Lady Wisdom's Exile

We know about the presence and symbolism of the Mother Goddess of the first Jerusalem temple largely from the documentation of what the Deuteronomists took from it and destroyed. During the purges of King Josiah, She, known by many names, including Asherah, was removed from the temple in symbol, script, and power.

She had been worshipped with wine and incense, and the bread of the temple represented Her. She was the menorah, the oil, the manna, the high priest's staff that bore blossoms, the ark, the fire and the Spirit.