Sisters of the Burning Branch Goddess Gallery Presents...
Tiamat
Dragon, Goddess, Queen, Mother
HERstory
The story and amazement of Tiamat’s tale really begins well after her demise. Her worship was effectively stamped out by Marduk, who slain and dismembered her, scattering her parts to become the earth and skies. There are no written histories of her worship specifically. We can only infer from prehistoric goddess cultures how she may have been worshiped in her time. In our time, her sacred mysteries are tainted by HIStory and the patriarchal perspective that she was the embodiment of chaos and evil. HERstory has been buried in myth, -repeatedly- in The Enuma Elish, The Torah, The Bible and The Quran so many times until she becomes synonymous with evil, greed and chaos. Her usurper, Marduk, was adopted as the mascot for the ultimate patriarchal hero and is emblazoned on the Papal Crest. She was vilified so effectively that she was adopted by a 20th century children’s fantasy game as the five headed Evil Dragon Queen, bent on chaos and domination, a target for all great hero's to seek and destroy.
But for the Dragon Souls, called to Goddess Culture, connected by blood and sea to Mother Tiamat, there is another perspective, one largely unknown. The Goddess, while subjugated and sleeping, lives on — waiting for the awakened Dragon Souls to call to her, to awaken her essence and call her forth into The World once again.
Before we can talk about how Tiamat interacts with her followers or how her power may be called forth in our lives, we must turn once again to history so we may understand her nature, her essense and her passions. The information in the following paragaphs is a simplification of a detailed explanation of creation epic overlaps dating back multiple centuries and supporting evidence in numerology for syncretezation of creation epic figures as outlined in Tiamat Unveiled, by Baal Kadmon.
In 3000-2000 BCE, in Mesopotamia (the area which today is Iraq, Turkey, Syria, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia), one of the earliest recorded creation epics has its orgins. The Atrahaisis, The Enuma Ilu Awilum which means When the Gods Were Men - holds that the Gods were tiring of their day to day labors, so they created, of their own blood and clay, humans to be their servants. But the humans were unruly and the Gods conspired to destroy them. Enki had mercy and spared the humans from the aloof and capricious Gods. Time and evolution worked its magic on the epic and in 2000-1000 BCE, the best known pre-Abrahamic creation epic - The Enuma Elish - was written in a time when the Gods were invoked, often as personal patrons. In this evolved story, at the beginning - darkness and void hovered over ever-expanding primordial waters whichh existed before all. And then the waters divided into the sweet (Apsu) and primordial sea (Tiamat) from which all things, including the first Gods were formed. These first Gods were boisterous (like the children from The Atrahaisis ??), and Apsu contemplated destroying them. Tiamat warned her son Enki/Ea of Apsu’s musings. Enki then cast a spell on Apsu, killing him. Tiamat’s grief and wrath were great, and in her pain she birthed a host of monsters and demons to war against the younger Gods. To Her General, and second husband according to some sources, Kingsu she gave the Tup Shematu (The Tablets of Destiny), embued with the power of deciding fate. Marduk, son of Enki, seizes the tablets and turns the tides of battle. Ultimately he defeats Tiamat, cleaves her in half and creates the heavens and the earth from her flesh. “Out of chaos, comes order.” Here, the epics again overlap, as Marduk viewed humanity as servants. The surviving Gods ordered the city of Babylon built as tribute to Marduk. But the end of the Enuma Elish includes a line that a “watchman’ must keep guard over what is left of Tiamat, that she remain far off and distant, lest she rise again. This cherished tale was propagated for nearly a century, read in dramatic fashion on the fourth day of the New Year’s Festival, the Akitu. This text is dated by some scholars to the reign of Nebuchadnezzar I in Babylon, approximately 1125-1104 BCE.
Tiamat Across The Ages
So now lets take a look at how this epic relates to the archetypal creation epic in the book of Genesis and biblical references to Tiamat herself. The King James Bible, Genesis 1:2 reads “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep” and continues on to divide the waters and expose the land. But our focus is “deep” which is present in the phrase without a preceding article— so instead of reading “the deep” but rather reads “Deep”.
This word in Hebrew is prononuced Tehom, “Deep” or “Abyss” and is cognate with Tamtu, the Akkadian name for Tiamat in the Enuma Elish. Thus in the writing of the Bible, the word is used as a name not a noun. This usage pattern is repeated in subsequent phrases. Kadmon goes on to review the creation events, paralelling them with Marduk’s defeat of Tiamat with subsequent creation of the heavens and the earth. The similarities in content and phrasing are remarkable. Further reinforcement of this syncretization is found in Psalms and Job, under the name Rahab (which is a different Hebrew word than the woman Rahab from Joshua, showing us the loss of detail in translation). The imagery in these referenced passages (Psalms 89:9-11; Job 9:13; and Job 26: 10-13) bear striking similarity to the war between the younger Gods and the hordes of Tiamat. Also in these passages are referrences to Rahab as serpent. Subsquent chapters establish Tiamat as a great serpent, a dragon, syncretic with Leviathan. The details of this are further elaboroated in The Watchers and Their Ways (Kadmon) and establishes Leviathan as the female serpent of bibilical apocrypha. Again, the ending of these texts implies that she remains around, — waiting.
For the next place we search for Tiamat, we turn to Kabbalah and Gematria. My knowlege is thin here folks, so accept my apologies for the oversimplifications. The importance of this information will become clear later on. If you would like more detail or desire a better explanation, please read the tests in my referrences list. Numbers play an important role in religious and magical workings. The number 3: Triple Goddess, Trinity; 40: the Great Flood and the desert wanderings of Moses and Jesus; 10: Ten Commandments and Ten Kabbalistic Sefirot. And then there is the big kahuna - 666 - The mark of the beast, the number the Bible suggests should strike fear in our hearts.
I’m going to ask you to accept a few things on fact for now, you can look them up in the Kadmon’s books later for verification. Hebrew letters are clearly associated with defined numerical values. Tehom Kadmonia, which means Primordial Abyss/Deep, we have established as synonymous with Tiamat. The sum of the numerical values of this name in its Hebrew form is 666. Elohei chaim (one of the many names for God in Hebrew which means God of Life) adds up to the same thing: 666. If we take this a step further, the sum is 18, and in numerology would add to 9. The number of wisdom and completion and has all the qualities of the preceeding 8 numbers. The sum of all things.
The Hebrew word for serpent adds up to 358. The sum of 3+5+8 is 16. The word for messiah also adds to 16. As does the Hebrew word for ‘she’. So then the correspondence is Serpent, Messiah, Female at 16. The sum of 1+6 is 7. Seven is a spiritual seeker of Truth. For yet another syncretization and layer on the spiritiual understanding of Goddess and Tiamat — I will remind you that the nature of The Kundalini is Female Serpent.
So what is the take home of all of this? I would ask you to consider several things:
1) The similarity in creation epics around the globe and the fundamental nature of deity as they overlap
2) The Divine Feminine is REAL and has been buried under eons of patriarchal tales for the purposes of power and control
3) She LIVES !! - But she is sleeping, waiting for those of Goddess mind and heart to waken her spirit and return her to her rightful place.
The Goddess is the powerful combined forces of creation, upheaval, and change which have been demonized into the "chaos”. But these forces are needed for change, for all growth and are mirrored all around us in nature. She is courage, passion, and strength; she embodies all that was, is and ever will be. She is the source from which all things came, all call upon her even if they are not aware of it—yet.
Calling on Tiamat
For this section, I will remind you that Dragons, by nature are powerful, secretive, jealous beings. Their treasures, their secrets, even their very names are most carefully guarded; shared only with those who are called to their Path and adopted into the Clan. While there are books out there on Draconian Magic, even on working with Tiamat herself, I would caution you from attempting these workings without a thorough study and extreme caution.
Called by the Queen of Dragons
This is an amazing and awe-inspiring event. The discovery or calling by Deity can be terrifying and emotional. Now magnify that to a 300 mile long, 7 foot high Dragon Queen! Many witches I spoke with work with Tiamat, but few are called to her Path. I discovered two distinct themes in my discussions with these Witches:
Tiamat Followers -
Followers of Tiamat are well versed in the lore of Dragons, respectful of the Draconic Path, and able to draw on the essence of Dragons for their magic. Many have Dragon Guides, Dragon Companions, Dragon Guardians. But they do not call upon the Queen herself. They describe contact with her as terrifying and overwhelming. These witches acknowledge Tiamat, but do not regularly worship or invoke her. Instead they work with the essence of “their” Dragon and other Elemental Dragons, Dragon Guardians, and Dragon Spirits who embody specific powers and forces. For these witches, Tiamat is to be called upon only in moments of dire need; life and death; and with caution. Anyone called to the Draconic Path may choose this.
Children of Tiamat -
These are witches describe the polar opposite experience of Tiamat. Their Dragon Souls are called home to a Motherly figure whom they all describe as a powerful, loving, warm, encompassing Goddess. Oh, they acknowledge her great power and capacity for wrath, for destruction — but they do not fear it. They walk the Dragon Path in confidence, with Tiamat always with them. These witches regularly acknowlege her in their daily lives, their rituals and feel free to call upon Tiamat for anything. They experience a playful side of her with teasing and ribbing; a brooding side of a Mother hurt or worried; and they know all to well the power of the Woman scorned, the Mother defending. Only those whom Tiamat calls personally will ever walk this Path.
Worship of Tiamat
Worship of Tiamat in Daily Life is similar to most other Goddesses, with a few quirks that make her unique.
Set up an Altar -
Tiamat’s Altar should have:
A representation of Her (an image, a statue, a symbol)
A representation of her element (I find she is multi-elemental, so this is easy). Offerings
Corresponding items
Things that remind you of Her or that call you with Her Energy
My altar has a tiny baby dragon statue (I have not yet found the one that resonates with her, but it is close). An abalone shell - representing the primordial sea, the earth that is her body, and the colors evoke sky and fire. Dragons blood jasper, Amazonite in her shell cave. Moldavite on her offering plate (a pewter dragon Orobouros), a vial of Tiamat Invoking Oil ( a personal creation) and My dragon talisman. Most of the time I will also lay my ocean jasper bracelet and my Triquetra ring in her shell to charge with her energy for the night.
Prayers to Tiamat -
For Children of Tiamat, prayers to her roll of our lips with ease and may be a simple thank you for a gorgeous view of the ocean or as difficult as needs in major life problems. Here is a lovely one by Raven J. Demers, A Sage Woman Blogs. Reprinted with permission; reference and link below. [1]
A Prayer to Tiamat [1]
Let her waters run cool
Let her waters run bright
Show us our darkness
Show us our light
Teach us of love,
Compassion, and wisdom
Teach us of fury,
Justice, and creative vision
Carry us through storms
Teach us to weather rough seas
Protect us from deceit
Teach us to see both long and deep
We honor the Mother
Of serpents, gods, and water
We honor Tiamat
May she carry us farther
Tiamat in Divination
-Followers and Children of Tiamat often have strong pulls to divination - but their methods vary widely. Tarot, by the sheer popularity and availability, remains highest. But among Children of Tiamat you will find a higher number of those called to water scrying, stone scrying and pendulum work. Their stones are often powerful Earthy female stones of protection and magic - Nuummite, Obsidian, Hypersthene, Lapis Lazuli, Smoky Quartz.
Tiamat’s Response To Invocation and/or Prayer
-This is something that you will have to discover for yourself, should you be called to The Path of the Dragon Queen. Mother Tiamat’s Children are very protective of Her, each other and the secrets of the Dragon Path.
-Know this however, for those who follow her and those who belong to her, — Tiamat’s response is swift, powerful and undeniable.
Rituals
Several authors have published books on Draconic Magic that can be adapted to work for most situation. Kadmon and Mason have written books (references below) with specific detailed rituals and preparations for those who choose invoke Tiamat particularly. Once again I will caution you, Draconic Magic is not for the faint of heart and requires study and preparation before invoking Dragons, especially the Queen.
I will share with you one that I wrote after Tiamat called to me. I confess, it is “Wiccan’d” Down quite a bit — So if if you dare it, and she calls to you as she did me, …. The Dragon Words will come. Use Them!
Before you begin this ritual, be certain you are ready for the outcome.
Only those who have been called to The Dragon’s Path should attempt this
And those who do should be prepared to be forever changed.
Once you have awakened the Dragon Within, there is no going back.
I advise you to read extensively and consult with another Draconic Witch before you embark on this journey. Otherwise, Let Sleeping Dragons Sleep.
Extra preparation and focus is recommended as part of a ritual invoking Dragons.
Transformative Rage of Tiamat
Purification: Smudge self with Dragon’s Blood incense or essential oil
Purification of Space: Full moon charged water (sea water if you can), with Sea salt
(Add salt to water and raise it to the dark moon)
Earth in Water, Earth of Water
Hear now this Goddess Daughter,
Tears of the Goddess, Tears of the Sea
Consecrated and Blessed Be
(Walk the circle widdershins, sprinkling the space)
Thrice round the sacred space my steps
Thrice her Sacred Name cross my lips
Cleansed be the Circle that I walk
(Returning to East, sprinkle self and drink a tiny sip)
True be the words when I talk
Pure be my heart when it cries
Free be my spirit when body dies
By the power of the Dragon Queen
Place, Spirit, Body are Clean.
Light Working Candle on Altar
Using Athame Cast the Circle;
Walk the circle, starting and ending East; bright blue white light from athame
(From Isis facing East, Wand in power hand)
Ring Bell and Salute the Quarter with Athame
Light the East/Yellow and Incense:
Great Dragons of the East, Dragons of Air, we greet thee. Now is the time for change and renewal. Bring the tempests and winds, bring inspired words and intuition that we may be agents of change in this world. Let loose the winds of change; Rage great tempest within. Wise Dragons of the East, join your powers with mine to bring change and protect this circle.
Light the South/Red and Touch the Flame (be careful):
Great Dragons of the South, Dragons of Fire! Now is the time for passion to blaze and purification to begin. From the great fire inside us, may we bellow forth our rage and anger, then turn our power to stoke the flames of change. Let loose the fires of anger and wrath; Burn down the barriers to your true self. Powerful Dragons of the South, join your powers with mine to bring change and protect this circle.
Light the West/Dark Blue and Touch the Cauldron, pre charged with consecrated salt water
Great Dragons of the West, Dragons of Waters! Now is the time for the maelstrom of change, the sweeping tides that never quit. Bring the inexorable power of water, that wears down even the most immobile of rocks, shaping and molding it into something transformed. Waters of cleansing and healing, from which none may emerge unchanged. Come floods of emotion, swirling intuition, rise up from the depths. In your waters bear away the hurts of the past and unearth the secret pains hidden. Deep Dragons of the West, join your powers with mine to bring change and protect this circle.
Light the North/Dark Green/Place the jar of salt on the Pentacle;
Great Dragons of the North, Dragons of Earth! From time immemorial you have been and unto all the ages you shall be. Make our roots deep and strong, our reach long and powerful. Let us rumble the earth with earthquakes of change and honor the slow, inevitable changes of the cycles of life and death. Let loose once more the heart of the Earth, the molten core within, that now sits as fossilized tears on the surface. Ancient Dragons of the South, join your powers with mine to bring change and protect this circle.
Pick up the pre-staged consecrated water/salt water/rose water. Return to the east, and walk the circle sprinkling or pouring the perimeter of the circle
This Circle is cast in love and light, bound by the invocation of elements, consecrated and protected in the sight of the Goddess. Here within this sacred circle, my grief, my rage, my inner demons may rage in safety and secrecy. Let no one and nothing who bears me (us) ill enter here this night.
Goddess, Consort, Universal Elements and Spirit
I (We) stand before you this night, in a time that is not a time, in a place, that is not a place, to lift the Veil between worlds and join with you. Through you we access all the power within and tap into source of all cosmic power. I (We) remember the path of my (our) predecessors and study the path that lays ahead that I may walk it in truth and love. I (we) call you forth now, by love and power, to stand with me (us) this night as I (we) perform my (our) rite(s).
From Isis, open palms up
I (we) call upon the Tiamat in all her aspects, Primordial Maiden of the cosmic sea who was before all began, Creatrix Mother from whom all were created and by whom all are loved; and Terrible Crone possessed of all knowledge and power, betrayed by those who should have honored you, and angered beyond tolerance, stirred to respond with mighty wrath - (women) to join your powers to mine (men: to be present in this circle) this night as I seek transformation in my life and in this world. Primordial Maiden of the cosmic sea, remind me always of the interminable source of power within me and around me. Creatrix Mother, magnify my power for positive change, growth and renewal, guide my hand and my mind as I teach those who would follow the old ways. Terrible Crone, charge me with the responsibility for the Earth and all her beings, the burden of protecting those who cannot protect themselves, and the shield of dragons when I must war on their behalf. Great Dragon Goddess, be with me tonight and always as I follow spiral path to deepest Mysteries, to be enlightened, sheltered in the darkness and ever balanced on the edge of the blade of truth, and blazing forward into transformation. — Charge the chalice with consecrated water or wine. (I’m going with dark blood red wine)
Raise the chalice to the Moon:
Thank you Great Goddess for your gifts. We give you honor and ask your aid as we share in your power this night.
Drink, and share with those present; Leave the remainder out for the Dragons til morning.
Workings:
1) Offerings - red wine, something treasured (A treasure box?), salt, dragonsblood/blood
2) Meditation - Envision the Earth in her Prime, untainted by pollution, erosion, corruption
3) Divination - Water gazing - What does Tiamat ask of me?
4) Spell work - Candle of Transformation - To burn for 11 days -
Sigilis and Dressings
All At Peace - Lavender
All is Love - Rose
All is Balanced - Sandalwood
All is Clean - Frankincense
Goddess Among Us - Dragon’s Blood
While inscribing the sigils and dressing the candle, draw upon the Love of a Mother for her children; The sadness of a Mother at her children’s mistakes and a need to teach them rightly; The anger of a Lover/Mother wronged, and her need to deliver justice; The joy and peace a Mother knows when all is put right and her children prosper. Send that power into the candle.
Tiamat - Mother Dragon
Spirit of the cosmos, hear me
With this light, I invoke thee
The Goddess walks again
From your Waters, all were made
In your abyss, I am not afraid
We shall know Peace
If you teach, we will learn
To your Waters, all return
The Wisdom of Tiamat glows herein
Within your heart, the Fire glows
Joy and Pain, the Mother knows
We shall know Love
Warmth and comfort it will give
And Death, it brings for all who live
The Passion of Tiamat glows herein
From your lungs, storms of Air
Surging forth o’er all who Dare
We shall know Clean
The breath of life in our chest
Until at last we find our rest
The Transformation of Tiamat glows herein
The sky above and Earth below
Your body blessed, as all that grows
We shall know Balance
Male and Female, Dark and Light
All from you our sacred right.
The Lineage of Tiamat glows herein
The Goddess walks again
Spirit of the cosmos, hear me
With this light, I invoke thee
Tiamat - Mother Dragon
Raise the cone:
Channel what feels right to you — Rage and yell, weep and cry, laugh and sing — all these are things the Mother does as she brings forth life and tries to teach the way. Feel her pain born out of love and release both — the pain to dissipate and the love to work in yourself and the world.
Before the altar, in Osiris
So Mote it Be! The workings of this rite are at an end. By my power, Elements and Spirit bound in these workings, with the blessing of Tiamat, bring the benefits and manifestations as I have decreed. As we prepare to leave this place and time between the worlds and re-enter the mundane world, may we always remember that within us we carry the seeds of the universe, the elemental powers, and the path to Goddess Wisdom. As we light the candle nightly for change we want to see in ourselves and this world, remind us always that to see the change — we must be the change and give us the courage to burn that light brightly.
Tiamat, Great Goddess, Dragon, Mother - we thank you for your presence and power this evening, for your aid and your wisdom. If you will, continue to bless our daily lives with your presence. If you must, go your way with our thanks and honor.
May we walk our paths in truth, light and love. May we learn, so we may Know. May we trust, so we may Dare. May we strive, so we may work our Will. May we always, honor the secrets of the craft of the wise, sharing only with others of like mind and otherwise to Keep Silent.
Salute - North/snuff the candle and hold the salt to offer to the Dragons/earth
Dragons of the North, Dragons of Earth - I thank you for your presence this night. The wheel turns and returns, the cycle ever in motion. Life and death, birth and rebirth. May my footsteps be light, but deep enough to show the way for those to come. Depart now with my thanks and blessings.
Salute - West/snuff candle and hold waters to be gifted back to the earth (plants etc)
Dragons of the West, Dragons of Water - I thank you for your presence this night. I flow with the tides of the great oceans, the blood of the Goddess in my veins. May my mark in this world bring healing and cleanse the stains of the past. Depart now with my thanks and blessings.
Salute - South/snuff candle
Dragons of the South, Dragons of Fire - I thank you for your presence this night. Let me burn with the passion and love of Tiamat, that my actions in this world demonstrate purity of heart and lead others to joy. Depart now with my thanks and blessings.
Dismissal of the Elements - with athame -
Salute - East/tamp out the incense and snuff candle
Dragons of the East, Dragons of Air - I thank you for your presence this night. Let me breath in the clarity and intuition of Tiamat, and my words be wisdom and inspiration. Depart now with my thanks and blessings.
Return to the East/cut the circle high right/low left with the athame
The circle is open, the ever unbroken, turning and returning. I walk forth into the world, on the Goddess Path of the Wise, carrying with me Dragon Eggs, seeds of the universe and the powers of the elements.
Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.
References/Resources
1. http://witchesandpagans.com/sagewoman-blogs/a-prayer-to-tiamat.html
2. MASON, ASENATH. GRIMOIRE OF TIAMAT. NEPHILIM PRESS, 2014.
3. Kadmon, Baal. Tiamat Unveiled, Embracing the Primodial. Kindle, 2018
4. https://warlockasyluminternationalnews.com/2010/09/17/the-worship-of-tiamat-in-ancient-history/
5. https://www.ancient.eu/Mesopotamian_Religion/
6. http://www.fellowshipofisis.com/liturgy/sophia5.html (message approved)
7.https://covenantofbabylon.wordpress.com/2014/04/14/babylonian-harmonics/
8. https://jcamherst.org/2017/09/26/rosh-hashanah-day-one-57782017-moses-and-polytheism-rbw/
9. http://avoluptuousgod.com/heretics/?p=164
10. https://www.celticdruidtemple.com/blog/archives/12-2015
11. https://www.gaiansoul.com/2010/07/27/ocean-devotion-or-what-is-it-about-mermaids/
12. https://amoretmortem.wordpress.com/2015/04/24/framing-savage-defiance-in-her-lips-why-the-goddess-tiamat-matters-now-more-than-ever/
13.http://www.mindserpent.com/American_History/books/Siren/assyrbabyl-faq.html
14. https://aminoapps.com/c/thehatchlingclan/page/blog/drawing-down-the-moon-tiamat-ritual/o3p8_mGmfdu7D6pqzZQJ34aMQDpRBZqPMv5
15. Numerology.com
16.https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Tiamat#/media/File%3AIl_dio_Ninurta_e_il_mostro_Chaos.jpg
17. Pixabay.com (free images)
18. Unsplash.com
19. The King James Bible
The story and amazement of Tiamat’s tale really begins well after her demise. Her worship was effectively stamped out by Marduk, who slain and dismembered her, scattering her parts to become the earth and skies. There are no written histories of her worship specifically. We can only infer from prehistoric goddess cultures how she may have been worshiped in her time. In our time, her sacred mysteries are tainted by HIStory and the patriarchal perspective that she was the embodiment of chaos and evil. HERstory has been buried in myth, -repeatedly- in The Enuma Elish, The Torah, The Bible and The Quran so many times until she becomes synonymous with evil, greed and chaos. Her usurper, Marduk, was adopted as the mascot for the ultimate patriarchal hero and is emblazoned on the Papal Crest. She was vilified so effectively that she was adopted by a 20th century children’s fantasy game as the five headed Evil Dragon Queen, bent on chaos and domination, a target for all great hero's to seek and destroy.
But for the Dragon Souls, called to Goddess Culture, connected by blood and sea to Mother Tiamat, there is another perspective, one largely unknown. The Goddess, while subjugated and sleeping, lives on — waiting for the awakened Dragon Souls to call to her, to awaken her essence and call her forth into The World once again.
Before we can talk about how Tiamat interacts with her followers or how her power may be called forth in our lives, we must turn once again to history so we may understand her nature, her essense and her passions. The information in the following paragaphs is a simplification of a detailed explanation of creation epic overlaps dating back multiple centuries and supporting evidence in numerology for syncretezation of creation epic figures as outlined in Tiamat Unveiled, by Baal Kadmon.
In 3000-2000 BCE, in Mesopotamia (the area which today is Iraq, Turkey, Syria, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia), one of the earliest recorded creation epics has its orgins. The Atrahaisis, The Enuma Ilu Awilum which means When the Gods Were Men - holds that the Gods were tiring of their day to day labors, so they created, of their own blood and clay, humans to be their servants. But the humans were unruly and the Gods conspired to destroy them. Enki had mercy and spared the humans from the aloof and capricious Gods. Time and evolution worked its magic on the epic and in 2000-1000 BCE, the best known pre-Abrahamic creation epic - The Enuma Elish - was written in a time when the Gods were invoked, often as personal patrons. In this evolved story, at the beginning - darkness and void hovered over ever-expanding primordial waters whichh existed before all. And then the waters divided into the sweet (Apsu) and primordial sea (Tiamat) from which all things, including the first Gods were formed. These first Gods were boisterous (like the children from The Atrahaisis ??), and Apsu contemplated destroying them. Tiamat warned her son Enki/Ea of Apsu’s musings. Enki then cast a spell on Apsu, killing him. Tiamat’s grief and wrath were great, and in her pain she birthed a host of monsters and demons to war against the younger Gods. To Her General, and second husband according to some sources, Kingsu she gave the Tup Shematu (The Tablets of Destiny), embued with the power of deciding fate. Marduk, son of Enki, seizes the tablets and turns the tides of battle. Ultimately he defeats Tiamat, cleaves her in half and creates the heavens and the earth from her flesh. “Out of chaos, comes order.” Here, the epics again overlap, as Marduk viewed humanity as servants. The surviving Gods ordered the city of Babylon built as tribute to Marduk. But the end of the Enuma Elish includes a line that a “watchman’ must keep guard over what is left of Tiamat, that she remain far off and distant, lest she rise again. This cherished tale was propagated for nearly a century, read in dramatic fashion on the fourth day of the New Year’s Festival, the Akitu. This text is dated by some scholars to the reign of Nebuchadnezzar I in Babylon, approximately 1125-1104 BCE.
Raging Water, Jakob Owens, Unsplash
(free image database)
Tiamat Across The Ages
So now lets take a look at how this epic relates to the archetypal creation epic in the book of Genesis and biblical references to Tiamat herself. The King James Bible, Genesis 1:2 reads “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep” and continues on to divide the waters and expose the land. But our focus is “deep” which is present in the phrase without a preceding article— so instead of reading “the deep” but rather reads “Deep”.
This word in Hebrew is prononuced Tehom, “Deep” or “Abyss” and is cognate with Tamtu, the Akkadian name for Tiamat in the Enuma Elish. Thus in the writing of the Bible, the word is used as a name not a noun. This usage pattern is repeated in subsequent phrases. Kadmon goes on to review the creation events, paralelling them with Marduk’s defeat of Tiamat with subsequent creation of the heavens and the earth. The similarities in content and phrasing are remarkable. Further reinforcement of this syncretization is found in Psalms and Job, under the name Rahab (which is a different Hebrew word than the woman Rahab from Joshua, showing us the loss of detail in translation). The imagery in these referenced passages (Psalms 89:9-11; Job 9:13; and Job 26: 10-13) bear striking similarity to the war between the younger Gods and the hordes of Tiamat. Also in these passages are referrences to Rahab as serpent. Subsquent chapters establish Tiamat as a great serpent, a dragon, syncretic with Leviathan. The details of this are further elaboroated in The Watchers and Their Ways (Kadmon) and establishes Leviathan as the female serpent of bibilical apocrypha. Again, the ending of these texts implies that she remains around, — waiting.
For the next place we search for Tiamat, we turn to Kabbalah and Gematria. My knowlege is thin here folks, so accept my apologies for the oversimplifications. The importance of this information will become clear later on. If you would like more detail or desire a better explanation, please read the tests in my referrences list. Numbers play an important role in religious and magical workings. The number 3: Triple Goddess, Trinity; 40: the Great Flood and the desert wanderings of Moses and Jesus; 10: Ten Commandments and Ten Kabbalistic Sefirot. And then there is the big kahuna - 666 - The mark of the beast, the number the Bible suggests should strike fear in our hearts.
I’m going to ask you to accept a few things on fact for now, you can look them up in the Kadmon’s books later for verification. Hebrew letters are clearly associated with defined numerical values. Tehom Kadmonia, which means Primordial Abyss/Deep, we have established as synonymous with Tiamat. The sum of the numerical values of this name in its Hebrew form is 666. Elohei chaim (one of the many names for God in Hebrew which means God of Life) adds up to the same thing: 666. If we take this a step further, the sum is 18, and in numerology would add to 9. The number of wisdom and completion and has all the qualities of the preceeding 8 numbers. The sum of all things.
The Hebrew word for serpent adds up to 358. The sum of 3+5+8 is 16. The word for messiah also adds to 16. As does the Hebrew word for ‘she’. So then the correspondence is Serpent, Messiah, Female at 16. The sum of 1+6 is 7. Seven is a spiritual seeker of Truth. For yet another syncretization and layer on the spiritiual understanding of Goddess and Tiamat — I will remind you that the nature of The Kundalini is Female Serpent.
Pixabay.com; The only image that comes
up when searching Tiamat. In the fine print, translations, is Tiamat Sun.
So what is the take home of all of this? I would ask you to consider several things:
1) The similarity in creation epics around the globe and the fundamental nature of deity as they overlap
2) The Divine Feminine is REAL and has been buried under eons of patriarchal tales for the purposes of power and control
3) She LIVES !! - But she is sleeping, waiting for those of Goddess mind and heart to waken her spirit and return her to her rightful place.
The Goddess is the powerful combined forces of creation, upheaval, and change which have been demonized into the "chaos”. But these forces are needed for change, for all growth and are mirrored all around us in nature. She is courage, passion, and strength; she embodies all that was, is and ever will be. She is the source from which all things came, all call upon her even if they are not aware of it—yet.
Calling on Tiamat
For this section, I will remind you that Dragons, by nature are powerful, secretive, jealous beings. Their treasures, their secrets, even their very names are most carefully guarded; shared only with those who are called to their Path and adopted into the Clan. While there are books out there on Draconian Magic, even on working with Tiamat herself, I would caution you from attempting these workings without a thorough study and extreme caution.
Called by the Queen of Dragons
This is an amazing and awe-inspiring event. The discovery or calling by Deity can be terrifying and emotional. Now magnify that to a 300 mile long, 7 foot high Dragon Queen! Many witches I spoke with work with Tiamat, but few are called to her Path. I discovered two distinct themes in my discussions with these Witches:
Tiamat Followers -
Followers of Tiamat are well versed in the lore of Dragons, respectful of the Draconic Path, and able to draw on the essence of Dragons for their magic. Many have Dragon Guides, Dragon Companions, Dragon Guardians. But they do not call upon the Queen herself. They describe contact with her as terrifying and overwhelming. These witches acknowledge Tiamat, but do not regularly worship or invoke her. Instead they work with the essence of “their” Dragon and other Elemental Dragons, Dragon Guardians, and Dragon Spirits who embody specific powers and forces. For these witches, Tiamat is to be called upon only in moments of dire need; life and death; and with caution. Anyone called to the Draconic Path may choose this.
Children of Tiamat -
These are witches describe the polar opposite experience of Tiamat. Their Dragon Souls are called home to a Motherly figure whom they all describe as a powerful, loving, warm, encompassing Goddess. Oh, they acknowledge her great power and capacity for wrath, for destruction — but they do not fear it. They walk the Dragon Path in confidence, with Tiamat always with them. These witches regularly acknowlege her in their daily lives, their rituals and feel free to call upon Tiamat for anything. They experience a playful side of her with teasing and ribbing; a brooding side of a Mother hurt or worried; and they know all to well the power of the Woman scorned, the Mother defending. Only those whom Tiamat calls personally will ever walk this Path.
Self Portrait, Communing with Tiamat
Near Old Hale’iwa, North Shore, Hawaii
Near Old Hale’iwa, North Shore, Hawaii
Worship of Tiamat
Worship of Tiamat in Daily Life is similar to most other Goddesses, with a few quirks that make her unique.
Set up an Altar -
Tiamat’s Altar should have:
A representation of Her (an image, a statue, a symbol)
A representation of her element (I find she is multi-elemental, so this is easy). Offerings
Corresponding items
Things that remind you of Her or that call you with Her Energy
My altar has a tiny baby dragon statue (I have not yet found the one that resonates with her, but it is close). An abalone shell - representing the primordial sea, the earth that is her body, and the colors evoke sky and fire. Dragons blood jasper, Amazonite in her shell cave. Moldavite on her offering plate (a pewter dragon Orobouros), a vial of Tiamat Invoking Oil ( a personal creation) and My dragon talisman. Most of the time I will also lay my ocean jasper bracelet and my Triquetra ring in her shell to charge with her energy for the night.
Prayers to Tiamat -
For Children of Tiamat, prayers to her roll of our lips with ease and may be a simple thank you for a gorgeous view of the ocean or as difficult as needs in major life problems. Here is a lovely one by Raven J. Demers, A Sage Woman Blogs. Reprinted with permission; reference and link below. [1]
A Prayer to Tiamat [1]
Let her waters run cool
Let her waters run bright
Show us our darkness
Show us our light
Teach us of love,
Compassion, and wisdom
Teach us of fury,
Justice, and creative vision
Carry us through storms
Teach us to weather rough seas
Protect us from deceit
Teach us to see both long and deep
We honor the Mother
Of serpents, gods, and water
We honor Tiamat
May she carry us farther
Tiamat in Divination
-Followers and Children of Tiamat often have strong pulls to divination - but their methods vary widely. Tarot, by the sheer popularity and availability, remains highest. But among Children of Tiamat you will find a higher number of those called to water scrying, stone scrying and pendulum work. Their stones are often powerful Earthy female stones of protection and magic - Nuummite, Obsidian, Hypersthene, Lapis Lazuli, Smoky Quartz.
Tiamat’s Response To Invocation and/or Prayer
-This is something that you will have to discover for yourself, should you be called to The Path of the Dragon Queen. Mother Tiamat’s Children are very protective of Her, each other and the secrets of the Dragon Path.
-Know this however, for those who follow her and those who belong to her, — Tiamat’s response is swift, powerful and undeniable.
Pixabay.com (Appropriate to the following
Ritual)
Rituals
Several authors have published books on Draconic Magic that can be adapted to work for most situation. Kadmon and Mason have written books (references below) with specific detailed rituals and preparations for those who choose invoke Tiamat particularly. Once again I will caution you, Draconic Magic is not for the faint of heart and requires study and preparation before invoking Dragons, especially the Queen.
I will share with you one that I wrote after Tiamat called to me. I confess, it is “Wiccan’d” Down quite a bit — So if if you dare it, and she calls to you as she did me, …. The Dragon Words will come. Use Them!
Before you begin this ritual, be certain you are ready for the outcome.
Only those who have been called to The Dragon’s Path should attempt this
And those who do should be prepared to be forever changed.
Once you have awakened the Dragon Within, there is no going back.
I advise you to read extensively and consult with another Draconic Witch before you embark on this journey. Otherwise, Let Sleeping Dragons Sleep.
Extra preparation and focus is recommended as part of a ritual invoking Dragons.
Transformative Rage of Tiamat
Purification: Smudge self with Dragon’s Blood incense or essential oil
Purification of Space: Full moon charged water (sea water if you can), with Sea salt
(Add salt to water and raise it to the dark moon)
Earth in Water, Earth of Water
Hear now this Goddess Daughter,
Tears of the Goddess, Tears of the Sea
Consecrated and Blessed Be
(Walk the circle widdershins, sprinkling the space)
Thrice round the sacred space my steps
Thrice her Sacred Name cross my lips
Cleansed be the Circle that I walk
(Returning to East, sprinkle self and drink a tiny sip)
True be the words when I talk
Pure be my heart when it cries
Free be my spirit when body dies
By the power of the Dragon Queen
Place, Spirit, Body are Clean.
Light Working Candle on Altar
Using Athame Cast the Circle;
Walk the circle, starting and ending East; bright blue white light from athame
(From Isis facing East, Wand in power hand)
Ring Bell and Salute the Quarter with Athame
Light the East/Yellow and Incense:
Great Dragons of the East, Dragons of Air, we greet thee. Now is the time for change and renewal. Bring the tempests and winds, bring inspired words and intuition that we may be agents of change in this world. Let loose the winds of change; Rage great tempest within. Wise Dragons of the East, join your powers with mine to bring change and protect this circle.
Light the South/Red and Touch the Flame (be careful):
Great Dragons of the South, Dragons of Fire! Now is the time for passion to blaze and purification to begin. From the great fire inside us, may we bellow forth our rage and anger, then turn our power to stoke the flames of change. Let loose the fires of anger and wrath; Burn down the barriers to your true self. Powerful Dragons of the South, join your powers with mine to bring change and protect this circle.
Light the West/Dark Blue and Touch the Cauldron, pre charged with consecrated salt water
Great Dragons of the West, Dragons of Waters! Now is the time for the maelstrom of change, the sweeping tides that never quit. Bring the inexorable power of water, that wears down even the most immobile of rocks, shaping and molding it into something transformed. Waters of cleansing and healing, from which none may emerge unchanged. Come floods of emotion, swirling intuition, rise up from the depths. In your waters bear away the hurts of the past and unearth the secret pains hidden. Deep Dragons of the West, join your powers with mine to bring change and protect this circle.
Light the North/Dark Green/Place the jar of salt on the Pentacle;
Great Dragons of the North, Dragons of Earth! From time immemorial you have been and unto all the ages you shall be. Make our roots deep and strong, our reach long and powerful. Let us rumble the earth with earthquakes of change and honor the slow, inevitable changes of the cycles of life and death. Let loose once more the heart of the Earth, the molten core within, that now sits as fossilized tears on the surface. Ancient Dragons of the South, join your powers with mine to bring change and protect this circle.
Pick up the pre-staged consecrated water/salt water/rose water. Return to the east, and walk the circle sprinkling or pouring the perimeter of the circle
This Circle is cast in love and light, bound by the invocation of elements, consecrated and protected in the sight of the Goddess. Here within this sacred circle, my grief, my rage, my inner demons may rage in safety and secrecy. Let no one and nothing who bears me (us) ill enter here this night.
Goddess, Consort, Universal Elements and Spirit
I (We) stand before you this night, in a time that is not a time, in a place, that is not a place, to lift the Veil between worlds and join with you. Through you we access all the power within and tap into source of all cosmic power. I (We) remember the path of my (our) predecessors and study the path that lays ahead that I may walk it in truth and love. I (we) call you forth now, by love and power, to stand with me (us) this night as I (we) perform my (our) rite(s).
From Isis, open palms up
I (we) call upon the Tiamat in all her aspects, Primordial Maiden of the cosmic sea who was before all began, Creatrix Mother from whom all were created and by whom all are loved; and Terrible Crone possessed of all knowledge and power, betrayed by those who should have honored you, and angered beyond tolerance, stirred to respond with mighty wrath - (women) to join your powers to mine (men: to be present in this circle) this night as I seek transformation in my life and in this world. Primordial Maiden of the cosmic sea, remind me always of the interminable source of power within me and around me. Creatrix Mother, magnify my power for positive change, growth and renewal, guide my hand and my mind as I teach those who would follow the old ways. Terrible Crone, charge me with the responsibility for the Earth and all her beings, the burden of protecting those who cannot protect themselves, and the shield of dragons when I must war on their behalf. Great Dragon Goddess, be with me tonight and always as I follow spiral path to deepest Mysteries, to be enlightened, sheltered in the darkness and ever balanced on the edge of the blade of truth, and blazing forward into transformation. — Charge the chalice with consecrated water or wine. (I’m going with dark blood red wine)
Raise the chalice to the Moon:
Thank you Great Goddess for your gifts. We give you honor and ask your aid as we share in your power this night.
Drink, and share with those present; Leave the remainder out for the Dragons til morning.
Workings:
1) Offerings - red wine, something treasured (A treasure box?), salt, dragonsblood/blood
2) Meditation - Envision the Earth in her Prime, untainted by pollution, erosion, corruption
3) Divination - Water gazing - What does Tiamat ask of me?
4) Spell work - Candle of Transformation - To burn for 11 days -
Sigilis and Dressings
All At Peace - Lavender
All is Love - Rose
All is Balanced - Sandalwood
All is Clean - Frankincense
Goddess Among Us - Dragon’s Blood
While inscribing the sigils and dressing the candle, draw upon the Love of a Mother for her children; The sadness of a Mother at her children’s mistakes and a need to teach them rightly; The anger of a Lover/Mother wronged, and her need to deliver justice; The joy and peace a Mother knows when all is put right and her children prosper. Send that power into the candle.
Tiamat - Mother Dragon
Spirit of the cosmos, hear me
With this light, I invoke thee
The Goddess walks again
From your Waters, all were made
In your abyss, I am not afraid
We shall know Peace
If you teach, we will learn
To your Waters, all return
The Wisdom of Tiamat glows herein
Within your heart, the Fire glows
Joy and Pain, the Mother knows
We shall know Love
Warmth and comfort it will give
And Death, it brings for all who live
The Passion of Tiamat glows herein
From your lungs, storms of Air
Surging forth o’er all who Dare
We shall know Clean
The breath of life in our chest
Until at last we find our rest
The Transformation of Tiamat glows herein
The sky above and Earth below
Your body blessed, as all that grows
We shall know Balance
Male and Female, Dark and Light
All from you our sacred right.
The Lineage of Tiamat glows herein
The Goddess walks again
Spirit of the cosmos, hear me
With this light, I invoke thee
Tiamat - Mother Dragon
Raise the cone:
Channel what feels right to you — Rage and yell, weep and cry, laugh and sing — all these are things the Mother does as she brings forth life and tries to teach the way. Feel her pain born out of love and release both — the pain to dissipate and the love to work in yourself and the world.
Before the altar, in Osiris
So Mote it Be! The workings of this rite are at an end. By my power, Elements and Spirit bound in these workings, with the blessing of Tiamat, bring the benefits and manifestations as I have decreed. As we prepare to leave this place and time between the worlds and re-enter the mundane world, may we always remember that within us we carry the seeds of the universe, the elemental powers, and the path to Goddess Wisdom. As we light the candle nightly for change we want to see in ourselves and this world, remind us always that to see the change — we must be the change and give us the courage to burn that light brightly.
Tiamat, Great Goddess, Dragon, Mother - we thank you for your presence and power this evening, for your aid and your wisdom. If you will, continue to bless our daily lives with your presence. If you must, go your way with our thanks and honor.
May we walk our paths in truth, light and love. May we learn, so we may Know. May we trust, so we may Dare. May we strive, so we may work our Will. May we always, honor the secrets of the craft of the wise, sharing only with others of like mind and otherwise to Keep Silent.
Salute - North/snuff the candle and hold the salt to offer to the Dragons/earth
Dragons of the North, Dragons of Earth - I thank you for your presence this night. The wheel turns and returns, the cycle ever in motion. Life and death, birth and rebirth. May my footsteps be light, but deep enough to show the way for those to come. Depart now with my thanks and blessings.
Salute - West/snuff candle and hold waters to be gifted back to the earth (plants etc)
Dragons of the West, Dragons of Water - I thank you for your presence this night. I flow with the tides of the great oceans, the blood of the Goddess in my veins. May my mark in this world bring healing and cleanse the stains of the past. Depart now with my thanks and blessings.
Salute - South/snuff candle
Dragons of the South, Dragons of Fire - I thank you for your presence this night. Let me burn with the passion and love of Tiamat, that my actions in this world demonstrate purity of heart and lead others to joy. Depart now with my thanks and blessings.
Dismissal of the Elements - with athame -
Salute - East/tamp out the incense and snuff candle
Dragons of the East, Dragons of Air - I thank you for your presence this night. Let me breath in the clarity and intuition of Tiamat, and my words be wisdom and inspiration. Depart now with my thanks and blessings.
Return to the East/cut the circle high right/low left with the athame
The circle is open, the ever unbroken, turning and returning. I walk forth into the world, on the Goddess Path of the Wise, carrying with me Dragon Eggs, seeds of the universe and the powers of the elements.
Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.
References/Resources
1. http://witchesandpagans.com/sagewoman-blogs/a-prayer-to-tiamat.html
2. MASON, ASENATH. GRIMOIRE OF TIAMAT. NEPHILIM PRESS, 2014.
3. Kadmon, Baal. Tiamat Unveiled, Embracing the Primodial. Kindle, 2018
4. https://warlockasyluminternationalnews.com/2010/09/17/the-worship-of-tiamat-in-ancient-history/
5. https://www.ancient.eu/Mesopotamian_Religion/
6. http://www.fellowshipofisis.com/liturgy/sophia5.html (message approved)
7.https://covenantofbabylon.wordpress.com/2014/04/14/babylonian-harmonics/
8. https://jcamherst.org/2017/09/26/rosh-hashanah-day-one-57782017-moses-and-polytheism-rbw/
9. http://avoluptuousgod.com/heretics/?p=164
10. https://www.celticdruidtemple.com/blog/archives/12-2015
11. https://www.gaiansoul.com/2010/07/27/ocean-devotion-or-what-is-it-about-mermaids/
12. https://amoretmortem.wordpress.com/2015/04/24/framing-savage-defiance-in-her-lips-why-the-goddess-tiamat-matters-now-more-than-ever/
13.http://www.mindserpent.com/American_History/books/Siren/assyrbabyl-faq.html
14. https://aminoapps.com/c/thehatchlingclan/page/blog/drawing-down-the-moon-tiamat-ritual/o3p8_mGmfdu7D6pqzZQJ34aMQDpRBZqPMv5
15. Numerology.com
16.https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Tiamat#/media/File%3AIl_dio_Ninurta_e_il_mostro_Chaos.jpg
17. Pixabay.com (free images)
18. Unsplash.com
19. The King James Bible