the best friends and lovers for a time along a road that had led them to many inner and outer discoveries? Use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. Then he took the young priestess’ hand and kissed it, not with the gallantry of a friend and lover, but with the humility and reverence of a mortal man faithful to the goddess. I serve the Loud Thundering Storm who pour rain, grains and blessings over the land for the people. Indeed, so much alike the two of you are. Gilgamesh and Enkidu take their Gilgamesh nodded to Shamhat, who released a sigh of relief. Clinton Middle School. All priestesses and priests who served Inanna honored life. This was so because Inanna was the Goddess of Love, and in Her desire and sexual response. Hakuno kissed him again, her hands moving down his chest. It was in the first days, in the very first days when Gilgamesh (giant 2/3rd divine mixed-breed). fruit of my own Choices and Deeds, now and forever in all worlds I dare to fare’. When I look at you, Enkidu, You seem to be like a god. Furthermore, nomadic tribes who would not hesitate to destroy everything and everyone on their way. Hark, There is an echo through all the country Like a mother mourning. interprets the dream and says it is nothing to fear. Now all Shamhat should do was to wait and see what it would become. His enthusiasm for the new doors that were open wide to him was a thing to behold. among personal items especially chosen by the High Priestess to honor Inanna. Serving is such an unquestionably manly thing, that homophobia dissipates; soldiers care less about one’s sexuality than whether the man can get the job done. Shamhat did not say a word, just smiled and stood on the ground, holding her small breasts in cup. Yes, I did create Gilgamesh, the King, as Mine is the power that has engendered life in all there was, is and will be. to Inanna‘s Temple of Love, and to the Eanna, where the Sky God An can be found. Chapter Text “I love you also means I love you more than anyone loves you, or has loved you, or will love you, and also, I love you in a way that no one loves you, or has loved you, or will love you, and also, I love you in a way that I love no one else, and never have loved anyone else, and never will love anyone else.” I am one with All Nature, bird, fish or beast. the Great Goddess you sent to bring this man to your presence. of clashing swords, daggers, and axes surrounds them, and Gilgamesh As one with the True Chosen of Inanna of 10,000 Names since the beginning of times. Thus, when the time was right , usually during one of the great festivals, and the faithful worthy beyond measure, in the privacy of the temple chambers, priestesses and priests could place themselves as Garments of the Goddess of Love. know that Gilgamesh longs to find a friend, equal in all respects and perfect in strength. But the real proof comes when Shamhat and the trapper actually arrive back at the watering hole. But before I surrender to designs I feel she has for me, once again I’ll converse with my fellow wild ones, and relish in their company.’. This was the temple’s code of conduct, the ethics of serving Inanna. Basically, it was the Outcome of the Challenge. She had brought him to the king, the king had accepted him. Now you are as a god! sleep test, stay up for (6 days, 7 nights) cf. (ancient Mesopotamian stele artifact of Enkidu, companion & friend to Gilgamesh). A Child of Pleasure who will embrace him, and teach the art of woman so that a man he will finally be. While she did so, she also hummed a song as she went along. and says he knows Gilgamesh is Ninsun’s son. not even the Great Gods can answer at this very moment, because it is for you to find out. that decided the function a future priestess would hold in the temple. which was the service of the body to the Divine Inspirational Masculine and Feminine. The king’s reply came from the bottom of his heart. My research suggests that Adam is a recast of Enkidu, Eve is a recast of Shamhat, and Sadu, the hunter, has been recast as God. Loud, she said very gently: ‘You may leave me now. "So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and he slept; then He took one of his ribs and closed up the flesh at that place, 22 the LORD God fashioned into a woman the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man." He deserved a life in the palace, new friends, he deserved it all. ‘No one dares to challenge me without being reduced to dust afterwards! He’s hairy and feral, lives in the woods and hangs out with animals, that kind of thing. (Ninhursag, Chief Medical Scientist, Anu‘s daughter, Enki‘s twin sister). Adam and Eve, in the Judeo-Christian and Islamic traditions, the original human couple, parents of the human race. They were also the pockets of order and civilization. Thrice blessed were all children conceived in this holy night. The forest, the wild beasts were dear to him, but somehow he needed more than to eat, bask in the sun or sleep. He, who had been speechless in hiding adoring the sight of Shamhat. Ninanna snorted. Shamhat was now fifteen years old and wished fervently she would be ready soon to hear the Call of the Goddess. ‘. Most notable is that Enkidu then takes up watch to protect the shepherds from the animals of the natural world of which he was once a member. the mountain is Humbaba, and that he and Gilgamesh will topple Humbaba The function of the temple of Inanna and her priests and priestesses was therefore to provide a haven for the people. The same way other people do: you sleep in separate beds in separate rooms and come together to be intimate. there was no inner or spiritual validation for high priestess or priesthood. Decided to do some writing, so I used the prompts from table #8 here and sat down and wrote all my prompts in a few hours @_@a Needless to say my brain is quite liquidated, and I'm quite sure these suck. Enkidu felt the need to come back to where he once belonged. Enkidu wanted to say something else, but words did not come out of his mouth. tame the beast within to find the man without, a man who is both divine and very human. ‘, Sent by your king to find me and take me to his presence?´. All who loved the goddess knew She was the Mistress of the Deepest Emotions that define the Dance of Love. (wild Gilgamesh, Bull of Heaven, Enkidu with crown, beast & King Gilgamesh). the bull bellowing and could feel its hot breath on his face. flour to Shamash. That night Gilgamesh pours flour on the ground, an offering to Shamash There was none that he, Gilgamesh, could not best in physical prowess and dare. Because sometimes one needs to give up that which is most precious to ensure growth and regeneration. In the Starlight Vision, the High Priestess saw a fully grown man come into being. I serve the one who makes the heavens tremble and the earth quake. he had been the Worthiest Initiator a hierodule-in-training could wish for. The feeling was wondrous and poignant at the same time, her face looked deeply moved. of flour to Shamash. A summary of Part X (Section1) in 's The Epic of Gilgamesh. the earth is shaking amidst the noise of thunder and lightning, and Shamhat was eight years old and ready to make her vows to the High Priestess and to Inanna. But the most important love in the epic is certainly between Gilgamesh and Enkidu. ‘. I’ve witnessed his birth in a dream, when holy Ninhursag, the Mistress of all creation. Our king asked for a Maiden of the Eanna, our Holy Temple. It was so because the temple was the center of all cities, called temple estates, in Ancient Mesopotamia. continuously threatened Uruk, Ur, Lagash, Kish, Nippur, and so many other temple estates. Gilgamesh‘s eyes appraised the worthiest opponent he had ever had in a combat. not for her or his gain, but for the Goddess seen in the person in need. The companions walk and walk, and together they cover ‘ Did I prove myself worthy of your trust?’ he asked, elation hardly concealed in his voice. The story tells of Gilgamesh’s adventures with the wild man Enkidu, and of his arduous journey to the ends of the earth in quest of the Babylonian Noah and the secret of immortality. Not before this will he be capable of healing Gilgamesh. Never before had I fought such a worthy opponent. To the Great Goddess Inanna, there was no separation between sexuality and spirituality. Enkidu, the Divine Wild One approached the waiting young priestess-in-training. Her hand reached out for a clay tablet that rested on the altar, (Inanna with her 8-pointed star symbol, the 8th planet-Venus claimed by aliens). fire and ashes fall from the sky. A man, as wild one was found in the woods, totally oblivious of the ways of the humankind. All young men he has defeated, all young girls he has taken as his own. They go to the plains together, and Shamhat lures Enkidu using her womanly wiles and they sleep together for six days and seven nights. Enkidu is transformed by that experience, and becomes socialised, humanised and empathetic. “Why don’t we sleep together for a while?” The king considered carefully the case, and came up with a peculiar solution: ‘A wild one, a star fallen from heaven, strong and free? the Goddess I serve, to bring you to Uruk, to meet him, who is our king and Shepherd of the Land fully prepared. Enkidu’s transitioning to civilization is done through a woman’s touch. Thus, in their houses, the men and women, the young and the old of Uruk muttered, not openly though. And as it was, is and will be, let it be done unto me according to Inanna‘s will, because this is the Highest Will in me. tough of body and hair waved like corn filaments, I give birth to you, Innocent of Humankind and Wise in the Ways of Wilderness!’. She knew she mattered to this Stranger too. The young ruler had left the palace and was on his way to the Eanna, to the High Chamber in the ziggurat, (Uruk ziggurat ruins, a small part of E-anna temple residence), the Holy of Holies (prior to tales from the Torah, named copied by all religions as Inner Residence of God). Enkidu asks Shamhat to find out who he is and where he is going. Shamhat and the hunter traveled together until they stood quite still at the sight of the lake. The hunter does as he is told and returns home with the harlot named Shamhat. The harlot’s sexuality introduced him to a different way of living that benefited both the citizens of Uruk and Gilgamesh, furthering his advancement in the epic journey. ‘. The harlot, Shamhat uses her feminine art to seduce Enkidu, “for six days and seven nights Enkidu stayed aroused” (Kovacs 5). But I, the Keeper of the secrets of the heart, mind, body and soul. For six days and seven nights, as the planets and the stars traveled the skies, She called him now Bright Eyes, not only for the real light, so perhaps it was time for her to tell him of. but he had been adorable and infuriating in his wild ways. when called to the same chambers to give her answer about accepting or not The Test. Gilgamesh and Enkidu construct a shelter against the wind and, huddling together for warmth, lie down to sleep. He needed to discover a new world not through her, but by his own choices and deeds. Careful account should be taken of donations. Shamhat followed the struggle with the people as it went on. The noise Once again, Shamhat shepherds him through this transformation as Enkidu imbibes alcohol for the first time and then washes and dresses himself in fine clothing. His place was in the palace, hers would be in the temple full time for the coming months. But I ask from the bottom of my heart, mind, body and soul to you, greatest of all monarchs, spare the life of Enkidu, who wants to meet and befriend you!’. Enkidu had truly initiated her into becoming a Sacred Prostitute (for gods & mixed-breeds). and therefore that the temple should try and heal the community in some way or another. They were, nevertheless, prohibited from opening and owning a tavern. (semi-divine king & Inanna, the Goddess of Love & War). because theirs was the knowledge of Sacred Drinks and Ecstatic Potions they were not supposed to reveal. out to him. the right balance of prodding and criticism to those who came to her for help. The man who brought Training and discipline won in the end of some charged minutes or seconds, Shamhat would never be able to say. But there is much, much more: I bid you to come to Uruk of the strong walls, (E-anna ramparts, Uruk residence of giant alien gods from Nibiru; Sky God Anu). But Humbaba pleads for mercy Would you like to come with me to Uruk, to the holy Eanna and to Gilgamesh, our sovereign and king? I’ll give a second self to him, so that rushing winds meet rushing winds! Shamhat took a long breath, closed her eyes and looked within her very Self, from the Center were all truths are found. and Enkidu cry out in terror. in the ritual stance of the goddess as the Holy Grail, the Ever Flowing Cup of Love, Boundless Delights and Life Force. that if he is spared, he will be Gilgamesh’s servant. Shamhat was anxious, perhaps as anxious as she herself had been. Your wish was my command, the Wild One is now turned into a Full Man. It was there that Wise Ninanna granted audiences for matters of most relevance to the temple. In it, a wild If this was the Wild One who ran and conversed with the wild beasts of the land. (the famous wrestling match between giants). he had also been the catalyst for a major change taking place within and without herself. Now that Enkidu had met Gilgamesh, his Soul Brother and Complement. The high priestess stood as the living representation of Inanna on Earth. One day, at the sight of Enkidu a hunter stopped, horrified and frozen stiff with fear. For six days and seven nights. ‘. ‘ But I am also dying to have a go at my Challenge. I roam pastures and woods with glee, saving the entrapped Wild Ones when need be. The mighty opponent my king defeated is the Wild One first seen in the woods of the land by the hunter. She let the moonlight cover her body as she bathed for the Wild One. She couldn’t escape Truth now, and the Truth was that, His enthusiasm for the new doors that were open wide to him, At the city gates, along the quays, the gardens and streets of, The young ruler had left the palace and was on his way to the, Who dares to face the king’s wrath?’ shouted, Insolent! Men are far from home and can only rely on each other; together they face the highest dangers and are motivated less by duty to country and more by the desire not to let their brothers down. So I bid you to come with me to Uruk, and see come into being this Great Truth.’. Gilgamesh would know what to do, he would ensure the problem would be seen to. For example, he could come to bed and watch Netflix on a tablet with earphones and you could use ear plugs and an eye mask. ‘ Enkidu asked. Once again, Enkidu interprets the You were truly a worthy Companion, Friend the Very Best along this Quest. The people, clearly divided, cheered for both opponents. Humbaba has seven garments, well into her Crone years, knew a sign would be sent very soon. This was the honor-bound custom: a priestess or priest-to-be should prove her or himself worthy by deeds. Inanna‘s Kiss, the high priestess’s unique understanding of the Goddess. The gods decide to create a wild man to rival him, so they come up with this guy Enkidu. A thing of wonder was his tenderness and lovemaking skill. When the gazelles and other wild animals see him, they flee. Weep all the paths where we walked together; And the beasts we hunted, the bear and hyena, Tiger and panther, leopard and lion, The stag and the ibex, the bull and the doe. The two Shamhat approached and bowed deeply in front of her spiritual mother. I’ll take you to Gilgamesh! Who is preventing me from approaching the Sacred Marriage Bed? ‘. They were already within Uruk‘s walls, soon she would take Enkidu to Gilgamesh. desperately pleading for his protection. and the designs of the holy city of Uruk. Gilgamesh wakes up frightened and asks Enkidu if he called out to him. He, Enkidu, raised his eyes to the Mistress of All and stared at Her in adoration. decided to come back to secular life, marry and have their own children. (E-anna & Inanna‘s patron city discovered in Uruk). Out in the woods, oblivious of humankind. Enkidu promptly ‘ Will you pray to the Lady on my behalf?’ asked Shamhat very moved, kissing the Wise One’s hand. Not as a Wild One, but as the man you’ve become and I am so very proud of. As you wished us to be from the start? One of the main events of the epic is that the Enkidu and Gilgamesh ... Shamhat plays a very important role in the epic because They would understand and see her in the temple as soon as they could. Apparently all he needed was a … A Call would then be issued by the Goddess, and had the acolyte accepted the Challenge. Then he tells Enkidu about his newest dream. The turmoil drew the attention of Gilgamesh the King. I believe this friend he needs is you, Enkidu. because as a hierodule she could not use her station for power or personal gratification. who, made angry by the stranger’s daring, was quickly displaying without the Beast he had within. Despite all this, Shamhat could be quite free, as far as she handed in work promptly to temple and palace tutors alike. He tells Gilgamesh This passage demonstrates Enkidu's initial innocence in the ways of humans, but ends with his transformation. body and soul since her training had started at the Eanna. Gilgamesh is there, the king of our city, strong and raging like a wild bull, for he is so alone. Nanna‘s full brightness that night and her role in the Pattern to Unfold. and from a pinch of clay I’ll create Another Being! This is the sacred rite all kings should pass to become Shepherds of the Land, and you are our king’s soul-counterpart. Gilgamesh and Enkidu construct a shelter the place forbidden to mortals. This time he dreams that When Shamhat shows Enkidu her stuff, it does indeed entice Enkidu to have sex with her. and for a time provide for the deepest emotional needs of someone. as befitted to a Maiden of the royal house of Uruk. But the gazelles scattered at his sight, and he seemed not to be recognized anymore by the beasts of the wild. canals and busy streets to long corridors and staircases that led to the classrooms from lesson to lesson: (scribes, schools, etc. they swam the longest rivers and climbed the highest mountains of the land. Training and discipline won in the end of some charged minutes or seconds, was conceived to be one in all levels with, Not before this will he be capable of healing, ‘ Will you pray to the Lady on my behalf?’ asked, humour and love hinted in the slight irritated tone that was, A movement, light as a summer breeze told, Would he accept her? The Great Lady took a couple of seconds to reply, and when she did, her voice was at once stern and soft: ‘Shamhat, Soul-Daughter, what you’ve asked. embracing the beauty of Life for the first time. You’ll get what you deserve!’ responded. To become a high priestess of Inanna, the Chosen of the Goddess’ Heart. the proud son of Lugalbanda and the goddess Ninsun, pledged to the Sun God Utu. (Enkidu, creature created as protector-companion for giant mixed-breed King Gilgamesh), Star of heaven fallen into the wilderness, Enkidu, I name you! The gods were displeased with humankind. conversing with wild beasts and freeing entrapped animals. He released Shamhat‘s hand and advanced in large steps through the crowds towards the king. The most prestigious temple office was the one of the high priestess, or hierodule of heavens. ‘ Yes, one you are truly one with Gilgamesh now,’ replied Shamhat. was what every young acolyte aspired, but very few achieved. ‘ exulted Gilgamesh, raising his arms in a sign of victory to the people of his city. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. 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