Allāt
Introduction
Allāt (اللات) is an Arabian goddess, cognate of Elat, and possibly equivalent to Aṯirat (Asherah) or ʿAṯtar-ʿty (Atargatis).
History
"They believe in no other gods except Dionysus and the Heavenly Aphrodite; and they say that they wear their hair as Dionysus does his, cutting it round the head and shaving the temples. They call Dionysus, Orotalt; and Aphrodite, Alilat." - Herodotus, Histories, Book 3, Ch. 8
There have been many theories regarding who Oratalt referred to. Perhaps Đū Shará, Ruḍā, a corruption of Allāh ta'āla. His name may mean “the fire of God,” ôrath êl. But this post will focus on the second deity, Alilat, more commonly known as Allāt. She is by far the best attested deity in ancient Arabia across various languages and locations. Her name might be written as Lt, 'lt, 'llt, Hn' lt or Ltn. She was sometimes worshipped alongside two other goddesses, Manat and Alʿuzza. Allāt means "the goddess" but it's clear that it was treated as a proper name very early on as seen in Herodotus, who was writing in the 5th century BC describing events that happened in the 6th century BC.
Attributes
After the 5th century BC, evidence of her worship is widespread. She's attested as far south as modern Yemen up to the Hejaz, as far north as Syria and Mesopotamia and in the Roman era as far west as Cordoba, Spain. She was worshipped in the Nabatean kingdom, Palmyra and Hatra. She's considered the consort of Đū Shará. In fact, its possible they represented the only deities of the Nabatean pantheon. With all other deities simply being attributes of the god and goddess. In this sense the Nabateans weren't polytheists, but dualists, like some Wiccans today. This is also supported by the Herodotus quote above. But this doesn't mean all Arabs were dualists, polytheism is very clearly attested in epigraphy and the archeological record. Its just one understanding of Nabatean religion. In this view, Manat and Al-'Uzza are just local manifestations or attributes of Allāt which were later split into distinct goddesses.
Worship
In these Safaitic inscriptions the author would write their name, address the deity, and then request something such as safety, relief, or wealth. Allāt was mostly invoked for safety and security, such as when herding goats, or for relief from sickness. Unlike in the Nabatean pantheon where gods were referred to as the gods of the king, Allāt is a personal deity. She was invoked for day-to-day requests by Arab nomads. Further south in Dedan, the center of the Lihyanite kingdom, Allāt was secondary to the main deity, Dhul-Ghabat, and found in personal names. The fact that She's not as well attested in Dedan might mean that She was introduced from the north. She's also found in Duma and in Thamudic inscriptions scattered around the Arabian peninsula. In South Arabia, amulets belonging to women inscribed with the name Allat and sometimes along with Al'uzza suggests that these two goddesses were patron-protectors of women.
Prayers
Hymns
Life partner
O' Allat by your grace our enemies fell
And by your grace the stars are set in their paths
So we knew our way during travel
And when to sow and reap
And a lot of what passed
And a little of what to come
O' Allat, who has my forelocks in her hand
O’ my support who carried my burdens off me
My life began with your love
No matter how low I get by you I rise
And whenever I’m alone with you I have company
O’ goddess you are my life and the focus of my prayer
You are my Might and Fate
You are my Sun and my Ultima
You are the morning and evening star
So hear my thanks
And keep me in your mercy
You are life
You are the sunrise and the sunset, and what's in between and all that's in this universe. You placed the stars and anchored them with invisible chains. You're the mountains after the barrage. You are the smile of a child and everything that fills existence with goodness.
Dawn Halo
O’ Allat the halo of a new dawn has shone, and as you have always been you remained, with us shaded by your kindness. No sun or moon appears but only through your appearance, and no one is saved from sickness except by your mercy. I have trusted you, so help me in my desire.