The (one who speaks) the language of evil shall stand aside! (eme hulnal barta hemtagub) This statement concludes many Sumerian incantations, reflecting the desired result of the ritual in negating the ill effects of a wide variety of demons and diseases. As such, this simple utterance could be understood as a type of universal charm that summarizes the extensive craft of the incantation priest (Sumerian mashmash, Akkadian washipum). #cuneiform #sumerian #realspells #ancientrituals #ancientknowledgeformodernliving

Cuneiform zodiac necklaces are now for sale ($14, ancienttextmoderntablet.com) The modern western zodiac has a direct connection (via Greek) to Mesopotamian astronomy/astrology, with the twelve zodiac signs bearing a strong resemblance to their corresponding Mesopotamian originals. Depicted here is the Mesopotamia forerunner to Gemini, corresponding to Sumerian mul mashtaba “the twins,” which refer to the netherworld gods Meslamtaea and Lugalerra, both of which bore a close connection to the famous netherworld god Nergal, later reflected by the twins Castor and Pollux of Greco-Roman mythology. #cuneiform #ancientcivilization #ancientknowledgeformodernliving #zodiacsign #astrologysigns

My rendition of a Sumerian proverb with perhaps the world’s first known reference to the eye roll at 3,700+ years ago. “As long as he does not abandon boastful speech, the words will make my eyes roll” (enabishe’am ka silim shuma nundabdada inimbi igi ningin mabtume). Sounds about right! #cuneiform #ancientknowledgeformodernliving #antiquedecor #whatsoldisnew

Crossings, specially natural occurring ones, will always point at energies willing to assist us. It's a great spot for a little prayer (or offering). #ancientknowledgeformodernliving #crossroadmagic #goddesspower #wiccapedia #qipu #anhinga #hathor #snakemagic #sacredenergy www.HealerShaman.com (at Healershaman.com) https://www.instagram.com/p/B8HEe6Mgi8G/?igshid=im88uc72gqzh

My rendition of an ancient Sumerian proverb: “that which you love also exhausts you with the yoke it imposes on you.” An insight into one of life’s great ironies that reminds me of Neil Young’s great line “the same thing that makes you live can kill you in the end.” #quotestoliveby #quotesaboutlife #ceramiclovers #ancientknowledgeformodernliving #antiquedecor

This is my rendition of the ancient Sumerian equivalent of “I’m rubber, and you’re glue”: “the insults you have directed at me are not present on my person!” (in dubanu suna nunal). It comes from the Sumerian composition Two Scribes, in response to a withering series of insults. Snappy comebacks are nothing new! #cuneiform #imrubberyoureglue #whatsoldisnew #ancientknowledgeformodernliving #quoteoftheday

My rendition of the ancient Sumerian proverb “like a duck, if it eats, it defecates!” The wooden duck was made by the late Richard Menzies, our family’s longtime neighbor, who was an avid fisherman, hunter, fly tier, and decoy maker. The ancient Mesopotamians raised domestic fowl, which we know of primarily from receipts for their grain feed. This proverb likely a reflects a cultural appreciation of their prodigious pooping, an annoyance which in modern suburban American is experienced primarily in the incursions of the Canadian Goose on our golf courses and office parks. #midwestern audience #cuneiform #conversationpiece #ancientknowledgeformodernliving #duckdecoys