New Moon in Gemini
New Moon in Gemini: Finding Love in the Darkness
By Abbey Quinn | SumerianAstrology@gmail.com
Gemini's Connection to Mars
Long before Gemini was associated with Castor and Pollux, the two figures in the constellation of Gemini were known as MULMAŠ.TAB.BA(GAL.GAL) 𒀯𒈦𒋰𒁀(𒃲𒃲), the Great Twins. While they were described as brothers, the names attributed to them were Lugalirra and Meslamtae(a); both epithets for the god of the death, pestilence, and the underworld, Nergal—the god embodied in the planet Mars.
This made Mars a natural ‘ruler’ of Gemini. But Nergal-Mars was not the brash, blood-thirsty war-god familiar to the Greco-Roman mind. The Mesopotamian Nergal was an unmatched warrior—powerful, masculine, and as radiant as any star. And while he was happy to smite the wicked, he was a slayer of demons, a healer, and a just protector of the souls of the dead.
God of War or Love?
Nergal’s ascension to the underworld throne is an epic tale in itself. After insulting its queen, he’s forced to confront her. Despite his ferocity, the thought alone causes him to tremble and weep. But upon facing his fear, he’s struck by the beauty queen Ereškigal (𒀭𒊩𒌆𒆠𒃲 dereš-ki-gal lit., Queen of the Great Place), who would eventually become his consort.
The Mesopotamian Mars and his zodiacal counterparts are complex figures. They represent our deepest fears and insecurities and the masks we wear to hide them. But beneath that, they are also our ability to connect to others on a deep, intimate level.
The Great Twins themselves were depicted as warriors; brothers-in-arms guarding the celestial gates to the underworld. Here, they would protect both the land of the living from dangerous demons, ensuring only those truly ready to cross over did so. In this way, Gemini represents the familial bond forged through friendship; through shared experience and deeper emotional connection. Moreover, Nergal-Mars, for all his blustering, enjoys a deeply sensual and committed relationship with his queen. The Mesopotamian Gemini was very much about finding and fostering love.
Underworld or Inner World?
The name Lugalirrra is a romanization of the Sumerian 𒀭𒈗𒄊𒊏 which is transliterated as dlugal-ir-ra, ‘mighty king,’ or dlugal-er9-ra, ‘king Erra,’ the latter name being the Babylonian counterpart to Nergal.
The GÌR-sign 𒄊 can be read a number of ways, and can mean totality, pride, scorpion, dagger, reddish, mighty, and even oven—all of which have obvious associations to Nergal and Mars.
Meslamtae(a) 𒀭𒈩𒇴𒋫𒌓𒁺 dmes-lam-ta-è has been translated as ‘from Meslam,’ with Meslam being a name for Nergal’s temple. It has also been translated ‘he who has arisen from the underworld’. However, a deeper look at the cuneiform signs used to write his name will reveal something quite profound.
Flourishing Tree/Blackness
The Sumerian mes 𒈩 can mean blackness, hero, and tree. The word lam 𒇴 can mean flourish, as well as tree. While the adjective usually follows a noun in Sumerian, it can precede it to indicate special emphasis or poetic license. Thus, mes-lam could mean black or heroic tree. It could also mean flourishing blackness, hero, or tree.
In all likelihood, these words/signs were chosen to impart multiple meanings (a common feature of the Sumerian language), making any combination of the above possible translations. However, that two words which mean ‘tree’ were used, is almost certainly intentional.
The Sumerian -ta 𒋫 is an ablative suffix indicating ‘from’, while è 𒌓𒁺 is a verb most often meaning ‘to leave’. Thus, mes-lam-ta-è literally translates as ‘left from the flourishing blackness’ or ‘flourishing tree’. While you’ll find no academic literature claiming this as an epithet for the ‘underworld’, it was almost certainly meant as one.
The Axis Mundi
A casual look at the Mesopotamian “underworld” would make you think it a barren wasteland. But deeper investigation proves the contrary. It was alive with secret gardens full of jewels, sacred trees, and healing herbs. In fact, it was an “underworld” fruit tree that endowed Inanna with all knowledge of sex and the feminine arts.
Many cultures view(ed) the tree as a cosmic axis linking heaven, the earth, and the “underworld”. That the realm governed by Nergal-Mars and his consort might be compared to flourishing tree, or flourishing blackness isn’t so far-fetched. In fact, it’s a far better description than the modern translations of “underworld” and “netherworld”.
The Great Place
The original name was Kur 𒆳, which simply meant mountains, or foreign land or country. As we saw from Ereškigal’s name, it was the Great Place. And while many academics describe underworld journeys as a ‘descent,’ the Mesopotamians didn’t speak about it this way. Even the Akkadian version, Ereṣ ṣerîti means ‘lower earth’, which can just as easily represent a lower or subtle dimension out of material sight. In fact, even Inanna’s epic ‘descent’ into the underworld is academic projection, as the Sumerian verbs used to describe her journey can just as easily mean ‘come (up)’ as they can ‘go (down)’.
In short, there is no evidence that Mesopotamian (and especially Sumerian) cosmology included a land of the dead beneath the ground. A further exploration of the language used to describe the “underworld” will demonstrate a deeper cosmological knowledge—one that is far more inline with our modern concept of multiple dimensions, spiritual worlds, and inner realms than scholars would have us believe.
The Mesopotamian spirit world could be accessed from all directions. And while there was dust and darkness, there was also sun and moonlight. While there was thirst and hunger, there were banquets and lovemaking. Yes, there were ghosts and demons, but there was also intense beauty and cosmic secrets.
Our own inner-world is no different. It’s the place where we bury our demons; our secrets and our traumas. It’s where we hide our fears and insecurities. But it’s also where we go to connect with ourselves, and to source.
Gemini: The Guardians of Your Inner World
A deep dive into the Mesopotamian underworld (devoid of bland academic projection) is far outside the scope of this article. Suffice to say, the underworld journey is an internal one. Just as Nergal-Mars must go into the black expanse to face his fears, so must we wall. And like Nergal, who returns from the black expanse as sovereign, we too can return as conquerors of our own fears, and masters of our reality.
The Great Twins stand ready to guide and support you on that journey of discovery and transformation. What will you find when you go within? Will you find demons and dullness, or the secrets of the cosmos?
About the Author
Abbey Quinn is a Mesopotamian Astrologer specializing in Sumerian Astrology, and co-founder of the International Sidereal Astrology Association. In addition to providing ancient sidereal astrology readings, she teaches ancient astrology and the Sumerian Language, and hosts a weekly YouTube livestream with Niki Tennessen.
Website: SumerianAstrology.com | YouTube @SumerianAstrology
Excellent article Abbey, I appreciate your historical insights brought forward into our current lives. I have been having a deep dive into who I am again- not only revisiting old things/beliefs that perhaps no long longer serve me, but did at one time, I am also having vivid dreams that don’t feel like dreams at all. I wonder if the dreams are part of this influence right now, questioning our beliefs about reality, source, and other worlds. My dreams are in this current time, but I am very different and there are some differences in the public. It has given me much to ponder. Perceiving the other under world as a sacred dimension and closer to birth and source energy, is yet another example of a lost wisdom being restored to humanity- for those willing to listen. Thank you.
It’s my pleasure, Lorna, and I’m just glad it’s interesting and helpful! I would imagine the deeper inward you go, the more meaningful your dreams become. It’s definitely a great time to do inner work right now! Thanks for taking the time to read and comment 🙏
Beautifully written! The New Moon in Gemini truly invites introspection and fresh connections. I’ve also explored how lunar energies, zodiac signs, and spiritual alignment impact our love life on my own astrology blog. Feel free to check it out: https://rashitimes.com ✨