
Mothers of March:
For every yang, there is a yin and although this month runs rampant with
masculine Mars qualities like assertion and conquest - it also holds a
host of observances for the mothers and their various visages. In the
US, we observe Mothers Day in May - but March marks a plethora of dates
devoted to the mother.
To wit:
- Coventina - Celtic Goddess of the Water and Sacred wells.
She gives March meaning because she is honored this month for her
gifts of nourishment, replenishment, renewal and inspiration. She is a
matron of childbirth and the natural cycles of life. Her symbol is the
cauldron, chalice and/or wells. Perhaps she is honored this month
because March represents the first birth pang of Spring. The ancient
Celts honored Coventina by tossing sacred items (coins, brooches,
valued personal items) in various wells and bodies of water. - Nuwa - Chinese Creation Goddess. Nuwa is
credited for the creation of humans in the most ancient myths of China.
Apparently, life was cold and lonely for Nuwa as she was the only
entity around at the beginning of time. Weary of her own company she
took it upon herself to craft the first humans of earth (which she made
from clay). We can see a connection with her celebration in March and
the procession of the seasons. Winter is a brutal, cold cruel season in
China - conveying a sense of bitter isolation and even death.
Embracing the creatrix Nuwa in March is synonymous with becoming alive,
reanimated and renewed with Springtime's return. - Rhea - Mother Goddess of Greece. She is
ancient - one of the first (Titan) of her mothering kind. Her power is
celebrated this month for much the same reason many other mother
goddesses are recognized - because March is a transitional month - a
time in which we are each born out of the dark days of winter and into
the light of spring/summer. We see this theme in quite a macabre light
with Rhea. All of her children but one (Zeus) were swallowed by her
husband (and brother) Cronus. Upon maturity, Zeus (symbolizing the
return of light) releases all the children from Cronus' gorged belly and
bowels - more themes of birth. - Ostara - Germanic Fertility Maiden Goddess.
She is the epitome of celebrating new life. She is the expectant one -
and her vision only sees potential. In every nuance of experience,
Ostara sees indwelling life, and keeps her attention honed there. She's
the reason spring unleashes its vitality - because Ostara has kept her
light bright, her vigil of life strong and her focus of promise remained
stoic even in the leanest months of winter. Trace your history and you
will find this nurturing goddess at the prime root of the festival of
Easter. Hopefully I'll have a chance to write about her and how she
influenced the symbolism of Easter in an upcoming article. Ostara is
also connected with the vernal equinox (by the same name) which occurs
March 20-21st.
Also, check out my page on Mother Symbols here.
Misc. Symbols of March:

Ever heard the term "madder than a March
hare?" I have (my mom says it). It has to do with rabbits going bonkers
around this time of year. They feel the call of spring just as
strongly as everyone and everything else - perhaps moreso. Creatures of
all kinds feel the tremors of springtime's return and respond to it in
wild courtship. It's a celebration of life, and bunnies bounce right
back into the swing of spring. All of us know the power of population
the rabbit has - they are legendary for their ability to reproduce fast
and furiously. For that same reason, the rabbit is a perfect symbol for
this month which is fertile with themes like: New life, New beginnings
and the undeniable current of growth. The rabbit is also a symbol of
Ostara (see above), an ancient fertility goddess whose symbols are
rabbits, various flowers and eggs (more life/growth/fertility themes!). Photo by Avia on Flickr.

Another symbol of fertility, for sure and a great
addition to March meaning and symbolism. Creation, actually. Countless
creation myths begin with a grandiose and/or cosmic egg. Upon breaking
open, the contents ooze out and begin forming the universe as it is
known in whatever culture is telling the story. Alchemically, the
yellow yolk is symbolic of gold, and the sun (light, vitality, virtue, life, male). The albumen signifies silver and the moon (supportive, clarifying, purifying, female). The egg is
used in Christianity as a symbol of Christ's resurrection (breaking
forth from the tomb of death as a chick breaks out of an eggs casing).
This comparison comes into play in springtime festivals surrounding
Christ's spiritual ascendance and resurgence. The egg is also a
universal symbol of promise and potential. Within any egg, at any given
time, there rests dormant the possibility of life - and within that
possibility is life in its overwhelmingly diversity. What I mean is,
the egg prompts potential-based questions like: How will this life
manifest? Green eyes or blue? Prince or pauper? Rooster or hen? Fuzzy or
silky? Genius or diabolic? Gives the wandering mind a run for its
money and a gives fresh perspective to eggs, eh? (egg image credit: EraPhenalia on Flickr)
I hope you have enjoyed these random thoughts on March meaning
and symbolism. Of course, there's tons more symbolic fun to be had in
the month of March