There is a labyrinth at our Sanctuary in Northern California and it is shaped like an Ankh. The Lady Hathor Shrine is at the top of the Ankh. In Ancient Egypt by the time of the Old Kingdom (c. 2613 - 2181 BCE) the Ankh was well-established as a powerful symbol of eternal life. Egyptologist … Continue reading The Ankh Labyrinth
Category: Cats
A Beckoning Cat
Cats were very sacred animals to the Ancient Egyptians. They held a honored position in many households and were sometimes considered more important than humans. Cats were treated as demigods and anyone caught harming or killing a cat, even by accident, was punished by death, because cats guarded the royal granaries keeping them relatively free … Continue reading A Beckoning Cat
“Who is this Cat?”
The Egyptian Tree of Life, the Persea Tree, was guarded and protected by the Mau, the Great Cat. The sacred Persea Tree emerged when Ra (Re) as Atum the Sun-god first appeared at Heliopolis. The Tree played a part in the Creation Myth that explained how the nine gods who made up the Ennead of … Continue reading “Who is this Cat?”
Feast Day of Sekhmet and Bastet
According to the Cairo Calendar, adjusted for the changes in our modern sky as Sirius, the Sothis Star, rises in August rather than mid-June in Ancient Times, today is the feast day of Sekhmet Bast Ra. We therefore reflect upon the 164th Chapter of The Book of the Dead in which prayer and homage is … Continue reading Feast Day of Sekhmet and Bastet
Our newest Sanctuary member: Re Sekhmet Mau
We welcome Re Sekhmet to the Iseum Sanctuary Refuge. Re is from the Mohave Desert area of Southern California. Being found in a desert seems appropriate for an Egyptian/Arabian Mau. Re was in a shelter which "euthanizes" cats and other animals that are unclaimed and unwanted. Fortunately, he came to us, as he had come … Continue reading Our newest Sanctuary member: Re Sekhmet Mau
Egyptians loved and honored their Cats
The priestess offers gifts of food and milk to the spirit of her beloved Mau. On an altar is placed the mummy of the deceased Spirit, and the tomb is decorated with frescoes, urns filled with fresh flowers, lotus blossoms, and statuettes. The Priestess kneels as she fans incense smoke toward the altar. In the … Continue reading Egyptians loved and honored their Cats
You must be logged in to post a comment.