Re: Eight-pointed Star

> Adriana Kamenetsky wrote:
>
> > Hebrew Astoret (later Greek Astarte) was the queen of heavens,

her
symbolism

> > was adapted by Chrisitianity probably to make a smoother religious
> > transition in Mediterranean.

John (Julianus) replied

> Under Christianity, Astarte became the (male) demon Ashtaroth.

Don't

> have any dates for that available. His sigil in the Goetia (a
> late-Medieval grimoire) features a five-pointed star (upright, I

have

> yet to find the stereotypical 'satanic inverted pentagram' in any

occult

> source before the 19th century.)

I know that Arabic Astart was also male. Was this a result of
Christian influence on the formation of Muslim Arabic, or was Astart
originally a male God who became female when Akkadians came in touch
with the Sumerian Inanna. Perhaps Dennis, our resident Arabist,
could
advise us.

Regards

John