Magna Mater
Name used in the Roman Empire for the goddess Cybele, of Anatolian origin. "In contrast to her public role as a protector of cities, Cybele was also the focus of mystery cult, private rites with a chthonic aspect connected to hero cult and exclusive to those who had undergone initiation, though it is unclear who Cybele's initiates were. . . Literary sources describe joyous abandonment to the loud, percussive music of tympanon, castanets, clashing cymbals and flutes, and to the frenzied 'Phrygian dancing', perhaps a form of circle-dancing by women, to the roar of 'wise and healing music of the gods'." She was the mother of the god Atys (or Attis). [Cybele, Wikipedia]
Exham Priory stood on the site of a prehistoric temple, which in later Roman times was dedicated to Magna Mater. [HPL Rats (online text)]
The Romans worshippers of the Magna Mater incorporated into their ritual the mystic adoration, "Gorgo, Mormo, thousand-faced moon." According to Kenneth Scott, this is because the myth of Magna Mater was inspired by a multi-headed entity from Outside, sometimes known as the Hydra. [HK Hydra (online text)]
Another name for Ishtar [FBL WereSnake (online text)].
Possible synonym for: Hydra (1).
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