The Inundation – the New Year

At the heart of the Egyptian calendar year was the rising waters of the Nile as part of the annually-occurring inundation. Egyptians noted that the Sirius star (Sothis) would rise roughly at same time every year, which for between 3,000-2,500 BC was in late June. With the inundation usually happening shortly thereafter, the Egyptians celebrated … Continue reading The Inundation – the New Year

“The Gifts of the Creatures” in honor of Amun-Ra

From the Papyrus Leiden I 350 Stanza VI The Gifts of the Creatures to God

Wadj-wer, the “Great Green” Deity

Wadj-wer (or Uat-Ur ) is translated in ancient Egyptian as "the Great Green" referring to a either the Mediterranean Sea or a large body of water such as the network of lakes at the northern limits of the Delta. There are inscriptions of "crossing the great green" by foot which would indicate a land-crossing through … Continue reading Wadj-wer, the “Great Green” Deity

Springtime at the Northern California Sanctuary

As the weather grows a little warmer and there is more light during the day, the population of birds swell and their sounds echo throughout our Northern California Sanctuary. With the coming of Spring there is a proliferation of bird species of all types, ranging from blue jays to robins, hawks to owls, ducks to … Continue reading Springtime at the Northern California Sanctuary

The Hare Goddess Wenet

When we think of Easter, the "Easter Bunny" is a main topic for festivity and play. In ancient Egypt, the rabbit, or hare, was the Goddess Wenet. The Egyptians venerated the hare because of its swiftness and keen senses. The hare’s form was also taken by other deities who had associations with the Otherworld. In … Continue reading The Hare Goddess Wenet

Sacred Sanctuary Animals and Wadjet

There is so much pollution and man-made obstacles on this Earth. I am thinking particularly of the the animals trapped and killed by the plastic which previously held soda and beer cans, or carried groceries. There is a Great Pacific Garbage Patch in the North Pacific Gyre; a plastic wasteland in our Ocean off the … Continue reading Sacred Sanctuary Animals and Wadjet

Egyptians Loved and Honored Their… Dogs!

According to Herodotus (and other sources), while the Ancient Egyptians loved their Cats, Dogs were even more loved and honored. It has been written that when a pet cat died, all those who lived in the home shaved their eyebrows. However, in a home in which a dog died, all would shave their entire head … Continue reading Egyptians Loved and Honored Their… Dogs!

Sekhet, the Fen-Goddess

Sekhet (Sokhet, Sakhet, Sochet) is the ancient Egyptian Goddess of the life of the fields, meadows, marshes and the wetlands. She is Mistress of Sekhet-Aaru, the Field of Reeds, the Otherworld paradise where Osiris rules. It has been described as the ka (soul) of the Nile Delta. As the Goddess of marshes or fields, she … Continue reading Sekhet, the Fen-Goddess

The Great Feline Deities

Probably the most well known Egyptian cat deity is Bastet (Bast) however there are also a number of other ancient Egyptian gods who were associated with cats. The goddess Neith was said to take the form of a cat occasionally and the goddesses Tefnut and Sekhmet were pictured as lions. An inscription in the Valley … Continue reading The Great Feline Deities

Wepwawet, the Opener of Ways

Listening to the coyotes communicating in howls and yips just yards away from our Sanctuary, brings to mind one of the most ancient Egyptian gods, Wepwawet (also known as Ap-aut and Sed) a wolf-like god whose worship originated in Upper Egypt. His name means "Opener of the Ways" and this has been interpreted as opening … Continue reading Wepwawet, the Opener of Ways