You will find Tiamat’s story in the Babylonian epic, the Enuma Elish. It begins with the mother of creation,
Tiamat. Tiamat is the personification of saltwater. Tiamat’s consort, Apsu, personifies fresh water.
Their waters mingle and create the first two gods, Lachmu and Lachamu. Together the god’s create
offspring that produce other offspring. These offspring irritated Apsu greatly.
Apsu wanted to end his disturbances by killing the source. Upset at Apsu’s suggestion, Tiamat asks
how can you destroy something you have created? Tiamat’s displeasure did not stop Apsu from continuing
to plot. The offspring learned of his plan and decided to take action. Ea, one ofthe great grand children, finds
Apsu sleeping and kills him.
After learning about the death of her lover, Tiamat eventually decides to avenge him. She creates an army
of terrifying monsters and prepares for retaliation. Marduk , a sixth generation god, sets out to destroy her.
He succeeds, slaying her into halves. Tiamat’s upper half was used to create the heavens, and her lower half
made the world.
Comparison to Genesis.
Tiamat’s story of creation is often compared to Genesis. There are quite a few similarities between the two
tales. They both begin with the coming together of waters. In the Enuma Elish there are six generations of gods.
Genesis contains six days of creation. The Hebrew word Tehom, which is found in Genesis, is said to be
derived from Tiamat.
The Goddess Tiamat is often associated with creation, chaos, change, spirituality, fertility, birth, history,
the moon, sea water, and reptiles. Tiamat also represents one’s higher and lower self. When these two
forces work together, the result is amazing. Tiamat is often shown as a dragon-like creature, mermaid,
sea serpent. The serpent is a symbol of change and women’s bodies.
Tiamat’s Influences.
If Tiamat’s story sounds familiar to you there is a good reason. The story of a valiant young man slaying a
fierce dragon is something that has lived on. It is believed to be symbolic of the destruction of matriarchies.
It is a common theme found in many tales. For instance you can find the slaying of dragon-like creatures
in the Enuma Elish, Beowulf, and many medieval fairy tales.
Tiamat’s Ritual for Creativity.
For this ritual you need:
Three white candles
A bowl or chalice containing salt water
Blue Vervain
A full moon
It would be ideal to perform this ritual outside with the full moon in sight. Begin this ritual by purifying
your workspace and tools. Cast your circle. Invoke a Moon Goddess for each element. You may use
Tiamat for water. Draw down the moon and the powers of Tiamat to charge your salt water. Ask that she
bless the saltwater with her amazing powers of creativity.
Mediate on the aspects of your life that would benefit from this new creativity. Then take the salt water and
pour it on you. Let Tiamat’s creative energy saturate you. After feeling her surge of creative power, begin grounding.
Thank the Moon Goddesses that you invoked, and open your circle.
References.
Telesco, Patricia. (1998). 365 Goddess. San Francisco-HarperCollins.
