“De is the delta, or triangle, a female genital sign known as the letter of the vulva in the Greek sacred alphabet...”
Barbara Walker, Women’s Encyclopedia of Myths and Symbols
Delta, the downward triangle, is the nearly universal symbol of female genitals, the fountain of life that overflows once a month, and the pearly gate - the door to birth, death and sexual paradise. Meter means mother; thus, Demeter is the mother god. It’s amazing to me that academics (mostly male) seemed intent on reducing Demeter to a single role (grain god) and her myths to etiology (an explanation for the fact of seasons, for example). That is a terrible kind of reduction-ism. She was so much more than the giver of grains, though that should not be underestimated as a civilizing force. To ancient cultures, it was obvious where life came from, and also obvious that it deserved respect.
Across Europe, Asia and Egypt (and many other places) entryways, sacred to women, were stained red, signifying the female blood of life. Entrances to tombs were triangular or almond shaped (), another obvious symbol, and had vaginal passageways that led to underground domes or mounds replicating the mother god’s womb (or cauldron) of rebirth. When I look at the recessed doorways and internal structure of the great cathedrals, this is what I see.
Thirty years ago, I passed through the doorway to the mysterious feminine at New Grange in Ireland. An extension cord suspended along the length of the ceiling ended in a light bulb. I stood under the dark earth with my mother in the central chamber, the ancient womb of mother earth. We held hands as they turned out the light and plunged us into total darkness. Eyes open, eyes closed, the same absence of light. I felt the Great Mother all around me. From inside the mystery, I understood something about being small and dependent and helpless – a fetus inside the Great Mother – like we always are, waiting for death. I prayed to understand the ancient cultures and all that we lost when the world became so overtly patriarchal. I prayed to be of service. In many ways, that simple prayer started my journey.