Goddesses of Motherhood: Mythological Mothers

Many cultures have stories about creation of life. Here is a look at a few myths of goddesses of motherhood.

Demeter- The Goddess of Harvest
Demeter is known for many things in Greek Mythology. Pertaining to motherhood, Demeter's story can be compared to the old empty nest syndrome. The story of her daughter Persephone having to spend most of the year in the underworld with her husband, has Demeter missing her daughter so much, she creates winter. However, she is so happy at her return, she made everything bloom again.

Haumea- The Goddess of Child Birth
Polynesian goddess Haumea supposedly taught women how to give birth by pushing out their baby between their legs. Folklore says that prior to this revelation, babies were cut from the womb. Haumea is said to have given birth to many children, including Hi'iaka who created the hula dance.

There are stories that state that after her death, Haumea was reincarnated into a young woman, and mated with her children and grandchildren to create more life from her own death. Haumea is also considered a goddess of vegetation.

Renenet- The Goddess of New Babies and Soul Names
The Egyptian goddess Renenet is said to be responsible for creating the baby's desire to feed from its mother's breasts-so one could say she is the goddess of breast-feeding.

Perhaps more interesting, Renenet is also responsible for helping new mothers learn their baby's soul name. The soul name is said to be the baby's true name, which will protect it, and hold the framework to the child's personality traits. Renenet is usually showed with a lion or serpent head, as those animals are associated with having divine powers.

Maia- The Goddess of Rebirth
Maia is the namesake for the month of May. Maia is the oldest of seven daughter from the Greek god Atlas. She is said to be responsible for making everything turn green again in the springtime. She is also known as the grandmother of magic, as her son Hermes founded it. In fact, it was like magic how Hermes was born. Zeus visited Maia in her sleep and she woke up, ready to give birth to Hermes. Hermes invented the lyre and panpipe. Known as a genius god, he was also credited to inventing medicine, letters and astrology.

Heqet- Fertility Goddess
Heqet is the Egyptian Goddess of fertility. She presided over childbirth and trained her servants to help her, as midwives. Heqet is associated with the fruitful Nile River and is often depicted with the head of a frog.

Sar-Akka
A story from Scandinavia says this goddess helped open the womb of women in labor. It is said that Sar-Akka also created the fetal flesh, and also could even predict the future of the newborn.