Maiden
What you need to sow
Begin the thing you want openly, without apologising for wanting it.
Sumerian / Mesopotamian
Inanna
Queen of Heaven, Lady of the Morning Star
Sumer and Akkad, c. 4000–1750 BCE
✦
Her story
Historical context
goddess · Sumer and Akkad, c. 4000–1750 BCE
Inanna ruled Uruk's great temple as goddess of desire and of battle — the two never separated in her. Her priestess Enheduanna, daughter of Sargon, wrote hymns to her that are the oldest signed poetry in the world.
Mythology & traditions
Her defining myth is the descent: she goes down to the underworld to her sister Ereshkigal, and at each of seven gates surrenders a garment, a jewel, a piece of her authority, arriving naked and dying there. She returns — but only because someone else takes her place. Nothing comes back up for free.
Domains
- Love
- War
- Venus
- Sovereignty
- Descent and return
Symbols
- Eight-pointed star
- Lion
- Reed bundle
- Rosette
- Morning and evening star
In the oracle
Her guidance
Mother
What you need to grow
Nurture your own appetite. Desire kept alive is what keeps you moving.
Crone
What you need to know
You cannot pass through this gate holding everything. Something is being asked of you.