#babylonian pagan

[witchykinny]

I'm beginning to feel called to Babalon so here are a few things I associate with her. Crowley is a questionable source at best, and most other credible works have been destroyed by xtians, so I feel that personal association will work best in devotion/working with her.

-Dragon's blood incense (most deities like this, I see!), other scents being fruit, flowers, and incredibly specific perfumes (like those ones on TikTok that are like "how to smell like a library")

-Finery, like gold and jewels- the aesthetics of royalties

-Architecture. Like the above point, aesthetics of royalties

-Music. My favorite: 'Babalon' by Twin Temple

-The colors red, gold, brown, purple

-The numbers 7 and 777

-Livestock and farm animals, especially goats, cattle, and livestock protection dogs

-Crystals: onyx, jasper, ruby, garnet, rose quartz, tiger's eye, citrine

-Indulgences, especially in food. Treat yourself!

Some of her dominions:

-Mothers, motherhood, pregnancy, and the medial fields. Parenthood is gender neutral but specifically geared towards AFAB people. Menstrual cycles, menopause, hysterectomies, tubal ligations

-Sex workers, "gold diggers", sugar babies, etc.

-Self-liberation, questioning of authority, personal research, knowledge of one's self (physically, spiritually, mentally, etc)

-Blood magic and sex magic

-Protection magic, especially protection of the self and of one's property

-Transgenderism- ties into self-liberation. Intersectional feminism/activism. Nonconformity, challenging of gender roles.

-Of course, abominations. Anyone who challenges society by simply existing is under her protection. Marginalized folks are considered 'abominations' by the elite.

[lady-of-heaven]

Don't let Jesus take away YOUR rights this fall!

***VOTE FOR ISHTAR***

The disciples of Yahweh/Jesus shouldn't be the only ones who get a say in politics! Make your voice heard!

If you have to choose a God to rule over America with impunity, why not elect one who will fight to defend the rights and freedoms of all?

REJECT FASCISM, EMBRACE COMMUNITY

REJECT HATE, EMBRACE LOVE

REJECT CONFORMITY, EMBRACE DIVERSITY

REJECT PURITY, EMBRACE PASSION

©️ 𒀭𒀹𒁯 2024

[temple-of-inanna]

Mušḫuššu dragon from the Isthar Gate 𒈲𒍽

[sag-dab-sar]

God Apsû (Abzu)

𒀊𒍪

Akkadian God in the Enūma Eliš

Mesopotamian Terminology

As a God: Apsû was the primordial freshwater sea in Babylonian mythology, one of the first two Gods of creation along with the salt sea Tiāmat.

As terminology: prior to the myth of the Enūma Eliš, Apsû (Akkadian) / Abzu (Sumerian) was known as a non-anthropomorphic cosmological location— the very source of all fresh water on Earth—home to many gods, principally Ea (Akkadian) / Enki (Sumerian). The Apsû/Abzu also referred in some cases to water than can be accessed at the surface in order to pinch off clay or to catch fish— according to Jensen (Link). The Abzu/Apsû was also the name for tanks of holy purified water.

Thus the term is multifaceted. However, the anthropomorphic God Apsû of the Enūma Eliš does not seem to have been worshipped in Mesopotamia.

—How to use the internet archive Link

🔵 Information

From Oracc [Link]

The abzu (Sumerian form) or apsû (Akkadian form) was a large underground body of water in Mesopotamian cosmic geography. It was the domain of the god Enki/Ea. The city of Babylon was said to have been built on top of the abzu, and the Sumerian myth Enki and Ninhursag describes that the first humans were created from clay taken from the top of the abzu.

From Gods Demons & Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia by Jeremy Black & Antony Green [Internet Archive Link]

Abzu (apsû)

Although it can sometimes rain very hard in southern Mesopotamia, it was anciently believed that springs, wells, streams, rivers and lakes drew their water from and were replenished from a freshwater ocean which lay beneath the earth in the abzu (apst) or engur. (The salt sea, on the other hand, surrounded the earth.) The abzu was the particular realm and home of the wise god Enki (Ea), his wife Damgalnuna (Damkina) and his mother Nammu, and was also inhabited by a number of creatures subordinate to him (see Enki's creatures).

Enki was thought to have occupied the abzu since before the creation of mankind.

According to the Babylonian Epic of Creation, Apsû was the name of a primal creature, the lover of Tiāmat, and when Ea killed Apsû, he set up his home on the dead creature's body, whose name was henceforth transferred to Ea's residence. Marduk, as Ea's son, was called 'firstborn son of the aps‹'. Enki's temple at Eridu was known as E-abzu, 'Abzu temple'.

The underworld was located even further down, beneath the abzu. Since in some traditions it was necessary to cross a river (the Hubur) to reach the underworld, the river may sometimes have been identified with the abzu (see river of the underworld).

The term abzu/apsû was also used to designate a tank for holy water in a temple courtyard.

From A Dictionary of Ancient Near Eastern Mythology by Gwendolyn Leick [Internet Archive Link]

Apsu

from Sumerian Abzu, which denotes the subterranean 'sweet water ocean or groundwater, also generally the marshland of southern Mesopotamia.

In this area where rainfall is rare and where the semi-floating reed-islands support a great variety of wild life, the fertile marshes were regarded as the source of abundance. In mythological terms the Apsu extended underneath the surface of the earth, into a watery depth.

Several literary texts express the creative potential of the Apsu's muddy moisture. In the Sumerian myth Enki and Ninmah it is the place where Nammu forms the first human being. The god Kullu was also made there, according to the enuma Am ritual. Furthermore, an anthropomorphic Apsu is called the begetter of the great gods' in the cosmogonic beginning of the Enuma elis (1, 59-78). In this composition the Apsu is inert and sleepy but finds his peace disturbed by the restless ways and clamour of the younger gods, the offspring of his union with another watery body, Tiamat. He decides to destroy them. The gods choose Ea as their champion and he puts a spell on Apsu, casting him into a deep sleep and 'killing him'. This death, however, does not annihilate the essence of the Apsu, it just renders him without any will of his own. Thereby the Apsu is contained underground and becomes the dwelling of Ea Enku, the 'Lord of the Apsu' One of the oldest sanctuaries in Mesopotamia was at the southern city of Eridu, which was apparently situated on a hillock surrounded by a lagoon. In historical times, the temple was known as E-abzu, 'the House of the Apsu', and dedicated to Enki. Other cult-centres seem to have had natural or artificial ponds or basins which represented the Apsu.

From A Handbook of Gods and Goddesses of the Ancient Near East by Douglas R Frayne and Johanna H Stuckey [Google Book Link]

Apsû(m) (Akk.), Abzu (Sum.)

Primeval deity of sweet (fresh) subterranean waters, which were the source of springs, lakes, rivers, and well water.

His consort was Ti'amat. The Enūma Eliš told how, in the beginning, the god Apsû(m), sweet waters, mingled with the goddess Ti'amat, salt waters. Another entity, Mummu, Apsû's minister or vizier, might also have been with them. The joining of the primordial pair begat a line of deities starting with Lahmu(m) and Lahamu(m) and fol-lowed, in sequence, by An-sar and Ki-Sar, Anu(m), Ea, and, finally, Marduk.

The younger gods were so rowdy and raucous that their parents could not get any sleep. Finally, Apsû(m) persuaded a reluctant Ti'amat that they should rid themselves of their noisy children. When the younger gods got wind of the plan, they quieted down until wise Ea thought of a solution. He put a magical sleeping spell on Apsû(m) and then, while Apsû(m) slept, Ea killed him. On Apsû(m)'s dead body Ea built his house at Eridu and called it

"Apsu(m)," the name of Ea's Eridu temple (E-Apsû) from then on. Marduk, Ea's son, was born in the Apsû(m). An Abzu/ Apsû(m) tank filled with holy water stood in most temple court-yards.

From Bad King, False King, True King: Apsû and His Heirs by Karen Sonik [JSTOR Link]

The problem of accurately pinpointing Apsû’s role and identity within Enuma elis, whether as monster or personified or deified subterranean waters, springs both from the shifting nature of his depiction in the narrative and from the writing of his name therein, which never includes the divine determinative that marks the gods proper within the text. Portrayed as an elemental entity at the opening of the epic as he mingles his waters with those of Tiamat, Apsû does not remain such for long. Once the first gods are generated from his intercourse with Tiamat, beginning the process of differentiation, Apsû himself seems to morph into a sort of proto-god, still not endowed with the dingir-determinative but newly provided with anthropomorphic features and with insignia reflecting his new rank and status: He is given both a voice and a mouth with which to speak (Ee I 35–36); a more or less anthropomorphic physical form (I 53–54), clothing or insignia including at least an agû, crown; and possibly also a riksu, sash or tie (I 67); melammu (I 68); and a rudimentary household of the type standard for the great gods, though here simply comprising his vizier or counselor Mummu (I 30–31). On the subject of Aprû’s state of dress, it is worth reiterating the association of clothing with life in Mesopotamian literature, specifically with civilized life. Thus, in well-known episodes from the SB Epic of Gilgames, Enkidu dons clothing as the second step in his transformation from wild proto-man to civilized man of the city (Gilg. SB II 34–35), while Gilgames, who dresses in lion skins during his wanderings in the wild, again dons his clean royal finery before returning to human civilization (XI 250–70). In the case of Apsû, his assumption of the agû may similarly signify his transformation into a more civilized and active entity, the direct result of his contribution to the differentiation and organization of the world through the generation of the gods.

From The Tablet of Destinies and the Transmission of Power in Enūma Eliš by Karen Sonik [PDF Link]

The opening lines of the epic describe the mingling of two primordial and el- emental entities, Apsû and Tiāmat, who generate the first gods and who seem to evolve thereby into active proto-deities, complete with at least semi-anthropomor- phic forms and divine powers and attributes. As the parents of all the gods, Apsû and Tiāmat may also be read as the first rulers of the text, legitimately endowed with divine authority over the gods. Apsû, as befits a king, stands at the head of a line of legitimate heirs, among them Lahmu and Lahamu, Anšar and Kišar, Anu, Ea, and ultimately Marduk, who comprise the great gods. He is also the apparent progenitor of a mass of unnamed and undifferentiated descendents, who comprise the lesser gods. Legitimate power, so far, is relatively concentrated: it is located in the hands of Apsû and Tiāmat and their rightful heirs. This situation, however, does not last.

[Footnote 6] Apsû and Tiāmat are not gods proper as has sometimes been suggested, ibid. Their names, unlike those of the rest of the gods in Enūma eliš, are never written with the divine determinative (Anšar alone is excepted, as his name begins with the dingir sign). Following the generation of the first gods from the mingling of their waters, however, Apsû and Tiāmat do seem to evolve into proto-deities, possibly as a result of the civilizing qualities of sexual intercourse [...]

[Footnote 7] Whether he is to be understood as the first king or ruler, Apsû is certainly the first major male authority figure to appear in Enūma eliš by virtue of his position as the father of all the gods. (Page 388)

🔵 Myth: Enūma Eliš

The myth he appears in. It was a very political myth used to justify Marduk as chief deity and therefore the government.

Read it:

LW King Translation from 1902 — Link

Translation on Electronic Tools and Ancient Near East Archives (ETANA) — Link

Compiled translation primarily based on E.A Speiser — Link

E.A Speiser's translation is available in The Ancient Near East an Anthology of Texts and Pictures by James Pritchard page 28. — Link

🔵 Iconography

None that we know of, but here is one of the ritual pools:

🔵 Ask answered about modern worship of Apsû as an anthropomorphic deity despite him lacking historical worship. — Link

[th3goddessishtar]

The Evening Star

Strong as lightning, firm as diamond,

Gentle as the eye of God,

Swift to beckon, brazen shining,

Rising star above the sun.

Lantern of the twilit heaven,

Guide your servant here below -

Bring me safely home, I pray thee

Shine upon my way tonight.

Composed upon seeing Venus rising at dusk

Photo belongs to Goddess Temple of the Daughters of Ishtar (Facebook)

[luckyluckyjesse]

🩸Lilith🦉

[ravensvirginity]

honestly as a Jew I don't really get why there's so much posting lately criticizing the pop culture portrayal of Lilith? Like the way non Jewish pagans use her is definitely kind of weird but also like Lilith isn't at all an important part of Jewish religion in modern day, nor was she ever particularly important outside of Kabbalah. She's more of a ghost story. She's literally a demon who eats babies and attacks men who was never anything more than a demon to be feared until modern feminist reinterpretations.

The amount of posts I see about it just seems weird seeing as I doubt there are really any Jews who hold Lilith in any kind of regard today. I think non Jews appropriating Jewish culture is definitely a huge issue that I want there to be more awareness about, but Lilith is really low on the list of things to worry about for me.

[dndllgrc]

Reposting Samuel David from the Temple of Inanna

The topic of “reversing” a Christian baptism as a formal way to step away from church has been a hot topic in various threads on social media.

Weeks ago, a sudden stream of words that came to mind while I was reading posts about the topic:

“I have turned my eyes from Zion and set my gaze upon Uruk…”

I wrote a Mesopotamian-oriented ritual text that one may use to formally declare their separation without performing an act of apostasy or desecrating religious items (e.g., a Bible, a rosary, etc.).

“I have turned my eyes away from the congregation of the holy (denomination) church;

I renounce the holy rite of baptism of the infant and the doctrine of the holy (denomination) church;

I have turned my heart away from the congregation of the holy (denomination) church;

I renounce the doctrine of the holy (denomination) church;

I have turned my feet away from the congregation of the holy (denomination) church;

I renounce the dogma of the holy (denomination) church.

I have turned my eyes away from the holy appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ;

I renounce the holy rite of baptism of the child and the dogma of the holy (denomination) church;

I have turned my heart away from the holy appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ;

I renounce the rites of the holy (denomination) church;

I have turned my feet away from the holy appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ;

I renounce the covenant of believers of the holy (denomination) church.

I have turned my eyes away from Zion and the promise of Christian salvation;

I renounce the holy rite of baptism of the adult and the rites of the holy (denomination) church;

I have turned my heart away from Zion and the promise of Christian salvation;

I renounce the counsel of the clergy of the holy (denomination) church;

I have turned my feet away from Zion and the promise of Christian salvation;

I renounce the creed of the holy (denomination) church.

I have turned my eyes to the distant east;

I have embraced the holy rite of the washing of the mouth of the infant;

I have turned my heart to the distant east;

I have embraced the devotion of the supplicant in the holy court;

I have turned my feet to the distant east;

I have embraced the myths of the holy gods of Heaven, Earth, and the Underworld.

I have turned my eyes to the cities of the gods which rise anew upon the Earth;

I have embraced the holy rite of the washing of the mouth of the child;

I have turned my heart to the cities of the gods which rise anew upon the Earth;

I have embraced the devotion of the servant in the holy temple;

I have turned my feet to the cities of the gods which rise anew upon the Earth;

I have embraced the liturgy of the holy gods of Heaven, Earth, and the Underworld.

I have turned my eyes to the land of the Tigris and the land of the Euphrates.

I have embraced the holy rite of the washing of the mouth of the adult;

I have turned my heart to the land of the Idigna(1) and the land of the Buranuna(2).

I have embraced the devotion of the steward in the holy shrine;

I have turned my feet to the land of the Idiqlat(3) and the land of the Purattu(4);

I have embraced the full presence of the holy gods of Heaven, Earth, and the Underworld.

(Deity name), zami(5)!

Great is your name in Heaven, Earth, and the Underworld!” (Repeat for each god one is devoted to.)

1. Sumerian for Tigris

2. Sumerian for Euphrates

3. Akkadian for Tigris

4. Akkadian for Euphrates

5. Praise

[bijoumikhawal]

oh boy here I go looking up a famous European Jewish artist hope i dont find anything weird- oh g-d dammit

[mindfulldsliving]

Understanding the Cross in Latter-day Saint Teachings: Responding to Criticism with Clarity and Respect

The cross is one of the most recognizable symbols in Christianity, yet its role within Latter-day Saint theology often sparks curiosity and critique. Some question why members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints don’t display the cross prominently, while others view it as neglecting an essential Christian symbol. However, understanding the cross in Latter-day Saint teachings sheds…

[heartthatwontquit]

[girlactionfigure]

What Happened on the Ninth of Av?

On Tisha B’Av, five national calamities occurred:

During the time of Moses, Jews in the desert accepted the slanderous report of the 10 Spies, and the decree was issued forbidding them from entering the Land of Israel.

The First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar. 100,000 Jews were slaughtered and millions more exiled.

The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans, led by Titus. Some two million Jews died, and another one million were exiled.

The Bar Kochba revolt was crushed by Roman Emperor Hadrian. The city of Betar – the Jews’ last stand against the Romans – was captured and liquidated. Over 100,000 Jews were slaughtered.

The Temple area and its surroundings were plowed under by the Roman general Turnus Rufus. Jerusalem was rebuilt as a pagan city – renamed Aelia Capitolina – and access was forbidden to Jews.

Other grave misfortunes throughout Jewish history occurred on the Ninth of Av, including:

The Spanish Inquisition culminated with the expulsion of Jews from Spain on Tisha B’Av in 1492.

World War One broke out on the eve of Tisha B’Av in 1914 when Germany declared war on Russia. German resentment from the war set the stage for the Holocaust.

On the eve of Tisha B’Av 1942, the mass deportation began of Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto, en route to Treblinka.

[lady-of-heaven]

Yahweh is NOT the way...

For someone who claims to be a so-called "omnipotent, loving creator of the universe", He certainly seems like He has something to prove...

But don't just take my word for it, look at His policies yourself!

If elected, Yahweh will:

Criminalise other religions and viewpoints

Criminalise foreigners and immigrants

Criminalise free speech

Enforce the death penalty for most crimes

Legalise and regulate slavery

Criminalise the LGBTQIA+ community as a whole

Legalise cruel and unusual punishment

Legalise mob rule

Criminalise and legislate your bodies and what you can do with them

Condone mass murder and genocide

Strip the rights of women, minorities, and anyone deemed "deviant" or "sinful" in His eyes

Don't believe me? Just read His Word...

Exodus 21-23 Leviticus 19-20 Deuteronomy 11-25

Your fundamental rights are on the line this year!

Don't let a jealous, insecure, second-tier storm god convince you that His Way is the ONLY way!

***VOTE FOR ISHTAR***

©️ 𒀭𒀹𒁯 2024

[temple-of-inanna]

[bea-lele-carmen]

What the Bible says about Babylonian System

Luke 21:24

In the sixth century BC, a new world—"the times of the Gentiles"—was ushered in. The Babylonian image has influenced the world since that time.

John W. Ritenbaugh Prophets and Prophecy (Part 3)

Galatians 1:4

Many professing Christians view everything from the perspective of this world, blindly assuming it is God's world. They see certain forces of evil in it, which they feel they must oppose. In this vein, they see the Christian duty as working to make this a better world.

However, this concept does not square with Scripture. The Bible speaks of Christ “deliver[ing] us from this present evil age” (Galatians 1:4). Human society is not of God's making, but Satn's, as are its systems of government, basic philosophies, and business and religious practices. All nations are deceived, swayed, manipulated by the Devl (Revelation 12:9; 20:2-3). In other words, our civilization is Satn's evil handiwork, not God's.

God's Word tells us to flee from the midst of Babylonian society (Isaiah 52:11; II Corinthians 6:17; Revelation 18:4). Speaking to the Jews, Jesus says, “You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world” (John 8:23). Later, when questioned by Pilate about His Kingdom, “Jesus answered, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here'” (John 18:36). Although Jesus lived in this world, He clearly saw Himself as a “citizen” of God's heavenly Kingdom. The same holds true of those who follow Him (Philippians 3:20).

Martin G. Collins Would Jesus Christ Vote? (Part One)

Revelation 18:11-13

The merchants, who gained wealth and perverse pleasures from this world's system of religion and commerce, cry and lament because it satiated their greed for materialistic acquisition and their lust for self-pleasure. As the Babylonian system incorporates every expression of corrupt government, so its prostitution includes every corrupt economic system and idolatry. Even human beings are reduced to cargo, traded as slaves to drive the engines of production, prosperity, and sinful pleasures.

Sadly, the modern descendants of Israel have promoted and become part of this self-serving, perverse world system. Sin inevitably brings its own punishment, and there are always consequences to disobedience. Thus, when today's Israelites go into captivity in the last days, t

Martin G. Collins Slavery and Babylon

Revelation 18:2, 4 (KJV): And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

[th3goddessishtar]

The Lion Maiden

Flame that roars against the foe, and cuts off the mighty! O furious one, summoner of armies! O goddess of woman and man, whose counsel none may learn! Where You hold in regard, there the dead live and the sick rise. The unjust become just when they behold Thy face! I, Thy servant, sorrowful, sighing, suffering, invoke Thee. Look upon me, O my lady, and accept my supplication. In truth pity me, and hearken unto my prayer. Speak deliverance unto me, let Thy soul be appeased!

From Babylonian Penitential Psalms II, trans. Percy Hancock