  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 |
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown! Feast of Purification
Kemetic Word of the Day 5 This word, pronounced neh-HEH, is the second of two ways to discuss the concept of time in ancient Egyptian. ( See yesterday's devotion for the first, djet. ) Neheh, like djet, is also translated "forever" or "eternity" in English, but as we mentioned before, this loses some of its meaning in translation as English doesn't distinguish between linear and cyclical time. The term neheh refers to the cyclical nature of time as expressed in the passage of seasons and celestial events, the time that is not linear, but goes in a spiral with the repetition of certain events: day and night, seasons, holidays, and the natural cycles of life. Neheh's cyclical nature can be observed in the hieroglyphs that make up its symbol, all of which are characterized by curves or non-linear surfaces: the top wavy line standing for water, the two hieroglyphs at each side that are the wick of oil lamps that burn in the night, and the circle with a point in the middle, universal symbol of Ra, the sun itself. Djet and neheh are symmetrical concepts and are almost always used together, "eternity and everlastingness" in English, or perhaps the same as our idiomatic "forever and ever." In ancient times, the act of ritual purification was shown with the gods pouring water jars containing the symbol ankh, or life, over the person being purified. A person was then said to be pure forever (djet) and ever (neheh), or in both manners of counting of time, both in years and in memory. On this Day of Purification may you find both times filled with calm, peace and rejuvenation, and may you emerge as pure as the sun is round. Dua Netjer! Nekhtet!
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown! Feast of Heru and Hethert
Kemetic Word of the Day 4 This word is pronounced JET or CHET, and is one of two ways to discuss the concept of time in ancient Egyptian. Djet is often translated "forever" or "eternity" in English, but this loses some of its meaning in translation, as English doesn't distinguish between linear time (time measured in hours and dates) and cyclical time (time measured in repetition of seasons or celestial events like the procession of equinoxes). This term, djet, specifically refers to the concept of linear, or nonrepetitive time, and this can be seen symbolically in its hieroglyphs: the long, linear snake of the dj sound, the flat loaf of bread which supplies the feminine t ending, and the long island symbol being the determinative for "land." Thus, djet is earthly time, the time of the land. (Tomorrow, we'll discuss neheh, cylical or celestial time, the "time of the sun.") Djet and neheh are symmetrical concepts and are almost always used together, "eternity and everlastingness" in English, or perhaps the same as our idiomatic "forever and ever." On this day when we honor the god Heru-wer and His wife Hethert, Whose festival of love is not very far away now, may They grant you a long life in djet and a long memory in neheh. Dua Heru! Dua Hethert! Nekhtet!
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown!
Beautiful Feast of the Valley (Day 12/final)
Kemetic Word of the Day 3 Pronounced: ho-TEP
Meanings: Here's another popular and useful Kemetic word! This one reminds me of Hawai'ian aloha, which has more meanings than any other word in the language and can be used in many ways. The hieroglyph hotep is, literally, an offering stone or table with a cone-shaped loaf of bread sitting on its top. Offering stones in antiquity were either carved in this hotep shape or had it painted on their surfaces, making the offering stone (hotep) itself an offering (hotep) as well as whatever came to rest (hotep) upon it. The hotep which came to hotep on the hotep gave happiness (hotep), satisfaction (hotep) and pacification (hotep) to Whomever it had been offered (hotep) to. The word has many meanings, each useful in its own way. On this last day of offerings (hotep) to the gods of Uaset and the Akhu in order that they might be pleased (hotep) and grant happiness (hotep) and safety (hotep), before the sun goes to rest (still hotep).... may you find all the meanings of hotep in your life, and may They grant it to you as I pray for it on your behalf (hotep di Nisut). May Nit, Great Matrix of Creation, also offer you hotep in peace (em hotep)! Dua Amun! Dua Mut! Dua Khonsu! Dua Akhu! Dua Nit! Nekhtet!
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown! Beautiful Feast of the Valley (Day 11)
Kemetic Word of the Day 2 This word is pronounced ahnk or onk, and is one of the most readily recognizable symbols and words in Kemetic, yet experts do not always agree on what the hieroglyph represents. The depicted object is a sandal strap: the part of an ancient sandal that wraps around the ankle and extends down to the toes, without the sole. The word ankh has many meanings, including:
1. sandal strap There are other meanings of ankh, but all have something to do with the idea of life or lifegiving, or alternatively, the idea of tying or binding something together (definitions 1, 5, 6, and 7). Definitions 8 and 9 add an additional layer to this already complex symbol -- the idea of reflection, something that is both a representation of something living, like the image of a face in a mirror; and the concept of binding, as a face cannot appear in a mirror unless there is a real face looking into the mirror, showing that the object and its reflection are bound. Ankh is an often-used word in our religion, and a symbol worn as an amulet even today, by those inside and outside the faith. Gods extend the "breath of life" in an ankh held to the nostrils in images of gods and kings; an extension of this idea is seen in ankh-shaped flower arrangements in ancient offering depictions, and ankhs decorating incense burners and candle holders, equating their scent with life itself. Ankh-shaped mirrors are known from antiquity and even today's ornate hand mirrors are often still rounded at the top with a long handle, even if the crossbar has largely been forgotten. In Kemetic Orthodoxy we wish each other ankh, udja, seneb (life, prosperity and health) and refer to Shemsu who take special vows to be servants of Netjer and ambassadors of the faith as Shemsu-ankh, or "sworn/oathbound Shemsu." Other religious groups recognize the ankh as a powerful symbol, most notably Coptic Christians, the direct descendants of the ancient Egyptians, who use the "Coptic cross" as an alternative, native Egyptian symbol rather than the various crosses and crucifixes of Orthodox Christianity. Much more than an alternative to a cross, the ankh offers you life. Take it up. See your reflection and bind yourself to it with joy. I pray in the names of all gods and goddesses that you receive the breath of life and shine it outward like a mirror. Dua Amun! Dua Mut! Dua Khonsu! Dua Akhu! Nekhtet!
Thought for the Day:
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown! Beautiful Feast of the Valley (Day 10)
Kemetic Word of the Day 1 Pronounced muh-OTT or mah-OTT, this word has several meanings in Kemetic, according to Faulkner's Dictionary of Middle Egyptian:
1. truth It is derived from the root ma'a, meaning true, real, righteous, loyal, or being in order. The hieroglyphs show both a scythe (that which levels fields), which is itself the phonetic value ma'a and also the root of the verb "to see." The second hieroglyph, a long bar with a pointed end, we recognize as an architect's straight-edge or level: something indicating that a thing does not deviate from "true" orientation. The level hieroglyph occurs again and again in Kemetic art as the plinth, or stand, on which statues of gods and kings stand: thus, they stand upon and are supported by ma'at. Ma'at for us also has a fifth meaning, and that is in the name of the Goddess Who is ma'at. May She bless you today as you learn about the word She wears as a name, and may you find that your personal sense of level truth is as straight as the edge of Her level. Dua Amun! Dua Mut! Dua Khonsu! Dua Akhu! Dua Ma'at! Nekhtet!
Thought for the Day:
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown! Beautiful Feast of the Valley (Day 9) Tomorrow, thanks to a wonderful suggestion from the International Members' Group, I will be starting a special topic inside these devotions. Called Kemetic Word of the Day, it will be a discussion of the meanings, literal and subtle, of particular Kemetic phrases we encounter both in research and in religious practice. I am very excited about this project, and encourage you to send me your suggestions for words you'd like to have discussed! Join us tomorrow for the very first word. For today -- get outside and greet the daytime, honoring your Akhu as the holy Valley festival continues. Dua Amun! Dua Mut! Dua Khonsu! Dua Akhu! Nekhtet!
Thought for the Day:
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown! Beautiful Feast of the Valley (Day 8) Today is a beautiful new day. It is the zep tepi of today, a time when you can always start over from things you'd like to do differently than you did yesterday. Taking this knowledge into account, how can anyone be afraid of tomorrow? Dua Amun! Dua Mut! Dua Khonsu! Dua Akhu! Nekhtet!
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown!
Beautiful Feast of the Valley (Day 7) After honoring the three gods of Valley Festival, we honor five more: the children of Geb and Nut, the final five gods worshipped in the city of Iunu and all over Kemet. Honored Wesir, holy king in His city, lord of the west and giver of grace in the afterlife, blesses you. Mighty Heru-wer, king of the living universe, lawgiver and embodiment of justice, warrior and protector, blesses you. Imposing Set, He Who Makes the Sky Shake, loyal opposer and challenger, blesses you. Clever Aset, Great of Magic, Mistress of the Throne, blesses you. Quiet Nebt-het, Keeper of the Gates between Seen and Unseen, Friend of the Dead, blesses you. All five of these gods, the symbols and the Being of Seen and Unseen World, of Tradition, Leadership, Staying Power, Transformative Power and Time, bless you, today and always. Dua Amun! Dua Mut! Dua Khonsu! Dua Akhu! Dua Wesir! Dua Heru-wer! Dua Set! Dua Aset! Dua Nebt-het! Nekhtet!
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown! Beautiful Feast of the Valley (Day 6) Today when you spend time in your shrine, take some time to meditate upon the gods we honor during this Valley Festival. Greet Amun, with His two-plumed crown and sharp sword, and feel the golden light of His glory bathing you in blessings. Give honor to Mut, Whose love is so very great, Who supports the thrones and those that lead, as well as those that are Her children; all the children of the world. Praise Khonsu, wise and witty, Who wanders the roads to cleanse them of evil. Meditate upon all three and know They are present in your life today and every day. Dua Amun! Dua Mut! Dua Khonsu! Dua Akhu! Nekhtet!
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown!
Beautiful Feast of the Valley (Day 5) As part of the Valley Festival, the nine gods associated with the procession, or Ennead, go forth to judge disputes. Today, the gods are out and about -- and perhaps where you least expect Them. Be aware, be ready and listen! I pray in the name of the Lord of the Thrones of the Two Lands, King of the Gods Amun, that you find today an invigorating and blessed one. Dua Amun! Dua Mut! Dua Khonsu! Dua Akhu! Nekhtet!
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown! Beautiful Feast of the Valley (Day 4) Reach out today to a person you haven't spoken to recently. Make sure this person in your life knows how much he or she is valued, loved and needed. Say whatever words you find in your heart, and know that heka springs from there. Dua Amun! Dua Mut! Dua Khonsu! Dua Akhu! Nekhtet!
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown!
Beautiful Feast of the Valley (Day 3) Wesir is in front, in front of the ancestors as the Valley Festival progresses under the bright moon. Great Wesir, kingly, gracious and loving, reaches out to us from that place, and reminds us that we are not alone; that those who went before us ever look backward with kindly faces and loving hearts. We reach out to Him and in doing so, reach Them too -- a full circle. May Wesir grant you peace and blessing in His special time of closeness to us so close to the ending of our year. Dua Amun! Dua Mut! Dua Khonsu! Dua Akhu! Dua Wesir! Nekhtet!
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown!
Beautiful Feast of the Valley (Day 2) As Amun, Khonsu and Mut travel forth to meet and greet the Akhu during the Valley Festival, we also honor Heru-wer, protector of cities; Menhyt and Bast, protectresses of the innocent; and celebrate a special festival of purification in honor of She of the Blood-Red Garments, Sekhmet. Make today a day of healthy eating, exercise, and as much stress relief as you can accomplish. Honor Sekhmet's place as Lady of Health with purifying yourself. Give special offerings to Her sister Eyes, Menhyt and Bast, as They also roam the land in search of anything that needs to be purified, and Heru-wer Who watches over all. I pray in the name of Bast, the Invisible Paw Who was first to touch this faith we now call Kemetic Orthodoxy, that you finish today somewhat cleaner and more pure than you began it, and that this brings you great joy. Dua Amun! Dua Mut! Dua Khonsu! Dua Akhu! Dua Heru! Dua Menhyt! Dua Bast! Dua Sekhmet! Nekhtet!
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown! Beautiful Feast of the Valley (Day 1) Yesterday was actually the eve of Valley Festival, and today the full festival begins in earnest. Please forgive my eagerness to start celebrating and accept this repetition of the description! Over the next 12 days, keep special offerings for your Akhu, the blessed ancestors, and make sure to make a pilgrimage to visit your ancestors or the ancestors of the place where you live in a nearby cemetery or mausoleum. Bring them food and water; spend time in the cemetery straightening up the grounds or otherwise making their home more hospitable and friendly. If you are able, share a meal with them by having a picnic on the grounds. As we renew our relationship with the past, we prepare for the future. May the Akhu shine brightly in each of your lives, and bring you to greater blessing and understanding of your selves and your relationship with All That Is. I pray in the names of Wesir, Nisut of all the Akhu, and of Sokar, guardian of the realms of the Unseen, that you are protected and blessed throughout this festival and the rest of our Kemetic year. Dua Netjer! Dua Akhu! Nekhtet!
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown!
Feast of the Half Month As we celebrate the Udjat, the whole and healthy Eye, we celebrate another Eye...the full moon. This year, the full moon comes in with an eclipse, the physical rendering of the myth of loss and restoration of Heru-sa-Aset's eye. We also celebrate the half month (and the half season), and the beginning of one of our most beautiful annual festivals, the Valley Festival. Over the next 12 days, keep special offerings for your Akhu, the blessed ancestors, and make sure to make a pilgrimage to visit your ancestors or the ancestors of the place where you live in a nearby cemetery or mausoleum. Bring them food and water; spend time in the cemetery straightening up the grounds or otherwise making their home more hospitable and friendly. If you are able, share a meal with them by having a picnic on the grounds. As we renew our relationship with the past, we prepare for the future. May the Akhu shine brightly in each of your lives, and bring you to greater blessing and understanding of your selves and your relationship with All That Is. Dua Netjer! Dua Akhu! Nekhtet!
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown! Feast of the Udjat The Shining Eye of Heru comes. The Great Eye of Heru comes. The Eye, the power that is Netjer's power, the power of many goddesses and gods, is here for you. Take it, and with it go up into the sky, and shine. Dua Udjat! Nekhtet!
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown! More exciting announcements. This one I've been very excited about for some time but was waiting on some final approvals before I could release it. Most of my readers know that we ordained a very large group of W'abu, or purification priests, after training last summer. Each of those priests continued in training and working through their goals since their ordinations either last summer or the summer previous, and each now is responsible for an official Kemetic Orthodox shrine in their own location, a place where the formal or "state" rituals of Kemetic Orthodoxy are performed. I am deeply honored, and very pleased, to provide information on these fifteen (!) new official Kemetic Orthodox shrines and their caretakers with you.
The House of Bast Shrine
Two Warriors Shrine
Bast of the Two Rivers Shrine
Ma'at-Speaks-Softly-Here Shrine
Sekhmet's Sanctuary Shrine
Between Day and Night Shrine
Shrine of Her Heart's Desire
Shrine of Yinepu Under the Northern Stars
Two Meet Here Shrine
House of Yinepu Shrine
Strength of Two Shrine
Fierce Ones Give Peace Shrine
Shrine of Yinepu Upon His Mountain
Power of the Ancestors on the Lake Shrine
Great-of-Magic on the East River Shrine We congratulate the W'abu on their hard work and training, and are very excited at this expansion of the official shrines of our faith from the previous shrines located in my home's shrine room and at our Tawy House conference center. May Netjer continue to bless our growth with more shrines to serve Them, and Their children, all over the world. Dua Netjer! Nekhtet!
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown! It's going to be a week of special announcements again! (Aren't you excited?) The first one for today is that the Imhotep Kemetic Orthodox Seminary website is finally up and running with our first three course offerings, all in various stages of ancient Egyptian language. More courses in history, religion and philosophy, and other topics having to do with ancient Egypt/Kemet and the Kemetic Orthodox Faith will be going up soon as they are put together! We hope you enjoy the website. Watch this devotion this week for more very exciting news in the life of our faith! I pray in the name of Imhotep, Akh of all the people, that wisdom is never overlooked. Dua Netjer! Nekhtet!
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown! In many of the countries where Kemet's people find themselves today, we celebrate a holiday in honor of mothers. May Netjer bless our mothers, those of our female ancestors by whom we come to be. May the gods and goddesses bless the mothers of all of our friends and family, of all of those people who touch our lives in every way. May They bless each of us as we give birth to a child, a project, an idea...the goddess Hethert, Great Mother, within each and every person. I pray in Hethert's name for all the mothers and for all the children of the mothers. Dua Netjer! Nekhtet!
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown! Feast of Hethert's Giving Birth (Day 25) As we celebrate the final day of Hethert's birthgiving, we will also be having a gathering of our Midwest membership at the Field Museum to view the traveling British Museum exhibit called "Eternal Egypt." I can't wait to see everyone there! During this last part of the year we have many gatherings and festivals, and I always look forward to each one. It is very wonderful to know we have a community of more than pixels and light. May each of you find a special message in your prayers today, and may it bring you peace and joy. Dua Hethert! Dua Ihy! Nekhtet!
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown!
Holiday of Ra and His Shemsu Ra and everyone under the sun is in celebration today! What will you do with this special holiday? Share it on our boards. Make a special prayer within the sunlight today, and find Ra's happiness in a bright sunbeam. Allow His light to shine into you and through you, and out to others, bringing blessing and warmth to all. Dua Ra! Dua Shemsu Ra! Dua Hethert! Dua Ihy! Nekhtet!
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown!
Day of the Executioners of Sekhmet Today we honor the Executioners of Sekhmet, Her special spirits that drive out the evils of illness and injustice from the world. We give thanks to Sekhmet for healers, the human beings Who embody Her special talents. We give thanks to Sekhmet for people serving Her through law enforcement, military, and other organizations dedicated to justice and protection. We give thanks to Her that there is good in the world, and that it always fights against evil. May Sekhmet and Her following bring you blessings today. Dua Sekhmet! Dua Hethert! Dua Ihy! Nekhtet!
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown!
Heru Inquires before Wesir-Unnefer Today, Heru-sa-Aset goes before His Father Wesir, to learn about how the ancestors wish for the living to prosper. Go before your own ancestors today and receive Their honor and blessings. Also, make a special offering to Their Nisut, Wesir, in order that you might also receive His wisdom and protection. I pray before the Greatly Green One that you are reminded of all that love and support you, even those who are no longer in the Seen World in bodily form. Dua Heru-sa-Aset! Dua Wesir! Dua Hethert! Dua Ihy! Nekhtet!
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown!
Geb and Nut are Judged before the Gods Kemetic "Earth Day" has arrived -- a time to celebrate the creation of the planet we live in at the mythological separation of Earth and Sky. May Father Earth's bones hold you up, support you in all your travels, remind you of your responsibility to care for His body, stretched out that we might exist upon His skin. May Mother Sky arch over all your days, reminding you that always, and forever, you exist between Her loving arms, the loving embrace which enfolds all of Her children -- and Her mate -- eternally. I pray in Geb and Nut's names that today you find contentment in all places under Heaven. Dua Geb! Dua Nut! Dua Hethert! Dua Ihy! Nekhtet!
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown!
Holiday of the Month of Ra and His Shemsu We give greeting and send our love and blessings to the children of Ra everywhere. One of them, our Raemnisut, is currently on duty in Iraq. I will be sending him another package of letters this week, so if you would like a letter to be included to him, please click the prayers button below and send it along (just mention at the top that it's a note for Raem). Dua-Netjer to each of you who have been praying for him and for his safety and also for his family waiting here for good news as well. I'm sure our first package and the packages sent by other members of the faith really cheered him up as he sits in a very dangerous place far from home. In Ra's name, father of the Eye of the Sun Whose birthgiving festival still brings blessing, may this month be a bright, sunny one for each and every one of you. Dua Ra! Dua Shemsu-Ra! Dua Hethert! Dua Ihy! Nekhtet!
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown! Feast of Hethert's Giving Birth (Day 18) When you think you are all alone, quiet your mind and take in a deep breath. Feel the earth, great god Geb, under your feet. Feel the sky, great Mother Nut, curving along above you. Hear the breeze as Shu; see growing things as Wesir. Each of the gods and goddesses surrounds you, gives your world meaning. You are never alone. Dua Hethert! Dua Ihy! Nekhtet!
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown!
First Day of the Kemetic Month The new month comes, bringing with it the appearance of the Creator; the goddess Who defines the boundaries of life and death, seen and unseen; and Hethert in Her form of the Eye. May each of these gods watch over our new month and grant it peace and prosperity, stability and growth. Give thanks today to your ancestors and your gods, and define new goals for the next 30 days. I look forward to hearing from each of you as your goals manifest. May Khnum give them a good beginning and Nebt-het manage their time from imagination to fruition. And may Hethert give them birth. Dua Khnum! Dua Nebt-het! Dua Hethert! Dua Ihy! Nekhtet!
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Bless all the children of Netjer, known and unknown!
Last Day of the Kemetic Month (House of Heru, Ra and Wesir) On the last day of the first month of harvest, we give special offerings to the gods of the ends of all months (Heru-wer, Ra and Wesir); we honor Hethert's birthgiving festival of Ihy which continues into the next month, and we give special offering and praise to Min, the male generative principle. Honor creation in your life and get ready for another month of festivals! I pray in the names of all these gods and goddesses that you are given a very special message today about your own growth. Dua Heru! Dua Ra! Dua Wesir! Dua Min! Dua Hethert! Dua Ihy! Nekhtet!
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