Inanna on Desire and Discontent

[qos]

From this morning's altar time:

I am not just sexual desire. I am the desire that is at the root of all fertility and growth -- even creative fertility.

Inanna's stories portray her as having an intense lust for more. She won the me from Father Enki by getting him drunk and flattering him. She dared the forbidden journey to the Underworld. It could be seen that even her desire for the human kings, celebrated in the hieros gamos texts, is indicative of her unwillingness to be limited only to divine partners. She was never content with just what she had.

This also, of course, got her into trouble, which is one reason why I find it helpful to balance her energies with those of Ereshkigal, who is about maintaining boundaries.

But as I struggle to discern the appropriate expression of my personal sexuality at this time, it's very helpful to get back in touch with Inanna's indiscriminate desire, desire that is not limited to the sexually erotic.

Simple discontent saps our joy, makes us feel helpless and bitter, bogs us down. Divine discontent spurs us to become more. For me, Inanna is the personification of divine discontent. She is the passionate desire to have and to do and to be more than what we are now.

Comments

[watcher457.livejournal.com]

That sounds fascinating. I wonder if that isn't the case with everyone who is serious about their relationship with the gods. There is something about a person's understanding of their god/dess that drives them to be more. Have you noticed that? I wonder if it's a desire to become better to become more pleasing, or to become more like the deity, or what that desire stems from.

Hmm... stream of consciousness. Sorry for the ramble. Is very interesting, though.

[shadowandstar.livejournal.com]

There is something about a person's understanding of their god/dess that drives them to be more. Have you noticed that?

I don't think I've ever formulated it quite that way, but it's certainly an attractive idea.

Awesome

[purplevenus.livejournal.com]

I would love to know what Inanna thinks of Aphrodite, since so many people think Aphrodite descended from her.
Thanks for sharing

Re: Awesome

[shadowandstar.livejournal.com]

It's easy to imagine them as sisters: Inanna the elder, Aphrodite the younger. I can see them trading beauty tips and gossping about their husbands and lovers, and each trying to out-dazzle the other.

Re: Awesome

[watersusurrus.livejournal.com]

I love that idea...

Re: Awesome

[watcher457.livejournal.com]

If I knew those goddesses better, I would so write this short story. "The adventures of Inanna and Aphrodite"

[watersusurrus.livejournal.com]

I needed this right now, thank you, wonderful insights.