Ancient Motherlinesrecorded webinar
Are famous Greek goddesses like Hera, Demeter and Aphrodite her descendants? What kinds of rituals, practices and myths were associated with her worship, and how long did they survive in Europe? Is there an alternate history of Europe that we can tell by following motherlines like these, instead of the fatherlines we are used to hearing about? And how is the wild, ecstatic god Dionysus connected to her, and to the memory of the matrilineal Neolithic and Bronze Age Europe?
hosted by Sylvia V. Linsteadt
Sylvia V. Linsteadt is a novelist, poet, scholar of ancient history, animal tracker, and artist.
hosted by Chiara Baldini
Chiara Baldini is a raver, researcher and freelance curator from Florence, Italy. She investigates the evolution of the ecstatic cult in the West, particularly in Minoan Crete, ancient Greece and Rome, contributing to anthologies, psychedelic conferences and festivals.
- An exploration of non-patriarchal cultures of ancient Europe and why we can speak of an "Ancient Mother"
- An introduction to what are the "Motherlines" and how they can be used to trace the history of female deities and non-patriarchal values in the Southern European territories
- An overview of the importance of Minoan Crete as an exception to the "patriarchal rule" of civilization
- An understanding of how the legacies of the Ancient Mother can support us in responding to the ecological, spiritual, and political crises of our times
In this webinar, Sylvia V. Linsteadt and Chiara Baldini will explore the history and legacy of the Ancient Mother, a term they use to describe the so-called Mother Goddess of Europe, whose origins stretch back to the Paleolithic era. Once, she was understood to be the Law of the Earth itself, the practices, beliefs and values which allowed the flourishing of all life and which were therefore profoundly revered and handed down for millennia. In these modern times of immense turmoil, we can see that it is her Laws which are being broken and the mutually beneficial relationships among all beings which are not being respected. To move past the destructive forces of patriarchy, capitalism, and colonialism, the ways of the Ancient Mother could be a formidable source of inspiration to find our way back "Home".
Together, Sylvia and Chiara will trace the Ancient Mother's lineages across the ages, to reflect on how non-patriarchal values were handed down from the Neolithic to Minoan Crete and subsequent Greek goddesses like Hera, Demeter, Rhea... and Dionysus! What are the "motherlines" and how do they contribute to a different perception of the history of the now-European territory? How can "motherlines" be traced, and which methodologies can be useful? What could this kind of inquiry reveal about a time when patriarchy was not the dominant paradigm? And how can the values and practices of the Ancient Mother rekindle our hope that a better world is possible?
This will be the first public conversation where Sylvia and Chiara share their complementary research on these topics. Attendees will gain rare insights into the history of the Ancient Mother in Europe and the enduring, though often hidden, legacies of matrilineal traditions that still linger in these lands.