Online Reference For Body, Mind & Spirit

Term: Matriarchal

DEFINITION:
A term used to refer to societies in which women hold the most key positions in government, and where lineage is traced through the female. Generally, a matriarchal society would also focus its religious view on a goddess concept over a god concept. In some cases, the latter may not even appear in the religious structure of matriarchal religion.
SOURCE:  Encyclopedia of Wicca & Witchcraft, by Raven Grimassi