Our Lady of Guadalupe

The photo above was taken by me on a trip to New Orleans and is from the International Shrine of Saint Jude. 

Our Lady of Guadalupe is noted in Spain as far back as the 17th century. She is one of the three Black Madonnas in Spain. During early centuries of Christianity, the Cult of the Black Madonna was widespread. This sect packed in popularity during the eleventh, twelfth, and thirteenth centuries, especially in France and Spain.

The Black Madonna was known for being a miraculous and compassionate Goddess for her people. In these days she was seen as an active Goddess who would regularly grant prayers and generally change the lives of her worshippers for the better. There were many representations of her in statue form. These statues can be directly traced back and linked to the Pagan Goddess Mother from whom she inherited many of her attributes and powers. Variants of this Mother Goddess include Artemis, Dianna, Ishtar, and Isis.

Isis, in particular, was known as a dark-skinned Goddess. All of these Ancient Dark Goddesses possessed shrines which were considered mysteriously powerful and capable of producing miracles as well. 

The Guadalupe shrine site in Guadalupe Spain is among the oldest of the known Goddess sites. Archeological evidence supports that the site was an important Marian center since before the 17th century.

Today, this shrine still attracts regular crowds which believe in her ability to grant miracles. A second shrine to the Lady of Guadalupe has been erected outside of Mexico City where the Goddess has been officially declared the Protectress of the People of Mexico.

Generally speaking the Virgin, especially in her mother guise is synchronized with Yemaya, but that can definitely vary from tradition to tradition. She is most often, specifically synchronized with Our Lady of Candelaria or Our Lady of Regla. You will see these statues often on the altars of Santerian initiates, among others. She is usually wearing a blue robe, which is Yamaya's color, and with a crown. 

It gets tricky because the Virgin, or Our Lady has so many guises herself and varies from culture to culture as well. Many of her different guises correspond to different Orishas or Spirits. For instance, in Santeria both Our lady of Mercy and Jesus are synchronized with Obatala. Some synchronize the Virgin Mother with Marie Laveau.

In many cases, Our Lady of Guadalupe now stands alone, because there is such a strong tradition of Mexican folk practice surrounding her. As we know, with practice, traditions change. As people put energy into something they create new archetypes which in turn grow, spread and evolve. In New Orleans Voodoo they also revere Our Lady of Guadalupe alone, without synchronization.  

~Blessings~