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Bastet (bah-stet)
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Bastet was the Egyptian Cat Goddess of Joy, Peace, Art, Music, Dance, Fertility, Sexual rites, Mother-hood, Marriage, Benevolence, Pleasure, Intuition, Healing, and Protection against disease and evil spirits. The Goddess Bastet, was Peaceful and friendly. She was usually shown in the form of a women with a cat's head or as a domesticated cat. Although Bastet was mostly identified with the gentle creating power of the sun, she was also identified with cats and the Moon. A sacred shrine was built in her honor in the great city of cats, Bubastis. Black cats were especially sacred to Bastet. The symbol of the black cat was used by Egyptian shamans in healing rituals. An annual festival was held in Bubastis in Bastet's honor around April 15. Thousands of worshippers journeyed up and down the Nile, accompanied by flutes, castanets, and lots of wine. No, we're not hippies...we just liked the idea of a goddess who was into music, sex, and beer. Test on Friday. Bonus points if you say the name correctly. |
