Anubis Coi

Origin: Upper Egypt

 Sekhmet, lioness goddess, epitomizes the blazing, scorching power of the sun. She is a goddess of war, justice, destruction, and healing. Her name may derive from a root word meaning “to be strong, powerful, mighty, or violent.” Sekhmet is among the fiery manifestations of the Eye of Ra. 

  She is a fierce guardian goddess of Upper Egypt. Her hot breath created the desert. Sekhmet was associated with plagues and pestilential diseases; illnesses that blew in on desert winds. Sensational descriptions of Sekhmet tend to emphasize her destructive aspects, bust she was also among Egypt’s most significant healing deities and remains an active healer today.

  Most Spirits must be asked before they will openly intervene in someone’s life. (It’s possible that many perform acts of rescue anonymously.) Sekhmet, however, is renowned for appearing in dreams and visions in order to perform successful healings. No one summoned her, at least not consciously. Instead, Sekhmet recognized a need and personally took initiative. (Sekhmet appears when invoked too.) If Sekhmet heals you without first being asked, offerings are in order. Sometimes this is a one-time favor but it may also be her way of extending matronage. If you wish to accept her offer, then create an alter or make some other gesture of acknowledgement. 

   Sekhmet heals all illnesses except those of the eyes. She is associated with blood ailments. She has dominion over the menstrual cycle and women’s reproductive systems. Sekhmet should not be bothered for trifles, but she is an intensely powerful and proactive healer. Some theorize that Sekhmet is an emanation of the primordial goddess Hathor who first emerged in a time of crisis and took on a life of her own, similar to the relationship between Indian goddesses Kali and Durga. Just as Shiva is able to halt Kali’s dance of destruction, so Lord Thoth is able to pacify Sekhmet, something to keep in mind, just in case.

Manifestation: Sekhmet manifests as a woman with a lion’s head or as a lioness.

Iconography: Sekhmet is depicted crowned with a solar disc encircled by a uraeus (upright cobra, symbolic of divine authority). Many Sekhmet statues survive perhaps because there were so many to begin with. Temple priestesses allegedly made offerings before a different statue each day of the year. Legend suggests that her statues were especially protected because of the aggressive nature of the deity and also because they were coated with anthrax or other highly infectious bacterial powder to ensure that they were not disturbed.

Attribute:  A two headed snake; Sekhmet holds one head in each hand. Also arrows.

Consort: Ptah

Son: Nefertem  

Element: Fire

Color: Red

Offerings: Beer by itself or blended with pomegranate juice; arrows; silver medical tools; incense. 

-Encyclopedia of Spirits
       By: Judika Illes <3
 

Ever feel nostalgic for a feeling you experienced with someone in particular? 
Where you find comfort with the unfamiliar?