“My life-long love affair with Understanding is taking me on a fascinating, heart-led journey!”
Those few words written on the About page of my website make a succinct summary of my life!
Although the heart-waters may be superficially choppy, I love their rhythms, their still depths and expansiveness!
Before we begin the story of Inanna, may I set the context and explain why I mention this story now, at the time of the August New Moon?
I can look back over my life and trace the golden thread.
It continues to direct the path of cumulative experiences that build upon one another, to enrich my understanding. Perhaps something of my journey will resonate with you or pique your interest.
If not, as always, please, pass by what you do not love!
As a social worker, identifying the rhythms, the repeating patterns in my clients’ lives was key; without recognising them, how might positive change be introduced?
Alexander John Shaia’s journey of Quadratos called me in because it provides a map for the recurring psychospiritual patterns in our individual and communal lives. His work became my primary map for many years.
Similarly, sacred geometry appeals with its form, beauty and pattern that offer profound understanding of the connections between ourselves and the cosmos.
As I move into greater understanding of these and other mystical arts, I find a much-needed communion between the arts and sciences that feels right and leaves me wanting more!
How could I resist then, “a misunderstood language, lost in the mists of time from it’s origins in Ancient Mesopotamia 6,000 years ago.” (Pam Gregory).
With an intriguing new map in my hand, shuddering to shake off the fear of disapproving voices from my past, I made the first tentative step on my journey with astrology. Carl Gustav Jung offered reassurance when I discovered that astrology provided the inspiration for his psychological theories of synchronicity and archetypes and that he used it extensively to help diagnose his patients. Jung’s work has also guided and led me to rich insights and understanding. His theories inspire much of my ongoing work.
Then I remembered that astrology and its foundation in Hermetic philosophy (as above, so below) was taught in monasteries, ecclesiastical colleges and was part of the medical curriculum until the 1600’s. In those days, even the papacy had an astrologer.
My first astrological reading offered me a reframe of my life journey that profoundly resonated with me, released me from long-held self-judgement and shame and showed me in a fresh way the direction that my life can purposefully move, if I actively, consciously engage with it.
Opening a previously unheard dialogue between my inner scientist and artist, the idea that our reality on earth reflects the cosmos and that the symbolism and geometry of the astrological patterns can be translated to have meaning in the lives of individuals both resonates and fascinates.
Like the Magi of old and the pilgrims along the Camino de Santiago, I too am being guided by the stars.
As we approach the August New Moon, Venus has called for my attention.
The ancient Sumerian myth of Inanna, Queen of Heaven, first recorded about 2000 BEC, mirrors the journey of Venus, as she disappears from sight on her orbit between the earth and the sun. This year, Venus’ disappearance correlates with the New Moon.
Archetypically representing the sacred feminine, Venus disappeared from the western night skies around August 6. She will remain hidden for about 2 weeks, then reemerge as a bright morning star in the East on August 21. The myth tells a life-death-rebirth transformational story.
Just as I find it helpful to consider the seasons as a metaphor for my spiritual formation, I find it helpful to consider the ways that the symbolism and movement of the planets might also offer inspiration and a framework to support to my journey.
The myth of Inanna first came to me as I was consciously engaged in my own individuation process, as I prepared to walk my first Camino pilgrimage in 2019. The story has become a part of me, returning regularly to remind and teach me. As soon as I heard “Inanna”, I had to hear more!
In the myth, Inanna, Queen of Heaven, beautiful in the evening sky, hears the call of the Great Below and chooses to abandon heaven and earth to travel to the underworld. She seeks to reclaim lost parts of herself long buried in the underworld, and to restore the relationship with her sister, Ereshkigal, Queen of that hidden realm.
Inanna is taken through seven gates, stripped of her outer raiment’s, the ways she has identified herself, to appear naked and bowed low before her sister. On meeting Inanna, Ereshkigal, recently bereaved by the death of her husband and full with child, is enraged. She fixes the stare of hatred on Inanna and Inanna is struck dead.
Her body remains in the underworld for 3 days, until, alerted by Inanna’s protective companion, Enki, God of Wisdom, sends living waters and plants to revive her.
During this time, Ereshkigal writhes in the agony of childbirth, reflecting upon the death of her husband and the trauma that banished and locked her in the underworld. As her pain is seen and heard by the living waters and plants sent to revive Inanna, she births a new life.
Profoundly changed by her experience, Inanna attempts to leave the underworld, some spirits clinging to her skirts. She is granted permission to leave only on agreement that someone be sent to take her place. After a circuitous story, Inanna sends her consort who had gleefully taken her throne, showing no concern for his Queen, during her absence.
Astrologically, Mars, archetype of the sacred masculine and Inanna’s consort, will disappear from view, taking his symbolic journey to the underworld between October and December this year.
To reconnect with deeper intimacy and true mutuality, internally and in outer relationships, both feminine and masculine need to complete their own deep inner work.
As we approach the 16 August New Moon, I have taken my own journey to the underworld, asking – which aspects of myself do I need to let die?
Which aspects of myself have been long buried, due to trauma, abandonment or hurt that I need to face and reclaim?
What needs to be restored in my relationships, both inner and outer?
I will share some reflections on this phase of my journey in the next blog.
Sources: Heather Ensworth – Astrologer and psychotherapist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XSJC0gf64NY
Uncursing the Dark: Treasures from the Underworld. Betty De Shong Meador
How to Co-Create Using the Secret Language of The Universe: Using Astrology for Your Empowerment. Pam Gregory