Gloria is a universal divine mother, who appears in many guises. We see her in the night sky, are held by her in the earth’s waters, and find her in the scent of a rose. She is the essence of divine feminine wisdom, love and protection. In Mexico and other Central and South Amercian countries, she appears as La Virgen de Guadalupe, a version of Mary, who has deeper roots in the goddess, Tonantzin. She is the spirit that animates the character of Gloria.

In The Three Sunflowers, Gloria is a reminder. She helps Sunny and Solita remember what they innately know. During times of fear and confusion, we often forget who we really are: divine children, unconditionally and eternally loved. Gloria exists within and for us all.

Watercolor of La Virgen de Guadalupe by Colleen McCarthy-Evans created for Los Tres Girasoles.

Glorious Guadalupe… “grant us, mother, peace”

Tonantzin
mother of all
that of you lives,
be, dwells, inhabits, is;
Mother of all the gods
the goddesses
Mother of us all,
the cloud & the sea
the sand & the mountain
the moss & the tree
the mite & the whale.

Spilling flowers
make of my cloak a reminder
that we never forget that you are
the only paradise of our living.

Blessed are you,
cradle of life, grave of death,
fount of delight, rock of pain.

Grant us, mother, justice,
grant us, mother, peace.

Poem by © Rafael Jesús González 2012, all rights reserved/via Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estes

December 12 is El Dia de La Virgen de Guadalupe: The First Appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mother of God and Mother of the Oppressed, at the former shrine of Aztec Moon Goddess Coatlicue (Mexico 1531). ~ Mystics Wheel of the Year