
Sha'taqat is a Healing Goddess of the Canaanites, mentioned in
the Ugaritic texts of the 13th century BCE as curing one King Keret, the King
of Sidon who was perhaps a son of the Father God, El. She is a winged Goddess
(sometimes called a "demoness") who is strong in magic, and Her name
means "[She Who] Drives Away", referring to Her power to drive out
illness.
Keret, a soldier of the Sun-Goddess Shapash,
was an unfortunate King who had lost several wives, and had no heir. In seeking
his eighth wife, he made a vow to the Mother-Goddess Athirat,
and as a result is in time both happily married to a princess named Huray and
father to several sons and daughters. But in his happiness, or as a result of
his newly busy life, he neglects to fulfill his vow to the Goddess, and is struck
ill. Under this curse the land lies barren, for nature is bound up with the
health of the King. But the God El wishes to see him cured, and after meeting
with the other Gods (and presumably placating Athirat), He sends Sha'taqat to
Keret's bedside to effect a cure. This She does by creating a clay doll to help
drive out the illness, and by touching the King's head with Her wand to finally
banish his sickness.
Also called: Shatagat
