Her mother is a mountain goddess, her father a demon god. The only female prodigy of the family, she later evolves into a male fire god. Initially a healing of medicine goddess, Lisin (Lisini, Lisi) is associated with the Scorpion Star.
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Although Lisin appears on god lists from Kesh and Adab, Mesopotamia, she has no defined center of worship. Her parents are both tutelary deities of Kesh, a lost city. That she's a goddess of importance is evident.
The third month of the Mesopotamian calendar is named for her. At this time a festival is held in her honor at Lagash, connected with veneration of ancestors. She has her own star in the heavens and is often referred to as ama, or Mother.
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Goddess Lisin is also a mourning mother figure, a common theme in early days, as her unnamed son dies. Lisin blames her mother, Ninhursag but the cause of death is unknown.
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Her parents are patron deities of the city of Kesh. The location of ancient Kesh, not to be confused with Kish, is a mystery. It's documented in written texts but the exact location remains unknown. Archaeologists are still digging.
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According to her mention in incantations and medical texts, Lisin uses healing herbs and may be invoked to treat eye disease among other ailments. In Mesopotamian astrology her star is the brightest in the constellation Scorpio.
In the days of the ancients it's known by her name, Lisin. The constellation of the Scorpion is called GIR-TAB or 'the scorpion' by the Sumerians c. 2500 BCE.
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Later this star is given to the scribe god Nabu. Today it's called Antares or Alpha Scorpionus, a red supergiant with twelve times the mass of the Sun
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At least three types of deadly scorpion inhabit Mesopotamia, as well as venomous snakes. The Sumerians are aware of the medicinal benefits of small amounts of snake and scorpion venom.
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According to Stanford University chemists, compounds in certain scorpion venoms fight staphylococcus bacteria which cause skin eruptions such as tumors and boils, blood infections, pneumonia, bone and joint ailments.
Other compounds in the same venom may be effective against the drug-resistant bacteria causing tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. For their potent powers, the snake and scorpion are both connected to medicine, especially the practice of using small amounts of deadly toxin to treat afflictions.
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Lisin has eight children with her husband Ninsikila. Although she's originally a goddess she evolves into a god associated with fire. Her husband evolves into a goddess.
While many reasons can be given for this, it could derive from a bureaucratic error in gender during translation or listing. In the great god list An = Anum Lisin is identified as a male and Ninsikila female.
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From there it appears Lisin and Ninsikila change gender according to need. For instance Lisin may be a god when lighting the fires to make a potion, but goddess when making the potion. Ninsikila usually follows her lead and switches too, although they appear, rarely, as two male gods or deific twins.
It's not unusual for gods to change gender in the ancient world. One example is the Hittite Lelwani, a god who becomes Goddess of the Underworld to synchronize with other female Underworld deities such as Hurrian Allani, Ugaritic Asray and Babylonian Ereshkigal.
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Deific weddings may also be political or for purposes of synchronization with neighboring deities. Sun Goddess Hepat (Hebat) of Aleppo is married thrice to storm gods, all of whom are equated in different pantheons.
The horn of gazelle is especially associated with Lisin and probably refers to the native mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella). Animal horn is a common ingredient in natural potions, or a healing poultice. In natural medicine powdered horn is used to treat fever, infection and virus attacks.
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According to period texts Lisin also uses certain medicinal plants. They may include ninû (mint - wild mint or horsemint - Mentha longifolia), azupiru (saffron - Crocus sativas), and sahlû (seed of) cress - (Lepidium sativum). These plants are all native to Mesopotamia and area, are edible and known to have medicinal properties.
In incantations, Goddess Lisin is linked to hūlu and kibrītu. The words appear in Mesopotamian medical texts but their meaning is uncertain. Kibrītu relates to sulfur.
A scorpion sting feels burning hot. In later philosophic and esoteric writings, Lisin becomes associated with fire. A text connecting her to fire refers to her as a male deity.
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The element fire and its smoke has strong connections to purification. In some northern regions the people walk their animals and themselves through the smoke of sacred bonfires. This is done during community gatherings on special events like the solstice.
The smoke of certain plants, herbs and resins also relates to purifying, cleansing and divine protection. Jumping over fire is part of a purification rite for warriors in various cultures. Fire connects to warmth, nurturing and life as well as chaos, destruction and death.
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At one time she would have been equated with such healing goddesses as Bau or Gula. Every deity has its day. Like the mythical city of Kesh, the Goddess Lisin gradually fades from the public eye.
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