(above photo by: shoomiah on Deviantart)
Sekhmet
Mythology: Egyptian
Goddess of: War and destruction, strong feminine sexuality
Name means: “to be strong and violent”
Also Known as: Nesert (Flame), Great One of Healing
Symbolism: Lioness, Cobra, Eye of Horus
Sekmet was presumably created by Ra as a weapon of destruction because his people were disobedient to him. After she unleashed her destruction, the people of Egypt feared another attack, and decided to create a ritual in order to keep her happy. There were 700 statues involved, and the Egyptian priests were meant to perform this ritual in front of a different statue every morning and every afternoon, year round. However, her origin story has been debated, and many believe that she is much older than Ra, while others insist that he is her father.
Sekmet is pictured as having the head of a lioness on a woman’s body. She is considered the crone of the trinity: Hathor, Bast, Sekhmet.
Sekmet has a terrible reputation, but many women of great power generally do. She is associated with Kundalini, which is strong feminine sexuality brought forth as psychic energy, also called “shakti” (power of the individual) which is a Hindu word derived from Sekhmet.
It is interesting to note, though, that she also stood for Healing, and her priests/priestesses were said to be the greatest healers in Egypt. Also associated as a Goddess of Love in some circles, she had the power to destroy with her flames, but was also a protector of the dead.
Sekhmet is said to be helpful nowadays to modern women to help them with protection, Banishing negativity, helping one overcome rage, an aid in depression, helping to discover courage, sexual energies and standing up for oneself.
(Above image by: sekhmet-the-flame on DeviantArt)
daaamn
