Articles
Being your Personal Best
through the Magick of Bast
by Lorraine Henrich
Working with the Gods and Goddesses is one of the most powerful and
effective ways to connect with the Archetypal world, a place where all
original life comes from, a place where the divine sparks of creation
are in their purest form. In fact it is the Gods and Goddesses who
embody that which is divine and they can help us to not only remember
our divinity but also manifest our goals into reality. They reach out to
us through the world of spirit and assist us with their energy and
sometimes their appearance in our lives.
So let us explore the great beauty and strength of the Egyptian Goddess
Bast as well as her magick.
The worship of Bast dates back to approximately 2890 BCE and until about
1000BCE she was depicted as a Lion Headed Goddess. Known as the eye of
Ra, Bast was a personal hit man for Ma'at the Goddess of Truth and
Justice. In fact transgressors of Maat would be forced to deal with
this Lion Headed goddess as she would rip out their hearts and deliver
them to the feet of the Pharaoh and Maat. (1)
Bast, goddess of the dawn, was often depicted holding a sistrum (sacred
rattle used by both priests and priestess of Bast to evoke and banish
spirits) and/or her protective aegis (shield). She would sometimes be
shown wearing green and The hieroglyphs for
Bast are
--the jar-like symbol representing "bas" and the half-circle (a loaf of
bread) standing for the feminine "-t" ending. The
bas-jars themselves are
heavy vessels used to store perfume--and
Bast Herself
has relations to perfumery (a second translation of Her
name is "Lady
of the Ointments"). (2)
Because of her guardian nature not only did she protect the Pharaoh, but
she was Lady of the east protecting the lower part of Egypt, East of
the Nile, and her patron city was Bubastis,which later became the
capitol of Egypt. Her shrine existed surrounded by a red granite
square. within that square was a Temple to bast and within that shrine
was a sacred grove of Persea trees, a tree sacred in Egypt with avocado
as the variation in the US. The shrine of Bast is the only known Temple
to contain a sacred grove within the center. In this Temple, cats were
found everywhere, both as statue gifts to Bast and actual
felines invited to the sacred shrine (3)
As
time passed Bast became more domestic, depicted with a cat head and
taking on more earthy qualities as protector of children and fertility
goddess. The Greeks embraced Bast as Artemis and she then took on the
lunar qualities of the moon. (4)
However it is the original qualities of the solar Bast that we work on
when calling upon the Lady of the East. It is Bast who helps us to
become stronger to protect that which we hold sacred to be mindful of
the balance of life and protect our own truth and integrity. It is the
Solar Bast who guards new beginnings. Work with Bast to create a strong
self image and new foundations based on the cosmic and Universal
balance.
Suggestions for Working Magick with Bast - Please note you may vary this
according to your associations with the Goddess:
If
possible create your altar outdoors.
Drape your altar
in Green and place it in the East:
Represent the
elements -
Earth: A
sun stone or Tiger's eye
Water: a
red bowl or container (preferably granite or stone) filled
with water,
Air: Wear
these oils and burn any one of these incenses - orange, catnip,
frankincense, patchouli, or Egyptian Musk
Fire: A
Golden candle to represent the dawn
A small cat statue
or similar offering to Bast
Optional
A bowl of avocados
Sun flowers
The Strength Card
of the Tarot preferably the Ryder Waite or Thoth Deck
Meditation:
Breathe deeply in and out while visualizing the light of the sun puring
through your crown chakra and entering your body. exhale all stagnant
Chi as this takes place. Bathe yourself in the the Golden light of the
Sun. Feel it surrounding you and entering you as you inhale and
exhale. Allow this solar light to relax and soothe your body as your
chakras are energized and opened. Your are safe and relaxed with the
strength and protective energy of the Sun.
Now see the beautiful city of Bubastis in its original state. See the
Red granite wall and enter through the East Gate. As you enter the gate
there is a Feline guardian who asks that you state your intent. Give her
your intent of creation and then enter the Gate. Step though the gate
and find yourself walking towards a beautiful white Temple, the inner
Temple. Again there is a guardian and this time the Guardian will ask
you for an offering to the Goddess. Give her the gift you had placed on
the altar and enter the sacred Grove. Spend as much time as you need
here, clarifying and healing your intents.
Enter the shrine and meet Bast in whatever form she chooses to appear to
you. Spend as much time as you need and let her Goddess energy inspire
you with her blessings and messages to you. Be sure to thank this
Majestic Goddess before you leave the Temple.
Bibliography:
1.
The Book of Goddesses and Heroines Patricia Monaghan
2. "All About Bast" SD Cass
3. "Sacred Texts - Bast" Chris Olmstrach
4. "Egyptian Gods and Goddesses" Ellie Crystal
Reference Material:
A Practical Guide to Qabalistic Symbolism Gareth
Knight
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