•Ishtar•
•Ishtar
is the multi-layered Babylonian creatrix goddess, the source of all life
and embodiment of the power of nature. She is the giver of plenty,
a lawgiver, a judge, the goddess of the time as well as the goddess of
both love and war. Her name means "giver of light" and derives from
her role as queen of heaven. She is Venus as both morning and evening
star and her girdle is the zodiacal belt. Ishtar descends to the
underworld and restores the vegetation god, Tammuz, to life and thus restores
fertility to the earth. As she descends, she removes a veil at each
gate. While she is underground all life on Earth is depressed and
nothing comes to life. Ishtar is a multi-faceted, powerful symbol
of a forthright mode of being that is unafraid to venture into the depths
of the underworld. She represents the creative feminine, active,
and strong.•
description & paintings by Susan Seddon Boulet