A Sacred Ceremony to Honor the Queen of Heaven and Earth and Celebrate the Arrival of the Sacred Powers and Goddesses Oracle Deck during Tonight’s Rare and Special Black Moon as it offers the perfect opportunity to honor Ishtar, the magnificent Babylonian goddess gracing the cover of your Sacred Powers and Goddesses Oracle Deck. As goddess of love, war, fertility, and the planet Venus, Ishtar embodies the full spectrum of divine feminine power – from tender nurturing to fierce protection.
About Goddess Ishtar
Sacred Names: Ishtar, Inanna (Sumerian), Astarte (Phoenician)
Domains: Love, passion, fertility, war, protection, celestial wisdom
Sacred Symbols: Eight-pointed star, crescent moon, lions, doves
Sacred Planet: Venus (both morning and evening star)
Sacred Colors: Deep red, gold, black, silver
Sacred Stones: Carnelian, garnet, moonstone, quartz crystal, coral
Ishtar represents the fullness of womanhood – maternal nurturer, independent companion, passionate lover, wise advisor, and fierce protector.
ISHTAR’S BLACK MOON RITUAL
Sacred Materials Needed:
- Red or gold candle (representing Ishtar’s passion and power)
- Black candle (honoring the Black Moon)
- Small bowl of water (element of emotion and intuition)
- Ritual knife or athame (representing strength and protection)
- Your Sacred Powers and Goddesses Oracle Deck
- Red wine or grape juice (Ishtar’s sacred drink)
- Bread or honey cakes (offering to the goddess)
- Star-shaped items or jewelry if available
- Paper and pen for intentions
- Carnelian, garnet, or red stones if you have them
Sacred Space Preparation:
- Cleanse your space with sage or palo santo
- Face east (direction of Venus as morning star)
- Create an altar with Ishtar’s symbols – stars, moon imagery, red or gold cloth
- Place your oracle deck prominently on the altar
Light the black candle first, saying:
“In this sacred darkness of the Black Moon,
I call upon the ancient powers.
Ishtar, Queen of Heaven and Earth,
Goddess of the morning and evening stars,
I invoke your presence in this sacred hour.”
Light the red/gold candle, saying:
“By the light of your divine fire,
Ishtar of the blazing star,
Bring your wisdom, passion, and power
To this ritual from near and far.”
The Union of Opposites: Place the ritual knife in the bowl of water, and leave this undisturbed throughout the ritual
Oracle Guidance from Ishtar:
Hold your Sacred Powers and Goddesses Oracle Deck and say:
“Ishtar, through your sacred wisdom,
Guide me with your divine sight.
Show me what powers I must awaken,
What strengths I must ignite.”
Draw three cards:
- What passionate power must I embrace?
- How can I balance love and strength?
- What does Ishtar want me to know?
Meditate on each card’s message
Setting Sacred Intentions:
Write on paper your intentions for the coming lunar cycle, focusing on:
- Awakening your inner divine feminine power
- Balancing passion with wisdom
- Protecting what you love
Pour wine/juice into a small cup and break bread, take a sip/bite, then leave the rest as an offering. Cllose your eyes and visualize the eight-pointed star of Ishtar glowing above you. Feel her fierce love and protective power filling you. Say:
Thank Ishtar and blow out the candles,
- Keep the water and knife blessing on your altar overnight
- Place the oracle cards you drew on your bedside table for dream guidance
- Look for stars in the sky as a sign of Ishtar’s continued presence
Sacred Affirmation for the Coming Month:
“I am Ishtar’s child, blessed with her divine fire. I embrace my full power – both gentle and fierce, loving and strong. I create from passion, protect with courage, and love without fear. I am a sacred vessel of the divine feminine.”
May Ishtar’s blessings illuminate your path during this sacred Black Moon and beyond!
With Love in All Her names,
Claudia
