Time For A Viking Invasion

September Full Moon Altar: Queen of the Night

The Goddess at the centre of this month's altar is a bit of a mystery. Her image comes from an alleged Mesopotamian / Sumerian / Babylonian ancient plaque of uncertain provenance, said to date from 1800-1750 BCE. The plaque first came to public attention in the 1930s when an antiquities dealer tried to sell it to the British Museum, which declined to buy it. Known as the "Burney Relief," the plaque remained in the hands of private collectors until later loaned to the British Museum. Despite ongoing questions around its authenticity, the British Museum did finally purchase the popular plaque in 2003, renaming it the "Queen of the Night Relief."

Scholars disagree with each other about who is depicted. By reason of her crown, handheld symbols of power, and standing on the backs of lions, some say she must be Ishtar, the Great Goddess of Babylon. Others theorize for similar reasons that she is the Mesopotamian / Sumerian goddess Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth, or even (because of the wings) her sister and nemesis Ereshkigal, Queen of the Underworld.

A fourth group of scholars point to her wings, bird feet and talons, and flanking owls to argue instead that she is, in fact, a representation of the Sumerian Goddess / Night Demon, Lilith.

Whoever this Goddess is meant to be, I purchased her charming statue from Sacred Source about 25 years ago. (Alas, the online store no longer sells this reproduction). When I bought the statue, it had a natural terra-cotta clay colour, just like the original Burney Relief. Instinctively, I felt that such an earthy colour did not do this Goddess justice, so I immediately spray-painted her silver.

And when the time came to construct this altar to honour the Queen of the Night, I chose to use a colour scheme limited to silver and black. 

Because, after all, what is more beautiful, awesome and mysterious than the bright silver stars in the pitch black night sky?

[Photos © Debra She Who Seeks, 2026]

What's Godzilla Up To These Days?

The Glory of the Potato

In the Garden of Eden -- Eve

With the "prequel" myth of Lilith in mind, the nefarious social control purposes of the Genesis creation myth become even more starkly obvious. In creating Adam's second wife, God is careful not to form Eve out of the dust of the earth like Adam. Instead, God makes it abundantly clear that Eve owes her very existence to her husband and is forever simply a part of him.

Cue the rib!

The Judeo-Christian creation myth also conveniently provides the perfect, justifiable excuse for men to blame Eve and use her and all women as their scapegoats forever after. Cuz poor Adam wuz duped, I tellz ya, duped!

 Cue the snake and the apple!

Expelling the duo from the Garden of Eden for their Original Sin, God lays on more punishments as well. Adam must now work for his entire life and live by the sweat of his brow instead of lolling about all day in paradise. Eve must suffer tremendous pain in childbirth and be forever ruled by her husband, subservient for all time. 

So the patriarchal Genesis creation myth sets firm ideological foundations for male supremacy and social control of both men and women by whichever Religious Authority claims to speak on behalf of God. And they've been gaslighting us all with that malarkey for millennia now!

In the Garden of Eden -- Lilith

Did you know that in the Garden of Eden, Eve was not Adam's first wife? According to a medieval Jewish version of the old patriarchal creation myth, the first woman God created was named Lilith. Just as he had done with Adam, God created Lilith from the dust of the earth. Therefore, Lilith concluded that she was Adam's equal and refused to be subservient to him. Adam complained loudly to God about it, but Lilith would not relent. Rebelling against both Adam and God, Lilith voluntarily chose to leave the Garden of Eden rather than submit and live a life of inequality.

Outside the Garden, Lilith became a Night Demon, a succubus and mother of demons. Her name in the myth is derived from an ancient Sumerian class of female demons called lilû or lilītu , which may mean "screech owl." She is described as having wings and the feet/talons of a bird of prey. Lilith is often accompanied by owls.

Clearly, this medieval myth was designed to reinforce the hierarchy of male supremacy by telling women what their punishment and social standing would be if they dared to be uppity by demanding equality. It was a stern cautionary warning to women that they should stay in their place or expect to be severely denigrated and punished.

Over the past 50 years, modern feminist movements have reclaimed Lilith as an early symbol of equality, autonomy, and independence from patriarchal control. Her rebellion is now celebrated and seen in a completely new light according to women's own interpretation.

Tomorrow -- And What About Eve?

Monday Murals -- Gimme A Monkey Wrench, Willya?

I'm taking part today in 

Monday Murals hosted by Sami.

This charming mural was created by vignettestm,

 an Edmonton art and design company

specializing in public art, art infrastructures

and branded installations.

Fittingly, it is found on the side of

Tirecraft Auto Centre in West Edmonton.

[Photo © Debra She Who Seeks, 2026]