The role of Mary, the mother of Jesus, is a deep mystery and a source of contemplation, devotion, disbelief, confusion, and hope for those who hear about and think upon her. November 21 is celebrated as the day of “The Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.” Though extra-biblical, ancient sources declare that Mary’s parents had brought Mary, while she was still a very young girl, to the Temple and dedicated her to serve God–a service she rendered throughout her life.

Butler proceeds in his discussion of Mary to assert the astounding proposition that she serves to bless both the holy state of virginity and the holy state of matrimony (by being chastely married to Joseph) at one and the same time. And it is here that it is worthwhile to acknowledge the parallels beliefs for pagans–then and now–regarding the Goddess is simultaneously maiden, mother, and crone as She chooses (not so unlike the male Trinity of Son, Father, and Holy Spirit). So too with Mary, who has been celebrated as virgin, as mother, as wisdom and compassion. She is the only one born fully human who lived unstained by sin of any sort (keeping in mind that Jesus was fully human yet also fully divine).

Underneath and around all of this lies the question: Is there within humans a yearning for the Goddess, at least in some form? So much of what has come to be celebrated and honored about Mary is not in Scripture at all (her Immaculate Conception, her parents, her presentation at the Temple, her Assumption)–and even some of what is in Scripture that references her (e.g., thinking at one point that the adult Jesus had lost his mind!) is largely ignored.

I believe this is, at least in part, because we continue to need the Divine Female Force–Who gives life, Who transcends our understanding, Who is as we are while being before we ever were, Who was and is and will forever be. There is almost a visceral honesty-despite-itself in how humans have come to remember, tell and even create the stories of, and celebrate in the here-and-now Mary, Mother of God.