Magic Crafters in Tug-of-War with Astrological Powers to Overcome Drought 840 BCE

(March 3, 2023) This text seems to have been written during the 5 year long Elijah drought of 840 BCE. The text implies the existence civil strife with its mention of emotional arousal. 

In the center is an image of the sun representing the dual powers of the sun in both is light providing orderly form and its rain-bringing hidden sun form (storm form). This duality is why the text calls it the "eye of fate." It is emanating both heat/light (triangles) and water (wavy lines). The scene takes place above the sky shell with its embedded stars and wavy lines representing the waters which fall as rain. 

Seated on the far right is the personified form of the god Hu representing the life powers as indicated by his watery robe and the symbols he is holding. These symbols are the masculine rod and feminine ring. He is a deity as indicated by his snake hat. He is seated on a box containing the rain bringing chaotic storm bulls which are trying to escape. Above him are 3 celestial signs (left to right): crescent moon, sun,  and star. Above those on the roof are two spirits representing the astrological powers of the night sky which are trying to pull the sun up to them.

Holding down the full moon's table in a tug-of-war with the astrological powers are two people which the text above them identify as magic crafters. The goddess Ayu (Ishtar), with both hands raised and wearing a  snake cap and robe representing the watery sky-shell is supporting them from behind.  

The tablet is now at the British Museum having number 91000. It is carved from limestone and is 29 x 18 cm. It was found at Sippar in an archaeological dig and dated to about 860BC. The British Museum provides a translation which is, as usual, completely wrong. The following is the University of Oxford description:

Online at: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/W_1881-0428-34-a

Top Text 

(March 3, 2023). The first line states that the motion powers as focused conscious emotions are confused. Motions on earth originate from both the astrological night sky with its moving heavenly bodies and human/animal conscious feelings. The corrective action is to use human emotional magic to overcome the astrological powers.

Akkadian Text 

1. ANu  EŠu.  ANu  PI.  ANu  DIŠu  YA  AŠu  BU.  PI  GIŠ.BANu  ŠIMu
2. AŠu  BI  TABu  GA  ANu.  ADu  IGI.  DABDA  U  LeMa  ŠAŠALu  MEŠu  IRu

English Translation

1. Considerations are confused. Considerations are being opened. Considerations are not manifesting the spewing-forth of the nourishments.  Opening-powers (Life powers) obligate the bursting-forth of goodness.
2. The spewing-forth of nourishing-powers can be aroused by the energizer's (magic crafter's) considerations. Notice the eye-of-fate (sun). Defeat and defy the night's astrological-powers.