My Mother and the Divine Mother

In deep reflection, I am writing to share the passing of my beloved mother, Patricia Parker. In the Navaratri tradition, she left this earthly plane on October 12th, Vijaya Dashami, the Day of Victory. That she chose this sacred day, dedicated to the Great Mother, to complete her journey, felt like a wonderful blessing.

Throughout the nine nights of Navaratri, a time devoted to honoring the Divine Feminine, I sat by her bedside, praying for her soul’s safe deliverance as she prepared to leave her body following a fall from which she couldn’t recover. At 95, she departed just as she had lived—with quiet strength and grace.

In spirituality, we strive to see the divine in all things. My mother embodied this truth, living harmoniously with nature, never fearing its wildness and creatures. She read the seasons, tracked the sun’s journey, delighted in bird songs, and treated everyone with immense respect and friendliness. This way of being created a gentle harmony and drew forth a kind of good fortune wherever she went.

The Veil Between the Worlds

My mother’s life was filled with glimpses beyond the physical. From a young age, she had visions of Christ walking across the fields where she took her daily walks. Her connection to the sacred felt natural, an effortless recognition of the Divine in all things.

At 17, she left home with her younger sister, my aunt, to seek independence and a deeper spiritual education. They lived in a Catholic convent, studying by night and working by day. My mother encouraged her shy younger sister to become a mothercraft nurse, eventually leading her to a life of service. Now aged 94, my aunt has been a nun for 65 years.

Later in life, my mother would see Christ in the clouds—sometimes reclining, sometimes walking. Hebrew writing appeared on her walls at night, and these visions continued for years. At one time, we believed these frequent visions were signs of her impending death until Mother Mary appeared to her one night, gazing intently into her face as if to reassure her. After that encounter, the visions ceased, and my mother lived on for another two decades.

These experiences are reminders that the veil between the worlds is thin and that the Divine is always near if only we’re open to perceiving it.

Her Courage and Compassion

Though gentle and quiet, my mother was courageous. My brother recalls seeing her from a distance one day, tugging on a rope with her dog—only to realize, as he got closer, that they were holding each end of a snake! She wrestled it away to protect her dog from its poison. She’d also relocate spiders by hand, treating each creature with the same regard as any person.

Her kindness extended to everyone she met. For example, when Kit, a Chinese woman facing mental health challenges, moved into the neighborhood, everyone ostracized her except for my mother. While Kit struggled with fears of imaginary intruders and strange odors, my mother would listen patiently and offer help, eventually encouraging other neighbors to accept her.

When she entered aged care, her kindness continued. Even after a fall that left her bruised and in pain, I found her comforting a fellow resident in distress. No matter her condition or worries, she offered comfort to others.

A Life of Gratitude

Of all my mother’s qualities, her gratitude was perhaps the most touching. She appreciated every small act of kindness, and the care home staff often commented on her frequent thank-yous for even the simplest things. In her final hours, when she could barely speak or move, she still managed to smile and say “thank you” to her carers and me.

Her Farewell

Her farewell was intimate and powerful, held in the Catholic tradition with family and the Sisters of the Sacred Heart Mission (my aunt’s order). We all felt how the concentrated love and prayer of a few hearts could create an extraordinary field of spiritual energy—much like those transcendent moments we reach in meditation. Each person who attended the funeral mentioned a positive internal change - even the devout atheists. 

Connecting with the Divine Mother

For those in our community who may feel a lack or conflict regarding maternal love, I offer this: my mother’s deep connection to the Divine Mother shaped who she was. The absence of a nurturing maternal experience can be healed through an intimate relationship with the Divine Mother, that universal source of nurturing, wisdom, and unconditional love.

The goddess reveals herself in countless forms—as Parvati, Quan Yin, Brigid, Hathor, Mother Mary, and so many more divine forms. Her love and mercy are ever-present, and her arms are open, ready to offer comfort and guidance.

My mother’s life taught me that it is the connection to the Divine Mother that truly transforms us.

All blessings to you.