In the Lemegeton, he appears as either a beautiful or an ugly angel, riding a dragon and holding a viper. According to TourEgypt.com, "In her Levantine homelands, Astarte is a battlefield goddess. These demons can help with all sorts of problems, provide assistance in reaching your goals and becoming more powerful in magic. As goddess of Venus, delighting in bodily love, Ishtar was the protectress of prostitutes and the patroness of the alehouse. A comprehensive historical view of the whole subject helps to understand the fascination of Astarte worship as a seductive and formidable obstacle to the service of Yahweh. Regardless of your primary motivations, you can now hire me for a consultation and to do the difficult part of the equation for you, while you reap the rewards. As mother goddess she was widely worshiped throughout Syria and Palestine, although she was frequently paired with Baal, who often took the place of El; as Baal's consort, Asherah was usually given the name Baalat. Her other counterparts are Isis and Hathor of Egypt, Kali of India and Aphrodite and Demeter of Greece. As the practice was recounted only in literature, it is unclear whether it was purely symbolic or an actual reenactment. As for the land of Carthage, the goddess Tanit was worshipped along with Astarte. 12). In her role as a warrior goddess, one who is dominant and fearless, she is sometimes portrayed wearing a set of bull horns. We're talking cow's horns of course, as Astarte is a sexy cow and ritual prostitution is always on offer. Scripture describes this practice as "passing through the fire to Molech," Leviticus 18:21. In 1894, French poet Pierre Louys published a volume of erotic poetry entitled Songs of Bilitis, which he claimed were written by a contemporary of the Greek poet Sappho. The pantheon in Phoenicia was generally ascribed to the Sanchuniathon. Baal's victory over death was thought to be repeated each year when he returned from the land of death (underworld), bringing rain to renew the earth's fertility. Inanna was also a fertility figure, and, as goddess of the storehouse and the bride of the god Dumuzi-Amaushumgalana, who represented the growth and fecundity of the date palm, she was characterized as young, beautiful, and impulsivenever as helpmate or mother. Lev 20:2-5; 2 Kgs 23:10, etc.). Many ancient peoples practiced magic. Maybe, to be safe, they should worship both;Yahweh and Baal. And their pagan worship snared some of the children of Israel. It "compels every woman of the land to sit in the temple . Astarte's cult in the fourth-century bce Kition tariff text likely involved offerings of cakes as did that of the Queen of Heaven in Jeremiah . Gay Christian 101 - Presenting accurate biblical and historical info defending LGBT Christians from those who rip verses out of context to condemn. God intended to prevent His people from practicing the shrine prostitution of the Canaanites, which He warned against in Leviticus 18:3 and 20:23. Good News Translation He worshiped Astarte, the goddess of Sidon, and Molech, the disgusting god of Ammon. To show her sovereignty, Astarte decided to place a bulls head on her own. As with many deities, offerings are an important component of honoring Astarte in ritual and prayer. NET Bible, Jeremiah 3:6. In later myth she was known as Queen of the Universe, taking on the powers of An, Enlil, and Enki. Astaroth is the teacher of all the sciences especially skilled in the liberal sciences. They dont remember the terms original connotation of starlight. Scholars have yet to settle on the question of whether sacred prostitution took place. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Bible Charts and Maps, PO Box 171053, Austin, TX 78717 That towns were named after the fertility goddess indicates that her worship was already widespread when the children of Israel entered the land of Canaan. The Akkadian Ishtar is also, to a greater extent, an astral deity, associated with the planet Venus. Separating Fact from Myth: Asherah and Idol Worship. In this act, the high priestess of Inanna would have intercourse with either the high priest or the king of the city. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ishtar-Mesopotamian-goddess, Ancient Origins - Love is a Battlefield: The Legend of Ishtar, First Goddess of Love and War, Oracc - Ancient Mesopotamian Gods and Goddesses - Itar. Systems of Transliteration Citation of Proper Names. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia tells us Ashtoreth was a. The Encyclopedia of Witches, Witchcraft and Wicca, Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses. 4, lxvi. God prohibited Israel from adopting the cultic sexual fertility goddess worship of Egypt and Canaan, Lev 18:3, 20:23. Click here for our comprehensive article on ancient Mesopotamia. 3:11-13). Some scholars hold Astarte was a prototype of the Virgin Mary. In the Hebrew scriptures, Astarte was referred to as Ashteroth Karnaim. She was the consort of the chief deity El and the mother of 70 other gods. Many of the ancient pagan deities lived on, however, now identified with the gods of the Greeks and Romans, the nations who controlled the people of Israel before and during New Testament times. [6] Astaroth is often invoked in necromantic divination rituals for this purpose. Basics Rituals and Ceremonies Sabbats and Holidays Wicca Gods Herbalism Wicca Traditions Wicca Resources for Parents According to legend, Astarte descended to earth as a fiery star. ancient Canaanite fertility cults used same sex rituals to worship their false gods. 3 When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face to the ground before the ark of the Lord. Why Did Christ Ride a Donkey on His Triumphant Entry? It is also the Greek name of Ishtar, who is a Mesopotamian Semitic goddess. It was designed like an old fashioned pot-bellied stove, with the belly as the firebox. In Phenician Colonies. What is the meaning of AD, BC, BCE and CE? His right hand (sometimes both hands) is raised, and he holds a lightning bolt, signifying both destruction and fertility. She is linked with war, sexuality and fertility. Yet it is packed with high-powered rituals that are seeing the light of day for the first time in this century. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z-xX9zelUk. Therefore, Astaroth has revealed himself to many magicians as a beautiful women instead. All the while, prophets like Elijah (which means ? Ashtoreth and the queen of heaven. Baal is portrayed as a man with the head and horns of a bull, an image similar to that in biblical accounts. The Phoenicians portrayed Astarte with cow horns, representing fertility. Some 1450 years after Leviticus, the Apostle Paul references pagan worship in Romans 1:26-27, when he blasts the same kind of fertility goddess worship in first century Rome. Artemis, the goddess of childbirth and fertility, and Aphrodite, the goddess of love, continued the Asherah cults under a new name (Acts 19:35), but with worship practices that were as immoral as ever. Immense knowledge, power, protection from harm (invisibility) and hidden treasures are all within reach of those who form a good relationship with this unique entity. This is the most opportune time to ask questions about the past, present and future. Asherah, the moon goddess, was the principal female deity worshiped by ancient Syrians, Phoenicians, and Canaanites. A deity of fertility and sexuality, Astarte eventually evolved into the Greek Aphrodite thanks to her role as a goddess of sexual love. Astarte (also Ashtart, Ashtoreth) In ancient Phoenicia, the great Goddess of fertility, motherhood and war. It is not appropriate here to discuss all the gods and goddesses of the Greco-Roman pantheon; however, a few of them were significant in the first century, and some are even mentioned by name in the Bible. Christians turned Astarte into a male Demon, Astaroth. Moreover, Astarte had a temple that was shared with Eshmun, in Sidon. (See Isa. By the first century B.C., Isis worship had become established as a "mystery religion." Rooted in Greek culture, mystery faiths centred on a figure of a god or goddesssuch as Demeter or Dionysusand involved confidential rituals and rites. Molech represented the male principle of life and reproduction while Ashtoreth represented the female principle of fertility. Your email address will not be published. It is easy (and seductive) to honor possessions, fun, relationships, fame, money, and a host of other potential "gods.". Asherah was worshiped in various ways, including through ritual sex. A nude woman holding lilies or sometimes wearing a Philistine helmet. Deuteronomy 16:21. 65:1-5 for an example of Israel's participating in the pagan practices of the Canaanites.) And desired to, In Egypt, where the Hyksos invaders introduced her, the cow horns of Hathor became part of her iconography, Athirat, the lady of the sea, appears to be the consort of El, the equal of the Hebrew god Yahweh. Lucid dreaming most often occurs between 3 and 5 AM. International Standard Version Solomon pursued Astarte, the Sidonian goddess, and Milcom, that detestable Ammonite idol. Most stories about him refer to sexual affairs. It's hard to know why Yahweh's people failed to see that he alone had power over these things. 40-year journey in the wilderness, their Lord accompanied them, protected them, fed them, and guided them to the Promised Land. Astaroth also encourages slothfulness and laziness so be sure to thank him and finish the ritual properly. Now available on Amazon. Participation in these sects was highly secretive, and few details of their ceremonies survive. Astarte is a fierce warrior goddess and the goddess of sexual love (eros) and fertility. When Ashtoreth is mentioned in scripture, she is linked to Molech, (also called Milcom in the Bible). God placed the Holiness Code prohibitions of Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13 in the context of worshiping false gods, 18:3, 21-22 and 20:2-5, 13, 23. Learn about covens and degree systems, initiation, Sabbat and Esbat rites, and other milestones such as handfastings, birth, and death. This could be in order to deceive the magician, with the goal of extracting his energy. Her worship spanned from around 1500 BCE to 200 BCE. Unfortunately, more and more people are learning this, Read More How to do Black Magic: Full Guide (Spells, Curses, Protection Circle..)Continue, Ive received a couple of requests from my readers to share a Bathin summoning ritual. In the book of Jeremiah, there is a verse referencing this female deity, and Yahwehs anger at the people who honor her: Among some fundamentalist branches of Christianity, there is a theory that Astartes name provides the origin for the Easter holiday which should, therefore, not be celebrated because it is held in honor of a false deity. Place your hand with a silver ring under your nose. They foretold the future by examining animal entrails or by watching flights of birds. Johanna H. Stuckey, University Professor Emerita, York University, says of Astarte. Some devotees may have found the presence of a female divine figure compelling in an otherwise male-dominated religious environment. Among her symbols included the horse, dove, lion, star within a circle and a sphinx. The Canaanites attributed this fertility to their god Baal,and that is where the Israelites problems began. Attractive design ideal for your home, office, church . Hence, the goddess Astarte was commonly depicted as having horns or the crescent moon on her head. The adjective spiritual was inserted by the translators because in their opinion this is not a reference to literal prostitution but figuratively compares idolatry to prostitution. Astaroth loves to complain to those who are willing to listen about how he was unjustly punished by God along with other Fallen Angels. We also participate in becomealivinggod.com affiliate program. It is best to understand these rituals as a religious act of devotion to the goddess rather than as sex per se. But some demons have more power than others, and its often not clear what a certain demon, Read More 13 Best Demons to Summon (Summoning Rituals Included! Much of our knowledge of the origins and character of these fertility cults remains tentative and widely debated. Both of these sacred sexual practices existed for thousands of years in Mesopotamia. She was also flanked by several sphinxes, and there was a bowl held just underneath her pierced breasts. "Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel? Astarte means the womb, the conceiving womb, or full womb and is a title for the goddess Anat, but it may also be a title for other goddesses associated with fertility or possibly a name for a completely independent spirit. According to the New Unger's Bible Dictionary: "The word Easter is of Saxon origin, Eastra, the goddess of spring, in whose honour sacrifices were offered about Passover time each year. Give now to help That The World May Know Ministries reveal the heart of Scripturethrough life-changing study tours, an engaging film series, and morefor a greater understanding of Gods Word than ever before. Baal, Tammuz, Ashtoreth, Astarte and Ishtar are all connected with pagan sun worship. Astaroth is particularly ambiguous since hes evolved from an ancient goddess, providing him/her with multiple forms of manifestation. (The final e in Astarte may or may not be pronounced.). By summoning Aphrodite you can improve your love life in many ways. Easter egg activities . Moloch worship is essentially identical with worship of Chemosh of Moab, Cronus-Kronos of Carthage and Melkart-Melqart of Tyre. Make sure to stay in control at all times instead of subjugating yourself to the demon. Asherah (Hebrew ), also spelled Ashera, was a major northwest Semitic mother goddess, appearing also in Akkadian sources as Ashratu, in Hittite as Asherdu and in Ugaritic as Athirat. Romans 1, in historical context, is about ancient Roman fertility goddess worshipers who engaged in shrine prostitution to worship Cybele, not gays and lesbians. "You shall not plant any tree as an Asherah beside the altar of the Lord your God.". lxv. Astarte ruled all spirits of the dead residing in heaven, visible from earth as stars; hence came her name Astroarche, Queen of the Stars, the mother of souls in heaven, the Moon surrounded by her star-children, to whom she gave their astral (starry) bodies. That's a great question because Paul could have used many words if he intended to blast gays and lesbians. He promised his disciples that his church would overcome all evil, even the gates of Hades itself. Mesopotamian Women and Their Social Roles, Mesopotamian Religion: Gods, Practice, And Priests. ), the king "tore down the quarters of the male shrine prostitutes, which were in the temple of the Lord and where women . What Did Mesopotamians Eat In Ancient Civilization? 13) as "Ashtoreth," a distortion of "Ashtart," made after the analogy of "Bosheth" (compare Jastrow, in "Jour. According to Encyclopedia Brittanica, "Ashtaroth, the plural form of the goddesss name in Hebrew, became a general term denoting goddesses and paganism.". Inanna, an important goddess in the Sumerian pantheon, came to be identified with Ishtar, but it is uncertain whether Inanna is also of Semitic origin or whether, as is more likely, her similarity to Ishtar caused the two to be identified. Sacred Marriage There was in their city a bronze image of Cronus extending its hands, palms up and sloping toward the ground, so that each of the children when placed thereon rolled down and fell into a sort of gaping pit filled with fire.. Reveal yourself in the flames before me! Astarte is the counterpart of the Babylonian goddess Ishtar. This order of priestess was called Nin-Gig in Sumeria. (worship of the god Hercules), I made a voyage to Tyre in Phoenicia, hearing there was a temple of . But regardless of the appearance of the demon, the behavior, benefits and the dangers associated will the demon will be similar in every case. Lilies, roses, sweet cakes, honey. Clearly, though the names of the gods had changed, the people?s worship practices had not. Romans 1 describes ancient shrine prostitution, not gays and lesbians. 21.". Lend me your powers at this time! Given this cultural, historical and religious context, it becomes clear that God did not intend to forbid a loving, committed gay relationship or gay marriage between two men or two women. 7; 3, 5. Semitic describes a group of languages, and by extension, kindred cultures of the Near East and Africa which include Phoenician, Arabic, Hebrew and Assyrian. What Are The Names of the Thieves Crucified With Christ. ), Hosea, Isaiah, and Jeremiah thundered that Yahweh alone deserved the people?s allegiance. The cult spread westward from Phoenicia into Greece, Rome, and as far as the British Isles. Black magic: the magic of evil In the mind of the public, there is not one form of magic, but two:White magicand black magic. However, the work was all Louys own, and included a stunning prayer honoring Astarte: Mother inexhaustible and incorruptible,Creatures, born the first, engendered by thyself and by thyself conceived,Issue of thyself alone and seeking joy within thyself, Astarte! Several other centers of worship were located in Malta, Eryx and Cythera. Ashtoreth was the goddess of war and fertility, called Ishtar by Assyrians and Babylonians, called Astarte by Greeks and Romans and called Tanith by North Africans. Herodotus, however, is an unreliable reporter, which is why scholars debate the historicity of this practice. Yahweh is God? You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. And it is one of the oldest Middle Eastern aspects of the great Goddess, dating to the Neolithic and Bronze Ages. Just as they went forth into this . She was associated with the moon and called the Mother of the Universe, giver of all life on Earth. Rituals and Ceremonies Wiccans and Pagans have a number of rituals and celebrations. The name Attart is a feminine form of the name Attar, a god known from Ugarit and South Arabian sources, and associated with the morning star. with the moon and called the Mother of the Universe, giver of all live on Earth. Part of her cult worship probably included temple prostitution. For that reason, God and Moses prohibited Israel from worshiping Moloch in Leviticus 18:21 and 20:2, 3, 4, 5. Hebrew culture viewed the sea as evil and destructive, so Baal?s promise to prevent storms and control the sea, as well as his ability to produce abundant harvests, made him attractive to the Israelites. Variants of the name Astarte can be found in the Phoenician, Hebrew, Egyptian and Etruscan languages. ASHTAROTH was THE CANAANITE'S Virgin, Queen of Heaven who was their goddess of fertility, love, and war exactly like Ishtar and Isis. The word translated Mo-lech or Moloch (the spelling varies), occurs multiple times in the Bible, in Leviticus 18:21, 20:2, 3, 4, 5, 1 Kings 11:7, 2 Kings 23:10, Jeremiah 32:35, Amos 5:25-26, Acts 7:42-43. The history of Israel was inextricably linked to pagan worship, which God abhorred and prohibited his followers from having anything to do with. https://www.learnreligions.com/who-is-astarte-2561500 (accessed March 5, 2023). She is portrayed as a nude female, sometimes pregnant, with exaggerated breasts that she holds out, apparently as symbols of the fertility she promises her followers. If one is clearly oriented towards good, the other has much darker goals. Blow out the candle and go into another room. Astarte (from Greek (Astrte)) is the name of a major goddess as known from Northwestern Semitic regions, cognate in name, origin and functions with the goddess Ishtar in Mesopotamian texts. The priest or a male member of the community represented Baal. This article is part of our larger resource on Mesopotamian culture, society, economics, and warfare. Baal, Ashtoreth and Molech - God's Old Testament rivals. Sacred prostitution has many different characteristics depending on the region, class and the religious ideals of the period and the place, and consequently can have many different definitions. When summoning Astaroth, its important to hold a silver ring in front of your face to protect yourself from his vile breath, which can otherwise cause serious physical ailments. 45, 47). There was no doubt that Yahweh was God of the wilderness. Many of the gods they worshiped, however, were localized and are now known only under their local names. The so-called Queen of Heaven, whose worship is detested in Jeremiah 7:18; 44:17 - 19, 25, may be Astarte, although cases have also been made for other Canaanite goddesses or the Mesopotamian Ishtar. He is one of the three supreme evil Demons, with Beelzebub and Lucifer, in the Grimoire Verum and Grand Grimoire, which date from about the 18th century. Inscriptions from two locations in southern Palestine seem to indicate that she was also worshiped as the consort of Yahweh. Your support now will help strengthen marriages, equip parents to raise godly children, save preborn babies, reach out to orphans and more by supporting our daily broadcasts, online and print resources, counseling, and life-changing initiatives. The Israelites neglected to heed the Lord's warning not to compromise with idolaters. on the ancient Syrian and Egyptian rituals of celebrating Astartes rebirth of the solar god on December 25th, that the Virgin had brought forth a newborn child, which, No doubt the Virgin who thus conceived and bore a son on the twenty-fifth of December was the great Oriental goddess whom the Semites called the Heavenly Virgin or the Heavenly Goddess, in Semitic lands she was a form of Astarte, The theory that credits Astarte as being a prototype of the Virgin Mary made. Jews used the title Astarte to indicate Anat. They may represent the goddess Asherah and were used, especially by women, in a "popular" form of worship distinct from the official worship of Yahweh. There stands in their midst a bronze statue of Kronos, its hands extended over a bronze brazier, the flames of which engulf the child. This was viewed as an offering to the fertility goddess. Sometimes my clients are also not comfortable dealing with the spiritual world on their own or lack the necessary items and solitude to even conduct these rituals. Astarte is mentioned nine times in the Jewish Bible. According to before-mentioned grimoires, the best time for summoning Astaroth is on Wednesdays between 10 and 11 pm. Jeremiah (vii. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Both of these sacred sexual practices existed for thousands of years in Mesopotamia. Erotic temple rites and sacred prostitution were central to her veneration. 20th Century Timeline Of World History: What Happened? If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. This action will also remove this member from your connections and send a report to the site admin. The issue with God was not committed faithful non-cultic sexual relationships or gay marriages between two men or two women. Blame it on a woman and no ordinary woman at that a goddess. Baal has also been portrayed seated on a throne, possibly as the king or lord of the gods. She also wandered around the world, and she was noted to have picked up a fallen star or a meteorite and placed it at Tyre. Many gods and goddesses of the Mediterranean and Middle East appreciate gifts of honey and wine, incense, bread, and fresh meat. See you on the other side! Believing the sexual union of Baal and Asherah produced fertility, their worshipers engaged in immoral sex to cause the gods to join together, ensuring good harvests. Since Bathin can be very helpful with acquiring knowledge and travelling faster and more safely, its no wonder that many magicians wish to contact him at one point or another. . Alternatively, she is horned. As early as 1450 BC, as they wandered in the wilderness, Israel was worshiping Moloch, even before they entered the land of Canaan. Mesopotamian Governments: How Were They Structured? In the Sacred Marriage, humans took the place of the gods in religious rituals devoted to fertility. As goddess of Venus, delighting in bodily love, Ishtar was the protectress of prostitutes and the patroness of the alehouse. mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot." The whole area before the statue was filled with a loud noise of flutes and drums so that the cries of wailing [of the children being sacrificed] should not reach the ears of the people.. Updates? Ashtoreth is mentioned three times in scripture, in 1 Kings 11:5 & 33, 2 Kings 23:13. It is usually assumed that Astarte Worship was always a foreign cult among the Hebrews; but analogy with the development of other Semitic deities, like the Phenician Baal, would lead to the supposition that Astarte Worship before the days of the Prophets may have somewhat prejudiced that of Yhwh. Although historical and archaeological communities still debate Moloch's identity and influence, he seems to have been a god of the Canaanites, which was a religion born out of a combination of ancient Semitic faiths.. What's known about Moloch largely comes from Judaic texts outlawing the worship of him and the writings of ancient Greek and Roman authors. The Interpreter's Dictionary of The Bible, Volume 3, Abingdon, 1990, pages 933-934. When the Philistines defeated Israelite King Saul, they placed his captured armor in Astartes temple as tribute and thanks. A beautiful, sexy woman sometimes depicted with a Hathor-style hairdo. Seth was the God of chaos, darkness, the desert and drought. Astaroth often appears as either a beautiful or an ugly angel or prince, riding a dragon and holding a snake in his left hand. With Shamash, the sun god, and Sin, the moon god, she forms a secondary astral triad. . When Epigeius was overthrown by the god Elus, a virgin daughter was sent. By the eighth century Anglo-Saxons had adopted the name to designate the celebration of Christ's resurrection.". then. 12:31, 18:9-10). Ashtoreth was the fertility goddess consort of Molech. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. The high priestess of the city, acting in the capacity of the fertility goddess Inanna, would have sex with the high priest or the king role-playing the fertility god Dumuzi. Definitions. In Sicily, Astarte became popular as the Venus Erycina of the Romans. Easter is celebrated on a day specified only by the Roman Catholic Church, and not the Bible, and is fixed based on the sun and the Spring or Vernal equinox. Anyone who reads history knows that various writers in various countries spell names differently. Wigington, Patti. Learn Religions, Sep. 8, 2021, learnreligions.com/who-is-astarte-2561500. Inanna, who later transformed into the Akkadian goddess Ishtar, the Phoenician Astarte and later still as the Greek goddess Aphrodite, is the goddess of love, sex, beauty and fertility. Like her Akkadian counterpart Itar, she is an astral deity and is associated with the evening star. This is the site where the original Tammuz died. It is best to understand these rituals as a religious act of devotion to the goddess rather than as sex per se. Ive been conducting rituals for clients for many years. Inform you of events that happened in the past or will happen in the future. In Sumer and later in Babylon, religious rituals involved sacred sexuality in the form of the Sacred Marriage or hieros gamos, an act simulating marriage between the fertility goddess Inanna/Ishtar and the shepherd god, Dumuzi. One way we can accomplish this is to study the gods that attracted Yahweh's people 3,000 years ago. Tammuz is identified as her son/consort, as he is with Ishtar. Therefore, it should be taken with the utmost seriousness. Astarte is called in these passages "the abomination of the Zidonians," because, as the inscriptions of Tabnith and Eshmunazer show, she was the chief divinity of that city (see Hoffmann, "Phnizische Inschriften," 57, and "C. I. S." No. A trace of this among the Hebrews appears in Deut. Who Is Astarte? Or would the fertility god of Canaan have to be honored? Their names together are the . vii. 6:13). According to Donald Harden, there was a statue of Astarte discovered in Tutugi, which was located near Granada, in Spain. That the Hebrew God is the best known of all gods worshiped in the world today needs no explanation. King Solomon got in trouble when he tried to introduce the cult of Astarte into Jerusalem, much to the displeasure of Yahweh. As long as youre respectful to demons and take the preliminary precautions as mentioned here, you have nothing to fear as their primary intent is never to harm the summoner. Dionysus was worshiped in the pagan Decapolis across the Sea of Galilee from the center of Jesus' ministry. Astarte (or Ashtarte), Queen of Heaven Baal, El, Ruler of the . prostitute to other gods." One of the most unusual practices Herodotus details is the that of sacred prostitution, which he observes in the ancient city of Babylon. Focus on the Family is committed to helping families thrive according to Gods Word! We don't think of ourselves as idol worshipers, yet we struggle to serve God alone in every part of our lives.