Ishtar is the Babylonian goddess of Love and War, embodied in the
two aspects of the planet Venus--as Evening Star, She brings lovers
to celebration and bed; and as the Morning Star, She brings the fiery
sword of War. She represents one of the many faces of the ancient Near
Eastern Great Goddess, among them the Phoenicians Asherat
or Ashtoreth (in Greek Astarte) and Anat,
Sumerian Inanna,
Phrygian Cybele, and Greek Aphrodite,
most of whom share legends of dying and resurrected lovers.
As goddess of love and sex, Ishtar is the force that draws mates
together and brings fertility, both for humans and animals. She is
goddess of courtesans, and sacred prostitution was part of Her cult.
She is Herself a harlot who took many lovers.
As goddess of war, Ishtar takes part in battle and is shown standing
on the back of a lion bearing bow and arrows. She was known for a fiery
and fickle temper which usually spelled doom for Her lovers.
One of Ishtar's lovers was the grain-god Tammuz (who still has a
Jewish month named after Him). He died young (as the grain is cut just
as it reaches the perfection of ripeness), and some legends imply that
Ishtar had a hand in His death. But Ishtar was inconsolable and determined
to fetch him back from the Underworld. At each of the seven gates of
the Land of the Dead Ishtar, like Inanna,
was required to give over an article of clothing or jewelry until finally
She came naked and humbled before Her sister Queen Ereshkigal, who
then imprisoned Ishtar.
The world mourned for the lost goddess of love, and Her father Sin
the Moon God sent an envoy armed with powerful magic who successfully
rescued Her. Tammuz was eventually also brought back to live in the
land of the gods. The descent of Ishtar was celebrated annually in
Babylonian lands.
Ishtar in a reading indicates courage and commitment, of rebirth
and the death that must precede it. In this dark journey, remember,
you will always carry your own light.
Epithets: The Star of Lamentation, Lady of Battles, Courtesan of
the Gods
To read Her tale, go here.
