gilgamesh, the epic hero (asteroid 1812)
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The Epic of Gilgamesh is perhaps amongst the greatest texts produced. The epic poem predates many Classical Antiquity poems and is likely the oldest piece of literature in existence. Gilgamesh is a semi-mythical king who is featured in many Sumerian poems. Gilgamesh is thought to be the son of a priest-king, Lugalbanda and a goddess called Ninsun (sometimes written Ninsumun) - this makes Gilgamesh a "demi-god"; which explains his long reign and in-human strength described in the epic. But with great power comes great responsibility - Gilgamesh was a tyrant and abused his power. The epic beginning with Gilgamesh meeting Enkidu, who Gilgamesh decides to wrestle to prove he is king of the land - but the two quickly discover that they are evenly matched. They decide it better that they become allis/friends then it would be for them to kill one another. Enkidu is a creature of the forest though and becomes bored by life in Gilgamesh's city. To appease Enkidu, Gilgamesh offers that the two go on trip into the wilderness to hunt a demon called Humbaba. After getting suited up for the hunt Enkidu starts to get cold-feet, but Gilgamesh eggs him on. The two run into Giglamesh's mother who blesses their journey despite believing it is a poor use of their time. The two find the creature and, with the aid of the gods, Gilgamesh beheads Humbaba. The pair sail home; when he arrives home, he meets with the goddess Ishtar - who seems to be romantically inclined towards him, but he rejects her advances. In response, Ishtar send the Bull of Heaven to kill Gilgamesh to no avail because he and Enkidu slay the thing. Enkidu in a blood haze chucks a piece of the bull at Ishtar - Ishtar isn't amused and kills him. Gilgamesh then decides to sojourn in mourning, which leads him to wondering about his own mortality. He goes in search for a wise man named Utnapishtum. Which is a super laborious feat as he breaks and kills the things he need to cross a river to get to him, but Giglamesh finds Utnapishtum... only to be judged by him. Gilgamesh confronts Utnapishtum about the real reason he travelled so far - that is immortality. Utnapishtum challenges Gilgamesh to stay awake for an entire week - Giglamesh believes that it will be a simple task. When he sits down, he realizes what a long journey it has been to get to Utnapishtum, and he falls asleep. Utnapishtum tells Gilgamesh there is one more way to get the rejuvenation he seeks and it is a plant at the bottom of a lake. Gilgamesh does retrieve it but loses it when he turns his back during his return home when he stops for a bath. IN MY OPINION Giglamesh in your chart can represent a) where you think you are untouchable, b) your pride, c) where you hit rock bottom, d) where you can't follow through on a task you set out to complete, e) where you hunger for more than what you are given, and/or f) where you seek more time.
i encourage you to look into the aspects of giglamesh along with the sign, degree, and house placement. for the more advanced astrologers, take a look at the persona chart of giglamesh AND/OR add the other characters involved to see how they support or impede giglamesh!
OTHER RELATED ASTEROIDS: ishtar (7088)!
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