The Descent of Inanna – A Mythic Journey with Pearl Gregor
On the KnotWork Storytelling podcast, host Marisa Goudy welcomes Pearl Gregor for a retelling of the ancient Sumerian myth of Inanna. First recorded more than 6,000 years ago, this myth follows Inanna, goddess of the Upperworld, as she descends into the Underworld at the request of her sister, Ereshkigal. As she passes through seven gates, she is stripped of all status and power, ultimately facing death before her return to the world above.
Pearl shares how the story of Inanna emerged in her own life through years of vivid dreams in midlife, offering a personal and transformative lens on the myth. Guided by the book Descent to the Goddess by Sylvia Perera, she connects this ancient tale with the spiritual work of healing, integration, and renewal.
Key Themes Explored in the Episode:
- Balancing feminine and masculine energies within personal and cultural systems
- Understanding the symbolic power of descent, death, and rebirth
- The role of dreams and unconscious archetypes in mythic healing
- How women’s circles and shared dreaming contribute to collective transformation
Pearl invites listeners to bypass conventional logic and embrace the nonlinear, emotional, and symbolic language of myth. As she says, “Skip Descartes and what you learned in school. There is nothing logical about rebirthing an entire universe.”
Listen to the full episode here: The Descent of Inanna with Pearl Gregor.
