Venus as Inanna: The Myth of Descent and Transformation

Venus, often associated with love and beauty, also embodies the powerful myth of descent and transformation, particularly through the story of Inanna. Inanna, the ancient Sumerian goddess, represents Venus in mythology, and her journey to the underworld is a profound tale of sacrifice, rebirth, and the cyclical nature of life and death.

The myth of Inanna's descent into the underworld is one of the earliest recorded stories of a goddess undergoing a transformative journey. Inanna descends into the realm of her sister, Ereshkigal, the queen of the underworld, to attend the funeral of Ereshkigal's husband. To enter the underworld, Inanna must pass through seven gates, removing a piece of her clothing or jewelry at each one, symbolizing the shedding of her earthly attachments and power. Eventually, she arrives in the underworld naked and vulnerable, where she is judged and sentenced to death by Ereshkigal.

After three days and nights, Inanna is resurrected and allowed to return to the surf…