It is frustratingly difficult to find any information regarding Ereshkigal, the Sumerian goddess of the underworld (Kur or Irkalla in Sumerian). She is commonly referred to as Inanna’s older sister, though I don’t think she is meant to be Inanna’s literal sister (as Inanna is referred to as the “eldest daughter of the moon god, Nanna.” I need to do more research about this though), the same way that, in the myths, Enki, Enlil, and An are all sometimes referred to as Inanna’s father. It’s more a poetic/literary description than an actual genealogical description.
Ereshkigal is probably best known for her role in the the myth of Inanna’s Descent to the Underworld.
As queen of the underworld, Ereshkigal takes care of the dead. I like to think of her as mother figure, nurturing the dead until such time they are ready to move on to whatever comes next (again, I need to do more research into the full beliefs of the ancient Sumerians, if such information even still survives. Hint, hint: comment if you have any good resources to share).
Anyway, I was looking for traditional prayers to Ereshkigal, but came up empty. However, I found two modern prayers to Ereshkigal that I’d like to share. These are meant to ask Ereshkigal to take care of a newly arrived soul and welcome them into her domain.
Prayer to Ereshkigal by Rebecca Buchanan Nether Queen Soul Shelter Who welcomes the dead into your darkness your warmth your arms Who weeps for the babe who comes too soon the warrior bearing the wounds of battle the mother with swollen breasts unsuckled the grandfather with hands gnarled and weary Nether Queen Soul Shelter Welcome ____ into your darkness your warmth your arms
Prayer to Ereshkigal II by Rebecca Buchanan ereshkigal: great queen beneath the earth: in your palace of ash bone and brilliant blue stone: I pray: welcome _____ into your twilit halls with cups of rich beer platters of mint lamb and honeyed figs____
These prayers are both originally from a blog called Neos Alexandria. From their about page, “Neos Alexandria is a community for Greco-Egyptians, Hellenics, Kemetics, Romans, Neopagans and others interested in learning about the Gods; their ancient and contemporary forms of worship; Greco-Egyptian culture; and in sharing our personal experiences and insights.” Though the site is dedicated to Greco-Egyptian, Hellenic, Kemetic, and Roman gods, there is a bit of useful stuff for Sumerian/Near Eastern pagans as well.
Edit: I was looking around the site mentioned above some more after I posted this. They publish a number of books, and I found three titles that looked useful to my practice, which I have ordered from Thriftbooks and Amazon (for the one not currently available on Thriftbooks). Just thought I’d share for anyone looking for books to read (obviously I haven’t read them yet to know if they are actually any good – I’m just excited to find more books other than the half a dozen or so that are always recommended on the Inanna and Sumerian Facebook groups).
A Mantle of Stars: A Devotional for the Queen of Heaven
Edited by Jen McConnel
Anointed: A Devotional Anthology for the Deities of the Near and Middle East
Edited by Tess Dawson
Queen of the Great Below: An Anthology in Honor of Ereshkigal
Edited by Janet Munin