Bastet Figurines Egyptian Cat Goddess Sculptures & Statues
Hail, Bastet, Goddess of the Sun and Moon, Radiant and fierce, yet gentle as a breeze. Majestic lioness, guardian of the home, We call upon your presence with reverence and ease. As we reflect on Bastet’s enduring legacy, let us embrace her message of protection, joy, and feminine power in our own lives. May her presence serve as a reminder of the beauty and resilience that dwell within us all, inspiring us to walk boldly in the world with grace, courage, and compassion.
Bastet Figurines – The Egyptian Goddess of Protection & Grace
- Bubastis, from which Bastet’s name may be derived, was the chief location for this celebration involving wine, boating, and song.
- During this time, small cat statues were exchanged between households, yet another symbol of Bastet’s ubiquity.
- Like Sekhmet and Hathor, Bastet (as the Eye of Ra) was appeased through offerings of wine and sometimes red-colored beer (as a replacement for the blood of human beings).
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In the afterlife, she was believed to accompany the deceased on their journey to the underworld, providing guidance and protection along the way. Her presence offered reassurance to the departed as they navigated the trials of the Duat, the realm of the dead. In the earliest Bastet iconography, she is depicted with the body of a slender female and the head of a lioness. Her cat-headed form became her primary symbol during the later New Kingdom period, after 1100 BC. In many of these depictions, which include small statues and images on jars of ointment, she is purely a cat, sitting still and erect but acutely aware of festivali-rtsh.al her surroundings. With a gentle touch of her paw, Bastet bestows her blessings upon you, filling you with courage, strength, and grace.
Worship and Festivals
During this time, small cat statues were exchanged between households, yet another symbol of Bastet’s ubiquity. The Festival of Bastet was celebrated initially in the cities of Bubastis, Esna, and Thebes. Bubastis, from which Bastet’s name may be derived, was the chief location for this celebration involving wine, boating, and song. If the Greek historian Herodotus is to be believed, the women on boat would verbally abuse the residents of each passing town while lifting their skirts. Bastet extends her hand to you, inviting you to join her on a journey through the sacred temple dedicated to her worship. As you walk together, you feel her powerful energy enveloping you, filling you with a sense of safety and belonging.
The Significance of Bastet in Egyptian Mythology
- Offer words of welcome and reverence, expressing your gratitude for her guidance and protection.
- It is also possible that her name came from the Ancient Egyptian word for ointment jar.
- In the rich tapestry of ancient Egyptian mythology, few deities captivate the imagination quite like Bastet, the goddess of home, fertility, and felines.
Typified by fierceness and violence but also loyalty, Bastet became a figure to be emulated among the pharaohs. While her transformation from lioness to cat may seem incongruous, it fits with Ancient Egypt’s regard for both. Cats were instrumental in hunting and killing disease-ridden mice in homes and crops. Accordingly, Bastet became a protector deity, guarding the hearth and families and eventually the pharaoh himself.
Daily Ritual
Offer a final prayer or blessing to Bastet, thanking her for her protection and guidance. Express your gratitude to Bastet for her presence and blessings, speaking from the heart with sincerity and love. Close your eyes and imagine yourself standing in a sun-drenched courtyard, surrounded by ancient stone pillars adorned with intricate hieroglyphs. The air is filled with the scent of lotus blossoms, and the sound of soft music drifts on the breeze.
