Inanna’s Descent A Modern Template for Self-Discovery
“Stories are medicine…embedded with instruction which guide us about the complexities of life”
Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Ph.D
In the time before the great flood, the Summariean goddess Inanna was born to Nanna, the Moon God, and Ningal, the Moon Goddess. In later years Innana would be called by other names including Ishtar, Astarte and Aphrodite, but in the beginning she was Inanna, Goddess of Heaven and Earth. Her stories were first written on cuneiform, clay tables, some 4000 years ago and rediscovered in what is now modern day Iraq in the 1800’s. It would be years before they were translated and some are still yet to be revealed.
The stories and hymns that have been translated tell us Inanna was loved and revered by her people, having been the one who delivered to them the knowledge of civilization, fertility, agriculture, love, passion, justice, order, wisdom and knowledge, religion, truth, war, the art of love making, music, arts, craftsmanship, the art of kindness and the power of attention, just to name a few.
By the time Inanna heard the call to journey into the underworld, she had already lived a life full of remarkable deeds and great success. She was a wife and mother of grown children, her temples lined the streets, and her people sought her blessings for prosperity and protection. Her status as the most beloved goddess was unshakable.
Ignoring the pleas of her devoted followers, including her closest confidante Ninshubur, Inanna chose to embark on a journey that few dared to undertake—the perilous descent into the underworld, domain of her sister, Ereshkigal. The reasons for her journey remain shrouded in mystery, known only to Inanna herself, we only know she felt an irresistible call. Something was missing. A part of her that could only be revealed by the deepest of journeys.
Before setting out, Inanna prepared herself with great care. She anointed her body with sacred oils and scents, then dressed in her finest regalia: a crown, two lapis necklaces, a breastplate, a gold bracelet, and her royal gown. In her hand, she held the holy measuring rod and line, the symbols of her nobility.
Although resolute in her decision, she did not decide to take this journey lightly. Inanna instructed Ninshubur on what to do if she did not return within five days: "Beat your drum, wear mourning clothes, call me back from the underworld" she said. "If that fails, seek out my grandfathers for their help."
As she approached the first door of the underworld, Inanna was met by the gatekeeper, Neti. "I wish to enter the underworld," she declared with the authority of a queen. Surprised, Neti hesitated—no one who entered the underworld had ever returned. "I must ask your sister, for she is my queen," he replied.
When Neti informed Ereshkigal of Inanna's request, the queen of the underworld paused before giving her orders. "Let her in," Ereshkigal said, "but at each door, she must remove one of her garments, so that by the time she enters, she will be naked and humbled."
Neti conveyed Ereshkigal's message to Inanna as she approached the first door. "What is this?" Inanna questioned, but Neti merely replied, "Do not question the ways of the underworld—they are perfect."
Reluctantly, Inanna removed her crown, leaving it at the door, and stepped forward into the underworld.
At each subsequent door, Inanna was required to surrender another piece of her regalia; the representation of her outward identity. By the time she reached the inner chamber, she stood before her sister, stripped of all her worldly adornments, naked and bowed.
Ereshkigal was not pleased to see her sister and subjected her to a series of trials and humiliations, and ultimately killed her.
Inanna's loyal servant, Ninshubur, sought the help of Inanna’s grandfather, the god Enki, who created two creatures, the Kurgarra and the Galaturra, to rescue Inanna's body. The creatures were able to revive Inanna, and she ascended back from the underworld.
In the end, Inanna returned to her throne, but she was changed by her experience. She became a wiser, more compassionate ruler, and her journey to the underworld became a symbol of courage, wisdom, and transformation.
Inanna is history’s first written example of a “successful” woman. She seemingly had it all—power, love, and accomplishment. Yet, despite her successes, she reached a point of restlessness, seeking deeper answers. Her story resonates profoundly with modern women, showing us that external success—whether in career, relationships, or finances—does not always equal true satisfaction.
For many women over 50, this restlessness surfaces as questions like:
Is this all there is? Am I truly doing what I’m meant to be doing?
The answers to these questions don’t come from external achievements but emerge through deep self-reflection, intentional questioning, reconnecting with the body, and cultivating a mindfulness practice. This inward journey reveals the inner wisdom and guidance we often overlook in the noise of daily life.
I’m here to guide women ready to embark on this transformative journey. By embracing the timeless lessons of Inanna, we can navigate our own descent into self-discovery and emerge with clarity and empowerment.
Explore more in my blog posts on Shadow Work or Chakras and the Seven Doors to uncover the wisdom waiting behind the Seven Doors.
