The Wisdom of the Babylonian Moon God Sin And The Significance of Lunar Cycles Today

Dec 5, 2023 | Art Insights

I’m not sure if you’ve noticed it where you are but the moon has been so iradescent and beautiful in my part of the world. Late at night I’ve gone snuck out back to watch the clouds glide across the midnight blue sky and count the stars. When I was child we would learn about the Big Dipper and Orion’s Belt, and I would always try to find them in the sky before I went to bed. I don’t here kids talk about those things anymore and it’s a shame. It’s a testament to the fact that we spend so much of our time indoors instead of outside in nature. I’ve learned so much waking up to the sun rise over the top of neighbors trees and then hang low in the western sky peeking past oak branches and pergolas. 

We don’t give enough credence to the moon, yet we should. The moon is not only responsible for controlling the waves and the coral within the Great Barrier Reef, but also a woman’s menstrual cycle. 

Aligning menstrual cycles with moon phases is something that This feels natural to me. Considering that we call Earth, Mother, as in Mother Earth. This feels logical and consistent with ancient the Sumerian creation story of humans being formed from clay in the womb in the primeval mother. Artist and entrepreneur Rachael Amber (they/she) is a queer, non-binary, latine artist who according to her website cyclesjournal.com, “channels nature-centric art & healing tools to raise awareness, hold space for healing, and foster connection between all living beings.” Clearly from an eco feminist standpoint, it would feel like a natural alignment.

In ancient Babylonian culture the moon god Sin (Suen) was worshipped for fertility, wisdom, and he was also the keeper of the cattle and dairy crops. It’s interesting that what has come to represent the inner areas of our lives would be reflected by the light of the moon–one that changes and ebbs and flows like the waves of the ocean.

Chiara Atoyebi. “Catch Me Up Under The Moon.” Forthcoming 2023.

The moon for me conjures Harriet Tubman. I can see her looking out up to the clear night sky and being guided by a big bright Gibbons moon illuminating her path. But I also imagine that I am the high priestess Enheduanna, offering libations to Sin under the star and crescent. sky In return, he blesses her with great knowledge. And after spending time in her shadows and she can go forth lay her soul threadbare to a willing audience.

Enheduanna was a remarkable figure in ancient history, and her contributions are of great significance, particularly in the realm of literature and religion. She was a poet and priestess who lived in ancient Mesopotamia, in what is now modern-day Iraq, around 2300 BCE. She is widely recognized as the world’s first known author and poet, and her works hold an essential place in the history of literature. Enheduanna served as the high priestess in the city of Ur, which was a prominent Sumerian city-state at the time. Her most famous work is a collection of hymns and prayers known as the “Exaltation of Inanna” or “The Descent of Inanna.”

Unknown artist. “Land grant to Ḫunnubat-Nanaya kudurru” 1186–1172 BC Courtesy Public Domain.

It is important to remember our connection to the moon and stars, as well as the meaning they hold. Light pollution is increasing more than 2% a year. If we don’t manage our artificial light use and reduce our carbon footprint. we run the risk of losing even more of this exciting history and visibility to the night sky.

Thoughts:

What is most important to you when it comes to the moon? Do you think about the moon or do anything special? What kind of art would you create on a full moon? Leave a note in the comments.

0 Comments