is generally considered a triple goddess: the goddess of poetry, smithcrafting, and healing. The Morrigan is also a triple goddess, though she is three sisters: Morrigan, Badb, and Macha. Though occassionaly Nemain is also listed. Then there is Eriu, Fodla, and Banba, a trio of sisters who ruled Ireland, and all of which have given their name to Ireland. There are several other examples of the triple goddess in the mythologies of the Celts, but I think you get the point. The one thing to note however is that the maiden-mother-crone triplicity was a recent innovation of Robert Graves and as far as we know has no part in actual historical practices.

I disagree. It may have consciously been an invention, but it was there all along. I mean, look at the phases of the moon -
Waxing; new, fresh, youthful
Full; impregnated, ripe, full
Waning; aging, declining
Maiden, mother and crone, if not by those words.

:smile:

[rhinoa]

Sorry I disagree with you macha and am with Mòrag Elasaid MacDhòmhnaill. I have a problem with the idea of a triple goddess and have not yet found any evidence of a true goddess who exists in three phases. I also think that to limit the goddess to tree phases is a little off to me.

Macha you mention the three phases of the moon. There are more than that. Full, waning new, dark, waxing. I just think there is more to a womans life than just maiden, mother and crone. What about those people who cannot or chose not to have children? Does it mean they cannot connect with that aspect of the goddess?

[Theres]

i don't think of the MMC triplicity at all any more. to me the Goddesses are dynamic and vital individual entities unto themselves, and not merely some archetype of a mortal women's life phases.

there is actually some evidence of the MMC triplicity in ancient history, but it is very rare. this is probably where Graves got the idea. but to then go back and re-categorize every Goddess from every culture into this mold is arrogant and more than just a little silly, if asked.

(edited for spelling)

[WinterTree]

What about those people who cannot or chose not to have children? Does it mean they cannot connect with that aspect of the goddess?

I believe that you don't have to give birth to a child/have children to relate to the Mother aspect of The Goddess. You could be a teacher or advisor or even just a helpful friend of someone younger and less experienced than you, and take on a motherly role. I myself am very young and certainly not a mother, but I observe "motherly bonds" in every day life that do not necessarily involve a mother and her child (in the biological, I gave birth to and/or am raising this child in my home sense). I also feel that coming into the Mother aspect denotes that you have matured and gained a sense of selfreliability, responsibility, and have acheived womanhood.

After all, if a 14 year old gets pregnant and has a baby, she may physically have been a mother, but does she have the maturity and stability, or responsibility of one?

This is just my opinion, its not meant to offend you, Rhinoa.

[Theres]

I believe that you don't have to give birth to a child/have children to relate to the Mother aspect of The Goddess.

right, anymore than one has to be male to relate to the God. thankyou WinterTree

[mucgwyrt]

Sorry I disagree with you macha and am with Mòrag Elasaid MacDhòmhnaill. I have a problem with the idea of a triple goddess and have not yet found any evidence of a true goddess who exists in three phases. I also think that to limit the goddess to tree phases is a little off to me.

Macha you mention the three phases of the moon. There are more than that. Full, waning new, dark, waxing. I just think there is more to a womans life than just maiden, mother and crone. What about those people who cannot or chose not to have children? Does it mean they cannot connect with that aspect of the goddess?

Yes, but whithin the plethera moon-phases (inc waning gibbous etc etc etc) is the "waxing, full, waning". However to think that was it would be very naive.

[asamananara]

In my tradition, we recognise a four-fold goddess, each dignified
by her virtues.
....................................1
Modest maiden of mysteries;
Innocent virgin child!
Pour thyself upon the world,
For thine is the cauldron of desire!
Thou who art the Cilding moon,
Thou who art the rising tide!
Thou who art the fertile soil,
Thou who art the blushing bride!
....................................2
Holy mother goddess bright!
Behold how we adore thee!
Pour thyself upon the world,
For thine is the cauldron of bounty!
Thou who art the Mordor moon,
Thou who art the swollen tide!
Thou who art the budding soil,
Thou who art the birthing bride!
....................................3
Ancient Greying Crooked Crone,
O weaver of dismay!
Pour thyself upon the world,
For thine is the cauldron of decay!
Thou who art the Ealding moon,
Thou who art the falling tide!
Thou who art the barren soil,
Thou who art the weeping bride!
....................................4
Baleful black-clad goddess,
Darksome lady night!
Pour thyself upon the world,
For thine is the cauldron of blight!
Thou who art the Mirkor moon,
Thou who art the stagnant tide!
Thou who art the fallow soil,
Thou who art the shrouded bride!
.
(taken from the circle callings of each)
.....