In a cat I see a woman with an ever-changing, sensitive soul... (Giacomo Casanova)

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The cat family is magnificent and amazing. From time immemorial, its representatives were worshiped, surrounded by secrets, and mysterious mystical traits were attributed to them. Since ancient times, the cat has been more strongly associated with witchcraft than any other animal. In this chapter we will look at the legendary magical abilities of famous cat goddesses, list their unchanging attributes - colors, stones, crystals, herbs, and provide other information. And of course, each goddess mentioned here is addressed to a special cat spell according to their witchcraft specialty.

If you now ask why this chapter is dedicated only to goddesses, the answer is obvious.
The sorceress cat is mysterious in a feminine way. It all began many thousands of years ago with the deification of Bast and other Egyptian cats in the Nile Valley. It is impossible to talk about divine cats without first remembering Ancient Egypt. In the Egyptian kingdom, cats were sacred temple animals, beloved pets of ordinary people and pharaohs. Many Egyptian deities - the fertility goddess and symbol of femininity Isis, the sky goddess Hathor, the avenger Mafdet, the mistress Mut, the hunting god Horus, the sun god Ra, the goddess of war and the scorching sun Sekhmet, the desert god and the personification of evil Seth - are associated with wild and domestic cats.

Apparently, most Egyptian cats were reddish, brownish, and golden. On the steps of the tombs of the pharaohs, brownish cats are depicted with the same pattern as the modern tabby.

Stately, arrogant cats sit under the pharaoh's throne, enjoying the royal life. Egyptian cats guarded grain warehouses from snakes and rodents, and in homes they occupied a place of honor near the hearth.

The Egyptians believed that cats had enormous magical powers and intuition. The law prohibited intentionally harming them. Fools who violated it were subjected to severe punishment, including death.

However, the ancient Egyptians saw the cat as a symbol of the highly revered cat-headed goddess Bast, who was very popular in Egyptian mythology two thousand years before Christ and remains a traditional goddess for cat-loving witches today. Therefore, let's start with the myths about this charming goddess, who is called the “foremother of cats.”

BAST, THE FOREMOTHER OF CATS
Thousands of years ago, cats were deified.
They don't forget about it.(Famous expression)

Bast is the goddess of fertility, motherhood, sexuality, love, music. She is most often depicted as a woman with a cat's head, wearing a long, tight green dress, holding a basket or a sistrum, a musical instrument.

Sometimes she can be seen with kittens playing under her feet - a symbol of motherhood. A black cat is dedicated to the goddess Bast, with whose head she is usually depicted.

In some myths, Bast is called the daughter of the sun god Ra and the goddess of magic Isis, in others she is called the firstborn daughter of the sun god Amon. She became the wife of Ptah, the god of the city of Memphis, personifying the soft light of the rising sun, for which she was nicknamed the “sunny eye”. At first Bast was a solar goddess, later she began to symbolize the moon - waxing and waning. It is also called Bastet, Ubastet and Pasht.

The sacred city of the cat goddess was Bubastis. In her temple, rumored to have been built of red granite, there was a luxurious niche, densely overgrown with greenery, in which was the tomb of Bast. In the temple at Bubastis there lived many cats, which were groomed and cherished in every possible way, like a living personification of the goddess.

The sanctuary served not only as the main center for the deification of the sacred temple cats, but also as a burial place for thousands of deceased domestic animals. The Egyptians believed that beloved animals resting in a sacred place would carry their prayers to the gods. In 1887, the French archaeologist Edouard Naville discovered during excavations the main temple of Bubastis, cellars with mummies of cats and several royal tombs, obtaining evidence of the veneration of the goddess Bast by the Egyptian pharaohs.

Bast may have originally had a lion's head, like her evil sister Sekhmet, the goddess of war. But over time, Bast turned into a more meek feline, more like everyone's favorite domestic cat. This is an affectionate, loving goddess, however, she jealously guards her children, from whom she is not easy to drive away.

The formidable hypostasis of Bast is called Pasht. Imagine a lioness protecting her cubs.

Interestingly, Pasht is sometimes depicted with wings. Some myths connect her with the falcon god Horus. You can see Pasht in the form of a falcon with a cat's head or a regal cat with outstretched wings.

In mid-April, the Egyptians' favorite spring festival was celebrated in honor of Bast. According to some reports, thousands of Egyptians marched in parade formation, singing, dancing, and playing musical instruments. Doesn't it look like a Maslenitsa celebration? Talking about this festival, the ancient historian Herodotus mentions with slight indignation that women lifted their skirts over their heads in full view of passers-by. Bast's admirers had a lot of fun at the festival.

If you decide to cast a spell addressed to Bast, try asking her for fertility, easier pregnancy, and increased sexuality.

Spell to Bast

Bast's magical attributes are simple and obvious. All cats and kittens of any breed and color are dedicated to her. Her color is green, the color of fertility. The list is completed by a simple wicker basket, the musical instrument sistrum and the planets associated with the goddess - the Sun and the Moon.

Try casting the spell on Sunday (when the solar influence is especially strong) or on Monday (when the magical influence of the Lupa is increased).

Ladies, don't forget to line your eyes. I'm not joking at all. Ancient Egyptian women are invariably depicted with heavily lined eyes in imitation of the huge, beautiful almond-shaped eyes of the goddess Bast. If you want to do magic, resort to magical cosmetics. Take a bold jet black pencil and clearly outline your eyes above the upper and lower lashes. If you want to gain more strength, draw the bottom line further away.

Sometimes all it takes is a small spark to bring passion and joy into a relationship. Between family and work, try to carve out a romantic moment exclusively for yourself and your loved one. Try to get his attention. The rest is up to both of you.

ACCESSORIES
. A couple of fresh catnip leaves (for beauty, happiness, love, cat magic)
. Black eyeliner (optional)
. Green candle for Bast
. Candlestick
. Lighter, matches
. Table, shelf for candles

INSTRUCTIONS
Line your eyes like the beautiful Bast. This ritual is best done in the bedroom. Place a catnip leaf under a candle in a candle holder. Give another leaf to the cats as an offering to Bast. They will be happy and will not go to the candle. Remember that Bast is the goddess of sexuality and fertility, be sure to protect yourself accordingly. Light the candle and repeat the following spell three times:

In the name of Bast, the cat-goddess of love and passion, I conjure my beloved to burn up and give me happiness.
Let him and I always have fun together, And a wish come true will not harm anyone.

LIONESS-SEKHMET
Everything around changes at the birth of terrifying beauty.("Yates")

Sekhmet is the complete opposite of Bast. Bast personifies luxury, sensuality, femininity, and Sekhmet is terrifying.

Sekhmet is associated with Upper Egypt, Bast with Lower Egypt.

The warlike Sekhmet is called “mighty,” “the formidable eye of Ra.” This goddess with the head of a lioness is the arbiter of human destinies. She is usually depicted with a solar disk above her head and a cobra. She has black skin, a beautiful lion's head, and burning red eyes. She is naturally associated with the color red, the symbol of the sun and the blood shed in battle.

Sekhmet is a powerful solar goddess of war and destruction. Warriors often prayed to her for victory over the enemy. Heated, Sekhmet thirsts for blood, but she also has advantages. Sometimes she is cruel, but let us remember that this goddess resolves dangerous unhealthy situations. The old or bad must give way to the new. In principle, every end is a beginning.

Sekhmet is always ready to defend herself, senses danger, and is unusually smart. Contact the magnificent cat goddess if you need to preserve your home, family, and way of life. If you feel negatively influenced, if you are under psychic attack, Sekhmet will rush to your aid, provided you honor her power.

Magical attributes of Sekhmet
Associated with Sekhmet are lions, cobras, the scorching sun, fire, scarlet and black. Get a figurine or drawing of a lioness. Contact Sekhmet on Sunday with increased solar strength or on Tuesday - the day of militant Mars. It is best to cast the spell at noon, when the sun is directly overhead, and during the waning phase of the moon. Hot summer days with record high temperatures are especially favorable.
Call on the lioness-goddess for help not in case of any external danger, but only when in need of mental and personal protection.

ACCESSORIES
. Red candle for Sekhmet
. Black candle (to get rid of negative influences)
. Two candlesticks
. Two tiger eye stones (for protection, courage, cat magic) Your photo
. Image of Sekhmet (a small drawing of a goddess or lioness will do)
. Lighter, matches
. Table, shelf for candles

INSTRUCTIONS
Place candles in candlesticks on the table, red on the left and black on the right. Place stones nearby. Place your photo aside. When casting a spell, it must be between the candlesticks. Prepare a framed image of Sekhmet. (After the session, you will want to hang it on the wall in a visible place.) You can draw it yourself or search on the Internet.

First of all, imagine how the lioness-goddess prowls around the house, looking for danger, makes a stand, growling at everything and everyone who, through stupidity or carelessness, causes you trouble. Then he stops at the front doors and sits regally on the threshold, silent and motionless, like a statue. Take a deep breath, sit on the floor, concentrate, light the candles and say:

Here I stand before you in a circle of light.
(place your photo between the candles)
From now on, Sekhmet, guard this place.
(place the image of Sekhmet around the candles and your photo, then place it on top of your photo)
Save, keep me, like your own child, Everywhere, at every minute of the night and day.
(imagine Sekhmet coming up and covering you from behind)
As soon as the prayer candle goes out, Bless me with the lion's roar and the brightness of the sun's ray.

Let the candles burn out. Be sure that Sekhmet is watching over you and protecting you. Put the stones in your pocket and carry them with you for a couple of weeks. If desired, to strengthen the spell, you can hang an image of Sekhmet on the wall next to the front door, which symbolically means that the lioness-headed goddess has taken you and your home under the protection.

Egyptian days
According to legend, three days a year are called “Egyptian”. Astrologers in Ancient Egypt attached great importance to them. These lunar days fall on the last Monday of April, the second Monday of August and the third Monday of December.

Monday, a mysterious day of the week, is associated with the Moon and lunar magic. What’s even more interesting is that these “Egyptian days” quite accurately coincide with the ritual magical Celtic holidays that mark the beginning of summer, autumn and winter.

On any “Egyptian day” you can turn to the cat goddesses Bast and Sekhmet. In these three cases, every cat spell given here will be successfully fulfilled. Conclude them with the following words and see what happens.

Lady of cats, hear me,
Perform a prayer in honor of the Egyptian day.

DIANA, DIANE AND ARADIA

When the ancient Greeks and Romans became familiar with Egyptian culture, the Roman moon goddess Diana and the Greek Artemis became close to Bast.

Bast was considered the main obstetrician, the patroness of women, and Diana was present at every birth. It's not hard to see why they merged together. In the Middle Ages, Diana was called the “queen of witches,” so cats began to be associated with the witchcraft spells of the goddess, witchcraft, and the occult.

However, the story of the moon goddess Diana is much richer. There is also the Italian Diana - not one of the twelve Olympian gods, but the goddess of creativity, the mother of Aradia. The legends of the Italian Diana, Queen of the Witches, differ from the well-known classical Roman and Greek myths.

Diana was created as the very first living creature. Having separated the darkness from the light in herself, she became darkness, and her other half - her twin and spiritual spouse - became light. The light was called Diap - luminous. Seeing his beauty, the enchanted Diana wanted to unite with him, striving with all her might to once again contain the light so that he could become one with the darkness.

However, Dian did not want this. Proud of his splendor, he turned away from Diana and descended into the real world in the guise of an earthly mortal man. Diana went to the forefathers and foremothers of all things, asking how to reunite with Dian, and heard in response that she herself must descend to earth, accepting the fate of death. Passionately loving Diana, she did just that.

Diana had a beloved cat, who, according to legend, slept in his bed every night. He didn't even know about her witchcraft abilities. Diana begged the animal to give her a place and, turning into a cat, lay down with Diana. Having waited until he fell asleep, she transformed into a woman and made passionate love with him, conceiving Aradia.

In the morning, Dian realized with chagrin that darkness had defeated the light. Diana's trick outraged him, but she pacified her beloved by singing a magic spell. Then she sat down at the spinning wheel and began to spin the thread of life (I wonder if there is an analogy with the period of pregnancy?), leaving Diana to spin the wheel.

The names Diana and Diana are often associated with witchcraft, with the “old faith”, as they say in Italy. Diana is the god of nature, flora and fauna, fertility, and Diana, who is sometimes called Fauna, is the creator and goddess of magic.

In the end, Diana ordered her daughter Aradia to stay on Earth, teaching people about divine providence. Lradia, who is considered the first sorceress, was called a wonderful messenger. She had many followers on Earth, men and women. She taught them traditional magic, full moon worship of her mother Diana, and encouraged them to free themselves from slavery and oppression.

Aradia was the spiritual leader of her time, an energetic, amazing woman and a powerful sorceress who encouraged ordinary people - peasants, if you like - to be proud of themselves, to find mental and spiritual strength within themselves, turning to Mother Diana.

Today, Diana's magical attributes include wax paper and the full moon, silver, white, black candles, silver, onyx, moonstone, and quartz crystals.

Plants such as white rose, kaloniktsion and wormwood are dedicated to her. Cats of all colors and fairies are also associated with Diana, helping her conceive Aradia. You can contact Diana at any time, but for success it is better on the full moon or on Mondays (lunar days).

Diana will help you strengthen your relationship with your pets and reacquaint yourself with the ancient Moon Goddess, a powerful deity known as the “Queen of Witches.”

Appeal to Diana asking for the blessing of cat charms

ACCESSORIES
. You and your cat
. White rose in a vase
. A simple candle in a jar
. Lighter

Aradia taught her followers to turn to Diana during the full moon, so it is better to cast the spell on the night of the full moon. The spell is short to make the cat sit still. Say it when she falls asleep. Do not hold it by force under any circumstances. Gently pick it up and stand or sit under the rising moon. If the cat wants to go outside, leave the house; if not, go to the window from which you can see the moon.

INSTRUCTIONS
Light a candle and place it nearby. Lower the rose vase with water. This flower is a gift to Diana. Gently pick up the cat. Sit on the ground, on the floor, or just stand, gently stroking the cat. Try to concentrate, immerse yourself in the moonlight. Then quietly turn to Diana:

Queen of Witches, Diana, I call to you today,
Under the bright moon I call you, I beg you,
Bless me and the cat sorceress,
Keep us forever, give us a little wisdom.

Blow a kiss to the moon and return home with your cat. If you haven't left the house, greet the moon, let the cat go, and let him run about his business. End the spell with these words:

May my request be upon the full moon
will be imprinted forever, without harming anyone in the world.

Take a rose to your room, look at it and rejoice until it withers. Leave the candle in the jar to burn for another hour, then blow it out until the next session. When the rose begins to fall off, collect and dry the petals. Soaked in moonlight, you will also need them for cat magic.

FREYA, LORD OF CATS

The Scandinavian goddess Freya is the leader of the Valkyries, the goddess of love, beauty, magic, and transformation. She is usually depicted as a plump, stately, blue-eyed blonde wearing clothes made of falcon feathers, with the help of which she is transformed. Wearing a golden necklace called Brisiigamei, Freya rushes through the sky in a carriage drawn by two large, lynx-like cats. She is also called the “mistress of cats.” Cats are companions and favorite animals dedicated to this goddess.

According to legend, Freya blesses and gives the power of love to the peasants who put out bowls of milk for homeless cats. In Scandinavian mythology, she has genuine witchcraft talent, having taught other gods to prepare love spells and potions.

Freya is associated with the full moon, elves, fairies, childbirth, fertility, cat magic, psychic powers, and the gift of divination.

For modern witches, this is the goddess of women's secrets, intuition, clairvoyance, and charm. It is very interesting that many cat goddesses have this almost feline sense.

To appeal to Freya, golden colors, gold jewelry, ambergris, strawberries, primrose, the number thirteen, wild and domestic cats are required, the day of the week dedicated to her is Friday.

Here a spell to this goddess about insight into the future. It should be pronounced on Friday. Friday - in English "Friday", in German "Freitag" - Freya's day

If you are thinking about choosing a future path in life, trying to get out of a puzzling situation, try asking the goddess for insight and strengthening your own intuition.

The following spell with the participation of your cat-witch will help you join the visual and graceful magic of Freya, sharpen your sensitivity and receptivity.

Goddess Freya's thanksgiving spell

ACCESSORIES
A few clumps of cat hair or a loose whisker.

Use only naturally combed hair when grooming your animal, Do not pluck the fur or whiskers of an animal under any circumstances. Remember the main rule - do not harm anyone. If you want to achieve a specific result, treat cats gently and kindly. Recognize them as partners and friends, giving them the same respect you would give to your work colleagues.

Golden candle (in honor of Freya)
. Pink or sea green candle (in honor of Friday)
. Candlesticks
. Incense with amber scent
. Ladanka
. Table, shelf for candles
. Lighter, matches
. Combed cat hair or fallen whiskers
. Tarot cards or runes (letters of the ancient Scandinavian alphabet carved into wood) at your discretion

INSTRUCTIONS

Call the cat to you and lightly stroke it. Ask if she agrees to do magic with you. Let her sit where she pleases - on your lap, in any other place, on the carpet, in a chair, watching what is happening. For safety's sake, I keep cats away from the action. I advise you to keep curious animals away from burning candles and incense.

As soon as the cat sits down, take a piece of fur and place it under a golden candle. Light the incense and lightly disperse the smoke around the room. Sit on the floor, concentrate, light a candle - golden, pink or sea green. Repeat the next spell, then look at the cards or runes.

Beautiful Freya, mistress of cats,
hear my prayer
Flying in a chariot across a blue or black sky.
The golden candle is lit for you, and the pink one is
in honor of Friday.
Show me what stands in my way.
This magical night you have endowed me with sensitive strength,
Insight, wisdom, here, now, at that very moment.

Consider tarot cards or runes. You can ask for the answer to your questions to appear in a dream. Or just sit there, trying not to think about anything, waiting for Freya's response. Finally, thank her with these words:

Thank you, Valkyrie Freya, for saying yes to me. May my spell not harm anyone.

Move the candles and incense to a safe place and let them burn out completely.

It will not be new to anyone that the history of Ancient Egypt is very fascinating in its content. A huge number of different gods and goddesses have always attracted the attention of curious people. In this article I would like to talk about exactly who the goddess Bastet is, for whom she was the patroness and when people turned to her for help.

About the name

First of all, you need to make a first impression about this goddess. So, at the very beginning it is worth saying that Bast and Bastet are two names of one deity, you can call it either way. By nature, she is the daughter of darkness and light, the embodiment of femininity, wisdom and beauty. The Egyptians reduced some of the belligerence and ferocity of this image, which arose at first, to a more pleasant awareness of warmth, home, motherhood, protective forces and fertility.

About family

According to different versions, the goddess Bastet was both the daughter (his Eye) and his wife. You can also find information that Bast was the daughter of Isis and Osiris. According to other sources, Bastet’s husband could be the god Bes, the patron saint of old people and children, bringing good luck and joy. It is also important to say that the embodiment of the union of the gods Ra and Bastet was the god Mahes - the fierce god of war and drill, who was depicted with a lion's head (it was crowned with two Egyptian crowns).

Image

It is also very interesting how the goddess Bastet was depicted. This is a woman either in the form of a cat or with a cat's head. However, in Ancient Egypt there are no images of tamed ones. They were depicted only as wild animals, for example, like the cat of Heliopolis. And only in the 2nd century AD this animal was firmly reunited with people and domesticated. From that hour on, cats were revered, protected and loved everywhere. After death, these animals were embalmed and sometimes even deified. It will also be interesting that the cat is considered a sacred animal. Cats were seen as its incarnation, and the eyes of these animals, according to the Egyptians, emitted sunlight.

Patroness

So, who did the ancient Egyptian goddess Bastet protect, who did she bring good luck, and who could turn to her in case of certain problems? So, there are a huge number of versions. First of all, she is the patroness of all women, because she is a catwoman. People came to her with various problems, including when a lady was unable to get pregnant. This is the goddess of childbirth and fertility in all its manifestations. Bastet was also considered the protector of the home; she brought fun, love and joy to the house. This goddess was also highly revered by the healers of those times. They everywhere painted her image on houses - in order to protect the patient from death and for a faster recovery. But despite all of the above, the goddess Bastet also has her dark side. Still, she is the daughter of darkness, and sometimes she was depicted with a lion’s head, looking angrily forward, and had a middle name - Pasht, the goddess Bastet-Pasht.

About beauty

As at all times, women were looking for ways to preserve their youth. And Bastet helped them a lot in this. The priests created a certain number of exercises for women, which, in their opinion, should stop the fading of a lady's beauty. During their execution, it was believed that the woman was possessed by the spirit of Bastet, which awakened her grace, plasticity and hidden powers of spirit. After these classes, Egyptian women believed that they would remain attractive and young for a long time.

Goddess Cult: The Beginning

When did the Egyptians begin to widely revere Bastet? This happened back in ancient Egypt, when in most cases this deity was depicted with a lion’s head (like the goddess Sekhmet) and was considered the mother of the god of war and storms, Mahes. During the celebration of the goddess's day, it was forbidden to hunt lions, because it was believed that on this day these animals became sacred, because the spirit of Bastet inhabited them. However, over time, her facial features became softer and her appearance more tender and feminine. And over time, this goddess became the patroness of the hearth, women and childbirth, joy and fun.

Goddess Cult: Rise

The cat goddess Bastet became especially revered during the prosperity of the Middle Kingdom, when the ancient inhabitants of Egypt finally learned to grow grain and thought of storing it for future use in order to avoid starvation. It is not difficult to guess why special attention was paid to the goddess Bastet at this time.

This is because the main enemy of this grain is mice, and the goddess is a cat. At the same time, this deity began to be associated with the wealth of the country and was universally revered. The center of worship of the goddess was the city of Bubastis, which was located in Lower Egypt. It was there that the largest and main temple of Bastet was built, which was surrounded by a large wall and decorated with beautiful bas-reliefs. In the middle was her largest statue, to which a huge number of pilgrims came every day, bringing small gifts hoping for her favor and kindness.

It is worth saying that a huge number of cats lived in this temple, and at its foot there was also a sacred cemetery for these animals. Like the pharaohs, they learned to mummify cats; they were placed in sarcophagi specially prepared for them and buried with all honors. Today the temple has been destroyed, only ruins remain. However, everyone who has visited Bubastis says that even its ruins exude strength and the former majesty and beauty.

Bastet Holiday

It is worth saying that Bastet, the goddess of ancient Egypt, was revered seven times a year. At this time, a huge number of pilgrims gathered in the temple and came to worship the goddess. Various prayers were read, special songs were sung, and sacrifices were made.

The spring veneration of this goddess is interesting. So, at this time, her statue was taken out of the temple, placed in a large boat and rolled along the entire Nile River. This was done primarily so that the goddess would protect the river from overflowing, which would be destructive for the Egyptians.

About cats

It is worth mentioning that a figurine of the goddess Bastet was sure to be in almost every Egyptian home. She was considered a powerful amulet and protector of the hearth. In addition, it was considered a good sign if there was a live cat in the family. It is worth saying that she was the most important member of the family, sometimes even more important and more important than the child. The cat was always fed before the owners sat down at the table; she slept in a specially designated place or even a room, which was necessarily decorated.

The event that was especially important was when the cat died. It was a huge grief for the family. She was mummified according to all the rules, buried with great honors, food was placed in the sarcophagus so that the cat would not starve in the other world, and also a mouse so that it would not be bored there. For a long time after the death of the animal, the owners still mourned the loss, wearing mourning clothes. It is worth saying that killing a cat was considered a huge sin and was punishable by law by death. It was also forbidden to export cats outside the country, but traders did this everywhere, creating a certain ritual of honor from this (thanks to this, cats spread throughout the world). However, the love for these animals played a cruel joke on the Egyptians during the war with the Persians. The fact is that the Persian king knew about such love of the Egyptians and ordered his soldiers to tie a cat to each shield. The soldiers simply did not dare to shoot at the sacred animals, and were captured by their opponents without any problems.

Goddess Cult: Withering

After Roman power came to the country, Bastet was revered less and less, and already in 390 her cult was completely prohibited by law. Over time, interest and respect for this animal subsided, and cats were kept in houses simply as hunters of snakes and mice, of which there were quite a lot at that time. However, the cats that ended up in Europe were even less fortunate. For their love of walking at night and their eyes glowing in the dark, the Catholic Church declared them the offspring of the devil. A particularly difficult fate befell black cats, which were so revered in Ancient Egypt; they were considered assistants to witches and receptacles for the souls of their deceased brothers. Cats were killed, tortured, and abused in every possible way. However, as soon as the Renaissance came, these animals were finally left alone, and interest in them subsided considerably. Today, there is no negative attitude towards cats, but so far no one has deified them. These animals, as before, live next to people; a huge number of different superstitions are associated with them, which people are still, out of habit, cautious about. However, who knows, maybe the time will come again, and cats will be revered as before, exalting them to a certain pedestal.

Korotkova Anastasia
Frankovskaya Maria

Bastet (Bast)

Summary of the myth

Bronze statue of Bastet-Wajit

Bastet or Bast is one of the most feminine and graceful goddesses of Ancient Egypt. She was the personification of moonlight and sunlight. The goddess symbolized the hearth and was revered as the protector of home, family and children, and also embodied such qualities as beauty, affection and grace. Bastet is known throughout the world as the patron goddess of cats. Bast was depicted as a cat or a woman with the head of a cat. Some myths say that in early dynasties she was depicted as a lioness. She was revered as the daughter of the sun god Ra, considered all-seeing and even took a place in his guard. Her mother was Hathor-Luna. Her husband was sometimes called Ptah - one of the most ancient gods of the ancient Egyptian pantheon, the god of arts and crafts. Bast had a son, Mahes, the god of thunder and storms. In some cases she was identified with Mut and Tefnut, and in Ancient Greece with Artemis. It is often mentioned that Bast has two incarnations - a woman with a cat's head (kind nature) and a lion's head (aggressive). There are several legends about Bastet, completely different and interesting. In the myth, in which the god Ra punished humanity for its sins, she accepted her other half and turned into a lioness, who once almost destroyed all of humanity. She was pacified only with the help of cunning - beer, tinted red with mineral dyes, was spilled on the ground. The lioness mistook this liquid for blood, got drunk and fell asleep.

Statuette of the goddess Bastet
Bronze. XXVI din.
London, British Museum

There is another myth that tells the story of a butterfly. One evening in her palace, the Goddess Bastet lit a fire in the hearth and sat down by the fire, thinking about something of her own, divine. At that moment, a butterfly flew in and began to circle around the fire, moving away and again approaching the flames. Bastet got angry because she was thinking about serious things and decided that she had come to disturb her. The butterfly continued to circle around the fire. Bast tried to drive away the uninvited guest, but she was afraid of getting burned, and therefore nothing worked. She called Horus, the god of perishing and reborn nature. The goddess said that she was thinking about the eternal, about her divine nature, but the butterfly flew in and began to distract. Then Bastet asked to drive her away. But Horus, instead of chasing away the butterfly, became thoughtful. He was silent for a long time, and then, looking at the goddess seething with indignation, he asked her to say whether the butterfly was beautiful? To which Bastet, confused, replied that she was just a butterfly. But Horus did not answer, he just looked at the cat, waiting for an answer. Finally, Bastet turned to the fire and saw a butterfly fluttering dangerously close to the flame. Her wings were already scorched, but she still strived for the fire that was killing her. Bast said that she was much more beautiful than this butterfly. Because she is a goddess. And the butterfly, even if it doesn’t burn today, will die tomorrow. Her life is just a moment, she is nothing, beautiful, but nothing. Horus looked thoughtfully at the goddess and said that he could not know the truth about the butterfly without her answer. Then he closed his eyes and thought even harder. He sought to understand the truth about the butterfly. Bastet, looking at him, also closed her eyes and thought. She realized that she had not sought to comprehend the truth, although, being a goddess, she should have done so. When Bastet opened her eyes, Horus was watching her. The goddess felt ashamed: she could not learn the truth about the butterfly, because she thought about herself, about her divine nature. She asked Horus if he could know the truth, and he answered that he could. Then she asked him again - what is she like? Horus, instead of answering, got up and walked towards the exit. Bastet looked after him, then ran after him and began to tell him that he could not leave without giving her an answer. Horus stopped and, without turning around, asked why? She answered because she would be unhappy because she couldn’t solve the problem! Horus turned to the raging Bastet, smiled at her and said that she had learned the truth about the butterfly. This was her peace. At that moment, the butterfly, flapping its wings for the last time, fell into the fire. A small handful of sparks rose above the flame and fell.

Images and symbols of myth

Statue of the goddess Bastet in the form of a cat

Bastet was called the mother of all cats. Myths about Bast create an image of an affectionate, graceful and caring protector. Since Bastet's power extended to a wide variety of phenomena, her cult was accompanied by multiple symbolism. One of the important symbols was four kittens, which were depicted at her feet, they precisely showed her fertility, patronage of children, mothers and cats. The goddess’s special gift was intuition, which helped her in many ways.

Most often, Bast was depicted in two poses - standing and sitting. Moreover, she was sitting, only in the image of a cat, having no other appearance. The hands of the standing Bast were not empty: in her right hand she held scepter or auspices, in the left hand - sistrum, and hung on her elbow basket. Each of these symbols is full of meaning and speaks about the character of the goddess. Sistrum- ancient Egyptian temple rattle. It consists of a frame with a handle through which 3-4 free rods with curved ends passed; the rods tinkled when shaken. The handles of sistrums were usually made in the shape of a cat with a human face. Sistrum is a symbol of fun, celebration, joy, happiness. According to legend, the harmonious and mysterious sound of the sistrum had amazing magical properties: it awakened a person to life, healed and calmed the soul and body, restored hope and joy, gave love, inspiration and happiness. It was also a symbol of fertility. Basket- not otherwise than for the harvest, which would be impossible without love, sunlight, warmth and energy. Aegis or papyrus scepter- a symbol of eternal youth and happiness that awaits everyone in the afterlife.

Monuments to the goddess were most often created from stone or bronze. Bast also served as symbols images of cats, figurines and “cat” amulets, which were supposed to bring their owner success in love and protect them from evil and dark forces.

Communicative means of creating images and symbols

Map of the Tell Basta archaeological site

First of all, the formation of attitudes towards Bastet was facilitated by mentions of the city of Tel Basta or Bubastis. It was once one of the largest cities in the Nile Delta and was famous for the veneration of sacred cats, over which the local

goddess Bastet. The city occupied an important strategic position: trade expeditions left it for Sinai for copper and turquoise; It was from here that Egyptian military expeditions set off to conquer Asia. The peak of the city's political importance came during the reign of the XXII Dynasty.

A large amount of information was obtained when the temple of the goddess was found. The entire sanctuary, with the exception of the entrance, lay on the island. The temple was located in the center of the city and was visible from all sides. Since this city was raised by an embankment, and the sanctuary remained in its original place, it is therefore accessible to view from all sides. The temple is surrounded by a wall decorated with reliefs, and inside it is a grove with mighty trees that line the tall temple building with a statue of the goddess. From the entrance a road paved with stone led through the city market square to the east. There were sky-high trees on both sides of the road. The 18 meter high gate is decorated with figures carved on stone. In the shade of trees, two canals each 30 meters wide and shaded by trees approached the Temple building from the Nile River.

Panorama of Bastet Temple with fallen columns
XIX-XXII din.

The strengthening of the cult was facilitated by the holding of an annual holiday. In Ancient Egypt, April 15 was the feast of the goddess Bast. In honor of Bastet, a huge fair was held annually in Egypt, and thousands of fans of her cult traveled along the Nile to the sounds of flutes and rattles. On this day, the goddess was asked to bless domestic cats.

The famous ancient historian Herodotus wrote about Bastet. He left us with a vivid description of the annual festival in honor of Bastet, during which “more grape wine is drunk than in the whole year. According to local residents, up to 700,000 people of both sexes gather here, not counting children.” He also described the magnificent portico of the temple of the goddess, which was located in the lowlands, in the center of the city and was visible from everywhere, wherever the viewer was.

Block with choir name
King Khufu
From E. Naville's excavations
Bubastis. IV din.
London, British Museum

The role of the Bastet cult is also shown by references to cat cemeteries. In the 1890s, an entire cat cemetery was found near Bubastis.

Among the numerous cat remains, researchers discovered several mummies that were significantly different from the rest. They were mummified with special care and buried in solid stone or wooden sarcophagi. They did not go to the afterlife lightly, but loaded with jewelry, amulets and other expensive gifts. Archaeologists also came across several false mummies - empty or incomplete cocoons containing a couple of bones and some kind of inorganic filler. Apparently, the priests sold them cheaply to poor pilgrims. Having bought such a mummy, the Egyptian, nevertheless, had the opportunity to make a request to the gracious Bastet.

In addition to information from the city of Tel Bast, we were able to learn about other cities in which the great Bastet was worshiped. A significant settlement already existed at the end of the Predynastic period; Later, the city was famous and prosperous until Roman times, when the star of the city of the goddess Bastet set, and a new trading center, the city of Bilbeis, grew nearby, attracting residents of the old capital. His houses and palaces were built from the stones of the ancient sanctuaries of Bubastis.

Social significance of the myth

Figurine of the goddess Bastet in the form of a cat
Cairo, Egyptian Museum

In other countries there were patroness of cats, but the most famous and revered is still the Egyptian goddess Bastet. Entire cities were built in her honor. Even in Alexandria a temple dedicated to Bast was found. It was the goddess who became a symbol of caring for cats. Almost every Egyptian had a cat, which was looked after as the most precious creature.

Bastet has a very dualistic nature, she can be warlike, brave, but also gentle, caring and soft. She is the personification of the feminine principle. After all, it was this goddess who was revered as the protector of all women, children and cats. One could turn to her with any request, and her role was also very great as the keeper of the hearth. That is why Bastet became so important as a multifaceted image for all of Ancient Egypt.

There were a lot of people at the holidays in honor of Bast and it was always a lot of fun. The holidays were accompanied by the sounds of music and dancing. But they did not forget about religious rituals. On such days, Bastet was asked to cure domestic cats.

During the annual festivals, the statue of the goddess was taken out of the temple and solemnly transported along the banks of the Nile.

Bastet represents greatness, feminine beauty, grace, kindness, joy, fun and love. At the same time, she is a protector and can show tremendous strength. It was the combination of these qualities that could place Bastet among the most majestic Egyptian Gods. This image is very attractive, especially for women.

The ancient Egyptians firmly believed that every animal was endowed with the greatest power, so their attitude towards them was filled with respect and sacred awe - as if they were carefully preserved relics. However, the most revered animal was the Egyptian cat goddess.

The emergence of the cat cult

Now it is difficult to explain the depth of cat worship that the Egyptian describes. If we boil it down to the simplest, we can say that people who lived in those days associated it with their home, love, marriage and, of course, a kind of protection from the devil.

The first hieroglyphs meaning the words “cat” and “cat” are deciphered as “mint” and “miu”, respectively. In Russian, the transcription of these words is similar to the familiar “meow” to our ears.

Quite a few figurines and drawings of cats have survived. On many of them you can see how a scarab beetle is placed on the chest of the sacred animal. This is another symbol revered in Egypt, with which the concept of life was associated.

As recounted in the documentary "Cats of Egypt: From Divinity to Squalor", these animals were brought from Nubia. Before they became common domesticated animals that people adore for their kindness, gentleness and grace, cats were protectors. They hunted small rodents and thereby saved provisions stored in barns. Cats are carriers of infection, such as plague, and thus prevented epidemics.

When Egypt became a powerful state, granaries formed the basis of its prosperity. Filled to the brim with wheat, they served as a guarantee of prosperity. For four whole months, when the Nile flooded, there was no need to fear hunger. To ensure the safety of grain, cats were required, mercilessly exterminating rats and mice.

Thus began the deification of these animals as creatures embodying specific gods in their images. Is it for this reason that the supreme sun god Ra was called the “great cat”? The cat-god Ra defeated the serpent of darkness - Apophis, and often the supreme god was depicted in the form of an animal, holding a knife with one paw and pressing the head of a serpent with the other.

The Egyptians associated the cat's pupils, enlarging under the influence of light, with the movement of the cat god Ra on a chariot along the heavenly rivers, and the animal's eyes glowing in the dark with the sign of a fiery chariot. When the sun rises, the cat's eyes become smaller; when it goes down, they get larger.

The Egyptians compared the organ of vision of this unique animal to two reduced suns. For people, they were mystical windows into another world, to which mere mortals did not have access.

During the times of Ancient Egypt, cats were considered aliens from the afterlife, so the dwelling in which this animal lived would never be disturbed by a dark entity. Why? Because cats feel them and see them even in the dark, they will never let anyone into the house that they protect from the devil.

Notice how the Egyptian sphinx seems to freeze and direct its gaze to one point; perhaps at that moment it is in contact with someone who has come from a world invisible to humans.

Goddess Bastet and her sacred black cats

The most significant in Ancient Egypt was the cult of the cat goddess Bastet, which lasted until 1 BC. e.

Hello, dear readers! In ancient Egyptian mythology, the goddess Bastet was one of the supreme and highly revered deities. The heyday of her cult occurred in the 10th-8th centuries BC. This was directly related to the fact that during that period wild cats were actively tamed and domesticated. And the goddess is precisely connected with these animals.

In the city of Bubastis, which is now a small settlement near the Nile and is called Tell Basta, the largest temple was erected in honor of the ancient goddess. There was also a necropolis in which archaeologists discovered a large number of mummified cats.

Features in many myths and legends of Ancient Egypt. Museums contain figurines and other images from which it is easy to get an idea of ​​what the goddess looked like. Statues in her honor were often made of bronze or copper and decorated with precious stones.

Description of the goddess

Over the long years of its existence, the mythology of Ancient Egypt has changed. Events in myths were not rewritten, but the gods themselves were transformed. Their appearance changed, some attributes were replaced by others, their pedigree was compiled anew. Bastet did not escape the same fate.

Scientists are still arguing whether it is correct to call the deity by the name Bastet (“crying”, “giving”). It is just as impossible to accurately decipher ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs as it is to determine how they are pronounced. Therefore, in a number of sources the goddess is called Bast. Both versions of the name are considered correct and valid. The spelling Ubastet is less common. Sometimes the celestial goddess is called Pusht or Pasht (Moon).

The deity was endowed with a light disposition. Legends say that Bastet loved fun, dancing and singing, and holidays. Therefore, celebrations in her honor were always bright and noisy. During the holidays, the Egyptians paid special attention to beer and wine. It was believed that the goddess loved intoxicating drinks.

Bast symbolized youth and beauty. This makes her similar to Hathor, who personifies beauty and love. People believed that if they asked Bastet to stop aging, the deity would help. Women in Ancient Egypt, performing a set of special physical exercises, focused all their thoughts on the image of the deity. In this way it was possible to summon Bast, who temporarily inhabited the body and bestowed grace and good health.

The name Bastet was associated with healing. She helped me recover. Doctors in Ancient Egypt painted a black cat at the patient’s bedside or on the door of his house. This ritual attracted the attention of the deity, who then healed the person. In addition, the goddess was associated with protection and security.

In the divine pantheon of Ancient Egypt there is a goddess named Sekhmet. Some sources describe her not as a separate character with her own history and responsibilities, but as the "dark", aggressive side of Bast. Sekhmet and Bastet are connected not only by these traits. Their appearances are similar in many ways.

Initially, Bastet was perceived by the Egyptians as a goddess in the form of a bloodthirsty and strong lioness. Gradually her appearance changed. Sekhmet is a woman with the head of a lion or lioness.

A description of the Egyptian goddess would not be complete without mentioning her family ties with other gods:

• the sun god named Ra - father Bast, mother Hathor, associated with the Moon; some legends say that initially Bastet was the wife of Ra and was among his faithful guards; according to other data, it follows that the parents of the goddess are Isis and Osiris;
• sister - Nut, she is the patron of Heaven;
• Bastet's brother's name is Khonsu, he is a healer god;
• Bes is a dwarf deity, “court jester”; he patronized the elderly and small children, bringing light and joy; sometimes he is called Bast's husband; in other legends, the goddess’s husband was Ptah, the god of creativity, art, and crafts;
• son – Mahes; the Egyptians depicted him with the body of a man and the head of a lion; he was endowed with a ferocious and cruel character; Mahes is a faithful servant and protector of Ra; he patronized the Egyptian pharaohs.

Because of her close connection with the Sun deity, Bast was called the All-Seeing One in Ancient Egypt. She has excellent intuition and is able to predict the future. One of the symbols of the deity was the star Sirius.

Appearance

Bastet has a female body with the head of a cat (or lioness), but she can transform completely into an animal. Traditionally, the deity is depicted standing or sitting. When sitting, Bast always appears in cat form, with her tail entwined around her paws on the right side. Sometimes there are kittens near her, which is connected with the main functions of the goddess. There is no strict canon in clothing or jewelry.

Main attributes:

1. the basket is a symbol of a rich harvest; sometimes four kittens were placed in it;
2. aegis - a scepter made of papyrus, symbolizing an eternal happy and easy life in the afterlife;
3. sistrum - an ancient Egyptian musical instrument, a temple rattle, personifying fun, celebration, noise, which are so loved by the goddess; also the sistrum in the country of the pharaohs was considered an instrument that heals the soul and body; its distinctive feature is the handle, which was always made in the shape of a cat with a human face;
4. amulets with cats, cat paws, eyes, indicating a direct connection between the deity and these animals.

In late mythology, around the 5th century BC, the appearance of the celestial goddess changed again. At that time, Bast began to be depicted as a hawk with a cat's head.

What does it patronize?

At the dawn of the cult, Bast patronized cats, domesticated and wild, women and children. She was revered as the guardian of the hearth, a goddess who brings love and harmony to the home and to relationships between people.

Women who could not get pregnant for a long time or were unable to bear a child or give birth to a healthy baby prayed to Bast to grant them health, offspring and an easy birth. Unmarried girls asked the goddess for love, a happy marriage, and a strong family. The deity endowed young mothers with patience, made them caring, sensitive, and affectionate.

Bastet protected children from problems, adversity and illness. She made them smart, helped them reveal their natural talents, and protected them from evil forces.

Gradually her powers expanded. The cat goddess began to be associated with fertility in the broadest sense. Farmers brought her gifts, asking for a rich harvest and good weather. Bast gave sunlight, precipitation, and “fertilized” the soil. She endowed people working on the land with strength, energy, hard work, and will.

The heavenly bodies - the Sun and the Moon - obeyed Bastet. Sometimes she is called the goddess of moonlight and sunlight.
Acting as a protector and huntress, on rare occasions Bast took patronage over the military, hunters, and guards.

Myths about the goddess

A myth has become widespread, in which the connection between Bastet and Sekhmet is clearly visible. The gods, angry at the unworthy behavior of people, decided to destroy the human race and the world in which mortals lived. Ra was the first to begin to punish people for their sins and evil deeds, calling Bastet to his aid.

Having turned into a wild lioness, the goddess descended into the world of people. She dealt with mortals with particular cruelty, sparing neither children nor women. Gradually, all the lands turned dark burgundy - the color of human blood. Bast, in the form of a mad, furious lioness, could not be stopped.

The gods observing the events at some point repented. They tried to catch Bast and pacify her, bring her to her senses. However, nothing worked out for them. Then the people who remained alive resorted to a trick: they colored the strong beer red and spilled it on the ground. The lioness licked the drink, mistaking it for blood, became drunk and fell asleep.

The sleeping Bastet was taken by the gods. And when she came to her senses, they managed to pacify her and force her to change her anger to mercy.

Another interpretation of the myth described above suggests that it was not the deities who first started the war against mortals. The ancient Egyptians rebelled, wanting to overthrow the sun god Ra. Then he turned to Bastet for help, who reincarnated as a lioness and came to his defense.

Ancient Egyptian legends describe another case when the goddess took the form of Sekhmet. This happened at the moment when the god Anubis snapped at her, which frightened and angered the catwoman.

In the myth of the butterfly, the kind and affectionate goddess appears in the image of a narcissistic and rather cruel, restless creature. The insect appeared near the fire lit in Bast’s chambers and distracted the goddess from thoughts about her beloved self.

Bastet tried to drive the butterfly away, but was burned by the flames. Angry, she called for help from Horus, the patron of nature. He refused to kill the insect, but asked Bast what she thought about the butterfly.

The goddess was lost in thought for a long time, but could not answer anything. In response to her counter question, Horus said that he had managed to learn the whole truth about the butterfly. This truth turned out to be peace (calmness), which Bastet had to learn.

1. The cult of the cat goddess continued until the end of the 4th century BC. After the spread of the Christian religion, the ancient deities were forgotten. The time of extermination of cats, especially black ones, has begun.
2. The ancient Egyptians held celebrations dedicated to the cat-headed celestial goddess seven times a year. But the noisiest and brightest holiday fell in mid-April.
3. People believed that any cat could convey a message or message from Bast. In each temple there were special priests who looked after the animals and talked to them.
4. In the spring, figurines representing Bast were taken out of houses. They were placed on sown land for a rich harvest. A huge statue of the deity, taken from the central temple, was carried by boat along the entire Nile. This ritual protected against river flooding.
5. Popular offerings to the deity included figurines of cats, intoxicating drinks, fresh fruits, and meat.
6. According to one version, four Bastet kittens mean fertility, love, prosperity, offspring.
7. During celebrations in honor of the supreme goddess in Ancient Egypt, it was forbidden to hunt lions.
8. The color of the deity is black.
9. Bast was identified with such goddesses as Tefnut and Mut. In later mythology, her cult merged with the cult of Isis.
10. In Iliopolis (Heliopolis), which was once located northeast of Cairo, there was a huge statue with the body of a woman and the head of a cat. Depending on the time of day, her pupils either narrowed or dilated.
11. When a cat died in an Egyptian's house, mourning began. At such moments, the owners who buried their beloved pet believed that the Sun and Moon were the eyes of their cat, which was now watching people from the palaces of Bastet.
12. Near the ancient sanctuaries of the deity there were cemeteries where domestic, wild, and street cats were buried. Toys and treats were buried in the ground along with them.
13. In mythology, a subtle connection can be traced between Bast and Horus, who often appears in the guise of a falcon. That is why the goddess is sometimes depicted as a winged cat. Modern legends have given Bastet a relationship with Anubis, the god of the dead.
14. Scientists suggest that Bast's possible breed is the Egyptian Mau.
15. The goddess plays the sitar and sings well. She was often chosen as a patroness by creators: poets, musicians, artists.

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