Bast – Serendipities

Kemetic Sailing Holiday

This is the last of the big liturgies that I am writing for Bast and Sekhmet as I wrap up my work for them, my oaths fulfilled. I’ve said before that I’m being released from their service, and while I will probably still post on tumblr for Wep Ronpet and reblog the occasional post, I expect this to be the last Kemetic blog post here.

I’ve done the sailing holiday a couple of different ways in the past, but after really digging into The Ancient Egyptian Daybook, a volume of research by Tamara L. Suida (of Kemetic Orthodoxy/House of Netjer) which includes information from a ton of ancient sources all gathered into one place, I decided to use a set of festivals with spring timing, and sort of condense them into four nights/four days (which ends up being five calendar days) in the early spring. Or, in the Kemetic calendar, IV month of Peret, days 1-5. Since the Kemetic calendar starts with the heliacal rise of Sirius heralding the new year, IV Peret generally starts the first week of March around here. On IV Peret 1 (March 7th) I celebrated the Feast of Ra and the Presentation of the Boat, and I wrote a prayer for the occasion:

FEAST-PRAYER TO RA FOR THE PRESENTATION OF THE BOAT

Ra, Lord of the Sun!
Guardian of the Heavens, Ruler of the Netjeru!
Ra, Lord of the Horizon!
We call upon you,
Mighty in your glory as the sun sets!
Magnificent in your splendor as the sky fills with fire!
Each evening you descend to do battle with the forces of isfet,
And each morning you rise again, triumphant!

Ra, your powerful Daughters,
Bast and Sekhmet: your Avenging Eyes,
They join you in the barque this night,
They join you sailing into the Duat.
We have prepared this boat for your going,
We have prepared this food and drink
For a feast before you embark.
We will revel as the sun sets!

Great Ra, you will triumph during the night,
And in the morning we will search for your boat on the horizon,
As you and your Eye-Daughters sail in your boat to other places
As you three are honored and feasted again and again!

Most Glorious Ra, in three days’ time
When you return on the boat with your Eye-Daughters
When you come back to this Temple with Bast and Sekhmet
We will welcome you back with more feasting and revels!

The “boat” I presented was a red origami boat, a votive offering, though the bread for the feast I baked from scratch! I offered that with a cup of red wine for the Feast of the Presentation of the Boat, and my family then ate the bread with dinner to revert the offering and receive the blessings.

*My shrine, with a bread loaf that was tasty and gluten free but not very pretty, a cup of red wine, the statues of Bast and Sekhmet, and the Red Paper Boat.*

After the feast, I covered my statues, to represent the goddesses leaving on the boat. For the next four mornings, I moved the boat to a new location in my shrine room, moving sunwise as it left the shrine and then on the last day, came closer. I’m posting this today in the morning, but tonight I’ll move the boat all the way back to the shrine, and remove the covering from my statues, to represent their return.

As I’ve also incorporated the historical holidays “Chewing Onions for Bast” and “Chewing Cucumbers for Sekhmet” into the return feast, tonight with dinner I’ll be making a cucumber salad with onions, goat cheese, fresh herbs, and a homemade vinaigrette dressing, and I’ll offer that along with more wine and the following prayer I wrote:

PRAYER FOR THE RETURN FEAST OF CUCUMBERS AND ONIONS

Eyes of Ra, Daughters of the Sun!
Great Ladies of the East and West!
We welcome you home to your temple,
Triumphantly returning as the sun sets!

For four nights you have travelled on the solar barque
You have sailed with Ra into the Duat
At his side, as his Avengers and Protectors
You have fought isfet and you have been victorious!

For four days you have sailed to other lands
To be welcomed and feasted by others
And now you return to your temple
And we will feast and revel this night!

We have prepared food and drink for you;
We feast to celebrate your returning
Vegetables and cheese, herbs and vinegar,
We have made a special meal for this occasion.

Bast, we chew onions for you!
Sekhmet we chew cucumbers for you!

Please feel free to use these prayers in your own practice! I just ask that you give me credit if you’re using them for a group ritual, and please don’t reproduce them elsewhere without a link. If you want to show your appreciation by tipping me, you can always Buy Me a Coffee!

Kemetic Bright Moon 7/13

This month when I came before my shrine, I was told to do this ritual before the other working I had planned. A message to my community, before I turn to more active heka. So I asked for an omen, and received the following:

Go, burning brightly, and do the work you are inspired to do, that has you alight with passion. You are fiery and powerful and incandescent in your rage, and this will fuel you and sustain your action. But also make time to take careful stock of your position and surroundings. Look for needs that demand prompt fulfillment, and make note of weaknesses that must be reinforced, in both yourself and your communities. Grounded planning with an eye towards longevity will be required to bring your goals into manifestation, but don’t let self-doubts and obstacles prevent you from taking action. Go.

That gives me both hope and something of a direction to help in my plans, and I hope it is helpful to some of you as well.

Also – it’s that time again, ya’ll! Wep Ronpet is coming up fast, and here are the dates I’m using for this year, based on the heliacal rising of Sirius over Washington, DC:

Epagomenal Days: Aug 4-8
Aug 4 – Birth of Wesir
Aug 5 – Birth of Heru-Wer
Aug 6 – Birth of Set
Aug 7 – Birth of Aset
Aug 8 – Birth of Nebthet

Wep Ronpet: Aug 9
Arrival of Sopdet
Feast of all the Netjeru

I’ll be doing my usual follow-along on Tumblr, with rebloggable digital votive offerings and prayers, and a tarot card omen from each Netjer on their birthday. And I’ll be doing a personal and a group execration as well, probably on the evening of the 3rd due to schedule restraints on the 8th, which is my normal timing. If you have anything you’d like me to execrate for you, please email that to me no later than the 1st!

The next full moon is Aug 11th, after Wep Ronpet. If you have any questions, or if you would like to request a personal message or heka working for April, please email the shrine here. And if you are interested in supporting the shrine, I have a tip jar set up here. Thanks! Apologies for missing last month – I unfortunately had a (blessedly very mild) case of Covid, after managing to avoid that for two full years.

Image in the thumbnail is a stock photo (provided through Squarespace) of the sky seen through the pillars of a ruin of an Ancient Egyptian temple.

Kemetic Bright Moon 5/16

Last month, I was told to rest, to heal. I’ve been struggling with my health some again, as I often do at the changing of the seasons. This month, I had grand plans for the ritual, using elements that I sometimes add but am not required to use… and as I tried to get ready, I realized I was too faint, too exhausted to manage what I had attempted to plan, so I changed my plans, the ritual but with some elements done from the Temple where I see Them when I meet Them in trance journeys… but when I got there, they embraced me, and I fell asleep instead. When I awoke, I struggled to sit up and reached out in anguish at my failing – and instead, I was told that reaching out to Them was enough. Grasping at Them was enough. Wanting and trying to connect, is enough. And that this, the story of my attempt and my failure, was the message I was to share. Many of us are struggling, right now. We may not have the bandwidth, the energy, the spoons, the spell slots (whatever metaphor you find most apt for your situation) for the workings and rituals we have planned. But – but! What we are doing, is enough. They hear us, They shelter us, They will guide us gently while we rest and heal. If we do not have the reserves to draw upon, we cannot illuminate; and that is okay. That means it is time to rest. And when we are ready for more Work to do, They will be ready for us.

The next full moon is June 14th. If you have any questions, or if you would like to request a personal message or heka working for April, please email the shrine here. And if you are interested in supporting the shrine, I have a tip jar set up here. Thanks!

Image in the thumbnail is a stock photo (provided through Squarespace) of the sky seen through the pillars of a ruin of an Ancient Egyptian temple.

Kemetic Bright Moon 3/18

Earlier this month, there was a holiday I had been planning to figure out hot to celebrate, a sort of revivalist holiday made of three separate historical holidays that I enmeshed: The Feast of the Eyes of Ra, The Festival of Chewing Onions for Bast, and the Festival of Chewing Cucumbers for Sekhmet. I ended up not getting a full formal ritual written out and shared ahead of time, but I did have a feast meal with my family – yes, including raw green onions and cucumbers in a not-very-Egyptian pasta salad, but everyone (Bast and Sekhmet included!) seemed to enjoy it. I also incorporated the dark chocolate bunny that at some point became a traditional spring offering – first at Sacred Space a number of years ago, but I think I’ll keep it as the centerpiece of the Feast for the Eyes of Ra. I’ll try to work up a more formal ritual to share with y’all ahead of time next year!

But here we are now, a few days past the full moon and the equinox (I don’t know about ya’ll but it has been BUSY in my house this past week), and I finally have a typed up omen for the Bright Moon to share:

The conflict that surrounds you is getting worse before it subsides, but you will make it through. Try not to let the violence you witness send you fleeing if it is not putting you in immediate danger. You still need to be present and engaged in your own life. Think about long-term and wide-ranging goals that you can contribute to from where you are, Movement and action will help alleviate the terror. Focusing on long term equitable structures will give you a proper direction. To begin, just GO. Your feet will find a path. Your hands will find work to do. Your eyes will find others to follow. Move with purpose.

The next full moon is April 16th. If you have any questions, or if you would like to request a personal message or heka working for April, please email the shrine here. And if you are interested in supporting the shrine, I have a tip jar set up here. Thanks!

Image in the thumbnail is of my shrine, with a gold-wrapped chocolate bunny on the offering dish in front of the statues of Bast and Sekhmet.

Kemetic Bright Moon 2/16

This full moon, as I have done on most full moons since I began my service to Bast and Sekhmet, I performed my usual ritual, and asked them for an omen to convey to my community. Here is what I received:

You are fighting internal battles, and find yourself in crisis. You may wonder who is to blame, but you should instead spend your energy figuring out hot to get out of the situation you are in. Be sure of your footing as you move forward, because you will need careful self control to change your circumstances. Do not be discouraged, however: defeat is far from assured! You are closer to where you wish to be than it may seem, and you will make your way there if you continue carefully forward. Your goals are within your skillset to achieve; all they require is continuing effort.

The next full moon is March 18th. If you have any questions, or if you would like to request a personal message or heka for November, please email the shrine here. And if you are interested in supporting the shrine, I have a tip jar set up here. Thanks!

Image in the thumbnail is a stock photo (provided through Squarespace) of the sky seen through the pillars of a ruin of an Ancient Egyptian temple.

Kemetic Bright Moon 1/17

This full moon when I went to go see Bast and Sekhmet, following the holiday earlier this month, They each wished to share a blessing, something They can help us with as we move forward.

Bast offered help with mundane concerns: finances, physical strength, finding balance and plenty in our material lives. Ask Her for help if you are searching for a new job, or a new place to live.

Sekhmet offered aid with our long term goals: strengthening our perseverance and determination, and lending us her intractability as we strive forward.

Beyond those, They also gave me message about what we should be focusing on this moon cycle: the cycles are changing, one into another, and this transition (a long time planted) is now nearing the end of its harvest time. We reap what we have sown, both individually and as a collective, and when we begin to plant new seeds we must be very careful that we are planting only that which we wish to reap, and that we are weeding out unwanted seedlings before they grow tall. This month is often used as time for a new start in our secular society, but it is difficult to change patterns of behaviour without understanding them first, so take the time to reflect on the past before you scatter new grains.

The next full moon is February 16th. If you have any questions, or if you would like to request a personal message or heka for February, please email the shrine here. And if you are interested in supporting the shrine, I have a tip jar set up here. Thanks!

Kemetic Holiday: The Eyes Return

I performed the first part of this holiday just before the Solstice, and if you didn’t see the other post you may want to look at it now. This is the second part of the holiday, which was timed to the new crescent after the solstice (which would have been January 3rd or so, but once again weather and health and life things I couldn’t avoid it reschedule have pushed this blog back a little: my apologies.

As I said before, this two-part holiday references a myth where the Eye of Ra (often Sekhmet, but potentially any of the Goddesses known as Eyes), in feline or leonine form, leaves Him to go wander in the desert, and eventually Ra sends another Deity (often Djehuty) to persuade Her to return to Him, and She is then joyfully welcomed back. Although there is some debate amongst scholars, in my personal practice this cycle is linked to the winter solstice, and it includes both Bast and Sekhmet leaving at the same time.

Image description: The welcoming back feast at my shrine! Read more below.

In the image of the shrine above, there is cool filtered water in Their red cup which I will drink after I post this, a lit red votive candle and the two still foil-wrapped chocolates on Their red platter (which I will offered when they left), plus one additional chocolate for the return, the two statues on Their red and black box, the unlit oil lamp (since I’ll be using the votive tonight and the feast nights after they get back), the red origami boat, and assorted other shrine decorations. For those who are unaware, it is common practice in modern Kemetic Polytheism to “revert”, or consume (usually food and drink) after it has been offered to the Netjeru, in order to receive Their blessings!

Exultation for the Return of The Eye Goddesses

The sun is dawning over the horizon.

And the longest night has already passed.

I look to the horizon for the return of the Eye Goddesses

And as the sun blazes, they are visible!

The Eye Goddess are visible on the horizon!

They have returned from the desert!

They have been led back to their shrines.

I throw flowers at the feet of the returning Eye Goddesses,

I present bread to the thrones of the seated Eye Goddesses,

I pour wine in the cups of the Eye Goddesses,

I give them the best parts of my meal.

I weep with joy, for I am no longer bereft!

I weep with joy, for they have returned to me!

The shrine is no longer empty: it is filled with delights.

The shrine is no longer empty: my Goddesses have returned!

I am reunited with my Goddesses, and my heart overflows with joy!

The above is an original prayer I wrote in 2020, to use for this holiday cycle of The Eye Wanders/She Is Led Back. Since my shrine is to two Eyes, it’s plural. Feel free to use this in your own rituals and celebrations (with proper attribution), and use the singular if that makes more sense for you. Please do not use this for any commercial purpose, however. And if you appreciate my work, consider supporting the shrine with a donation.

Kemetic Holiday: The Eyes Wander

I was originally supposed to begin this holiday on the first quarter moon, December 12th, but life obstacles and my health made that untenable, and so here I am, beginning the holiday just barely before the solstice instead, with a send-off feast, and the Lamentation prayer. This two-part holiday references a myth where the Eye of Ra (often Sekhmet, but potentially any of the Goddesses known as Eyes), in feline or leonine form, leaves Him to go wander in the desert, and eventually Ra sends another Deity (often Djehuty) to persuade Her to return to Him, and She is then joyfully welcomed back. Although there is some debate amongst scholars, in my personal practice this cycle is linked to the winter solstice, and it includes both Bast and Sekhmet leaving at the same time.

Image description: The send-off feast at my shrine! Read more below.

In the image of the shrine above, there is eggnog in Their red cup which I will drink after I post this, a lit red votive candle and two still-wrapped chocolates on Their red platter (which I will eat after They come back), the two statues on Their red and black box, the unlit oil lamp (since I’ll be using the votive tonight and the feast nights after they get back), the red origami boat, and assorted other shrine decorations. For those who are unaware, it is common practice in modern Kemetic Polytheism to “revert”, or consume (usually food and drink) after it has been offered to the Netjeru, in order to receive Their blessings!

Image description: The same shrine, now with a white cloth covering the statues, the cup removed, and the votive candle doused.

Lamentation for the Wandering of The Eye Goddesses

The sun has set below the horizon,

And the night will be long.

The Eye Goddesses, too, are beyond the horizon;

They have left for the desert.

Where in the desert they wander,

I do not know.

Where in the desert they wander,

None can tell me.

I weep and weep at the shrine,

For the shrine is empty.

I weep at the shrine,

Because I am bereft.

When will the Eye Goddesses return

From the desert?

When will my Goddesses

Come over the horizon?

Who will go and find them?

Who will persuade them to return?

While they are gone, I weep,

For the shrine sits empty.

While they are gone, I weep,

For I am bereft.

An Omen for the Bright Moon Eclipse

This month I waited until after the eclipse energy had waned to do my usual Bright Moon ritual, and I wondered if I might be allowed to skip this one because of the strange occurrence… but the answer was a resounding NO! (Oops, sorry I asked!) So here is this moon’s message from Bast and Sekhmet.

You have come through a recent trial, and like the moon in eclipse, your power seemed uncertain. But you, like the moon, prevailed, and victory is both nearer and surer than you think. We are coming soon to the time of the waning light, the longest night, and even then the mighty power of the sun cannot be ignored. Honor us as we go, and praise us as we return, we Wandering Eye Goddesses.

Those who were following along last year will remember that I was given instructions about how to celebrate The Eye Wanders/She Is Led Back festivals, and I was given timing that corresponded to the full moons closest to the solstice on either side. I asked last year what to do if the solstice was very close to the full moon, and I got told to worry about that when it happened. Well, this year the longest night is December 20-21, and the full moon is just before midnight on the 18th, which is then pretty much within the usual allowance I’m given for schedule difficulties. So this year I’ve been given a new timeline: the Leave-taking is to begin on the first quarter moon (December 10th), lasting the usual 3 days, with the last day (December 12) being the day they “disappear” from my altar. And then the return is to happen beginning on the morning after the longest night (so, starting the morning of December 21st), and lasting for the usual 5 days.

I’ll post my prayers and more information about that shortly before it begins, so check back!

The next full moon ritual, on account of the holiday outlined above, will be January 17th. If you have any questions, or if you would like to request a personal message or heka for January, please email the shrine here. And if you are interested in supporting the shrine, I have a tip jar set up here. Thanks!

Image for this post is of my home shrine, featuring two 6-inch statues of Bast and Sekhmet in gold and bronze patina painted over modeling clay. They stand on a box painted red and black with red origami flowers at their feet, surrounded by other implements: offering dishes, a burning candle, unlit pillar candles, ritual jewelry, an incense burner, an unlit oil lamp, and a small found-object sistrum.

Kemetic Bright Moon 10/20

Many of you have had a difficult start to the season. But time flows on; do not dwell too much on the past. Look to the future when you will burn more brightly: firm and resolute in your bearing, sure of your path, and of what work you do.

Sekhmet and Bast then each spoke separately.

Sekhmet said:

I will lend you my strength and fierceness!

Bast said:

I will lend you my charm and my guile!

They then continued together, in unison, as is their usual manner when I ask for the omen:

Even when you flicker with doubts, you are a pillar of light for your community. Even when unsteady, a candle flame lights the way through the darkness.

The next full moon is November 19th. If you have any questions, or if you would like to request a personal message or heka for November, please email the shrine here. And if you are interested in supporting the shrine, I have a tip jar set up here. Thanks!

Image in the thumbnail is a stock photo (provided through Squarespace) of the sky seen through the pillars of a ruin of an Ancient Egyptian temple.

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