The glorification of war is truly abhorrent, but I am familiar with what you are speaking about as far as ancient traditional ways to bring healing to returning soldiers. I’ve even written a short story for an erotic mythology anthology that will be coming out (at some point). My story is less myth and more an imagined encounter between a priestess of Ishtar (ancient Mesopotamian goddess of sex/love/war) and a soldier returning from combat. He communes with the goddess via her priestess, and her physical and emotional contact bring him wholeness and healing. As I understand it, this was a very common practice. Not only was sacred sexuality a well-understood concept, but simply bringing the humanity back to the man in question and helping him to feel the parts of himself that had been dampened in war, was considered a vital part of healing from combat.

Thank you for your service as a teacher and a soldier.