Also called the Mothers, Deae Matres, Matronae Aufaniae.
Their story
The Mothers were honoured across Gaul, Britain and the Rhineland, usually shown as three seated women with fruit, bread or babies on their laps. In the Rhineland the Matronae wear large round bonnets and carry local names such as the Aufaniae. In Britain many altars are dedicated simply to the Mothers, sometimes of a place or of the soldiers' homelands, and a fine relief of three Mothers was found at Cirencester.
Best times to give to them
- at births
- the harvest
- midwinter
What they like being given
- fruit and bread
- flowers
- a candle for three generations of women
How to honour them
- Light three candles for the mothers and grandmothers of your line.
- Honour them as local guardians by naming the place you live.
How they can help you
- family and ancestry
- fertility and childbirth
- protection of home
Symbols
- three seated women
- baskets of fruit
- babies
- large bonnets
The Anglo-Saxon Mothers' Night mentioned by Bede is a separate tradition, though often linked to them.
Sources
- CIL XIII (Rhineland)
- RIB (numerous dedications to the Matres)
- Green, Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend
More Celtic spirits
- The Tuatha Dé Danann The divine people of ancient Ireland