In a book written by John Day I read that Asherah was an appropriation of the wife of the god El. El being the Caananite god with whom Yahweh had come to be equated... El had a wife,Athirat, Yahweh didn't - but for some he " acquired a wife " through converts of El. Interesting for the story of the ten commandments, that El was symbolized by the Bull as well.... which took a while to stamp out... Interesting as well that they may have been worshiping, in the calf, the very same God Moses was talking to - and yet the anger.... It is widely assumed that Ashirat is a much more likely candidate for inspiration of Asherah than Astarte or Ishtar... The author is relying on dated material for their conclusion. I have found the same thing in various places... as well as the misinformation.