When the ego/hero is ready, the positive elementary figure releases him and provides the food, support and nurturing that he requires to grow and develop. The movement along this axis is always from darkness into light. One can see this even when the maternal figure might otherwise appear to be a dangerous beast, as in the Roman legend of Romulus and Remus, who were fed and nurtured by a wolf.

Etruscan bronze statue of wolf (twins added in Renaissance; Rome Conservatori Museum

This fifteenth-century painting of Mary nursing Christ with John the Baptist incorporates various symbols of nature on her throne and heavily emphasizes her maternal role (hence elementary); note the symbolic similarities in this image and in the depiction of the goddess Tellus (earth) on the Ara Pacis in Rome.

painting by Roselli; Florence Fine Arts Museum

The Celtic mother goddesses called matronae by the Romans are depicted holding bread and fruit; they often appear as a triad.

matronae relief shown with portraits of the family of Q. Vettius Severus who dedicated the monument; Bonn Rheinisches Landesmuseum

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