Same-sex marriage is officially legal in every state!
Congratulations from
Proud Pagan Parents!
(Expect a post on this joyous subject in the near future.)
While this cause for celebration, no rainbow forms without a storm. The lightening tongue of many religious leaders who swore they would set themselves on fire in protest, if this the marital laws changed. Low and behold, nothing so far. Protest has been apart of our society since we first established government. When someone commits suicide as their protest, it definitely brings it up a notch. The fact that there is a cause so great a person is willing to die for and never reap the reward of their sacrifice. Naturally this will draw attention.
Self-Immolation is the act of suicide for a cause or belief, often by fire and it's quite effective. It leaves a lasting impression by those who either witnessed or heard of the death.
By no means do I suggest anyone actually do this, but one has to wrap their head around the notion of the immense pain of burning to death is like .
What would drive a person to do this?
Often when someone from a richer country, like the USA, set themselves on fire, often a suicide or an attempt. Though I'm not to saying suicide isn't an issue, it is simply a different reason for the same action. To choose to end your life for a cause is literally giving yourself completely away in one of the most excruciating ways in doing so.
This action is far more common in countries with high poverty and less technological advance. More common than not, these people have nothing else to lose and burning to death symbolizes the pain in life they suffered. Then in extreme rare cases, a person who has a considerable well life, based on their countries definition, who are so empathetic to the pain of others that they end their happy life to try and change what they see as a great wrong. These people could be wealthy in many ways and not always with money. They were happy and comfortable, whatever that is, from a mansion to the biggest tent of the tribe. That whole camel through a needle idea.
This not an action a coward could perform. So what reasons would someone do this?
These were individuals, for better or for worse, who believed in their cause. Which is not something I can say about the multitudes of religious individuals threatening to actually go through with such an action over same-sex marriage. Even those who threatened to end their lives over the supreme court ruling, realize that the threat they preach from the pulpit isn't worth their own life. Some might have believed their words, but actions naturally leads to cold feet. That is millions of years of self preservation one would have to over come to do this.
The fact is, same-sex marriage isn't a real threat to anything but their pride. That sting these oppressive people feel when reminded they have to share their country with other people. They hid behind claims of morals to discriminate against consenting adults sexual rights. They have caused long term same-sex partners to be separated by medical staff when one gets ill. They have prevented children in the foster care system, from finding legally adopted homes with same-sex parents. These are not the behaviors of selfless individuals standing up for what they believe in, but opportunists capitalizing on the moment. They have caused much pain and suffering to others, but are not willing to suffer themselves.
I honestly hope these individuals learned a lesson about the commitments they make. Maybe instead of being willing to threaten their own life over a subject that doesn't actually affect their lives and get over it or live up to their promise.
You know the rhyme, first comes love then comes marriage and then comes a baby carriage. A little over a year ago, I posted my first blog, "Why I refused to Baptize my Child." A year later, my blog is slowly improving. Now I wish to return to the subject of naming ceremonies.
Naming Ceremony
Not to be confused with the Jewish B'rit Bat tradition. Pagan naming ceremonies have existed in many forms. Naming the child, give recognition of the new person, a key component of their identity. This ceremony is done often to a small child or infant. Many cultures had a waiting period before such ceremonies, in case the baby did not survived. This was sadly a common occurrence when these customs began. Now a days, naming ceremonies are as much about the celebration of birth as well as the life itself.
A baptism is an act that is believed to wash away original sin, i.e. sex from a their biological parents. Most pagans do not recognize original sin. Sex is not deemed as sinful. Hence this concept is actually insulting as well as unnecessary.
Naming Ceremonies are a commitment parents make, not a commitment for the child. Parents in naming ceremonies may commit to certain methods and ideas in raising their children, but the child is not committed to a religion. Where baptism.often commits the child to Christianity.
"How old should my child be for the ceremony?"
Spiritually, I hold to the belief, that scab on the cord should fall off before the naming ceremony is done. I believe that natural act helps separates the child from the birth mother. Which is fairly young. Ancient families would often wait nearly a year before naming the baby. Today,unless you choose a group of some sorts with certain rules regarding age to conduct the ceremony, any age is usually fine. I wanted to do the ceremony while my daughter was still a baby. Some people choose to wait until the child is old enough to remember the ceremony. In adoption situations, the child could be any age and is receiving a new last name at least and a new family. This child could be a new born to a young adult teenager.
"Why have a naming ceremony, especially if I'm not religious?" It's great way to introduce your new child to family, friends, coven, church, fellowship, community etc... Life is about moments of of celebration. Nothing like the celebration of a new child.
Naming Ceremonies can be secular, as well as religious. They aren't required, but it's nice for the child to know they brought celebration to the family. It is a way to celebrate your new child as well as leave images of the joy you as parents felt in having this child.
My personal circumstances involved my husband family, mostly Catholic, meaning we will be attending lots of christening ceremonies. I didn't want my daughter to feel left out, but I wasn't going to allow a baptism. We didn't do things exactly the same way, but it shows how much she was loved as a baby.
"What commitment will I have to make?"
It depends, what commitments are you able and willing to make? If you are doing the ceremony through a church, fellowship, coven or any sort of group, it will likely be to their methodology. Hence you should study up what this organization teaches and expects.
If you aren't going through a group, you can simply write your own vows. You can vow to offer guidance, love, discipline, etc... You can also vow to give your child the right of freedom of thought and expression. Whatever matters to you.
"Who will conducts the ceremony?"
If you are pagan, a priest and / or priestess of similar beliefs, can conduct a spiritual ceremony for you. Certain churches and fellowships are helpful with ministers able and willing to conduct pagan ceremonies. Unitarian Universalist and military chaplains are able to preform the ceremony.
If you are looking for a more secular or casual ceremony, friends and family saying a few things in an informal service will often do.
"Where would you have a naming ceremony?"
Location is based off what your limits are. If you can afford a catering hall, with a garden , by all means do so. If money isn't so bountiful, there are many economical options. See "Locations pros and cons" in the article "Keeping Birthdays Special."
"How do I dress my child, family, self and ask of guests?"
It can be as casual to fancy, as you want. You can have the infant naked, while everyone else is wearing jeans and T-shirts in your BBQ backyard celebration, to your great grandmother's antique silk christening gown, at a catering hall, with a banquet feast.
I chose to go a bit fancy with the dress for my daughter. I got the dress second hand, but it was stunning. I didn't go with traditional white, but a light pink. The service at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Stony Brook and reception at my home. Pizza and cake were served.
"What gifts should one bring or suggest to bring for the ceremony."
If the guest is of similar path as the parents, a spiritual gift is acceptable. Age appropriate and safe jewelry of spiritual significance. Many pagan parents will welcome most spiritual gifts, as long as it isn't abusive.
(I do discourage Christian crosses and crucifixes, because to many spiritual paths is a symbol of death.)
If the parents or guest aren't spiritual, I suggest books. I did this with my daughter ceremony. I told guest, if they insist on bringing a gift, a book they themselves read and were positively effected by. To share that joy to my child. Of course people brought clothes and toys as well. Bless them!
Traditional nonreligious keepsakes are welcome, like little boxes for baby teeth and hair clippings. Picture frames, fancy stuff toys, clothes, shoes, little comb and brush sets, and other little gifts that are special.
Btw grandma and grandpa, family tree scrapbooks are precious treasures!
God/s/Spiritual Parents
If you are polytheist, I suggest the term godsparents. However spiritual parent or family also works. This concept has been around for thousands of years. Often the spiritual parents adopted the spiritual children, in the event of the biological parents death. This was a very real concern, with disease, war, famine, etc... killing thousands, having a back up family was practical. Today, legal practices are required to set up a will, to make your wishes known. Now god parents don't have to be the one person you entrust your children up bring, but people you want your child to have connection with.
You also don't have to be traditional. You can have same sex spiritual parents, you can have just one or more than two. I gave my daughter a spiritual sibling. I asked my flower girl to be my daughter spiritual sister. Both are only children, so I gave her a little sister and she gave my little girl a big sister.
Spirit of Life, come unto me.
Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion.
Blow in the wind, rise in the sea;
Move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice.
Roots hold me close; wings set me free;
Spirit of Life, come to me,
Come to me.
Blessing stones: take quartz or other precious stones and have all attendances hold a stone, sending positive energy towards the child. You can make the stones into beads and string them into a necklace or chain. Or you can keep the stones in a jar, bag or box.
Keepsake book, picture frame, card, etc...: people names and well wishes. Give your child a little physical contact with the past.
Video, photos and scrapbooks: Recorded memories. Faces, voices, sounds, artistic expression of love. Never undermine such gifts.
Planting a tree, bush or flower garden: If possible, planting part or all of the child's placenta from their birth with it. Make sure it's in a place where it won't be cut down and try to avoid dangerous areas like flood areas, fire areas, etc.....
Donations: if the child has or had a medical condition, you may want to donate to a cause or the hospital the assisted the child.
Blessing upon you and that of your family .
May your child's naming ceremony
bring you fond memories,
The Summer Solstice and Father's Day are on the same day this year. It is the longest day of the year and a day we have honored our fathers, with ties, mugs that read "World's Greatest Dad!", T-shirts with our hand prints and anything masculine your father was into. This is time when we embrace concepts we perceive as masculine, for both the Summer Solstice and Fathers Day are celebrations of masculinity. Today, we acknowledge that the family dynamic is changing. Just as some children don't have mothers, others may not have fathers and some have neither parent. Again, the masculine role can be filled by someone other than the biological father. If you have any questions, see my article "Mother's Day and the Divine Feminine." Pretty much switch mother with father and you have the same concept.
With the combination of the two holidays, the divine Masculine energies are stronger with the shared energies. In this, we should embrace these ideas we consider masculine. This is a time to be more confident, look others in the eye. Take charge of your personal life, your career, your past and your future. This is a time to be assertive and take power back you have given others. Empower yourself!
Some suggestions in taking control of your life
Eat healthy. Don't give in to comfort foods. Take charge. Keep water by your bed. Stop buying junk food, except for special occasions.
Exercise. Wake up early and/or take an hour before bed to do some physical activities. This will help give you discipline and focus.
Take time to do something nice for yourself every once in a while.
Socialize, as often as you can. Make friends and spend time with them.
Set goals, figure out a plan and achieve said goal.
Make love with passion.
Make time for nature.
Read.
Meditate
Dress up and shine.
Divine Fathers
Odin, military families have much more struggles than most other families. Long time apart between military personnel and family, PTSD, moving around and many other conflicts that most families wouldn't be able to relate. No matter if this is your current life or your past, the All Father is both wise and kind.
Green Man, the masculine appreciation of nature. Can also symbolizes someone who does gardening, farming or landscaping. He also symbolizes fertility if you are seeking to have a child.
Cernunnos, Hunter, the provider. He put the food on the table and taught you how to survive. He also a god of nature and fertility, but he is a god of presence. Large horns, says enough. Though you may not want to imagine your father in that way.
King David, Dad with a serious past. Sometimes dad's road was bumpier than most, like literally fighting giants bumpy. He may not be your closest parent, you might be one of more than he fully knows about or he simply just isn't around as much as a child may want, but when you see him, he has some stories to tell.
Dagda, a father you admire. He is a leader and respected. You are proud of this person and hold them in high regards. He is anyone from a king to a scout leader. He has class and justice figured out.
Zeus, the tramp. Have a lot of half siblings and dad may only shows up when his wife tries to kill you? Seriously, if your family is a combination of problems such as this, then Greek god of lightning, has an electrifying personal life. His life could out do any soap opera, he openly marries his sister and has numerous sexual affairs.
Saint Joseph, the non biological father. According to Christian beliefs, Joseph was not Jesus's biological father, but married Jesus's mother Mary and officially claimed her child and raised him as his own. Joseph is that person who manned up to another man's responsibility. Swell guy. Sometimes he symbolizes that parent who adopts a child officially, like a legal adopted parents. He can also symbolizes god/s parents, foster parents, older siblings, step parents, teachers, etc.... he comes in many forms.
Osiris, deceaced father/parent. If our parents are lucky, we will outlive them. A parent who has died may be someone you never knew or someone you knew well and any in between. Osiris helps you connect with your past with death.
Prometheus, a person who sacrificed his life or freedom. He could symbolize any solider who has died or has survived torture. He symbolizes every firefighter in New York, during the 9/11 attacks. Those who made great sacrifice for selfless means deserve such respect.
I had an argument with someone once, in regards to holidays. He felt they weren't important and a complete waste. I admit I agreed with several of his points. Yes most of it is commercial, the real meanings behind the holidays are lost and a rose on February 15th, is a lot cheaper than it was the day before, but just as nice and far more PRACTICAL! I completely agree. Where our agreement ended was the idea of doing away with holidays or rejecting new holidays or traditions.
There are some people who find completely random moments in time throughout the year, to decorate their home, put on their best outfit or costume, have a big meal with special treats, sing songs, give gifts or simply contact their loved ones, for no reason except they love them. That is a romantic view, however life is not always accommodating. Work, school and every day needs get in the way, it always has.
Not all individuals are disciplined enough to think of their loved ones in proper time frames, to make them feel appreciated. Taking people for granted has been a struggle our species has dealt with since we developed relationships. Then there is the struggles of life, whether it was a failed crop or debt, people need to take time out of our lives, to celebrate our own existence and those around us.
Holidays have give us a schedule of events and traditions spread out through the year. There are national holidays like any countries independence day, birthdays of leaders, holidays to honor the dead and the living. There are religious holidays only celebrated by those with some level of belief like Yule. Then there are cultural holidays, holidays that hold either a cultural or religious tradition that has become absorbed into society, example Christmas. Then there are personal holidays, like birthdays and anniversaries. All of theses traditions share one thing in common, it's suppose to be a moment in time to look forward too. It doesn't feed you, cure illness or make your problems go away. Instead, they give you something to look forward too. A change in the the monotony of every day.
Holidays provide different focus. Some help us remember things we take for granted like freedom, our parents, our spouse, which is why we have Veterans and Memorial day, Mother and Fathers Day, wedding anniversaries and birthdays. Others may focus on Family togetherness, which is why most nations have some kind of thanksgiving celebration, often around harvest time, when food was plentiful. Holidays effect our moods, how we dress and what we do or do not eat. They in their own right effect our very existence and how we cope with life.
First Memorial Day 1865
Often the problems I find people have with holidays are the commercialism, loss of meaning and their own monotony. These problems can be over come with some effort on your part.
Holidays are a time of big business, which is why there are all these advertisements to get you into the store to spend, spend, spend. Just because your neighbor has lights up in the winter or your kid wants some expensive toy doesn't mean you have to give into the hype. You may not have the extra money to be as giving or creative as you like or are expected or simply can't stand the pressure. Relax. Holidays don't have to be about who spends the most. It's not a contest, so don't turn it into one.
The loss of a holidays meaning could lead to new meaning. For example, you may have changed religions, but still see value in the holidays you grew up with. Rather than abandon the tradition, why not improve it and resurrect aspects the holiday posses that you value. If your personal life has changed to where you are alone, I encourage you to volunteer so that you may embrace another aspect holidays provide.
When a holiday has become monotonous, ask your, why do you still follow said holiday. If you can not come up with an acceptable reason, then you may want to drop that particular holiday, even for just for a time period. Find something new to focus your energy on. There can be such a thing as too much holiday. However, if you find the holiday isn't the problem, but what you for or during the celebration isn't holding your attention, then simply change it. It could be as simple as cooking something different, going to a different location or inviting others into your celebrations.
Remember holidays are there to bring you joy, make sure that is how you use them. You can master the holiday, not have the holiday master you.
Update: due to new informed, I have added corrections next the original text.
I've chosen to write about the Duggar family, who are essentially today's modern puritans, are going through a sex scandal of mass proportion. In fact they are even more oppressive in regards to sex than their puritan counterparts, because the puritans did allow young people, in the pursuit of marriage, to kiss and fondle one another, through a sewed up sheet or wooden board across the bed. This method was called bundling. I find it appropriate that this little part of Josh Duggars past, has reared its head during this time of year. The date of Beltane a time of sexual fever, may have past, it's fires still burn bright, but should we allow it to burn up Joshua James Duggar? (Update: it was confirmed he molested his five-year old sister at the time)
Now don't get me wrong, it's very tempting to want to destroy a lobbyists from the Family Research Council, who support values like forced birth, discrimination towards the LGBTQ community, young earth creationism and essentially to turn the United States into their theocracy. Josh prides his and his parents family as role models that every family should strive to be. He and his family have been down right insulting. Asserting LGBTQ individuals of being sexual predators, comparing evolution to the holocaust and utter denial of over population. Yes he and his family are tempting kindle for the fire of irony and public shame, when Josh is accused of molesting five underage girls, four being his own sister's. However from reading the 33 page police report and having familiarize myself with the show and their religion, I don't at all blame Josh (I do now, but his parents and their religious fanaticism are the direct cause). He is a victim of his parents and more importantly the unhealthy mentality of extreme forced absence. (Even more grossest that their up bring created a predator.)
Even when I was young, growing up in the real world, during the 1980s and 90s, adults would pressure young people to suppress normal urges of sexual desires, in place for the unnatural mentality of absence only. Ideally until marriage. I remember watching a talk show in the early 90s, chastising sexually active teenage girls. One brave teenager asked the audience in the studio, when did they first had sex. All the women who answered, claimed to be virgins, have waited until marriage or that they married their first sex partner. None of the men stood up.
Josh and his siblings lived under much more extreme conditions. For example, they were all home schooled, but in an oppressive manner. I'm a supporter of homeschooling, but for its educational purposes, not to shelter. My family and I are active in socializing our child with other children of all backgrounds and beliefs. The Duggars children were denied access to people who differed from the oppressive religious regime they lived with everyday. They are not only forced to live this way, but they are forced to like it. They were not allowed to express any opinion that differ from their parents. The teaching methods the parents use to force their mentality, include being hit with a "rod" (how biblical) according to one of the four sisters Josh allegedly molested, forced submission, shame, forced mental, and physical obedience. If a grown child rejects this lifestyle, they are shunned by the community that has always been their world.
Even as adults, until marriage the Duggar children are constantly supervised. Their second son John-David, who is a firefighter, police officer, tree cutter, plus many other extremely viewed masculine jobs, has to be accompanied by a sibling, parent or church member to just go to work.
Joy-anna, in an interview, along with the other older Duggar girl's, openly stated she wanted to live in a city. She was quickly put in her place by her sisters and later her mom doing damage control, stated her daughter only meant she wanted to live closer to stores. That's called living in town, Joy-anna clearly said and described the desire to live in a city. The simple fact, she isn't allowed.(Sadly due to the article stating one of the victims who is still a minor asked that the records be destroyed. She is the only Duggar daughter who fits this time frame and was five years old at the time.)
Duggar's aren't alone in this cruel abuse, the Westbaro Baptist church apply similar methods of abuse, except their children go to public schools. They both apply extreme religious views, social isolation, cruel punishment like beatings and being completely shunned if they reject even some of the lifestyle.
Under such oppression, teenagers are forced hide any normal sexual experimentation. I even suspect that in least of some of the sexual contact between Josh and the girls involved, was consensual. (This I felt was more probable with the oldest girl Jana, who is only two years younger than Josh.) I think it's sexist to assume only Josh and men in general are the only ones seeking sexual contact. If this is the case, Josh is taking a very cruel punishment to protect his counterpart. It is also very possible that Josh himself may have been an unwilling participant in sex acts with others, possibly with adults. (Even more likely, because he molested a small child) Even if it wasn't consensual, Christian extremists tend to extremely look down on natural sexual releases like masturbation and God's forbid any same-sex sexual curiosity. This leads to sexual desires being viewed as a level of weakness and shame. Imagine growing up like this, not only with the constant supervision of people, but the belief of being supervised at all times by their supreme authority, the Christian God. (Apparently the fear of God isn't enough to make him leave a five year old alone.)
I can imagine the overwhelming fear, guilt and shame, the Duggar children had to endure just to go to third base. Josh's behavior with his sister's, to those who weren't close to his age (he was 14 (confirmed youngest was five years old)) and anyone who wasn't willing to participate, is abhorrent. However so is the entire mentality of this lifestyle! (Clearly) Josh's ordeal is not unlike many closeted homosexual religious leaders. Afraid of natural human sexual desires and overwhelmed with guilt and shame for having them. Over and over, we find the most extreme have much to hide. Sex outside their order, to them is a shameful, dirty, sinful and condemning pleasure. It's what leads to incest, sibling incest is the most common form of incest, sexual assaults, peeping, along with self destructive behavior like alcohol and drug abuse, recklessness and even suicide. This self hatred is a sickness.
I don't believe Josh will be a repeat offender,(I no longer agree with the first halfof this sentence) but he, his wife Anna and the other now married Duggar children, will continue the same methods their parents did to them, causing the pattern to repeat itself (still true). The Duggars, including Josh are celebrities. Celebrities are visual, aiming as high as they can in social media. Celebrities help wheel power in societies, which the Duggars certainly did. Celebrities are also convenient scapegoats. While the left side calls Josh a child molester and the right sides claim the left are making a mountain out of an ant hill, the fact is both sides are wrong. (In this case the left ended up being correct in its prediction, however) Both are distractions of the serious issues that are bigger than the Duggars, the Family Research Council, left and right views, but the entire puritanical mentality. We need to expose the root of the problem, not just the symptoms.
The fact is, the Duggars are not living a healthy lifestyle. It's a very limiting lifestyle, stealing from children their own identity and forcing them to regurgitate it to their own children. Their view of sexual oppression before marriage and then sexual submission to the women when married. The Duggars subscribe to the mentality that women aren't as sexually needful as men and that they must allow their husband to have full, unprotected sexual intercourse, risking pregnancy, whenever their husband insist. Giving men a sense of entitlement and women the lack of control over their own body, including reproduction.
Was this lifestyle ever useful? Yes. Along time ago when 30 was considered old age and a 14 year old was considered an adult. When it was common to bury some of your children, before they reached adulthood. Before DNA or blood test could establish paternity.
As a society we forget that thirty years ago being married right out of high school was common. My mother was just 19 years old when she got married. Further back to the early 1900 century, marriage as young as fourteen was not unheard of. During biblical times, a girl could be married off as soon as they developed their menstruation. There really wasn't much time for one to abstinen from sex. Then there was the reality people died much younger, hence living to age fifty was an accomplishment, let alone fifty years of marriage.
Our society has longed changed since these time periods. Men and women pursue higher education. Both genders work, often outside the home. Marriage isn't about family obligation any more, but the pursuit of love, hopefully. This isn't the society the biblical principles were meant for. In this society, these methods are disastrous. They are too oppressive and conflicts with the modern reality our society has evolved too. We no longer need to marry young and make as many babies as possible to ensure family lines survive. This is progress and should be embraced, or you end up with the same mistakes the Duggars refuse to learn from.
I would like to press that the Duggars should not receive special treatment. If they were any other family, Children's Services would have had a full investigation into the matter. There are still minors present in the family.
Long ago, my mothers Mother's Day, was a day we celebrated our mom. We picked her flowers, decorated her a card, made her breakfast in bed with coffee including the grinds in the cup. It was the day we automatically made offering to our divine feminine, our mother. Times have changed and the modern family is no longer viewed in just the 1950s black and white ideals.
Via Australian Marriage Equality
Statue of a mother at the Yasukuni shrine, dedicated to war widows who raised their children alone.
Children now grow up in variety of different homes. Some have two parents, some only have one, while others may have four or more. Some live with grandparents, aunts, uncles, older siblings, same sex parents and many other varieties in between.
Some times the child has a mother, other times aunts, grandmothers or one or two dads filling this role. The reality is the divine feminine is not limited to just our mothers, but to all that is feminine, bring out this energy, which Hinduism refers to as Shakti.
Goddesses
Hera: Symbolizes loyal spouse, home, domestics, motherhood, child birth. However Hera also reflects those jealously, betrayed by partner or suffered from an unhappy relationship.
Isis: Symbolizes single parents and widow/ers. Those whom are or have grieved over the loss of a partner and parents who must battle the task of two roles. This can apply to single fathers as well.
Gaia: Symbolizes pregnant mothers people trying to conceive, those awaiting to adopt or require a surrogate. She is life, for she is the earth that inhabits us. We are forever embraced in Gaias womb.
Demeter: Symbolizes parents who lost a child to death or has placed up for adoption. With the loss comes hope of seeing the lost child, either in the next life or when the child is legally an adult reuniting with their biological parent.
Venus: Symbolizes the virgin or the inexperienced mother, such as a first time mother or even a bride hoping for a honeymoon baby.
Brigid the Triple Goddesses: Symbolizes universal feminine, the maiden, mother and crone. She can symbols your daughter, mother and grandmother all in one. Convenient if you have limited ritual space.
Ninhursag: Symbolizes pregnant women, breastfeeding women, surrogate mother's, step parents, nurtures, care takers, parent/s of a newborn. This can apply to the child primary caregiver, nannies and nurses, especially midwives and ob gyns.
Frigg: Symbolizes parents of older children and military families. Often strong and wise. She is the parent who has seen it all. She represents military personnel/ parents, parents of military personnel and their spouses.
The Virgin Mary: Symbolizes pregnant girls or parents in trouble. Very commonly teenager parents, but parents who are out cast among society, such as those with criminal records, unpopular religion or political views or even age old racism and bigotry. During the time of Mary pregnancy, she risked being stone to death. Mary may symbols your Christian relatives, but she also represents those on the opposite side of societies stones.
Sarah: Symbolizes women of upper status. This could be a career like legislator, a marriage such as the cliche of marrying a doctor or the family matriarch. She also represents parents who had children later in life. If you have Jewish relatives or wish to embrace Jewish mysticism, Sarah wife of Abraham is the feminine root.
Amman: Symbolizes protectors and those who cure disease. This Hindu goddess represents doctors, nurses and caregivers, both professional and personal.
Guanyin: Symbolizes mercy, mother's or those who care for a child/ren as their own. Guanyin literally translates to perceiving the sounds of the world. She is a great listener and those who embody her traits, like forgiving parents, devoted foster parents, loving adopted parents and all the good listener's of the world.
Theses are but a few of the deities that express the feminine point of view. There are many more and even my examples come in many names. You may wish to invoke these deities for guidance, draw in their qualities or uses this figures to represent the divine feminine in yourself or those you love.
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