Maria Souza
Comparative Mythologist
Education
- MA Ecology and Spirituality, University of Wales Trinity Saint David
Professional Achievements
- Author of Wild Daughters, a mythopoetic collection of poetry that explores the archetypal and symbolic initiations of women’s lives
- Featured as part of the Joseph Campbell Foundation’s MythMaker℠ Podcast Network, where she hosts the Women and Mythology podcast
- Served as a consultant for the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) and spent seven years working in the Brazilian Amazon alongside Indigenous communities, contributing to cross-cultural dialogue and preservation of oral traditions
- Taught internationally and developed a wide range of offerings, including online courses, workshops, and mentorship programs that support women in reclaiming mythic sensibility and integrating ancestral stories into their personal and professional lives
Certifications & Organizations
- Yale University - Journey of the Universe: The Unfolding of Life, Feb 2017
Favorite Piece of Advice
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Forum Comments (2)
There’s also Frigg, who is Odin's wife and the protector of families, of the home, of the domestic. I would say her counterpart in Greek mythology would be Hestia, the goddess of the hearth. She also has a little bit of that premonition that Hestia has. Frigg is able to weave the fate and see the fate, and she knows what's to come. So she has that far-seeing power as well.
I chose Demeter because of her mother archetype. She is the goddess of agriculture and fertility. She's the mother of Persephone, and she exists very much in her relation to Persephone. She teaches us how to mother in many ways, and she shows that motherhood is not only the time of blooming, the time of harvest, the time of nourishment, but it is also something with more negative energies, too. This is shown in the story in which Demeter loses Persephone when she goes into the underworld. She is terribly ill, and she curses the world and nothing really prospers, showcasing a time where she's going through a depression, a loss of vitality, a loss of energy, a sadness, a watery emotion that is so common to mothers. And I love this dualistic energy of Demeter. She is not always happy and powerful and filled with energy, ready for whatever is thrown at her. She has that nuance, which I think is so important.
I also love Athena because Athena is the goddess of wisdom. She actually was not birthed from a mother. Zeus is her father, and there is a prophecy that says that one of the children of Metis will be more powerful than Zeus. So when Metis is pregnant, he swallows Metis. After a while, he has a terrible headache and he opens his head, and out from his head comes Athena, already grown as an adult woman with her warrior garments and clothes and chanting a warrior chant. Athena is also a symbol for the intellect. She's the goddess of wisdom, of warfare, of strategy. In so many ways she is a symbol for women's intellectual power. In a world that sees women as not being very logical, very strategic, that says a woman cannot reason because she is so caught up with emotions, Athena reminds us that we do have that side and it's a very powerful side.
Co-authored Articles (16)
The Ultimate Guide to the Gods & Goddesses of Norse Mythology
Every Norse god + their meanings, symbols, & powersThor and Loki get a lot of attention within the ''Marvel Cinematic Universe'', but they’re really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Norse gods (and goddesse...
The Minor Goddesses of Greek Mythology
Learn the stories of these lesser-known goddesses Whether you recently visited Greece or are an avid fan of the ''Percy Jackson'' novels, ancient Greek mythology continues to fascinate followers up to the modern day. You...
25 Major Deities in Japanese Mythology
Learn all about Japan’s most powerful gods & goddessesThere are plenty of gods and goddesses in Japanese mythology, whether they be from the Shinto religion or Buddhist religions. The number of ''kami'' (gods & goddess...
Are Neptune and Poseidon the Same God? Myths & History Made Easy
Learn the origin stories of the sea gods Neptune and Poseidon When you’re reading Roman and Greek mythology, it’s easy to see how Neptune and Poseidon are similar. Sometimes, people use their names interchangeably, e...
65 Mythological Dogs from Folklore & Legends
Canine mythology from Greek legends, Celtic folklore, & moreDogs may be man’s best friend, but in many cultures, they also play an important role in mythology and folklore. In some myths, dogs are guardians who protect...
An Introduction to the Centaur and Minotaur of Greek Mythology
Learn the stories of the iconic Minotaur and centaurs from the Greek mythsIf you’re new to Greek mythology, you might be wondering what the differences are between the Minotaur and the centaur. Both end in -taur, so ho...
Introducing the Kappa: The Mythical River Spirit of Japanese Folklore
Dive into the origin myth and folklore surrounding the Japanese kappaAmong the many mythical creatures and spirits in Japanese folklore, the kappa is one of the most well-known. This creature, which resembles a reptile ...
How to
Study Greek Mythology
The stories of Gods and mortals created by the Greeks thousands of years ago are all around us still today, from terms like “Oedipal complex” and “Pandora’s box” to Hollywood movies like ''Clash of the Titans''...
A Guide to the Celtic Goddesses: Legends and Lore
Discover famous and forgotten Celtic goddessesCeltic mythology is rich with powerful female deities. These goddesses tend to be complex and multifaceted, often represented by numerous symbols. We took a deep dive into Ce...
Who Is Zeus’ Wife? His 7 Marriages, Explained
Plus, discover Zeus’ numerous affairs and their impact on mythologyThe King of Mount Olympus, the ruler of thunder and lightning, the God of the Sky: Zeus is one of the most important and famous figures in Greek mythol...
15 Popular Chinese Myths, Gods, Legends, and Folktales
The stories, gods, and creatures that shaped ancient ChinaChinese history spans nearly 5,000 years and includes many rich, influential myths that have shaped Chinese culture and society into the present day. In this arti...
What Was Zeus' Personality Like? (And Other Facts about the Greek God)
Learn the qualities, stories, and myths behind the almighty deity Zeus, Greek god of the sky and ruler of all the other gods, was a lot of things—all-powerful, brave, jovial, quick to anger, merciful, and of course, pr...
18 Terrifying Myths & Urban Legends from Mexico
Learn popular Mexican legends like La Llorona and the ChupacabraIf you’re looking for a spooky way to pass the time during Halloween, Day of the Dead, or your average sleepover, there are a ton of haunting Mexican urba...
34 Cool and Creepy Monsters from Native American Mythology
From shape-shifting witches to evil spirits, we’ve got it allNative American culture is rich with lore and legend—including plenty of scary monsters. Some of them are familiar figures in pop culture, like Bigfoot, th...
Everything You Need to Know About Kelpie Myths & Their Origins
Exploring kelpies through Scotland’s traditional folklore & artFolktales can be enchanting, terrifying, and everything in between—especially legends about Scotland’s mythical kelpies. As shapeshifting water spirits...
40 Native American Myths, Their Meanings, & Common Themes
Including Indigenous stories of trickery and transformationAre you interested in knowing more about the fascinating world of Native American myths? They include everything from creation myths and animal myths to stories ...
