When man began to regard himself as the only important factor in
procreation, and when the sun became masculine and heat or
passion constituted the god-idea, the moon was called Isis. The
moon represented the absence of heat, it therefore contained
little of the recognized god-element. It was, perhaps, under the
circumstances, a fitting emblem for woman.

In the sacred writings of the Hindoos there is an account of the
moon, Soma, having been changed into a female called Chandra,
"the white or silvery one."

While speaking of the moon, Kalisch says: "The whole ritual of
the Phoenician Goddess Astarte with whom that Queen of Heaven is
identical, and who was the goddess of fertility seems to have
been transferred to her."[36]

[36] Historical and Critical Commentary of the Old Testament.


To such an extent, in the earlier ages of the world had the
female been regarded as the Creator, that in many countries where
her worship subsequently became identified with that of the moon,
Luna was adored as the producer of the sun. According to the
Babylonian creation tablets, the moon was the most important
heavenly body. In later ages, the gender of the sun and the moon
seems to be exceedingly variable. The Achts of Vancouver's
Island worship sun and moon--the sun as female, the moon as
male.[37] In some of the countries of Africa the moon is adored
as female and sun-worship is unknown. Among various peoples the