The goddess Cybele

Cybele Links

Cybele (Roman Kybele) was the Phrygian goddess of nature and of Earth (and caverns) of ancient Asia Minor. Phrygian used loosely in the NT as small provinces like Pisidia. Acts 2:10 speaks of devout Jews from Phrygia at the Pentecost. The great Phrygian goddess Cybele, mother of the slain and resurrected young Phrygian deity Attis. Attis in Gnostic literature was a Phrygian eunuch (Galloi), lover of the Great Mother. Cybele’s cult was early introduced to Greece (where she was identified with Rhea, who was married to Gordius, and had a son named Midas), and to Rome at the time of the Carthaginian Wars. Known generally as Mountain Mother as well as Mother of the Gods.

Her sanctuaries were on mountains, frequently in caves, her animals were lions, and her attendants Corybantes, half-human demonic beings worshipped her on Mount Ida. Her priests, the Galli, were self-emasculated eunuchs, attired in female garb and wearing long hair, fragrant with ointment.

In Mediterranean Lands, the death and resurrection theme had strong links with the Spring Equinox. The grim festival of the Phrygian Goddess, Cybele was celebrated at this time. Associated with her was the vegetation God, Attis. The Spring festival, which took place between March 22-25, mourned the death of Attis, and rejoiced over his resurrection. This was done by the priests of Cybele, castrating themselves as an offering to the Goddess. It is interesting to note, that one of Cybele's symbols is a crescent Moon, shown in perpetual union with the Sun, again, emphasizing the night and day balance. In Rome, the rites of Cybele took place on the very spot where St.Peter now stands in the Vatican. In fact, the local Christians used to celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ, in the very places where Attis worship took place. In days of old, bitter quarrels took place between the Christians and the pagans about whose God was the prototype, and which was the imitation.