When God Was a Woman: The Forgotten Origins of the Divine Mother
- heatherannkoehn
- Oct 1
- 5 min read
Before the patriarchal gods of today’s major religions took center stage, humanity worshipped the Divine Mother—a God who was not a stern father figure, but a nurturing, creative, and powerful force that gave life to the universe itself.
Across ancient civilizations, from Mesopotamia to Africa to Europe and beyond, the earliest deities were women, and the concept of God was intimately tied to the feminine principle of creation, wisdom, and nurturing power.
But over time, the Fates turned.
The rise of warlike societies, shifting power structures, and the consolidation of religious authority led to the erasure of the Divine Feminine—replacing her with an all-powerful masculine deity.
How did this happen? And why does reclaiming the Divine Feminine matter for humanity today?
Let’s journey into the origins of the Mother God, explore how she was systematically erased, and examine what this means for the spiritual seekers of today.
In the Beginning: The Primordial Mother of Creation
Long before the monotheistic "God the Father" dominated religious thought, ancient cultures understood the divine as a Mother—the womb of all existence. The earliest spiritual traditions did not see God as a separate being ruling from above, but as the very essence of life itself.
Ancient Civilizations and the Divine Mother
🔹 Sumer (circa 3000 BCE) – Ninhursag, the great Mother Goddess, was revered as the creator of humanity and the earth itself.
Her name meant "Lady of the Mountain," and she was considered the supreme life-giver.
🔹 Egypt (circa 2500 BCE) – Isis, the great goddess, was not only a mother but also a supreme ruler of magic, wisdom, and resurrection.
She held the ankh—the symbol of eternal life—and was worshipped as the true sovereign of heaven and earth.
🔹 Minoan Crete (circa 2000 BCE) – The Minoans venerated the Snake Goddess, a representation of divine feminine power, life force, and transformation.
No singular male deity overshadowed her; she stood as the central force of the cosmos.
🔹 India (Vedic Period, circa 1500 BCE) – Shakti, the creative feminine energy, was understood as the very power that gave form to the universe.
Even today, Hinduism maintains a strong reverence for Devi, the great Mother Goddess in various forms.
🔹 Celtic and Norse Traditions – Goddesses such as Danu, Brigid, and Freyja represented wisdom, battle, fertility, and sovereignty—showing that the feminine was both nurturer and warrior, healer and ruler.
In nearly every corner of the ancient world, God was a woman—or, at the very least, the highest divine force was deeply tied to feminine energy.
But something changed.
The Fall of the Divine Mother: How Patriarchy Took Over
So why did the Divine Feminine disappear from mainstream religious narratives?
The shift did not happen overnight but was a gradual overthrowing of feminine power by rising patriarchal structures.
1. The Rise of Warrior Cultures & Male-Dominated Rule
As human societies transitioned from small agrarian communities to larger civilizations, militarization became a priority.
Conquering nations were led by warriors—men who sought to dominate, expand, and control. With this shift, religions began to reflect the values of their rulers: strength, conquest, and male authority.
The Indo-European migrations brought warrior gods like Zeus, Thor, and Yahweh, replacing earlier feminine deities with storm and war gods.
The shift from matrilineal to patrilineal societies meant women lost political and spiritual authority, and so did the Goddesses they once represented.
2. Religious Texts Were Rewritten or Reinterpreted
Sacred stories were altered to diminish the Divine Feminine and elevate male gods. Examples include:
Eve’s Story in Genesis – Once a symbol of wisdom and knowledge, the feminine was rewritten as the cause of sin.
The Gnostic Gospels – Texts that depicted Sophia (Divine Wisdom) as the co-creator of the universe were suppressed.
Lilith’s Erasure – Once an equal to Adam, Lilith was demonized and removed from mainstream biblical texts.
The new religious orders sought to instill a singular, all-powerful male God who ruled over passive, obedient followers.
The Divine Mother became dangerous—too wild, too untamed, too powerful.
3. The Persecution of Women & Feminine Spirituality
With the rise of monotheism, feminine spirituality was actively attacked.
The Burning Times (Witch Hunts) – Women who practiced ancient healing arts were accused of witchcraft and executed.
The Suppression of Mary Magdalene – Early Christians revered her as a powerful spiritual leader, but later doctrines reduced her to a "repentant sinner."
The Destruction of Goddess Temples – Many ancient sites devoted to female deities were either abandoned, destroyed, or repurposed for patriarchal worship.
Over time, the world forgot that God was once a woman.
Reclaiming the Divine Feminine: Why This Matters Now
We are now at a pivotal time where humanity is being called to remember.
The return of the Divine Feminine is not about erasing the masculine, but about restoring balance.
What Happens When the Divine Feminine is Restored?
✔ Spirituality Becomes More Inclusive – No longer is God seen as a judgmental father, but as a loving, nurturing, and empowering force.
✔ Women Reclaim Their Sacred Role – Recognizing the Divine Mother allows women to step back into their spiritual authority.
✔ Men Reconnect with Their Intuition & Compassion – The suppression of the feminine has harmed men, too. A balanced spirituality heals both genders.
✔ The Earth is Revered Again – The loss of the Divine Mother coincided with environmental destruction. Her return signals a movement toward ecological healing.
✔ Love and Unity Take Precedence Over Power and Control – The Divine Feminine teaches connection, cooperation, and deep wisdom—values desperately needed today.
Final Reflection: Are You Ready to Remember?
The erasure of the Divine Mother was not just a historical event—it was an energetic shift that shaped how humanity understands God, itself, and the world.
But the truth is rising once again.
The Divine Feminine is awakening, not as a replacement for the masculine, but as its equal.
The real question is: Are you ready to embrace the balance?
Self-Reflection Questions:
How have my beliefs been shaped by patriarchal spirituality?
What aspects of the Divine Feminine do I feel drawn to?
How can I restore balance in my own spiritual practice?
Am I willing to see God as both masculine and feminine?
What does honoring the Divine Mother mean for how I live my life today?
Ready to Go Deeper?
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