She of 10,000 Names

Since the beginning of times...

 Inanna

Her story is so ancient that there is confusion as to Her origin. 

In some myths, She is daughter of the moon god, Nanna. 

She is sometimes daughter and other times wife of the sky god An. 

She is daughter of Nin-Gal, or Nikkal: Great-Lady.

And, other times, daughter of Aa: Great Mother.

Inanna is sometimes known by Nin-Ninna: Divine Lady Owl.

And, in Her incarnation on Earth as High Priestess, Divine Lady.

As well as, these names: Nin-Si-Anna or Ninsi-Anna.

Though these names also mean Divine Lady, sometimes SHE

is referred to as male/god (especially in relationship to war or battle).

Divine Lady embodies and balances both divine feminine and divine masculine energies with true grace and the wisdom of a Goddess.

𒈹, Inanna in Sumerian cuneiform translates as Lady Sky.

Thus, She is known as: 

Queen of Heaven and Queen of the Universe.

Among many other titles bestowed upon Her:

Mighty Queen

Mother of Deities

Sovereign Lady of the Assembly of Deities

Star of the East and The Morning and Evening Star (Venus)  

Holy Priestess of Heaven

Queen of the Night

The First Daughter of the Moon

Winged Life-Giving Great Goddess of the Moon and Love

Queen Moon

Designer of All Heaven and Earth

Queen of Heaven and Earth

Mistress of the Land

The Green One and She of the Springing Verdure

Queen of the Stall and Fold

Queen of Animals

Goddess of Love and Procreation

The Giver of Life

The River of Life

The Keeper of All Emotions

Lady of Myriad Offices

Giver of the Skills of Civilization

Divine Law-Giver

Wise Counsellor

Lady of Armies

Lady of Love and War

Majestic Lioness in Battle

Goddess of the Storehouse

Queen of the House of Heaven

Winged Goddess Who Moves Freely Between the Worlds

She Who Presides Over the Birth of both Day and Night

Lady of the Eye of Heaven and Illumination of Heaven 

Inanna represents the Power of Creation!

Burney relief: Queen of the Night

Long, long ago...

during pre-history, a Matriarchal period of time some call Herstory

—the Paleolithic era (1.5 to 2 million years ago) until sometime around 3000BCE—

the earth and moon were revered, honored and worshiped

as feminine, as mother, as goddess/deity.

During this time...

approximately, 30,000 years before written language,

tally bones were used to record lunar cycles. 

Perhaps, solely for seasonal, ritual and agricultural reasons...

But also, quite possibly, 

to align with nature and the mysteries of the divine feminine,

as fertility and abundant harvests 

were seen as gifts and blessings from the Goddess.

This symbol, hook-shaped, entwined knot of reeds,
is the first known written form representation for Goddess.

The Knot of Inanna

is the cuneiform ideogram assigned to Inanna

which represents Her identity, and Divine Authority.

One of the earliest images of the Tree of Life,

it is a symbol of fertility, abundance, and protection.

The ancient civilizations of Uruk, Sumer and Mesopotamia

held Inanna as their patron Goddess,

and temples and shrines were built in Her honor.

Her temple was called E anna

House of Heaven

Did you know 

that Uruk is not only considered the first urban city

but is the origin of the written word?

Throughout the land 

dedicated temples to Inanna

and storehouse doorposts (gates) 

were marked with Her knot.

The symbol personified Her as Goddess 

of dates, wool, meat, olives, grain, 

vines, sycamore figs, and apple trees.

It indicated to all that the Goddess dwelled therein.

Used to focus power it was a visual reminder

that when one crossed the threshold

they were entering into sacred space.

We will toast Inanna: Keeper of the Storehouse of Abundance,

Keeper of the ME, Mistress of the Mysteries of Enough and Plenty, a

Queen of the Temples of Desire Fulfilled, the Temples of Lust and Love,

the Temples of Sexual Delights and Wonders.

― Donald L. Engstrom-Reese, An Inanna Feast

Symbolic of water, life and fertility

the knotted bundle of reeds

honored Inanna's re-creative womb, 

the sacred cycles of life and death,

and the regenerative power of renewal.

The star of Inanna watches over the road that finishes the one who walks it.

The dark heart of the moon loves fiercely and infinitely

and will carry your soul with its blessing to the residence of the anointed ones.

― Christine Frost, Lords of Kur

Queen Inanna

She who regulates Divine Order 

and, when the moon is dark, rules fate.

The Sumerian Lady of the Heavens

looks down upon the world,

seeing it in wholeness and unity.

Her gentle tears wash from heaven,

putting out the emotional fires

that keep people apart in this world,

or anywhere in the Universe.

―  Patricia Telesco, Goddess 365: 

A daily guide to the magic and inspiration of the goddess

Her Other Aspects:

Planet:

Venus & Earth

Element:

Water, Air

Gemstones & Metal:

Lapis lazuli, Ruby, Emerald, Obsidian, Andalusite, 

Moonstone, Carnelian, Gold, Silver, Copper

Colour:

cobalt, green, black, blood red, silver, blue, white, gold

Food/Drink:

apples, dates, figs, honey, wheat, barley, 

flatbread, pistachios, apricots, pomegranate,

beer, wine, water

Flower/Plant:

rose, lily, narcissus, reeds and rushes, daisy, myrtle, sumac, 

hemp, lotus blossom, saffron, monkshood, all herbs,

all sprouts & new spring growth

Scent:

rose, musk, jasmine, patchouli, lotus, amber,

myrrh, lilac, lime, lily of the valley, cedarwood,

frankincense, cypress, cinnamon, bitter orange

Animal:

lion, owl, cow, dove, sparrow, sheep, bat,

butterfly, viper, serpent, scorpion, dragon

Symbol:

the number 7 & 15, rosette, 8 pointed star, scepter, mirror, spiral,

wings, crown, sistrum, snake coiled around a staff, measuring rod,

bow & arrow, Friday, ring posts, gates, breastplate

Sacred Art:

purification, protection, divination,

clarification, communication

Theme:

sky, love, Universal Awareness and Law, 

movement, purpose, peace, unity, leadership,

divine feminine, sexuality, sensuality,

Tree of Life

Day Dedicated to Inanna:

2nd day of November [306 day of the year]

On this day dedicated to Inanna,

I offer a prayer and my devotion:

Great queen of queens, issue of a holy womb for righteous divine powers, greater than your own mother, wise and sage, lady of all the foreign lands, life-force of the teeming people: I will recite your holy song! True goddess fit for divine powers, your splendid utterances are magnificent. Deep-hearted, good woman with a radiant heart, I will enumerate your divine powers for you!

― ancient prayer written by Enheduanna  

May Inanna bless you abundantly.

Lovingly, 

Leesa - The Gypsy Priestess