Ayla de Grandpré

Weaving the mythic into the maternal.

Ayla de Grandpré is a published writer, homemaker, and distinguished doctoral candidate whose work critically investigates the profound intersection of domesticity, divinity, and place-based geography. Her research explores how ancient mythos and deep-rooted traditions inform modern motherhood, arguing that the act of homemaking is not merely an act of maintenance, but a vital form of high art and spiritual discipline.

Firmly grounded in rigorous academic inquiry, Ayla brings a unique analytical lens to the often-overlooked sphere of the domestic. Her scholarly excellence has been recognized at the highest national levels in Canada; she is a two-time recipient of the prestigious Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) award. Her first SSHRC grant supported her Master’s research in sustainability, where she explored ecological stewardship and community reliance. Building on this foundation, her second SSHRC award currently funds her PhD work, which delves deeply into place-based geographical research—examining how our physical environments and ancestral landscapes shape our maternal experiences and domestic rituals.

The genesis of MotherLore grew from a profound realization during her own transition into motherhood. Ayla noticed a stark cultural dichotomy: society often trivializes the monumental labor of mothering and homemaking, stripping it of its historical reverence. Drawing upon her geographical research and deeply held spiritual practices, she sought to create a digital sanctuary to rectify this. MotherLore was born out of a desire to cast a new light on these everyday acts—to sanctify the domestic and rewild the maternal, connecting modern caretakers with the timeless wisdom of their forebears.

Through her writing, Ayla bridges the gap between the academy and the hearth. She translates complex ideas of sustainability, geographical attachment, and sociological frameworks into tangible, soulful practices. Whether she is discussing the rhythmic turning of the seasons, the quiet rebellion of baking bread from scratch, or the mythological underpinnings of the mother archetype, her work invites readers to reclaim the sacred weight of the everyday. She challenges the modern paradigm that views the home as a mere launching pad for external ambitions, proposing instead that the home is the very center of cultural and spiritual gravity.

For those interested in exploring the academic foundations of her writing, Ayla’s formal research focus and publications can be found on her ResearchGate profile. You can also connect with her professionally and view her comprehensive academic journey on LinkedIn.

MotherLore is more than a collection of essays; it is an ongoing thesis. It is an invitation to view the domestic sphere not as a place of confinement, but as a landscape of immense power, creativity, and rootedness.