Mary is the mother of Jesus, honoured across Christianity as Theotokos, Queen of Heaven and the compassionate intercessor. In folk practice she absorbs far older mother-goddess material — the sea, the rose, the star, the well — and is the figure people approach when they need mercy rather than judgement.
Modern Practice
Mary is called on in grief, in childbirth, for safe travel by sea, and for anyone who has to intercede for somebody else. Her shrines are usually springs and wells; her offerings are simple and repeatable, which is part of her appeal.