Who is Lilith?
Lilith, an enigmatic and unwavering force, has been present since the dawn of written history. Her legend of rebellion and independence has evolved and transformed over the centuries, gaining momentum even in modern times. But what is the truth surrounding the history of Lilith? With her many faces, unravelling the narrative threads woven around Lilith can be a challenge. She has been portrayed as a handmaiden to the Queen of Heaven, a child-killing night demon, a seductress of sleeping men, and a consort of Satan (Samael). Yet, this complexity is part of Lilith's allure – the inability to define her concisely and confine her ethereal qualities to a single definition. She remains unknowable, tantalizing, and beguiling.
Throughout history, Lilith has often been a scapegoat, feared and vilified as a demonic monster. Embodying the darkest aspects of the feminine, society sought to cast her out, deny her existence, and repress her message. However, perhaps now, we are finally ready to listen to what she has to say.
A card spread using Lilith's Oracle deck, showing her aspects of the Queen of the Night and the Dark Mother.
Within the pantheon of archetypes, Lilith embodies the 'Dark Mother,' a counterpart to Eve's nurturing 'Earth Mother.' The Dark Mother represents a destructive force that unravels and consumes, contrasting the Earth Mother's fertile and creative nature. We fear this destructive aspect of Lilith as it mirrors our mortality and the chaotic, uncontrollable nature of existence. It is understandable that we would fear something that threatens the foundation of our constructed reality. However, her destruction is crucial for maintaining life's cyclical balance. The world cannot eternally bloom; we must acknowledge and honour the equilibrium between creation and destruction.
Rejecting Lilith leads to a disconnect from our humanity, leaving us fragmented and lost, yearning for something indefinable. Our obsession with living eternally in the light, youth, and endless summer is a fantasy that can only lead to disappointment. By embracing the essence of Lilith, we can experience radical self-acceptance, recognizing that darkness is as vital as light. Through this understanding, we release the insecurities that haunt us, as Lilith guides us toward living authentically and free.
History of Lilith: From Demon to Goddess
Originating in Sumerian literature, the first mention of Lilith can be found in the Epic of Gilgamesh, written sometime around 3400 and 3300 BCE. The Sumerians were an ancient civilization who once lived in what is now Syria. Regarding her role in Sumerian mythology, there is some debate. Theories suggest she may have been a wind spirit or a handmaiden to the Goddess Inanna. It is noteworthy that this myth establishes several key themes associated with Lilith, including her connection to birds, snakes, and fleeing into the wilderness. Although the story mentions a dragon, myths involving dragons and serpents often overlap. Additionally, the trope of dragon slaying has been prevalent for millennia.
Lilith next appears within the Jewish religious text, the Talmud, when Lilith emerges as a malevolent entity—a demonic female figure known as the Strangler. Written by various contributors between 201 and 501 CE, the Talmud chronicles Jewish laws and traditions. It depicts Lilith as a threat to pregnant women, with the intention of stealing the child, drinking its blood, and devouring the marrow from its bones. Additionally, Lilith is portrayed as an immortal seductress of men, who set her sights on the very first man, Adam, and will only meet her end on the judgment day.
Following on from this, we find the first mention of Lilith as the tempter in the Garden of Eden. Originating in the 9th and 10th centuries, the Alphabet of Ben Sira is a medieval book of Arabic descent. Written in Medieval Hebrew, its authorship remains a mystery. Comprising 44 proverbs that align with the 22 characters of the Hebrew alphabet, the book tells the tale of Lilith. Set in the Garden of Eden, the narrative depicts Lilith's creation as an equal alongside Adam from the earth. However, the story highlights her defiance against Adam's sexual demands, making it the first source to recount this tale within the Garden of Eden.
Symbols of Lilith
Owl
The owl, or screech owl is strongly associated with Lilith. Owls are a predatory, nocturnal bird that have a long standing association with demonic women. Lilith is also said to possess bird-like qualities; in the Sumerian myth the Epic of Gilgamesh, she is described as having ‘Zu’s feet’, a type of bird.
Dark Moon
Lilith is regarded as a demon of the night. This nocturnal association has created a modern relationship between Lilith and the dark phase of the moon, along with the night time in general. The dark moon provides a heightened symbolic opportunity to connect with Lilith.
Wings
Flight is a key feature of Lilith in myth. Whether she is described as being winged, flying through the night, or taking bird-form, the ability to fly is a recurring motif.
Serpent
The serpent has become an iconic motif of Lilith. The Zohar describes her using snake venom to beguile unsuspecting men. This connection was likely reinforced by the medieval artistic renditions of the Garden of Eden that show a snake-woman hybrid tempting Eve with the apple.
Apple
As with the serpentine association that was attributed to Lilith, the apple finds its origin in the Garden of Eden. This corresponds to Lilith’s depiction as an enchanting seductress who bewitches the senses in order to get what she desires.
Black Moon Astronomical Symbol
The Black Moon Lilith is an astronomical symbol that represents the moon in its lunar apogee, the farthest position from the Earth (like the North and South Nodes, it is a position and not a physical celestial object). We each have a Black Moon Lilith placement in our birth chart which can reveal our shadow aspects or the challenges that we face. It shows trauma and suffering, but ultimately guides us towards finding strength. Learn more about the astrology of Black Moon Lilith, and what astrological Lilith means for you in Lilith's Grimoire.
Connecting with Lilith
If you want to build a relationship with Lilith, try the following things:
Lilith Altar
As part of your devotion to Lilith, you may wish to create an altar. This is a personal choice and is not a necessity. The altar is not required for you to have a spiritual connection to Lilith, but it may become a physical manifestation of your beliefs that anchors you in the head space where you want to be. Place sensual fabric upon it as a base, then place upon it items that represent Lilith to you.
Honour the Air Element
As Lilith is associated with wind (the element of air) incorporating things which smell good to you are a way to celebrate the invisible air element. Burning incense, diffusing oils and lighting scented candles are a way to do this. Bells and singing bowls create noise which is carried on the air, and can also tie in to her bird-like ‘screeching’ qualities. In this way, the ringing of the bell represents the voice that won’t be silenced.
Divination
Obtain a divination tool to dedicate to Lilith. Whatever your preferred method of divination, be that cards, runes or something else, you may wish to dedicate a particular tool to Lilith. You may find a card deck that has imagery that relates to Lilith, or perhaps you will paint the Witches’ runes in a colour palette that channels the essence of Lilith.
Listen
Keep your mind and heart open to signs from Lilith. When her symbols appear to you, be that a feather floating down in front of you, a recurring mention of her name, or the sight of a snake, take notice. Turn inwards as you meditate on the message that Lilith is trying to convey.
For a deeper dive into Lilith, you can find more in the printable Grimoire created especially for Lilith.
Until next time, stay curious.
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