“Saying "Easter" was originally a celebration of Ishtar is misleading - of course there was no "Easter" as we know it in Babylon (or Sumeria). But, here are the facts this meme was unable to convey: Pagans will often say the word "Easter" comes from the Goddess Eostre - a Spring/Fertility Mother Goddess. But, in fact, it is more likely both Eostre and Easter share a parallel etymology with "Ostern" - a Germanic word for "East." But where did "Ostern" come from? Well, THAT traces itself back to the Biblical name "Esther." Esther, in turn, comes from the old Persian "Stara" - which means "Star" and is, indeed, a direct reference to the Goddess Ishtar. (She was related directly to Venus, the brightest "star" in the sky.) AND, get this!, we don't actually know how "Ishtar" was pronounced. It is possible that Babylonian, much like Hebrew, pronounced that "I" with a long "e" sound - meaning it absolutely COULD have been pronounced "eesh-tar", "eesh-ter", or even (yes indeed) "ees-ter" Finally, was Ishtar celebrated in the spring? Yep! One of her principle surviving myths involves her descent and imprisonment in the underworld, followed by her resurrection and triumphant return to her throne in the living world. It is very likely this myth embodies the seasonal cycle - as we see with Persephone in Greek mythos. And, it is most likely the Babylonians held a celebration in the spring to commemorate her resurrection and return - which might sound a bit familiar.”
- Aaron Leitch