One of the more gripping books I read last year was "Mud Woman" by Joyce Carol Oates (Read the Author interview about the book). You'll have to read about this book or read it and see what you think. I would love to hear back from you. I am not going to write a book review here. I wrote one on www.goodreads.com. As a brief summary, the book begins with a brutally abused girl, left for dead in the muddy silt flats, who rises from that mud and becomes one of the most powerful women in academia, only to eventually return (metaphorically and psychologically) back to the mud. It is a riveting read, especially for women and all lovers of mythology. "Mud Woman" is rich with myth and folklore.
As you know, I have also been doing a lot of research for my new books (the novel and nonfiction work). I have been investigating mythology and folklore as well as the history of the goddesses. Mud Woman, or Dirt Woman, as she is more frequently called, has reached out to me.
The Dirt Women are the primordial mothers of the Earth. I call them Earth Mamas. They exist on every continent and in the souls of us all. I have seen some cutesy pictures of the Earth Mother but these primordial, soulful goddesses, are far from cute. Actually, they can be downright scary.
I had envisioned them differently from how they really are because I was dwelling on them being creation mothers. Yes, they are creation mothers but they are something else entirely as well. They represent the verdant quality of deep humus-rich soil that yields crops, sustenance and creation. This is what makes them primordial. In terms of appearance, Earth Mamas are often as black as a star-less night; with deep rich hues in their skin. Their eyes are either bright green for the earth or stark blue, representing the sky and water. The Earth Mama's hair can be pliable tree branches or even grasses. Earth Mama would cut quite a picture, if you saw her. If you spend a lot of time with nature, there is no reason you shouldn't be able to get her to reveal herself to you.
Contact with the Earth Mamas puts you in touch with your buried self, and with the mysteries of the Earth. I am going to be spending more time getting to know this primordial mother goddess--scary or not. How about you?
One of my favorite subjects are myths and folklore. There have been so many images and ideas of what 'mother nature' or the inner goddess of women should be. Happy A to Z Gladiator's Pen
ReplyDeleteYes, I agree! Am enjoying the A to Z challenge!
DeleteWonderful post. I'm a fan of Joyce Carol Oates so I'll have to read that book. I'm also very interested in how mythology, fairy tales, and dreams are woven into the tapestry of our personal lives and humanity as a whole. Deep, significant undercurrents of reality lie just below the surface of our lives. I love the image of the "earth mama" as you've depicted her here. (And that photo is perfect!). I do feel her in nature, and as you say, she is red of tooth, as well as green and nurturing.
ReplyDeleteA Walk on the Wildside, I am a huge fan of Joyce Carol Oates' work as well. Spring really shows us that Mother Nature is definitely not messing around! Thanks!!
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