Thelemapedia - User contributions [en]

Tefnut

2005-07-10T15:50:59Z

Cymen: Tefnut's turn for a rewrite and expansion

{{egyptiangods}}
'''Tefnut''' was the Egyptian goddess of moisture and water, particularly in the sky and near the Nile.

==General description==

Tefnut's name is made up from the roots ''tef'', meaning 'to spit' or 'to be moist' and ''nu'', meaning 'sky' or 'waters'. This not only confirms her status as a goddess of moisture, but also establishes her as a consort and counterpart to her brother, [[Shu]], by also being related to the sky.

Tefnut was one of the [[Ennead]], both she and her twin brother [[Shu]] being the first deities to be created by [[Atum]]. She was the mother of [[Nut]] and [[Geb]].

She was mostly shown either as a lioness, or as a woman with the head of a lioness. Her status as an [[Eye of Ra]] meant that she often wore the sun disk on her head. She also held a sceptre and ankh, symbols of power and life. Sometimes she was shown in a similar position to [[Ma'at]], helping [[Shu]] to hold the sky ([[Nut]]) up from the earth ([[Geb]]). Most other times she simply was shown lying horizontally between them, representing the moisture in the air.

==Her role==

Tefnut, with [[Shu]] plays a central part in the creation myths of [[Heliopolis]] and [[Thebes]]. In both myths she is the female counterpart of [[Shu]], whose important role it was to become the first mother, initiating the sexual cycle of creation and giving birth to [[Nut]] and [[Geb]]. This automatically made her a goddess of fertility, as were most ancient godforms connected with water. Water was particularly important to Egyptian life, as the country received little rain and survived mostly through the annual inundation. Therefore, Tefnut was seen as at least partially responsible in keeping Egyptians alive.

Initially, Tefnut was the left eye of [[Ra]] - the moon. The rain, dew and moisture she governed was primarily associated with the night, as the Egyptian climate was too warm to see rain last in the daytime. [[Shu]]'s tenuous link to sunlight gave some people more reason to see her as a lunar goddess, by making her [[Shu]]'s opposite.

However, as [[Ra]] became increasingly merged with [[Atum]], Tefnut became a solar goddess. She was now a daughter of [[Ra]] and thus an [[Eye of Ra]] with the form of a fiery lioness. She also became associated with the uraeus, an image of a snake curling around the sun disk which often symbolised [[Ra]]. Eventually, Tefnut could even represent the opposite of moisture, threatening Egypt with dryness and heat.

==Mythology==

Tefnut is central in the [[Ennead]] creation myth of [[Heliopolis]], and plays a similar role in the creation myth of [[Thebes]]. In [[Memphis]] she was called the "Tongue of [[Ptah]]", who helped the creator god carry out his [[will]].

One of the most famous myths involving Tefnut, aside from the [[Ennead]] creation story, is where she argues with her father, [[Ra#Atum and Atum-Ra|Atum-Ra]]. Tefnut angrily runs to Nubia, taking all of Egypt's moisture with her. Egypt suffered a severe drought while Tefnut, as a lioness, killed anyone who came near her in Nubia. [[Ra]] missed Tefnut and despaired in the chaos Egypt had fallen into without water, and so sent [[Shu]] and [[Thoth]] to retrieve her. [[Thoth]] disguised himself and persuaded her to return, whereupon she blessed each city with the inundation and returned to her father as [[Eye of Ra|his Eye]]. This myth underlines Tefnut's importance to life in the Egyptian mind, as well as going some way to explaining Tefnut's role as an [[Eye of Ra]] and in the inundation.

==Worship==

Tefnut and [[Shu]], unlike most other prominent Egyptian deities, does not seem to have any centre of worship, or any known temples dedicated to either of them, together or separately. Iunet had a district named "The House of Tefnut". She is only known to have been worshipped as part of the early [[Ennead]] worship at Iunu, which later gave the Ennead cult status as the town grew into sprawling city the Greeks called [[Heliopolis]].

[[Akenaten]] and his wife Nefertiti were said to have initially tried to depict themselves as [[Shu]] and Tefnut on earth. This did not appear to be widely accepted by Egyptians, which some historians speculate led to Akenaten's pushing forward of a more monotheistic worship of Aten, the sun disk.

Tefnut was also thought to have been worshipped at Leontopolis, where the worship of many leonine deities such as [[Maahes]], [[Sekhmet]], [[Bast]] and other [[Eye of Ra|Eyes of Ra]] was widespread.

==References==

*[http://www.egyptianmyths.net/tefnut.htm Ancient Egypt: the Mythology - Tefnut]
*[http://www.crystalinks.com/tefnut.html Crystalinks.com: Tefnut]
*[http://www.touregypt.net/godsofegypt/tefnut.htm Tour Egypt: Tefnut]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tefnut Wikipedia: Tefnut (2005)]

[[Category:Egyptian Godforms]]

Shu

2005-07-10T14:44:21Z

Cymen:

{{egyptiangods}}
'''Shu''' was the Egyptian god of air and the atmosphere, and the creator of wind. His primary task was to separate the sky, [[Nut]], and the earth, [[Geb]].

==General description==

Shu's name is the root of the words 'dry', 'parched', 'withered' and 'light', specifying him to be the dry component of the air where his sister and wife, [[Tefnut]], is the moisture.

Shu was one of the [[Ennead]], both he and his twin sister [[Tefnut]] being the first deities to be created by [[Atum]]. He was the father of [[Nut]] and [[Geb]].

He normally was depicted as a man wearing ostrich feathers on his head. He typically shown with his arms raised, holding up [[Nut]] while standing on [[Geb]]. Sometimes he held a sceptre and ankh in his hands, symbols of power and life, and was sometimes written as having control of snakes. When with [[Tefnut]], Shu is often shown as a lion to match his wife's leonine form.

Later, Shu became increasingly identified with the war god [[Anhur]] (GR: Onuris). Anhur can be translated as "Sky Bearer", wore a headdress of ostrich feathers, and also had a lioness consort. Both gods were also said to have recovered their consorts from Nubia when they ran away in defiance after an argument. Eventually, with Shu being seen more as a concept or force and [[Anhur]] as an actual god, the two were merged to form Anhur-Shu.

==His role==

Shu's main role was to hold up the sky from the earth, aided by the four Pillars of Shu at each cardinal point, much like the Greek [[titan]] [[Atlas]]. This created the space for life on earth to be created, making Shu more of a god of the atmosphere (as the space in between sky and earth) rather than the sky. Shu thus also ruled over the winds, which were seen as the breath of life. He was often beseeched to provide good winds for the many Egyptian boats.

His links to life were strengthened as Shu became seen as the resurrector of [[Ra]] and the [[Pharaoh]] each morning, causing the sun to rise. In addition, he helped to protect [[Ra]] from [[Apep]] in the underworld with spells. He was also thought to be involved with ordinary spirits after death, participating in the judgement in the Halls of [[Ma'at]]. He was the leader of the torturers and executors, taking on the role of the god of punishment for those not worthy of the afterlife. More happily, he also held up the ladder which [[Egyptian soul|souls]] used to climb into the afterlife. Many Egyptians thus saw him as a metaphorical bridge between contrasting ideals, such as day and night, sky and earth, and life and death.

Sunlight was also seen by the Egyptians to exist in Shu's domain of the air, and so Shu was sometimes referred to as the god of light. He was never a solar deity, despite his sporadic portrayals of wearing the sun disk. The sun disk was more likely present because he was sometimes seen as the second Pharaoh of Egypt, succeeding [[Ra]].

==Worship==

Shu and [[Tefnut]], unlike most other prominent Egyptian deities, does not seem to have any centre of worship, or any known temples dedicated to either of them, together or separately. Various cities, such as Iunet and Behdet, appear to have districts named after him. He is only known to have been worshipped as part of the early [[Ennead]] worship at Iunu, which later gave the Ennead cult status as the town grew into sprawling city the Greeks called [[Heliopolis]].

[[Akenaten]] and his wife Nefertiti were said to have initially tried to depict themselves as Shu and [[Tefnut]] on earth. This did not appear to be widely accepted by Egyptians, which some historians speculate led to Akenaten's pushing forward of a more monotheistic worship of [[Aten]], the sun disk. To justify his previous statements of he and his wife being Shu and [[Tefnut]], he then claimed Shu actually lived within the sun disk.

==References==

*[http://www.egyptianmyths.net/shu.htm Ancient Egypt: the Mythology - Shu]
*[http://www.crystalinks.com/shu.html Crystalinks.com: Shu]
*[http://www.touregypt.net/godsofegypt/shu.htm Tour Egypt: Shu]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shu_%28Egyptian_deity%29 Wikipedia: Shu (2005)]

[[Category:Egyptian Godforms]]

Shu

2005-07-09T20:23:55Z

Cymen:

{{egyptiangods}}
'''Shu''' was the Egyptian god of air and the atmosphere, and the creator of wind. His primary task was to separate the sky, [[Nut]], and the earth, [[Geb]].

==General description==

Shu's name is the root of the words 'dry', 'parched', 'withered' and 'light', specifying him to be the dry component of the air where his sister and wife, [[Tefnut]], is the moisture.

Shu was one of the [[Ennead]], both he and his twin sister [[Tefnut]] being the first deities to be created by [[Atum]]. He was the father of [[Nut]] and [[Geb]].

He normally was depicted as a man wearing ostrich feathers on his head. He typically shown with his arms raised, holding up [[Nut]] while standing on [[Geb]]. Sometimes he held a sceptre and ankh in his hands, symbols of power and life, and was sometimes written as having control of snakes. When with [[Tefnut]], Shu is often shown as a lion to match his wife's leonine form.

Later, Shu became increasingly identified with the war god [[Anhur]] (GR: Onuris). Anhur can be translated as "Sky Bearer", wore a headdress of ostrich feathers, and also had a lioness consort. Both gods were also said to have recovered their consorts from Nubia when they ran away in defiance after an argument. Eventually, with Shu being seen more as a concept or force and [[Anhur]] as an actual god, the two were merged to form Anhur-Shu.

==His role==

Shu's main role was to hold up the sky from the earth, aided by the four Pillars of Shu at each cardinal point, much like the Greek [[titan]] [[Atlas]]. This created the space for life on earth to be created, making Shu more of a god of the atmosphere (as the space in between sky and earth) rather than the sky. Shu thus also ruled over the winds, which were seen as the breath of life. He was often beseeched to provide good winds for the many Egyptian boats.

His links to life were strengthened as Shu became seen as the resurrector of [[Ra]] and the [[Pharaoh]] each morning, causing the sun to rise. In addition, he helped to protect [[Ra]] from [[Apep]] in the underworld with spells. He was also thought to be involved with ordinary spirits after death, participating in the judgement in the Halls of [[Ma'at]]. He was the leader of the torturers and executors, taking on the role of the god of punishment for those not worthy of the afterlife. More happily, he also held up the ladder which [[Egyptian soul|souls]] used to climb into the afterlife. Many Egyptians thus saw him as a metaphorical bridge between contrasting ideals, such as day and night, sky and earth, and life and death.

Sunlight was also seen by the Egyptians to exist in Shu's domain of the air, and so Shu was sometimes referred to as the god of light. He was never a solar deity, despite his sporadic portrayals of wearing the sun disk. The sun disk was more likely present because he was sometimes seen as the second Pharaoh of Egypt, succeeding [[Ra]].

==Worship==

Shu and [[Tefnut]], unlike most other prominent Egyptian deities, does not seem to have any centre of worship, or any known temples dedicated to either of them, together or separately. Various cities, such as Iunet and Behdet, appear to have districts named after him. He is only known to have been worshipped as part of the Ennead worship at Iunu and, naturally, [[Heliopolis]].

Akenaten and his wife Nefertiti were said to have initially tried to depict themselves as Shu and [[Tefnut]] on earth. This did not appear to be widely accepted by Egyptians, which some historians speculate led to Akenaten's pushing forward of a more monotheistic worship of [[Aten]], the sun disk. To justify his previous statements of he and his wife being Shu and [[Tefnut]], he then claimed Shu actually lived within the sun disk.

==References==

*[http://www.egyptianmyths.net/shu.htm Ancient Egypt: the Mythology - Shu]
*[http://www.crystalinks.com/shu.html Crystalinks.com: Shu]
*[http://www.touregypt.net/godsofegypt/shu.htm Tour Egypt: Shu]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shu_%28Egyptian_deity%29 Wikipedia: Shu (2005)]

[[Category:Egyptian Godforms]]

Shu

2005-07-09T20:20:24Z

Cymen:

{{egyptiangods}}
'''Shu''' was the Egyptian god of air and the atmosphere, and the creator of wind. His primary task was to separate the sky, [[Nut]], and the earth, [[Geb]].

==General description==

Shu's name is the root of the words 'dry', 'parched', 'withered' and 'light', specifying him to be the dry component of the air where his sister and wife, [[Tefnut]], is the moisture.

Shu was one of the [[Ennead]], both he and his twin sister [[Tefnut]] being the first deities to be created by [[Atum]]. He was the father of [[Nut]] and [[Geb]].

He normally was depicted as a man wearing ostrich feathers on his head. He typically shown with his arms raised, holding up [[Nut]] while standing on [[Geb]]. Sometimes he held a sceptre and ankh in his hands, symbols of power and life, and was sometimes written as having control of snakes. When with [[Tefnut]], Shu is often shown as a lion to match his wife's leonine form.

Later, Shu became increasingly identified with the war god [[Anhur]] (GR: Onuris). Anhur can be translated as "Sky Bearer", and also had a lioness consort. Both gods were also said to have recovered their consorts from Nubia when they ran away in defiance after an argument. Eventually, with Shu being seen more as a concept or force and [[Anhur]] as an actual god, the two were merged to form Anhur-Shu.

==His role==

Shu's main role was to hold up the sky from the earth, aided by the four Pillars of Shu at each cardinal point, much like the Greek [[titan]] [[Atlas]]. This created the space for life on earth to be created, making Shu more of a god of the atmosphere (as the space in between sky and earth) rather than the sky. Shu thus also ruled over the winds, which were seen as the breath of life. He was often beseeched to provide good winds for the many Egyptian boats.

His links to life were strengthened as Shu became seen as the resurrector of [[Ra]] and the [[Pharaoh]] each morning, causing the sun to rise. In addition, he helped to protect [[Ra]] from [[Apep]] in the underworld with spells. He was also thought to be involved with ordinary spirits after death, participating in the judgement in the Halls of [[Ma'at]]. He was the leader of the torturers and executors, taking on the role of the god of punishment for those not worthy of the afterlife. More happily, he also held up the ladder which [[Egyptian soul|souls]] used to climb into the afterlife. Many Egyptians thus saw him as a metaphorical bridge between contrasting ideals, such as day and night, sky and earth, and life and death.

Sunlight was also seen by the Egyptians to exist in Shu's domain of the air, and so Shu was sometimes referred to as the god of light. He was never a solar deity, despite his sporadic portrayals of wearing the sun disk. The sun disk was more likely present because he was sometimes seen as the second Pharaoh of Egypt, succeeding [[Ra]].

==Worship==

Shu and [[Tefnut]], unlike most other prominent Egyptian deities, does not seem to have any centre of worship, or any known temples dedicated to either of them, together or separately. Various cities, such as Iunet and Behdet, appear to have districts named after him. He is only known to have been worshipped as part of the Ennead worship at Iunu and, naturally, [[Heliopolis]].

Akenaten and his wife Nefertiti were said to have initially tried to depict themselves as Shu and [[Tefnut]] on earth. This did not appear to be widely accepted by Egyptians, which some historians speculate led to Akenaten's pushing forward of a more monotheistic worship of [[Aten]], the sun disk. To justify his previous statements of he and his wife being Shu and [[Tefnut]], he then claimed Shu actually lived within the sun disk.

==References==

*[http://www.egyptianmyths.net/shu.htm Ancient Egypt: the Mythology - Shu]
*[http://www.crystalinks.com/shu.html Crystalinks.com: Shu]
*[http://www.touregypt.net/godsofegypt/shu.htm Tour Egypt: Shu]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shu_%28Egyptian_deity%29 Wikipedia: Shu (2005)]

[[Category:Egyptian Godforms]]

Shu

2005-07-09T20:06:28Z

Cymen: rewrite and expansion - down with out of date Wikipedia copies!

{{egyptiangods}}
'''Shu''' was the Egyptian god of air and the atmosphere, and the creator of wind. His primary task was to separate the sky, [[Nut]], and the earth, [[Geb]].

==General description==

Shu's name is the root of the words 'dry', 'parched', 'withered' and 'light', specifying him to be the dry component of the air where his sister and wife, [[Tefnut]], is the moisture.

Shu was one of the [[Ennead]], both he and his twin sister [[Tefnut]] being the first deities to be created by [[Atum]]. He was the father of [[Nut]] and [[Geb]].

He normally was depicted as a man wearing ostrich feathers on his head. He typically shown with his arms raised, holding up [[Nut]] while standing on [[Geb]]. Sometimes he held a sceptre and ankh in his hands, symbols of power and life, and was sometimes written as having control of snakes. When with [[Tefnut]], Shu is often shown as a lion to match his wife's leonine form.

Later, Shu became increasingly identified with the war god [[Anhur]] (GR: Onuris). Anhur can be translated as "Sky Bearer", and also had a lioness consort. Both gods were also said to have recovered their consorts from Nubia when they ran away in defiance after an argument. Eventually, with Shu being seen more as a concept or force and [[Anhur]] as an actual god, the two were merged to form Anhur-Shu.

==His role==

Shu's main role was to hold up the sky from the earth, aided by the four Pillars of Shu at each cardinal point, much like the Greek [[titan]] [[Atlas]]. This created the space for life on earth to be created, making Shu more of a god of the atmosphere (as the space in between sky and earth) rather than the sky. Shu thus also ruled over the winds, which were seen as the breath of life. He was often beseeched to provide good winds for the many Egyptian boats.

His links to life were strengthened as Shu became seen as the resurrector of [[Ra]] and the [[Pharaoh]] each morning, causing the sun to rise. In addition, he helped to protect [[Ra]] from [[Apep]] in the underworld with spells. He was also thought to be involved with ordinary spirits after death, participating in the judgement in the Halls of [[Ma'at]]. He was the leader of the torturers and executors, taking on the role of the god of punishment for those not worthy of the afterlife. More happily, he also held up the ladder which [[Egyptian soul|souls]] used to climb into the afterlife. Many Egyptians thus saw him as a metaphorical bridge between contrasting ideals, such as day and night, sky and earth, and life and death.

Sunlight was also seen by the Egyptians to exist in Shu's domain of the air, and so Shu was sometimes referred to as the god of light. He was never a solar deity, despite his sporadic portrayals of wearing the sun disk. The sun disk was more likely present because he was sometimes seen as the second Pharaoh of Egypt, succeeding [[Ra]].

==Worship==

Shu and [[Tefnut]], unlike most other prominent Egyptian deities, does not seem to have any centre of worship, or any known temples dedicated to either of them, together or separately. Various cities, such as Iunet and Behdet, appear to have districts named after him. He is only known to have been worshipped as part of the Ennead worship at Iunu.

Akenaten and his wife Nefertiti were said to have initially tried to depict themselves as Shu and [[Tefnut]] on earth. This did not appear to be widely accepted by Egyptians, which some historians speculate led to Akenaten's pushing forward of a more monotheistic worship of [[Aten]], the sun disk. To justify his previous statements of he and his wife being Shu and [[Tefnut]], he then claimed Shu actually lived within the sun disk.

==References==

*[http://www.egyptianmyths.net/shu.htm Ancient Egypt: the Mythology - Shu]
*[http://www.crystalinks.com/shu.html Crystalinks.com: Shu]
*[http://www.touregypt.net/godsofegypt/shu.htm Tour Egypt: Shu]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shu_%28Egyptian_deity%29 Wikipedia: Shu (2005)]

[[Category:Egyptian Godforms]]

Egyptian soul

2005-07-09T18:48:01Z

Cymen:

#REDIRECT [[Egyptian soul concept]]

Egyptian soul

2005-07-09T18:47:35Z

Cymen: redirect to existing article

#REDIRECT [[Egyptian_soul_concept]]

Nephthys

2005-05-01T15:29:04Z

Cymen: reference to ennead

{{egyptiangods}}

'''Nebt-Het''', or '''Nephthys''' (GR) was an Egyptian goddess seen to be a companion and guide for the recently deceased. She was also seen as a general protector of women, especially during childbirth.

==Name and titles==

Nebt-het consists of two hieroglyphics, the symbols for basket and house, which literally translates to "Mistress of the House". This title was also given to the presiding female in an Egyptian household. In relation to Nephthys, the title refers to the sky as ruled over by [[Horus]], which Egyptians saw as the way to the underworld.

She had many other titles, including "Lady of the Night", "Lady with Wings", "Friend of the Dead", and "Lady of Heaven".

==Appearance==

Nephthys appears as a woman, nearly always with [[Isis]], often only identifiable from her sister by her name in hieroglyphics above her head. She was sometimes given wings, representative of the kite which she was so closely associated with. Her hair was often depicted as the cloth funeral shroud of corpses.

==Relationships with other deities==

Nephthys was the youngest daughter of [[Nut]] and [[Geb]], making her the sister of [[Osiris]], [[Isis]] and [[Set]] and part of the [[Ennead]] of [[Heliopolis]]. She was also widely considered to be the wife of [[Set]] and mother of [[Anubis]].

Many legends say that the father of [[Anubis]] was actually [[Osiris]], whom Nephthys seduced in secret by disguising herself as [[Isis]], as she grew tired of bearing no child through [[Set]]. Some sources even go on to say that Nephthys and [[Set]] abandoned [[Anubis]] after seeing that he bore compassionate tendencies rather than chaotic ones. Others also suggest that her affair was one of the reasons why [[Set]] wished to kill [[Osiris]].

Nephthys also showed great loyalty to her sister [[Isis]] by helping her to recover and revive [[Osiris]] after he had been betrayed and killed by [[Set]].

==Role as a goddess==

Nephthys was, essentially, the antithesis of her sister [[Isis]]. [[Isis]] represented the day, life and growth whereas Nephthys was associated with the night, death and decay. Duality was an important concept to the Egyptians, and so it made sense for [[Isis]]' opposite to be partnered with [[Set]], who over time had become the opposite of [[Osiris]].

However, both of the sisters shared the title of "Comforter" and a proficiency with magic, and so often worked together. Together they resurrected [[Osiris]], helping to strengthen her role as a friendly aide to the dead. They were also thought to help in the delivery of children together, with [[Isis]] as the midwife and Nephthys as the protector and comforter.

Her role as the "Comforter" extended into the realm of the dead, where she would give guidance to the deceased and comfort the family. Early Old Kingdom texts show her as riding the nightboat on its descent into the underworld, accompanying the dead Pharaoh into the afterlife. She was not quite the Egyptian personification of death, but she was close to it, and it would not be far wrong to call her the goddess of the dead.

==Worship==

Nephthys is a relatively ignored Egyptian goddess, considering the fame of [[Isis]] and [[Osiris]]. Her worship was widespread, but it was on a much smaller scale. Her cult's centre, if it is said that there even was a cult, was [[Heliopolis]], where her chief sanctuary resided.

==References==

*[http://www.egyptianmyths.net/nephthys.htm Ancient Egypt: the Mythology - Nephthys]
*[http://www.crystalinks.com/egyptgods9.html Crystalinks.com: Nekhebet, Nephthys]
*[http://www.touregypt.net/godsofegypt/nephthys.htm Tour Egypt: Nephthys]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nephthys Wikipedia: Nephthys (2005)]

[[Category:Egyptian Godforms]]

Nephthys

2005-05-01T15:25:22Z

Cymen: complete rewrite and expansion

{{egyptiangods}}

'''Nebt-Het''', or '''Nephthys''' (GR) was an Egyptian goddess seen to be a companion and guide for the recently deceased. She was also seen as a general protector of women, especially during childbirth.

==Name and titles==

Nebt-het consists of two hieroglyphics, the symbols for basket and house, which literally translates to "Mistress of the House". This title was also given to the presiding female in an Egyptian household. In relation to Nephthys, the title refers to the sky as ruled over by [[Horus]], which Egyptians saw as the way to the underworld.

She had many other titles, including "Lady of the Night", "Lady with Wings", "Friend of the Dead", and "Lady of Heaven".

==Appearance==

Nephthys appears as a woman, nearly always with [[Isis]], often only identifiable from her sister by her name in hieroglyphics above her head. She was sometimes given wings, representative of the kite which she was so closely associated with. Her hair was often depicted as the cloth funeral shroud of corpses.

==Relationships with other deities==

Nephthys was the youngest daughter of [[Nut]] and [[Geb]], making her the sister of [[Osiris]], [[Isis]] and [[Set]]. She was also widely considered to be the wife of [[Set]] and mother of [[Anubis]].

Many legends say that the father of [[Anubis]] was actually [[Osiris]], whom Nephthys seduced in secret by disguising herself as [[Isis]], as she grew tired of bearing no child through [[Set]]. Some sources even go on to say that Nephthys and [[Set]] abandoned [[Anubis]] after seeing that he bore compassionate tendencies rather than chaotic ones. Others also suggest that her affair was one of the reasons why [[Set]] wished to kill [[Osiris]].

Nephthys also showed great loyalty to her sister [[Isis]] by helping her to recover and revive [[Osiris]] after he had been betrayed and killed by [[Set]].

==Role as a goddess==

Nephthys was, essentially, the antithesis of her sister [[Isis]]. [[Isis]] represented the day, life and growth whereas Nephthys was associated with the night, death and decay. Duality was an important concept to the Egyptians, and so it made sense for [[Isis]]' opposite to be partnered with [[Set]], who over time had become the opposite of [[Osiris]].

However, both of the sisters shared the title of "Comforter" and a proficiency with magic, and so often worked together. Together they resurrected [[Osiris]], helping to strengthen her role as a friendly aide to the dead. They were also thought to help in the delivery of children together, with [[Isis]] as the midwife and Nephthys as the protector and comforter.

Her role as the "Comforter" extended into the realm of the dead, where she would give guidance to the deceased and comfort the family. Early Old Kingdom texts show her as riding the nightboat on its descent into the underworld, accompanying the dead Pharaoh into the afterlife. She was not quite the Egyptian personification of death, but she was close to it, and it would not be far wrong to call her the goddess of the dead.

==Worship==

Nephthys is a relatively ignored Egyptian goddess, considering the fame of [[Isis]] and [[Osiris]]. Her worship was widespread, but it was on a much smaller scale. Her cult's centre, if it is said that there even was a cult, was [[Heliopolis]], where her chief sanctuary resided.

==References==

*[http://www.egyptianmyths.net/nephthys.htm Ancient Egypt: the Mythology - Nephthys]
*[http://www.crystalinks.com/egyptgods9.html Crystalinks.com: Nekhebet, Nephthys]
*[http://www.touregypt.net/godsofegypt/nephthys.htm Tour Egypt: Nephthys]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nephthys Wikipedia: Nephthys (2005)]

[[Category:Egyptian Godforms]]

Apep

2005-03-18T00:44:38Z

Cymen: redirect to article under greek name

#REDIRECT [[Apophis]]

Ba

2005-03-18T00:36:15Z

Cymen: redirect

#REDIRECT [[Egyptian soul concept]]

Egyptian soul concept

2005-03-18T00:33:47Z

Cymen:

The Egyptians believed that the human soul was made up of five main parts: the ka, ba, akh, name and shadow. They saw each of them as essential to a person's survival in the living world and the afterlife.

===Ka===

The ka was a person's double, an exact copy of their entire soul that stayed with them while the person lived. It was depicted as a smaller version of the person or as two arms upraised. The word originally meant 'bull', but came to mean 'power' or 'sustenance'. The ka acted as [[mana]], or like an [[astral body]], which was able to travel freely once projected from the body and absorb the life-energy of food left in a tomb for it. It was believed that Khnum created a ka on his potter's wheel to enter a body at birth. It was also thought that kas could enter statues and see through their eyes.

===Ba===

The ba was a person's character, personality, or anything else non-physical about them. It was shown as a bird with a human head which had to travel in place of the body to the afterlife. To do this it needed food, like the ka, and had to return to the body every night. Other than travelling to the afterlife, the ba stays with the body after death to sustain it.

===Akh===

The akh was formed by the joining of the ka and ba in the afterlife after the weighing of the soul against [[Ma'at]]'s feather. It was shown as a mummified figure, or sometimes as an ibis. The akh was seen as the unchanging, immortal link between humanity and divinity, and was the self that lived on in the afterlife. It could have an effect on the living if it wished.

===Ren/Name===

Everyone was given a name at birth, often based on a popular local deity. The Egyptians very much believed that names were powerful. [[Ptah]] in the Memphite creation myth creates by speaking or thinking the names of things he wants to exist. They also believed it could be possible to get rid of a person's akh by erasing all trace of the person's name, as it was the only way that the soul could be preserved.

===Shewet/Shadow===

The shadow stayed with the body after death to protect it, but could not come into any harm itself without great danger. It moved very quickly and had great power, shown as a dark depiction of the person. This belief shows how important shade was to the Egyptians as a refuge from the sun's perishing heat.

[[Category:Egyptian_Culture]]

Ra

2005-03-18T00:27:44Z

Cymen: completely rewritten (!) No longer a copy of Wikipedia, info organised under headings, more article links, more Thelema relevance

{{egyptiangods}}
'''Ra''', or '''Re''', is one of the most famous Egyptian godforms, and was central to Egyptian religion. He was the seen as the king of the gods, ruler of the sun, and creator of the world. His vital daily task was to guide the sunboat through the skies by day, and through the underworld by night. He was also seen as the personal patron of the Pharaoh, and from the IV Dynasty onwards Pharaoh's called themselves the "Sons of Ra".

==General description==

Ra is most commonly pronounced 'rah'. It is more likely, however, that it should be pronounced as 'ray', hence the alternative spelling Re rather than Ra. It is not known for sure what Ra's name means, but it is thought it may be a variant of or linked to 'creative', if not an original word for 'sun'.

Ra is mostly shown as a man in artwork, wearing a Pharaoh's crown as a sign of his kingship over the gods, and the sun disk on his head. Often he had a falcon's head, much like [[Horus]]. Sometimes, Ra is portrayed as different according to the position of the sun in the sky. At sunrise he was an infant, a man at noon, and an old man at sunset. This constant ageing was suggested by the Egyptians as why Ra stayed separate from the world and let [[Osiris]] and/or [[Horus]] rule in his place. This idea is often coupled with the myth in which [[Isis]] is able to trick an elderly Ra, having ruled on earth as a human Pharaoh, into revealing his secret name, and thus the secret of his power.

Ra often replaces [[Atum]] as the father, grandfather and great-grandfather of the gods of the [[Ennead]], and creator of the world. Ra created [[Sekhmet]], who becomes [[Hathor]] after she has sufficiently punished mankind as an avenging [[Eye of Ra]], and so is often said to be the father of both. Mankind were supposedly created from Ra's tears or sweat, leading to the Egyptians calling themselves the "Cattle of Ra".

==Symbols==

Ra shared many of his symbols with other solar deities, in particular Horus.

*The [[Benu bird]], as Ra's [[ba]] and a symbol of fire and rebirth;
*The sun disk, also shown as the hieroglyphic ⊙ ;
*Ankh, symbolising the life given by the sun;
*Obelisk, representative of the rays of the sun and worshipped as a home of a solar god;
*Pyramids, aligned east/west
*Falcon;
*Bull;
*Uraeus, a cobra commonly seen wrapped around the sun disk. As the sun, Ra was thought to see everything.

==Ra and the sun==

For the Egyptians, the sun most basically represented light, warmth and therefore growth. This made Ra hugely important to Egyptians, and it is probably therefore no coincidence that he is also seen as the ruler of all. The sun was either seen as the body or eye of Ra.

The sun was thought to travel in a boat, to protect its fires from the primordial waters ([[Nun]]) of the underworld it passed through during the night. Ra travelled in the sunboat with various gods, including Ma'at who guided the boat's course and [[Set]] and [[Mehen]] who defended against monsters in the underworld. These monsters included [[Apophis|Apep]], the serpent who tried to stop the sunboat's journey every day by consuming it. So, the Egyptians saw the sunrise as the rebirth of the sun through [[Nut]], the sky, and thus attributed the concept of rebirth and renewal to Ra, strengthening his role as a creator god.

As the cults of various solar deities rose and fell, Ra's role as the most well-known solar god in the Egyptian pantheon constantly changed. [[Horus]], Ra, [[Aten]] and Amun-Ra exchanged roles as actually being worshipped as the sun, even though all three retained their solar links. Ra, and sometimes [[Horus]], were broken down into several smaller aspect gods, who presided over the sun at sunrise, noon and sunset.

==Ra's combination with other deities==

As with most widely worshipped Egyptian godforms, Ra's identity was often confused with other gods as different regional religions were merged in an attempt to unite the country.

===Amun and Amun-Ra===
[[Amun]] was a member of the [[Ogdoad]], representing creation energies with [[Amaunet]], and was a very early patron of [[Thebes]]. He was believed to create via breath, and thus was identified with the wind rather than the sun. As the cults of [[Amun]] and Ra became increasingly popular in Upper and Lower Egypt respectively, they were combined to create Amun-Ra, a solar creator god. It is hard to distinguish exactly when this combination happened, with references being made in pyramid texts to Amun-Ra as early as the V Dynasty. The most common belief is that Amun-Ra was invented as the new state deity by the (Theban) rulers of the New Kingdom to unite worshippers of Amun with the older cult of Ra, beginning around the XVIII Dynasty. Ironically, the cult of Amun-Ra was effectively just as monotheistic as Akhenaten's worship of [[Aten]], and the cult became so powerful that it rivalled the monarchy.

===Atum and Atum-Ra===
Atum-Ra (or Ra-Atum) was another composite deity formed from two completely seperate deities. However, Ra shared more similarities with [[Atum]] than with [[Amun]]. [[Atum]] was more closely linked with the sun, and was also a creator god of the [[Ennead]]. Both Ra and [[Atum]] were regarded as the father of the gods and Pharaohs, and were widely worshipped. So, it was almost inevitable that the two cults were merged under the name of Atum-Ra.

===Ra-Horakhty or Ra-Hoor-Khuit===
In Egyptian mythology, Ra-Horakhty was more of a title, or manifestation, than a composite god. It translates as "Ra, who is [[Horus]] of the Horizons". It was intended to link Horakhty (as a sunrise-orientated aspect of [[Horus]]) to Ra. It has been suggested that Ra-Horakhty simply refers to the sun's journey from horizon to horizon as Ra, or that it means to show Ra as a symbolic god of hope and rebirth. (See earlier section: Ra and the sun) This link was probably encouraged by Ra and [[Horus]]' common link to the sun and the Pharaoh.

In [[Thelema]], Ra-Horakhty was renamed [[Ra-Hoor-Khuit]] by [[Aleister Crowley]]. [[Ra-Hoor-Khuit]] not only links Ra and [[Horus]], but makes them into one as a singular representation of solar energies. He is the speaker throughout Chapter III of the fundamental text [[Liber AL vel Legis]], and is seen as the Child and King of the [[New Aeon]].

===Khepri and Khnum===

[[Khepri]] was the scarab beetle that rolled up the sun in the mornings, and was sometimes seen as the morning manifestation of Ra. Similarly, the ram-headed god [[Khnum]] was also seen as the evening manifestation of Ra. The idea of different gods (or different aspects of Ra) ruling over different times of the day was fairly common, but variable. With [[Khepri]] and [[Khnum]] taking precedence over sunrise and sunset, Ra was often the representation of midday, when the sun reached it's peak at noon. Sometimes different aspects of [[Horus]] were used instead of Ra's aspects. In Thelema's [[Liber Resh|Liber Resh vel Helios]], Ra represents the rising sun, with [[Hathor]] as the midday sun and [[Tum]] as the setting sun.

===Ptah===
Ra was rarely combined with [[Ptah]], but as per the Memphite creation myth he was often said to be [[Ptah]]'s first creation, through his divine will, especially when associated with [[Atum]] or [[Amun]].

==Worship of Ra==

His cult began to grow from roughly the II Dynasty, establishing Ra as the sun god. By the IV Dynasty the Pharaoh's were seen to be Ra's manifestations on earth, referred to as "Sons of Ra". His worship increased massively in the V Dynasty, when he became a state deity and Pharaohs had specially aligned pyramids, obelisks and solar temples built in his honour. The first Pyramid Texts began to arise, giving Ra more and more significance in the journey of the Pharaoh through the underworld.

By XI Dynasty, Ra had become much like the theist Christian God. Mythology told that he had created the world for man, and that evil was a result of mankind's actions. In this respect Ra was closely affiliated with [[Ma'at]], goddess of law and truth. It was even implied that he would punish the evil after death. The Middle Kingdom saw Ra being increasingly combined and affiliated with other deities, especially [[Amun]] and [[Osiris]].

During the New Kingdom, the worship of Ra becomes yet more complicated and grand. The walls of tombs were dedicated to extremely detailed texts that told of Ra's journey through the underworld. Ra was also now said to carry the prayers and blessings of the living with the souls of the dead on the sunboat. The New Kingdom appears to be when the idea that Ra aged with the sun was most popular.

Many acts of worship included hymns, prayers and spells to help Ra and the sunboat overcome [[Apophis|Apep]].

Though worship of Ra was very widespread, his cult centre was in [[Heliopolis]], the home of the [[Ennead]] that he was thought to be the head of as [[Atum]].

==References==

*[http://www.egyptianmyths.net/re.htm Ancient Egypt: the Mythology - Re]
*[http://www.crystalinks.com/ra.html Crystalinks.com: Ra]
*[http://www.touregypt.net/godsofegypt/ra.htm Tour Egypt: Ra]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ra Wikipedia: Ra (2005)]

[[Category:Egyptian Godforms]]

User:Cymen

2005-03-12T18:12:18Z

Cymen:

Cymen is an English teenager-come-perfectionist interested in many things, especially literature, mythology and history.

Showing that it's okay not to be able to class yourself as being any one religion, she merges the Qabbalah and aspects of ancient Egyptian belief system to create something eclectic that she's comfortable with. Thelema, however, is still one of her favourite subjects of fascination.

Ennead

2005-03-12T17:40:26Z

Cymen: more detail added from my own general knowledge

{{egyptiangods}}
The Great '''Ennead''' of Heliopolis were the nine most important gods and goddesses worshipped in the city, as per the creation myth of Heliopolis.

==Etymnology==
The word 'ennead' comes from the Greek word ennea, meaning nine. Ennead has thus since become a word to mean a group of nine. When referring to Egyptian mythology, the Ennead are generally the nine foremost deities of [[Heliopolis]], though the term can also be used within Egyptian texts to refer to a council of the gods.

==Ennead and Heliopolis==
The nine gods and goddesses of the Ennead of [[Heliopolis]] were [[Atum]], [[Shu]], [[Tefnut]], [[Geb]], [[Nut]], [[Osiris]], [[Isis]], [[Nephthys]] and [[Set]]. Over time, with differing emphases placed on different gods by different Pharaohs, other deities were added into the Ennead, such as [[Nun]] and [[Ra]], inevitably giving the Ennead as a whole a 'cult' status. Many aspects of the Ennead were absorbed into other city cult systems.

==Ennead and creation==
The original nine stem from a creation myth that was local to Heliopolis at first, but eventually became more popular and spread. The myth varies in detail greatly depending on the location and time of the writing, but the basic idea remains.

[[Atum]] was the creator god, having risen from the primeval waters of chaos ([[Nu]]), creating himself through his own will. He created a hill to stand on, which was said to be the spot on which the temple of [[Heliopolis]] was built. He created [[Shu]], the air, and [[Tefnut]], moisture, from himself. They in turn gave birth to [[Geb]], the earth, and [[Nut]], the sky. [[Geb]] and [[Nut]] then gave birth to [[Osiris]], [[Isis]], [[Set]] and [[Nephthys]], who were the parents of the Pharaohs and other gods.

See also: [[Ogdoad]]

==References==
*Wikipedia. (2005). ''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ennead Ennead]''. Retrieved on 02/28/2005.

[[Category: Egyptian Gods]]

Links

2005-02-23T20:43:46Z

Cymen:

Here are links to sites that our editors recommend. If you are not an editor (learn how to become one [[Thelemapedia:Tutorial_%28Account%29|here]]) and want a link to your site on this page, please [mailto:editor@thelemapedia.org email the managing editor] with your request. If you would like to link to this site, check out our page of [[Thelemapedia:Banners|banners]].

==Thelema==

*[http://members.cox.net/thelema/ Thelema Home Page]—a very good intro to the world of Thelema
*[http://www.babalon.net/ Babalon.net]—dedicated to the Holy Whore
*[http://93current.de/ Current 93]—numerous links and resources
*[http://www.lashtal.com/ LAShTAL.COM]—home of Crowleyana and The Aleister Crowley Society

==Online Communities==

*[http://www.thelema.nu/ Thelema.nu]—a community for the new Aeon
*[http://www.boards.greaterthelema.org/ Greater Thelema Discourse]—exploration of Thelema as a Historical and Literary Concept
*[http://www.scarletwoman.org/lounge/ The Lounge]—discussion forum of Scarlet Woman Lodge

==Libraries==

*[http://www.hermetic.com/ Hermetic.com]—A fantastic site with tons of Thelemic documents
*[http://www.sacred-texts.com The Internet Sacred Text Archive]—Incredible archive of sacred texts, including those of Thelema
*[http://www.rahoorkhuit.net/ Ra-Hoor-Khuit Network]—another huge library of Thelemic material
*[http://www.gnosis.org/library.html The Gnostic Society Library]
*[http://www.gnosis.org/naghamm/nhl.html Nag Hammadi Library]
*[http://www.esotericarchives.com/ Twilit Grotto]—Archives of Western Esoterica
*[http://www.the-equinox.org/ The Equinox]
*[http://larabell.org/Hanuman/ The Ape of Thoth]—search engine of Thelemic Holy Books and other verse-based works by Crowley
*[http://www.scarletwoman.org/scarletletter/ The Scarlet Letter]—archive of the journal of Scarlet Woman Lodge

==Individual voices==

*[http://tim.maroney.org/ Archived materials of Tim Maroney]
*[http://www.LilyTears.com Brian Berge's LilyTears.com]
*[http://www.abrasax.net/ The Enlightenment of Fr. Abrasax]
*[http://www.hermetic.com/dionysos/main.htm The Exposed Adytum of Dionysos Thriambos]
*[http://www.hermetic.com/sabazius/main.html The Invisible Basilica of Sabazius]
*[http://lionserpent.com/ Homepage of Frater M.S.]
*[http://www.sexmagick.com/aisha/ Aisha Qadisha's Scorpio Rising]
*[http://www.ashami.com Eidolons of Ash]

==OTO==

*[http://oto-usa.org/ U.S. Grand Lodge, OTO]
*[http://oto-usa.org/history.html OTO History]
*[http://oto-usa.org/egc.html Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica]
*[http://oto-usa.org/faq.html OTO Frequently Asked Questions]
*[http://oto-usa.org/about_thelema.html About Thelema]

==Organizations and Orders==

*[http://www.thelemicknights.org/ Order of Thelemic Knights]—The first charitable chivalric knighthood to accept the Law of Thelema
*[http://corlucis.org/ Cor Lucis]—A Thelemic initiatory order based in Los Angeles
*[http://www.thelemicgoldendawn.org/ Thelemic Order of the Golden Dawn]
*[http://www.golden-dawn.com/ Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn]
*[http://www.thelema.net/ Hermetic Alchemical Order of the QBLH]
*[http://www.bota.org Builders of the Adytum]
*[http://www.amorc.org/ The Rosicrucian Order]—The Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC)
*[http://www.thelema.org/ College of Thelema]
*[http://www.outercol.org/ The A.'.A.'.]
*[http://horusoftwohorizons.com/ Horus of Two Horizons]—Thelemic fundraising Association of Central Texas
*[http://www.hoor.org/ H.O.O.R.]—The Holy Order Of Ra-Hoor-Khuit
*[http://geocities.com/theototo/ One True Official Thelemic Organization]—just go there, okay?

==Other links of interest==

*[http://heavenshell.net HeavensHell.net]—goth, fetish, occult, cool
*[http://larabell.org/Hanuman/Hanuman.cgi?input=liber999 The Book of the Inlaws] -A parody of the Book of the Law

==Search Engines==
[http://www.addpro.com Search Engine Submission & Optimization]

Udjat

2004-12-12T20:47:06Z

Cymen:

The udjat is a famous Ancient Egyptian symbol of a human eye and eyebrow, with extra markings to make it resemble a falcon's eye. It is also known as the Eye of [[Horus|Heru]] (Horus), wadjet, utchat, or sometimes the [[Eye of Ra]].

According to Egyptian mythology, during the contendings of [[Horus|Heru]] and [[Seth|Suti]] (Set/Seth) for [[Osiris]]' throne, [[Seth|Suti]] ripped out one [[Horus|Heru]]'s eyes. The damage was later healed, depending on the myth, either by [[Hathor|Het-Hert]] (Hathor) by milking a gazelle and putting the milk into the empty socket, or by [[Thoth|Tehuti]] (Thoth) through his magic. Some myths state that [[Horus|Heru]] then gave the Eye to [[Osiris]] so that he may rule the underworld.

The healing of [[Horus|Heru]]'s eye gave rise to the symbol being used as a healing and protective amulet. It was believed that placing it over an injury would magically heal it.

From the same myth, some Egyptians also believed that [[Seth|Suti]] tore the Eye up into sixty-four pieces. Fractions were assigned to each part of the Eye torn by [[Seth|Suti]], which only added up to 63/64. [[Thoth|Tehuti]] restored the eye, compensating for the missing part with his magic, and established it as a symbol of the restoration of natural order.

[[Horus|Heru]]'s right and left eye represent the sun and moon, respectively. Thus, when the udjat is shown as a left eye it is linked with [[Thoth|Tehuti]], and with [[Ra]] when as a right eye. Together, the two eyes represent the entire universe. There have been suggestions that the two eyes are of a dualist nature, acting much like the [[yin-yang]] symbol of [[Taoism]]; the right eye representing masculine energies, and the left representing female energies.

[[Category:Egyptian Culture]]

Udjat

2004-12-12T20:46:21Z

Cymen:

Udjat

2004-12-12T20:44:51Z

Cymen:

Eye of Ra

2004-12-12T20:18:58Z

Cymen:

== Usage as a title ==

Avenger godforms of [[Ra]] were given the title 'Eye of Ra' and represented [[Ra]]'s wrathful nature. The godforms were supposed to have come about by [[Ra]] glancing with his eye and creating them - this is why the Eyes of Ra were often referred to as [[Ra]]'s children. The Egyptians presumably based this idea on the sun itself, and how too much sunshine and firey heat can be destructive.

The most famous incident of an Eye of Ra in typical, vengeful form is found in the myth of [[Sekhmet]] and [[Ra]]. Mankind had disobeyed and mocked [[Ra]], who decided to create [[Sekhmet]] and send her to destroy man. [[Sekhmet]] proceeded to joyfully slaughter everyone she saw, until [[Ra]] pitied mankind. He could not stop [[Sekhmet]], and so decided to trick her by pouring beer, coloured with red ochre, onto some fields. When [[Sekhmet]] came across the fields, she thought the beer was blood and drank until she was unable to kill. Now pacified, [[Ra]] declared that [[Sekhmet]] was now to be known as the peaceful [[Hathor|Het-Hert]].

This myth caused [[Hathor|Het-Hert]] to be known as an Eye of Ra along with [[Sekhmet]], [[Tefnut]], [[Aset]], Wadjet, and Nekhbet.

The Eyes of Ra were not only vengeful, but served as protectors too. Those who bore the title were often called upon to guard the innocent and vulnerable.

== Usage as a symbol ==

Sometimes the [[Udjat]], otherwise known as the Eye of [[Horus|Heru]], was known as the Eye of [[Ra]]. When [[Udjat]] is a right eye, it is supposed to represent the sun and therefore [[Ra]]. This usage is quite uncommon.

[[Category:Egyptian Culture]]

Eye of Ra

2004-12-12T20:13:48Z

Cymen:

Bast

2004-12-12T19:25:10Z

Cymen:

Bast was a solar, Ancient Egyptian godform often depicted with a feline head. Bast was originally a solar goddess, a protector and avenger as an [[Eye of Ra]], as well as having links to mothers, children and fertility. However, she later became a goddess of music, dance and pleasure and became linked with the moon rather than the sun.

== Her name ==

Bast's name generally consists of two heiroglyphs: one for the ''bas''-jar, which were heavy, valuable perfume jars, and a loaf (half circle) to add a feminine 't' ending. In later times, scribes added an extra loaf to stress that the 't' should be pronounced, leading to the commonly mistranslated name Bastet.

As with most ancient Egyptian words, it is debatable as to how Bast is pronounced. The most widely agreed pronounciation is 'Bahs-t' (rhymes somewhat with 'last').

Variations of 'Ubast' also exist, which are derived mainly from a theorized pre-New Kingdom pronunciation. 'Pakhet' is another name associated with Bast, though it is thought that Pakhet may be less-significant, earlier leonine goddess whose cult was absorbed into the cults of Bast and [[Sekhmet]].

Her name was once thought to be a play on words (Ba-Aset), [[ba]] roughly meaning soul and thus making Bast another manifestation of [[Isis|Aset]] (GR: Isis).

== Appearance ==

Bast was usually depicted as a woman with a domesticated cat's head, although she often had a lion's head. She has been known to hold various items:

*Ankh, a symbol of life which Bast often held;
*Papyrus wand, again often held by Bast, usually symbolising a primogenial god;
*Sistrum, a musical instrument often held by Bast and [[Hathor|Het-Hert]] (also Het-Heru; GR: Hathor);
*Was-scepter, a symbol of power or dominion sometimes held by Bast in pictures of her in Per-Bast.

Bast was never shown as being fully human.

== Her changing role ==

Bast was a solar god, and an [[Eye of Ra]]. The idea of Bast and domestic cats is a modern one, and leads to many misconceptions of Bast's nature and role. Feline gods and goddesses were often given the role of protector or avenger, presumably due to the typical contact Ancient Egyptians had with lions and feral desert wildcats. Thus, Bast is linked to the Pharaoh as his protector. In some accounts, Bast would supposedly become a flame of the sun and burn a dead soul that failed one of the tests to enter the afterlife. It has also been suggested the Bast is specifically a goddess of the sunrise, or of gentle sunlight. However, very few sources can adequately prove these theories.

Bast is perhaps most well known as a protector of cats, women (particularly mothers) and children. Cats were sacred in Ancient Egypt, seen as a symbol of motherhood and creation, and so Bast's role was seen as very important. Often, cats were seen as manifestations of the goddess herself. In her role of mother, Bast was further connected (through the [[Book of the Dead|Book of Going Forth by Day]] and later art and statues) with the Pharaoh by serving as his nurse.

As her popularity grew, Bast became associated with [[Hathor|Het-Hert]] due to their links to fertility and, possibly, [[Sekhmet]]. Inevitably, Bast took on some of [[Hathor|Het-Hert]]'s roles and became known as a goddess of music, dance and pleasure as more emphasis was placed on her being a goddess of mothers and fertility. The vengeful, vicious protector and avenger was, in essence, tamed. She was regarded as a much softer, gentler goddess in later periods of Egyptian civilization, which is sometimes alluded to the sensuality of a cat.

The Greeks associated Bast with [[Artemis]], causing Bast to switch from being a solar goddess to a lunar goddess.

== Her relationships with other Egyptian deities ==

Bast was considered to be a daughter of [[Ra]]. Whether she was an [[Eye of Ra]] because she was his daughter, or whether she was considered his daughter because she was an [[Eye of Ra]] is debatable. Regardless, the relationship was widely acknowledged. She was also called the daughter of [[Atum]] as the two began to merge. It is unclear who Bast's mother, if anyone, was.

Bast is automatically, as an Eye of Ra, linked with the other goddesses who shared the same title; [[Tefnut]], [[Isis|Aset]], [[Hathor|Het-Hert]], Wadjet, Nekhbet and [[Sekhmet]].

Despite common belief, [[Sekhmet]] and Bast are not related in any way. Both were feline goddesses, and both were an [[Eye of Ra]], but they were both believed to protect different areas of Egypt; [[Sekhmet]] taking Upper Egypt, and Bast taking Lower Egypt. This geographical connection gave rise to the belief that they were twin sisters, but there are no records confirm them being family. It is untrue that Bast was simply [[Sekhmet]]'s gentler side - [[Sekhmet]], like Bast, did acquire more gentle qualities in later times, and is supposedly [[Hathor|Het-Hert]] in her [[Eye of Ra]] form.

Confusion of marital relationships arises due to regional differences. Towns where the worship of Bast was prominent considered Bast to be the wife of [[Ptah]], while other areas claimed [[Sekhmet]] or Wadjet was his wife instead. Mahes (also translated as Mihos or Maahes) was, however, widely considered to be the son of Bast and [[Ptah]]. He was an ancient, lion-headed god of war, and protector of the innocent; his job in later times was to punish those who violated the universal order of [[Ma'at]]. He may have been the Egyptian version of Apedemek, a similar Nubian god, and was later associated with the Greek Furies during the Hellenisation of Egypt. He was generally worshipped alongside Bast, at Per-Bast (GR: Bubastis) or at his cult centre in Leontopolis.

Bast is also linked to Nefertem, as another son of Ptah even though his mother is more likely to be [[Sekhmet]] or Wadjet. She is also linked with Shemsu, as he was a god of perfumes (see the origins of Bast's name) and sacred oils used for embalming, in later times. Nefertem also seems to have a link with perfume.

[[Mut]] was also associated with Bast when depicted as a lioness, being addressed as Sekhmet-Bast-Ra. She was also linked with Bast when an attempt was made to link Mut to the older goddesses.

== Worship ==

Bast's main centre of worship was in Per-Bast where there are ruins of what appears to be what was the largest temple to the goddess. No temples or shrines have remained intact. She was initially a local goddess of the Delta, but her cult eventually spread throughout Lower Egypt due to her connections with [[Ra]] and the Pharaoh, and later because of her popularity as a goddess of pleasure.

Bast's cult absorbed other cults that were similar to her own, including those of ancient divinities such as Mafdet, a protector against wild animals.

Bast, like many other popular deities, had several feast days. They were often celebrated with wild, orgiastic parties which were full of noisy music and dance. One festival of Bast is famously described as such:

: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.

<small>Herodotus, Histories Book II, chapter 60</small>

Bast also shared some festivals with other deities such as [[Sekhmet]] and [[Hathor|Het-Hert]].

==References==

*[http://www.per-bast.com/ Cass, per-Bast.org, All About Bast]
*[http://www.crystalinks.com/bast.html Crystallinks.com: Bast]
*[http://www.egyptianmyths.net/section-symbols.htm Symbols in Ancient Egypt]
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bast Wikipedia: Bastet]

[[Category:Godforms]] [[Category:Egyptian Godforms]]

Bast

2004-12-11T00:15:28Z

Cymen: A solar Egyptian cat-headed godform, Bast was originally a protector and avenger but later became a goddess of music, dance and pleasure, all the time linked to mothers and fertility.

== Her name ==

Bast's name generally consists of two heiroglyphs: one for the ''bas''-jar, which were heavy, valuable perfume jars, and a loaf (half circle) to add a feminine 't' ending. In later times, scribes added an extra loaf to stress that the 't' should be pronounced, leading to the commonly mistranslated name Bastet.

As with most ancient Egyptian words, it is debatable as to how Bast is pronounced. The most widely agreed pronounciation is 'Bahs-t' (rhymes somewhat with 'last').

Variations of 'Ubast' also exist, which are derived mainly from a theorized pre-New Kingdom pronunciation. 'Pakhet' is another name associated with Bast, though it is thought that Pakhet may be less-significant, earlier leonine goddess whose cult was absorbed into the cults of Bast and [[Sekhmet]].

== Appearance ==

Bast was usually depicted as a woman with a domesticated cat's head, although she often had a lion's head. She has been known to hold various items:

*Ankh, a symbol of life which Bast often held;
*Papyrus wand, again often held by Bast, usually symbolising a primogenial god;
*Sistrum, a musical instrument often held by Bast and [[Hathor|Het-Hert]] (also Het-Heru; GR: Hathor);
*Was-scepter, a symbol of power or dominion sometimes held by Bast in pictures of her in Per-Bast.

Bast was never shown as being fully human.

== Her changing role ==

Bast was a solar god, and an [[Eye of Ra]]. The idea of Bast and domestic cats is a modern one, and leads to many misconceptions of Bast's nature and role. Feline gods and goddesses were often given the role of protector or avenger, presumably due to the typical contact Ancient Egyptians had with lions and feral desert wildcats. Thus, Bast is linked to the Pharaoh as his protector. In some accounts, Bast would supposedly become a flame of the sun and burn a dead soul that failed one of the tests to enter the afterlife. It has also been suggested the Bast is specifically a goddess of the sunrise, or of gentle sunlight. However, very few sources can adequately prove these theories.

Bast is perhaps most well known as a protector of cats, women (particularly mothers) and children. Cats were sacred in Ancient Egypt, seen as a symbol of motherhood and creation, and so Bast's role was seen as very important. Often, cats were seen as manifestations of the goddess herself. In her role of mother, Bast was further connected (through the [[Book of the Dead|Book of Going Forth by Day]] and later art and statues) with the Pharaoh by serving as his nurse.

As her popularity grew, Bast became associated with [[Hathor|Het-Hert]] due to their links to fertility and, possibly, [[Sekhmet]]. Inevitably, Bast took on some of [[Hathor|Het-Hert]]'s roles and became known as a goddess of music, dance and pleasure as more emphasis was placed on her being a goddess of mothers and fertility. The vengeful, vicious protector and avenger was, in essence, tamed. She was regarded as a much softer, gentler goddess in later periods of Egyptian civilization, which is sometimes alluded to the sensuality of a cat.

The Greeks associated Bast with [[Artemis]], causing Bast to switch from being a solar goddess to a lunar goddess.

== Her relationships with other Egyptian deities ==

Bast was considered to be a daughter of [[Ra]]. Whether she was an [[Eye of Ra]] because she was his daughter, or whether she was considered his daughter because she was an [[Eye of Ra]] is debatable. Regardless, the relationship was widely acknowledged. She was also called the daughter of [[Atum]] as the two began to merge. It is unclear who Bast's mother, if anyone, was.

Bast is automatically, as an Eye of Ra, linked with the other goddesses who shared the same title; [[Tefnut]], [[Isis|Aset]] (GR: Isis), [[Hathor|Het-Hert]], Wadjet, Nekhbet and [[Sekhmet]].

Despite common belief, [[Sekhmet]] and Bast are not related in any way. Both were feline goddesses, and both were an [[Eye of Ra]], but they were both believed to protect different areas of Egypt; [[Sekhmet]] taking Upper Egypt, and Bast taking Lower Egypt. This geographical connection gave rise to the belief that they were twin sisters, but there are no records confirm them being family. It is untrue that Bast was simply [[Sekhmet]]'s gentler side - [[Sekhmet]], like Bast, did acquire more gentle qualities in later times, and is supposedly [[Hathor|Het-Hert]] in her [[Eye of Ra]] form.

Confusion of marital relationships arises due to regional differences. Towns where the worship of Bast was prominent considered Bast to be the wife of [[Ptah]], while other areas claimed [[Sekhmet]] or Wadjet was his wife instead. Mahes (also translated as Mihos or Maahes) was, however, widely considered to be the son of Bast and [[Ptah]]. He was an ancient, lion-headed god of war, and protector of the innocent; his job in later times was to punish those who violated the universal order of [[Ma'at]]. He may have been the Egyptian version of Apedemek, a similar Nubian god, and was later associated with the Greek Furies during the Hellenisation of Egypt. He was generally worshipped alongside Bast, at Bubastis or his cult centre in Leontopolis.

Bast is also linked to Nefertem, as another son of Ptah even though his mother is more likely to be [[Sekhmet]] or Wadjet. She is also linked with Shemsu, as he was a god of perfumes (see the origins of Bast's name) and sacred oils used for embalming, in later times. Nefertem also seems to have a link with perfume.

[[Mut]] was also associated with Bast when depicted as a lioness, being addressed as Sekhmet-Bast-Ra. She was also linked with Bast when an attempt was made to link Mut to the older goddesses.

== Worship ==

Bast's main centre of worship was in Per-Bast (GR: Bubastis) where there are ruins of what appears to be what was the largest temple to the goddess. No temples or shrines have remained intact. She was initially a local goddess of the Delta, but her cult eventually spread throughout Lower Egypt due to her connections with [[Ra]] and the Pharaoh, and later because of her popularity as a goddess of pleasure.

Bast's cult absorbed other cults that were similar to her own, including those of ancient divinities such as Mafdet, a protector against wild animals.

Bast, like many other popular deities, had several feast days. They were often celebrated with wild, orgiastic parties which were full of noisy music and dance. One festival of Bast is famously described as such:

: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.

<small>Herodotus, Histories Book II, chapter 60</small>

Bast also shared some festivals with other deities such as [[Sekhmet]] and [[Hathor|Het-Hert]].

==References==

*[http://www.per-bast.com/ Cass, per-Bast.org, All About Bast]
*[http://www.crystalinks.com/bast.html Crystallinks.com: Bast]
*[http://www.egyptianmyths.net/section-symbols.htm Symbols in Ancient Egypt]