An Altar to the Resilient Self: Finding Strength and Wisdom in the Symbols of the Divine Feminine

Like many, my wife and I face a few life challenges which we deal with as a cohesive and loving partnership. Our daily mantra is based on kindness and gratitude for this extraordinary gift of life. Yet, contemporary living presents moments (now!) when it is necessary to deal with difficult business challenges, unexpected house renovations, the resultant stress, and other, hopefully temporary, poor health issues (well, I put my back out through too much gardening zest!). I was meditating on the situations that we are facing and strong imagery of the Divine Feminine, its strength, wisdom and resilience came through. So, I constructed my weekly altar to reflect this and give M and I a focus for our contemplation. At the centre is bronze statue that I commissioned for her birthday (25 years ago when she still had dreadlocks!) which shows the divine feminine contemplative and strong, surrounded by symbolism that develops the theme. Blessings All- Kevin Parker Site Publisher

Introduction: The Sacred Space as a Mirror to the Soul

In the quiet corners of our lives, many of us engage in a practice as ancient as human consciousness itself: the creation of sacred space. An office desk, a windowsill, or a simple wooden chest can be transformed from the mundane to the profound through the careful curation of objects. This act of building a personal altar is a form of “material prayer,” a physical dialogue where our innermost intentions, aspirations, and spiritual energies are gathered and reflected back to us.[^1] It is a space where the veil between worlds thins, a portal where we can more easily communicate with the realm of spirit and the deepest parts of ourselves.[^2]

This exploration enters such a space: an office altar designed to honor the Divine Feminine. This term does not refer to an energy exclusive to any single gender but to a universal archetypal force that resides within all individuals. It is the principle of intuition, compassion, creation, emotional intelligence, and fierce, cyclical resilience. In a world often dominated by the linear logic and external action of its masculine counterpart, consciously engaging with the Divine Feminine is a vital practice for restoring harmony, both within the self and in the collective.[^3] It is a journey of integration, bringing these complementary energies into a beautiful, balanced wholeness.[^4]

The altar before us serves as our text—a rich, multi-layered narrative assembled from stone, wax, paper, and memory. By reading its composition, object by object, we can uncover a potent story about finding strength, wisdom, and resilience, particularly when facing the challenging situations that life inevitably presents. Each element, from the most personal memento to the most universal symbol, contributes a verse to this silent poem of empowerment. Let us begin.

Part I: The Enduring Mothers – Archetypes of Compassion and Strength

The foundation of this altar is built upon figures of the Mother—archetypes that ground the Divine Feminine in both universal myth and personal history. They speak of a love that nurtures and a strength that endures, providing the sustenance required for any spiritual journey.

The Face of Unconditional Love: The Virgin Mary as Archetype

At the heart of the arrangement sits a picture of Mother Mary. In the vast spiritual landscape, Mary often functions as the maternal face of God, an approachable figure of compassion, mercy, and nurturing love.[^5] For generations, devotion to her has allowed believers to experience divine saving power in a female form, one who knows the pains of life and is not disturbed by human weakness.[^6] Her presence on an altar dedicated to the Divine Feminine invokes this energy of unconditional love—a love that is at once gentle and fierce, a steadying force that champions the reclamation of a sacred balance between masculine and feminine principles.[^7] Her very name, Mary, is linked to Mer, the sea, connecting her to the powerful element of water, which represents the deep currents of emotion, healing, and profound transformation.[^8]

However, to see Mary as only a symbol of gentle compassion is to miss the radical, prophetic power she embodies. Her inclusion here speaks not just to endurance, but to a subversive and world-changing strength. This is the Mary of the Magnificat, the revolutionary song recorded in the Gospel of Luke where she proclaims that God “has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty.”[^9] In this, Mary is not a passive vessel but an active prophet, aligning the Divine Feminine with social justice and the empowerment of the marginalized. She becomes a symbol of resilience not just in suffering, but in challenging the very structures that cause suffering. Her presence on the altar is therefore not merely a comfort, but a radical statement of hope. It invokes a feminine power that is not afraid to announce the overturning of unjust systems, a strength rooted in a divine promise that the fortunes of the powerful and the powerless will be reversed. This is the strength that provides solace during personal trials by connecting them to a larger, cosmic story of redemption and renewal.

The Personal Matriarch: A Bronze Love Story

Beside the universal mother stands the personal matriarch: a miniature bronze statue, commissioned a quarter of a century ago to celebrate a wife’s 30th birthday. The choice of material is profoundly significant. Bronze has been used for millennia to depict gods, heroes, and leaders, imparting a feeling of nobility, permanence, and strength.[^10] Unlike other materials, bronze evolves with time, developing a rich patina that adds character and depth, mirroring a relationship that has grown stronger, deeper, and more beautiful through shared history.[^11] It is a metal of resilience, able to withstand the elements, making it a perfect symbol for a love that has weathered the seasons of life.[^12]

Furthermore, the act of commissioning a work of art transforms an object into a story.[^13] It is a deeply personal collaboration between the patron and the artist, a process that instills the final piece with authenticity, intimacy, and a unique narrative.[^14] Historically a practice of popes and emperors to immortalize their legacy, a personal commission today serves a similar, albeit more intimate, purpose: to honor a loved one and create a tangible heirloom that preserves a memory and a bond for generations.[^15] This statue is not merely a representation of a person; it is a testament to a specific moment of love and celebration, a story forged in metal.

Placing this personal, commissioned icon next to the universal archetype of Mary creates a powerful spiritual resonance. It acts as a bridge, grounding the abstract concept of divine, unconditional love in the tangible, lived experience of a 25-year partnership. The altar makes a profound declaration: the sacred love of the Divine Feminine is not just a distant, heavenly ideal. It is present and breathing in the human love shared between two people, in the quiet endurance of a long-term bond, and in the deliberate act of commemorating that love in a form built to last. The personal becomes sacred, and the sacred becomes deeply personal.

The Earth Mother’s Dreaming: Sustenance and Survival in the Art of Minnie Pwerle

Completing this trinity of maternal strength is a small painting by the celebrated Australian Aboriginal artist Minnie Pwerle. The vibrant yellow circles represent her Anemangkerr (Bush Melon) Dreaming, a story deeply tied to her ancestral lands, Atnwengerrp, and the women’s ceremonies, or Awelye, that honor it.[^16] Pwerle, who began painting on canvas late in life after a lifetime of ceremonial body painting, infused her work with a raw, dynamic energy born from a profound connection to her country.[^17] The Anemangkerr is not just a plant; it was a vital source of sustenance for her people. Described as a small, sweet melon high in Vitamin C, this fruit was a gift from the earth, especially precious for its keeping qualities.[^18] The women would collect the fruit, scrape out the seeds, and eat it fresh or skewer the pieces to be dried and stored, ensuring survival through the scarce months to come.[^19]

The presence of this painting on the altar speaks to a form of feminine wisdom that is ancient, ecological, and rooted in the pragmatics of survival. It represents the resilience not just of an individual, but of a people and their relationship with the land that provides. Pwerle’s bold, free-flowing lines are not merely abstract patterns; they are a visual transmission of ancestral knowledge, body paint designs, and the joy of coming across this life-giving food.[^20] The fact that the bush melon, once abundant, is now scarce and difficult to find adds a layer of poignancy to the work.[^21] The painting becomes more than a depiction of sustenance; it is a memorial to precious ecological knowledge and a powerful testament to the importance of ancestral memory in the face of change. It embodies the Divine Feminine as the ultimate provider, the keeper of the earth’s secrets, and the enduring spirit of a culture that knows how to find sweetness and life even in the harshest of landscapes. This is the strength of knowing where to find nourishment when times are lean, a wisdom passed down through generations of women.

Part II: The Crystalline Heart – The Language of Healing and Inner Knowing

Moving from the foundational figures of the Mother, the altar now presents a collection of mineral and elemental tools. These objects speak a different language—one of energy, vibration, and frequency. They are instruments for emotional regulation, spiritual alignment, and accessing the deep, intuitive wisdom that is a hallmark of the Divine Feminine.

The Alchemical Flame: The Lavender Candle in its Quartz Amplifier

A lavender candle burns steadily in a quartz holder, a seemingly simple object that is, in reality, a sophisticated engine of intention. This single element is a trinity of symbolic forces working in synergy. First, the lavender itself carries the energy of purity, serenity, calmness, and devotion.[^22] Its purple color is associated with royalty and the crown chakra, the energy center linked to higher purpose and spiritual connectivity.[^23] The scent has been used for millennia to relieve stress, induce sleep, and cleanse, its very name deriving from the Latin lavare, “to wash.”[^24]

Second, the flame is a universal symbol of transformation, purification, and renewal.[^25] Fire is the alchemical agent that transmutes one state into another, consuming the old to make way for the new. In spiritual practice, it represents the purging of negative energies, the illumination of consciousness, and the passionate “fire within” that drives our growth.[^26]

Finally, the quartz holder is not a passive container; it is an active participant. Clear Quartz is revered as the “Master Healer” and a powerful amplifier of energy.[^27] Its crystalline structure is believed to absorb, store, release, and regulate energy, magnifying the intention programmed into it.[^28] It brings clarity of thought, clears mental fog, and enhances the properties of other spiritual tools it is paired with.[^29]

When these three elements are combined, they create a purpose-built tool for focused spiritual work. The quartz does not merely hold the candle; it magnifies its purpose. The lavender specifies the kind of transformation being sought—one of peace, purification, and spiritual connection. The fire provides the active principle of that change. This is a microcosm of how the Divine Feminine often works: with the clarity of a focused intention (quartz), a specific quality of being (the calming influence of lavender), and the elemental power to manifest change (fire). Lighting this candle is not a passive act; it is the activation of a device designed to amplify a calm, purifying, transformative energy in one’s life and space.

The Healer’s Heart (Prehnite) and The Rhythmic Tides (Ocean Jasper)

The altar’s crystalline collection continues with two stones that, together, offer a complete strategy for emotional resilience. The first is a piece of raw prehnite. In the world of crystal healing, prehnite is known as a stone of unconditional love and, most significantly, as “the crystal to heal the healer.”[^30] This speaks directly to those who, in challenging times, may find themselves depleted from giving care to others. Prehnite’s gentle, green energy is said to calm the environment, bring peace and protection, and help in letting go of old emotional wounds and deep fears.[^31] It fosters compassion, forgiveness, and a harmonious connection with nature, creating a shield around the aura to protect one’s inner peace.[^32]

Alongside it sits a large specimen of Ocean Jasper. This stone, with its swirling orbs and patterns reminiscent of the seashore at low tide, is deeply connected to the rhythmic, cyclical nature of the ocean.[^33] Its energy is nurturing and gentle, yet powerful in its ability to help one navigate emotional ups and downs, much like the ebb and flow of the tides.[^34] It encourages patience, self-love, and the courage to be honest with oneself, fostering a hopeful outlook even when unresolved issues surface.[^35] It is a stone that reminds its holder to flow with life’s emotional waves rather than fighting against them, promoting tranquility and dissolving emotional blockages.[^36]

The placement of these two stones together on the altar is a profound symbolic instruction. They represent a two-part approach to developing strength in difficult personal situations. Prehnite addresses the essential internal prerequisite: you must first heal yourself, especially if you are in a position of giving support to others. One cannot pour from an empty cup, and Prehnite is the tool for refilling one’s own well of unconditional love. From that place of inner wholeness and a healed heart (Prehnite), one is then equipped to face the unpredictable emotional tides of the external world with the patience, resilience, and gentle strength of Ocean Jasper. It is a sophisticated psychological and spiritual insight: true strength for others begins with the tender work of healing oneself.

The Seat of Intuition: The Pine Cone and the Amethyst

The final pairing in this crystalline heart of the altar is a direct and powerful invocation of inner knowing. A large pine cone, placed with clear intention, represents the pineal gland—the anatomical structure deep within the brain often referred to in esoteric traditions as the “third eye” or the “mystic seed.”[^37] This is not a modern correspondence; the pine cone has been a potent symbol of spiritual enlightenment, resurrection, and eternal life for millennia, appearing in the iconography of ancient cultures from the Egyptians and Assyrians to the Hindus and Romans.[^38] The staff of the god Osiris, the hand of Shiva, and even the papal staff of the Pope feature this symbol. Its structure, which follows the perfect sacred geometry of the Fibonacci sequence, further marks it as a natural object of profound spiritual significance.[^39] Fascinatingly, just as the pineal gland modulates our wake-sleep cycles in response to light, the pine cone itself is photosensitive, opening its scales in the light to release its seeds and closing them in the dark.[^40]

Paired with this ancient symbol of innate spiritual hardware is amethyst, the quintessential stone of spiritual activation. Amethyst is a premier crystal of the third eye and crown chakras, renowned for its ability to activate spiritual awareness, open intuition, and enhance psychic abilities.[^41] It is a stone of sobriety and mental clarity, calming the mind of distracting thoughts to allow for a deeper connection to one’s higher self.[^42] It dispels negativity and fosters a state of tranquility, creating the ideal inner environment for meditation and receiving spiritual insight.[^43]

Together, the pine cone and the amethyst represent the conscious activation of our own spiritual technology. The pine cone is the symbolic locus of our intuitive capacity—the physical and energetic center of inner vision that exists within every human being. The amethyst is the energetic catalyst or power source that allows this dormant hardware to function optimally. This combination is an explicit tool for moving beyond the limits of rational thought and accessing the deep, non-linear wisdom that is a core attribute of the Divine Feminine. It is a statement of intent: to awaken the inner oracle and to trust the guidance that comes not from the outside world, but from the illuminated center of the self.

Part III: The Wild Garden of the Soul – Duality, Rebirth, and Transformation

The final section of the altar moves into the most dynamic and complex aspects of the Divine Feminine. Here, in the wild garden of the soul, we encounter paradox, the promise of hope after hardship, and the ultimate journey of metamorphosis. These elements speak to the full, untamed spectrum of feminine power.

The Paradox of Power: The Beautiful and Toxic Hellebore

Nestled among the symbols of pure light and healing, we find the lavender hellebores, flowers that carry a beautiful and unsettling paradox. Known by gentle, sacred names like the “Christmas Rose” or “Lenten Rose,” their delicate beauty belies a potent toxicity.[^44] All parts of the hellebore plant are poisonous, containing powerful cardiac glycosides like helleborin and bufadienolides, which can cause severe illness and, in some cases, death.[^45] The plant’s sap is a skin irritant, and even its scent can be disturbing to some.[^46] This duality is not a modern discovery; it is woven into the plant’s very history. Ancient physicians used it as a purgative to cure madness and melancholy, yet it was also a notorious poison.[^47] In 585 BC, Greek forces allegedly used crushed hellebore to poison the water supply of the besieged city of Kirrha, a stark example of ancient chemical warfare.[^48] In folklore, it was associated with witchcraft and cursing the land, yet it was also believed to ward off evil spirits and bring tranquility to a troubled space.[^49]

On an altar dedicated to the Divine Feminine, what are we to make of such a dangerously ambivalent plant? Its presence is not an oversight; it is a profound and necessary teaching. The hellebore gives voice to the aspects of the Divine Feminine that are often silenced or sanitized: its fierceness, its protective anger, its capacity for destruction in the name of preservation. In the context of finding strength in challenging times, resilience is not always about gentle endurance. Sometimes, resilience is about having the strength to become “toxic” to that which threatens our well-being, our peace, or our loved ones. It is the wisdom of setting inviolable boundaries and the courage to say “no” with unwavering force.

This is the energy of the Dark Mother, the Kali archetype who dances on the battlefield of the ego, the protective she-bear who will defend her cubs with lethal force. The hellebore is a reminder that the feminine power to create and nurture is balanced by an equally potent power to defend and, if necessary, destroy what is harmful. It represents the uncomfortable but vital truth that to maintain a sacred and protected space, one must also possess the power to repel and dismantle threats. It is the strength of the warrior, not just the nurturer.

The Promise of Spring: The Hopeful Resilience of the Jonquil

Placed in conversation with the fierce paradox of the hellebore are the yellow and white jonquils. As a variety of narcissus, the jonquil is one of the first heralds of spring, a cheerful bloom that often has to push its way through the last of the winter’s cold, sometimes even through snow.[^50] Because of this, jonquils are potent symbols of rebirth, renewal, optimism, and the triumphant arrival of new beginnings.[^51] Their ability to return year after year, undaunted by the harshness of winter, connects them directly to themes of resilience and overcoming adversity.[^52] While daffodils and jonquils can carry complex meanings from Greek myth related to Narcissus, their primary modern symbolism, especially as the birth flower of March, is one of hope and the triumph of life over dormancy.[^53] They are the floral embodiment of a positive outlook and the promise of warmer, brighter days ahead.[^54]

The juxtaposition of the jonquil with the hellebore creates a powerful narrative sequence on the altar. If the hellebore represents the necessary, difficult, and even “toxic” battle fought during the long winter of a personal challenge, the jonquil represents the beautiful and hopeful outcome of that struggle. It is the promise that after the fight, spring will return. This is not a naive hope, but a hope that is earned. The hellebore is the work done in the dark, cold soil of hardship; the jonquil is the bright bloom that emerges directly from that soil, stronger for having pushed through it.

This pairing illustrates the full cycle of resilience. It is not just about surviving a difficult period; it is about the new life, fresh perspective, and renewed joy that can emerge on the other side of a profound challenge. The Divine Feminine, in this telling, possesses both the fierce capacity to endure the winter (hellebore) and the irrepressible life force that guarantees a spring rebirth (jonquil). Together, they tell a story of complete and utter fortitude: the strength to fight the battle and the faith to know that a new season of light is the inevitable reward.

The Soul’s Metamorphosis: The Butterfly Mask

Positioned above the entire arrangement, presiding over the assembly of archetypes and tools, is a handmade butterfly mask. This single object serves as the thematic apex of the altar, synthesizing its many layers of meaning into a final, powerful statement about spiritual purpose. It is a composite symbol, combining the profound significance of the butterfly with the archetypal power of the mask.

The butterfly is a near-universal symbol of transformation, metamorphosis, and the soul’s journey toward rebirth.[^55] Its life cycle—from the earthbound, consuming caterpillar to the sealed, dormant chrysalis, and finally to the winged, ethereal adult—is a perfect parable for spiritual evolution.[^56] It is no coincidence that the ancient Greek word for butterfly, psyche, is also the word for the soul.[^57] To invoke the butterfly is to invoke the potential for profound, elemental change.

The mask, meanwhile, has been used in spiritual and ritual contexts across human cultures for millennia. It is a tool of transformation, allowing the wearer to temporarily shed their mundane identity and embody a god, an ancestor, or a supernatural spirit.[^58] In the language of Jungian psychology, the mask is the persona—the social face we construct and present to the world to navigate societal expectations.[^59] It is a necessary tool for adaptation, but the danger lies in mistaking this mask for our true face, identifying so completely with our role that we forget the authentic self that lies beneath.[^60] The spiritual journey of individuation, in this framework, involves a conscious engagement with the persona: recognizing it, understanding its function, and ultimately ensuring it serves, rather than smothers, the true self.[^61]

By combining these two symbols, the butterfly mask becomes the ultimate emblem of conscious self-transformation. It represents the shedding of an old, constricting persona (the mask) and the glorious, liberated emergence of the true psyche (the butterfly). Placed above all the other elements, it acts as the guiding principle for the entire altar. It suggests that the purpose of engaging with the Divine Feminine—of embracing its compassion (Mary), its personal history (bronze statue), its ancestral wisdom (Pwerle painting), its healing energies (crystals), its intuitive power (pine cone and amethyst), and its fierce, paradoxical strength (hellebore and jonquil)—is to fuel this ultimate metamorphosis. It is a declaration of spiritual agency, a commitment to actively participating in one’s own evolution, and a symbol of the beautiful, winged soul that can emerge from the chrysalis of life’s greatest challenges.

Conclusion: Building Your Own Sanctuary of Strength

The journey through this meticulously curated altar reveals a rich, holistic portrait of the Divine Feminine. It is an energy that integrates the universal and the personal, the compassionate and the fierce, the intuitive and the pragmatic. It finds strength not in simplistic ideals, but in the complex, dynamic interplay of unconditional love, ancestral memory, emotional intelligence, protective boundaries, and the unwavering promise of transformation. This altar is more than a collection of beautiful objects; it is a strategic map for navigating life’s challenges with wisdom and resilience.

For those inspired to connect more deeply with this energy, the act of creating a personal altar is a powerful and accessible practice. The most important principle is to trust your own intuition. An altar’s power comes from the personal meaning infused into the objects you choose; their energy is amplified by your intent.[^62] You do not need to acquire anything new; your life is already full of potential sacred objects. A stone from a memorable walk, a photograph of a beloved ancestor, a gift given with love—these items already hold a story and an energy.

To begin, you can follow a few simple steps:

1. Choose Your Space: Find a small, quiet place where your altar can be respected and will not be easily disturbed. This could be a shelf, a small table, or even a corner of your desk. Cleanse the space physically and energetically, perhaps with light, sound, or smoke, setting the intention to use it for sacred work.[^63]
2. Set Your Intention: Ask yourself what qualities you wish to cultivate more of in your life. Is it peace? Strength? Creativity? Forgiveness? Let this intention guide your choices.
3. Gather Your Symbols: Use the altar we have explored as a source of inspiration, but let your heart and personal history be your primary guides. An object that resonates deeply with you is more powerful than one chosen because you think you “should” have it.
4. Arrange with Purpose: Place your items in a way that feels harmonious, balanced, and empowering to you. There is no single right way. As you place each item, you might bless it or silently reaffirm the intention it represents.
5. Engage with Your Altar: An altar is not a static display. It is a living space for reflection, meditation, prayer, or simply a moment of quiet connection at the start or end of your day. You can change it with the seasons, or as your intentions and needs evolve.

To help guide this process, the following table offers a framework based on the thematic elements we have discussed. It provides a symbolic vocabulary to help you translate your intentions into a physical, sacred form.

By creating such a sanctuary, you provide yourself with a powerful mirror. It is a place to remember who you are, to honor the journey that has shaped you, and to consciously call upon the deep wellspring of strength, wisdom, and resilience that is the birthright of every soul.

References

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[^7]: Kate Murphy, “Why is Mary Magdalene & The Divine Feminine Rising,” This is Kate Murphy, accessed October 18, 2023, https://www.thisiskatemurphy.com/post/why-is-mary-magdalene-the-divine-feminine-rising. [^8]: Murphy, “Why is Mary Magdalene.” [^9]: Luke 1:52-53 (New Revised Standard Version); Johnson, “Don’t Make Mary,” 21. [^10]: Sybaris, “Art History Briefing: Bronze Statue’s Role in Art & Architecture,” accessed October 18, 2023, https://sybaris.com.mx/art-history-briefing-bronze-statues-role-in-art-architecture/. [^11]: Randolph Rose, “Why is Bronze Used for Statues?” Randolph Rose Collection, accessed October 18, 2023, https://randolphrose.com/blogs/blog/why-is-bronze-used-for-statues. [^12]: European Bronze, “Exploring Symbolism in Bronze Sculpture,” accessed October 18, 2023, https://www.europeanbronze.com/blogs/news/exploring-symbolism-in-bronze-sculpture. 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