Māra

Māra is the highest-ranking goddess in Latvian mythology, the ancient Dawn-goddess, previously called Austra,[1] and,[2] not at all, although often stated,[clarification needed] the same as Zemes māte (Mother Earth, pace).

[3] Alternative names: Māre, Mārīte (diminutive), Mārša, Māršava (Western Latvia).

[citation needed] The festival Māras was held in her honor every August 15.

This is probably a result of Christian influence and identification of Māra with Mary, whose main festival (the Assumption) has fallen on the same date since early times.

Opinions are divided over whether Māra is a pre-Christian deity,[4] or originated as a reflection of the Christian Mary created by semi-Christian Livonian peasants.