Tammuz

Also known as

: Dumuzi

Inanna-Ishtar took Tammuz, the divine shepherd, as her lover. He quickly became her favourite, and she honored him above all others. Their love affair is the subject of sacred hymns. Following her resurrection, Inanna-Ishtar was permitted to leave captivity in the Realm of Death if she sent someone back to replace her. Returning to her palace, she anticipated her reunion with Tammuz, whom she assumed would be weeping and mourning for her. Instead she discovered him seated on her throne, enjoying the luxuries of her palace. Any guesses as to who she chose as her replacement?

Tammuz fled but Inanna-Ishtar pursued. He did not wish to die. His devoted sister Gestinanna fought on his behalf, eventually negotiating a deal in which she serves half his time annually while Tammuz is permitted to return to life.

Tammuz is considered the prototype of the dying and resurrecting grain deity. He is compared to Persephone, a force of nature that refuses to stay dead, although disappearing into the depths of Earth annually. After his descent into darkness, Inanna-Ishtar wept bitterly for his loss, beginning the annual sacred ritual of weeping for Tammuz. This ritual was still honored centuries later and had been incorporated into folk Judaism as the Bible complains. Ezekiel 8:14 recounts the prophet’s vision of Jewish women mourning for Tammuz at the gate of King Solomon’s Temple: “He brought me to the entrance of the Gate of the House of the Lord … and behold! There sat women weeping for Tammuz”.

Tammuz, sometime chthonic spirit, is among those deities invoked in the magic spells of the Magical Papyri of Alexandria.

ATTRIBUTE:

Lapis lazuli flute

ANIMALS:

He owns black dogs; he is compared to a wild bull.

COLOUR:

Red

Day:

Ritual mourning for Tammuz begins annually with the Summer Solstice.

Month:

The Hebrew lunar month Tammuz, named in his honor, corresponding in time to the zodiac sign Cancer; the corresponding month in the Turkish calendar is Temmouz.

SEE ALSO:

• Adonis;
• Chthonic Spirits;
• Ereshkigal;
• Gestinanna;
• Inanna-Ishtar;
• Nergal

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses – Written by : Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.

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