I have often wondered about this passage describing INANNA:

She is similarly the Goddess of Love, and bestows a favourable bride upon any man who
desires it, and who makes the proper sacrifice.

BUT KNOW THAT INANNA TAKES HER OWN FOR HER OWN, AND THAT
ONCE CHOSEN BY HER NO MAN MAY TAKE ANOTHER BRIDE.

I take this to refer to a number of priests who are perhaps "married" to the priestesshood; that is, unmarried priests whose intimate relations are onlly with priestesses. Am I close to the mark?

This post has been edited by Penny_Lane: Oct 19 2006, 06:15 AM

After a Priest takes Inanna to be his wife, it is a matter of personal devotion to her that would decide what he does with his physical life. One may choose to be, for the most part, celebate. One may choose to only marry or have encounters with a Priestess, or one may simply choose to be intimate only with those who Inanna favors or has similar qualities to the godess. I will say though that if she objects to someone you are with, either her or the person you are with will be leaving. That being said, I have never known anyone to choose an earthly mate over Inanna once she has been taken as a bride lol.

This post has been edited by Ashnook: Oct 19 2006, 06:43 AM

As for me once I was chosen by Inanna I was not allowed to be with a woman who her spirit was not in. If I disobeyed such relationships were doomed. My current wife is a Necronomicon priestess and Inanna is not jealous as the spirit of Inanna is in her.

I have often wondered if this would also apply to a priestess and Enki or Marduk. I believe it would.


ZI Dingir Marduk Kanpa!

I think this means, quite simply, that Inanna chooses some but not all, of her priests to be married to her. I believe any deity has a problem if one tries to marry a person dedicated to a deity in opposition (i.e. as a priestess fo Ereshkigal, it wouldn't go over well if I tried to marry a priest of Inanna). However, those Inanna chooses in marriage, I believe, goes a step further. I would think that it means just what it says that she wouldn't allow him to marry any other woman. Although, asa smasher666 said, it may be acceptable to marry one of her priestesses. I'd say it's something the priest/preiestess needs to get straight BEFORE getting seriously involved with anyone.

Thanks to all for your answers. It seems we all mostly agree on the main point, that a priest dedicated to Inanna should only be intimate with someone who has Inanna's spirit within her.

Greetings Penny Lane,

My wife seconds that motion. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)