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]

Dog Day Afternoon

A Boozy Blogoversary!

OMG this blog is

18 years old today!

Legal drinking age!

Can this blog be trusted

to drink responsibly???

Hail Ashphalta, Full of Grace, Help Me Find A Parking Space

Farewell, Joanne

In August, blogging buddy Joanne Noragon of Cup on the Bus passed away after a long life "defined by curiosity, conviction, creativity, and a willingness to speak up when she believed something was wrong," as her obituary stated so succinctly. Her engaging blog, which I read for many years, made clear Joanne's love for family, social justice, the environment, cats, and her great passion, weaving.

Although plagued in her final years by fractures and broken bones due to osteoporosis, Joanne continued to weave and sell her beautiful towels of many colours and superb craftsmanship. Here's some photos from Joanne's blog of her loom and the towels being woven on it --

For me, Joanne was a real inspiration and role model about how to live vibrantly into our senior years. She did not give in nor give up, no matter the challenges and difficulties she faced. She was independent, self-sufficient, and fully present in her creativity and positive, informed approach to life.

I will miss Joanne and her blog. But I will remember her every time I use one of her towels, of which I have a few pairs. Here's one of her towels now, doing yeoman service as always, catching drips from my coffeemaker and fending off a Viking gnome invasion in my kitchen --