!flux11 The Tuatha Dé Danann are depicted as a race of god-…

Very cool. Not sure if you’ve ever heard this but those 4 great treasures from the tuatha de danaan map directly to the 4 suits of the tarot: pentacle/earth (stone) wands/fire (spear) sword/air (sword) and cups/emotion (cauldron)

Tasty nugget right there.... No didn't know that

yeah, I read it in one of Michael Tsarion's books, can't remember which one. The wild thing is that the earliest known record of the Tuatha is 11 century AD. And the earliest known 'Tarot' cards were mid 15th century. So the Tuatha de Danaan record preceded.. Whether the 4 great treasures represent the same energies later associated with the tarot, who knows for sure I guess. Michael seems pretty certain that they do.

*record meaning recorded writings of such.

how far in history does mother goddess go back

The concept of a Mother Goddess is ancient and spans many cultures, often representing fertility, creation, and the earth itself. Some of the earliest known representations of the Mother Goddess can be traced back to the Upper Paleolithic period, around 25,000 to 30,000 years ago. One of the most famous examples is the Venus of Willendorf, a small statuette believed to have been created around 28,000–25,000 BCE.

In various cultures, this archetype has persisted through history in different forms. For example, in ancient Mesopotamia, there was Inanna/Ishtar; in Egypt, Isis; in ancient Greece, Gaia and Demeter; and in Rome, Terra and Ceres. The concept has evolved over time, but the underlying theme of a nurturing, life-giving female deity is a common thread throughout human history.

mother goddess cult in ancient Rome

In ancient Rome, the Mother Goddess was primarily embodied by the goddess Cybele, who was known as Magna Mater, or "Great Mother." The cult of Cybele was originally from Phrygia, in what is now modern-day Turkey, and was introduced to Rome around 204 BCE during the Second Punic War. The Romans believed that bringing her cult to Rome would help them defeat Hannibal.

Cybele was associated with wild nature, fertility, and protection in war. Her worship involved various rituals and ceremonies, some of which were quite elaborate and ecstatic. The priests of Cybele, known as the Galli, were eunuchs who performed frenzied dances and music during festivals. One of the most important festivals dedicated to her was the Megalesia, celebrated in April with games, processions, and theatrical performances.

The cult of Cybele was significant in ancient Rome and represented one of the many ways that Romans adopted and adapted deities and religious practices from other cultures into their own religious framework.