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Anthony Testa - The Key of the Abyss.pdf

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with women in <strong>the</strong> lead, were making <strong>of</strong>ferings to a goddess. <strong>The</strong>y<br />

poured libations, built fires, and baked "cakes [kawwanim] for <strong>the</strong><br />

Queen <strong>of</strong> Heaven" (Jer.7:18). 213 <strong>The</strong> title Queen <strong>of</strong> Heaven was held<br />

by <strong>the</strong> Babylonian Ishtar (with whom Astarte is, like Aphrodite, also<br />

identified) it is likely that <strong>the</strong> two Goddesses were <strong>of</strong> common origin<br />

or at least shared an overlap in cultic symbol and practice.<br />

Returning to <strong>the</strong> word Babalon (65 in NAEQ6) she may be tentatively<br />

identified with <strong>the</strong> unnamed divinity in <strong>the</strong> Nag Hammadi text called,<br />

Thunder Perfect Mind as wisdom (Sophia) = 65 <strong>the</strong> value <strong>of</strong> Babalon.<br />

Also, <strong>the</strong> words water, wine and honey 214 (all= 65) are suggestive <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> Pagan aspect <strong>of</strong> this divinity.<br />

213 ibid.<br />

214 <strong>the</strong> bee is said to be sacred to Aphrodite<br />

142

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