The Woman Within Training was inspired in part by the ancient Summerian myth of Innana. As the story goes, Innana, Queen of the Heavens, is deeply moved by news of the death of her sister's husband. Her sister, Erishkegal presides over the forbidden and dangerous underworld yet Innana decides to journey there to witness the funeral and to mourn with her sister. As a precaution she instructs her trusted female aide and friend, Ninshubur, to appeal to the gods if she does not return in three days.
And so Innana abandoned heaven, abandoned earth - to the Netherworld she descended.
Upon arrival at the formidable gate to the underworld Innana demands to be admitted into the land of no return. The guards refuse her entry unless she enter as any other - naked and bowed low. And so Innana passes through each of the seven gates of the underworld and is stripped one-by-one of her crown, robes, shoes and other possessions until she is left standing completely naked before her sister.
Erishkegal is tormented by grief and does not recognise Innana. She gazes upon her with deadly eyes at Innana's moment of greatest vulnerability Ereshkigal kills her and hangs her body on a large hook.
Three days pass by, and Innana does not return to the Heavens. Ninshubar appeals to the God of Water and Wisdom. He creates two little demons from the dirt under his fingernail and sends them into the underworld. Being so tiny, these demons slip through the 7 gates undetected until finally emerging in the great chamber of Erishkegal. They approach Erishkegal who shares with them her grief. Each time she speaks, they gently repeat back her own words until she is softened and agrees to release Innana.
With the help of the demons, Innana ascends through the seven gates, reclaiming at each one what she has lost, until she emerges into the light - safe and ready to begin anew.