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Meeting the Goddess Bast

For the meeting with Bast you will need a table or shelf to use as an altar. On this place an image of the goddess. It doesn't have to be a statue of Bast, a picture of a cat or suitable cat ornament will do for now. On either side of this place two candles, preferably purple, blue or silver. A vase of blue, purple or white flowers would be appropriate as would some kind of incense and holder. You will also need a small candle in a colour which you feel best represents you. This should be placed in front of your representation of the goddess. Some perfumed oil with which to anoint your personal candle is also needed. Bast likes flowery perfumes for oil and incense if possible. (Eloise's Bast incense recipe is given at the end of the visualisation.)

Traditionally Bast is seen as a gentle goddess. She enjoys music, dancing and perfume. She is Goddess of love and joy and dancing. She is the gentle, nurturing warmth of the sun and the cat who can be picked up and stroked. However, we have to remember that, just like a cat, she does have a fiercer side to her nature as well.

Below is a picture of Bast's Temple as visualised by artist, Ruby, when she took part in one of our workings. You might pick up very different imagery to this - the picture is given only as an example. Ruby's inspired picture of Bast appears later in this article.

Bast's Temple by Ruby

The Meditation
Light the altar candles and the incense.

Close your eyes and breathe deeply for a few minutes.

When you are totally relaxed, open your eyes, and light your small candle. Now, close your eyes once more, clear your mind and see only a black void before your inner eye. Imagine that blackness turning into fog, which swirls around you. Gradually, the fog dissipates.

As the fog clears, a scene is revealed before you of a desert landscape of reddish sand. Nearby, you see the mighty pylon of a temple.

Walk towards the temple. Feel the heat of the sand beneath your feet, and the hot sun on your body. How are you dressed in this world? Take note of your surroundings. Use your inner eye to look around. What can you see? Although you are being led in this visualisation, there is still plenty of space for you to add detail. No two people would ever see exactly the same imagery. Begin to build up your inner world. Make it real in your mind.

Now, walk to the pylon and take a few moments to examine the walls rearing above you. Do they have carvings on them, or are they unadorned? Take a deep breath and smell the air. Incense smoke is drifting out from the temple; its heady aroma fills your nose. You can hear faint music; the bleat of pipes and the low beating of drums. Enter beneath the shade of the pylon gate, cross a courtyard, and find yourself in a vast chamber of stone columns. It is quite dark, but on the floor there are bowls of burning oil that emit a flickering light. Here, the air is cooler and refreshing, and the smell of incense is complemented by a strong fragrance of exotic flowers. Perhaps there are people here - priests and priestesses - or perhaps you are alone. Again, spend a few moments looking round. Go to touch one of the columns; feel the rough texture of the stone beneath your fingers. As you look round, add your own details to the scene. Make it come alive for you.

Now, you walk across the hall of columns and pass through a door-way. You find you have entered a small shrine. Against one wall is a large black basalt statue of a seated cat, the sacred cat of Bast. The statue has golden earrings and a collar of faience. Bowls of incense smoulder before her and she is flanked by flickering flames. You see priests and priestesses are in the shrine. They are surrounded by cats, some sitting on the floor, some lying in niches in the walls. The air is full of the music of the cats; their purrs and cries. Pause to pay respect to the sacred cat of Bast. You can talk to the priests and priestesses if you like. They may have something to tell you, or a gift to impart. Stroke the cats around you.

After a few minutes, say farewell to the priests and priestesses and leave the shrine by another doorway. You find yourself in a corridor with painted walls. Again, it is quite dark, but you can see where you are going by the dim lamp-light glimmering on the floor.

Presently, the corridor opens out into a vast room, lined by columns. Ahead of you, at the other end of the chamber, you see a flight of golden steps that leads up to a life-size golden statue of the goddess. She is a cat-headed woman, carrying a sistrum, surrounded by kittens in gold. She wears a long sheath dress and a necklace around her throat, but her feet are bare. The steps are covered in cats, sleeping, grooming, playing. The room is full of soft, but lively music, played by priestesses on flutes and drums and rattles. Other priests and priestesses dance sinuously to the music, like cats themselves. The floor is covered in petals and as you walk upon them, they release their rich fragrance.

Approach the foot of the stairs and gaze up at the goddess. Visualise that gradually, the statue comes alive. The eyes become living eyes, and slowly, the rigid gold turns to furry skin. See the goddess descend the stairs towards you, her eyes full of benevolence and peace.

While this is happening, cast your inner eye back to the room where your statue of the goddess stands before the anointed candle. Imagine that the light of this candle shines into the statue, which is an extension of the senses of Bast in the temple. Through the light of this candle, Bast can see your soul, and recognise you.

Now, spend some time speaking with the goddess. She is a friend to you. She may show you things, give you a symbolic gift or simply offer affection. She may have words of advice for your work to come, or ask you to do something for her in the real world. Let your mind wander freely.

After a few minutes, bow to the goddess, thank her for this audience, and say farewell. See her begin to retreat up the stairs. When she reaches the top she assumes her normal position and turns back into a sleeping statue of gold.

Now, walk back through the temple, bidding farewell to the priests and priestesses, and all the cats. Go out into the desert.

Imagine you are walking into a fog, which gradually turns into a black void. After a moment, the fog begins to clear once more and you are back in your own reality. Open your eyes when you are ready.

Bast Incense Recipe
by Eloise Coquio

With this incense I decided to incorporate both solar and lunar influences to reflect Bast's dual attributes as both a sun and moon goddess. I was influenced also by her love of perfume and her various magical focuses such as love, happiness and fertility.

3 parts Frankincense
2 parts Gum Arabic
1 part Myrrh
1 part Catnip
1 part patchouli leaf
1 part Rose petal
1 part sandalwood.(Red or white)
1/2 part lavender
1/2 part Orris Root
2 drops each of Ylang Ylang and Carnation oil

Meeting the Goddess Tefnut

This meditation was initially devised for us to explore this goddess, of whom we knew little. It can be used for this purpose, where the participants ask Tefnut to show them information about her. Or, she can be approached for knowledge about one's own spiritual path.

Our group has had some really wonderful, vivid visualisations based around Tefnut. Rather than reveal our results here, which may influence what others see, we'd be interested in hearing from people who try this meditation, to see what results they get.

The altar of Tefnut can either have candles of dark blue and red to represent the colours of the setting sun, or else of silver and violet, which represent the colours of Tefnut's primal aspect of divine creation in moisture. Flowers for the altar should be lilies, irises, corn flowers, or white roses. Have a small candle in your personal colour ready.

We have not found a statue on sale at any of our usual suppliers that specifically depict Tefnut, yet she is very similar in appearance to Sekhmet, so you can acquire a Sekhmet image and use this to represent Tefnut. The statue can be painted in colours associated with this goddess. In our case, we utilised imagery picked up in our visualisations about Tefnut, and painted her dress in smoky, purply colours with a silver sheen.

A recipe for Tefnut incense is given at the end of this meditation. We have yet to find any supplier who makes an incense specifically for Tefnut, but you can substitute any aroma, whether joss sticks, oil or loose incense, which smells fresh and astringent. ('Ocean', by the incense stick company 'Airs', is a good example.)

As for the meetings with Bast and Sekhmet, spend a few moments breathing deeply before the meditation. Light your personal colour candle. Then, as before, imagine a black void forming around you, which turns into a fog. As the fog clears, you find yourself in a desert landscape. You are standing between two immense pillars. Before you is a lake of silvery water. It is night-time and the sky is studded with brilliant stars. You can make out by the light of the moon that there is a mound in the middle of the lake, a primal mound of creation. It has come into being through the union of Tefnut and Shu, the most primal beings, who were created to bring life and flesh and blood to the earth. This lake is the primal water, from which life will come forth. And the pillars you stand between represent Tefnut and Shu, the twins, the pillars of life.

You see a jetty nearby, to which a small boat is moored. You will soon board it to cross the lake, but first touch the columns, one at a time. As you do, feel the vibration of life within them: energy, pure creative power. Commune with the columns and ask for passageway to the primal mound.

When you are ready, step into the boat. It begins to glide across the lake. When you look down into the mirror-like water, you can see flashes of light, ripples, movement, convulsions, as if life is roiling and boiling within its murky depths: all manner of strange creatures that have yet to evolve.

You can see the mound looming up closer and closer, becoming less dense and dark. You can see now a temple, some kind of building on the top. This is the beginning of Heliopolis, built by Shu and Tefnut. This is their house. It is the entrance to the underworld below from whence they came as Elder gods.

Step off the boat and climb the primal mound. Walk around it in a spiral, as if you were walking a winding Processional Path.

When you reach the top, you come to a slender white pyramid, the temple of Tefnut and Shu. Cross the threshold of the temple and enter the outer shrine.

You find yourself in a high narrow chamber, and before you is a tall tripod, upon which burns an eternal flame, symbolic of the sun god's light. Passageways lead off to left and right, but for this first visit, you will not go down them. They lead to the inner shrines of Tefnut and Shu.

Look around the temple and note anything that you see, hear, smell or touch. Fill in the details of the chamber for yourself.

Now, call upon Tefnut, the primal mother. Ask her to appear, through the power of the air, through the power of the water, the power of the stars, the power of the moon.

She appears before you, and the form she'll take will be personal to you. She might have a lioness's head or take the form of a woman. Some people have seen her as veiled with crystal, because her breath conjures storms. Others have seen her adorned with tattoos, or as having fur instead of skin. Allow your imagination to wander. You'll see her as you wish. Commune with her and let her show you visions of her being, her purpose and her worship. You can ask her for knowledge and wisdom concerning your own spiritual endeavours. You can ask to be shown other realms.

(Spend at least fifteen minutes in free visualising.)

When it is time to finish the visualisation, return to the outer shrine of the temple and bid farewell to Tefnut, asking her if there is anything you may do for her in our world.

Then retrace your steps back down to the boat at the edge of the island. Cross the lake once more, and when you alight near the two columns, walk up to them.

They have now transformed into a pair of lions sitting back to back. These are the Aker lions, the lions of yesterday and today. They also represent Tefnut and Shu.

The lion who faces the east, he is Shu. He welcomes the light of the sun and of life, the light of the dawn. See that sun rising up into the sky, moving across the heavens, as if the day has speeded up, arcing across to meet the gaze of the other lion, who is Tefnut. She will stand watch and guard over the setting sun, which represents the land of the dead in the west, Armenti. As the sun sets, it is a bloody red and darkness fills the sky.

When you are ready, see a fog forming around you, which gradually transforms into a black void. This turns back into fog and when it clears, you are back in your own reality. Open your eyes when you are ready.

Tefnut Incense Recipe

This incense needed to have a real scent of moisture, to smell like dew on the ground. I used some ingredients with air connotations but the majority are associated with water.

2 parts myrrh
2 parts Benzoin
1 part each of gum mastic, orris root and catnip
1/2 part each of lavender, jasmine, camomile and rose petal

Egyptian Sun Meditation
Find a place in the sun; if it is possible this works best outdoors, if not a sunny spot by a window works well too. Get a comfortable chair and sit with your back straight, your legs together and your palms resting on your thighs.

Close your eyes and feel the warmth of the sun on your body let it relax you. When you feel relaxed, imagine the sun as a glowing golden ball floating just over your head, feel that this ball has a strong masculine personality that knows and loves you.

When this feeling is strong, imagine a beam of light shooting out of the ball and entering your head through your third eye (middle of the forehead) feel the light entering your head and cleansing your mind of negative thoughts and energy.

Next, imagine a second beam coming from the ball and entering your throat. This beam cleanses your aura, burning negative energy and outside unbalances away.

Now you should imagine a third beam entering your heart. The energy should warm and comfort you, bringing your emotions into harmony. Imagine a fourth beam entering your stomach, this beam energizes your body, providing nourishment and leaving you feeling healthy and invigorated.

Now raise your hands to the ball, palm up in the Egyptian sign of worship. Imagine a fifth and a sixth beam piercing your palms. The energy that flows here should bring you in tune with nature and the universe.

Rest in this position as long as you feel comfortable, allowing the sun's energy to cleanse and invigorate you.

When you feel ready to stop, cross your arms over your chest and gather the beams to your body making them one with your essence.

Imagine the golden ball gently withdrawing and drifting back to its place in the sky. When it has completely retreated open your eyes. The meditation is complete.

A Prayer offered to Isis

Blue lidded daughter of dawn,
golden lady of the mountains,
carrier of her fathers wisdom,
let them rest in your arms.
let them look last on love's face,
breathing love's breath,
I live in light a million years,
The sun rises or sets now it matters not.
Here is ecstasy in death and certainty in life
we are gods in the body of God,
Truth and Love our destinies.
Go then and make of the world something beautiful,
Set up your light in the darkness.

Loving Kindness Meditation

May I be filled with loving kindness
May I be well
May I be peaceful and at ease
May I be happy

Name those you have permission to pray for:

May (name) be filled with loving kindness
May ( name) be well.
May (name) be peaceful and at ease.
May (name) be happy.

For the World

May the world be filled with loving kindness
May the world be well.
May the world be peaceful and at ease.
May the world be happy.

A Prayer to Isis

This should be spoken aloud before you sleep.

O mighty, powerful Isis, Goddess of Love, mother of all children, keeper of all time, look upon me, thy child, with love and compassion. May the sands of time be turned that I may see, that I may live in worlds before and beyond. Show unto me that which I should see. Great Isis, grant peace of mind so that I may hear the quiet, still voice of the gods and so do the will of the divine. Reveal to me that which is true for me to know and steer me gently toward the light.*

The Call of Isis

Come to me. Come to me,
for my speech hath in it the power to protect
and it possesseth life.

I am Isis the goddess,
and I am the lady of the words of power.

Isis, the goddess and great enchantress
at the head of the gods.

Heaven was satisfied with the words of the goddess Isis.

Invocation

"I invoke the Goddess Isis
and the God Osiris
Whose attributes are:
Love, Beauty and Truth."

Blessing

"In the Names of Isis and Osiris,
May all beings be Blessed:
Spirits and humans,
animals, birds, reptiles,
fishes, insects, plants,
rainforests, the Earth
and all Her sacred elements."

Thanksgiving

"Holy Isis, Holy Osiris;
We give you thanks
that your Love, Beauty and Truth
Are manifest with Power and Peace
throughout all spheres,
within all beings,
and we accept your Blessing now,
in Mind and Heart."

Fellowship Of Isis Healing Prayer

Anoint your brow with water
and light a candle or incense.

"The Healing Wings of Isis
Protect, Enfold and Awaken you!"

Credo

"We grow from the Earth
And we share Her fruits.
We fly with bright wings
And we reach the stars.
We are Immortal with all that is.
Evoe Isis!"

Fellowship Of Isis Daily Prayer

For morning and night.
Be still and surround yourself with light.

"Holy Goddess Isis, Mother of all beings, come to our hearts.
Grant us, Thy children, Love and Joy, Wisdom and Abundance.
We offer Thee our loving care for all who are born of Thee."

Fellowship Of Isis Thanksgiving Prayer

"We thank you our Holy Mother Isis for your Love, Beauty
and Truth which surround us now and evermore."

Special Meditation

May Isis spread Her wings of protection over all of us at this challenging time. Set has slipped out of his chains and the forces of violence and oppression are running wild. Osiris the Beloved, the Good, the Beautiful Being, has again been torn asunder into a thousand times a thousand times a thousand pieces; Isis, gather us together, make Osiris, and us, whole once more. Great Isis, whose successor on Sicily is Saint Agatha, patroness of firefighters, please bless and protect all those, policemen, firemen, emergency workers of all kinds, and the unsung citizens who have lost their lives fighting to help and protect us. Isis, Great Physician, guide the hands and minds of our medical personnel as they strive to heal. Isis, Great Queen, Isis, guide our leaders to take right action in this time of challenge. Isis, great Goddess, goddess of the throne, protect and strengthen this nation which gives so many of your modern followers the freedom to live and believe as we will. Isis, Leader of Armies, if there is no better way, may those sworn to protect us by force of arms be wise, strong, and unerring in their conquest of our enemies. Isis, bless us all; comfort those who sorrow, those who have lost their loved ones as You have, those who are injured, those who are weary. Isis, divine Mother, please reach down and hold the hands of your children, who are all of us.

SPECIAL MEDITATION - At this time, all of those whose hearts are attuned toward Light, toward balance and goodness, and of whatever faith born or chosen, all are needed to help heal and protect. Please take time to imagine a great sphere of light radiating out over the United States, protecting all within it in safety, protecting from all dangers, both without or within, saturating the land with divine love, awareness, and watchfulness. Imagine it as impenetrable and functioning and then leave the image to do its work. The forces of chaos can not and will not triumph. The Isis Victrix rite which follows I wrote a number of years ago, but it seems all too apt tonight. Draw a circle of light around you or what you wish to protect. If the danger or distress is associated with a specific direction, face that direction and say the following. You may substitute "us" for "me": I call on the Light of Isis and the power of Isis to protect me and mine; From all things of darkness, From all manner of unjust attack. Those who mean me harm, You shall not pass this barrier! Those who cause me pain, You cannot pass this barrier! The Light of Isis stops you! The Power of Isis stops you! I glow with the Light of Isis! I speak with the Power of Isis! No evil shall pass, no evil shall enter! Isis stands by me, She raises the copper harpoon! She is my protector! She battles for me! Isis the Ever-victorious, She battles for me! Horus stands by me, he raises the copper harpoon! He is my protector! He battles for me! Horus the Great Warrior, he battles for me! You shall halt, you shall cease your attacks, You shall lose this unjust battle against me! Your weapons shall fail you, your weapons shall turn against you! Isis is my protector, She battles for me! Horus is my protector, he battles for me! She of the Ten Thousand Names, Protects me in Ten Thousand Ways. Isis is my protector and She shall overcome you! Horus is my protector and he shall overcome you! Be gone! Be away! Clap your hands to end this rite. Eat a light snack to calm yourself, or follow it with a purification shower.

ASKING BAST FOR GUIDANCE�?BR>BY DIVINATION

The Egyptians were masters in divination, which took up a very important place
in their religion. One can just remember Joseph interpreting the Pharaohs�?dream
in the Bible, or Moses who is said by some to have got his mysticism from
Egypt, or Alexander the Great who stopped for guidance at Amun’s oracle, and
the famous "mummy curses". Now here is a safe ritual, taken from the Leyden
Papyrus, with which one might ask Bast for guidance. One may also ask Bes or
Hathor instead, but should limit oneself to one deity.

First of all a divining bowl is needed. In Ancient Egypt these bowls were made
for that purpose, but a common bowl of pottery (be careful that it is not toxic
in any way) would be quite as good, provided it is consecrated to the purpose
of divination.

The second thing needed is green ink, preferably a vegetable ink, which can be
prepared by grinding herbs and leaving them in water (comfrey, mint and/or
lettuce, which was aphrodisiac according to the Egyptians, are all excellent), or
bought directly in shops.

Now write a question(s) at the base and at the inner sides of the bowl using the
vegetable ink. Then, while contemplating the deity being invoked write his/her
name three times. (Bast’s name is in hieroglyphics on this page.) Pour water in
the bowl, preferably water consecrated by the person completing the ritual, and
let the request be dissolved. Then drink the water and go sleep on the problem.
In Ancient Egypt this would have probably been done in a temple. Upon waking
record any dreams, either by use of writing or by use of a tape recorder. After
some time listen/read the dream again and analyze it. More than likely the answer
will be contained there, waiting to be found out!

Meeting the Goddess Sekhmet

For the visualised meeting with Sekhmet you will need a table or shelf to use as an altar. On this place an image of the goddess. It doesn't have to be a statue of Sekhmet, a picture of a lioness or suitable lioness ornament will do for now. On either side of this place two red, orange or gold candles. Decorate the altar with flowers of a similar colour. You will also need a small candle in a colour which you feel best represents you. This should be placed in front of your representation of the goddess. Some perfumed oil with which to anoint your personal candle is also needed. This should have a spicy exotic perfume. Sekhmet's incense should also be fiery and spicy. Eloise's recipe for Sekhmet incense is given at the end of the visulisation.

Sekhmet was often seen as the destructive power of the sun. Her name means powerful and violent. As a result a meeting with Sekhmet is one which can make the heart beat a little faster. We should also remember that, as an Eye of Ra, Bast also has a more fearsome side, while Sekhmet also has a more gentle aspect, as that of healer.

Our artist friend Ruby was inspired to paint Sekhmet's temple after visiting it in visualisation, as she did for Bast. We give this picture below as an example of what you might see, although your own imagery might differ from Ruby's. Everyone has their own private temple, created in their imaginations. Another of Ruby's pictures appears later in this article, and shows her personal visualisation of the goddess.

Sekhmet's Temple by Ruby

The Meditation
Light the altar candles and the incense.

Close your eyes and breathe deeply for a few minutes.

As the fog clears, a scene is revealed before you of a desert landscape. You see a city before you, which is the ancient city of Memphis, sacred to Sekhmet. The red desert surrounds you and the air is hot and dry. Ahead of you is a 'wadi' or oasis pool. Lionesses laze around the edge of the water under the shade of tall palms. Here, like at the Temple of Bast, the lionesses seem as though they are the guardians of the place and you bow to them as you pass by.

There is a vast temple ahead of you that is dedicated to the god Ptah. He is the husband of Sekhmet and she resides in the heart of his temple.

Walk towards the temple. As you draw closer, you see that it is constructed of sandstone and comprises many colossal columns that are covered in bas relief hieroglyphs. An avenue of sphinx statues leads up to the entrance. Walk along it and through the immense gateway at the end.

The inside of the temple consists of a labyrinth of columns with no apparent altar. This is because Ptah has no visible altar. There is only a statue of the god. To enter the shrine to Sekhmet you must declare your intent to the presence of Ptah her husband and ask him to reveal to you her secret shrine.

Approach the statue of Ptah and ask his permission to pass by him to the fiery depths of his wife, Sekhmet's inner sanctum.

When you have done this, you hear a loud rumble and a doorway opens up in the floor behind the statue of Ptah. You can see a steep sandstone ramp leading down into the depths below. Begin to walk down the ramp. As you descend an orange red glow lights your way. You can see that fiery torches are alight upon colossal smooth stone walls. When you reach the bottom you find yourself in an enormous circular amphitheatre. It is lit completely by fire and there is a large pit in the centre where fire from deep within the earth roars upwards and into the shrine.

Opposite you, in an alcove in the far wall, stands a statue of the goddess Sekhmet. It is about twice life size and made of smooth black granite. Around the foot of the statue sit proud and attentive lionesses. There are no priests or priestesses present because this is the sanctuary of fire, storm, dread, war, death, yet also of life.

Stand before the statue and stare up into the goddess' face. In your mind, ask her to awaken to your presence. Tell her you wish, in the future, to work in her name, for the good of those who need her power. Ask her to acknowledge you.

See the statue open its eyes. The gaze of the powerful goddess stares in expectancy down upon you. Her open eyes are pure red orbs of light. A red glow is beginning to form around her as she comes alive. It becomes stronger until it is radiating out of all parts of the mighty statue.

Upon her head a large orange solar disk burns brightly with raging fire. In her hand she holds a radiant gold ankh that shines with a solar, life-giving light. It is almost too bright to look upon. You see the statue begin to move, slowly yet sinuously. Her footsteps shake the floor of the shrine. She towers over you, moving inexorably towards you, intensely black, yet shining with red light. She growls softly beneath her breath, like the rumble of a sleeping volcano.

Now cast your inner eye back to the statue on your altar at home and see it begin to glow with a red light. It too is coming alive. Sekhmet's presence is in the room with you now as well as in the temple.

Now, concentrate for a while on the candle of your colour and see a shaft of light of the same colour stretch out of the candle and flow towards the glowing statue of Sekhmet. Before you ask anything of her, she must see you for who you really are. She will only see you by the true colour of your spirit light.

As your coloured rays hit her statue she absorbs your very essence and at once knows who stands before her, for she can see into your soul, mind and heart with her gaze, and knows your every will and intention.

Keep visualising your colour ray flowing from the candle to the statue. Clear your mind of everything else. Let Sekhmet know you and your intention.

Now return again in your mind to the inside of the shrine where you stand before the goddess. This is the time when she might have knowledge to impart to you, or offer a symbolic gift of some kind. She may even ask you to do something for her.

Spend some minutes communing with the goddess. This is the time to talk with her so that she may know you. Perhaps you could tell her about your magical work and ask for her help. When you feel that the audience has come to an end, thank Sekhmet for her presence. Bow your head to her and then see her begin to retreat into her shrine. Again, feel the floor shake as she walks.

When she reaches her alcove, she turns back once more into a sleeping statue. Her eyes are no longer orange flame but shining black stone.

Turn to leave, paying your respects to the lionesses that protect the shrine. Pass back across the amphitheatre and climb back up to Ptah's temple. When you reach the top, the opening in the floor rumbles closed again behind you, sealing the secret shrine.

Thank Ptah for allowing you access and walk back out of the temple towards the desert. As you pass the oasis, bid farewell to the lionesses there. Imagine you are walking into a fog, which gradually turns into a black void. After a moment, the fog begins to clear once more and you are back in your own reality. Open your eyes when you are ready.

Sekhmet Incense Recipe
by Eloise Coquio

This is a rich red incense that smells spicy and immediately conjures an impression of heat and fiery sunlight. It is a pungent smell that echoes the strength and power of Sekhmet.

3 parts Frankincense.
1.5 parts dragon's blood.
1 part each of copal, juniper, cinnamon, benzoin and red sandalwood.
3/4 parts clove
Few drops each of frankincense and orange oil.

Egyptian Spells

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WARNING!:IS VERY CONFUSING!!
Although most of the magical papyri were discovered Egypt the nineteenth century and brought together as of the Anastasi Collection, they were not completely until 1925. In fact, the first complete into English had to wait until 1986 (Betz). is quite likely that many of the papyri come from a source, perhaps a tomb or temple library, and it commonly supposed that they were collected by a Theban . In any case, they are one of the best sources Greco-Egyptian magic and religion, comparable to the scrolls for Judaism and the Nag Hamadi library for . We are extremely lucky that they have , since magical books and scrolls were often burned (Acts 19:19; but not just by the : Augustus ordered 2000 to be burned). Here are the translations of a few spells, prayers, . that I thought might be useful or interesting.

The in [brackets] following each indicates the (PGM = Papyri Graecae Magicae, PDM = P. M.), the papyrus number and the lines where the can be found. The source for these translations is Dieter Betz (ed.), The Greek Magical Papyri in Including the Demotic Spells, Chicago: The of Chicago Press, 1986. The spells, prayers, etc. are organized by category: I. Protection II. Divination and Visions III. Self-Improvement IV. Health and Healing V. Craft VI. Miscellaneousof Magical Names In general, most of the "voces magicae" (magical ) are written in Old Coptic, which used Greek , so you will do best if you think Greek. Thus, Y between English "u" and "y", something like German "u". Pronounce CH as in German "ach" or Scotch "loch". The symbol E' represents eta, so pronounce like long "a"; O' represents omega, so pronounce like a long "o". The diphthong "OU" is pronounced like English "oo". symbols PH (phi) and TH (theta) probably should be "p" and "t", but may have been pronounced like "f" and "th" by the time the papyri were written. The symbol "NN" in a spell means "fill in the blank," with the name of the one on whose behalf the is cast (thus, "NN" or "the NN man"), or with the or problem to which the spell is addressed (thus, "the NN matter").

I. PROTECTION. Protective Spell Sulfur and Seed of Nile Rushes, burn as Incense to Moon and say, "I call on You, Lady Isis, whom Agathos permitted to rule in the entire Black Land [i.e., ]. Your name is LOU LOULOU BATHARTHAR THARE'SIBATH 'SICH ATHERNEBOUNI E'ICHOMO' CHOMO'THI Isis , SOUE'RI, Boubastis, EURELIBAT CHAMARI NEBOUTOS 'RI AIE' E'OA O'AI. Protect me, Great and Marvelous of the God (add the usual [i.e., the protection you ]); for I am the One Established in Pelusium, MOUISRO' STROMMO' MOLO'TH MOLONTHE'R PHON . Protect me, Great and Marvelous Names of the God! (add the usual)"ASO' EIO' NISAO'TH. Lady Isis, Nemesis, Adrasteia, named, Many-formed, glorify me, as I have glorified Name of Your Son Horus! (add the usual)" [PGM .490-504].

Restraining Spell on a Tin - Lamella with a Bronze Stylus before the Names "CHRE'MILLON MOULOCH KAMPY CHRE' 'PHTHO' MASKELLI (formula) ERE'KISIPHTHE' IABEZEBYTH." throw it into River or into Sea before Sunrise. write on it, with the others, these Characters: "[six symbols, see below] Mighty Gods, restrain (add the , whatever you wish)." [PGM VII.417-22][The six symbols are: (1) an X in a circle; (2) a capital E; (3) a Z with a small circle at the of each line segment (four in all); (4) draw a E on its side with the legs pointing down, add leftward pointing feet to the first two legs, add upward tick marks from the back between the second third legs, extend the back to the left a little, and first leg up a little to make a backwards L at the left corner, extend this upward from the left end to a small |_| sign, then write a tiny U nested inside; (5) an X with a small circle on the end of the right leg; (6) a small epsilon or set membership sign.].

Spell for Restraining Anger - you want Someone to cease being Angry with you, write Myrrh this Name of Anger: "CHNEO'M" [probably Khnum]. Hold it in your Left Hand and say: "I restraining the Anger of all, especially of him, NN, is CHNEO'M." [PGM XII.179-81]. Against Every Wild Animal, Aquatic Creature and a Tassel to your Garment and say: "LO'MA ZATH 'N ACHTHASE MA . . . ZAL BALAMAO'N E'EIOY, protect me, , in the Present Hour! Immediately, immediately! , quickly!" [PGM VII.370-3].

Charm of Hekate Ereschigal Against Fear of Punishment - He [i.e., a punishment daimon] comes forth, say to : "I am Ereschigal, the One holding Her Thumbs, and even one Evil can befall Her!", however, He comes close to you, take hold of your Heel and recite the following: "Ereschigal, , Bitch, Serpent, Wreath, Key, Herald's Wand, Sandal of the Lady of Tartaros!" And you will Him."ASKEI KATASKEI ERO'N OREO'N IO'R MEGA SAMNYE'R BAUI (3 ) PHOBANTIA SEMNE', I have been initiated, and I down into the Underground Chamber of the Dactyls, I saw the Other Things Down Below, Virgin, Bitch, and the rest!" Say It at the Crossroad, and turn around flee, because it is at those Places that She appears. It Late at Night, about what you wish, It will it in your Sleep; and if you are led away to , say It while scattering Seeds of Seseme, and It save you. [PGM LXX.4-19].

Indispensable Invisibility Spell Fat or an Eye of a Nightowl and a Ball of Dung - buy a Beetle and Oil of an Unripe Olive and grind all together until smooth, and smear your Whole Body it and say to Helios: "I adjure You by Your Great , BORKE' PHOIOUR IO' ZIZIA APARXEOUCH THYTHE LAILAM IIIII OOOO IEO' IEO' IEO' IEO' IEO' IEO' IEO' AI AI AEO' AEO' E'AO'!" And moisten It and say in : "Make me Invisible, Lord Helios, AEO' O'AE' ' E'AO', in the Presence of Any Man until Sunset, IO' ' O' PHRIXRIZO' EO'A!" [PGM I.222-31]

II. DIVINATION AND VISIONS. Direct Vision Spell "EEIM TO EIM ALALE'P BARBARIATH MENEBREIO ARBATHIAO'TH 'L IAE'L OUE'NE'IIE MESOMMIAS, let the God who to me come and let Him not go away until I Him, OURNAOUR SOUL ZASOUL OUGOT NOOUMBIAOU BERIAOU ACHTHIRI MARAI ELPHEO'N TABAO'TH KIRASINA ' IABOE ABLAMATHANALBA AKRAMMACHAMAREI!"a Bronze Cup over Oil. Anoint your Right Eye with from a Shipwreck and the Left with Coptic Eyepaint, the same Water. If you cannot find Water from a , then from a Sunken Skiff. [PGM V.54-69].

Request for a Dream - Oraclea Strip of Clean Linen and write on it the following . Roll it up to make a Wick, pour Pure Olive Oil it and light it.Formula to be written is this: "HARMIOUTH LAILAM 'OUCH ARSENOPHRE' PHRE'U PHTHA HARCHENTECHTHA."the Evening then, when you are about to go to Sleep, Pure in every respect, do this: Go to the Lamp, 7 times the following Formula, extinguish the Light go to Sleep.Formula to be spoken is as follows: "SACHMOUNE [i.e., Sakhmet] PAE'MALIGOTE'RE'E'NCH, the One who , who Thunders, who has Swallowed the Serpent, the Moon, and Hour by Hour Raises the Disk of Sun, CHTHETHO'NI is Your Name. I ask You, Lords of Gods, SE'TH CHRE'PS: reveal to me concerning the I wish." [PGM VII.359-69].

Spell for Revelation - [Addressed to Ursa Major (Great Bear)]: "KOMPHTHO KOMNOUN You who shook and shake the World, You have swallowed the Ever-living Serpent and daily the Disk of the Sun and of the Moon, You whose Name ITHIOO' E'I ARBATHIAO' E', send up to me, NN, at Night Daimon of This Night to reveal to me concerning the thing." [PGM IV.1323-30].

Saucer Divination of Aphrodite kept oneself Pure for 7 days, take a White Saucer, It with Water and Olive Oil, having previously on Its Base with Myrrh Ink: "E'IOCH CHIPHA 'R ZE'L A E E' I O Y O'" (25 letters [in Greek]); beneath the Base, on the outside: "TACHIE'L ' DRAXO'" (18 letters). Wax over with White Wax. the outside of the Rim at the Top: "IERMI PHILO' 6 'MA DERKO' MALO'K GAULE' APHRIE'L I ask" (say it 3 ). Let It rest on the Floor and looking intently at , say "I call upon You, the Mother and Mistress of , ILAOCH OBRIE' LOUCH TLOR; Come in, Holy Light, give Answer, showing Your Lovely Shape!"look intently at the Bowl. When you see Her, Her and say, "Hail, Very Glorious Goddess, ILARA . And if You give me a Response, extend Your Hand." when She extends It, expect Answers to your Inquiry.if She does not listen, say, "I call upon the ILAOUCH has begotten Himeros, the Lovely Horai and You ; I also call upon the Zeus-sprung Physis [Nature] All Things, two-formed, indivisible, straight, foam-Aphrodite. Reveal to me Your Lovely Light and Lovely Face, O Mistress ILAOUCH. I conjure You, of Fire, by ELGINAL, and by the Great Names 'TYCH KERDYNOUCHILE'PSIN NIOU NAUNIN IOUTHOU THRIGX GERTIATH GERGERIS GERGERIE' THEITHI. I also ask by the All Wonderful Names, OISIA EI EI AO' E'Y AAO' 'IAIAIO' SO'THOU BERBROI AKTEROBORE GERIE' IE'OYA; me Light and Your Lovely Face and the True Saucer , You shining with Fire, bearing Fire all , stirring the Land from afar, IO' IO' PHTHAIE' PHAEPHI. Do it!": having kept yourself Pure, as you learned, a Bronze Drinking Cup, and write with Myrrh Ink the inscribed Stele [charm or amulet] which calls Aphrodite, and use the untouched Olive Oil and clean Water. Put the Drinking Cup on your Knees and over it the Stele mentioned above, and the Goddess appear to you and will reveal concerning what Things wish. [PGM IV.3209-54]

III. SELF-IMPROVEMENT. Memory Spell - Hieratic Papyrus and write the Prescribed Names with Myrrh Ink. And once you have written them as are prescribed, wash them off into Spring Water from springs and drink the Water on an empty stomach for days while the Moon is in the East.is the Writing on the strip of papyrus: "KAMBRE' SIXIO'PHI HARPON CHNOUPHI BRIONTATE'NO'PHRI-ARAOUAZAR BAMESEN KRIPHI NIPTOUMI CHMOUMAO'PH 'PHI ARTO'SE BIBIOU BIBIOU SPHE' SPHE' NOUSI NOUSI ' SIEGO' NOUCHA NOUCHA LINOUCHA LINOUCHA CHYCHBA KAXIO' CHYCHBA DE'TOPHO'TH II AA OO YY E'E' EE 'O'." After doing these things wash the Writing off and as is prescribed.is also the composition of the Ink: Myrrh , 4 drams; 3 Karian Figs, 7 pits of Nikolaus , 7 dried Pinecones, 7 piths of the single-stemmed , 7 wings of the Hermaic Ibis, Spring Water. you have burned the Ingredients, prepare them and . [PGM I.232-47] .

Another Memory Spell a Silver Tablet and engrave it [with the Uzait Horu, "Sacred Eye of Horus"] after the God [i.e., Helios, sun] sets. Take Cow's Milk and pour it [or, perhaps, it]. Put down [into?] a Clean Vessel and place the under [it]; add Barley Meal, mix and form Bread: Rolls in the Shape of Female Figures. Say [the ] three times, eat [the rolls] on an Empty , and you will know The Power.[The formula]: "BORKA BORKA PHRIX PHRIX RIX O' . . . AMIXAG OUCH THIP LAI LAI LAMLAI LAI LAM MAIL IIIY E'I AI O'O'O'O'O'O'O' MOUMOU O'YIO' NAK NAK LAINLIMM LAILAM AEDA . . . LAILAM AE'O O'AE' O'AE' 'OA' AO'E' E'O'A O'E'A, enter, Master, into my Mind, and me Memory, MMM E'E'E' MTHPH!"this monthly, facing the Moon, on the First Day [of month]. Prostrate yourself before the Goddess [i.e., , the moon], and wear the Tablet as an Amulet. [PGM III.410-23].

Spell for Strength "PHNOUNEBEE' (2 times), give me Your Strength, IO' , give me Your Strength, for I am ABRASAX!" Say 7 times while holding your two Thumbs. [PGM LXIX.1-3]. Your Great Name, for Favor"Everyone fears Your Great Might. Grant me the Good : The Strength of AKRYSKYLOS, the Speech of 'NOS, the Eyes of Solomon, the Voice of ABRASAX, the of ADO'NIOS, the God. Come to me, Kypris, every ! The Hidden Name bestowed to You: THOATHOE'THATHO-'USTHOAITHITHE'THOINTHO'; grant me Victory, , Beauty toward all Men and all Women!" [PGM .1-16].

Business Spell - Orange Beeswax and the juice of the Aeria Plant and Ground Ivy and mix them and fashion a Figure of Hermes a hollow bottom, grasping in his left hand a 's Wand and in his right a small Bag. Write on Papyrus these Names, and you will see Continuous : "CHAIO'CHEN OUTIBILMEMNOUO'TH ATRAUICH. Give and Business to this place, because Psentebeth here." Put the Papyrus inside the Figure and fill the hole with the same Beeswax. Then deposit in a , at an inconspicuous place, and crown Him on the , and sacrifice to Him a cock, and make a Drink of Egyptian Wine, and light for Him a Lamp that not colored Red. [PGM IV.2359-72].

Spell for Assertiveness - "Greetings, Lord, You who are the Means to obtain Favor the Universe and for the Inhabited World. Heaven has a Dancing Place for You, ARSENOPHRE', O King of Heavenly Gods, ABLANATHANALBA, You who possess , AKRAMMACHAMAREI, Gracious God, , Ruler of Nature, SATRAPERKME'PH, Origin of Heavenly World, ATHTHANNOU ATHTHANNOU ASTRAPHAI PAKEPTO'TH PA . . . E'RINTASKLIOUTH E'PHIO' 'TH!"Let my Outspokenness not leave me. But let every Tongue Language listen to me, because I am PERTAO' [ME'CH ] MNE'CH SAKME'PH IAO'OYEE' O'E'O' O'E'O' 'E'IE'IAE'A IE'O'YOEI, Give me graciously whatever want." [PGM XII.182-189] IV. HEALTH AND HEALING. Fever Amulet "ABLANATHANABLANAMACHARAMARACHARAMARACH BLANATHANABLANAMACHARAMARACHARAMARA LANATHANABLANAMACHARAMARACHARAMAR ANATHANABLANAMACHARAMARACHARAMA NATHANABLANAMACHARAMARACHARAM ATHANABLANAMACHARAMARACHARA THANABLANAMACHARAMARACHAR ANABLANAMACHARAMARACHA NABLANAMACHARAMARACH ABLANAMACHARAMARA BLANAMACHARAMAR LANAMACHARAMA ANAMACHARAM NAMACHARA AMACHAR MACHA ACH A "O Tireless One, KOK KOUK KOUL, save Tais whom Taraus from every Shivering Fit, whether Tertian or Quartan Quotidian Fever, or an Every-other-day Fever, or one Night, or even a Mild Fever, because I am the , tireless God, KOK KOUK KOUL! Immediately, ! Quickly, quickly!" [PGM XXXIII.1-25].

Spell for Coughs - Black Ink, write on Hyena Parchment: "THAPSATE '" - or as I found in another: "TEUTHRAIO' THRAITO' THABARBAO'RI [symbol: an X in a ] LIKRALIRE'TA - deliver NN from the Cough that him fast." [PGM VII.203-5].

Spell for Migraine Headache - Oil in your Hands and utter the Spell: "Zeus sowed Grape Seed: it parts the Soil; He does not sow it; it not sprout." [PGM VII.199-201]. Spell for Scorpion Sting"OR OR PHOR PHOR SABAO'TH ADO'NE SALAMA TARCHEI ABRASAX, bind you, Scorpion of Artemisia, three-hundred and times, on the fifteenth day of Pachon . . ." [PGM XXVIIIa.1-7].

A Contraceptive, the Only One in the World as many Bittervetch Seeds as you want for the Number Years you wish to remain Sterile. Steep them in the of a Menstruating Woman. Let them steep in her Genitals. And take a Frog that is alive and throw Bittervetch Seeds into its Mouth so that the Frog them, and release the Frog alive at the place you captured him. And take a Seed of Henbane, it in Mare's Milk; and take the Nasal Mucus of a , with Grains of Barley, put these into a Leather Skin from a Fawn and on the outside bind it up with Skin, and attach it as an Amulet during the of the Moon in a Female Sign of the Zodiac on a of Kronos or Hermes [i.e., Saturn or Mercury]. Mix also, with the Barley Grains, Cerumen from the Ear of Mule. [PGM XXXVI.320-32].

A Prescription to Stop Blood of "Great-Nile" Plant together with Beer; you make the Woman drink it at Dawn before she has . It stops. [PDM xiv.953-5]. The Way to Know it of a Woman Whether She will be should make the Woman urinate on this Plant, above [i.e., "Great-Nile" plant], at Night. When Morning , if you find the Plant scorched, she will not . If you find it green, she will conceive. [PDM .956-60]

V. CRAFT. Spell for Picking a Plantit before Sunrise. The Spell to be spoken: "I am you, such and such a plant, with my Five-fingered , I, NN, and I am bringing you home so that you may for me for a Certain Purpose. I adjure you by the Name of the God: if you pay no Heed to me, the which produced you will no longer be watered as far you are concerned - ever in Life again, if I fail in Operation, MOUTHABAR NACH BARNACHO'CHA BRAEO' MENDA PHASPHA BENDEO'; fulfil for me the Perfect !" [PGM IV.286-95].

Procedure for Obtaining Herbs the Egyptians Herbs are always obtained like this: Herbalist first purifies his own Body, then sprinkles Natron and fumigates the Herb with Resin from a Pine after carrying it around the Place 3 times. Then, burning Kyphi and pouring the Libation of Milk as prays, he pulls up the Plant while invoking by Name Daimon to whom the Herb is being dedicated and upon Him to be more effective for the Use for it is being acquired.Invocation for him, which he speaks over any Herb, at the Moment of Picking, is as follows:"You were sown by Kronos, you were conceived by Hera, you maintained by Ammon, you were given birth by Isis, were nourished by Zeus the God of Rain, you were growth by Helios and Drosos [Dew]. You are the Dew all the Gods, you are the Heart of Hermes, you are the of the Primordial Gods, you are the Eye of Helios, are the Light of Selene, you are the Zeal of Osiris, are the Beauty and Glory of Ouranos, you are the Soul Osiris' Daimon which revels in Every Place, you are Spirit of Ammon. As you have exalted Osiris, so yourself and rise just as Helios rises each day. size is equal to the Zenith of Helios, your Roots from the Depths, but your Powers are in the Heart of , your Fibers are the Bones of Mnevis [i.e., Mr-wr, holy bull of Heliopolis], and your Flowers are the of Horus, your Seed is Pan's Seed. I am washing you Resin as I also wash the Gods [i.e., the cult statues] as I do this for my own Health. You also be cleaned Prayer and give us Power as Ares and Athena do. I am ! I am acquiring you with Good Fortune and Good both at a Propitious Hour and on a Propitious Day is effective for all things."saying this, he rolls the Harvested Stalk in a Pure Cloth (but into the place of its Roots they threw Seeds of Wheat and an equal number of Barley, after them with Honey), and after pouring in the Ground has been dug up, he departs. [PGM IV.2967-3006].

Interpretations of Herbs and Other Ingredients the Temple Scribes employed, from the Holy , in translation. Because of the Curiosity of Masses they [i.e., the scribes] inscribed the Names the Herbs and Other Things which they employed on the of the Gods, so that they [the masses], since do not take Precaution, might not practice Magic, [being prevented] by the Consequence of their . But we have collected the explanations many Copies, all of them Secret.they are: A Snake's Head: a Leech. A Snake's Ball of Thread: this means Soapstone. Blood of a Snake: Hematite. A Bone of an Ibis: this is Buckthorn. Blood of a Hyrax: truly of a Hyrax [probably the rock hyrax, Procavia capensis]. Tears [Sleep Sand] of a Hamadryas Baboon: Dill Juice. Crocodile Dung: Ethiopian Soil. Blood of a Hamadryas Baboon: Blood of a Spotted Gecko. Lion Semen: Human Semen. Blood of Hephaistos: Wormwood. Hairs of a Hamadryas Baboon: Dill Seed. Semen of Hermes: Dill. Blood of Ares: Purslane. Blood of an Eye: Tamarisk Gall. Blood from a Shoulder: Bear's Breach [probably Acanthus mollis L. or Helleborus foetidus L.]. From the Loins: Camomile. A Man's Bile: Turnip Sap [probably Brassica napus L.]. A Pig's Tail: Leopard's Bane [probably a variety of leopard's bane in the genus Boronicum, or one of the heliotropes]. A Physician's Bone: Sandstone. Blood of Hestia: Camomile. An Eagle: Wild Garlic [Trigonella foenumgraecum, but the reading is doubtful]. Blood of a Goose: A Mulberry Tree's Milk. Kronos' Spice: Piglet's Milk. A Lion's Hairs: Tongue of a Turnip [i.e., the leaves of the taproot]. Kronos' Blood: . . . of Cedar. Semen of Helios: White Hellebore. Semen of Herakles: this is Mustard-rocket [probably Eruca sativa]. A Titan's Blood: Wild Lettuce. Blood from a Head: Lupine. A Bull's Semen: Egg of a Blister Beetle. A Hawk's Heart: Heart of Wormwood. Semen of Hephaistos: This is Fleabane. Semen of Ammon: Houseleek. Semen of Ares: Clover. Fat from a Head: Spurge. From the Belly: Earth-apple. From the Foot: Houseleek. [PGM XII.401-44 ][Similar lists can be found in De succedaneis transmitted the works of Galen, Claudii Galeni Opera Omnia (Kuehn, ed.), vol. 19, 721-47; adapted version in Paul of , Paulus Aegineta, Corpus Medicorum Graecorum IX/2 (Heiberg, ed.), vol. II, 401-8; and in Dioscorides' Medica.]

VI. Miscellaneous. Prayer to Selene for Any Spell [Since several aspects of this ritual are contrary to Pagan and Wiccan ethics and practice, I had some about including it in this collection, but to do so, because the hymn is so beautiful, so and so empowering. It has been discussed by K. , "Die Goettin Natur," Eranos-Jahrbuch 14 (1947), -86.] "Come to me, O Beloved Mistress, Three-faced Selene; kindly hear my Sacred Chants; Night's Ornament, young, bringing Light to Mortals, O Child of Morn who ride upon the Fierce Bulls, O Queen who drive Your Car on Equal Course With Helios, who with the Triple Forms Of Triple Graces dance in Revel with The Stars. You're Justice and the Moira's Threads: Klotho and Lachesis and Atropos Three-headed, You're Persephone, Megaira, Allekto, Many-Formed, who arm Your Hands With Dreaded, Murky Lamps, who shake Your Locks Of fearful Serpents on Your Brow, who sound The Roar of Bulls out from Your Mouths, whose Womb Is decked out with the Scales of Creeping Things, With Pois'nous Rows of Serpents down the Back, Bound down Your Backs with Horrifying Chains Night-Crier, Bull-faced, loving Solitude, Bull-headed, You have Eyes of Bulls, the Voice Of Dogs; You hide Your Forms in Shanks of Lions, Your Ankle is Wolf-shaped, Fierce Dogs are dear To You, wherefore they call You Hekate, Many-named, Mene, cleaving Air just like Dart-shooter Artemis, Persephone, Shooter of Deer, night shining, triple-sounding, Triple-headed, triple-voiced Selene Triple-pointed, triple-faced, triple-necked, And Goddess of the Triple Ways, who hold Untiring Flaming Fire in Triple Baskets, And You who oft frequent the Triple Way And rule the Triple Decades, unto me Who'm calling You be gracious and with Kindness Give Heed, You who protect the Spacious World At night, before whom Daimons quake in Fear And Gods Immortal tremble, Goddess who Exalt Men, You of Many Names, who bear Fair Offspring, Bull-eyed, Horned, Mother of Gods And Men, and Nature, Mother of All Things, For You frequent Olympos, and the broad And boundless Chasm You traverse. Beginning And End are You, and You Alone rule All. For All Things are from You, and in You do All Things, Eternal One, come to their End. As Everlasting Band around Your Temples You wear Great Kronos' Chains, unbreakable And unremovable, and You hold in Your Hands a Golden Scepter. Letters 'round Your Scepter Kronos wrote Himself and gave To You to wear that All Things stay steadfast: Subduer and subdued, Mankind's Subduer, And Force-subduer; Chaos, too, You rule. Hail, Goddess, and attend Your Epithets, I burn for You this Spice, O Child of Zeus, Dart-shooter, Heav'nly One, Goddess of Harbors, Who roam the Mountains, Goddess of Crossroads, O Nether and Nocturnal, and Infernal, Goddess of Dark, Quiet and Frightful One, O You who have Your Meal amid the Graves, Night, Darkness, Broad Chaos: Necessity Hard to escape are You; You're Moira and Erinys, Torment, Justice and Destroyer, And You keep Kerberos in Chains, with Scales Of Serpents are You dark, O You with Hair Of Serpents, Serpent-girded, who drink Blood, Who bring Death and Destruction, and who feast On Hearts, Flesh Eater, who devour Those Dead Untimely, and You who make Grief resound And spread Madness, come to my Sacrifices, And now for me do You fulfill this Matter." [Tr.: E. N. O'Neil]

For The Rite: For doing Good, offer Storax, , Sage, Frankincense, a Fruit Pit. But for doing , offer Magical Material of a Dog and a Dappled Goat (or in a similar way, of a Virgin Untimely Dead). Charm for The Rite: Take a Lodestone and on have carved a Three-faced Hekate. And let the Middle be that of a Maiden wearing Horns, and the Left Face of a Dog, and the One on the Right that of a Goat. the Carving is done, clean with Natron and Water, dip in the Blood of One who has died a Violent Death. make Food Offering to it and say the same Spell at time of the Ritual. [PGM IV.2785-2890].

Love Spell's Name, which becomes known to No One quickly, NEPHERIE'RI [i.e. Nfr-iry.t, "the beautiful eye", an for Aphrodite/Hathor] - this is the Name. If you to win a Woman who is beautiful, be Pure for 3 days, an offering of Frankincense, and call this Name over . You approach the Woman and say it seven times in Soul as you gaze at her, and in this way it will . But do this for 7 days. [PGM IV.1265-74].

To be Able to Eat Garlic and Not Stink Beetroots and eat them. [PGM VII.173].

To Let Those Who Have Difficulty Intermingling [i.e. Socializing] Perform Well Gum mixed with Wine and Honey to be smeared on the . [PGM VII.179-80].

To be Able to Drink a Lot and Not Get Drunk a baked Pig's Lung. [PGM VII.181].

To be Able to Copulate a Lot up fifty Tiny Pinecones with 2 ozs. of Sweet Wine two Pepper Grains and drink it. [PGM VII.184-5].

To Get an Erection When You Want up a Pepper with some Honey and coat your Thing. [PGM VII.186].

Love Salve. . . Hawk's Dung; Salt, Reed, Bele Plant. Pound . Anoint your Phallus with it and lie with the . If it is dry, you should pound a little of it Wine, anoint your Phallus with it, and lie with the . Very Good. [PDM xiv.1155-62]

E C L O G A E X P A P Y R I S M A G I C I S

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E C L O G A E X P A P Y R I S M A G I C I S
a Johanne Opsopoeo Liber I
* * * Selections from Magical Papyri by John Opsopaus

Book I Shall we write about the things not to be spoken of? Shall we divulge the things not to be divulged? Shall we pronounce the things not to be pronounced? - Julian, Hymn to the Mother of the Gods

INTRODUCTION of the Magical Papyri Although most of the magical papyri were discovered Egypt the nineteenth century and brought together as of the Anastasi Collection, they were not completely until 1925. In fact, the first complete into English had to wait until 1986 (Betz). is quite likely that many of the papyri come from a source, perhaps a tomb or temple library, and it commonly supposed that they were collected by a Theban . In any case, they are one of the best sources Greco-Egyptian magic and religion, comparable to the scrolls for Judaism and the Nag Hamadi library for . We are extremely lucky that they have , since magical books and scrolls were often burned (Acts 19:19; but not just by the : Augustus ordered 2000 to be burned). Here are the translations of a few spells, prayers, . that I thought might be useful or interesting.

The in [brackets] following each indicates the (PGM = Papyri Graecae Magicae, PDM = P. M.), the papyrus number and the lines where the can be found. The source for these translations is Dieter Betz (ed.), The Greek Magical Papyri in Including the Demotic Spells, Chicago: The of Chicago Press, 1986. The spells, prayers, etc. are organized by category: I. Protection II. Divination and Visions III. Self-Improvement IV. Health and Healing V. Craft VI. Miscellaneousof Magical Names In general, most of the "voces magicae" (magical)are written in Old Coptic, which used Greek , so you will do best if you think Greek. Thus, Y between English "u" and "y", something like German "u". Pronounce CH as in German "ach" or Scotch "loch". The symbol E' represents eta, so pronounce like long "a"; O' represents omega, so pronounce like a long "o". The diphthong "OU" is pronounced like English "oo". symbols PH (phi) and TH (theta) probably should be "p" and "t", but may have been pronounced like "f" and "th" by the time the papyri were written. The symbol "NN" in a spell means "fill in the blank," with the name of the one on whose behalf the is cast (thus, "NN" or "the NN man"), or with the or problem to which the spell is addressed (thus, "the NN matter").

Restraining Spellon a Tin Lamella with a Bronze Stylus before the Names "CHRE'MILLON MOULOCH KAMPY CHRE' 'PHTHO' MASKELLI (formula) ERE'KISIPHTHE' IABEZEBYTH." throw it into River or into Sea before Sunrise. write on it, with the others, these Characters: "[six symbols, see below] Mighty Gods, restrain (add the , whatever you wish)." [PGM VII.417-22]

[The six symbols are:
(1) an X in a circle;
(2) a capital E; <BBR>(3) a Z with a small circle at the of each line segment (four in all);
(4) draw a E on its side with the legs pointing down, add leftward pointing feet to the first two legs, add upward tick marks from the back between the second third legs, extend the back to the left a little, and first leg up a little to make a backwards L at the left corner, extend this upward from the left end to a small |_| sign, then write a tiny U nested inside;
(5) an X with a small circle on the end of the right leg;
(6) a small epsilon or set membership sign.].

Indispensable Invisibility Spell - Fat or an Eye of a Nightowl and a Ball of Dung by a Beetle and Oil of an Unripe Olive and grind all together until smooth, and smear your Whole Body it and say to Helios: "I adjure You by Your Great , BORKE' PHOIOUR IO' ZIZIA APARXEOUCH THYTHE LAILAM IIIII OOOO IEO' IEO' IEO' IEO' IEO' IEO' IEO' AI AI AEO' AEO' E'AO'!" And moisten It and say in : "Make me Invisible, Lord Helios, AEO' O'AE' ' E'AO', in the Presence of Any Man until Sunset, IO' ' O' PHRIXRIZO' EO'A!" [PGM I.222-31]

Request for a Dream Oraclea - Strip of Clean Linen and write on it the following . Roll it up to make a Wick, pour Pure Olive Oil it and light it.Formula to be written is this: "HARMIOUTH LAILAM 'OUCH ARSENOPHRE' PHRE'U PHTHA HARCHENTECHTHA."the Evening then, when you are about to go to Sleep, Pure in every respect, do this: Go to the Lamp, 7 times the following Formula, extinguish the Light go to Sleep.Formula to be spoken is as follows: "SACHMOUNE [i.e., Sakhmet] PAE'MALIGOTE'RE'E'NCH, the One who , who Thunders, who has Swallowed the Serpent, the Moon, and Hour by Hour Raises the Disk of Sun, CHTHETHO'NI is Your Name. I ask You, Lords of Gods, SE'TH CHRE'PS: reveal to me concerning the I wish." [PGM VII.359-69].

Saucer Divination of Aphrodite - kept oneself Pure for 7 days, take a White Saucer, It with Water and Olive Oil, having previously on Its Base with Myrrh Ink: "E'IOCH CHIPHA 'R ZE'L A E E' I O Y O'" (25 letters [in Greek]); beneath the Base, on the outside: "TACHIE'L ' DRAXO'" (18 letters). Wax over with White Wax. the outside of the Rim at the Top: "IERMI PHILO' 6 'MA DERKO' MALO'K GAULE' APHRIE'L I ask" (say it 3 ). Let It rest on the Floor and looking intently at , say "I call upon You, the Mother and Mistress of , ILAOCH OBRIE' LOUCH TLOR; Come in, Holy Light, give Answer, showing Your Lovely Shape!"look intently at the Bowl. When you see Her, Her and say, "Hail, Very Glorious Goddess, ILARA . And if You give me a Response, extend Your Hand." when She extends It, expect Answers to your Inquiry.if She does not listen, say, "I call upon the ILAOUCH has begotten Himeros, the Lovely Horai and You ; I also call upon the Zeus-sprung Physis [Nature] All Things, two-formed, indivisible, straight, foam-Aphrodite. Reveal to me Your Lovely Light and Lovely Face, O Mistress ILAOUCH. I conjure You, of Fire, by ELGINAL, and by the Great Names 'TYCH KERDYNOUCHILE'PSIN NIOU NAUNIN IOUTHOU THRIGX GERTIATH GERGERIS GERGERIE' THEITHI. I also ask by the All Wonderful Names, OISIA EI EI AO' E'Y AAO' 'IAIAIO' SO'THOU BERBROI AKTEROBORE GERIE' IE'OYA; me Light and Your Lovely Face and the True Saucer , You shining with Fire, bearing Fire all , stirring the Land from afar, IO' IO' PHTHAIE' PHAEPHI. Do it!": having kept yourself Pure, as you learned, a Bronze Drinking Cup, and write with Myrrh Ink the inscribed Stele [charm or amulet] which calls Aphrodite, and use the untouched Olive Oil and clean Water. Put the Drinking Cup on your Knees and over it the Stele mentioned above, and the Goddess appear to you and will reveal concerning what Things wish. [PGM IV.3209-54]

III. SELF-IMPROVEMENT. Memory Spell Hieratic Papyrus and write the Prescribed Names with Myrrh Ink. And once you have written them as are prescribed, wash them off into Spring Water from springs and drink the Water on an empty stomach for days while the Moon is in the East.is the Writing on the strip of papyrus: "KAMBRE' SIXIO'PHI HARPON CHNOUPHI BRIONTATE'NO'PHRI-ARAOUAZAR BAMESEN KRIPHI NIPTOUMI CHMOUMAO'PH 'PHI ARTO'SE BIBIOU BIBIOU SPHE' SPHE' NOUSI NOUSI ' SIEGO' NOUCHA NOUCHA LINOUCHA LINOUCHA CHYCHBA KAXIO' CHYCHBA DE'TOPHO'TH II AA OO YY E'E' EE 'O'." After doing these things wash the Writing off and as is prescribed.is also the composition of the Ink: Myrrh , 4 drams; 3 Karian Figs, 7 pits of Nikolaus , 7 dried Pinecones, 7 piths of the single-stemmed , 7 wings of the Hermaic Ibis, Spring Water. you have burned the Ingredients, prepare them and . [PGM I.232-47] .

Another Memory Spell - a Silver Tablet and engrave it [with the Uzait Horu, "Sacred Eye of Horus"] after the God [i.e., Helios, sun] sets. Take Cow's Milk and pour it [or, perhaps, it]. Put down [into?] a Clean Vessel and place the under [it]; add Barley Meal, mix and form Bread: Rolls in the Shape of Female Figures. Say [the ] three times, eat [the rolls] on an Empty , and you will know The Power.[The formula]: "BORKA BORKA PHRIX PHRIX RIX O' . . . AMIXAG OUCH THIP LAI LAI LAMLAI LAI LAM MAIL IIIY E'I AI O'O'O'O'O'O'O' MOUMOU O'YIO' NAK NAK LAINLIMM LAILAM AEDA . . . LAILAM AE'O O'AE' O'AE' 'OA' AO'E' E'O'A O'E'A, enter, Master, into my Mind, and me Memory, MMM E'E'E' MTHPH!"this monthly, facing the Moon, on the First Day [of month]. Prostrate yourself before the Goddess [i.e., , the moon], and wear the Tablet as an Amulet. [PGM III.410-23].

Spell for Strength - "PHNOUNEBEE' (2 times), give me Your Strength, IO' , give me Your Strength, for I am ABRASAX!" Say 7 times while holding your two Thumbs. [PGM LXIX.1-3]. Your Great Name, for Favor"Everyone fears Your Great Might. Grant me the Good : The Strength of AKRYSKYLOS, the Speech of 'NOS, the Eyes of Solomon, the Voice of ABRASAX, the of ADO'NIOS, the God. Come to me, Kypris, every ! The Hidden Name bestowed to You: THOATHOE'THATHO-'USTHOAITHITHE'THOINTHO'; grant me Victory, , Beauty toward all Men and all Women!" [PGM .1-16].

A Contraceptive - the Only One in the World as many Bittervetch Seeds as you want for the Number Years you wish to remain Sterile. Steep them in the of a Menstruating Woman. Let them steep in her Genitals. And take a Frog that is alive and throw Bittervetch Seeds into its Mouth so that the Frog them, and release the Frog alive at the place you captured him. And take a Seed of Henbane, it in Mare's Milk; and take the Nasal Mucus of a , with Grains of Barley, put these into a Leather Skin from a Fawn and on the outside bind it up with Skin, and attach it as an Amulet during the of the Moon in a Female Sign of the Zodiac on a of Kronos or Hermes [i.e., Saturn or Mercury]. Mix also, with the Barley Grains, Cerumen from the Ear of Mule. [PGM XXXVI.320-32].

A Prescription to Stop Blood - of "Great-Nile" Plant together with Beer; you make the Woman drink it at Dawn before she has . It stops. [PDM xiv.953-5]. The Way to Know it of a Woman Whether She will be should make the Woman urinate on this Plant, above [i.e., "Great-Nile" plant], at Night. When Morning , if you find the Plant scorched, she will not . If you find it green, she will conceive. [PDM .956-60]

V. CRAFT. Spell for Picking a Plant it before Sunrise. The Spell to be spoken: "I am you, such and such a plant, with my Five-fingered , I, NN, and I am bringing you home so that you may for me for a Certain Purpose. I adjure you by the Name of the God: if you pay no Heed to me, the which produced you will no longer be watered as far you are concerned - ever in Life again, if I fail in Operation, MOUTHABAR NACH BARNACHO'CHA BRAEO' MENDA PHASPHA BENDEO'; fulfil for me the Perfect !" [PGM IV.286-95].

To be Able to Eat Garlic and Not Stink Beetroots and eat them. [PGM VII.173].

To Let Those Who Have Difficulty Intermingling [i.e. Socializing] Perform Well Gum mixed with Wine and Honey to be smeared on the . [PGM VII.179-80].

To be Able to Drink a Lot and Not Get Drunk a baked Pig's Lung. [PGM VII.181].

To be Able to Copulate a Lot up fifty Tiny Pinecones with 2 ozs. of Sweet Wine two Pepper Grains and drink it. [PGM VII.184-5].

To Get an Erection When You Want up a Pepper with some Honey and coat your Thing. [PGM VII.186].

** FINIS ***

Hike
Other Names: Heka

Patron of: magic and medicine (though to the ancient Egyptians, they were one and the same).

Appearance: A man carrying a magic staff and a knife, the tools of a healer.

Description: Hike is the son of Khenmu and Menhit, though he is also said to be the eldest son of Atum (possibly due to Atum and Khenmu being associated with one another). Though he had no formal worship, his favor was beseeched by doctors and other healers, who were called "priests of Hike."

Bast
Other Names: Bastet, Ailuros

Patron of: the sun (originally), the moon (after the Greeks), cats, women, and secrets.

Appearance: A desert cat, or a woman with the head of a cat (this form possibly dates after the domestication of the Egyptian wild cat).

Description: Probably the most famous Egyptian goddess after Isis, Bast was said to be the daughter of Ra, though long after he created the primal gods. She was originally a sun goddess, but after contact with the Greeks, she changed to a moon goddess, probably due to the Greeks associating her with Artemis.

Like Artemis, Bast was a wild goddess. To those who were in her favor, she gave great blessings, but her wrath was legendary and she was sometimes listed as one of Ra's avenging deities who punish the sinful and the enemies of Egypt. This is of course in keeping with her totem animal, the cat. Cats were sacred to Bast, and to harm one was deemed a great transgression. Bast's importance in the Egyptian pantheon might be due to the great value placed on the domesticated cat by the Egyptians. Cats curtailed the spread of disease by killing vermin, and though the idea of microbes was unknown to the ancient Egyptians, they must have noticed the connection between rats and disease.

Her worship was widespread, and her cult apparently had a great deal of power. Bubastis was even the capital of Egypt for a time during the Late Period, and some pharaohs took her name in their king-names. Herodotus' description of her temple at Bubastis is that of a place of great splendor and beauty, rivaled only by the temples to Ra and Horus

Worship: Worshipped widely throughout Egypt, her cult center was at Bubastis.

Bast, Perfumed Protector, Cat Goddess...
by Caroline Seawright

Statue of Bast

Bast, Perfumed Protector, Cat Goddess...

In early times Bast (written as 'Bastet' by scribes in later times to emphasise that the 't' was to be pronounced) was a goddess with the head of a lion or a desert sand-cat and was regarded as mother of Mahes, a lion-headed god. She was usually depicted as a cat, or as a woman with the head of a cat or lion. She was also connected to Hathor, Sekhmet, Tefnut, Atum (her father) and Mut. It was only in the New Kingdom that she gained the head of a house cat and became a much more 'friendly' goddess, though she was still depicted as a lion-headed woman to show her war-like side. As with Hathor, Bast is often seen carrying a sistrum.

Her name has the hieroglyph of a 'bas'-jar with the feminine ending of 't'. These jars were heavy perfume jars, often filled with expensive perfumes - they were very valuable in Egypt, considering the Egyptian need (with the hot weather) of makeup, bathing, hygiene and (of course) perfume. Bast, by her name, seems to be related to perfumes in some way. Her son Nefertem, a solar god, was a god of perfumes and alchemy, which supports the theory.

Now there is some confusion over Bast and Sekhmet. She was also considered to be the mother of Nefertem, as were a few other goddesses! Sekhmet was given the title the 'Eye of Ra' when she was in her protector form... but Bast and Sekhmet are not the same goddess (unlike Hathor who becomes Sekhmet as the 'Eye of Ra'). This all gives rise to a lot of confusion about these goddesses. Bast and Sekhmet were another example of Egyptian duality - Sekhmet was a goddess of Upper Egypt, Bast of Lower Egypt (just like the pharaoh was of Upper and/or Lower Egypt!)... and they were linked together by geography, not by myth or legend. These two feline goddesses were not related by family, they were both very distinct goddesses in their own rights.

She was one of the older goddesses, mentioned in the Book of the Dead (this was a selection of spells, rather than an actual book):

The Chapter of the Deification of the Members (From the Pyramid of Pepi I)
The breast of this Meri-Ra is the breast of Bast; he cometh forth therefore and ascendeth into heaven.

Rubric

If this Chapter be known by the deceased upon earth, he shall become like unto Thoth, and he shall be adored by those who live. He shall not fall headlong at the moment of the intensity of the royal flame of the goddess Bast, and the Great Prince shall make him to advance happily.

Even from very old times, as protector, Bast was seen as the fierce flame of the sun who burned the deceased should they fail one of the many tests in the underworld.

Some of Bast's festivals included the 'Procession of Bast', 'Bast appears to Ra', the 'Festival of Bast', 'Bast Goes Forth from Bubastis' and 'Bast guards the Two Lands'. There was even a 'Festival of Hathor and Bast', showing the connection between the two goddesses.

Herodotus describes the 'Festival of Bast' where thousands of men and women travelled on boats, partying like crazy. They had music, singing, clapping and dancing. When they passed towns, the women would call out dirty jokes to the shore-bound, often flashing the townsfolk by lifting up their skirts over their heads! When they reached Bubastis, they made their sacrificies of various animals, and drank as much wine as they could stomach. No wonder it was such a popular festival!!

When the people are on their way to Bubastis, they go by river, a great number in every boat, men and women together. Some of the women make a noise with rattles, others play flutes all the way, while the rest of the women, and the men, sing and clap their hands. As they travel by river to Bubastis, whenever they come near any other town they bring their boat near the bank; then some of the women do as I have said, while some shout mockery of the women of the town; others dance, and others stand up and lift their skirts. They do this whenever they come alongside any riverside town. But when they have reached Bubastis, they make a festival with great sacrifices, and more wine is drunk at this feast than in the whole year besides. It is customary for men and women (but not children) to assemble there to the number of seven hundred thousand, as the people of the place say.
-- Herodotus, Histories Book II Chap 60

Her cult centre was in Bubastis (the temple is now in ruins, but it was made of red granite with a sacred grove in the centre, with the shrine of the goddess herself... it was also full of cats). She was also worshiped all over Lower Egypt.

Sekhmet
Patron of: divine retribution, vengeance, and conquest.

Appearance: a woman with the head of a lioness.

Description: Sekhmet means "The Mighty One," and she was one of the most powerful of the gods and goddesses. She was the goddess who meted out divine punishment to the enemies of the gods and of the pharaoh. In this capacity she was called the "Eye of Ra." She also accompanied the pharaoh into battle, launching fiery arrows into battle ahead of him. Sekhmet could also send plagues and disease against her enemies, but was sometimes invoked to avoid plague and cure disease.

Sekhmet's capacity for destruction is well-documented. In one story, Ra sends her to punish those mortals who have forgotten him and she ends up nearly destroying the entire human race. Only the cleverness of Ra stops her rampage before it consumes every living thing.

Worship: Worshipped as part of a triad made up of herself, her husband Ptah and their eldest child Nefertem, her cult center was at Memphis.

Sekhmet, Powerful One, Sun Goddess, Destructor...
by Caroline Seawright

Sekhmet, Powerful One, Sun Goddess, Destructor...

"The good god, the lord of action, Neb-Ma'at-Ra [Amenhotep III], Beloved of Sekhmet, the Mistress of Dread, who gives life eternally. The son of the God Ra of His own body, Amenhotep, ruler of Thebes, Beloved of Sekhmet, the Mistress of Dread, Who gives life eternally."
-- Inscription on a statue of Sekhmet

The lion-headed goddess Sekhmet (Sakhmet, Sekhet) was a member of the Memphite Triad, thought to be the wife of Ptah and mother of Nefertem (though the motherhood of Nefertem was in dispute - Bast and Wadjet were touted as his mother in their respective cities). Associated with war and retribution, she was said to use arrows to pierce her enemies with fire, her breath being the hot desert wind as her body took on the glare of the midday sun. She represented the destructive force of the sun.
According to the legends, she came into being when Hathor was sent to earth by Ra to take vengeance on man. She was the one who slaughtered mankind and drank their blood, only being stopped by trickery (this story can be found under Hathor's story). She was, thus, the destructive side of the sun, and a solar goddess and given the title Eye of Ra.

Being mother of Nefertem, who himself was a healing god, gives her a more protective side that manifested itself in her aspect of goddess of healing and surgery. Part of her destruction side was also disease and plague, as the 'Lady of Pestilence'... but she could also cure said ailments. The priests of Sekhmet were specialists in the field of medicine, arts linked to ritual and magic. They were also trained surgeons of remarkable caliber. Pharaoh Amenhotep III had many statues of Sekhmet, and it has been theorized that this was because he dental and health problems that he hoped the goddess may cure.

Hundreds of Amenhotep's Sekhmet statues were found in the Theban temple precinct of the goddess Mut at South Karnak. The statues may have been made for the king's funerary temple on the West Bank of the Nile and may have been dispersed to other sites at Thebes and elsewhere beginning with the reign of Ramesses II.
Sekhmet was depicted as a lion-headed woman with the sun disk and uraeus serpent headdress. Although she is connected with Bast, she has no relationship with the cat goddess. They are two distinct goddesses in their own rights - the Egyptians did not claim they were siblings of any kind. Bast and Sekhmet were an example of Egyptian duality - Sekhmet was a goddess of Upper Egypt, Bast of Lower Egypt (just like the pharaoh was of Upper and/or Lower Egypt!)... and they were linked together by geography, not by myth or legend.
Sekhmet was mentioned a number of times in the spells of the Book of the Dead:

The Chapter of Driving Back the Slaughters Which are Performed in Hensu
My belly and back are the belly and back of Sekhmet. My buttocks are the buttocks of the Eye of Horus.
The Chapter of Giving a Heart to the Osiris
May the goddess Sekhmet raise me, and lift me up. Let me ascend into heaven, let that which I command be performed in Het-ka-Ptah. I know how to use my heart. I am master of my heart-case. I am master of my hands and arms. I am master of my legs. I have the power to do that which my KA desireth to do. My Heart-soul shall not be kept a prisoner in my body at the gates of Amentet when I would go in in peace and come forth in peace.

The Osiris Whose Word is Truth
I have made supplication to the Khati gods and to Sekhmet in the temple of Net (Neith), or the Aged Ones ... I have approached with worship the two Khati gods and Sekhmet, who are in the temple of the Aged One [in Anu].

The Chapter of Opening the Mouth
I am the goddess Sekhmet, and I take my seat upon the place by the side of Amt-ur the great wind of heaven.

Her cult center was in Memphis, but during the New Kingdom when the seat of power shifted to Thebes, Sekhmet's powers were absorbed by Mut. Sekhmet was soon represented as Mut's aggressive side, rather than a goddess in her own right.

Isis
Other Names: None.

Patron of: women, mothers, children, magic, medicine, and the Ritual of Life.

Appearance: A beautiful woman in magnificent clothing, sometimes shown wearing the sun disk. She has almost no variant forms.

Description: Isis may be the oldest deity in Egypt, and certainly the oldest to survive the ages in much the same form. She may also be the most important, for although the other gods were worshipped widely, Isis was worshipped almost universally by all Egyptians. The major goddess of the Egyptian pantheon, she had many of the same attributes of other mother-goddesses found all over the world. She was revered as the great protector, prayed to for guidance, and beseeched for peace in the world. Temples to Isis are found everywhere in Egypt, some of them quite ancient, and many houses had shrines to her devotion. Her worship was taken up by the Greeks and the Romans, and indeed, Isis followers are still found today.

She was the daughter of Nut and Geb, the sister to Osiris, Set, and Nephthys, and the mother of Horus In earlier times she was not only the wife to Osiris, but his female counterpart, equal in all ways and powers. In the Legend of Osiris it is she who travels the world to find all the pieces of his body and it is she who brings him back to life with the aid of Thoth. But that is not the only time she is associated with Thoth. Together they taught man the secrets of magic, medicine, and agriculture. Her power is spoken of much in the ancient stories, and she may have been even more powerful than Ra and Osiris. She did after all trick Ra's secret name out of him to gain his power. Yet she is never shown as selfish or cruel, except to those who would harm those she loves. Power and compassion, crafty but merciful, Isis represents all the qualities of women.

Worship: Worshipped widely not only throughout Egypt but also much of the known world.

Isis, Sister of Nephthys, Mistress of Magic...
by Caroline Seawright

Isis, Sister of Nephthys, Mistress of Magic...

Unlike her twin sister Nephthys, Isis (Ast, Aset) is one of the most famous goddesses of ancient Egypt. Her worship originated in Africa, was nurtured and refined in Egypt, then spread through the ancient world by the Greek tourists the Romans conquerors, albeit in a different form with the original myths of the goddess long forgotten. Her fame quickly spread to all corners of the Roman empire. There was even a temple to Isis on the River Themes in Southwark, London!

The last recorded festival of Isis was held in Rome in 394 AD but it was one of the last of the old faiths to die out.
Isis was, of course, sister to Nephthys, and also to Osiris and Set, and mother of Horus. To the ancient Egyptians, she was all that a mother should be - loving, clever, loyal and brave. Many statues and images show Isis holding the infant Horus on her knee, suckling the young god. To the Egyptians, she was the purest example of the loving wife and mother, and that was how they worshiped her - and loved her - the most. In a culture where fertility was a sign of success and sexual attractiveness, it's no wonder that the Egyptians cherished the fruitful Isis.

She wasn't just a mother - Isis was also a great magician. She became one of the most powerful magicians in Egypt when she managed to trick Ra into revealing his secret name to her.

Thus when she wished to make Ra reveal to her his greatest and most secret name, she made a venomous reptile out of dust mixed with the spittle of the god, and by uttering over it certain words of power she made it to bite Ra as he passed. When she had succeeded in obtaining from the god his most hidden name, which he only revealed because he was on the point of death, she uttered words which had the effect of driving the poison out of his limbs, and Ra recovered. Now Isis not only used the words of power, but she also had knowledge of the way in which to pronounce them so that the beings or things to which they were addressed would be compelled to listen to them and, having listened, would be obliged to fulfil her bequests.
With her magical powers, she was able to bring her husband back to life, when he had been torn apart by his brother Set. She then fashioned a replacement for Osiris' missing penis, and blew life - with the appropriate magic words, intonations and rituals... and a little help from Thoth - back into husband. Sharing a night of passion, the deities conceived Horus and Osiris died again, and went on to become Lord of the Underworld.

But despite all of her magic, there were things that even she could not do without help.

Isis hid her son Horus in the papyri and lotus thickets of Chemmis, in the delta area of Lower Egypt. She knew that if Set ever found out about her son, he would kill him. She had to hide with her son, and watch over him, day and night.

Even though she was a goddess, and a great magician, she still had to leave the safety of the thickets to beg for food. On one of her trips, Set found out where the mother and child were hiding. Knowing that Isis would be gone for a while, he transformed himself into a snake and reached the child unseen. Biting the young god, shooting poison through his body, Set then made a quick getaway.

Returning to the thicket, Isis found Horus lying lifeless on his back. She could hardly hear his heartbeat. Not knowing what sort of illness affected her song, she tried to work her great magics, but her powers had deserted her. She was alone, her husband was head and none of the gods were there to help her. Despairing, she took Horus in her arms and ran to the nearby village. The fishermen of the village took pity on her, and did their best to try to cure her son, to no avail. A wise woman examined the child, who told the goddess that it had been Set, disguised as either a snake or a scorpion, who poisoned him. Realising that the woman was right, Isis became angry.

She let out a great wail:
'Horus has been bitten!
O Re! a scion of yours has been bitten!
Horus has been bitten!
The heir to your heir, a direct link with the kingship of Shu,
Horus has been bitten!
The babe of Chemmis, the infant of the House of the Prince,
Horus has been bitten!
The beautiful golden child, the innocent orphan child
Horus has been bitten!
The son of the "Beneficent Being", born of the "Tearful One",
Horus has been bitten!
Him I watched over so anxiously, for I foresaw that he would avenge his father....'

Nephthys heard Isis' cries, and came in her bird form of a kite, flying to the mashes, "Pray, tell what has happened to Horus the son of Osiris? Ah Isis, my sister! Beseech heaven and the divine crew will bring Ra's boat to a standstill and the cosmic wind will cease to blow for the boat of Ra while Horus lies on his side."

Raising her voice, she cried to the Boat of a Million Years with a cry so great that it stopped the sun boat in its course and shook the earth, because Isis knew the secret name of Ra. Looking down at the grieving goddess, Ra sent Thoth to find out what happened. When he heard, Thoth consoled the goddess:

"What is the matter, O Isis, you who are so divine and skilful and know your spell? Surely nothing has gone amiss with Horus? An assurance of his safety is in the boat of Ra. I have just come from the barge. The sun is in its place of yesterday so that all has become dark and the light has been driven away until Horus recovers his health - to the delight of his mother Isis."
Thus it was that Thoth worked great magic and the poison was driven out of Horus' body, bringing the baby back to life again, to the delight of his mother.

Thoth then ordered the people of the marshes and all birds and animals who lived there to keep watch over them. Their life in the delta was still hard, but they stayed until Horus was old enough to have revenge on his uncle for the death of his father.

Her heavenly symbol was the star Sept (Sirius), the star that marked the beginning of not only the Egyptian new year, and the season for inundation of the Nile, but also the arrival of spring. It was a sign of renewed wealth and prosperity for the whole country.

During her history, Isis was a goddess up took on the attributes of the other goddesses (including Nekhebet, Uatchet, Ma'at, Bast and Hathor), even from a very early stage in Egyptian history. As such, she became a goddess of limitless attributes, a goddess of water, earth, corn, star, wind, motherhood and a goddess of the underworld. She, along with her twin, was both a goddess of mourning and a friend of the dead, and a patron goddess of childbirth and motherhood.

Isis was a winged goddess who represented all that was visible, birth, growth, development and vigour. Having wings, she was a wind goddess (as was her sister). She travelled widely, moaned and cried loud enough to shake the heavens and used her wings to blow life into her husband. The kite was sacred to her, and she could transform herself into this bird at will. She brought the heavenly scent with her through the land, leaving lingering scenes of spices and flowers her wake. She brought fresh air with her into the underworld when she gave food to the dead. She represented both the life-giving spring winds of Egypt and the morning winds that hailed the arrival of the sun each day.

Some of her many specific titles included:

The Great Lady
The God-Mother
Lady of Re-a-nefer
Isis-Nebuut, lady of Sekhet
Lady of Besitet
Isis in Per Pakht
The Queen of Mesen
Isis of Ta-at-nehepet
Isis, Dweller in Netru
Isis, Lady of Hebet
Isis in P-she-Hert
Isis, lady of Khebt
Usert-Isis, Giver of Life
Lady of Abaton
Lady of Philae
Lady of the Countries of the South
Among her general titles may be mentioned those of "the divine one, the only one, the greatest of the gods and goddesses, the queen of all gods, the female Ra, the female Horus, the eye of Ra, the crown of Ra-Heru, Sept, opener of the year, lady of the New Year, maker of the sunrise, lady of heaven, the light-giver of heaven, lady of the North Wind, queen of the earth, most mighty one, queen of the South and North, lady of the solid earth, lady of warmth and fire, benefactress of the Tuat, she who is greatly feared in the Tuat, the God-mother, the God-mother of Heru-ka-nekht, the mother of the Horus of gold, the lady of life, lady of green crops, the green goddess (Uatchet), lady of bread, lady of beer, lady of abundance, lady of joy and gladness, lady of love, the maker of kings, lady of the Great House, lady of the House of fire, the beautiful goddess, the lady of words of power, lady of the shuttle, daughter of Seb, daughter of Neb-er-tcher, the child of Nut, wife of Ra, wife of the lord of the abyss, wife of the lord of the Inundation, the creatrix of the Nile flood."

Isis's name comes from the hieroglyph of the throne with a female ending reading "Mistress of the Throne" (Osiris also has the throne in his name, meaning "Occupier of the Throne"). Originally it was the symbol for 'flesh', reading "Mistress of Flesh". Not only did her name suggest that she was Queen of the Gods, but that she had also once been a mortal woman. In Egyptian art and myth, she has been depicted as both human and divine. She was represented as a goddess with the headdress of a miniature throne. Later on, she took on the aspects of Hathor, and took on the bovine goddess' headdress of cow's horns with the sun disk between them. As a human woman, she was shown with a queen's headdress, with the uraeus on her forehead.

Her cult originated at Per-hebet, and spread over the whole of Egypt and beyond. Ancient Egyptian festivals for Isis included 'The Festival of Isis', 'The Birthday of Isis', 'The Marriage of Isis and Osiris', 'The Feast of Lights of Isis', 'The Lamentations of Isis and Nephthys for Osiris', 'Isis Seeks the Body of Osiris', 'Isis Rejoices as She Finds Osiris' and 'The Birth of Horus, Child of Isis'. Originally, she was a black goddess, identifying her as of African origin.

Exploring Isis

By Catherine C. Harris

The Egyptian goddess Isis is one of the most important goddesses of ancient Egypt, and she remains one of the most well known goddesses of this age. Isis is most well known for her role as devoted wife and mother. In the Osiris legend we can see the reasoning behind this pattern of thought.

Isis is one of the five children of Nut, the sky goddess. When Isis was very young, she was determined to increase her powers. In order to do so, she would have to get the secret name out from Ra. Isis was clever and used Ra's own saliva to create an invisible snake that bit him. Thus Ra was poisoned and could not heal himself because he didn't know the nature of the wound. Ra was weak and near the end of his reign, and Isis took advantage of him. Isis offered to heal Ra if he would tell her his secret name. Faced with death from the unknown wound, Ra told Isis the name and in doing so he transferred his knowledge and power to her.

Isis later married Osiris, and together they ruled over Egypt. Due to Set's jealousy over the throne, Osiris was tricked into climbing in a box. Once he was inside the box, the lid was slammed closed and nailed shut. The box was then covered with melted lead and thrown into the Nile. Isis was furious and grieved for her husband.

Eventually, word reached Isis that Osiris was found in Byblos. Isis traveled to Byblos where she used the magic taught to her by Thoth to bring her husband back to life long enough to conceive a child by him. She hid on the island until she gave birth to her son, Horus.

While Isis was away one day, Set found the body of Osiris. He had the body cut into 14 pieces and had them scattered throughout Egypt. Isis returned and was grief stricken. Isis began her search for the body parts of her beloved Osiris. She found all of the pieces except for his manhood, which had been eaten by a crab. With help from several other deities, Isis performed the needed magic to rejoin the body parts of her departed husband, Osiris. Isis performed the Rite of Rebirth in order to give Osiris eternal life, at which time Osiris ascended to the immortal world.

Isis stayed in hiding with Horus as he grew and trained. She knew he would need to be strong to regain control of the throne, which was rightfully his. Isis exposed Horus to wild animals and scorpion bites in an effort to give him strength. Each time he was attacked or poisoned he was protected. Osiris, his father, came down to teach him weaponry.

Eventually, Horus challenged Set for the throne of Egypt. Horus went before the elder gods and petitioned for them to appoint him the rightful ruler. Set tried to convince everyone that Horus was not strong enough to rule. Despite the World Mother's declaration that Horus was indeed the rightful heir the tribunal sided with Set. Isis struck fear into the tribunal by putting curses on everyone.

The tribunal was moved to an island that was thought to be out of the reach of Isis. Isis would not be thwarted, however, and bribed the ferryman to take her to the island. Once there she disguised herself as a young and beautiful maiden. She trapped Set into saying that her son was the rightful heir to the throne. Once Set realized what he had done he returned to tell the tribunal.

Set demanded that the matter be settled by combat between himself and Horus. The two men dove into the Nile to see which one could hold his breath the longest. Isis became so concerned for her son Horus that she threw a magical spear into the water. It struck Horus by mistake, and he emerged for his mother to remove the spear. Isis again threw the spear into the water, and this time it hit Set. Set emerged from the water, as Horus had done, for Isis to remove the spear. Horus was so enraged at his mother's interference that he lashed out at her with the spear and chopped her head off. The god Thoth replaced Isis' head with that of a cow. In the end, after much turmoil, Horus was named the rightful heir. Set would never accept it and continued to be a thorn in their sides.

The Egyptian goddess Isis is one of the goddesses that stood the test of time. Isis is the Greek form of more ancient Egyptian names, and the name Isis is associated with the word for "throne." Originally, Isis was known as Aset, or Eset. Isis is worshipped today, just as she has been for thousands of years, as the Lady of Heaven, The Great Enchantress, Goddess of Magic, The Goddess of Love and War, the Giver of Life, Queen of the Gods, and Goddess of Marriage and Protection.

Isis was able to give the gift of immortality. For this reason, she is often portrayed wearing or carrying an Ankh. The Ankh is an ancient symbol for eternal life. The symbol is similar to that of a cross, but it has a looped top. Isis is sometimes seen wearing horns and a solar disk atop her head. She is sometimes pictured with wings. Isis is occasionally shown with a cow's head or with the sign of a throne on her head.

Isis is one of the only winged deities in Egyptian myth. She is sometimes representative of the wind, as in the legend of Osiris. One version of the legend tells of Isis using her wings to fill Osiris' mouth and nose with air. For those people who recognize Isis as a force at work in their life; the wind takes on a magical face. The simple act of walking outside on a windy day brings about a refreshing of the soul.

Isis is viewed as the protector and patron of women. Isis guided women in childbirth, marriage, and in the loss of loved ones. She has the qualities that endear her to women of all ages. Isis is full of compassion, tenderness, love and devotion. Isis is the Great Mother Goddess.

As a divine healer, Isis shared the secrets of healing and preparation of medical potions to her priestesses. Isis is also credited for bringing us the secrets of law and agriculture. If you ask anyone that esteems Isis to the role of goddess in this present age; you will surely hear them proclaim that Isis holds life in here hands. Isis, with her ability to breathe life into something once dead, is worshipped today as she has for centuries.

There are ways to bring the goddess Isis into everyday life. Her colors are white, gold, and cobalt blue. Many view these as the colors of royalty and comfort. The gems and stones equated with Isis are pearl, coral, lapis, geodes, and moonstone. Wearing jewelry with these stones embedded is just one way to bring the goddess near. Fragrances of the goddess are myrrh, rose, iris, and eucalyptus. Candles and essential oils are useful in bringing the fragrance of Isis into the home.

Isis is the Mistress of all elements, and she is a powerful wind that blows constant. Isis is the ‘Goddess of Countless Names,�?and she will continue to make her presence known.

Isis and the serpents share a long history. In the beginning, the word for "deity" was composed of the god or goddess's name and the small image of a snake, most likely a cobra. There is some speculation that the pharaohs of Egypt were ritually sacrificed at the end of their term, and that the Sed festival, or jubilee, was originally the moment of truth for the pharaoh, who would celebrate his reign and then accept the bite of a poisonous asp.
While direct evidence for this practice is scanty now, it is interesting that Cleopatra chose this method to end her own life when she believed that it was futile for her to attempt to continue her rule of Egypt. Cleopatra, no matter how we interpret her in modern times, was a rarity among the Ptolemaic rulers. She studied ancient Egyptian and was proud to be a priestess of Isis. There is some evidence that the priesthood of Isis made a bargain with Julius Caesar to support her claim to the throne of Egypt. Did she know something we don't about the practice of ritual royal suicide in previous times?

In myth, we have an echo of this practice in the story of Isis and Ra. In this story, Ra is old, so decrepit that as he goes on his daily travels, his spittle dribbles onto the ground. The needs of humankind are neglected; the universe itself is fraying a bit due to the inability of the solar power to maintain order.

Isis, a magician, a wise woman, is distressed by this state of affairs. She looks at the neglected fields, scorched by accident by Ra. She looks at the dried bed of the Nile, evaporated by Ra in a frenzy of heat. She looks at the parched, sunburned skin of the human people of earth, the dried-up breasts of mothers whose babes cried unsatisfied, at the dehydrated animals, dying in their tracks as they quested for water. She looks at the rainclouds far away whose moisture would not even reach the ground before it was burned away by Ra's mad power. With one word, he can set all right again. But he will not speak the world. His bones are old, he likes the heat. His eyes are growing dim, and he needs his own great blaze of light to let him see. He will not speak the word.

Isis, a magician, a wise woman, a daughter of Ra, conceives a desperate plan. She knows the art of image magic, and can create life out of inanimate objects. But for the supremely immune Ra to be affected by her arts, the image must have something of him in it. One day, Isis follows after Ra and gathers the earth that he has moistened with himself. She fashions from it an image of a small snake, the very toxic dart, and brings it to life.

Isis lays the snake in his accustomed path, with the instruction to bite Ra as he passes. This he does, and the snake springs up and clamps its fangs into the divine flesh. Ra, surprised, makes his way back to his abode, where a tremendous fever takes him. He shudders in his limbs, he cannot believe the virulent poison can be harming him, Lord of the Gods. His own fire should be sufficient to burn away any other, but it is not. He has control over all the things of the universe, but not this one. Too delirious to even begin to find out why this creature's poison can harm him, he welcomes Isis, who rushes in, to apparently comfort him.

"Oh, my father, what is it? What causes you so much pain?" "I wandered today and was bitten -bitten by a snake!" "But father, how can the venom of a mere snake harm you, who rules all beasts?"

"Daughter, I do not know ---AHHH! The pain! It burns me! I burn from within like fire! Heal me!" Isis goes through the motions of healing him, but it is useless, as she well knows. "Father, I cannot heal you. The power of the poison is too strong!" "What am I to do! What am I to do! I cannot bear it!" "There is one thing that might work, father. Give me your name. In your name I may be able to command the fire to cease." "Unnnnngh....I am the Lord of Light, the Power of Fire...." "Yes, yes, everybody knows those. Those aren't working. Give me your name, your one true name." "AAHAHHAGH! No....not my true name -...not even to you, my daughter....AHHAHGH!" "Give me your name, father! Your one true name, your one secret name, the name before all other names, give it to me that I may save you!" "Ahhhhh...... aaaaa ....all right......my daughter.....come close......AHHH....."

Isis leans her ear to her father's mouth. He speaks syllables to her. She straightens up in disgust. "Father, if you do not give me your true name, you will die of this burning. Don't play games with me, Isis of the Words of Power. I'll know the true name when I hear it. That's not it." "AHHHHHHGHHGHHGHG! I will tell it! I will tell it!" Isis leans in. She hears the mystical syllables, and this time, she rises up, satisfied. "What are you waiting for! Now heal me, daughter! Heal me!" Isis speaks the words, the syllables of Ra's one true name. The poison flees his limbs, the sweat dries on his brow, he lies back in relief, free. "Now, daughter, speak the words back to me, give me back my one true name, my one secret name." "Father, one day I may need to heal you again. If you have lost all consciousness, how could you tell it to me then? No, I will keep this word." And Isis left her father's bedside. She went and stood alone in the sunlight. She looks at the neglected fields, scorched by accident by Ra. She looks at the dried bed of the Nile, evaporated by Ra in a frenzy of heat. She looks at the parched, sunburned skin of the human people of earth, the dried-up breasts of mothers whose babes cried unsatisfied, at the dehydrated animals, dying in their tracks as they quested for water. She looks at the rainclouds far away whose moisture would not even reach the ground before it was burned away by Ra's mad power. Isis says the Word, and the Word is good.

So Isis has been associated with snakes from apparently the very beginning of her career as a goddess. In Egypt, her images often include the snake, especially the cobra. The cobra is often depicted on the base of the crown of Isis. The sacred uraeus, which, when worn by queens, indicates their identification with the divine, is a near- constant companion. In images from the Graeco-Roman era, priestesses are depicted carrying serpents in procession. Serpents entwine around surviving altars, or rise up around the body of Osiris.

Even in ancient Egypt, the symbol of the snake indicates power, sometimes referred to as the "flame". Many of the representations of snakes in conjunction with Isis are symbols of what we sometimes call "Kundalini" - the serpent line band of energy that connects our power centers together.

One of the most important forms of Isis as snake goddess is that of Thermouthis, the serpent goddess of the fields, often represented as a cobra crowned with the headdress of Isis.

Isis and Wadjet

Isis is the Throne goddess, wearing the seat of power as her symbol. The other throne-related symbol is that of the Wadjet, which refers to the goddess of that name and to the flaming serpent protecting the throne. It's natural that Isis would also be associated with the protective force of the throne.

In the Pyramid Texts, the creator-god Geb, god of earth, gave the cobra as a symbol of legitimacy to the king. When Isis is raising Horus at Khemmis in the Delta, Wadjet is said to be his nurse. Wadjet also had a leonine form, as did Isis. The name "Uraeus, which of course is a Greek version of the Egyptian, derives from the term "yaret" which refers to the cobra as it rises up in anger, preparing to spit flames to defend the Pharoah. This defense can also be offensive - the cobra worn on the forehead of the king acts as a kind of spiritual flamethrower during times of war.

Even Ra wears the Uraeus, which wraps around his solar disk. Wadjet also defends Ra, destroying evil serpents in the underworld. The power of the Uraeus endured even in the Amarna period, still clinging to the abstract solar disk favored by Akhenaten. Even he could not safely dispatch the sacred snake.

Some Snake Names

Isis and Nepthys: Aar-ti, or Arar-ti, the two Uraei-goddesses Ahkuti
The two snake goddesses (probably Isis and Nepthys) Isis alone
Ast A uraeus in the boat of Af
Isis and Renenutet (Thermouthis)
By far the most potent snake form of Isis is when she is known as Isis-Thermouthis or Isis-Renenutet. This cobra- goddess form is a guardian of the Pharaoh and also a guardian of the granaries and fields. Renenutet is often depicted as a woman with a cobra's head. Renenutet is also considered to be part of the flame that protects the Pharoah, combining with Wadjet to accomplish this task. Her gaze is said to vanquish all enemies, clearly an observation based on the habits of the physical cobra, who seems to hypnotize its prey. However, this same intent emanation from her eyes causes things to grow. She is believed to be part of the force encouraging the child in the womb to enter this world. She, like Isis, is a fate goddess, associated with the span of life and the fortune that comes with each life.

Renenutet was mated with Sobek, one of Isis's alternative husbands, and she is shown as a nursing mother, occasionally with a crocodile as the baby.

The Greeks called Isis combined with Renutet "Isermouthis". In the Hymns of Isidorus, Isis is praised as Isis-Thermouthis.

"Hail, Agathetyche, greatly renowned Isis,
mightiest Hermouthis, in you every city rejoices;
O Discoverer of Life and Cereal food wherein all mortals delight because of your blessing(s)..."

Another hymn asks:

"Who built this holy temple to greatest Hermouthis?
What god remembered the All-Holy One of the Immortals?
He marked out the sacred shrine as a high Olympos.
For Deo highest, Isis Thesmophorus..."

In fact, prior to her conjoining with Thermouthis, Isis was not often regarded as a cereal goddess, a goddess of grain. This identification was crucial to her later identification with Demeter, and her rite of the Thesmophoria.

Isis and Sarapis

The most prevalent snake form of Isis, however, appears when she is depicted with Sarapis. Both of them frequently have coiled lower bodies very reminiscent of the Chinese goddess Nu Kua and her consort, and this can be seen as a metaphor for the energy exchanged in sexual intercourse. The lower bodies are united; the upper bodies are free to ascend in the air, paired but still individual.

Temple Practice

At one temple, potential priestess walked barefoot through a room filled with allegedly venomous snakes or scorpions. If their faith were strong, supposedly they would not be bitten. Or, perhaps, if their faith were strong they WOULD be bitten, and given an experience of the realms of death which is often mentioned in connection with initiation ordeals.

In the Mensa Isiaca, an altar top made in Alexandria, Isis sits throned, surrounded by serpents with crowns.

Lesson 14
no written homework exercises

study gods and goddesses of Egypt in the Referances

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