Details: “The Star of Venus” Oil on canvas 36x36. Inanna, one of the first recorded goddesses, originating from Sumerian culture. I was deeply inspired and moved upon reading Descent to the Goddess: A way of Initiation for Women by Sylvia Perera. I was not familiar with the stories of Inanna/Ishtar before. Seeing the polarity of her spirit, with so many facets of the human experience displayed on one character, reminded me of the true feminine experience. After further researching her symbolism, I stumbled upon the star of Inanna, also also known as the star of Ishtar or Venus. An eight-pointed star, representing her celestial dominion and various facets of her power, within a circle connecting all 8 points. This sigil is the inspiration for my composition, a geometrically simplified guide before bringing it to life.