ISHTAR

April 22nd is the traditional day for honoring Ishtar, Babylonian version of the 
Sumerian goddess Inanna, but as we are seeing the first signs of spring this is 
a good time to remember Ishtar's fertile energy.

SUGGESTED MANTRA: SEXUALITY
Ishtar represents the fullness of womanhood and dares us to dream. Her power is 
strongest at the full moon, when the essence of womanhood heightens in response 
to the moon energy that is all-encompassing.

SUGGESTED AFFIRMATIONS:
~ I am joyful
~ My big hips are sexy!
~ I am healthy and happy
~ I am alive with sexuality
~ I adore my womanly shape
~ I feel absolutely supercharged
~ I have abundant energy and vitality
~ My vital energy resurfaces with laughter

Related essences: Vanilla, almond, oriental lily, bergamot
Related gemstones: Carnelian, coral, agate, brown jaspar (orange stones)

Ishtar's energy represents love, fertility, passion and sexuality. Babylonians 
have honored Ishtar as a goddess who inspires lovers everywhere to stop for a 
moment and connect with the fertile energy she brings. The city of Mari 
worshiped Ishtar as a birth goddess symbolized by the Urn of Life held tight to 
her belly. Even the Christians have borrowed aspects of the womanly Ishtar and 
incorporated the divine love of a mother for her dying son into their Virgin 
Mary.

She is descended from the goddess of romance, Venus, and her energy encompasses 
all that is "woman" - nurturing mother, inspired companion, playful bed partner, 
wise advisor, insightful leader. She is revered especially on days of the full 
moon, when it is right to engage in joyful acts of lovemaking to celebrate being 
"woman".

April 22nd is the traditional day for honoring Ishtar - as close to this day as 
possible, on the night of a full moon, to bring Ishtar's loving warmth to your 
heart and home, wear clothes or jewelry that contain Ishtar's symbolism - stars, 
the moon, the lion or the dove.

Play a drum with your hands, holding it between your legs. Listen to your 
heartbeat and send it through your shoulders, arms and hands to the drum, and 
feel the infinite power of connection to the earth as the vibrations travel back 
through your body to your core. Energy flows, love grows.

Dance like no one is watching
Sing like no one is listening
Love like you've never been hurt
And live like heaven on earth.

Love and light,
~ Anita ~
www.goddess.com.au

Contributed by Magick Potion