Lilith, is the secret first wife of Adam and has been described as the mother of demons who preys on children and pregnant women and who steals the seed of men in the night. But today, she’s become a powerful figure of feminine empowerment. Adam tried to assert dominance over Lilith, but she insisted on equality as they both came from earth. After leaving Adam and Eden, Lilith went to the Red Sea, traditionally a demon region, and birthed many demons daily, known as the ‘Lilim’. In the Talmud, Lilith is a feared nighttime demon, especially dangerous to sleeping alone in a house.

I’m sure you’re all familiar with the story of Adam and Eve, the apparent first man and woman, but the Bible actually gives two accounts of the creation of man and woman. In the book of Genesis verse 1, it states that God created man and woman at the same time, which denotes equality.

The common narrative of the creation of Eve from Adam’s side, following the creation of Adam as commonly depicted in popular stories. But this raises a couple of questions: how do we reconcile these two significantly different interpretations? And why has the latter been neglected in the canonical Bible?

2 Women , 1 Man?

The book of Genesis 1:27 “And God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, after our likeness….” suggests that God fashioned both male and female in the likeness of Elohim (representing both genders), forming them simultaneously on a physical and spiritual level as a hermaphrodite. Lilith is identified as the first woman in this context. Some scholars interpret the same verse to mean that the human was initially created as a dual-faced being, each representing a gender or as a single hermaphroditic entity with male and female coupled back to back. However, this arrangement made movement and communication challenging, leading God to separate them into two distinct entities.

In the second chapter of Genesis, we find yet another narration about the creation of humankind. In this variant, Adam is portrayed as being created before the woman, who is subsequently formed from Adam’s rib. This sequence and manner of creation could potentially symbolize a hierarchy or subservience, as woman is made not only after man but also from part of him; thus, she appears as a derivative of man. Why are there two distinct accounts? (Follow our blog for upcoming post about the creation story!)

Lilith & Adam| Trouble in Paradise

While there is no mention of Lilith in the Bible one of the most popular narratives about Lilith, which draws from traditions in the Aggadah, Talmud, and Midrash, involves her behavior after leaving Adam and Eden.

When faced with the decision of either yielding to Adam’s authority or forsaking the Garden of Eden, she boldly uttered the name of God aloud, an act considered taboo. In doing so, she mysteriously sprouted wings and ascended into the air. It is thought that the name of God is “I am.” This can be perceived to mean that by vocalizing God’s name, she asserted her inherent divine nature, implying she wouldn’t bow even to God. Her audacious act provoked God’s fury.

According to certain sources, Adam asserted to Lilith his belief in his own superiority, demanding her submission. However, Lilith countered him, reasoning that they both originated from the same earth and hence, were of equal status. While Adam desired a position of dominance, all Lilith sought was parity. After Lilith departed from Adam and the Garden of Eden, she journeyed to the Red Sea. In this region, which was traditionally associated with demons, Lilith became the mother of demons, giving birth to hundreds each day. These offspring are often referred to as the ‘Lilim’.

In the Talmud, Lilith is presented as a nocturnal demon, a menacing figure feared by mothers and infants. For example, in tractate Shabbat 151b, it is suggested that one should not sleep in a house alone, for Lilith may seize the opportunity to harm.

There is a Midrash (found in the collection Alphabet of Ben Sira), which portrays an encounter between Lilith and the three angels Senoy, Sansenoy, and Semangelof. When Adam complained to God that Lilith had left him, God sent these angels to bring her back. They found her at the Red Sea, and tried to convince her to return to Adam. They threatened that if she did not come back, a hundred of her demon children would die every day. However, Lilith refused to return, cursing the angels and vowing to weaken newborns and their mothers. To protect against her, the angels could be invoked through an amulet bearing their names, guarding against her attacks on newborns.

Lilith Tempts Eve | The Forbidden Fruit

God created Eve from Adam’s rib, signaling her as a derivative and submissive partner. Some suggest that Lilith, out of jealousy towards Adam and Eve, returned as the serpent tempting Eve to eat the forbidden fruit, causing their expulsion from Eden.

The serpent, possibly embodying Lilith’s feminine spirit, aimed to free Eve from God’s control by suggesting she ate from The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. (“superior” and “inferior” or “everything” or a deeper meaning referencing the Tree in Kabbalah). Interestingly, this tree was viewed as evil, despite representing knowledge. It was hinted that eating the fruit would make Eve god-like, liberating her from submission.

This theory suggests Lilith as a liberator, not an evil demon, trying to free Eve. Today, she has become a consequential symbol for feminist and women’s empowerment movements. (Follow our blog for upcoming post about Eve!)

Some interpretations suggest that the forbidden fruit was a metaphor for a sexual encounter between Eve and Lilith. It’s proposed that Eve later included Adam in this act, which allegedly led to God’s anger.

Sex, Intimacy & Equality

Adam and Lilith’s coexistence was fraught with perpetual unrest; his insistence on her lying beneath him during their intimate moments ignited her indignation. “Why should I be positioned below you?” she questioned, “I am molded from the same dust as you, making us equals.” Adam’s ensuing attempt to enforce her compliance forcefully only fueled Lilith’s anger.

Presented with the choice between submitting to Adam’s dominance or leaving the Garden of Eden, she courageously pronounced the name of God out loud, a deed regarded as forbidden, when spouting her newly formed wings can be seen as a metaphor for her elevation from mere womanhood to a status akin to a goddess.This can be interpreted as her declaration of her innate divinity by articulating God’s name, implying an unwillingness to surrender even to God’s authority. Her bold maneuver incited divine wrath.

This addresses women who struggle to communicate their sexual desires to their partners. Historically, due to certain biblical interpretations, some men believed that women were incapable of experiencing sexual gratification. The narrative held that women ought not pursue pleasure as a penance for Eve’s transgressions. This perspective even extended to the point where women were sometimes denied pain relief or help during childbirth.

Characters such as Lilith and Jezebel have earned a negative image due to their rebellious nature, for refusing to accept what is handed to them merely. They are perceived as sovereign entities, exerting authority in their own right.

Lilith & Demon Spells, Amulets in Israel

Lilith in Israel occupies a remarkably rich cultural and mythical space, often associated with elements of the mystical and supernatural, permeating into various aspects of society – from traditional folklore to modern urban legends.

According to Jewish mythology, Lilith is often considered a demoness, originally the first wife of Adam who was alleged to have transformative and malicious powers. Some arcane lore alleges that Lilith had an ability to craft and utilize Demon Spells, and hence there has been a strong association between Lilith and magical amulets in the Israeli context. Such amulets have historically been made for protection against Lilith’s alleged malevolent influence, particularly those believed to affect newborns and pregnant women. Over time, these amulets have evolved from being mere superstitious objects to cherished artifacts, embodying rich cultural narratives and historical wealth for the people of Israel. This folklore, while continuing to evoke fear and fascination, also serves as a testament to the region’s ancient, complex, and culturally-laden historical legacy.

Lilith & the Moon | The Dark Feminine

Lilith has been associated with the moon in various myths and belief systems. In certain astrological traditions, “Dark Moon Lilith” or “Black Moon Lilith” is a term used to describe a point in the moon’s orbit about which some interpretive value is given. This includes some aspects of Western esoteric astrology, where Lilith is sometimes considered to represent a wild, untamed feminine energy.

In astrology, Black Moon Lilith represents the “dark” or apogee side of the moon. It is not an actual celestial body like a planet or star. Instead, it’s a mathematical point in the moon’s orbit, specifically the point furthest from the earth, known as the lunar apogee.

Black Moon Lilith symbolizes the darker aspects of our personality or the parts of our psyche that we might suppress or ignore. It’s typically associated with the primal instinct, raw sexuality, rebellion, or the parts of our nature that we may feel uncomfortable with or society may deem “unacceptable.”

Different astrologers can interpret Black Moon Lilith’s position in a natal chart in various ways, but these interpretations often involve themes of freedom, independence, and empowerment, as well as handling themes associated with societal norms, taboos, or the “shadow” aspects of the individual’s personality.

Dark Feminine Energy Representative

Lilith has been portrayed as a symbol of the “Dark Feminine” – a concept that resides more in the world of analytical psychology and modern spirituality than in classical religious texts. Although “dark” tends to have negative connotations in most of Western culture, the “Dark Feminine” is not all about evil or malevolence. Here, “dark” means “hidden” or “unconscious.”

The Dark Feminine represents powerful womanhood that has been suppressed, marginalized, or demonized across history. It’s associated with independence, assertiveness, sexual freedom, wisdom, and other traits that may not conform to traditional patriarchal values. This energy embodies attributes such as intuition, creativity, mystery, sensuality, fierceness, and the power of transformation and healing.

Lilith, embodying dark feminine energy, becomes a figure of empowerment, inviting individuals to embrace assertiveness, independence, and their innermost desires. It’s about exploring the unexpressed, the wild, the untamed, the powerful and, at times, disruptive aspects of feminity. This doesn’t mean it celebrates hostility or harmful behavior; instead, it acknowledges the whole spectrum of human traits that can be associated with feminine energy.

Rebranding Lilith & Mainstream Archetypes

The character of Lilith has found prolific representation in popular media across varied genres, often embodying the duality of empowerment and rebellion, but also danger and seduction. Her character has been depicted in TV shows, movies, comic books, and video games. In the TV show “Supernatural,” Lilith is the main antagonist, embodying a fearsome demon with significant power. The series “True Blood” depicts Lilith as the original vampire, whose blood holds mystical and transformative properties.

In the realm of literature and graphic novels, Lilith appears in Marvel and DC comics, embodying different forms, from the Mother of all Demons in Marvel’s Ghost Rider stories to a manipulative immortal in DC’s “The New Titans.” In the world of video games, one of the most notable representations is in the “Borderlands” series, where Lilith is portrayed as a powerful “Siren,” moving beyond the traditional evil demoness narrative.

Additionally, Lilith comes to life in music, with the Lilith Fair, a concert tour and music festival exclusively featuring female solo artists and female-led bands, named to reclaim the empowering aspects of her myth. Through these diverse roles across mediums, Lilith has been reinterpreted and reclaimed in contemporary culture, encompassing an array of complex characteristics and undertones.

Final Thoughts of Lilith

Regarded as one of the earliest embodiments of feminism, she was demonized for asserting parity in a manner that aligns with the condemnation women receive today for challenging patriarchal norms – a crucial milestone in feminist theory. The legacy of Lilith serves as a powerful symbol of female autonomy and power, educating young girls and women that it’s perfectly acceptable to defy the “male-designed” conventions of being the perfect wife. Embracing singleness or seeking a partner who values your authenticity is perfectly fine. In essence, Lilith revolutionizes the traditional concept of femininity.