Descent
to the Underworld (version 1)~
As
many other goddesses Ishtar was symbolically connected to the space of
Underworld (Persephone, Isis, Rhiannon) or where the death abide. This was
place where her sister Ereshkigal ruled. Inanna wanted to spread her power in
all levels of the world –middle and underworld, so she decided to take a risky
adventure and show to her sister, she has stronger magical abilities than her
and not afraid to descent to world of darkness. This was something like ritual
of self-prove. Ereshkigal condemns her sister to death, for this highly
arrogant act.
Descent
to the Underworld (version 2)
Ishtar
as a newly married with god Dummuzi, finds out that her sister Ereshkigal
recently lost her husband. Filled with sadness and compassion, she decided to
take the risky trip and descend to Underworld, the kingdom of her sister, where
she has no power. Her aim was to console her sister in her loss. Instead to
achieve that, she found herself in trap of Ereshkigal, who wanted to destroy
her, and not to return Inanna in the middle earth.
Descent
to the Underworld (version 3)
This
story is similar to the Osiris –Isis – one day the god of
harvest Dumizu was injured by a boar and died from his wounds. Inanna mourned
her husband, so she went after him to the Underworld; this event is celebrated
in special festival every year in July-August.
Seven
gates to Underworld ~
Inanna`s
way to the world of Death goes trough the seven Gates. These major gates were
thought to represent the Seven main chakras in human body. By each of the gates
she was demanded to strip and give to the gatekeeper one of her garments from
her body. Finally she was required to enter the Underworld naked. Each gate
cloth or accessory had symbolic meaning.
~
the first gate was symbol of the Crown chakra (violet). Here the goddess should
give her belt or sandals. That diminished her Will.
~
the second gate was Third eye symbol (indigo). Inanna had to give to the keeper
her bracelets or anklets. In this action she had to abandon her Ego.
~
Third gate represented Throat chakra (blue). Inanna should surrender her robe –
in this way she abandons her Mind.
~
Fourth gate symbolized the Heart chakra (green). The lady of the moon should
give away her Breast Cups. This made her separated from her Sex Role.
~
Fifth gate symbolized the Solar plexus chakra (yellow). Here Inanna had to give
to gatekeeper her Rainbow necklace. In this way she gave away her Illumination.
~
Sixth gate represented the Sacral chakra (orange). At this gate Inanna had to
separate from her precious earrings. In this way she abandons her Magical
abilities.
~
Seventh gate symbolized the Root chakra (red). In this last gate the goddess
has to surrender her authority with giving away her thousand petal diadem
(crown). By this action she surrenders her being Goddess.
So,
naked and vulnerable, stripped from all her authority and magical powers, she was
forced to enter the sacred place of Underworld.
Visualization
of Ishtar/ Inanna ~
Visualize her with long waving black hair, dressed in dark blue gossamer skirt and with covered breasts (breast cups). Her arms and belly are open, as she is goddess of sensual love. She is carrying pentagram of lapis lazuli round stone in her left hand, and has a headwear with star (Pentagram or eight pointed star) falling on her forehead. Her eyes are dark and sparkling with confidence and strength. She is lead by two lions. Above her head and above Crown chakra you can see blooming blue rose in a sphere. She is carrying caduceus with golden snake entangled on it. She has rainbow necklace shining in white light, bracelet on right arm with sign of the full moon with moons in two sides. She has also the sign of “fish” on her skirt. Sometimes she has golden girdle (belt) in form of snake on her waist.References ~
Inanna -goddess gift
...I hope you enjoyed reading this article, feel free to add comment below. Thank you!
[ nina Lea-noura * ]
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