Asherah, also known as Athirat, Ashratum and Ashertu, is a Semitic goddess, particularly important in Ugarit, where she was the wife of the chief god El. Elsewhere she is also attested as the wife of the "Lord of the Mountains," Amurru (Martu in Sumerian). It's possible El and Amurru were one and the same, as in Mesopotamian sources the latter was viewed as the lead god of the Amorites, nomads living to the west of Sumer and Akkad and ancestors of later inhabitants of cities like Ugarit.[1]
In Ugarit, as El's wife, she was regarded as a mother goddess, and thus the mother of many if not all of the gods.[2] References to Asherah as a "mother goddess" need to be understood as presenting her as a divine queen mother, rather than a "mother nature" or fertility goddess, however. The Baal cycle of myths mentions the existence of "seventy sons of Asherah," the most prominent among them seeming to be Ashtar. Ugaritic texts frequently describe her as "Lady Asherah of the Sea" and address with a title likely meaning "great lady" or "queen mother." The Ugaritic tale of King Keret describes her as the main goddess of the cities of Sidon and Tyre, though as it's likely a satirical text, it's uncertain if she was actually a major goddess there. She isn't attested in later Phoenician inscriptions from the same cities. Unlike other Canaanite goddesses, she wasn't popular in Egypt. No known piece of art has been identified with certainity as a depiction of Asherah.[3] Because of this her attributes remain uncertain, though one possible clue about them is the fact that in the Baal cycle she is described as a weaver. No animal symbol is credibly attributed to her.[4]
In Babylonia, she was known under the name Ashratum and was described as "the merciful," a common title applied also to Nergal, Ishtar, Marduk, Ninurta and Sin. She didn't play a major role there, much like her husband Amurru, and appears in only one Babylonian myth, which describes their marriage. She's called a daughter in law of Anu (the sky god) in it. To date no known reference to Asherah from Mesopotamia presents her as a fertility goddess. Theophoric names indicate she was already known to Babylonians in Hammurabi's times.
In Arabia, she was regarded as the wife of a few local gods in the southern kingdoms. However, references to her from this part of the world are relatively rare and rather late (5th century BC).
Asherah is often confused with, but not the same as Astarte, the western counterpart of Ishtar. They appear with distinct names (Athirat and Ashtart, respectively; one name starts with an aleph, the other with an ayin), functions and attributes in Ugaritic texts, the earliest known source of information about Canaanite myths and beliefs. Ashtart, described as a warrior and hunter similar to Anat (and in most texts paired with her, but never with Athirat), is one of Baal's allies, assisting him in the battle against Yam.[5] Meanwhile, the mother goddess Athirat, seemingly associated with the sea, supports Ashtar's claim to the throne instead, and possibly even celebrates Baal's death at the hands of Mot. A Hittite text often assumed to be a translation of an Ugaritic one additionally presents a story in which "Ishtar" (Ashtart or Anat) warns Baal of a plot against him prepared by Elkunirsa (El) and Ashertu (Asherah). Asherah and Astarte are also described separately in the Bible, where it's usually Astarte, or rather Astaroth, who is associated with Baal; exceptions from this rule are likely the result of memories of Canaanite reigion gradually fading away, rather than proof of Asherah and Astarte being conflated, or of an otherwise unknown tradition where Asherah was Baal's consort.
While some Bible scholars assume she is the goddess referred to as the "Queen of Heaven" whose worship was condemned by the prophet Jeremiah, this title is usually associated with Ishtar, an unrelated goddess (or with her Canaanite equivalent Astarte), and Asherah seems to lack any astral roles herself. Other biblical references to Asherah as well as some archaeological finds might indicate she was worshiped by some inhabitants of the kingdoms of Judah and Samaria in their early history, perhaps even in a role similar to that in Ugarit (eg. as the main local god's spouse) but the scope of this cult is unclear, and the Bible often seems to use the term "asherah" to refer to sanctuaries and prohibited cult objects (much like the biblical usage of "Baal" often refers to idols kept in temples) rather than to a specific, well defined goddess.[6] Despite the frequent references to these "asherahs" being wooden objects or perhaps sacred trees, it is unclear if Asherah as a goddess was ever associated with any plants.[7]
"A Semitic goddess who was the one to bring fertility to the Babylonian lands. She is known as the mother of the gods. It is believed that in Phoenicia, she became Astarte."
—Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Compendium
Asherah appears in Sector Fornax as the last of the revived Demon Kings that rise again to kill the protagonist. Early in the area, Asura, her earlier form, appears as an invisible demon which cannot be detected by the Demonica; after the events of Jack's Squad HQ (and by proxy, the defeat of Moloch, Orcus and Mithras), the three forma necessary to upgrade the Demonica's Enemy Search System are gathered, allowing the protagonist to strike back and force Asura to the lower levels of Fornax to continue the battle.
However, Asura crashes down from the ceiling and releases his true shape as Asherah. Her battle strategies are very similar though very much strengthened; she still will use Asura Rage, now dubbed Asura Roga, and other moves designed to inflict the Rage ailment. After her defeat, she will cry in shame to Mother Tiamat as she succumbs to death. After which, she can be obtained by using a Special Fusion between Asura and Valkyrie.
Shin Megami Tensei IV
Asherah is faced in the New Game Plus Challenge Quest, Ishtar, Goddess of Harvest. Found southeast in the Tokyo - Bay Area, she is one of the demons whose souls originate from Ishtar. Minako obtains her soul upon Asherah's defeat.
Shin Megami Tensei IV Apocalypse
Asherah can teach Nanashi the Maragion, Grand Tack, Diarama, Judgment and Samarecarm skills through her Demon Whisper. She benefits from learning healing, Force, Gun, Fire and Almighty skills.
Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2
"A goddess from Ancient Semitic religion, married to the Lord of the Mountains Amurru. She is thought of as the Mother of all Gods. As the goddess of love and fertility, she was worshipped in ancient Babylonia. She is also known as Astarte in other religions."
—Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2 compendium
Stats
Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey
"...The beautiful power inside of me is about to take a beautiful new form."
After reviving a single party member with full HP and casting Lydia, receive 1 additional Press Turn Icon. (1 use)
Innate
Maragion
6 MP
Inflicts Fire (Magic) damage with 100 power on All Enemies.
Innate
Sea of Chaos
9 MP
Inflicts Almighty (Magic) damage with 100 power on All Enemies and reduces enemy's DEF 20% for 3 turns
Common
Trisagion
7 MP
Inflicts Fire (Magic) damage with 180 power on a Single Enemy.
Aragami (Awaken)
Vitality Amp III
Auto
+15 to Vitality.
Aragami (Gacha)
Silent Prayer
7 MP
Cures all status ailments of All Party Members and Enemies.
Protector (Awaken)
Null Bind
Auto
Adds Null Bind.
Protector (Gacha)
Recovery Amp
Auto
+25% to Healing skill effectiveness.
Psychic (Awaken)
Luck Amp III
Auto
+15 to Luck.
Psychic (Gacha)
Repel Ice
Auto
Adds Ice Repel.
Elementalist (Awaken)
Resist Dark
Auto
Adds Dark Resist.
Elementalist (Gacha)
Gallery
Asherah in Shin Megami Tensei: Liberation Dx2
Trivia
The sword held in Asherah's hand is made of obsidian, a type of volcanic black glass which is known to be used since the Stone Age until the Bronze Age for its naturally occurring sharpness. This is a symbol of Asherah being a goddess worshipped around that time.
