The Veiled Goddess

The Veiled Goddess, as featured in the Summer 2026 Edition of Watkins MIND, BODY, SPIRIT

‘The image of a veil conjures visions of ghostly wanderers hidden behind sinuous fabrics flying on moonlight nights; or visions of a faerie Princess waiting for her Prince to part the magical veil that brings her back to life.

We are curious travelers in our dreams and imagination.

On Samhain night when the veil “between the worlds” is the thinnest, Witches will gather far and wide under midnight skies. The dark Goddess softly whispers to all who choose to hear her voice that hidden knowledge will be bestowed to the veiled wearer who shows no fear and allows the veil to part.

Mythology tells of the great Goddess Isis who removes her veil to reveal the mysteries of enlightenment within the natural world. The Celtic Goddess Cailleach, who rules over the wintry winds and storms often appears in images as an old veiled woman hiding her face.

The most well-known visual of this mystifying image is that of the common bride’s veil. This romantic and very touchable piece of gossamer material has hereditary roots in every culture and society. It becomes an allegory that shifts us from one reality to another. A bride wears a pure white veil to hide her face, but we can still see her. Lifting the veil symbolizes her transition from a virtuous girl to a married woman. The viewer is happily mesmerized by this familiar picture.

Christian women wear veils when in a religious space symbolizing their modesty and reverence to the sacred. It is thought that the veils sanctity will enhance spiritual devotion. Beyond certain cultural desires to conceal, is it possible that women are touched by the Divine by the simple act of wearing a sheer or sometimes opaque veil?

The concept of a veil covering a woman’s head and face can also be perplexing. Veils have many guises creating a unique paradox that many believe separates the divine from humanity. Here is an enigma that creates a fascinating illusion of the unknown. Though the veiled female face is concealed within the folds of fabric, our eyes are intriguingly drawn to the figure. We cannot help but wonder what lies beneath the veil.

Physical veils whether gossamer or opaque have adorned heads of religious followers and seekers for over a millennium. Societal norms dictate dark veiled coverings for repressed women even to this day with a clear purpose to strip away identities. Whether a fashionable ornamentation from Paris couture or a strict moral head covering, veils are fascinating pieces of fabric that create an aura of suspense. Measured alongside pictures of happily white veiled Brides those who are darkly draped tell a very different story.

This type of negative covering is a clear testament to the patriarchal control that has existed for many an age. Being swathed within a dark veil is regarded in many conservative societies as protection from peering eyes within a fabric cocoon that offers an anonymous haven of virtuous concealment. The image becomes a reminder of societies who still ascribe to the lessor status of women.

There are many biblical references to veils. In Genesis 38:14-15 Tamar covers herself with a veil to disguise her identity. She was the daughter-in-law of Judah the brother of Joseph who gave birth to the twins Perez and Zerah who are said to connect to the genealogy of Jesus. In 1 Corinthians 11:4-7 the Apostle Paul states it is a disgrace for a woman to uncover her head, thus encouraging veils that stress modesty and order.

What of Veronica’s Veil? A follower of Jesus, Veronica took the veil from her face and used it to wipe sweat off Jesus’ face as he carried his cross. Many of the Christian faithful believe that it holds a picture of their Savior’s face. The problem is that there seem to be too many examples!

Veils have many other purposes that add to their ambiguity. Spiritually veils become curtains that differentiate between the spirit realms and the physical world. A modern-day veiled medium in a trance is shielded from view and all common senses. The medium can then arouse spirit to relate information and advice. To lift the veil in psychic or medium speak means to connect to the other side.

Historical tales also tell us of Oracles and Seers from the primordial world who kept their faces hidden behind veils to create an otherworldly presence. These veils, whether illusory or tangible, allowed the ancient mystics to see beyond the enigmatic doorway that guides the wearer into the spiritual world.

For centuries most orders of Catholic Nuns wore veils that surrounded their heads but did not hide their faces. Now many have thrown aside their cumbersome habits to blend into a public persona by wearing regular street clothes. The original Nuns habit was rich in symbolism with each piece of clothing having a specific meaning. Their persona was often seen as ethereal in their flowing black robes and veils. Take away the vision of these black draped women, who represent a picture of piety and humbleness, and we suddenly do not notice them.

There is one sect of Nuns who have kept to the old ways. These are the Carmelite Nuns who live a life of seclusion in prayer and contemplation tucked away in communities of closed cloisters. Like hermits hidden from public view they practice humble silence in prayer and do manual work that benefits the community. They live and work within the cloister confines and if encountered would most likely be facially veiled.

Greek and Roman artists sculpted lovely marble busts of veiled Vestal virgins capturing pictures of demure maidens with eyes looking down. During the pre-Raphaelite art movement of the late 1800’s mysterious veiled ladies became a metaphoric artistic motif. The artist Thomas Cooper Gotch painted “Death the Bride.” With her Mona Lisa smile, he portrays a woman darkly veiled walking through a field of poppies symbolizing oblivion.

We can veil our heads for religious or cultural norms just as we also veil our thoughts. The veiled Goddess becomes a symbol of all women whether mystifying, alluring, shunned or simply written out of history. Remove the veil to see her tears, and we will cry. When we shift the veil to see the joy in her silent face, we laugh. Searching beyond her veiled mystery we shall find our connection.’

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