Dec 22, 2020
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Mother of the gods, the One, the Only, Mistress of the crowns, thou rulest all; Sekhmet is thy name when thou art wrathful, Bast, beloved, when thy people call. Daughter of the Sun, with flame and fury Flashing from the prow upon the foe; Safely sails the Boat with thy protection Passing scatheless where thy fires glow. Daughter of the Sun, the burial chamber Lies in the darkness till thy light appears. From thy Throne of Silence send us comfort, Bast, beloved, banish all our fears. Mother of the gods, no gods existed Till thou camest there and gave them life. Sekhmet of the Boat, the wicked fear thee Trampling down all evil and all strife. Mother of the gods, the great, the loved one, Winged and mighty, unto thee we call, Naming thee the Comforter, the Ruler, Bast, beloved, Mother of us all.
Transcription by M. A. Murray - Chapter 164 of the Egyptian Book of the Dead, (the Book of Entering the Light)
Lady Bast beloved of the Gods (Mau Bast Merit Netcheru) we call to you Mighty Lady of the East, Right eye of Ra. Thank you Beloved daughter of Ra for the blessings you bestow on all of us everyday. Thank you for your love, most Powerful Mother. Thank you for the Peace and Protection you bring into our homes, to the temples and Sanctuaries; to the people and your Beloved Animals! We are renewed by your Blessings each day, you are the rekindler of new life, Beloved Lady of Bubastis, who grants your creation, from the first occasion. [The world was said to have emerged from an infinite, lifeless sea when the sun rose for the first time, in a distant period known as Zep Tepi, or the First Occasion.] Goddess, you are the Concealed One who shows us love and affection and who grants us pleasure to experience the deepest fulfillment of life. Our hearts rejoice in your presence like the Lotus praises Ra at each new day. Lady of Blossoming you bring us joy and we thank you for bestowing this upon all of us! You have our love, oh beautiful Bast, Powerful One, Soul of Isis. Offerings we make to you, flame of the Sun, Great Protectoress, Daughter of Delight, Infinite Fulfillment Made Manifest. Most honored Bast!
version of Hymn to Bast by Rahopet (circa 2000 BCE)
My toddler did this to my statue. Hard to be mad at her. It looks better.
If you’re trying to conceive a child, or if you’re pregnant and want her to watch over you, make offerings to Bast. Honey or other sweet foods such as chocolate are an appropriate choice, as is raw meat or milk, or even handcrafted cat statues or perfumed ointments.
As an early war goddess, Bastet was portrayed as a lioness, or as a woman’s body with a lioness’ head.
Bastet evolved over the centuries into a goddess who protected mothers and their newborn children.
Her annual festival was a huge event, with singing, dancing, and sacrifices; as many as half a million worshipers attended.
In addition to being a war goddess, Bast was eventually honored as a goddess of sex and fertility. According to the Encyclopedia of World Mythology, she was originally portrayed as a lioness, but by the time of the Middle Kingdom, around 900 b.c.e., she had morphed into more of a domestic cat.
Bastet Shrine
Bastet Scented Candle on Etsy