The Praise of Hathor, Lady of Amentet (Dweller in the Great Land)

Reflecting on our Shrine to the Lady Hathor, we come across her in the Papyrus of Ani (also known as the Egyptian Book of the Dead, Translated by E.A. Wallis Budge) Hathor, Lady of Amentet, the Dweller in the Great Land, the Lady of Ta-Tchesert, the Eye of Ra, the Dweller in his breast, the … Continue reading The Praise of Hathor, Lady of Amentet (Dweller in the Great Land)

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

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

Goddess Hathor: Hymn to the Lady of Dance

The rites and worship of the Goddess Hathor, “The Golden Goddess” and “The Lady of Dance” were heavily associated with the performance of dance and music. The power of music and movement were used to transport the worshiper into an ecstatic encounter with the Divine. The ecstatic nature of the dancing performed for the Goddess … Continue reading Goddess Hathor: Hymn to the Lady of Dance

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

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!

Hymn to Sekhmet-Bastet Goddess of Protection

The Goddess Sekhmet-Bastet is recognized in many ways; Sekhmet is known predominately around creating and putting out Fires, while Bastet is the Goddess of Protection. Sekhmet-Bastet is "the One Who loves Ma'at" and "She Who detests unrighteousness." HYMN TO THE GODDESS SEKHMET-BASTET from the Temple of the Hathor at Dendera.(cfr. Dendera III 184-185) Sekhmet-Bastet, She … Continue reading Hymn to Sekhmet-Bastet Goddess of Protection

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