Henry Adams, whose grandfather and great-grandfather were both presidents, wrote poignantly of the role of Mary in his iconic book, Mont Saint Michel and Chartres (written in 1904), about the renaissance and profound awakening in 12th century Europe.
He called Mary “the dynamo” that led that renaissance (what historian Père Chenu called “the only renaissance that worked in the West” because it was from the grassroots up). Adams compared the dynamo energy that Mary brought to the 12th century to the role of the steam engine in 19th century America—but hers was about compassion and not “force” as such.
Here is how he puts the role of the Divine Mother in the 12th century renaissance:
“Her sympathy was with people who suffered under law.” How pertinent is this to the multiple oppresive laws of the current unsupreme Court, from Citizens United through killing the Voting Rights Act and Roe v Wade and Chevron?
She represented “the assertion of the supremacy of love over force.” The iron horse of the 19th century was exclusively about force.
She represented the “light of humanity’s best vision on earth of the learning to come.” She ushered in the new educational revolution, the University, which began in the late 12th century.
The Virgin of the twelfth and thirteenth centuries had not only the powers of Eve and Demeter and Venus; she was also the mistress of all the arts and sciences, was afraid of none of them and did nothing, ever, to stunt any of them.
She welcomed everyone so that “not even the weakest human frailty would fear to approach her.” She held “boundless sympathy.” She represented Buddhism and compassion, “the first of all virtues.”
She rescued people from “the perils of law, whether human or divine.” People longed for a power above law—or above the contested mass of ignorance and absurdity being the name of law. They yearned for protections, pardon and love.
For “the life of the soul is Truth. Its content and purpose is Love.” This seems to be in stark contrast to Trump’s never-ceasing lies. She represented the energy of Love and of matter. She moves people beyond “predominant masculine energy.”
Adams asks: Why, in the modern era, was the Woman struck out of the Church and ignored in the State? These questions are not antiquarian or trifling in historical value; they tug at the very heartstrings of all that makes whatever order is in the cosmos. If a Unity exists, in which and toward which all energies centre, it must explain and include Duality, Diversity, Infinity—Sex!
The Puritans did not get rid only of woman, they got rid of imagination and charity, too, the three forms in which they had so long drawn an outside force; but the woman—sex—Mary Virgin summed them all.*
It seems to me that the energy and values of the Black Madonna can clearly carry us into what Pete Buttigieg called a “new politics” and hopefully Kamala Harris can be a catalyst for such a non-violent revolution.
*See R. P. Blackmur, Henry Adams: A Leading Critic’s Account of a Great Amerian Figure, pp. 203, 184, 189, 206, 190, 195, 177, 176, 204, 208.
See Matthew Fox, Trump & the MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ: A Handbook for the 2024 Election, pp. 99-104, 81-84.
And Fox, “The Sacred Marriage of Masculine and Feminine” in Fox, The Hidden Spirituality of Men: Ten Metaphors to Awaken the Sacred Masculine, pp. 221-248.
And Fox, Confessions: The Making of a Post-denominational Priest, pp. 221, 281, 311, 356, 419.
And Fox, “The Feminine Face of Divinity,” in Fox, One River, Many Wells, pp. 117-143.
Banner Image: Black Madonna of Mont St. Michel. Photo by Matt Knoth on Flickr.
Queries for Contemplation
Do you see in Adam’s appreciation of the Divine Feminine in the “dynamo” of the Virgin which includes compassion and joy and struggle for justice the possibility of a “new politics” emerging? And that Kamala Harris could be a carrier of such a politics?
Recommended Reading
Trump & The MAGA Movement as Anti-Christ: A Handbook for the 2024 Election
Matthew Fox tells us that he had always shied away from using the term “Anti-Christ” because it was so often used to spread control and fear. However, given today’s rise of authoritarianism and forces of democracide, ecocide, and christofascism, he turns the tables in this book employing the archetype for the cause of justice, democracy, and a renewed Earth and humanity.
From the Foreword: If there was ever a time, a moment, for examining the archetype of the Antichrist, it is now…Read this book with an open mind. Good and evil are real forces in our world. ~~ Caroline Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit and Conversations with the Divine.
The Hidden Spirituality of Men: Ten Metaphors to Awaken the Sacred Masculine
To awaken what Fox calls “the sacred masculine,” he unearths ten metaphors, or archetypes, ranging from the Green Man, an ancient pagan symbol of our fundamental relationship with nature, to the Spiritual Warrior….These timeless archetypes can inspire men to pursue their higher calling to connect to their deepest selves and to reinvent the world.
“Every man on this planet should read this book — not to mention every woman who wants to understand the struggles, often unconscious, that shape the men they know.” — Rabbi Michael Lerner, author of The Left Hand of God
Confessions: The Making of a Post-Denominational Priest (Revised/Updated Edition)
Matthew Fox’s stirring autobiography, Confessions, reveals his personal, intellectual, and spiritual journey from altar boy, to Dominican priest, to his eventual break with the Vatican. Five new chapters in this revised and updated edition bring added perspective in light of the author’s continued journey, and his reflections on the current changes taking place in church, society and the environment.
“The unfolding story of this irrepressible spiritual revolutionary enlivens the mind and emboldens the heart — must reading for anyone interested in courage, creativity, and the future of religion.”
—Joanna Macy, author of World as Lover, World as Self
One River, Many Wells: Wisdom Springing from Global Faiths
Matthew Fox calls on all the world traditions for their wisdom and their inspiration in a work that is far more than a list of theological position papers but a new way to pray—to meditate in a global spiritual context on the wisdom all our traditions share. Fox chooses 18 themes that are foundational to any spirituality and demonstrates how all the world spiritual traditions offer wisdom about each.“Reading One River, Many Wells is like entering the rich silence of a masterfully directed retreat. As you read this text, you reflect, you pray, you embrace Divinity. Truly no words can fully express my respect and awe for this magnificent contribution to contemporary spirituality.” –Caroline Myss, author of Anatomy of the Spirit
9 thoughts on “Henry Adams, Kamala Harris & the Divine Feminine, continued”
The U.S. is very much ‘of the world’, while Jesus and Mary reside and reign very much so in a Kingdom ‘not of the world’ as we know it to be. This is not to say that Jesus and Mary do not have dominion over all worlds.
Consider the overwhelming joy of the first black President Obama winning official office. On that mostly alone, he won the Nobel Peace prize, all the while accepting the ‘duties of office’ and planning / conducting war in other nations. This is not meant to be a slight to President Obama.
Any President can only do what they can do, some with more support than others. We can only pray, and work in the grassroots if we have the affinity to do so, for Mary to support Kamala Harris in her duties. – BB.
Yes, the DIVINE FEMININE IS Alive and Present healing and renewing our personal lives, humanity, and our Beautiful Sacred Mother Earth with HER SPIRIT of DIVINE LOVE, Truth, Peace, Justice, Freedom, Strength, Creativity, Beauty, Joy, Compassion, Diverse Wholeness~ONENESS… within, through, among Us in the Sacred Process of the ETERNAL PRESENT MOMENT… COSMIC CHRIST CONSCIOUSNESS….
I just read yesterday that Kamala Harris is interested in developing a “lethal military”. She believes that such a force will act as a deterrence to other world powers. Already she is putting out the message of “Hands off. We’re in charge here.” It’s just more of the same ol’ imperialism that benefits only a few at the expense of the many. Haven’t we been under the gun for decades now with the same attitude concerning nuclear weapons? Isn’t there room for diplomacy and cooperation among nations? I’m not sure anything new will occur in her presidency with such divided energy. Is this “lethal military” notion just more of the same from those who have the real power to influence the working of government, and who profit and stay in power through this influence.
This concerns me greatly. It certainly is not in keeping with the strength and vulnerability of the Black Madonna.
I think we need to be exceedingly careful not to expect too much from any politician. On the other hand, Kamala may be employing the “speak softly but carry a big stick” policy of balancing good, effective diplomacy with military power, as Teddy Roosevelt did. The situation in the U.S. also reminds me of Matthew 10:16–“See, I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.” Kamala and Tim have already been “persecuted” in the most merciless and cruel ways by attacks on Tim’s son, among others. More will no doubt come. I do see Kamala and Tim as archetypes of the combination of anima and animus and hope that they continue in their joyful warrior spirit and positively influence many more people, while acknowledging their human frailty as well. I pray for them.
Pray to Our Lady Untier of Knots as we do at the Marien shrine in Milwaukee.
Indigenous traditions say we are in an era of the rise of power of the female spirit. This I believe. But the Virgin does not represent this for me. It is not just Puritans who removed the spirit of the female but also the Roman Catholic Church in its relegation of women to a second class status.
George Lakoff (?) wrote in Don’t Think About an Elephant that people believe in one or another kind of God, the “punishing father” or the “comforting parent,” who has the tender, forgiving disposition many people think of as motherly or feminine. I believe the reverence for Mary, the Mother of God, which is manifest in the numerous churches and cathedrals named for Our Lady (of many virtues) stems from the human need for intimate love of a womanly figure, whether virginal, sister- or aunt-like or maternal. Men, children and women of all ages need such beings with supernatural, nearly divine grace. They love us without reserve and show us how to love God, ourselves and others. Henry Adams had it right, and so do Matthew and his many followers.
I remember being blown away by Henry Adams’ “Mont Saint Michel and Chartres” when I first read it fifty years ago. It should be more widely known and read.
My answer to the question is a resounding “YES”. And, at the same time WE as American Citizens who believe in Christ must take up our duty & responsibility to be sincere & genuine people of PRAYER. Our energy of prayer can provide nutrients, guidance, wisdom, love & compassion for The Divine Feminine Energy to truly manifest even in the face of all the negativity that will presume to assault The Divine Feminine.
“If MY PEOPLE who are called by My Name will humble themselves and pray, I will hear their prayers and answer.”
The prayers will not be answered if they are not sincere and genuine. It’s time to get busy and examine our hearts.