Mother Lilith : Who is Lilith and Why Work with Her?

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Lilith tells us to take back our power. She calls to us to stand in our truth, embracing our darkness and our light equally. She tells us to stop playing small and being afraid of burning too passionately for worry of being misunderstood in the eyes of others. Our fire is not for them, she tells us, it is for us. 

**This post has been updated and has excerpts from my upcoming book: Embodying Lilith; A Guide to Self Empowerment. If you enjoy this post then you may want to check out my new book. This book will be available October 1st both in ebook and paperback options. Be one of the first to receive the release announcement along with direct links by signing up for the newsletter.**

Who is Lilith? 

Lilith, throughout history, is known by many names, Lilitu, Queen of Hell, demonic succubi, Mother of Demons and many, many more references. 

Keep in mind, when it comes to mythology and ancient scriptures of stories referring to gods, goddesses, and deities, everything is told by certain individuals own perspectives and agenda. We do not know for certain what is true and what isn’t as far as interpretations; because remember mythology is myth, it’s meant to help us find meaning to things that occur to us in life. Always do your own research about any deity you are interested in working with and take what resonates or makes sense to you. Discernment is key, especially when you are trying to interpret stories told with a patriarchal agenda in mind.

Ancient Sumer

In Sumerian mythology, dating as far back as 3000 BCE, we have the first possible origin of Lilith. Before Lilith came to be the wind spirit there is a story of a beautiful maiden Goddess named Sud, who ruled over grain and agriculture. The story of Sud is said that she was raped by the God of air and atmosphere, Enlil. Sud became pregnant and Enlil was banished to the underworld as punishment. Sud followed him and encountered him 3 times leaving pregnant each time. Their story changed from hatred to love and so the two returned to earth where Enlil whose name translates to Lord Air, gave Sud the name Ninlil or Lady Air.

Ninlil became known as “lady of the open field” representing the pollination of agriculture by wind. After Ninlil’s death it is said that she was reincarnated as the south wind, which brings us to Lilitu, the entity that scholars widely accept as the earliest form of Lilith.

Lilitu is described as the Sumerian wind spirit who is attached to the ideas of uncleanliness, disease, baroness; a desert waste land that comes sweeping through and leaving a trail of destruction. Lilitu is commonly considered a female night demon, however if it is true that she is a reincarnation of Ninlil then this negates her being something negative.

Taking a look at the etymology of the word Lilitu gives us additional clues as to who she is. Lil translates to “air” or “wind”; however, it was also used to describe “breath,” the “spirit of place,” a “back country,” or “open country” and sometimes even “infection”. Meanwhile itu was a reference to “moon” “month” and “moonlight”. The Sumerians followed a lunar calendar which is why moon and month are used to describe the same word. It is from this etymology that Lilitu was known as a “wind spirit of the night” and this is why some scholars have used this to conclude that Lilitu was a demonic spirit that brought chaos and disease. However, it is also important to note that Sumerians didn’t necessarily view demons as evil and in many cases were just another form of spirit.

Back then, people believed in all kinds of spirits, some helpful and some harmful, and Lilith was one of many associated with the night, the desert, and sexuality. She wasn’t evil, just wild and unpredictable. Think of her as an early archetype of feminine energy that wasn’t easily controlled. And that made people... uncomfortable.

The Hand of Inanna

Conversely, Lilith is also know in Sumerian mythology as Inanna’s handmaiden and sacred priestess. Inanna, a radiant Goddess widely worshiped in Sumer and seen as the “Queen of Heaven”; is also known as Inanni, who later becomes Ishtar and draws parallels to the Phoenician Astarte, the Greek Aphrodite and Roman Venus. Inanna was a goddess of beauty, sexuality, astronomy, astrology, sexuality, agriculture, love and war. Because of this, her temple priestesses would conduct sexual acts in dedication to Inanna. During this time sexuality was revered as a sacred gift to the Goddess and something that would bring the priestesses in closer connection not only to the goddess but to spiritual enlightenment as well. In an ancient Sumerian tablet there is a text which describes the female personification of lust as “under the protection of Innini.” The text roughly describes the demon sent by Innini, a beautiful and licentious unmarried harlot, who seduces men in the streets and fields. She is described as the “hand of Innini” also called Lilitu by the Semites.

In this capacity, Lilith can be considered the great teacher of sexuality and tantric sex magic as passed down from the highest ruling goddess of the time. However, knowing that Lilitu was a sexual servant of the Goddess, and this region and time period was home to some of the first sexually transmitted infections, we can yet again see the correlation between Lilith as a night spirit and bringer of disease.

Even in these early stories, she was tied to sensuality, storms, freedom, and mystery. She lived outside the bounds of what was considered “normal” or “good,” which tells us a lot about how long the fear of powerful feminine energy has existed.

The Epic of Gilgamesh

Around 2000 BCE we have the poem of Gilgamesh and the Huluppu Tree where Lilith resurfaces in connection to Inanna. This is where we really begin to see the apparent connection between Lilith and Lilitu and moreover her connection to Inanna. The poem is inscribed in a tablet where the commonly agreed on translation of this story goes as follows.

An entity named Ki-sikil-lil-la-ke (or simply Lillake) brings Inanna grief as she takes up residency in her sacred huluppu tree with a snake and a bird. There have been claims that Ki-sikil-lil-la-ke translates to Lilith and there have been others who have rejected this claim. Nevertheless, there are parallels between this story and other myths of Lilith.

In the poem we see Lilith being linked to the bird and snake for the first time. The bird is symbolic of enlightenment with its abilities to ascend into the sky and heavens above, while the serpent burrows deep within the earth to the underworld. The serpent entwined at the base of the tree signifies kundalini essence that resides coiled at the base of our spines. The huluppu tree is believed to be a white willow, a magical tree that is greatly associated with wisdom, water and the moon.

In the translation of the story it is told that Inanna found an uprooted huluppu tree and planted it in her garden. She planned to eventually use the wood for her throne and bed. Over time, Inanna was unable to cut down the tree because a serpent was coiled at the base, an Anzu bird had built its nest in the crown and Lilith took up residency in the middle. Inanna wept until the “great Sumerian hero”, Gilgamesh, overheard her and came to rescue her. He killed the snake and caused the bird to fly away while, Lilith “tore down her house and fled to the desolate places where she was accustomed  to haunting.”

It is important to note that this is a translated interpretation of the poem, however, it is questionable how well it was translated. Especially if you consider the fact that Inanna is a mighty and powerful goddess of war who would not likely be willing to let a demigod “rescue her”.  Furthermore, if Lilith is depicted as her handmaiden in the previous stories, wouldn’t it make sense that she took up home in Inanna’s sacred tree?

This interpretation has always left me with unanswered questions. And if the erasure of the Goddess throughout time has taught me anything it is to always read with discernment. Question who wrote these stories and who later translated them, why do they constantly depict women and female symbolism as demons and chaotic creatures of destruction?

My take on this story—Lilith is the shadow that resides within Inanna and conversely the shadow that resides within all of us. Think about it. Inanna (the divine feminine) planted a tree (cultivated wisdom) in her sacred garden (her womb, which by the way in ancient times was not only considered a sacred garden but a divine portal of creation). Likewise, the tree can also represent the growth journey of spiritual enlightenment—with the serpent coiled at the base (the roots representing the root chakra) and the anzu bird at the branches (the branches representing the crown chakra). If Lilith is residing at the core of the tree, the darkest depths within, this to me sounds like she is the shadow within.

Of course, this is only my interpretation and it is completely up to you to interpret this myth however best resonates with you. But I encourage you to always question what you are told; just as Lilith did.

Judaism

In Judaism, Lilith is mentioned in several stories. She is depicted as a seductress and a harbinger of chaos, feared for her independence and sexual autonomy.

In the Babylonian Talmud Lilith is mentioned only briefly, with no full narrative about her origin or personality. Here she is classified among spirits and demons. She is described as having wings and long hair similar to a depiction of Lilitu in Mesopotamian mythology. In this text we also begin to see Lilith being used as a scapegoat for women bearing children with “unnatural” defects or even still born, furthermore also being the reason unmarried men had uncontrollable sexual urges.

In the Alphabet of Ben Sira we are told that God created Lilith of the same earth as he created Adam. She was expressive and wanted to be treated as an equal, especially when it came to sex but she wasn’t treated fairly by Adam and so she demanded freedom. After many arguments with him, she then decided to speak the unspeakable name of God and when she did this she sprouted wings and flew out of the garden. She then flew out into the Red Sea and into a cave. There she met with “demons and fornicators” and was enjoying all the pleasures she felt deprived of; having lots of sex and lots of babies. It is possible, and my personal gnosis, that the demons and fornicators being referred to here were the pagans who did not convert to the new religions during the time period that this story was told.

God sent out three angels to search for her after Adam had asked him to. The angels searched for Lilith and when they found her they told her to return with them but she refused to go back. Because of this, God said he would kill “a 100 of her children for every day that she stayed in the cave.” Then she decides, because of this, she would kill a bunch of Adam’s children too, unless they were wearing the angels’ amulets; and that is where another folklore story came about.

This text cements Lilith a rebellious female figure who rejects subjugation and embraces her own power, but at a cost. She becomes demonized and associated with infant mortality. It’s important to note that this story is written during a time when tragically a lot of children were not surviving past being newborn due to exposure to untreatable illnesses as well as SIDS(sudden infant death syndrome); which is still common to this day and the cause is still unknown. Therefore, yet again, Lilith is used as a scapegoat not only as way to identify the cause of infant deaths but also to warn children to do as their parents say or the demon will come and get them.

The Zohar expands Lilith’s role significantly, embedding her in the cosmic battle between good and evil. Here she is described as a powerful demonic entity associated with the Sitra Achra, which translates to “the other side,” meaning the realm of impurity. The Zohar introduces two aspects of Lilith; the Great Lilith and the Lesser Lilith. The Great Lilith, who is Samael’s consort also known as the Queen of Demons, represents the dark mirror of the Shekhinah which is god’s divine feminine presence. This is where we see Lilith associated to the dark side of the divine feminine. Then we have the Lesser Lilith; a seductress and night demon who tempts men and produces demonic offspring from their spilled seed. Here we see her link to the concept of sexual transgression; appearing to men as a beautiful temptress in their dreams. This story, in my opinion, is used to excuse men’s uncontrollable sexual desires by blaming Lilith.

When we look at any stories correlated to any of the abrahamic religions (Christianity, Judaism and Muslim) it’s important to consider when and why these religions came about. These are the religions of patriarchy. These are the religions that decided to rewrite history in order to create one controlled narrative. These are the religions that time and time again are used to justify misogyny and oppression.

The Bible

In the Bible, Lilith isn’t mentioned much but there is a slight hint of her origin story in some versions of the book of genesis where it is revealed that man and women were created together, Genesis 1:27: “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” but then later Eve was created from Adam’s rib; indicating that there was someone before Eve came along. I also like the implication here saying that God created “them” in his image, indicating that perhaps god isn’t only male.

The name Lilith actually appears only once in some translations of the Bible, in Isaiah 34:14: “Wildcats shall meet with hyenas, and a goat-demon shall call to his neighbor; surely there Lilith shall repose, and she shall find a resting place for herself.” This verse refers to "Lilith" as a creature of the night or a night bird inhabiting desolate places, but it does not elaborate on her origin or character. In some versions Lilith is replaced with “wild beasts” or “screech owl” which seems to further link her to the Epic of Gilgamesh and the stories in Judaism.

Not only did they attempt to eradicate The Goddess as the prime source of creation but they also attempted to vilify the women they did keep in their stories. Lilith was casted as Mother of Demons and the consort of Samael (who was also unjustly vilified). Eve committed the first “sin” (because knowledge was somehow deemed a sin…) and become the scapegoat for why Adam and her were casted out of Eden. Mary Magdalene, the sacred priestesses of the goddess and possibly Jesus’ lover, was rewritten as a whore and shameful woman. These women among many others were demonized and shamed the moment that they become too powerful to control.

Lilith became the thing people warned each other about—and sometimes the thing they secretly longed for. Because here's the truth: what we demonize, we usually also desire. Lilith is dangerous only if your power depends on keeping others small.

Hinduism 

No, Lilith is not at all mentioned in Hinduism. However, Lilith has similar characteristics to Kali Ma in Hindu mythology. Kali and Lilith are similar, particularly in their association with the dark feminine archetype. Both goddesses are powerful and associated with destruction, but also with liberation and transformation. Both figures challenge traditional power structures. Kali disrupts the balance among Hindu gods, and Lilith famously defies Adam and God. Both are portrayed as independent and self-sufficient, not needing male figures to validate their power or actions.

I find this connection quite intriguing because, while Lilith is portrayed as a demon and negative entity, Kali is portrayed as a goddess, worshiped and honored for embracing the dark feminine. It is only in western modern culture that the dark feminine is viewed as something heinous and undesirable.

Ancient Greece

In Greek mythology we see parallels to the Lamia whose name also translates to “nocturnal spirit”. In this story Lamia, queen of Libya, had an affair with Zeus and when his wife Hera found out she killed all of Lamia’s children. After that Lamia started killing children in retaliation, which then distorted Lamia’s beauty. In many depictions, Lamia appears to have a serpent body from the waist down and in further stories she is described as a seductress who lures young men into temptation and drinks their blood.

We can see similarities not only in imagery but in the overall themes of both their stories. Both Lilith and Lamia share significant similarities in their roles as powerful, monstrous, and rebellious female figures who pose a threat to patriarchal structures and societal norms.

Lilith’s Comeback: Feminism, Pop Culture, and Witchcraft

Fast-forward to the modern era, and Lilith starts making a comeback. In the 1970s, second-wave feminists picked her up and said, “Wait a minute, she was the hero all along.” Lilith became a symbol of women’s independence, especially sexual and spiritual independence.

Interestingly enough it is because of the Judaic stories that Lilith has also been chosen as a symbol for feminism. This isn’t a very popular topic because of all the negativity around her but she shows the lack of equality in ancient times and shows women that they are in fact equal to men and there for deserve equal treatment. Lilith has been associated with feminist movements, particularly in modern times, as a symbol of female empowerment and independence. Lilith's story has been interpreted in various ways throughout history and across cultures. The feminist interpretation is just one aspect of her diverse legacy.

In 1996 singer/songwriter Sarah McLachlan created a music festival named after Lilith (Lilith Fair) that promoted female only artists. This festival was meant to represent a stance against the male dominated music industry; a stance against the patriarchy as Lilith continues to stand for today.

Nowadays, Lilith is portrayed on media as a demon, mother of demons or queen of vampires, sometimes even as a goddess. But always powerful. She is said to be a dark and mysterious deity who is violent, not someone you’d want to work with. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Despite her demonization in many traditions, Lilith stands as a symbol of defiance against oppressive systems and a champion of feminine power by embracing the dark feminine energy. This is what really moved a lot of occultists who were also feminists.

In witchcraft and spiritual communities, Lilith started to be seen not just as a symbol, but as a real spiritual ally. She is an energy you could connect to, work with, and embody. Her story became a map for self-empowerment.

And honestly? She’s never been more relevant than she is right now.

Why Was She Demonized in the First Place?

It’s simple, really. Lilith was demonized because she wouldn’t submit. She challenged the idea that women should be obedient, quiet, self-sacrificing, and sexually passive. She said no. She walked away. She chose herself. And in cultures built on patriarchal power structures, that’s the ultimate sin.

When women—or anyone really—claim their power, their desire, their boundaries, it threatens the whole system. So that system responds the way it always does: by turning that person into a villain, a danger, a myth meant to scare people back into line.

Lilith didn’t become a demon because she was one. She became one because she refused to be controlled.

Why Work With Lilith?

Lilith helps us connect to the unconscious realm and connect to our subconscious mind. 

Shadow Work

Lilith can be really helpful when you’re going through shadow work, especially when it comes to sex and shame associated with it as well as reclaiming your divine feminine energy. You can regain the power that you may have previously lost. You can restore proper boundaries and realign yourself with things and people that truly matter in your life. 

I also offer Lilithian readings. This is a deep dive into your black moon Lilith and all the aspects it makes to other placements in your chart. With this reading I offer insight on your shadows, guidance on how to heal them, and a tarot reading from Lilith. You can find this reading here.

Regain Your Divine Feminine Energy

When you work with Lilith from a divine feminine energy point, she rises up to meet you where you’re at and shows you the things that most serve you. Lilith can help you become dominant, sensual, and assertive. She helps you find your strength, courage, and know your truth. She awakens the wild women in you and sets you free. Lilith embodies that dark aspects of the divine feminine and you can too.

There is so much growth and transformation that is possible when we unashamedly and without fear step into exploring the divine darkness within. 

However, when you’re not expressing wild women energy from a place of love and still releasing repressed rage or you have bottled up emotions for so long, she helps to release that blocked, repressed energy. If you haven’t done the inner work you will feel the emotional pain from this.

Lilith has the capacity to get deep into the layers of pain; there is a deep healing. She creates this space and helps us do the shadow work and heal the trauma that we may not even know is there. 

Motherly Guidance and Protection

This may be surprising to most but Lilith has a really beautiful maternal energy. You might not expect that a deity associated with demons, sexuality and child murder, would have a maternal aspect. However, the biggest reason she is associated with child murder is that she had her own children taken away from her. One of her main aspects is that of mother with protecting and nurturing energy. 

Seeking Justice

Lilith doesn’t just represent personal empowerment—she’s also a symbol of collective resistance. Her exile is not just personal; it's political. It reflects the systemic silencing of women, the demonization of the sexually autonomous, and the erasure of those who refuse to conform. When you see Lilith through the Justice Seeker lens, you understand that her story is a blueprint for speaking truth to power.

Are You Ready to Work With Lilith?

So, why work with Lilith? Because embodying her is healing. And it’s revolutionary.

It’s healing because it helps you reclaim the parts of yourself you’ve been taught to hide; your anger, your desire, your truth. It’s revolutionary because it goes against everything our culture still pushes: people-pleasing, self-denial, shame, silence.

To walk with Lilith is to remember that you were never too much. That your body is sacred. That your voice is worth hearing. That your intuition is real. That your “no” is holy. This isn’t about becoming someone else. It’s about becoming fully yourself; without shrinking, apologizing, or asking for permission.

If you’re here reading this, there’s probably a reason. Maybe you’ve always felt a little outside the norm. Maybe you’re reclaiming your power after years of being silenced. Maybe something in Lilith’s story stirs something wild and ancient in you. Whatever it is, I’m glad you’re here.

Lilith isn’t a goddess who asks for worship. She asks for truth. She asks for presence. She asks for you to show up as you are, no masks, no apologies. And trust me, she’ll meet you there.

If you’d like to know more about working with dark goddesses or how to specifically work with Lilith be sure to check out those posts as well.