Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day, as celebrated in the United States and many other countries today, is a modern holiday honoring mothers and maternal figures. Observed annually on the second Sunday in May, the holiday emerged in the early 20th century through the efforts of Anna Jarvis, though its origins and meanings have evolved over time.
Honoring motherhood dates back to ancient civilizations. In Ancient Greece, festivals were held for Rhea, the mother of the gods. Similarly, Ancient Romans celebrated Hilaria, a festival dedicated to Cybele, another mother goddess, typically observed near the spring equinox (Beard, North, & Price, 1998).
In the Christian tradition, a medieval celebration known as “Mothering Sunday” emerged in 16th-century England. This holiday was originally tied to visiting one’s “mother church” on the fourth Sunday of Lent. Over time, it became associated with family reunions and expressions of gratitude toward mothers (Cressy, 1989).
The modern American Mother’s Day was founded by Anna Jarvis in 1908, in Grafton, West Virginia, in honor of her mother, Ann Reeves Jarvis, who had organized Mother’s Day Work Clubs during the Civil War to improve health and sanitation conditions. Anna Jarvis envisioned the holiday as a private day of reflection and gratitude, emphasizing a personal and sentimental connection to one’s mother (Rosen, 2000).
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson officially proclaimed Mother’s Day a national holiday, to be celebrated annually on the second Sunday of May. The day quickly gained popularity, but Jarvis became disillusioned as the holiday became increasingly commercialized by florists, card companies, and retailers—opposing what she saw as the distortion of her original intent (Rosen, 2000).
International Observances
While the U.S. version of Mother's Day spread globally, many countries also have local traditions:
In the United Kingdom, Mothering Sunday is still observed in March with church-centered roots.
In Ethiopia, a multi-day festival called Antrosht celebrates mothers with feasting and singing.
France and Germany adopted Mother's Day in the 20th century, often influenced by wartime and political motives, such as promoting family values (Samuel, 2012).
Though rooted in diverse cultural and historical traditions, Mother’s Day has come to symbolize appreciation for the emotional, social, and familial labor of mothers. Its evolution, from ancient festivals to modern observances, demonstrates the enduring human impulse to honor motherhood, even as the meaning and mode of celebration have changed over time.
Works Cited
Beard, Mary, John North, and Simon Price. Religions of Rome: Volume 1, A History. Cambridge University Press, 1998.
Cressy, David. Bonfires and Bells: National Memory and the Protestant Calendar in Elizabethan and Stuart England. University of California Press, 1989.
Rosen, Ruth. The World Split Open: How the Modern Women’s Movement Changed America. Viking, 2000.
Samuel, Raphael. Theatres of Memory: Past and Present in Contemporary Culture. Verso, 2012.
U.S. National Archives. “Proclamation 1268—Mother's Day.” May 9, 1914. https://www.archives.gov
Jarvis, Anna. Anna Jarvis Papers. West Virginia and Regional History Center, West Virginia University.
Celebrating Mother’s Day with Me
Nurture: A Mother’s Day Sound Spa
Treat your mom—or yourself—to a deeply nurturing experience designed to relax the body, soothe the mind, and open the heart. This luxuriously calming Sound Spa combines therapeutic sound, personalized aromatherapy, and gentle self-care to leave you feeling cherished and renewed. Ideal for Mother’s Day or any time you want to be held in comfort and love.
This session includes a warm, single-use eye mask, your choice of essential oil blend, a take-home roller bottle, and a rose quartz crystal—symbolizing love, compassion, and emotional healing.
Event Highlights:
Aromatherapy: Choose from a selection of high-quality, therapeutic essential oil blends to support emotional balance and relaxation.
Warm Eye Mask: Enjoy the soothing comfort of a self-warming eye mask to enhance rest and relaxation.
Sound Healing: Immerse yourself in the calming resonance of crystal and metal singing bowls, chimes, gongs, and other instruments carefully selected to support healing and peace.
Take-Home Gifts: Receive a rose quartz crystal and essential oil roller bottle to continue the self-care at home.
Benefits:
Nervous System Support: Calm your body and mind with sound and scent.
Heart-Centered Healing: Rose quartz and gentle sound help ease emotional tension and promote compassion.
Deep Relaxation: Release stress and feel completely cared for in a spa-like environment.
Nourishment & Renewal: Leave feeling grounded, balanced, and deeply refreshed.