16/06/2025
Lilith's Oracle: A brief history of the figure who inspired the creation of this deck.
https://jenniferheather.co.uk/b/2y7i8
Originating in Sumerian literature, the first mention of Lilith can be found in the Epic of Gilgamesh, written sometime around 3400 and 3300 BCE. The Sumerians were an ancient civilization who once lived in what is now Syria. Regarding her role in Sumerian mythology, there is some debate. Theories suggest she may have been a wind spirit or a handmaiden to the Goddess Inanna. It is noteworthy that this myth establishes several key themes associated with Lilith, including her connection to birds, snakes, and fleeing into the wilderness. Although the story mentions a dragon, myths involving dragons and serpents often overlap. Additionally, the trope of dragon slaying has been prevalent for millennia.
Lilith next appears within the Jewish religious text, the Talmud, when Lilith emerges as a malevolent entity—a demonic female figure known as the Strangler. Written by various contributors between 201 and 501 CE, the Talmud chronicles Jewish laws and traditions. It depicts Lilith as a threat to pregnant women, with the intention of stealing the child, drinking its blood, and devouring the marrow from its bones. Additionally, Lilith is portrayed as an immortal seductress of men, who set her sights on the very first man, Adam, and will only meet her end on the judgment day.
Following on from this, we find the first mention of Lilith as the tempter in the Garden of Eden. Originating in the 9th and 10th centuries, the Alphabet of Ben Sira is a medieval book of Arabic descent. Written in Medieval Hebrew, its authorship remains a mystery. Comprising 44 proverbs that align with the 22 characters of the Hebrew alphabet, the book tells the tale of Lilith. Set in the Garden of Eden, the narrative depicts Lilith's creation as an equal alongside Adam from the earth. However, the story highlights her defiance against Adam's sexual demands, making it the first source to recount this tale within the Garden of Eden.
Throughout history, Lilith has often been a scapegoat, feared and vilified as a demonic monster. Embodying the darkest aspects of the feminine, society sought to cast her out, deny her existence, and repress her message. However, perhaps now, we are finally ready to listen to what she has to say.
Within the pantheon of archetypes, Lilith embodies the 'Dark Mother,' a counterpart to Eve's nurturing 'Earth Mother.' The Dark Mother represents a destructive force that unravels and consumes, contrasting the Earth Mother's fertile and creative nature. We fear this destructive aspect of Lilith as it mirrors our mortality and the chaotic, uncontrollable nature of existence. It is understandable that we would fear something that threatens the foundation of our constructed reality. However, her destruction is crucial for maintaining life's cyclical balance. The world cannot eternally bloom; we must acknowledge and honour the equilibrium between creation and destruction. Rejecting Lilith leads to a disconnect from our humanity, leaving us fragmented and lost, yearning for something indefinable. Our obsession with living eternally in the light, youth, and endless summer is a fantasy that can only lead to disappointment. By embracing the essence of Lilith, we can experience radical self-acceptance, recognizing that darkness is as vital as light.
