The Seven Names of Lamastu: A Journey through Mesopotamian Magick and Beyond
Paperback
ISBN13: 9781910191040
Publisher: Avalonia
Published: Mar 31 2017
Pages: 580
Weight: 2.92
Height: 1.17 Width: 8.50 Depth: 11.00
Language: English
The Seven Names of Lamastu is an exploration of the religions and mysteries of the cradle of civilisation, Mesopotamia by Jan Fries, author of Kālī Kaula and Dragon Bones. The Sumerians developed the first functional script (3500-3200 BC), the priests wrote god lists, dictionaries, catalogues, recorded spells, myth and poetry - and committed the first known medical prescriptions and rituals into writing. In the centre of their faith lurks the lustful animal-headed goddess DIM.ME/Lamastu, exiled from Heaven for her forbidden desires, and charged by the council of Gods with a fearsome task: to cull the vulnerable and keep the human population within manageable limits. For all but a few, her name conjured terror in the hearts of Mesopotamians.
Jan Fries seeks to redress the balance, by showing that this rebellious goddess, so demonized by superstitious folk and modern academics, is an essential expression of the divine. Lamastu's numerous, but rarely discussed, positive attributes bring her into focus. She is a victorious goddess, who listens to prayers, haunts both swamps and the mountain forests she loves, banishes lethal spirits, helps with the birth of wild animals and adopts stray piglets and puppies. She is a sacred woman, a priestess and a midwife to her brothers, the gods.
This is a modern translation of the famous Lamastu Series, with commentary, which can be used as a dictionary and travel companion through the earliest form of religion and sorcery. It is a journey that takes us through the rise and fall of empires, the changing status of women, Sacred Marriage, everyday rituals, sacrifice, divination, ritual training, conjuration, banishment, vengeful magic, spells and counterspells, dream-magic, the dawn of science, medicine and ritual music - with teachings on how to build your own civilisation using only rivers, reeds and clay. Lamastu takes us from a lion-headed Stone-Age statuette in Central Europe all the way to China. Identified with the goddesses Lilītu and Ardat Lilî by the end of the second millennia, she emerges in medieval Spain as the modern Lilith. In the Arabian desert her counterpart is the dreaded Ḳarīna, in ancient Greece, she becomes the Lamia. She inspired the artwork of the Gorgo Medusa, connects with hundreds of terrifying and deadly mothers in India, and becomes the dreaded Albasti/Lobasta in Turkey and China. In China, she is closely related to the tiger-fanged Daoist goddess Xiwangmu, the goddess Guimu (Mother of Ghosts) and the Buddhist deity Harirī.
The book concludes with the mysteries, meditations and practical rituals of Siṁhamukhā, the Lion-headed Goddess of Hindu and Buddhist Tantra, and a set of innovative, syncretistic meditations and trances based on the Seven Names of Lamastu.
Child of Heaven.
Watchful One of the Gods of the Streets.
Decapitator.
Fire-Starter.
Wild-Countenance.
Trusted.
Oathbound, Free to Fly.
Seven names of an ancient goddess. Seven names to remember.
Sometimes, what appears to be horrible has a valid and divine function in the world. Lamastu is an exalted goddess, a victorious lady, a ruler of mankind, and performs the tasks given to her by the assembly of the gods. Most of her errands may seem savage, but the Mesopotamians were aware that they had to be done. - Jan Fries
Also in
Occult
The Magic of the Otherworld: Modern Sorcery from the Wellspring of Celtic Traditions
Ravenna, Morpheus
Paperback
City Witchery: Accessible Rituals, Practices & Prompts for Conjuring and Creating in a Magical Metropolis
Basile, Lisa Marie
Paperback
The Occult in National Socialism: The Symbolic, Scientific, and Magical Influences on the Third Reich
Flowers, Stephen E.
Paperback
The Enneagram of Eating: How the 9 Personality Types Influence Your Food, Diet, and Exercise Choices
Gadd, Ann
Paperback
Atlantis and the Cycles of Time: Prophecies, Traditions, and Occult Revelations
Godwin, Joscelyn
Paperback
Witches, Druids, and Sin Eaters: The Common Magic of the Cunning Folk of the Welsh Marches
Hughes, Jon G.
Paperback
Thrifty Witchery: Magick for the Penny-Pinching Practitioner
Capo, Martha Kirby
Higginbotham, Vincent
Paperback
Witch Wisdom for Magical Aging: Finding Your Power Through the Changing Seasons
Johnson, Cait
Paperback
Mundane Magic: A Lazy Witch's Guide to Hacking Your Brain, Building a Daily Practice, and Getting Stuff Done
Donlan, Molly
Hardcover
Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom: A Tarot Journey to Self-Awareness (a New Edition of the Tarot Classic)
Pollack, Rachel
Paperback
The Green Witch: Your Complete Guide to the Natural Magic of Herbs, Flowers, Essential Oils, and More
Murphy-Hiscock, Arin
Hardcover
The Conjuring of America: Mojos, Mermaids, Medicine, and 400 Years of Black Women's Magic
Stewart, Lindsey
Paperback
The House Witch: Your Complete Guide to Creating a Magical Space with Rituals and Spells for Hearth and Home
Murphy-Hiscock, Arin
Hardcover
Wild Witchcraft: Folk Herbalism, Garden Magic, and Foraging for Spells, Rituals, and Remedies
Beyer, Rebecca
Hardcover
Appalachian Witchcraft for Beginners: The History, Remedies, and Spells of a Rich Folk Magic Tradition
Lily, Auburn
Paperback
The Green Witch's Sticker Book: 600+ Enchanting Stickers Inspired by Green Magic
Murphy-Hiscock, Arin
Paperback
The Witch's Book of Self-Care: Magical Ways to Pamper, Soothe, and Care for Your Body and Spirit
Murphy-Hiscock, Arin
Hardcover
The Spooky Season Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Celebrating the Best Time of Year
Witched, Bea
Hardcover
Witches: A History of Witchcraft, Witch-Hunters, and a King's Obsession: 1562-1735
Veerapen, Steven
Hardcover
Spellcrafting: Strengthen the Power of Your Craft by Creating and Casting Your Own Unique Spells
Murphy-Hiscock, Arin
Hardcover
The Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods and Goddesses
Illes, Judika
Hardcover
Protection & Reversal Magick (Revised and Updated Edition): A Witch's Defense Manual
Miller, Jason
Paperback
Llewellyn's Complete Book of Correspondences: A Comprehensive & Cross-Referenced Resource for Pagans & Wiccans
Kynes, Sandra
Paperback
The Green Witch's Garden: Your Complete Guide to Creating and Cultivating a Magical Garden Space
Murphy-Hiscock, Arin
Hardcover
The Way of Orisa: Empowering Your Life Through the Ancient African Religion of Ifa
Neimark, Philip J.
Paperback
The Green Witch Illustrated: An Enchanting Immersion Into the Magic of Natural Witchcraft
Murphy-Hiscock, Arin
Hardcover
Forbidden Magic Spells From The Bible: Ancient Spells, Charms and Enchantments Using Verses From The Old and New Testament
Springfield, Jessica C.
Paperback
The Apothecary of Belonging: Seasonal Rituals and Practical Herbalism
Cunningfolk, Alexis J.
Hardcover
Psychic Spellcraft: A Modern-Day Wiccapedia of Divination & Intuition Rituals
Robbins, Shawn
Greenaway, Leanna
Hardcover
Protection Spells for New Witches: A Guide to Banishing Negative Energy with Essential Spells and Rituals
Carlson, Jess
Paperback
The Modern Witchcraft Book of Tarot: Your Complete Guide to Understanding the Tarot
Alexander, Skye
Hardcover
The Kitchen Witch: Your Complete Guide to Creating a Magical Kitchen with Natural Ingredients, Sacred Rituals, and Spellwork
Alexander, Skye
Hardcover
The Witch's Way: A Guide to Modern-Day Spellcraft, Nature Magick, and Divination
Greenaway, Leanna
Robbins, Shawn
Hardcover
Witches, Midwives, & Nurses (Second Edition): A History of Women Healers
English, Deirdre
Ehrenreich, Barbara
Paperback
Magic from the Hilltops and Hollers: Folk Witchery, Superstitions, and Healing Practices from Appalachia
Middleton, Leah
Paperback
Liber Null & Psychonaut: The Practice of Chaos Magic (Revised and Expanded Edition)
Carroll, Peter J.
Paperback
The Kybalion: A Study of the Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece
Three Initiates
Paperback
The Good Witch's Guide: A Modern-Day Wiccapedia of Magickal Ingredients and Spells
Bedell, Charity
Robbins, Shawn
Hardcover
The Magical Books of Solomon: The Greater and Lesser Keys & The Testament of Solomon
Crowley, Aleister
Mathers, S. L. MacGregor
Conybear, F. C.
Paperback
Keeping Her Keys: An Introduction to Hekate's Modern Witchcraft - Second Edition
Brannen, Cyndi
Paperback
Psychic Self-Defense: The Classic Instruction Manual for Protecting Yourself Against Paranormal Attack
Fortune, Dion
Paperback
The Three Magical Books of Solomon: The Greater and Lesser Keys & The Testament of Solomon
Conybear, F. C.
Crowley, Aleister
Mathers, S. L. MacGregor
Hardcover
The Book of Lilith: The Dark Feminine, Freedom, and the Power of Shadow Wisdom
Martin, Brian
Paperback
Lemegeton: The Complete Books I-V: Ars Goetia, Ars Theurgia Goetia, Ars Paulina, Ars Almadel, Ars Notoria
Shaw, Victor
Paperback
Folk Witchcraft: A Guide to Lore, Land, and the Familiar Spirit for the Solitary Practitioner
Horne, Roger J.
Paperback
Psychic Witch: Deluxe Hardcover Edition: A Metaphysical Guide to Meditation, Magick & Manifestation
Auryn, Mat
Hardcover
The Big Book of Tarot: How to Interpret the Cards and Work with Tarot Spreads for Personal Growth
Bunning, Joan
Paperback
The Golden Dawn: The Original Account of the Teachings, Rites, and Ceremonies of the Hermetic Order
Regardie, Israel
Hardcover
The Spirit of Ani: Reflections on Spirituality, Feminism, Music, and Freedom
Difranco, Ani
Rosen, Lauren Coyle
Hardcover
Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in America
Adler, Margot
Paperback
The Modern Witchcraft Guide to Magickal Herbs: Your Complete Guide to the Hidden Powers of Herbs
Nock, Judy Ann
Hardcover
Strange Angel: The Otherworldly Life of Rocket Scientist John Whiteside Parsons
Pendle, George
Paperback
The Black Book of Manifestation: Hidden Secrets & Forbidden Techniques to Shape Your Reality
Sharma, Sagar
Paperback
Compendium of the Occult: Arcane Artifacts, Magic Rituals, and Sacred Symbolism
Williams, Liz
Hardcover
A Cauldron of Spells: A Witch's Guide to Magick, Rituals, Potions & Candles
Holland, Eileen
Paperback
The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Goddess: 20th Anniversary Edition
Starhawk
Paperback
Telekinesis: Development of Psychic Power for Beginners (A Beginner's Step-by-step Guide to Developing Telekinesis)
Aoki, Rudolph
Paperback
Green Witchcraft: A Practical Guide to Discovering the Magic of Plants, Herbs, Crystals, and Beyond
Vanderbeck, Paige
Paperback
Notes for the Journey Within: Essentials of the Art of Living
Shankar, Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi
Hardcover
Shadow Work Journal and Guide for Beginners: An Introduction to Discovering and Healing Your Unconscious Self
Bramblett, Kelly
Paperback
The Modern Guide to Witchcraft: Your Complete Guide to Witches, Covens, and Spells
Alexander, Skye
Hardcover
