Ann Moir-BussyMaybe the title of this column seems strange to you – ‘forever pregnant, forever giving birth and forever a Virgin’. The words come from Marion Woodman, a Jungian analyst who wrote many books to enable women to explore their journey of transformation, somewhat akin to the metamorphosis of a caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly. But what does this have to do with Christmas? So, let’s explore the story of Christmas being the celebration of the Incarnation, God becoming human when a pregnant Virgin Mary gave birth to the Christ Child.
In previous columns we’ve often spoken of the way in which myths and stories help people to cope with and make sense of their life. So too, the Christian story with its images, created around historical events, is a most powerful symbol of hope, and our own life being filled with meaning. How sad it is that so many people have lost any connection with the symbolic or transcendent experience but live in a pervasive form of contemporary violence.
In our modern western world, Christmas is marred by the rush and pressure of modern life, which is perhaps a common form of innate violence. Are we carried away by conflicting concerns, or do we surrender to too many demands or commit to too many projects? Are we also guilty of wanting to help everyone and so succumbing to violence? Do we move towards Christmas with the frenzy of the political activists and so destroy our own peace, destroy our fruitfulness, killing off the root of inner wisdom from which fruitfulness comes?
The archetype of the Virgin
The symbolism of the Virgin goes much deeper than the religious patriarchal narrative that shames women’s sexuality. Rather, the archetype of the virgin calls us back to a much deeper understanding – an inner wholeness, sacred autonomy that is within us and that the world often does not recognise. Esther Harding says the virgin is the woman ‘who is one in herself”. She belongs to the truth of her own becoming – not to man or society – -it is a deep inner quality of a way of being, not a physiological condition.
Marion Woodman recognised this and challenged women to be forever a virgin, forever pregnant and forever open to possibilities. She says, ‘to live this in this way is to continually burn away illusions, to root oneself in the courage to BE and the grace to BECOME”. It is a CREATIVE process.
Giving Birth to the Christ-Consciousness within
Symbolically, the story of Christ’s birth is our journey of BECOMING – for each of us to give birth to Christ Consciousness within our own soul. It is a symbol of the Creative power within our human psyche. As Marion Woodman said, “Creativity is divine! To me it is the virgin soul opening to spirit and creating the divine child. You cannot live without it. That’s the meaning of life, that creative fire…” As we have noted in previous columns, post menopause some will no longer give physical birth, but we MUST give birth to that creativity, that divine love that is within us, and we Must let that light shine. It is an INNER Journey. Surely, out of 24 hours each day we can spend some time in quiet reflection and presence to the life within.
May this Christmas season remind you in the words of Rumi:
“Don’t you know yet, it is your light that lights worlds”
Don’t forget to reclaim your virgin soul, be aware that you are forever pregnant and opening to all possibilities as you give birth. And in the words of Marion Woodman:
‘’Both men and women are searching for their pregnant virgin. She is the part of us who is outcast, the part who comes to consciousness through going into darkness, mining our leaden darkness, until we bring her silver out”.
You are invited to a FREE Zoom meeting to explore the symbolism of
Forever Pregnant. Forever Giving Birth and Forever a Virgin
Join us to discover how to continue the journey of becoming a Virgin and opening to
possibilities and creativity
When: Dec 16, 2025 – 06:30 PM Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/yUZgHDzqRBu3lEOlXQCg9g
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining
the meeting.
Website: annmoirbussy.com.au
Email: ann@annmoirbussy.com
Christine Sanson Maudy
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