Sekhmet, the goddess of transformation, of solar feminine fire is alive and well in Egypt. At the temple of Karnak she resides unmoved since her creation in a chapel dedicated to her trilogy, her consort Ptah and their son Nefertem. Her black granite stone statue with a lioness head and a woman’s body is activated, her eyes alive with the healing power of destruction. She carries the staff of the lotus and wears the crown of the solar disc with the uraeus the cobra of protection upon it.
She represents the raw power of knowing exactly who she is and owning her primal nature. In history she is called the Goddess of war and is known for her slaughter of humans during a time of chaos. Her story includes the compassionate nature of destruction. The fierce protection of the mother is sometimes called to destroy in order to preserve well being.
She is the compassionate healer. She is raw courage and power. She hunts down the thought forms behind disease. Sekhmet stalks down the distorted emotions that create unhappiness and breathes fire onto them absorbing them back into nature, restoring balance to the whole.
Her energy is one that seems contradictory, like gentle discipline. Her message is that power doesn’t always wear a smile. Sometimes it is fierce and loud-yet the deepest message of power she has to share is to be who you are without apology. You cannot take the lioness out of Sekhmet, she is not a domesticated cat, just like you can’t take the primal nature out of you and still be you. Sometimes you may be called to destroy that which is no longer serving you for your highest and best good.
Sekhmet’s empowerment is needed now. She is broadcasting her support, her love and her courage through the ethers with the intention to connect to those who are longing to be who they truly are. Whether it is through a journey to Egypt or through an intention to connect to her she is offering the initiation into the self.
Imagine entering into her chamber by yourself and walking up to Sekhmet. As you gaze upon her eyes Sekhmet looks back at you, alive and in her full power. See yourself in her eyes as you receive an individual and direct empowerment from her.
For you she may express the fierce protection of the mother. Or she may radiate compassion and acceptance of the totality of you, including the parts that you may not like. She may provide messages of courage, or hunt down the thought forms behind any imbalances you may have.
Regardless of the exchange that happens, it is an experience not to be missed. The collective message she offers is to be true to you. And she activates within you the courage and the power to express your essence without apology and with unbridled authenticity.
Sekhmet ~ The Eye of Ra
© of Ma'at Publishing, Inc.
Her very Name means "She Who Is Powerful". Sekhmet personifies the aggressive aspects of the female forms of Netjer (God) and acted as the consort to Ptah. However, it is believed that Sekhmet's worship pre-dates that of Ptah by at least several hundred years.
Sekhmet is usually portrayed as a woman with the head of a lioness, but as the Daughter of the Netjer of the Sun, Ra. Sekhmet is closely linked to the Uraeus (Buto or Wadjyt) in Her role as the fire-breathing, 'Eye of Ra'. The pyramid texts themselves mention that the King or Pharaoh was conceived by Sekhmet, Herself.
Sekhmet is one of the oldest known forms of Netjer in Egyptian history. She the 'patron' of the Physicians, Physician-Priests and Healers. Because She is one of the most powerful of all the Names of Netjer, (Her name literally translated means "Mighty One", or "Powerful One"). Her Name is derived from the Egyptian word 'Sekhem', which means "power" or "might". The word sekhem' is literally inseperable from Sekhmet and Her worship. Because of these facts, She is often times misunderstood and portrayed only in a negative way This is probably because of legends of how Sekhmet, as the destructive Eye of Ra was sent forth to punish humanity for its mockery of Her Father, Ra. The myth of Sekhmet's Creation explains how Sekhmet came into being from Het-Hert (Hathor).
But in spite of the fact that She is sometimes 'destructive', Her qualities as Healer, Mother and Protector are often overlooked. In the realm of Ancient Egyptian Medicine, almost all healers and surgeons of Ancient Kemet would most certainly have fallen under Sekhmet's jurisdiction.
Sekhmet was worshiped throughout Egypt, particularly wherever a wadi opened out at the desert edges. This is the type of terrain that lions are often found. Many of them having come from the desert in order to drink and to prey upon cattle in the area. It is said that Her worship was possibly introduced into Egypt from the Sudan, because lions are more plentiful there. Sekhmet's main cult center was located in Memphis (Men-nefer)and was part of the Divine Triad there, which was made up of Ptah, Sekhmet and Nefertum. Sekhmet is the wife of Ptah, the 'Creator' Netjer of the Ancient Egyptians and their son is called Nefertum, who is also closely associated with healers and healing. Because of the shift in power from Memphis to Thebes during the New Kingdom (1550- 1069 BC) the Theban Triad, made up of Amun, Mut (Amaunet), and Khons, Sekhmet's attributes were absorbed into that of Mut.
A statue of Mut in the Cairo Museum
This meant that Sekhmet was increasingly represented as an aggressive manifestation of Mut and the Two Goddesses, along with HetHert and Bast were often synchretized. Mut-Sekhmet was the protectoress, Wife of the King of the Gods, Who also was incarnate through the person of the Pharaoh. Within the Mut Precinct were found large numbers of statues of the lioness-goddess which wereerected by Amenhotep III (1390 - 1352 BC) both in the Temple of Mut at Karnak and also at his mortuary temple which was located in Western Thebes.
Sekhmet & Her Function
Sekhmet's action is always the right, or 'appropriate action'. When She destroys it is an appropriate destruction or vengence. It is never chaotic or random. It is always what is needed at the time. Even though Sekhmet is not intimately linked with the aspect of destruction, as Netjer Set is, She removes threats and punishes those who do wrong against Ma'at.
No monument better reveals just how potentially savage the unbridled force of Sekhmet could be in the eyes of the ancient Egyptian than the Karnak Temple Complex, specifically the Mut Precinct, in Thebes. There is still some disagreement among scholars about the actual location of the temple however, all scholars agree that the temple was located somewhere in Thebes and that the group contained some 730 individual statues of Sekhmet, some enthroned as here, others standing. The reason there were so many statutes of this goddess was due to Her power, which if left unchecked, could be unleashed to the detriment of Egypt and pharaoh himself. Sistra were used to calm Sekhmet as their sound was considered pleasing to Her.,
References Used:Estes, J. Worth "The Medical Skills of Ancient Egypt"
Ebeid, Nabil E."Egyptian Medicine In the Days of the Pharaohs"
Filer, Joyce"Disease"
Germond, Phillipe"Sekhmet Et la Protection du Monde"
Ghalioungui, Paul"The Physicians of Pharaonic Egypt"
Ghalioungui, Paul"Magic & Medical Science in Ancient Egypt"
Hart, George "Ancient Egypt"
Hoenes, Sigird-Eike"Untersuchungen Zu Wesen Und Kult Der Gottin Sachmet"
Manniche, Lise"Ancient Egyptian Herbal"
Majno, Guido"The Healing Hand"
Nunn, John F."Ancient Egyptian Medicine"
Siuda, Tamara"The Neteru of Kemet: An Introduction"
Stetter, Cornelius"Secret Medicine of the Pharaohs"
Watterson, Barbara"The Gods of Ancient Egypt"
Some of the following names of Sekhmet are from "The Goddess Sekhmet",by Dr. Robert Masters, Llewlyn Publishing. Some of the names are taken from Sigrid-Eike Hoenes' book "Unterscuhungen zu Wesen und Kult der Gottin Sachmet" (1976 Ruldolf Habelt Verlag, Bonn Germany) and some taken from his personal research with other Egyptologists.
Please also note that the word 'Netjer(t) is used in place of the word God/ess, from Dr. Master's book.
The Hundred Names Of Sekhmet
Sekhmet, Great One of Magic
Mother of the Netjeru (Gods)
One Who Was Before The Netjeru Were
Lady Of The Place Of The Beginning of Time
Beloved of Ra, Her Father
Beloved of Bast, Her Sister
Beloved of Ptah, Her Husband-Brother
At Whose Wish The Arts Were Born
Beautiful Eye Which Giveth Life To The Two Lands
Beautiful Face, Image Most Beloved By Art
Flaming One
Sovereign of Ra, Her Father
Protectress Of The Netjeru
Lady of the Scarlet-Colored Garment
Pure One
Destroyer of Rebellions
Eye of Ra
Eye of Heru (Horus)
Pre-Eminent One In The Boat Of Millions Of Years
Roamer of Deserts
Wanderer in the Wastes
Self-Contained
Only One
Awakener
Lady of Enchantments
Opener of Ways
Lady Of Transformations
Lady Of The Many Faces
Enrapturing One
Giver Of Ecstasies
Satisfier Of Desires
Inspirer of Men
Victorious One In Battles
Overcomer Of All Enemies
Ruler Of The Desert
Ruler Of Serpents And Of Dragons
Ruler Of Lions
Sublime One
Enlightener
Empowerer
Sparkling One
Great One Of Heka
Lady Of The Magic Lamp
Mother Of The Dead
Lady Of The Bloodbath
Destroyer By Plagues
Great One of Healing
Destroyer By Fire
Lady Of The Waters Of Life
Mistress And Lady Of The Tomb
Great One In The Places Of Judgement And Execution
Guide And Protectress From The Perils Of The Underworld
Great One Of The Place Of Appearances In Silence
Lady Of The Way of Five Bodies
Unrivaled And Invincible One
Ruler Of The Chamber Of Flames
The Source
She Whose Opportunity Escapeth Her Not
Winged One
Powerful Of Heart
The Aware
The Gleaming One
Sekhmet, Who Reduceth To Silence
Sekhmet, Who Rouseth The People
Lady Of Jubilation
Adorable One
Shining Of Countenance
Mother Of Images
Incomparable One
Lady Of Intoxications
Mightier Than The Netjeru
Most Beautiful
Most Strong
Great One Of Laws
Protectress Of The Divine Order
The One Who Holds Back Darkness
The Beautiful Light
Warrior Netjert (Goddess)
Netjert (Goddess) of Love
Great One In Heaven
Great Serpent On The Head Of Her Father
Great One Of The Incense Of The Ennead
Great Lady of The House of Life
Queen Of The Venerable Ones
Lady Of The House Of Books
Devouring One
Sekhmet Of The Knives
Burner Of Evildoers
The One Before Whom Evil Trembles
Terrible One
Lady Of All Powers
Eternal As Her Father
Lady Of The Manifold Adornments
Most Beautiful Among The Netjeru
Bountiful One
Sekhmet Who Gives Joys
Unwavering, Loyal One
Beloved Teacher
Beloved Sekhmet
