"Mari "
by Josu Goñi Etxabe |
"A Brief Introduction to Mari"
by Chas Bogan
The world is her body, and she is our mother. Often she is visualized as tall, her hair long and black, her skin silver. Similar to Catholic imagery of Mary, Mari may be pictured haloed with stars (variously six or seven or twelve in number), and standing upon a crescent moon. The full moon may also serve as her symbol. She is especially honored around the time of Autumn harvest. Her fertility is expressed through her swollen belly and breasts.
She shares certain characteristics and iconography with deities from various pantheons, and so is sometimes also called:
Andre Mari (Basque)
Astarte (Greek)
Ashtaroth / Ashtoreth (Hebrew)
Ashtart (Phoenician)
Diana (Roman)
Mari (Basque)
Parvati, Devi (Hindu)
Tiamat (Mesopotamian)
Yoni Gorri (Romani Gypsy)
Some sects of Feri recognize Mari as having three (or more) distinct aspects, the most common of these being associated with the colors white, green and red. White Mari keeps her mysteries behind her veiled face, but her sight is sharp, seeing the needs of her human children and mounting a course on her broom to intercede. Green Mari expresses the spirit of Mother Nature, and her mysteries influence such earthly matters as alchemy, rootwork, and the healing arts. Red Mari is naked and passionate, a warrior, fiercely protective of her human kin; her mysteries are contained deep within her where only the most skilled of lovers can touch.
From "The Gods of Infinity"
by Storm Faerywolf
She {Mari} is the spirit of the earth, sky, and sea, and is that aspect of the Goddess that even casual practitioners of the modern Craft are most familiar with. She wears a crown of a dozen stars, Her black hair veiling her shining silver body as she stands upon the ocean. Because She is archetypically the height of strength and power, She is associated (however marginally) with the height of summer, but also with the slow decline of autumn, not because Her powers are fading, but because She represents the ultimate harvest, for She carries within her fully-pregnant womb the Divine Child, who shall be born when this cycle is repeated next spring. The full moon is her emblem, continuing the lunar symbolism.
From: Mari (Goddess) Wikipedia (2011)
Mari is the main character of Basque mythology, having, unlike other creatures that share the same spiritual environment, a god-like nature. Mari is often witnessed as a woman dressed in red. She is also seen as woman of fire, woman-tree and as thunderbolt. Additionally she is identified with red animals (cow, ram, horse) and with the black he-goat.
Mari was associated with various forces of nature, including thunder and wind. As the personification of the Earth her worship may have been associated with that of Lurbira. Mari's consort was Maju; their children included the benign spirit Atarrabi and the evil spirit Mikelats.She is depicted as riding through the sky in a chariot pulled by horses or rams. Her idols usually feature a full moon behind her head.
Santa Marina, a saint revered in the Basque Country, is believed by some to be a Christianized version of Mari. Basque women still invoke Santa Marina's protection against curses and for aid in childbirth. Nevertheless the most accepted synchretism is that with Virgin Mary, which is widely venerated by modern Christian Basques.
From "Feri FAQ"
by Valerie Walker
The Mother aspect of the Triple Goddess, and the closest form to the Goddess familiar to mainstream Wicca, who mates with /mothers/slays the familiar Horned God. A reflection/ subdivision of the Star Goddess, she can further subdivide into different aspects: "Each of these primary deities show different aspects to the devotee at different times, for example the fecund Green Mari or the fierce protectress Red Mari, etc."
From "The Spiral Dance"
Chapter 5: The Goddess, Exercise 40: Full Moon Meditation
by Starhawk
Visualize a round full moon. She is the Mother, the power of fruition. She nourishes what the New Moon has begun. See her open arms, her full breasts, her womb burgeoning with life.
Feel your own power to nurture, to give, the make manifest what is possible. She is the sexual woman; her pleasure in union is the moving force that sustains all life. Feel the power in your own pleasure, in orgasm. Her color is the red of blood, which is life. Call her name "Mari!" and feel your own ability to love.
From "Mari: Mother Goddess of the F(a)eri(e) Tradition"
by Storm Faerywolf
‘Andre Mari’ is also found in the ancient Basque culture where She was regarded as a primary deity of life as expressed through the changing weather and her role as bestower of law. She was an androgynous figure and as such stood as a basis for gender equality. Her consort was Sugaar, a serpent-deity whom we relate to the Blue God. She is the mother of twins, one good and the other evil and her followers were persecuted as witches.
Build an altar to Her adorned with objects and symbols appropriate to the aspect with which you are intending to work, perhaps images of the moon, the earth, of mothers and female power. Chant or sing to Her. Make offerings to Her.
Silver moonlight
Earthly bounty
Mother Mari
Holy Mari.
Illustration by Kay Nielsen
from "East of the Sun West of the Moon" |
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