With fires raging across the world—many far, far, far too close to home for me—I am reminded once again of ancient Egypt. I am reminded of the time prior to the rising of Sirius, the Star of Isis, which marked the beginning of the Egyptian New Year.
A quick aside:
For those of us in Portland, Oregon, at the 45th parallel, the heliacal rising of Sirius is August 22. (For my friends further north in Seattle, it’s August 25th.) When the rising of the Star of Isis is observable for you depends on where on this planet you are located. Some practitioners like to choose a date, either from history or based on a location in Egypt. Here’s a link to a calculator for the rising in your area; just change it to your location.
Whether you have already celebrated the Opening of the New Year or, like me, not quite yet, I think we can agree that, with fires burning in so many places across the planet, times are perilous. And perhaps, your local area, like mine here in forested Oregon, needs protection—and rain, if we can get it.
For the ancient Egyptians, this period of time, especially the “Five Days Upon the Year,” or the epagomenal days, just before the rising of Sirius, were also dangerous times. As we discussed last week, it was then that Sakhmet sent out Her plague demons. Known as the Messengers, Slaughterers, or Arrows of Sakhmet, these frightful Beings struck people down, sickening or evening killing them. The Nile was at its lowest point as people waited for the coming of the Inundation to quench their dry fields. During this anxious time, people worked to protect Egypt with the rituals of Sehotep Sakhmet, “pacifying” or “satisfying” Sakhmet—for She Who could send plague demons could also protect against them.
As the Eye of Re, Sakhmet is also the Flaming Lioness, the Fiery Goddess Who—just as She can protect us from disease—can also protect us from fire. I will be doing the rites of Sehotep Sakhmet from now until the rising of the Star of Isis. I’m sharing those simple rites here with you, in case you’d like to join me in asking Her protection for your own local area.
Sehotep Sakhmet
About the Rite: In this rite, we make offering to Mighty Sakhmet, Fiery Lioness, and ask for Her protection against the fires. Then we share a second offering of summer fruit with Her. You may do this rite daily, from now until the rising of the Star of Isis or as regularly as you wish until the change of seasons, and the coming of the rains.
Note: Do not burn any incense or use any open flame during this rite. However, you may have fragrant flowers and use electric or battery-powered altar lights, if you wish.
Ritual Tools & Arrangement: A container with about a quart of pure, cold water; a large vessel into which you will pour this water; an essential oil of a “cooling” scent, such as lotus or jasmine, a sistrum; a small food offering of summer fruit, such as a slice of watermelon or a peach. Place these items either upon or at the foot of your altar, depending on the space you have. If you have a sacred image of Sakhmet, place it upon your altar. If not, that’s fine. If you wish, you can wear turquoise/blue jewelry and/or a blue or turquoise robe (both optional).
Entering
Place all ritual items upon/before your altar. Make the Sign of the Wings of Isis, then cross your hands upon your breast.
Ritualist: Great Isis, help me to invoke Mighty Sakhmet, that Her rage may be cooled and all beings may be protected from the terror of the flames.
Take up the sistrum and shake it nine times, in three sets of three.
Ritualist: Amma, Iset, grant it, Isis.
Invocation of Sakhmet
Raise your arms in Adoration to Sakhmet (or Iset-Sakhmet, if you prefer, as Our Lady has 10,000 Names).
Ritualist: I call to You, Sakhmet, Fiery Goddess, Who is the Eye of Re. Mighty Lady, turn Your Flaming Arrows away from the lands, the animals, the people, their homes, and all the firefighters. Protect them, Great Sakhmet! You Who are adorned in Crimson, become Turquoise for me as I adore You. O Lady of the Water of Life, be satisfied with this cool libation.
Pouring Out Cool Water for Her
Take up the essential oil and place one drop in the water. Then, very slowly, pour the water out into the vessel. As you pour, repeat the following until you are finished pouring.
Ritualist: I pour out this cool water in offering to You, Sakhmet. May You be pleased, may You be pleased; may You protect, may You protect.
When you finish pouring the water, take up the sistrum and shake it seven times for Sakhmet‘s Arrows.
Ritualist: I have poured out the cool water for You, O Sakhmet. I have played the sistrum for You. O You Who were Red-hearted, come with Your Heart of Turquoise and put out the fires. O Lady Who Loves Ma’et and Detests Evil, calm the raging flames. Protect all beings, O protect them, Sakhmet!
If you wish, be seated and briefly meditate on the cooled, Turquoise Heart of the Goddess. Imagine the flames of the fires going down and down, all sparks going dim. Take as little or as long as you like for this.
Making Offering
Stand and take up the fruit offering and hold it at your heart. Imagine a cool, blue glow around the fruit; this represents its ka, or vital essence.
Ritualist: My body being on earth. My heart being awakened. My magic being in my mouth, O Sakhmet, I make offering unto You.
Hold the fruit out toward the sacred image on your altar and imagine the blue glow transferring from the fruit to the image. The Goddess takes what She wishes. You may be seated.
Reversion of Offerings
Next, imagine Sakhmet tracing an ankh symbol over the fruit and sense its glow returning, and increasing.
Ritualist: The offerings are reverted. Their blessing comes to me. Their blessing goes out into the world. Their beauty endures forever.
Eat the fruit. When you have finished, stand and raise your arms in Adoration.
Closing
Ritualist: Dua, Sakhmet. O, Mighty Sakhmet, be in peace.
Dua, Iset. O Isis, Great of Magic, be in peace.
Make the Sign of the Wings of Isis toward the altar. The rite is complete.
Isiopolis 