La Virgen del Carmen
Queen of the Seas and the Mystical Womb of Light
Each year on July 16th, the coasts of Spain come alive with devotion, song, and ritual as La Virgen del Carmen is carried from land to sea. In fishing villages and port cities alike, her statue is lovingly borne on the shoulders of sailors, fishermen, and devotees, often placed on a boat and sailed through the waves, as prayers rise for protection, abundance, and divine grace.
But beyond the surface of this festivity lies a profound mystical tradition rooted in Divine Feminine presence, maritime devotion, and the ancient archetype of the Lady of the Waters.
The name “Carmen” in Virgen del Carmen derives from Mount Carmel (Karmel in Hebrew), a sacred mountain range in northern Israel that has long been associated with prophetic visionaries, desert mystics, and spiritual union. The Carmelite Order, dedicated to contemplative life and Marian devotion, traces its origins to hermits living on Mount Carmel in the 12th century.
However, there is also a deeper linguistic current to explore.
The word “Karm” or “Karam” in Arabic means vineyard, garden, or enclosed sanctuary. In mystical interpretation, this evokes the image of the divine womb, the inner garden where life is conceived and sustained. Some scholars and mystics have pointed to this resonance, suggesting that Carmen can be interpreted as Our Lady of the Sacred Enclosure, a metaphor for the Holy Womb of creation.
Seen through this lens, La Virgen del Carmen becomes not only Queen of Mount Carmel, but also Our Lady of the Womb, guardian of the inner sanctuary, the Shekhinah who dwells within the waters of the soul.
In Spain, the tradition of carrying La Virgen del Carmen to the sea, is extremely ancient, especially in coastal Andalusian towns like Cádiz, Málaga, and Almuñécar. Yet its symbolic roots reach far deeper.
This ritual, of men carrying the feminine figure to the sea, of placing her upon the waters,echoes ancient rites of Venus, the goddess born from the foam of the sea, carried on shells and worshipped as the divine embodiment of beauty, fertility, and love.
In this light, La Virgen del Carmen is not only a Christian figure but also a continuation of the archetypal Lady of the Waters:
- Ishtar of Babylon,
- Aphrodite of Greece,
- Yemanjá of Africa and the Americas,
- and Maryam of the Gospels—who often appears near wells, rivers, and seas.
The sea itself becomes the primordial womb, and the men who carry her, often fishermen,take on the role of guardians of the Divine Feminine. Their act is not only cultural; it is deeply spiritual: a living devotion to the waters that give life, nourish harvests, and hold the mystery of the soul.
As Reina del Mar (Queen of the Sea), La Virgen del Carmen represents Divine Sovereignty over the great unknown, the depths of the unconscious, and the chaotic yet fertile waters of emotion, transformation, and birth. She is invoked for:
- Protection of sailors and fishermen
- Safe passage for the souls of the departed
- Guidance through the storms of life.
- Abundance and Fertility
To name her Queen of the Seas is to acknowledge her supreme presence in the element of water, with the feminine, the moon, and spiritual initiation.
Spain holds one of the richest traditions of Marian devotion by the sea, and La Virgen del Carmen is perhaps its most radiant expression. Her feast is not only a celebration of faith but a ritual remembrance of the soul’s journey: from land to water, from form to mystery, from fear to trust.
In every wave that carries her statue, we see the Divine Feminine Presence rising, not only in the sea but in the hearts of those who remember her sacred names.
She is Lady of Mount Carmel,
She is Womb of the Garden,
She is Queen of the Seas,
She is the Mystical Mother who holds all of creation within her embrace of light.
Every year, I have the deep honor of participating in this sacred celebration, which takes place the day after my birthday. It has become a personal pilgrimage, a moment where my own birth is held within the embrace of the Divine Mother’s presence.
This year, the energy was especially profound. I was moved to tears, tears of joy, awe, and devotion. The fragrance of jasmine lingered in the air like a blessing, and all around us, there was a tangible sense that the Holy Mother was with us, walking among her people, being received by the sacred waters of creation.
As Queen of the Heavens and Queen of the Earth, she was carried to the sea not merely in ritual, but in radiant truth. The waters welcomed her like a womb remembers its first light, honoring her as Cosmic Mother, Vessel of Life, and Guardian of the Mystery.
Below, I am sharing a short video that offers a glimpse into the beauty and spirit of this sacred moment.
I am wishing all of you a blessed Shabbat day.
You can still join us in the live stream Aramaic Concert on July 22nd, the Feast Day of Mary Magdalene. In person tickets are sold out. CLICK HERE
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AHAVA,
Ana Otero
