SAMUEL DAVID
Mesopotamian polytheist, artist, writer, researcher, & educator
Samuel David is a Mesopotamian polytheist, artist, writer, researcher, and educator based in the American Midwest. His presentations at local pagan festivals, national, and international conventions include lectures, rituals, and workshops. His adaptation of βThe Descent of Inannaβ has been featured as classroom material for California State University, Los Angelesβ 2020 ancient history syllabus.β
As a representative for Temple Sangamon, chairperson for The Council of Near Eastern Pagan Religions, and founder of the religious non-profit organization known as Four Reeds, he actively networks and collaborates with others to represent and protect the interests of those who seek to revive the worship of the Ancient Near Eastern gods.
FIND SAMUEL DAVID
PUBLISHED WORK
Rod & Ring: An Initiation Into A Mesopotamian Mystery Tradition
by Samuel David
Foreword to the 2025 Paperback Edition: Shea BilΓ©
Illustrations by Johnny Decker Miller
Typeset, Layout, & Design by G. McCaughry
History tells us of the mystery traditions of Isis, Dionysius, and Mithras β but what of the mysteries of Inanna, Enki, and Dumuzid? Author Samuel Davidβs Rod & Ring seeks to fill those lacunae with a spiritual journey that combines traditional Mesopotamian praxis with a contemporary paradigm.
Immerse yourself in this mystery tradition as you undertake a mythopoetic journey informed by historical, religious, and cultic practices, as well as mythology, and research from experts in the field of Assyriology.
Prepare yourself to approach the shrine of the gods as their supplicant; take up the Divine Measures bestowed upon humanity as their servant, and brave the dark as you descend into the depths of the Underworld; be reborn as the temple steward and pass through the Heavenly gates to present yourself as one worthy to be entrusted with their holy regalia: the Rod and the Ring.
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The Red Shepherd: Towards a New Image of Dumuzid
by Samuel David
Illustrations by Rowan E. Cassidy
Typeset, Layout, & Design by Joseph Uccello
Myth would inform us that Dumuzid was merely the effete, hapless shepherd god who invoked the anger of his wife, Inanna, and became little more than a footnote in myth.
Erotic poetry; liturgical texts and hymns; magical formulae, however, indicate something greater. In such texts, we find that Dumuzid is more than a mere pastoral deity standing guard over the sheepfold. He appears as a king; high priest; warrior; captain of the host and commander of chariots; a god who stands at the gates of Heaven, possesses a throne upon the Earth, and is seated beside EreΕ‘kigal, the great queen of the Underworldβ¦
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