Ishtar is a Babylonian Goddess and it was she who did the 'Dance of the Seven Veils' to rescue her lover Tammuz. As she descended to the Underworld where he had been taken, she passed through seven gates, removing an article of jewellery or clothing at each gate until she arrived in the Underworld naked and pleaded for his life. Her wish was granted and she she rose back through the gates to the Earth plane all was returned to her.
Ishtar's story reminds us that Love is All and that despite all the beautiful 'things' she owned, it was her heart which was the most important. Ishtar was prepared to give up everything for Love, knowing that 'things' in no way represented who she was or what her heart desired.
So if you are drawn to Ishtar, perhaps it is your time to ask yourself what is most important in your life. Ishtar may be asking you to review your life and to recognise those things that are your hearts desire.
April 22nd is the traditional day for honoring Ishtar, Babylonian version of the Sumerian goddess Inanna, but as we are seeing the first signs of spring this is a good time to remember Ishtar's fertile energy.
Ishtar’s name means “star”, and she was also known as Istar, Estar, Ishara, Ishhara, Astar, Atar, Attar, Athar, Athtar, Irnini, Absusu (in her role as a promiscuous goddess), Abtagigi (“She Who Sends Messages of Desire”), Dilbah (as Venus the morning-star), Hanata (as warrior-deity), Kilili (as symbol of the promiscuous and independent woman), Nanab (“Queen”), Nin Si Anna (“Lady Eye of Heaven’”), Sharrat Shame (“Queen of Heaven”), Ulsiga (a title of reverence meaning “Ishtar of Heaven and Earth”), Zanaru (“Lady of the Lands”), and Zib (as Venus the evening-star). Epithets include Beautiful Queen, Beloved of Enki, Bestower of Strength, Bright Light of Nights, Bright Shining One of the Heavens, Daughter of the Moon, Forgiver of Sins, Framer of all Decrees, Giver of Justice and Laws, Glad-eyed Lady, Goddess of Goddesses, Goddess of Sighing, Great Goddess of Love and War, Great Harlot, Great Lover, Great Mother, Great Whore of Babylon, The Harlot, Heavenly Prostitute, Highest Sovereign of the Heavens, Ishtar of Arbela, Ishtar of Babylon, Ishtar of Nineveh, Lady of All the Harlots of Ur, Lady of Battle, Lady of Birth, Lady of Heaven, Lady of Never-Falling Waters, Lady of the Palace, Lady of Passion and Desire, Lady of Sorrow, Lady of Victory, Lawgiver, Leader of Hosts, Light of the World, Lioness of the Igigi, Mistress of the Gods, Mother of the Fruitful Breast, Mother of Harlots, Opener of the Womb, Protector of the Weak, Queen of Attack and Hand-to-Hand Fighting, Queen of Heaven, Queen of Heaven and Earth, Queen of the Rising of the Sun, Righteous Judge, Ruler of the Heavens, Ruler of the World, She Who Holds Reigns of Royalty, Shining One, and Star of Heaven.
SUGGESTED MANTRA: SEXUALITY
Ishtar represents the fullness of womanhood and dares us to dream. Her power is strongest at the full moon, when the essence of womanhood heightens in response to the moon energy that is all-encompassing.
SUGGESTED AFFIRMATIONS:
~ I am joyful
~ My big hips are sexy!
~ I am healthy and happy
~ I am alive with sexuality
~ I adore my womanly shape
~ I feel absolutely supercharged
~ I have abundant energy and vitality
~ My vital energy resurfaces with laughter
Related essences: Vanilla, almond, oriental lily, bergamot
Related gemstones: Carnelian, coral, agate, brown jaspar (orange stones)
Ishtar's energy represents love, fertility, passion and sexuality. Babylonians have honored Ishtar as a goddess who inspires lovers everywhere to stop for a moment and connect with the fertile energy she brings. The city of Mari worshiped Ishtar as a birth goddess symbolized by the Urn of Life held tight to her belly. Even the Christians have borrowed aspects of the womanly Ishtar and incorporated the divine love of a mother for her dying son into their Virgin Mary.
She is descended from the goddess of romance, Venus, and her energy encompasses all that is "woman" - nurturing mother, inspired companion, playful bed partner, wise advisor, insightful leader. She is revered especially on days of the full moon, when it is right to engage in joyful acts of lovemaking to celebrate being "woman".
April 22nd is the traditional day for honoring Ishtar - as close to this day as possible, on the night of a full moon, to bring Ishtar's loving warmth to your heart and home, wear clothes or jewelry that contain Ishtar's symbolism - stars, the moon, the lion or the dove.
Play a drum with your hands, holding it between your legs. Listen to your heartbeat and send it through your shoulders, arms and hands to the drum, and feel the infinite power of connection to the earth as the vibrations travel back through your body to your core. Energy flows, love grows.
Dance like no one is watching
Sing like no one is listening
Love like you've never been hurt
And live like heaven on earth.
Love and light, ~ Anita ~
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