Loss of The Divine Feminine

The Divine Feminine is the feminine principle that was predominantly worshipped among societies prior to Christian biblical times, whose origins can be traced back to 22 000 BCE. This generally refers to the worship of a supreme force of life and creation embodied in some form of feminine depiction, whether a womb, a cave, or goddess. Its relevance to the Jesus tomb lies in its association with the history of Christianity.

Religions such as Christianity, Islam, and Judaism are commonly considered patriarchal, since they are believed to have a masculine God as exemplified, for instance, by Christianity's Holy Trinity. Many have attempted to offer answers regarding the loss of the historical Divine Feminine, which figured prominently in dominant religions and societies prior to Christianity.

The Historical Shift

Scholars such as Anne Baring believe that when humans gained the capacity to create technology and assert power over their environment, an accompanying shift occurred in human consciousness that had previously emphasized the harmony and value of nature. In other words, the Divine Feminine in the form of the Mother Goddess of Nature, no longer functioned as a supreme figure as new values emerged related to human creation. People became divided from nature, which was now viewed as a separate element that could be acted upon and dominated.

Since the supreme Divine Feminine had previously been associated with fertility, the wholeness of nature, and creation, the representation of the Goddess began to evolve and eventually came to represent nature, matter, darkness, chaos and evil. The male god began to be associated with spirit, light, creativity and good.

Beginning in the Iron Age (c.1300 to 900 BCE), the male gods began to dominate with the development of patriarchal religion. However, goddesses were still worshipped in the West as late as the Greek and Roman eras, evolved from their "natural" origins to represent wisdom, truth, compassion and justice. Conversely, in the traditions of the three major religions to develop in the Western world-- Christianity, Islam and Judaism--there has been what is referred to as a loss of the divine feminine. This phenomenon is exemplified by a lack of union between gods and goddesses, or an equally dominant feminine dimension to provide a balance to the masculine.

Christian Origins and the Divine Feminine

Those studying the Divine Feminine in the early period of Christian development, and as it appears in the Bible in association with the teachings of Jesus, often point out passages that suggest Jesus' alignment and adherence of the sacred feminine. Scholars, including Meryl Ann Butler, have written about biblical Christianity's attempts to balance the feminine and masculine principles.

Jesus' treatment of Mary and Mary Magdalene, and the importance of female roles in the Bible (such as in the revelation of Jesus' resurrection), is often seen as an example of Jesus' honor of the feminine. He is considered a radical by some for what many see as the inclusion of women in his ministry. The teachings of Jesus, including compassion, love and a rejection of hierarchy are often associated with the feminine concept.

Regarding the ancient Egyptian mythology surrounding the Divine Goddess Isis, a parallel between the relationship of Isis and her son Horus is often drawn to the mother-son relationship of Mary and Jesus. Indeed, Mary is often connected to the concept of the Divine Feminine, as a revered maternal figure. Mary's relationship to other pre-biblical manifestations of the Divine Feminine also include her historical replacement of Artemis, a Greek goddess, in Turkey who was worshipped in the region prior to the spread of Christianity. Mary has traditionally also assumed the names of Greek goddesses such as "Queen of Heaven" and "Mother of God."