Love in the Underworld: A Story of Inanna and Ereshkigal

Dear friends,
As Venus continues her retrograde (backward) journey through Scorpio, I wanted to share a little story about two sisters, Inanna and Ereshkigal. Their story takes us from the heavens into the Underworld, from light into darkness, and from what the world sees to what often remains hidden.

I find the ancient story of these two sisters a meaningful way to reflect on this Venus retrograde period.

Inanna and Ereshkigal: The Two Sisters

Inanna, the Queen of Heaven, was a powerful goddess associated with love, beauty, and war. Her sister, Ereshkigal, ruled the Underworld, the land of the dead.

One day, Inanna decided to descend into her sister’s realm. As she passed through its seven gates, she had to leave behind her royal garments and symbols of power, one by one. By the time she reached Ereshkigal, she had been stripped of everything that once defined her.

In the Underworld, Inanna was judged and killed. When she failed to return, help was sent to find her. The god Enki sent two beings to the Underworld to rescue her.

When they arrived, they found Ereshkigal in deep distress. Rather than judge her or turn away, they listened to her suffering and offered compassion. In time, Inanna was brought back to life.

Light and Darkness: What the Two Sisters Teach Us

The story of these two sisters brings together two very different worlds: Heaven and the Underworld, light and darkness, power and vulnerability. One sister shines above, while the other rules in the depths below. Yet both are part of the same story.

Perhaps this is what makes their story so meaningful. Sometimes we find ourselves in Inanna’s place, feeling strong and ready to shine. Other times, we may feel closer to Ereshkigal, sitting with pain that others cannot see. And sometimes, we may be both.

This is a simplified retelling of the ancient Sumerian myth, Inanna’s Descent to the Underworld.

Working with Venus Retrograde in Scorpio

If you’d like to follow Venus’s journey a little further, I’d also like to invite you to read the second part of my article. Click the button below.

There, I share a few important dates to watch for along Venus’s journey, how the energy shifts along the way, and a few practical tips for working with these themes in our modern lives.

With great wonder from the heavens,
Nesli