History of Astarte
Astarte is one of the oldest
goddesses in recorded history. She was worshipped in many guises as a goddess
of fertility, wisdom, love and war. She was also known as Astarat and Ashtart. She was worshipped throughout the Middle
east and many worshipped her including the Phoenicians/Canaanites, Egyptians and Hebrews. Astarte also appears to
have been worshiped in Syria as Atargatis and this worship covered a large area
from Syria across the Mediterranean. This name seems to have come from a
combining of the names Astarte and Anat. According to Patai, the "original
meaning of the name Astarte was 'womb' or 'that which issues from the womb,' thus
it can be easily seen her link as a fertility goddess (Patai 1990:57)
Among the Hebrews, Astarte was also
known as Ashtoreth and they worshipped her alongside Ba’al. Once the rise of
monotheism began and the popularity of Yahweh, people began to reject Goddesses
such as Astarte/Ashtoreth and her popularity declined.
The prophet Jeremiah called her the
Queen of Heaven during the 7th and early 6th centuries B.C.E and the people of Judah feared that abandoning the
worship of the goddess would lead to problems:
“Ever
since we stopped burning incense to the Queen of Heaven and pouring out drink
offerings to her, we have had nothing and have been perishing by sword and
famine.” (Jeremiah , 44:18)
To the Egyptians, Astarte
was honoured as a Goddess of War and tenacity. In the Egyptian mythology she
was thought of as the daughter of Ra the Sun god along with the Goddess Anat. The Romans also
looked upon her as their Goddess of Hunting and War. Astarte would often join
the hunt at the full moon and reward the hunters with special gifts.
To the Semites, she was a
Goddess of Love and Fertility. Pregnant women would carry plaques and
figurines of her wherever they went, and they would often burn incense in her
honour as a way of ensuring that they would give birth to healthy children.
Legends of Astarte
In the Phoenician pantheon Astarte
appears as a daughter of Epigeius (Greek: Uranus) and Ge (Earth), and sister of
the god Elus. Elus ovethrows his father and as a trick Epigeius sends Astarte along with her
sisters to seduce Elus. The trick seemingly backfires as all three become wives
to their brother and Astarte bears him seven daughters and two sons. Astarte
becomes a great ruler and wears the horns of a bull to signify her power.
Whilst wandering through her kingdom, Astarte takes up a star that has fallen
from the sky and consecrates it at Tyre. Hence her title of Queen of the Stars
A story exists which is often associated with Astarte in her aspect as
the Goddess of Fertility. Every Autumn, Astarte descended into the Underworld
to search for her beloved Tammuz. When she left to go down into the Underworld,
the Earth entered the cold barrenness of Winter, and it stayed that way until
she returned, three months later, bringing with her the rebirth and growth that
is associated with the season of Spring. This story has echoes of the story of
Persephone going into the underworld to be with Hades only to return in the
Spring when the world re-awakens.
Scholars who have studied Astarte see similarities between her story and that of the virgin Mary. In Syria and Egypt she was celebrated on 25th December with the
dramatisation of the re-birth of the solar god from the celestial virgin. It is because of
this legend that of Astarte's holy
days was associated with Yule, and it is believed that she created the
Evergreen Tree out of her sorrow and love for Tammuz
Another legend surrounding Astarte is
that she was the mother of all souls: the moon surrounded by her star children
to whom she gave their astral bodies.
Some say that the word Easter derives from the word Astarte although it is commonly thought that it derives from Oestara.
Another story states that Astarte descended to earth as a fiery star,
landing near Byblos in a lake at Alphaca, the site where the original Tammuz is
said to have died.
Astarte’s oldest known
temple was at Byblos. Byblos is a city, which lies on the coast of
the Mediterranean Sea, in the country that is now known as Lebanon. Byblos was
a major trading city and Astarte was a key figure seen as a Goddess of learning
and wisdom. The Phoenicians extended the worship of Astarte. From cities such as
Byblos, Tyre, and Sidon, they set forth by sea on long trading expeditions,
and, venturing far and wide, they even reached Cornwall
in England!
The Greeks were the first people to call papyrus by the term “byblos,”
and that term eventually evolved into meaning any holy book, including the
Bible. Legend also tells us that this may be how and where the Bible got its
name
Astarte has been associated with
goddesses such as Artemis, Aphrodite and Inanna and indeed these goddesses
could represent Astarte under a different name. She was known as Inanna to the Sumerians, and Ishtar to the Babylonians. The
Greeks identified her with Aphrodite and the Romans with Venus, this could
explain her being linked to the evening star.
Symbols for Astarte
Astarte on her many names and guises
has had many symbols associated with her. She was known as the ‘Queen of the
Stars’ . According to legends Astarte fell
from the stars to the earth. One of her
symbols is a star within a circle to represent her status as ‘Queen of the
stars’ or the evening star for which she is also known. As the
"Queen of the Stars," or the "Heavenly Virgin,” Astarte was
believed to rule the "spirits who lived in heaven as light,"
The bull and the dove are
especially sacred to Astarte and Astoreth. The Goddess is often pictured
wearing horns. The horns could also be a crescent moon
symbol, part of the triple goddess symbol. Astoreth is sometimes pictured wearing the head of a Bull
The egg is a sacred symbol
of Astarte, representing fertility, new life and the powers of the Goddess.
Also in her role as a fertility Goddess she is often depicted holding an ever
flowing jug of water whilst surrounded by flowers and grain.
In her guise as a goddess of
war Astarte is seen carrying a bow and arrow much like Artemis. She is depicted riding horses and banishing weapons in several pieces
of art that have been discovered.
Her image is most frequently
seen on ancient seals or reliefs holding the sacred lotus in one hand and two
entwined serpents in the other. The Lotus is a flower which is considered to
be a universal symbol, connected to the Great Mother Goddess. Known as the
"flower of light," lotus petals were been believed to represent the
sun’s rays, while its stem was believed to represent an umbilical cord. The
belief that the Lotus’ stem might represent an umbilical cord is indicative of
the fact that all life stems from, or is born from, the Great Mother. The lotus
flower therefore is a symbol of all that out mother earth provides for us and
is associated with creative power, fertility, life and growth.
Another symbol that was unique to Astarte was papyrus, which the
merchants of Byblos would sell to the Greeks, as well as to other traders from
the entire Mediterranean region. As the Goddess of wisdom in Blybos, papyrus
was very important as the foundation for the production of paper.
Astarte is also associated with
several animals such as lions, horses and the sphinx. Birds, particularly the
dove, are important symbols for this goddess since they are used as a means of
reaching the underworld and/or heaven.
Drawing on Astarte Wisdom Today
You can draw upon the ancient goddess power of Astarte by visualizing
the light of the stars pouring down through your crown chakra surrounding you
with an iridescent aura and filling you with her bountiful energy and
protection. Call upon Astarte the Queen of the Stars whenever you have need of
this protection.
Just as Astarte drew upon her inner
strength and wisdom to face what lay ahead of her, so can we embrace this
power. She is a symbol of the independence and spirit that gives birth to
our creativity and encourages us with our successes. Astarte is both the maiden
and mother goddess and personifies the passion of life, the beauty of our
mother earth and the sacredness of all beings.
In her roll of fertility Goddess you
can ask for her help in this area. If you are seeking to become pregnant you
can ask for her guidance or if you are starting a new project that you wish to
spring into being, she will be there for you.
Decide what Astarte really means for
you. Because she is such an ancient Goddess she has had many names and forms
and been worshipped by many different people. Thus she has different strengths
as seen by various cultures. You can therefore pick what resonates best for you
at this time in your life. Perhaps you need strength, or rather you, need
nurturing. Astarte is a strong yet
gentle Goddess and can be adapted to a host of different situations.
Astarte Poems
"She was the Mother of the Moon, Daughter of the Sun, Ruler of the
Stars and Keeper of the Earth. In the beginning, Astarte was the whole.”
unknown
“Great
Bountiful Goddess of Antiquity
Your
sacred fires are again lighted
Your
name is again spoken with reverent awe
The
High Places are no longer abandoned
Your
Sacred Altars are again tended
Earth
is re-awakening to your voice.” Unknown
“Isis,
Astarte, Diana, Hecate, Demeter, Kali, Inanna,” Wiccan energy chant
Astarte blessings to you, Alison
References:
Patai, Raphael 1990 (1978). The Hebrew Goddess: Third Enlarged Edition.
Detroit, MI: Wayne State University
Tubbs 1998:140-141
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000)
