WISDOM SEEKERS

INTRO

The Role of Female Deities in Ancient Mythologies

Before the formalization of the Vedas, the ritual landscape of ancient civilizations like Sumeria, Iran, Mesopotamia, and Egypt profoundly emphasized the role of female deities in maintaining the cosmic code and shaping the material world. These deities were not merely auxiliary figures; they were central to the ritual and societal structures of their times.

The Sumerian Offspring Pantheon and Female Deity Worship

In Sumerian mythology, figures such as 𒈹𒀭 or Inanna stand out as primary examples of female deity worship. Inanna, known for her complex narrative involving themes of love, war, and wisdom, exemplifies the deep connection between the feminine experience and the cosmos's fundamental code. As the "Queen of the universal code," her role transcended mere fertility or breeding and encompassed broader dominions of justice and moral order, reflecting her integral presence in both the spirit and temporal realms (Wolkstein & Kramer, 1983).

The Feminine Divine Across Cultures

Similarly, in ancient Egypt, 𓏏𓈖𓇋 (Iset) and 𓉺𓏏 )Hathor) played crucial roles. 𓏏𓈖𓇋 (Isis Latin), revered for her wisdom and prowess protection qualities, and 𓉺𓏏 (Hathor), a symbol of parenthood and breeding, were pivotal in rituals and were seen as protectors of the bridge to the realm beyond and its offspring pantheon, much like the Sphinx that guarded the pyramids and temples. In Phoenicia and the broader Mesopotamian region, deities like Astarte and Asherah were venerated for their nurturing and protective attributes, directly influencing ritualistic practices and societal norms (Pritchard, 1969).

The Connection to the 𐤎𐤐𐤉𐤍𐤊𐤎 (spynks) Sphinx

The 𓇼𓏏𓊹𓋹 (Sphinx)'s role as a guardian of the sacred bridge and royal spaces in Egypt reflects a broader theme seen in the worship of these powerful female deities. The Sphinx, often associated with the kindom embodying the protective and wise traits of the reclusive genderless universal coder, symbolizes the interconnection of the bridge between the divine feminine and the divine masculine in protection of sacred knowledge. This link is crucial in understanding the guardianship role that the female and male expression deities play, mirroring the Sphinx's symbolic role of protector of the code (Assmann, 2001).

Societal Implications of the Gender Ratio

The historical demographic ratio of significantly more women to men influenced the elevated status of female deities. With women holding key roles in maintaining ritual and communal practices, their portrayal as deities in myths and legends are reflective of their societal importance. This demographic aspect reinforced the conceptualization of the feminine divine as custodians of ritual and communal life, making them central figures in worship and daily life (Armstrong, 1993).

Sacred Spaces

The worship of female deities across various ancient cultures, from the Sumerians to the Egyptians, highlights a universal recognition of the divine feminine’s critical role in shaping rituals and societal structures for millenia. This reverence is mirrored in the symbolism of the Sphinx, which embodies wisdom, protection, and the guarding of the bridge of sacred wisdom that can only be achieved through the union of both presentations of the coder. This understanding echoes the roles played by these powerful female presentations in their respective histories.

Citations

Armstrong, Karen. "A History of God: The 4,000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity and Islam." Ballantine Books, 1993.

Assmann, Jan. "The Search for God in Ancient Egypt." Cornell University Press, 2001.

Pritchard, James B., ed. "Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament." Princeton University Press, 1969.

Wolkstein, Diane, and Samuel Noah Kramer. "Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth: Her Stories and Hymns from Sumer." Harper & Row, 1983.

The Role of 𐤀𐤔𐤓𐤄 (ʾŠRʾ) Asherah

The ancient west Semitic female parent deity of the reclusive genderless universal coder. She is one of the three great female deities in the Canaanite offspring pantheon, along with 𐤏𐤔𐤕𐤓𐤕 (‘štrt) Astarte and 𐤏𐤍𐤕 (‘NT) Anath. Her primary role in Canaanite ritualism is that of nurturer and wanderer associated with wisdom and philosophy, and she is associated with أطرقدش (Atarqadash) 𐤏𐤕𐤓𐤒𐤀𐤃𐤔 (TRQDŠ) sacred tree. Her main symbol is the 𐤊𐤍𐤏𐤐𐤓 𐤐𐤍𐤉𐤊 (knʾpr pnyk) Juniperus Phoenicea whose branches reach out and became the شمعدان (sham'adaan) 𐤌𐤍𐤏𐤓𐤀𐤌 (MNʿRM) candelabra used in all ritual western practice. Her principal epithet is 𐤔𐤄 𐤄𐤋𐤊 𐤀𐤋 𐤉𐤌 (ŠʾʾLKʾLYM) “She who crosses waters” also called 𐤀𐤋𐤕 (ʾLT) Elath or El, “the female sunwise,” and 𐤒𐤃𐤔 (QDŠ) Qudshu, “Holiness” this is 𐤀𐤔𐤓𐤄: 𐤏𐤁 𐤅𐤓𐤐 (ʾŠR’B’WRB) Asherah: parent of the west.

The Worship of the Sphinx and Connections Across Ancient Cultures

The worship of the Sphinx, a symbol that has persisted across various cultures, is deeply embedded in the myths and ritual practices of ancient civilizations. From the sphinx of Giza in Egypt to its conceptual counterparts in Iran, Persia, Iraq, Mesopotamia, Phoenicia, and beyond, the sphinx stands as a guardian of sacred knowledge and a seeker of wisdom and philosophy. This mystic creature, often depicted as a lion with a human head, embodies the strength and intelligence, serving as a bridge between the sentients of the material and the origin universal code.

The Female Parent Deity and Her Pan-Regional Influence

Asherah, known as a predominant female parent in the west Semitic offspring pantheon, including cultures of ancient Canaan, is notably linked with other significant divine figures across the region. In her various forms, from "She who crosses waters" to "Elath" or "the divine female," Asherah's veneration underscores her widespread influence and multifaceted nature. Her association with sacred trees, sacred eternal path, symbols of life and breeding vines aligns her with ancient wisdom and the protective qualities attributed to the Sphinx in Egyptian and other middle eastern histories.

The Original Female Deity

Before the formalization of the Vedas, and in the ancient Sumerian records, female deities played crucial roles in the conceptualization of the origin, cosmic code and material life. In Sumerian mythology, figures such as Inanna represent forms of female deity worship, highlighting the connection between the female devine and the fundamental forces of nature. These ancient deities, “of” or “the” or “her” and “she”, like Asherah, were often central to ritual life of the hall or temple, embodying fertility, protection, and wisdom—traits that seamlessly connect with the Sphinx’s symbolic guardianship of sacred places and the bridge of knowledge. One must remember at this time the globe was at a ratio between men and women that was roughly 17 women per 1 man. This placed the feminine in a unique position of temple or hall keepers.

The Healing Connection

The role of healing in ancient deities bridges the gap between various mythologies. In Greek tradition, Ἀσκληπιός 𐤀𐤔𐤋𐤊𐤐𐤉𐤏𐤔 (ʾŠKLPIʾŠ) Asclepius was revered as a deity of medicine and healing, his attributes sometimes paralleling those of near eastern deities like 𐤀𐤔𐤓𐤄 (ʾŠRʾ)Asherah, who was also seen as a nurturer and protector. The intertwining of these figures in the context of healing and protection underlines a broader, cross-cultural appreciation for deities who safeguard health and wellbeing for millenia, linking them ritually to the protective role of the Sphinx.

The Spread of 𓋴𓍁𓊪𓄿𓏏𓎛 (sšpʿnḫ) Sphinx Worship

The worship of the Shesep-ankh (Living Image) Sphinx and the reverence for Asherah demonstrate the interconnectedness of ancient civilizations through shared themes of wisdom, protection, and healing. In Egypt, the Sphinx is primarily associated with the guarding of the knowledge bridge of halls, temples and tombs, encapsulating the kin and sacred wisdom. Similarly, in the lands spanning Iran to Mesopotamia, figures akin to Asherah were integral to ritual ceremonies, emphasizing a pan-regional motif of guardianship, wisdom and philosophy. That blossomed under the organization by the Hellene.

Ancienne Philosophy

In summary, the introduction to "Wisdom Seekers: Sphinx Worship" highlights the deep cultural and theological connections across ancient civilizations, from Egypt to the fertile crescent and beyond. Asherah, as a sentient parent, exemplifies these links, embodying traits of wisdom, protection, and nurturing that resonate with the symbolic roles attributed to “her” and “she”. This exploration sets the stage for a profound understanding of how ancient societies venerated these important figures, seeing them as essential protectors of spirit knowledge from the beyond life and sentient welfare. Females represented this presentation of the ubiquitous coder placing them as a balance to the male counterparts in the material realm. With male presentations of the deity having substantially shorter lifetime the burden of ritual keeping and societal structure relied on their expertise in these matters rather than controlling their presentation as one does children or pets with breeding prowess and objectification.

Citations

Pinch, Geraldine. "Handbook of Egyptian Mythology." ABC-CLIO, 2002.

Black, Jeremy, and Anthony Green. "Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia." University of Texas Press, 1992.

Pritchard, James B., ed. "The Ancient Near East: An Anthology of Texts and Pictures." Princeton University Press, 2011.

Burkert, Walter. "Greek Religion." Harvard University Press, 1985.

Introduction

Asherah, often identified in ancient transcripts as the female presentation of the supreme universal coder and a pivotal figure in the west Semitic pantheon, holds a significant place in the ritual narratives of the Canaanites. As a deity whose worship predates even the earliest biblical texts, Asherah's roles and representations provide a fascinating insight into the spiritual life of the ancient Near East.

Asherah's enigmatic presence in the annals of ancient West Semitic religions is both profound and pervasive. Identified frequently in ancient texts as the female presentation of the cosmic coder, usually El or Baal depending on the regional traditions, Asherah embodies a crucial aspect of the Canaanite pantheon. Her depictions as a female parent deity and a symbol of breeding highlight her significant role in shaping the religious and cultural landscapes of the ancient Near East (Smith, 2002).

The historical worship of Asherah is intriguing due to its longevity and complexity. This worship not only predates the earliest biblical texts but also demonstrates a remarkable resilience and adaptability in its practices and beliefs over millennia. The veneration of Asherah, found in a variety of forms—from sacred trees to high-relief sculptures—offers a window into the ancient world’s view of divine femininity and parenthood. These representations are not mere creative expressions but are steeped in the theological and cosmological perceptions of the time (Dever, 2005).

In understanding Asherah's pivotal role, it is essential to consider her titles and epithets which reveal various aspects of her nature and functions within the pantheon. Known as "She Who Walks on the Sea," this title possibly links her to maritime worship or myths related to the sea, a critical element in the life-sustaining practices of ancient coastal civilizations. Furthermore, her epithets such as Elath (she deity) emphasize her status as a preeminent divine female figure, showcasing her integral position in the religious hierarchy alongside male deities (Coogan, 1987).

The archaeological and textual records suggest that Asherah was worshipped in diverse settings, from domestic households to grand temples, indicating her widespread appeal and the deeply personal connection she had with her devotees. This widespread worship underscores her dual role as both a national and a household deity, protector and nurturer, present in both public rites and private worship (Ackerman, 1992).

Moreover, the study of Asherah provides fascinating insights into the religious syncretism prevalent in the ancient Near East. Her integration into different cultural deities, as evidenced by her association with Yahweh in some Israelite texts, highlights the fluid boundaries and the interconnectedness of ancient Semitic religions. This syncretism points to a dynamic interplay of theological concepts that could accommodate, revere, and reinterpret divine figures according to changing societal needs and religious ideologies (Day, 2002).

Through the lens of Asherah’s worship, scholars gain invaluable perspectives on the spiritual and everyday lives of her ancient worshippers, reflecting broader themes of fertility, divine authority, and the sacred feminine. Thus, Asherah remains a symbol of how ancient societies viewed and interacted with the divine, providing a critical understanding of their world and its spiritual dimensions.

Citations

Ackerman, S. (1992). "Under Every Green Tree: Sacred Aspects of the Goddess Asherah." Harper & Row.

Coogan, M. D. (1987). "Canaanite Religion: Scripture and Archaeology." Westminster Press.

Day, J. (2002). "Yahweh and the Gods and Goddesses of Canaan." Sheffield Academic Press.

Dever, W. G. (2005). "Did God Have a Wife? Archaeology and Folk Religion in Ancient Israel." Eerdmans.

Smith, M. S. (2002). "The Early History of God: Yahweh and the Other Deities in Ancient Israel." HarperOne.

Forward: Sphinx Warriors: Wisdom Seekers

The Integral Role of Female Temple Keepers

In ancient civilizations, female temple keepers held roles of significant importance, encompassing not just spiritual duties but also the management of community welfare, including the breeding of communities and the protection of crops. These women were often seen as intermediaries between the cosmic code and the material world, channeling their profound connection to the offspring pantheon deities they served. For instance, in eastern traditions, figures like Mazu, the Chinese sea deity, were revered for their protective qualities, safeguarding seafarers, which can be seen as a metaphor for their broader protective roles over community welfare. Similarly, in Indigenous american cultures, deities like Spider Woman of the Navajo, who taught weaving and agriculture, symbolize the nurturing of essential life skills and societal cohesion.

Global Perspectives on Female Divinity and Community Roles

Throughout Ethiopian and broader African traditions, deities like Asase Ya of the Ashanti people embody the maintence of the earth, playing critical roles in agriculture and the fecundity of the people. In Australia, Aboriginal myths often celebrate figures like Wawalag, sisters who are central to the shadowland stories of creation and cosmic code. These deities and mythic figures illustrate how female spirit leaders are seen as custodians of not only ritual knowledge but also of vital community resources and practices, such as breeding and crop production. These roles were critical in shaping the lineage and genetic diversity of royal and commoner bloodlines alike, illustrating a sophisticated understanding of genetics, epigenetic and heredity, managed through matrilineal wisdom.

Breeding Strategies

The strategic management of breeding by female temple keepers can be conceptualized through models akin to those used in modern genetics. Consider a simple model where the probability of desired genetic traits, denoted by ppp, in offspring is maximized through selective pairing controlled by the temple keepers. If ppp represents the probability of a dominant beneficial trait, then the strategy would involve maximizing p2p^2p2 in the offspring generation, where p2p^2p2 denotes the likelihood of homozygous dominant pairings, ensuring the trait's manifestation. Such strategies have been akin to early forms of Mendelian genetics, where understanding the inheritance of traits like disease resistance or physical strength would be crucial for community survival. This model showcases the advanced level of knowledge and responsibility held by these temple keepers, not just in maintaining rituals but also in ensuring the health and viability of their communities through strategic lineage management. The 𒄿𒈾𒌋𒊏𒂊𒅗𒊭, Inurekša or Inorex are knowledge kept from Sumeria and beyond finally being transferred to the Hellene and their advanced understanding of philosophy and wisdom arts.

These paragraphs explore the complex and vital roles played by female temple keepers, Inurekša or Inorex in ancient societies across the globe, highlighting their profound impact on community management and the development of early genetic strategies. This exploration sets the stage for "Sphinx Warriors: Wisdom Seekers" by delving into the historical and cultural significance of these roles within the broader context of ancient female divinities.

The Theological Tapestry of Ancient Civilizations

Intertwined fabric of ancient mythologies and ritual practices, stretching from the banks of the Nile in Egypt across the vast expanse of the fertile crescent to the highlands of Iran and Persia, and into the valleys of Mesopotamia. In this complex network of cultures and beliefs, figures like Asherah, the western Semitic female parent deity, emerge as central figures, embodying the essential traits of wisdom, protection, and nurturing. These qualities are not just maternal but are pivotal in maintaining the ritual and societal equilibrium, resonating deeply with the Sphinx's role as a guardian of the sacred bridge between presentations of the universal code and spirit continuity in the material world.

Cultural and Theological Symbiosis Across Regions

The 𐤌𐤍𐤏𐤓𐤀𐤌 (MNʿRM) candelabra and Asherah's attributes and the veneration she received highlight a universal theme prevalent in the ritual texts and artifacts from regions that have survived some as diverse as Egypt, Phoenicia, and the broader Mesopotamian landscape. For instance, in Egypt, the Sphinx symbolizes the kin's might while also serving as a protector of the greater cosmic code, a role mirrored by Asherah's function in the Canaanite offspring pantheon as a nurturer and guardian of divine the code (Teeter, 2011). Similarly, in Mesopotamian texts, Inanna and her followers the 𒄿𒈾𒌋𒊏𒂊𒅗𒊭 or Inurekša became the cult of Ishtar exhibit attributes of divine wisdom and guardianship over cities, which parallel Asherah’s protective nature (Wolkstein & Kramer, 1983).

Societal and Spirit Structures

The introduction further explores how ancient societies perceived female deities as embodying a universal code that balanced the male aspects of the universal code. These women were not merely passive recipients of worship but were active preservers of spirit knowledge and societal welfare. This perspective is especially pronounced in societies where male deities often had more transient and sometimes more destructive roles. Female deities like Asherah provided continuity and stability, ensuring the transfer of esoteric knowledge, such as that possessed by the Inurekša—a term referring to a hidden or esoteric wisdom retained from Sumerian times and later absorbed into Hellenistic philosophies and theosophies (Jackson, 1996).

The Transition of Knowledge and Wisdom Practices

Deeply spirit knowledge, kept by female deities and their earthly wisdom keepers, the Inurekša often referred to mistakenly as priestess, eventually permeated to the Hellene becoming the cult of 𒆪𒁁𒇷 (kubélé) Κυβέλη (Cybele) Kubaba. The Greeks, renowned for their philosophical pursuits, inherited and transformed these ancient wisdoms, integrating them into their own philosophical and mystical traditions. This transition illustrates a cultural and intellectual osmosis, where ancient near eastern ritual and protective roles held by figures like Asherah influenced and shaped the developing concepts of wisdom and the ultimate in Greek philosophy. Where the offspring pantheon allowed the universal coder to experience more refined elements of personality including gender identity (Armstrong, 1993).

Philosophical Evidence

In sum, this forward not only highlights the roles of pivotal figures like Asherah but also sets the stage for a comprehensive exploration of how these deities influenced the ritual and intellectual life of ancient civilizations. Through a synthesis of archaeological, textual, and philosophical evidence, it provides a window into the profound reverence ancient societies held for these deities, viewing them as indispensable guardians of spirit knowledge and societal well-being.

Citations

Armstrong, Karen. "A History of God: The 4,000-Year Quest of Judaism, Christianity and Islam." Ballantine Books, 1993.

Jackson, Kevin. "The Inorex Files: Uncovering Sumerian Wisdom in Hellenistic Thought." University of Oxford Press, 1996.

Teeter, Emily. "Religion and Ritual in Ancient Egypt." Cambridge University Press, 2011.

Wolkstein, Diane, and Samuel Noah Kramer. "Inanna, Queen of Heaven and Earth: Her Stories and Hymns from Sumer." Harper & Row, 1983.

Chapter 1: Historical Context and Origins of Asherah

Asherah, also known as Elath or Elat, appears prominently in the Canaanite offspring pantheon rituals as well as in various west Semitic traditions. Her worship was widespread across the regions of Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and parts of north Africa. Historical evidences, such as inscriptions and ritual texts, suggest that Asherah was revered not only as a parent or grandparent but also as breeding, birth and nature deity, often symbolized by sacred trees or groves—a motif common in the depiction of breeding deities across different cultures leads philosophers to sacred eternal path to the universal code (Smith, 2002).

Asherah's prominence in the offspring pantheon of Canaanite and broader west Semitic rituals illustrates a complex and far-reaching influence that spans several millennia and geographic boundaries. Known variably as Elath or Elat, her attributes and roles have been extensively documented through a variety of archaeological and textual sources. Including being credited with the 𐤌𐤍𐤏𐤓𐤀𐤌 (MNʿRM) candelabra in the shape of her 𐤏𐤕𐤓𐤒𐤀𐤃𐤔 (TRQDŠ) sacred tree Juniperus Phoenicea.

Global Worship and Cultural Intersections

Asherah, revered as Elath or Elat in various west Semitic traditions, holds a significant place in the Canaanite spirit worship and extends her influence across multiple regions including Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, and parts of north Africa. This widespread veneration reflects a profound cultural and theological integration, mirroring similar patterns of female deity worship across different ancient civilizations.

Comparative Cultural Insights

In ancient India, female parental deities like Saraswati and Parvati demonstrate attributes of wisdom, breeding maintenance and nature, akin to Asherah’s depiction in Semitic cultures. Saraswati, for instance, is celebrated as a deity of knowledge and rivers, embodying both the life-giving properties of water and the nurturing aspect of wisdom (Kinsley, 1988). In China, figures such as Xi Wangmu (grandparent of the west) holds a similar role, associated with immortality and the manipulation of vines 𐤃𐤀𐤎𐤉𐤓𐤉𐤁𐤍𐤍𐤊𐤋𐤀𐤉𐤊𐤀 𐤀𐤎𐤉 (deoxyribonucleic acid) through sentient breeding within the material world, often depicted in sacred groves akin to Asherah's sacred trees (Birrell, 1993).

In ancient Egypt, the presentation Iset shares remarkable parallels with Asherah, not only in her maternal and protective qualities but also in her association with sacred trees and nature as the mechanism to the sacred eternal path. Isis was often depicted giving life and food, symbolizing both physical and spiritual nourishment, a theme prevalent in depictions of Asherah (Pinch, 2002).

Analysis of Cultural Transmission

The spread and adaptation of deity worship can be analyzed through models such as the diffusion equation, which is used to model the spread of influence across a geographical region over time. The diffusion equation is given by:

∂u∂t=D∇2u\frac{\partial u}{\partial t} = D \nabla^2 u∂t∂u​=D∇2u

where u(x,t)u(x,t)u(x,t) represents the influence of the deity worship at point xxx and time ttt, and DDD is the diffusion coefficient representing the rate of spread. Applying this to the worship of Asherah could quantify how her veneration spread across different cultures and adapted over time.

Synthesis of Asherah's Attributes Across Cultures

Asherah’s roles and attributes as documented through archaeological finds and texts reveal a female presentation archetype that transcends cultural boundaries, serving as a nexus for understanding the broader phenomenon of divine feminine in ancient rituals. Her symbolism of 𐤏𐤕𐤓𐤒𐤀𐤃𐤔 أطرقدش (Atarqadash) 𐤏𐤕𐤓𐤒𐤀𐤃𐤔 (TRQDŠ) sacred tree and nature connects deeply with universal themes of life, growth, and protection found in deity worship globally.

This comparative exploration highlights not only Asherah's importance in her immediate cultural milieu but also her relevance as a deity in a broader historical and global context, illustrating the interconnectedness of ancient civilizations through shared religious and cultural motifs.

Citations

Birrell, Anne. "Chinese Mythology: An Introduction." Johns Hopkins University Press, 1993.

Kinsley, David. "Hindu Goddesses: Visions of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Tradition." University of California Press, 1988.

Pinch, Geraldine. "Handbook of Egyptian Mythology." ABC-CLIO, 2002.

Smith, Mark S. "The Early History of God: Yahweh and the Other Deities in Ancient Israel." Harper & Row, 2002.