The Slow Ascent / What Was Left Behind?

[qos]

The Descent of Inanna leaves out a crucial part of the story: Inanna's ascent.

Yes, we know she is brought back to life, rises out of the underworld, forbids the demons to take those who love her. . .

But what of all she left behind at the gates? Nothing is said of the crown of the steppes, the breastplate called Come Man Come, the lapis beads. . .

During my first initiation with Ereshkigal, She told me that I had been in a descent for a very long time -- longer than this lifetime. It's time to ascend. It was a wonderful message, a message of hope.

But more complicated than I had realized at first.

One who has been deep in the underworld has been stripped of everything: powers, associations, names. . . As I grope for my tools, my energy, my focus, my faith in myself, I suddenly wonder if part of my task right now is consciously discovering and reclaiming things that have been lost.

Anubis suggested to me a couple of days ago that a soul retrieval might be in order. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. I have skills. I have desires. I remain mired in obstacles I start to grasp but which strip away without being overcome.

Have I typed this before? Or did I only dream it?

What am I missing?
What do I need to reclaim. . . or claim. . . or create?

Comments

[shadowandstar.livejournal.com]

That certainly makes sense.

There are other tales about women doing underworld-type tasks that involve gathering and sorting. I suspect that is a characteristic of the part of the Inanna story that isn't told. . .

As am interesting juxtaposition

[purplevenus.livejournal.com]

I read a story recently in which Kore found her name in the Underworld, while having her first orgasm there.

Re: As am interesting juxtaposition

[shadowandstar.livejournal.com]

That sounds vaguely familiar. I'm not sure if I've read that one or something like it.

Do you have the specific reference?