Sekhmet is the Egyptian goddess of war, destruction, healing, divine wrath, fire, and the sun. In Egyptian mythology, Sekhmet was seen as a powerful protector and was often invoked for protection and healing.
Appearance: she is often depicted as a powerful lioness-headed goddess, with the body of a woman. She is typically shown wearing royal garments and adorned with golden jewelry. Her eyes are fierce and piercing, radiating strength and authority. Sekhmet’s form reflects both her divine power—with muscles like those of a warrior—and her role as an embodiment of fire.
Personality: Sekhmet is traditionally depicted as a fierce and powerful deity. In addition, she is associated with healing, protection, fertility and warfare. As a goddess of war, Sekhmet is associated with strength, power and aggression, and is often depicted as a warrior and protector. When she is in a more benevolent mood, Sekhmet is kind and nurturing, and is associated with healing and fertility. She is also considered to be a protector of women and children, and is known for her healing powers and motherly side.
Symbols: the sun, red linen, scimitar, ankh, the desert, and pomegranates
Goddess of: war, destruction, healing, divine wrath, fire, and the sun
Plants: carnation, rose, cloves, cinnamon, juniper, and orange blossoms
Crystals: sunstone, ruby, garnet, anorthite, red agate, grossular, brecciated agate, poppy jasper, arsenoprite, red spinel, blood jasper, tiger’s eye, jacinth, zircon, indigo gabbro, danburite, spessartite, fire opal, goldstone, sardonyx, and bloodstone
Incense: cinnamon, rose, orange, juniper, pomegranate, hops, vanilla, oak, frankincense, myrrh, and sandalwood
Practices: healing, solar magick, protection, strength, cleansing, shadow work, fire magick, and balance
Colours: red, gold, yellow, and white
Tarot: The Sun, Strength, and The Tower
Days: Sunday and Tekh Festival
Siblings: Bastet, Hathor and Khonsu
Children: Nefertem, Maahes, and Imhotep
The sun: her association with the sun is because she is the daughter of the sun god, Ra, and represents his power as the Eye of Ra. This association connects her to the sun's fierce, destructive heat, and she is often depicted with a solar disk on her head. Her role as a goddess of destruction and war is seen as a manifestation of the sun's scorching power.
Lions: she is associated with lions due to her ancient Egyptian representations. In Egyptian mythology, the goddess Sekhmet is commonly depicted as a fierce lioness-headed goddess who is associated with violence, warfare and the sun. In ancient Egypt, lions were symbols of strength and power, and were worshipped as divine messengers of the sun god Ra. It is believed that the Egyptians associated Sekhmet with lions as they saw them as powerful predators who embody strength and wisdom.
Healing: Sekhmet is associated with healing because of her dual nature as both a destructive and protective goddess, reflecting the ancient Egyptian belief that the same force that brought disease could also cure it. She was revered as the patron of physicians and healers, and her priests were often the doctors who used sophisticated medical knowledge and spiritual practices to heal the sick.
Fire: she is the solar goddess of the sun. Fire is often associated with the sun and its heat, and as a manifestation of the sun, she is therefore also associated with fire. Sekhmet is associated with fire because of her association with purification. Fire is often seen as a purifying element, and therefore Sekhmet, the lion goddess, is seen as a purifying goddess that uses fire to cleanse and burn away impurities.
Ankh: it represents her dual nature as both a destructive and a life-giving goddess. While known as a fierce warrior goddess, she is also the goddess of healing, and the ankh symbolizes her power to bestow life, fertility, and eternal life through her connection to the Nile floods and the ability to heal the sick.
Sekhmet’s name comes from the adjective sekhem, meaning “powerful” or “mighty”, while the ending –t is a suffix for female names. Of her many epithets, all were equally terrifying. She is sometimes referred to in Egyptian texts as “She Before Whom Evil Trembles”, the “Mistress of Dread”, “The Mauler”, or the “Lady of Slaughter”.
The origins of Sekhmet are unclear, but she seems to have been born in the Delta area, where lions were rarely seen and were thus regarded as mysterious and magical beasts. According to an important text about Memphite theology engraved in the famous Shabako Stone, the lioness Sekhmet was the wife of Ptah, patron god of artisans, and the mother of the lotus god Nefertum. She was also the firstborn of the sun god Ra. During the New Kingdom, Ra, Sekhmet, and Nefertum became known as the “Memphite Triad.” They were adored as a group during the times of Egyptian history when Memphis was the capital of Egypt, especially the 18th and 19th dynasties, right until the reign of Seti I (715-664 BCE).
She was also revered as the “Mistress of Asheru” in the Mut Temple, at Karnak, and her cult was strong in the regions of Luxor, Memphis, Letopolis, and all the Delta. At some of the temples there, she was offered the blood of recently sacrificed animals, in order to placate her rage. If her anger was contained, it gave her worshippers control over their enemies and the vigor and strength to overcome weakness and illness.
Sekhmet was known to enjoy the taste of blood. Every year, on the feast of Hathor and Sekhmet, Egyptians commemorated the saving of mankind by drinking copious amounts of beer stained with pomegranate juice. The surviving records of such feasts talked about how they did so to worship “the Mistress and Lady of the Tomb, the Gracious One, Destroyer of Rebellion, Powerful with Enchantments.” During the celebrations, a statue of Sekhmet was dressed in red facing west, while one of Bastet was dressed in green and facing east. Bastet was considered to be Sekhmet’s counterpart or twin, and during the festival, they embodied duality, which was an important concept in Egyptian mythology. Sekhmet represented Upper Egypt, while Bastet stood for Lower Egypt. Bastet was the tame, good goddess, while Sekhmet was the Bloodthirsty, the chaotic and dangerous deity of war and love.
Traditionally, when invoking Sekhmet, the first thing you should do is to set your altar space to honour her. Set up representations of Sekhmet, such as statues or images of her, and light candles or incense to create a strong and sacred space. Then you can meditate as you visualize Sekhmet appearing in front of you. Speak to Sekhmet with confidence and respect, calling upon her with the words, "Hail mighty Sekhmet, great mistress of strength, I call upon your power and bring honour to you."
She-Who-brings-the-evildoers-to-justice,
Turn not Your anger against us.
We fall on our bellies before Your red rage,
No evil can withstand the fire of Your righteousness.
Turn not Your anger against us.
The sick pray for healing,
The wronged plead for justice.
Turn not Your anger against us.
Great is the love of Your people for You.
Behold, we pour cool water and oil for You,
We offer red beer to slake Your thirst for blood,
Turn not Your anger against us.
Whose strength is without contender,
May You ascend to Ra with our prayers,
Riding the hot winds of Tjemehu,
Roaring Your demands for Truth,
Retribution, and the return of Ma'at.
Turn not Your anger against us.
SIGNS THAT SEKHMET IS CALLING YOU:
Recurring imagery of lions or the colour red.
Finding yourself drawn to her myths and attributes.
Feeling a surge of energy or courage in situations where you might normally feel fear.
Dreams featuring lions or aspects of her mythology can also be a strong signal.
Feeling drawn to healing practices or experiencing a healing energy.
A feeling of connection or attraction to the desert.
Desire to learn more about or work with fire.
A sense of empowerment or strength.
Gold jewelry that does or doesn’t have ankh’s or suns on it.
Incense: cinnamon, rose, orange, juniper, pomegranate, hops, vanilla, oak, frankincense, myrrh, and sandalwood.
Food and drinks: pomegranates, red wine, rum, beer, meats, bones, spicy foods, milk, blackberries, raspberries, mushrooms, and bread.
Red, gold, yellow, or white candles.
Images or drawings of lions, the desert, or cobras.
Wild cat skulls or bones (collected ethically).
Crystals: sunstone, ruby, garnet, anorthite, red agate, grossular, brecciated agate, poppy jasper, arsenoprite, red spinel, blood jasper, tiger’s eye, jacinth, zircon, indigo gabbro, danburite, spessartite, fire opal, goldstone, sardonyx, and bloodstone.
Wear a piece of jewelry or other clothing item that reminds you of her.
Let more sunlight into your home/room.
Connect with your own inner strength.
Make a collage/moodboard/pinterest board/similar collection of photos and images you associate with her, especially if some of the images are your own.
Own lioness, weapon, sun, or fire imagery.
Take care of a sick loved one or someone who is having a hard time.
Listen to music that makes you feel brave/empowered.
Hold others and yourself responsible for their/your actions; apologize or make amends when possible/appropriate.
Learn about shadow work and try it for yourself.
Donate and support victims of war and humanitarian organizations, especially medical or veteran related ones.
Learn about history, past wars, and past riots; what they accomplished or failed to accomplish.
Pray to Her for strength, ability to fight and defeat enemies, courage, to keep others safe, and help in a battle.
Try and wake up early and watch the sun rise.
Make a playlist or listen to songs that remind you of her or you think she'd like.
Take your medications, if any; take medications as needed.
Go for a walk and feel the warmth from the sun.
Take care of your body physically to the best of your ability (shower, eat well, get a good amount of sleep, exercise, etc.)
Look into healthy coping skills for any anxiety, depression, trauma, etc. Anything that can improve your mental/emotional well-being.
Practice standing up for yourself; speak your mind and assert your personal boundaries.
Light a bonfire in her honor; gather with loved ones around it or sit alone in peace.
Go on walks on sunny days.
Making a list of your personal strengths and things you're proud of.
Allowing yourself to express your anger and frustration; sit with and feel your feelings.
Learn about/research health conditions that you or your loved ones have; get a better understanding of these things.
Watch sunrises and sunsets.
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