  About From 1994-1999, the daily devotions had been available exclusively to followers of the House of Netjer. We share them now with the general public so that all may learn from these enlightening and thought-provoking missives. See Also |
|
|
|
Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown! Feasts of Heru-Shu, Amen, Ptah, Wesir, and the Akhu Teachings from the Instruction of Ankhsheshonq 16 It is in one's character that teaching succeeds. (Column 6, line 9) Teaching is not a passive property, as it is sadly often given in the Western world. Real learning, which comes from real teaching, does not just spring up because one opens one's ear to the teacher and lets knowledge passively drip in. True, lasting learning comes from hearing a teaching and being open to it: The instruction of others does not enter into a fool's heart; what is in his heart is already there. (Column 27 line 10), thinking about what the teaching is and means, and how its information can be applied in one's own life:
Examine everything, that you may understand. (Column 6, line 7) and finally, making the learning gained from teaching a part of one's permanent, ongoing building of character:
Don't say 'I am smart'; set yourself toward more knowledge. (Column 8 line 3) We honor many gods today, and the blessed Ancestors. In their names, may you find teaching, learning and good character all the days of your life. Dua Heru-Shu! Dua Amen! Dua Ptah ! Dua Wesir! Dua Akhu! Nekhtet!
Thought for the Day:  Email our Nisut (AUS) with a private prayer!
Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown!
Feasts of Heru-Shu, Amen, Ptah Teachings from the Instruction of Ankhsheshonq 15 Don't laugh at your son in front of his mother; you'll learn how big his father really is. (Column 11, line 19) This is a clever and particularly interesting instruction. Like others in Column 11 dealing with the uselessness of insulting others, it reminds you that words you speak always come back in some way, and reflect upon you in ways you may not consider. When I was in Haiti last summer, I had opportunity to talk with a mambo, a Vodou priestess, about relations between her peristyle and those of neighboring mambos and houngans (priests). She indicated at least one of them, an initiate son from her own house now running his own peristyle, had been going about badmouthing her work and initiates, calling her an "idiot" to anyone in the town who would listen. Some of our party asked her if she was upset by his behavior, or whether she would engage in any sort of attempt to correct him or to get him to stop saying things about her and her initiates (his brothers and sisters, in Haitian understanding). She laughed and responded: "Why should I? People who take him seriously won't respect him, either. If I am an idiot, he is the son of an idiot, and was trained by an idiot." If you insult another who has any connection with you, then you insult your connection, and in turn, yourself. As another line in this same column states (line 10): The one who sends spit up to the sky will have it land on him. I pray to Sokar-Wesir-Unnefer, the Beautiful Babe of the Full Moon, that you always understand the impact of your judgments on others -- as they may also be judgments on yourself. Dua Heru-Shu! Dua Amen! Dua Sokar-Wesir-Unnefer! Nekhtet!
Thought for the Day: Email our Nisut (AUS) with a private prayer!
Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown!
Feasts of Heru-Shu, Amen, Ptah Teachings from the Instruction of Ankhsheshonq 14 Do not abuse people when you are successful, lest you become abused. (Column 6, line 11) It's important to treat others with respect at all times. Too often (and too easy) in this modern world, people tend to forget whose shoulders they rode to the top, and try to put themselves "up" by putting others down. True greatness does not need to debase others; true success does not need to abuse others. If you feel jealous of someone else's success, perhaps that energy would be better placed towards working on your own continued success rather than trying to shove theirs down -- success is not a destination, but a journey, and requires work to maintain. Be happy with yourself, be calm and balanced in your temperament, and resist the tendency to shove your success in someone less successful's face. I pray to Heru that each of you is proud but not overbearing, successful but not gloating. Dua Heru-Shu! Dua Amen! Dua Ptah! Nekhtet!
Thought for the Day: Email our Nisut (AUS) with a private prayer!
Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown!
Feasts of Heru-Shu, Amen, Ptah Teachings from the Instruction of Ankhsheshonq 13 If you ask three wise men for advice on something, it is the best you can do; the outcome still lies with Netjer. (Column 8, line 6) Ankhsheshonq shares an interesting dual teaching with us today. It talks both about the value of getting good advice, and the reminder that even if you have done your best, the ultimate outcome will be, to a certain degree, always out of your hands. Doing your best is important. One cannot do more than one's best. When you seek information, seek it out from the best, in order that their best can make your best better. However, realize that even the best has its limits, and a thing may still not go according to plan -- this is Netjer's portion, to watch over the unseen parts of your life beyond your control. I pray once again to our father Amun, that you have the faith to do your best and believe it to be so -- and then leave the hidden details to Him. Dua Heru-Shu! Dua Amen! Dua Ptah! Nekhtet!
Thought for the Day: Email our Nisut (AUS) with a private prayer!
Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown!
Feasts of Heru-Shu, Amen, Ptah Teachings from the Instruction of Ankhsheshonq 12 Do not speak your heart immediately. (Column 7, line 24) In modern idiom, we'd say "speak your mind," but the thought is the same -- engaging a moment of pause, or perhaps a longer reflection, before blurting out what immediately comes to your mind, or what you are motivated to say in the heat of emotion, can be a good thing. The line immediately preceding this one gives more information: Do not speak quickly, lest you offend. The emphasis is on realizing the power of one's words, and choosing them, before inflicting them and having to clean up any unintended results afterward. May Amun, Hidden One, give you the ability to choose a pause before speaking your mind. Dua Heru-Shu! Dua Amen! Dua Ptah! Nekhtet!
Thought for the Day: Email our Nisut (AUS) with a private prayer!
Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown!
Feasts of Heru-Shu, Amen, Ptah Teachings from the Instruction of Ankhsheshonq 11 Be small in anger, wide in heart, and your life will be beautiful. (Column 6, line 8) I'm beginning to think Ankhsheshonq doesn't really require any explanation! This particular teaching reminds us to be calm ("small of wrath/rage/anger") and loving and caring ("wide of heart"). Both promise the blessing in the form of a "beautiful life." May all the gods and goddesses behold your calm mind and open heart, and bless you richly! Dua Heru-Shu! Dua Amen! Dua Ptah! Nekhtet!
Thought for the Day: Email our Nisut (AUS) with a private prayer!
Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown!
Feasts of Heru-Shu, Amen, Ptah Teachings from the Instruction of Ankhsheshonq 10 Do not ask a god for advice and then ignore what he says. (Column 16, line 14) Ankhsheshonq seems to repeat certain themes: the value of sharing, the usefulness of the advice of elders, how deeds return to the doer, doing a thing completely or not at all. He also makes remarks like today's teaching, about not ignoring information, and particularly information which is deliberately sought, if one doesn't like the response. It is easy to ask the gods and goddesses for help and advice in our lives: either through prayer, divination, or through the messages subtle and direct we receive each day. Not so easy is to listen to what is said, or then to take that advice, particularly if what we receive is not what we wish to receive, or is harder to accomplish than we expected. A message from the Divine is just that: a message. It will be worthless if not used, empty advice if ignored. I pray in the name of Amun, the Hidden Lord, that what is subtle be made concrete, and that each of you has the courage to step forth and hear messages from Divinity and understand their blessing. Dua Heru-Shu! Dua Amen! Dua Ptah! Nekhtet!
Thought for the Day: Email our Nisut (AUS) with a private prayer!
Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown!
Feasts of Heru-Shu, Amen, Ptah Teachings from the Instruction of Ankhsheshonq 9 In difficult times or happy times, wealth grows because it is spread. (Column 8, line 13) In the midst of the biggest festivals of the season, we opened Tawy House this past weekend. It was wonderful to meet with new people and to see old friends and family again. Our dozen or so guests came from as near as 30 miles from Tawy and as far as Manhattan. We enjoyed some time together talking and eating, and made sure to share our offerings outside, at the tree where the first of our outdoor shrines will be installed, with candles and bowls of food and singing. Even though the snow had melted and we all had to beat mud off our shoes before we came back inside and it was cold...it was an afternoon I will remember for a very long time. Dua-netjer to each of you who were able to join us Saturday to celebrate Imakhu Ini's second year of priesthood and our very first day of inviting guests to our retreat center. I'm very excited about upcoming events and to see all of you -- and many more people -- at Tawy very soon! Ankhsheshonq today tells us about how wealth is something that grows not by hoarding it, but by sharing it. Tawy House is a concrete demonstration to the Kemetic Orthodox about what we can accomplish when we share. I hope that everyone who visits it remembers that its very existence was accomplished by many different people, both outside and inside the faith, coming together to achieve a common dream. Wealth grows by sharing it. Tawy House and its grounds, and in fact our own faith, will also continue to grow and prosper due to our open hearts and sharing hands. Dua Heru-Shu! Dua Amen! Dua Ptah! Nekhtet!
Tawy House Image for the Day: Email our Nisut (AUS) with a private prayer!
Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown! Teachings from the Instruction of Ankhsheshonq 8 Do not retaliate against another. But, do not let others retaliate against you.(Column 12, line 16) What's that saying? "Revenge is a dish best served cold?" For the Kemetic, revenge is a dish best served not at all -- and not eaten, either. Ankhsheshonq here reminds us of the futility of seeking revenge, as well as giving permission for defending oneself against the revenge-seeking of others. Our morality on this issue stands in a middle ground between willfully picking fights and allowing ourselves to be abused. We do not live in a turn-the-other-cheek mentality; if one chooses to do this, and takes responsibility for the hurts (s)he receives by doing so, that is acceptable. Yet on the other hand, there is nothing in our faith that states that martyrdom is preferable, that Netjer desires people to suffer for any reason, or that it is necessary to let others hurt you. If someone seeks your harm, you are allowed to fight back -- just be sure to be on the defense and not the offense. Dua Netjer! Nekhtet!
Thought for the Day: Email our Nisut (AUS) with a private prayer!
Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown! Festival of the Half Month Teachings from the Instruction of Ankhsheshonq 7 If you do Ma'at for a hundred men, yet only one thanks you, no bit of Ma'at is lost. (Column 14, line 9) Service is sometimes a thankless job; ask any number of people you meet who man the trenches day in and day out at nonprofit organizations, hospitals, churches and schools. More often than not, the people who do the real work, who help the most, are unknown except for their deeds; often, in the hustle of modern life, we forget to seek out those who help us and offer them our gratitude in return. Gratitude has a wonderful multiplying effect. It doesn't matter how many worlds you save or how many lives you better, if that is your calling in life. Ma'at begets Ma'at. One kind word, one thank you in a busy day, makes all that effort so worthwhile. Be sure and say it where it's appropriate. Be more than one in a hundred. In Netjer's name, I give thanks -- for each and every one of you doing Ma'at in the world today. Dua Netjer! Nekhtet!
Thought for the Day: Email our Nisut (AUS) with a private prayer!
Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown! The Day Set Kills Apep Teachings from the Instruction of Ankhsheshonq 6 Do not kill a snake but neglect to crush its tail. (Column 11, line 8) Ankhsheshonq reminds us, as he did in a previous excerpt, that if we do a thing we need to do it appropriately and not halfway; but also, this teaching reminds me of the special holiday we are celebrating here in the faith. Today we have our reminder that evil may prosper in the short term, but it cannot last forever. Hail, Hail to the Great Red One of Strength, Son of Power in the Boat of Millions, Whose force holds off even the Uncreated! Nekhtet, a thousand times Nekhtet for knowing that Ma'at can (and will) prevail! Set is an intimidating god; a god Whose purview is masculine force can be threatening indeed. He is not an evil god, however; as I note in the thought for the day from a wise man whose birthday we honor today, evil cannot defeat itself. Set's forces, however stringent, are always in keeping with Ma'at. The snakes Set slays are always utterly vanquished; no remainder of them will remain to throw their poison at anyone. I pray to He Who is Force that all snakes of Isfet, from head to tail, are slain before your feet, each and every day. Dua Set! Nekhtet!
Thought for the Day: Email our Nisut (AUS) with a private prayer!
Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown! Saq-Sekhmet Teachings from the Instruction of Ankhsheshonq 5 The character of a man is his family, his destiny, is written on his face, and acts as one of his limbs. (Column 11, lines 11-14) Today I honor a person of extraordinary character. Imakhu Inibmutes (Rev. Donna Schaefer) celebrates her spiritual birthday (the anniversary of her ordination as a priest) today. As Inibmutes begins her second year in formal service to her Mother, Aset, we give great thanks for everything she has done for us, including managing the House of Netjer new members' program and acting as my chief scribe, helping me to get all of the correspondence and appointments needed to keep my office running. I don't know what we'd do without you, Ini. We thank Netjer for you, a million times! Imakhu Ini's on vacation this week, but we'll be opening Tawy House with a celebration in honor of her second year. I hope to see many of you there! Dua Sekhmet! Nekhtet!
Thought for the Day: Email our Nisut (AUS) with a private prayer!
Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown!
Rekeh Wer (Great Festival of Heru-wer) Teachings from the Instruction of Ankhsheshonq 4 Better a failure with honor, than only a half success. (Column 18, line 5) This weekend (where I have been and why there hasn't been any devotion for several days), one of our Shemsu was able to reclaim something she worked very hard to receive in the first place, and now, to receive again after turning a failure into honor. Niankhsekhmet, daughter of Sekhmet-Hethert, regained her place among the legally-ordained priesthood of Kemetic Orthodoxy and henceforth again shall be called Imakhu among us. It's important to do things right. Sometimes, I've said that if you cannot do a thing correctly, perhaps it'd be better not to do it at all. Ankhsheshonq seems to be agreeing here. It's nice to do something right, but, if it's only partially or inadequately right, it may not last. Taking a chance to do something the way that it should be done, and possibly failing in the attempt, is preferable. If you fail, you may always try again -- but if you put forth a partial or inadequate success, it may be more difficult to convince others that you can succeed more if you've started with a lackluster impression. I pray to Nit, Mother of Time Who is also honored during the Rekeh Wer, that each of you understands time as a gift -- and does not rush to do what you should not before its time, rather taking your time to do it the right way the first time, every time. Dua Heru-wer! Dua Nit! Nekhtet!
Thought for the Day: Email our Nisut (AUS) with a private prayer!
Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown! Rekeh Wer (Great Festival of Heru-wer) Teachings from the Instruction of Ankhsheshonq 3 Do not hate a man to his face when you know nothing of him. (Column 6, line 20) Especially in the nameless, faceless world of the Internet, it is easy to hear a thing about another person and make a judgment on him or her without having to engage your own thought in the process. It it also easy in Western culture to form opinions about people based upon someone else's opinions or experience rather than your own. Hate is a strong emotion, and one that is hard to control once it is loosed. It is difficult to hate a man to his face, harder still to do so when you do not know that man. Hatred projected upon the unknown has another name: prejudice. Fight against it and the isfet it creates at every opportunity. Give each child of Netjer the personal chance he or she deserves. Resolve to know a person by your own experience, not simply upon the advice or opinion of another, or even many others. Dua Heru-wer! Nekhtet!
Thought for the Day: Email our Nisut (AUS) with a private prayer!
Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown! Feast/Procession of Nit Teachings from the Instruction of Ankhsheshonq 2
Serve the one that serves you. (Column 6, line 4) Written both ways, this proverb reminds us that just as there is a symbiotic relationship between Netjer and mankind, there is also such a relationship between one human and another. Service begets service; when you reach out to another in help, you will find that on the day you need help you shall not be alone. Go out today and serve another -- perhaps even one who hasn't served you. The rewards are greater than you know. I pray in the Name of the Great Creatrix that you find abundance without measure in response to the goodness of your hearts. Dua Nit! Nekhtet!
Thought for the Day: Email our Nisut (AUS) with a private prayer!
Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown! Day of Invocation and Offerings to the Akhu Teachings from the Instruction of Ankhsheshonq How very appropriate to begin our work studying the words of an ancestor on the day of ancestors! Serve your god in order that he might guard you. (Column 6, line 1) This is the very first of the proverbs contained in Ankhsheshonq's instruction, and demonstrates much of what Kemetic religion is about just in these very few words. Religion is about reconnecting, in particular, reconnecting to the divine. In our understanding, this is not just a top-down process, where Deity tells us what to do; nor is it only a bottom-up process, where we offer worship and love and other things upward to please Deity. In Kemetic Orthodoxy, a two-way street between Netjer and men is paved with ma'at: going upward from men to the divine, it pleases Them; and in return, it is given back to men in the form of divine protection and blessing. This two-way street, the kingly ka of the Nisut, enables and nourishes two-way traffic between men and gods, between the seen and the unseen. Serve Netjer, and in turn, be served by it. Dua Akhu! Dua Netjer! Nekhtet!
Thought for the Day: Email our Nisut (AUS) with a private prayer!
Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown! Erecting the Djed Pillar of Wesir; Feasts of Shu, Sekhmet, Menhyt, Hethert Teachings from the Instruction of Ankhsheshonq Today, we'll start a new section for a while in the Daily Devotions. I'll be sharing with you some of my favorite proverbs from a Demotic document of the Late Period usually called "The Instruction of Ankhshehonq," along with commentary and meditations on each proverb. As we begin, we want to start with a stable foundation. (What better day to do this than the day of Stability's Establishment, in the form of Wesir's Djed Pillar? What I'll provide today, then, in foundation, is a background and idea of the text these selections are taken from. Ankhsheshonq, the person credited with writing this text, is said to be a priest of Ra. In visiting a friend at court, he learns that his friend, and others, are plotting to kill Pharaoh. The plot is uncovered, and Ankhsheshonq's friends are tried, convicted, and executed. For the crime of not reporting the conspiracy, Ankhsheshonq himself is sent to prison. During his prison stay, the instructions were supposedly written, on the idea that Ankhsheshonq wanted his son not to end up in the same place and so wanted to pass along a wisdom instruction. This instruction is very realistic, compared to others from earlier periods. It's not entirely lofty, and the author's mistrust of women and government shine through at several points. However, there are portions of the text that I believe are wonderful, pithy statements of Kemetic wisdom, and those we'll be sharing over the next days and weeks. I'm looking forward to it. See you tomorrow! Dua Wesir! Nekhtet!
Thought for the Day: Email our Nisut (AUS) with a private prayer!
Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown! Heb Wer (The Great Festival) Starting tomorrow, I'll be sharing some wisdom texts with you in my devotions, mostly drawn from a Late Period text written by a man named Ankhsheshonq. I look forward to your discussion and commentary on these texts in our message boards and in sharing some of this wisdom with you. The text is a great deal less "dry" than are some older texts, and it's both witty and entertaining. I give great thanks to Netjer this weekend for a safe trip to Tawy House for more setup toward upcoming events. The basic schedule for workshops and public and private events has now been worked out and should be going up on the Tawy website shortly; I'm really looking forward to seeing Shemsu and Remetj and meeting new people there! Dua Heru-wer! Nekhtet!
Thought for the Day: Email our Nisut (AUS) with a private prayer!
Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown! Heb Wer (The Great Festival) Nekhtet! One of the oldest known festivals of our faith is celebrated today, the Heb Wer (sometimes called the Heb Heru-wer, after the great god it honors). I am very, very pleased to be able to announce the birth of a new Kemetic Orthodox website on Heb Wer: Tawy House Retreat and Conference Center It'll be in continuous updates, more or less, for the next few days as we get ready for our opening event, a fellowship afternoon in honor of Imakhu Inibmutes' ordination anniversary. We will also, the week before the opening, be hosting a very special but private set of rituals -- the ordination of another Imakhu, Niankhsekhmet, to the service of Her Mother Sekhmet. It's going to be a very busy January for us -- are you as excited as I am? Dua Heru-wer! Nekhtet!
Thought for the Day: Email our Nisut (AUS) with a private prayer!
Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown!
First Day of the Month We enter a new Kemetic month and a holiday of the Creators: Ptah, the Master Builder, lifting up the heaven in which Ra, great sun, sits. Make time today to spend under the sunshine, and to count your blessings before creation and Its Creators. Dua Ptah! Nekhtet!
Thought for the Day: Email our Nisut (AUS) with a private prayer!
|
|
|
|
|
|
| back to main top of page daily
devotions main |
| This site and all contents copyright © 1996-2005 by The
House of Netjer. Reproduction without permission is prohibited. Site design by The House of Netjer, maintained by Felidae Print. Please see our list of contacts for temple correspondence.
|
||||
