When:
🗓️ January 7
Where:
🌐 Everywhere
Since:
Ancient Times
It’s time to raise a glass (or several) to Sekhmet the lion headed goddess.
The powerful and fierce Egyptian goddess of war and healing.
The Feast of Sekhmet is a sacred holiday in ancient Egyptian religion, honoring the goddess Sekhmet and her powerful energy and even her dual nature as a destroyer and a protector.
It is said that Sekhmet was able to both destroy and heal, and her feast day is a reminder of the balance between destruction and rejuvenation.
🐅🐆
The bloodthirsty lion goddess.
Sekhmet was the goddess of war, healing and protection, often depicted as a lioness or with the head of a lioness.
The “lioness goddess,” was known for her fierce and protective nature, as well as her role in warfare and hunting.
According to Egyptian mythology, Sekhmet was created by Ra, the sun god, to punish mankind for their transgressions.
She was so fierce in her punishment that Ra feared she would destroy all of humanity.
So he tricked her into drinking beer that was dyed red to resemble blood.
Sekhmet fell for this trick and drank so much of this “blood” that she became drunk and passed out, thus ending her destructive rampage.
When she woke up, her bloodlust was over.
🐈
Some say that Sekhmet woke up as the cat goddess Bastet.
Egyptian mythology often gives us mixed messages about the difference between Sekhmet and Bastet.
Some say they are two different aspects of the same goddess.
Other stories clearly depict them as sisters who each live a different and separate life.
How to celebrate
Feast of Sekhmet is an opportunity to honor this fierce goddess and tap into our own inner strength. Here are a few ways to celebrate:
- The most obvious way to celebrate the Feast of Sekhmet is to make offerings to the goddess.
This can be done by lighting red candles or incense, or by making offerings of red flowers or fruits.
And don’t forget a tasty red colored drink! - Visit an Egyptian museum:
Many cities have museums that showcase ancient Egyptian culture and artifacts, including statues of Sekhmet. - Read about Sekhmet:
If you want to learn more about Sekhmet, read about her in Egyptian mythology books, or look up information online. - Host a Sekhmet-inspired cocktail party:
Sekhmet was known for drinking red beer, and it is believed that it was used to calm her rage.
Raise a glass of red wine to Sekhmet, or perhaps a Bloody Mary in honor of the goddess’s love of red beer. - Hold a Sekhmet-inspired yoga class:
Sekhmet is a symbol of power and strength, and incorporating her feline agility and feral energy into your yoga practice can be a great way to honor her.
Sekhmet is associated with the element of fire, and incorporating heat and movement into your practice can be a great way to connect with her energy. - In honor of Sekhmet’s fierce nature, one can also use this day as an opportunity to channel Sekhmet’s fierce and protective nature by standing up for yourself and asserting your boundaries.
- It’s also a good day to practice self-care, and to remind ourselves that sometimes it’s important to let our inner lioness roar.
Embrace your inner lioness, be bold and assertive in your actions and decisions!
😾
So, if you’re feeling like you need a little extra fire in your life, take a page from Sekhmet’s book and celebrate the her Feast of Sekhmet on January 7th.
Whether you’re a history buff or just looking for a unique way to celebrate, the Feast of Sekhmet is the purr-fect excuse to “pounce” on some delicious red drinks and enjoy a night of “roaring” good fun. Remember, it’s not just about felines or fighting, it’s about honoring a powerful goddess and embracing a rich cultural heritage of marvelous mythology.
Take no mew-chief from bad people, raise your red drink and roar in celebration of the Feast of Sekhmet!
Cheers to the lady of flame!
