Ma'at

Ma’at

Level I Project

Ma’at is the Goddess of truth, justice, divine order, cosmic order and balance. She is depicted with wings of a vulture, her special animal, and the feather of truth in her headdress. She also carries an ankh, the key of life, and sometimes a scepter. Ma’at can be traced as far back as the Old Kingdom. She is the daughter of Ra, sometimes even referred to as the “eye of Ra.” Her equivalent and husband is Thoth, and her opposite is her brother Set. The Goddess Ma’at was most cherished by the rulers of ancient Egypt, and most of them were referred to as “Beloved of Ma’at.” Pharaohs would carry an effigy of Ma’at seated as a sign that he represented her regime.

Judges wore an emblem of Ma’at on their chest, and all Egyptians were urged to seek Ma’at. Invoking the goddess Ma’at is appropriate for righting wrongs and to help truth and understanding emerge from any situation. Invoking Ma’at also brings one back to the primal beginnings of earth, finding common ground, balance, and to embody righteousness.

When a person died, their soul was lead by Thoth, god of wisdom, into the Hall of Double Justice, to the presence of Osiris, Lord of the Dead, along with 42 Assessors, or Judges of Ma’at. The heart, which is a person’s essence, would be weighed in the Scales of Justice against Ma’at’s feather from her headdress. If the person had led a good life the heart would balance against the feather. If the person had committed one or more crimes against the divine rules, then it would weigh heavier and would be eaten by the goddess Ammut, thereby to die the eternal death. Those that balanced would be led by Ma’at to Osiris, and be permitted to join with the celestial goddesses and gods for all eternity. The Declaration of Innocence and the 42 rules (see below), are written in the Book of the Dead. Ma’at ruled over all 3 worlds; even the gods had to obey her rulings.

   I have not committed a sin.
         I have not committed robbery with violence.
         I have not stolen.
         I have not slain men and women.
         I have not stolen grain.
         I have not purloined offerings.
         I have not stolen the property of God.
         I have not uttered lies.
         I have not carried away food.
         I have not uttered curses.
         I have not committed adultery; I have not lain with men.
         I have made none to weep.
         I have not eaten the heart.
         I have not attacked any man.
         I am not a man of deceit.
         I have not stolen cultivated land.
         I have not been an eavesdropper.
         I have not slandered.
         I have not been angry without any cause.
         I have not debauched the wife of any man.
         I have not debauched the wife of man.
         I have not polluted myself.
         I have terrorized none.
         I have not transgressed.
         I have not been wroth.
         I have not shut my ears to the words of truth.
         I have not blasphemed.
         I am not a man of violence.
         I have not been a stirrer up of strife.
         I have not acted with undue haste.
         I have not pried into matters.
         I have not multiplied my words in speaking.
         I have wronged none, I have done no evil.
         I have not worked witchcraft against the king.
         I have never stopped water.
         I have never raised my voice.
         I have not cursed God.
         I have not acted with arrogance.
         I have not stolen the bread of the gods.
         I have not carried away the khenfu cakes from the Spirits of the dead.
         I have not snatched away the bread of a child, nor treated with contempt the god of my city.
         I have not slain the cattle belonging to the god

Additional Information:

        Origin – Egyptian
        Attributes – justice and karmic balance
        Color – purple and black
        Symbols – a feather, either red or black, and an ankh
        Element – air
        Stone – amethyst
        Scent – aloe or rose.
        Place of worship – halls of justice. All judges are considered her priests.

My ritual to Ma’at is to call for divine balance, and the supreme light of truth.

Needed are:
a red feather (ostrich is best),
an ankh,
rose oil,
a white candle,
some earthy/heavy incense,
an amethyst.

You will also need your normal alter settings. Begin the ritual in your usual manner of cleansing and calling in all you wish to attend. Facing East, light the candle after you have anointed it with oil, and place it in the center of your alter.

Pick up the feather and smudge yourself, especially touching your crown, third eye, heart, hands and feet.
Say: This is a time of cleansing, of growth and renewal. Ma’at I call upon you for the Winds of Justice.

Pick up the incense and smudge yourself once again, paying attention to the same areas
Say: Ma’at I ask that you let my heart be purified and may the Scales of Justice bring balance into my life.

Pick up the ankh, holding it in your dominate hand; the amethyst in your receiving hand. Now make yourself comfortable and join with Ma’at, bringing her into your mind’s eye. You may either speak, or simply think of what areas you need Ma’at to address. Make sure that you let her know how you honestly feel and give all details as best you know them. Stop and listen, and don’t disregard ideas that may come, accept all that comes to you. When you are finished bow to her and thank her.

Pick up the rose oil and anoint your third eye area.
     Say: I anoint my mind and inner eye to greater truths.
Anoint your heart.
     Say: I anoint my heart of all impurities.
Anoint your feet.
     Say: I anoint my feet to walk the paths of growth.
Anoint your hands.
     Say: I anoint my hands to work for peace and harmony.

Ground yourself as usual and close your circle. If you can, leave the white candle to burn all the way down. Don’t forget to thank all you invited for attending. Now any time you feel the need for Ma’at, simply place the ankh and amethyst in the appropriate hands and she will be there for you. Namaste.

For my project I created a fan made from black ostrich feathers. I chose black ostrich feathers because that is one of the colors of Ma’at and she is frequently depicted with the wings of a vulture. The single gold feather represents her feather of justice which is used to weigh the hearts of men. The silver and gold trim represent truth and justice. The ankh is attached with amethyst beads, both of which are associated with the goddess Ma’at.

Original works of art: Ostrich feather fan and ritual.

References:
http://www.touregypt.net
http://www.bible-history.com
http://www.homestead.com/wysinger~ns4.html
A Dictionary of Egyptian Gods and Goddesses by George Hart, Routledge, New York, NY, 1999
The Ultimate Guide to Goddess Empowerment by Sophia, Andrews McMeel, Kansas City, KS, 2003
Magick of the Gods and Goddesses Invoking the Power of the Ancient Gods, The Crossing Press, Berkeley, CA, 1997, 2003