XII: Bastet - Goddess of Protection, Joy, and Domestic Harmony

Bastet, also known as Bast, is the cherished goddess of home, protection, fertility, joy, and cats in ancient Kemet. She embodies grace, intuition, and the duality of nurturing and safeguarding life, reminding us that strength and love can coexist, and true power often resides in gentleness and vigilance.

In mythology, Bastet originally appeared as a lioness warrior goddess, fiercely guarding the pharaoh and the land from chaos. Over time, her image softened into that of a domestic cat, symbolising watchfulness, protection, and the sanctity of home life. She teaches us that life requires a balance between strength and tenderness, representing both the fierce protector and the playful companion.

Bastet is often depicted as a lioness or as a woman with a cat’s head, holding a sistrum (a sacred musical instrument) or an ankh, symbols of joy, life, and divine connection. Cats, sacred to Bastet, embody her qualities of curiosity, independence, and vigilance. She nurtures creativity and celebrates the small pleasures that foster harmony and contentment in our lives.

Spiritually, Bastet encourages self-care, environmental awareness, and reverence for the sacredness of daily life. She teaches that joy and laughter are powerful tools for spiritual protection and emotional resilience, reminding us to cultivate gratitude, celebrate beauty, and maintain a balance between work, rest, and play.

Her teachings underscore the importance of boundaries and discernment. Like a cat, we should move with grace, choose when to engage, and protect our energy fiercely when necessary. Bastet helps us understand that proper protection stems from awareness, love, and aligning with our inner strength.

This week, Bastet invites you to reflect on the following questions:

• How can you bring more joy and playfulness into your life?

• Where do you need to establish boundaries to protect your energy?

• How can you balance nurturing others with caring for yourself?

  
  

To connect with Bastet, visualise her in a sunlit temple or a serene home space, her eyes bright, and her presence calm yet alert. Feel her energy enfold you, teaching the joy of life, the power of protection, and the beauty of balance.

-Sirius Bright

This concludes our first journey with the Neteru - the sacred gods and goddesses of Ancient Egypt, each a living expression of cosmic order, divine intelligence, and the mysteries of the soul. As archetypes and deities, they continue to offer guidance, insight, and transformation to those who seek them with reverence and intention.

In our next series, we will journey deeper into the sacred landscape of Ancient Egypt - exploring lesser-known deities, ancient rituals, spiritual practices, and the rich symbolic language through which the divine was revealed.

For those called to walk the path of the ancient gods, this next chapter invites you to expand your understanding, deepen your connection, and remember the timeless wisdom that still speaks through the temples, myths, and sacred names.

A new beginning is on the horizon. The journey continues soon.