Ecology of the Erotic in a Myth of Inanna

Myths of Mesopotamian Goddess Inanna, planet Venus in the ancient Sumerian pantheon, have been useful in psychological processes of contemporary women. A lesser-known myth, “Inanna and Shukaletuda,” includes sexual transgression against the deity and ties the deified erotic feminine with fecundity and sacredness of fields and trees. Interpretation of Inanna’s love poems and poems of nature’s justice contextualizes ecofeminist relevance to psychological issues. Deconstruction of rich imagery illustrates menstrual power as female authority, erotic as a female aesthetic bringing order, and transgender as sacred office of transformation. Meador’s (2000) interpretation of three Inanna poems by a high priestess of ancient Ur provides four new archetypes for women that situate an axisfor further understanding of “Inanna and Shukaletuda.”