Asherah, goddess of fertility was closely associated in Canaanite worship with Baal. Usually a pole or tree was erected in memory of Asherah close to the altar of Baal. Asherah´s worship involved some sexual practises to bring rain and to quicken the ability of animals and people to reproduce. She is invoked at childbirth and also at planting time. She is associated with sacred groves, and depicted as a long haired woman riding a lion and holding lillies and snakes.