Sharing a special message from our beloved sister @Syrius Priya Xitlali - Journeying with Innana Beloved Sister, I want to tell you the story of Inanna. Inanna was the Goddess of Joy, Queen of the Heavens, and after she visited the Underworld, she learned to thrive in the Darkness. She eventually had to know both worlds very well. She was the daughter of the Sumerian Moon God Nanna, the daughter of the Mayan Moon Goddess Ixchel in my lineage. Inanna’s Sister, Ereshkigal, killed her when she came to visit her in the Underworld when Ereshkigal’s husband had passed. You see, Inanna’s Journey into the Underworld was one that left her stripped of all her Powers. The Guardian of the Underworld asked her why she was journeying to this place from which no one returns. She was reminded that this place filled of Darkness was not an easy one to navigate. And that she would be left in her most vulnerable state once she arrived. Ereshkigal had no mercy on Inanna. She was to be treated like any other that was entering the Underworld. Enki, the Gatekeeper of the Underworld, allowed Inanna to enter the Gates. But during her descent she had to stop at each of the 7 Gates. At each of these Gates, she was asked to remove something. She had to give up her Crown, her Breastplate filled with Jewels, her Magick Rod, along with anything else that represented Inanna and made her Powerful, or so she thought. So, you see. Inanna was called to visit the Underworld. A Dark place she had never been to, yet mesmerized by. When she arrived, her sister hung her. The Goddess of the Darkness, Ereshkigal had no mercy on her own sister. It is said that Ereshkigal represents our Shadow. Meaning, Ereshkigal was Inanna’s shadow. All those things that we keep hidden from ourselves and from the world. Eventually Inanna is resurrected by one of her most loyal protectors. The Sacred Waters baptize her into her own Sovereignty. This purifies her Soul and Body and she comes back to life. This time more Powerful and filled with more Wisdom than before. Inanna stands in her new found Power. After a deep descent into the Darkness, the Underworld, she found her way back to the Heavens, even after being stripped naked to her core. Today we know her as the Goddess of fertility, sexuality, Love, war and Divine Law. Inanna had to face her own shadow, her sister. She was brought back to life knowing that she possesses everything she needs, even after everything that represented the old version of her is taken away from her. Inanna knew what was happening every step of the way, yet she continued on her path. When us Women enter the Darkness, we find ourselves at the Gates of our Souls descent. Even after several moments and incidents that strip us of our Power, we know we must descend into what many may call the Dark Night of the Soul. But you see, there is so much Power in the moment you realize that your Power was not taken from you. You chose to give your Power away. This small distinction brings us back to the knowing that we are Divine Sovereign Beings whose own choices have taken us to the places and to the relationships needed in that moment in Life. And those choices were made many lifetimes ago. Soul contracts. Today Inanna is sometimes represented by Venus. We follow her ascent and descent. She becomes the morning Star after being in the night sky. Inanna has many names, including Isthtar and she is represented by an eight-point Star. Some say this each point represents one of her many Powers. The picture above is me in Cinque Terre Italy during my one-month sabbatical there this summer. This is me cleansing myself with the Ocean Waters 22 years later after my first visit to this land. I had to climb about one-mile down cobble stairs to get to touch the Sacred Waters that would revive my Soul. Inanna’s story is so representative of my Journey. And let me tell you. The descent was so much easier than the ascension. On the way up, towards the end of this visit, I had to take breaks, it was hot and I was secretly wishing my kids would carry me back up. But at the end, the moment I stepped up that last step, it was such an empowering moment for my Soul. I made the choice to go down, all the way down, knowing very well how hard it was going to be to come back up. So, this is my rebirthing. Many of you have been witness to the descent. The last 6 years in which I have danced with Death Herself. Some choose to stay in the Underworld, becoming a victim of their Shadow. While others take their Power back and rise from the ashes. There are many versions of Inanna’s Story. Just like there are so many versions of our own story. Inanna has been with me, for many lifetimes, and so has Ereshkigal. She killed old versions of me. And for this, I am infinitely grateful. I was forced to face my Shadow. And my Shadow was forced to face me. I hope she visits you and Whispers to you from the deepest places of her Soul. In Lak’Esh Ala’Kin! Aho! Ashe! Ashe! Whispers from my Heart to yours! Syrius Priya Xitlali www.onyxflowermedicine.com IG: @onyxflowermedicine

Posted by Cholena, SatMom at 2023-10-02 15:30:27 UTC