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TigerHouse Art Ancient Egyptian Art Print Goddess Bastet https://www.etsy.com/listing/58338606/ancient- egyptian-art-print-goddess? ref=shop_home_active_2&crt=1”
Goddess Bast
Level I Final Project
by Lady Kaira W
I have devoted myself to the service of Bast for many years now,
and have many personal stories and information from Her, and I have also worked
hard to learn the history and worship of Her, though there are very few direct
books about this Goddess. Many websites and encyclopedias repeat the same basic
information, or conflicting stories, and it can be difficult to sort out, but I
have done my best to share what I have learned here. One note I have taken to
heart, from the Ancient Egyptian beliefs, is that none of that information,
even though it seemingly conflicts, is *wrong*. Because there is no true time
or space, Bast can be all of the things said of her, different aspects shown to
different people, so really there is no need to argue, for one example, about
whether she is truly a lunar or a solar Goddess.
Bast, or Bastet, is an Ancient Egyptian (Kemetic) Goddess
well-recognized in popular culture today. Most know that she is represented as
a cat or cat-headed woman, and that cats are sacred to her. This is very true,
but it only scratches the surface of this complex and mysterious Deity.
Bast started out as a lion-headed goddess, known for protection
and as an avenging warrior. She was worshipped mainly in Bubastis, including a
yearly festival described by Herodotus where revelers would boat to Bubastis,
drinking and dancing, and the women would lift up their skirts and hail those
they passed by on the banks. This was not a lewd act but a celebration of
freedom and divine femininity. Bast’s name is most often referenced as meaning
ointment jar, or She of the ointment jar, and one of her many epithets is
derived from this: “Lady of Perfumes”.
Bast is a daughter of Ra, the Egyptian sun God, and is an Eye of
Ra. In some myths she is credited with protecting her father from the serpent
Apep/Apophis, while in others that honor is given to other deities.
Understanding the background of Egyptian gods and goddesses can be confusing,
as they often change roles, are created one from another, or two or more
deities are merged. Thus Bast is often linked to or conflated with, depending
on the source, Sekhmet, Hathor, Isis, and the Greek Artemis.
It is said that Bast softened over time, and with the
domestication of the cat, became more domestic herself, ruling over women’s
mysteries, fertility (most probably due to the prolific nature of cats),
childbirth, and sexuality, as well as joy, dance, music, perfume, and pleasure.
She became a mother goddess while retaining some traits of maidenhood and all
of her former fierceness—used to protect the home now as well as the people. A
secondary duty of hers lies in playing a role in the afterlife as a guide and
helper to the dead—this duty was shared by many Egyptian gods and goddesses.
She is also associated with Egypt’s Distant Goddess myth (a goddess who leaves
Ra and returns, bringing transformation). It is during this time when she
received the cat-headed and cat forms, differentiating her from the lioness
goddesses. Her cat form is often depicted in black or gold, and sometimes,
though not often, she is still shown as a great cat, mainly the lioness. I have
seen her personally most often as a black panther.
I have found Bast to be a very personable Goddess, willing to work with anyone who would seek Her out, who would honor Her. Once you have dedicated, she will go to far lengths to get your attention with her will and messages— I can attest. There was a time when I was struggling, and I had let my spiritual practices slide… she showed herself to a close friend of mine, who is a Seer, to send me a message! That’s how much she cares for her followers. She is loving and nurturing, fierce and protective, joyous and sensual, mysterious and ecstatic, who can be very serious yet also take things in stride with light-heartedness, so much so that one devotee, Ashley Hunter, shared in an anthology titled The Queen of the Sky Who Rules Over All the Gods, that a new holy day to celebrate Bast should be April Fools Day (April 1) and be called Hilaria, sharing many ways to celebrate the revered Goddess (p68-72).
Altar for Bast Sept 16, 2020 by Lady Kaira W
—Egyptian Deities as well as cats love to be up high;
this altar was placed accordingly on top of the bookshelf in the main
room. Her statue is anointed with a special blend of perfumed oil,
place by a friend for this purpose.”
Offerings: perfumes (wear
some, spritz the room, or give her whole bottles or jars), creams, wine, beer,
tea, honey, meats/fish, onions, chocolate, luxury goods, gold jewelry, small
cat statues or trinkets, dance and song, fun, bright colors, sunbathing, as
well as anything that would benefit her sacred cats, including donating time,
money, or items to or raise awareness of no-kill shelters; not traditional but
I personally often offer eggs
Colors: red and black, gold and yellow
Herbs:
frankincense, myrrh, dragon’s blood, catnip, catmint, lavender, jasmine
Sacred Days
(because of the trouble with translating calendars, many of these celebrations
are given different dates; I’ve tried to list all.)
Mondays
Full Moons
Day of Chewing Onions for Bast (Mar 4 or August 4)
Festival of Bast (April 15 and/or May 16)
Sailing of Bast (May 29)
Procession of Bast (August 27 and/or Sept 20),
Feast of Sekhmet and Bast (recorded as either Oct 31 and/or Nov
15),
Bast goes forth from Bubastis (Dec 5 or Dec 20)
Bast Protects the Two Lands (Dec 6 or Dec 21)
Feast of Bast (Dec 19)
Birthday of Bast (Dec 25)
Not all rituals for Bast include working with cats. She is a
powerful goddess who wants to help you in your life as well as protect people,
especially women, children, or anyone who is oppressed. She is an active
Goddess in modern times. She has had me write petitions and prepare rituals for
furthering her causes, and I know there is much more I can and will do for Her!
Following is a ritual invoking Bast and her father Ra. This ritual
was written by a dear friend, sister witch, and fellow Goddess School student,
Daeira Silverowl, and performed by her and I together in August of 2020. We
held it outside, utilizing a bridge over a creek, to invoke sympathetic magic—reenacting
the powerful story of Moses leading the slaves out of Egypt and crossing the
Red Sea in order to combat white supremacy in our modern institutions, to end
marginalization of all people who suffer under the system, especially people of
color. Content Warning: it is politically motivated and intense. Note: This
ritual has been edited for this page, to remove names and references to
specific political figures.
Freedom! Ritual
Supplies: Bast Statue,
Bast Ceremonial Candle, 2 Candles, Offerings to Deities and Land Spirits, red
crepe paper (to represent red sea), staff, honey, BIG jar, sealing wax, images
and letters for honey jar, cleansing herbs, lighter
Prep- set up altar, set up bridge “water”, go
over ritual and chants
Introduce ourselves:
Hello I’m Lady Kaira, Priestess of Bast, and this is my sister
Daeira, Priestess of Hekate. We are here today to honor the gods, to free the
marginalized people, and to protect the innocent from oppression. We will focus
our ritual to instill kindness in the hearts of those who only know hate.
Through ritual we will ask for the freedom of our people from those currently
in power. With harm to none, for the greatest good of all and in the
Gods' names!
Cleanse with smoke and Chant:
Prepare Yourself
Prepare
yourself. Prepare yourself. Open the Way. (3x)
Breathe
now. Be now. Open the Way.
Breathe
now. Be now. Open the Way
Honor Land Spirits: Daeira
Great Spirits of the Land: The
land of those before us, the land that will be of those after us. We come to
you in peace; we ask you to join us this evening, as we are here to help
those in need, our oppressed brothers and sisters. We are here not to harm, but
we are here to seek change, forgiveness and freedom. Spirits of the land,
please accept these offerings of water and apple. Please help us do our work in
peace, balance and for the greatest good of all. Hail and Welcome!!
Ground and Center/Cast Circle: Kaira
Calling Egyptian Elemental Guardians: Daeira
Water: Qebehsenuef, Guardian of the East and the element of Water! We
call upon you tonight to let us flow as the soft waves of the sea, to clean us,
purify us and to provide us with calm minds in these trial times! Water, water,
water, hail and welcome!
Fire: Imsety, Guardian of the South and the element of Fire!
Bless us with will power, Fire! Transform us and shape us to stand tall and
powerful! Makes us fierce and allow us to transform our lives and the
lives of others. Fire, fire, fire, hail and welcome!
Air: Duamufet, Guardian of the West and the element of Air! We
call upon you to bring clarity, clear thoughts, sharp minds, focus, power of
thoughts and the mental stability to accomplish what's important tonight. Air,
air, air hail and welcome!
Earth: Hapi, Guardian of the North and the element of the Earth!
We call upon you tonight to provide us with protection, grounding and
nurturing! Earth, earth, earth hail and welcome!
We
change as the sea changes,
We
are carried time through night.
Eternity
we are your children,
Lend
us patience, give us sight. (3x)
Ra: Daeira
O solar, lord radiance, rising on the
horizon every day, may you shine on the face of your servant. I have come
before you; may I be with you to see your Disc every day. I praise you when you
rise. You bring morning to exalt your forms, and you ascend to magnify
your beauties. Advancing, you fashion your limbs in gold; You turn your face to
the west, and my arms are raised in acclamation of your setting in life; indeed
it is you who is eternally praised when you set in Celestial Waters. I place
you in my heart without the weakness, more divine than the gods. Praise you,
rising as gold! Hail and Welcome!!!!!
Bast: Kaira
Beloved Bast, I come today in your
service. I humbly ask to stride beside you, Fierce One, Daughter of Ra,
Protectress, as you safeguard our people with Feline Grace. Queen of my Heart,
Never Tamed, Adored by Kemet, we honor you, Who Crosses Borders. Praise you,
Lady of Strength. Hail and Welcome!!!!!
We all come from the Goddess
And to Her we shall return
Like a drop of rain
Flowing to the ocean
“In the name of the Egyptian
Gods, Ra! powerful King of the Gods! Bast! Fierce protectress of the
people!
Let our people go now! In the name of the Gods! Let them go now!
As Kaira and Daeira let the people cross safely to the other side,
Kaira screams:)
Because, if you wear a hijab, I will sit with you on the train.
If you are transgender, I will go to the bathroom with you.
If you are a person of color!!! I will stand by you wherever and
whenever you need me! Count on me!
If you are a person with disabilities, I will hand you my
megaphone.
If you are LGBTQIA, I will not let anybody tell you that you are
broken.
If you are a woman, I will fight by your side for your rights.
If you are an immigrant, I will help you find resources and a
safe place to live. This is your home, and you are welcome here!!!!
If you are a survivor, I will believe you.
If you are George Floyd, I will push the cops, so you can breath
and run to your momma’s arms! You are free, my brother! You can breathe,
you can breathe, you can breathe and you are free!!!
We
are a people at the full height of our power
This
is the place and now is the hour.
We
are a people at the full height of our power
This
is the place and now is the hour.
We
have the power to transform the Earth
your hatred of difference falls apart
softened with sweetness you will be
fair to all, so mote it be
Say something about the victory and that the work doesn’t stop here!
Sing out elements
Final thanks to land spirits
Close Circle
Thank you to all
who have walked before me, whose wisdom and information can be found included in
the books and links below, to all who have led me and supported me in my
journey, and to all who have read this page and hopefully learned more of my
Goddess, Bast!
Links:
https://otherworldlyoracle.com/bastet-egyptian-cat-goddess/
https://discoveringegypt.com/ancient-egyptian-gods-and-goddesses/
https://www.ancient.eu/Bastet/
https://www.gods-and-goddesses.com/egyptian/bastet/
https://givemehistory.com/top-10-eye-of-ra-facts
http://catreligion.org/catreligion.org/festivals-of-bast/
https://www.ancient.eu/article/1032/festivals-in-ancient-egypt/
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/museums-static/digitalegypt/ideology/festivaldates.html
https://gourmetwitch.org/blog/offerings-for-bast/
Buchanan, Rebecca
and McCauley, Dorothy, eds. The Queen of the Sky Who
Rules Over All the Gods, A Devotional Anthology in Honor of Bast. 2015,
Neos Alexandria/Bibliotheca Alexandrina Incorporated.
Smith, William,
ed. (1854–1857). "Bubastis". Dictionary of
Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray.
Retrieved 2012-01-28.