What were the weeping women of Tammuz performing for?

       The women weeping for Tammuz sat at the north gate of the Jerusalem Temple. Instead of weeping for the national sins, these women wept for the dead god Tammuz, ancient god of pasture and flocks, of the subterranean ocean, and of vegetation. 

"He brought me to the north gate of the LORD’s Temple, and some women were sitting there, weeping for the god Tammuz." Ezekiel 8:14

       This incident is listed in Ezekiel's vision of "abominations" of the people. God had declared that He would not pardon this and other idolatrous worship.