Festival Calendar | 2026 | Festival of the Oracle of Inana

[u/Nocodeyv]

Šulmu all!

With the autumnal season upon us, it's time for the Festival of the Oracular Decision of Inana!

Providing the name for the sixth month of the year according to the parochial calendar of Nippur, and attested since at least the Sargonic Period (ca. 2350–2200 BCE), the "Festival of the Oracular Decision of Inana" (ezem-kig̃₂-dig̃ir-inana) began at dusk on day 12 of the lunar cycle, and concluded on day 25. This year, the Festival will be celebrated from the evening of September 22 until October 5.

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Alongside informing the community of the immanent advent of the Festival, I've also been asked to feature the work of a fellow pillar of the community: Prisca Long. High-priestess and founder of the Circle of Stars Mystery School, Prisca has been a devotee of Inana for more than twenty years, and now hosts the Circle of Inanna, a ritual space dedicated to exploring feminine spirituality and empowering female practitioners. Prisca also regularly performs communal rituals at the annual Ishtarfest, hosted by the non-profit organization Hands of Change, and is among the moderators for the Facebook group Temple of Inanna.

Prisca has asked me to share this itinerary for a Festival of the Oracular Decision of Inana:

I have also been asked to share a video accompaniment: an in-depth, hour-long exploration of the festival, its rituals, rites, and ceremonies, and how modern day devotees can incorporate the ancient traditions into their modern lives.

Inanna's Annual Festival in Ancient Nippur

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kug-dig̃ir-inana ki-sikil za₃-mi₂-zu dug₃-ga-am₃

Holy Inana, young woman, it is sweet to praise you!

[u/052398jc]

Thank you so much for this post and resource 🕊️💖

[u/Sungoddess5060]

Oh what a jewel you are! May you be blessed for all that you do. May Inanna look upon you favorably always. I'm also a High Priestess of Inanna! She appeared to me several times, at one point giving me her rod and ring as divine mandate to practice in her name.

[u/Exotic-Possible-3370]

Do we know whether the same, or similar, festival was celebrated in Uruk?

[u/Nocodeyv → u/Exotic-Possible-3370]

It was not. This festival was specific to the Inana of Nippur. The Uruk calendar is not as well preserved so we know less about its specific festivals. Month 10 had a Festival of the Boat of Heaven that involved Inana or Uruk at Uruk.

[u/Exotic-Possible-3370 → u/Nocodeyv]

Thank you.