Astarte is one of the oldest goddesses in recorded history.  She has a shrine at Byblos which dates back to the neolithic age.  As her popularity spread  through the ages she was known by many different  names in different cultures.  Some  worshipped her as the goddess of fertility and motherhood, whilst others believed she was a strong female figure and a goddess of war.  Astarte has been associated with goddesses such as Artemis, Aphrodite and Inanna and indeed these goddesses could represent Astarte under a different name. Her name is also synonymous with the Goddesses Ishtar and Ashart.

According to legends Astarte fell from the stars to the earth.  She has been know as known as the ‘Queen of Stars’, ‘Morning Star of Heaven’, and ‘Venus in the Morning’  Another story is that she was the mother of all souls: the moon surrounded by her star children to whom she gave their astral bodies.  In Egyptian mythology she first appeared as the daughter of the god Re.  She was adopted by the Babylonians and Phoenicians as a particularly strong goddess symbol representing the productive power of nature.

Scholars who have studied Astarte say that she may be recognised as one of the ancient prototypes of the virgin Mary.  In Syria and Egypt she was celebrated on 25th December with the dramatisation of the re-birth of the solar god from the celestial virgin.

Along with her many attributes, there are understandably many symbols associated with Astarte.  Amongst these are the dove, star, lion, horse and sphinx.  You can draw upon the ancient  goddess power of Astarte by visualizing the light of the stars pouring down through your crown chakra surrounding you with an iridescent aura and filling you with her bountiful energy and protection.

Just as Astarte drew upon her inner strength and wisdom to face what lay ahead of her, so can we embrace this power.  She is a symbol of the independence and spirit that gives birth to our creativity and encourages us with our successes. Astarte is both the maiden and mother goddess and personifies the passion of life, the beauty of our mother earth and the sacredness of all beings.

Astarte, Goddess of beauty and love

Astarte Queen of the Sky

Lady of the star,

Lend us your wisdom, passion and strength.

The Goddess was worshipped before the patriachal religions began to supplant her 3,500 years ago.  The goddess represents the universal mother, our mother earth, life giving and life supporting.  In ancient times the mother aspect of the Tripple Goddess was seen as a bridge which made a link between our earthly active energy and the energy of the unknown inner world.  The mother brought fertility growth and nurturing.  The other aspects of the triple goddess are the Maid in spring representing rebirth and the crone in winter symbolising th

e regeneration of wisdom from within.

The Goddess has been present in our society for over 27,000 years.  Whilst her many different images and representations may appear confusing at first, the overwhelming factor is that Goddess spirituality reveres both human and non human nature as sacred, all beings are part of this one world.  The Goddess path is inclusive and welcomes all, although it may be seen as a path that has particular relevance to women, it is also just as inclusive to men.

The Goddess in her many forms and faces can be accessible to us all for divine inspiration and guidance and also for her metaphor of female strength that she represents. Drawing upon the Goddess energy is drawing from the strength that is always within you.

An emphasis on connection as opposed to separation ensures that the Goddess is not seen as superior or above creation because she is an integral part of it.  In honouring all creation and recognising the spirit in all things, we are honouring the goddess.  All creation is sacred and should be treated as such, there is something special to be found in every living creature and plant on our wonderful planet.  The Goddess is not a supreme authority but someone we can call upon, a part of us, a friend.  We can see and experience her presence in all creation, including ourselves, we only have to open our eyes and see what is in front of us.

Tread soft upon the earth

She is our mother

Feel the love beneath our feet

it is growing, forever growing.

Gaia