Here is a great article by Isidora Forrest, author and Priestess of Isis. Here is the link: What Does it Mean to be a Priestess or Priest of Isis?: The Art of Ritual
Category: Ritual Protocol
Devotions Series Complete List
Here is part one: Growing Devotions Part 1- Understanding Devotions
Here is part two: Growing Devotions: Finding Your Center
Here is part three: Growing Devotions: Connecting with the Land
Here is part four: Growing Devotions: Embracing the Ancestors
Here is part five: Growing Devotions: Knowing the Gods
Here is part six: Growing Devotions: Returning to the Center
Devotions Embracing the Ancestors
Here is the continuation of devotions series.
Here is the fourth installment:
Growing Devotions: Embracing the Ancestors
Here are parts one, two and three:
Here is part one: Growing Devotions Part 1- Understanding Devotions
Here is part two: Growing Devotions: Finding Your Center
Here is part three: Growing Devotions part 3
Link: Devotions part 3
Here is the continuation of devotions series.
Here are parts one and two:
Here is part one: Growing Devotions Part 1- Understanding Devotions
Here is part two: Growing Devotions: Finding Your Center
Kemetic Ritual Ramblings
Many Kemetics do a daily or weekly rite or ritual to certain Netjeru. I sometimes perform the Kemetic Orthodox Ritual of the Senut.
I’m trying to make a ritual for Aset to perform as well. I found a few things I can use (ancient hymns and so forth), but I need to dig deeper to know what I’m doing. Because you shouldn’t perform a ritual (or create one) unless you know what you’re doing.
So why do we perform ritual to the Netjeru? Here are a few answers:
*It strengthens and maintains Ma’at in the world and community
*It maintains the creation of the world against the Uncreated One.
*It feeds the Kau of the Netjeru and ourselves which sustains us and Them
*It invites the Gods and Goddesses in our homes and our lives
*If you have a Parent/Patron Netjeru, the ritual will strengthen your bond with that deity. This can result in you becoming Their Eyes and Hands in this world.
*Where offerings go, blessings flow. You give to Them and They give back to you. This is another way of saying “I give so that You may give.” or reciprocity.
*My life is made up of choices I have made (some good, some bad, some in between) and the blessings I have had in my life (and being alive at all would be one of them) has come from Them. And when I have made mistakes and owned up to my mistakes, and tried to fix them, who was there to help me? They were (along with my awesome family and friends–that would be another blessing). They have showered my life with many blessings. I give to Them because They have already given to me.
*I choose to honor the Gods and Goddesses I have chosen to follow.
And that’s all the thoughts I have for now.
Notes
Ka/Kau (plural)–Life force; it is the energy sustained by offerings in both humans and Gods–it is also part of the soul.
Ma’at–a goddess of balance and justice; a concept of balance that helps maintain the world.
Netjer/Netjeru (plural)–ancient Egyptian deity/deities
Uncreated One–Apep/Apophis and Its agent of isfet
Link: Devotions part 2
Here is another post on devotions from the blog Not All Who Wander Are Lost: Growing Devotions: Finding Your Center
Here is part one: Growing Devotions Part 1- Understanding Devotions
Oracle: Libation in Senut
*Note: This is about the Ritual of the Senut and not about libations in general.*
You need to understand what this libation is doing.
It is not an offering–not in the traditional sense.
It is a doorway.
It is calling upon the Foundations
to open the way–
so that We may communicate.
Do not consume this offering.
You are calling upon your Dead to support you.
You are calling upon Wepwawet to guide you to Us for this is His role as Opener of the Way.
You are calling upon the Wisdom of your teachers to support you.
You are calling upon Ma’at to strengthen this bond
for She is the foundation of all the worlds.
What do you think you are doing, dear child?
What do you think you are doing?
You are opening the way between the worlds.
Water is a liminal element, creating liminal space.
It is the conduit in which you are connecting to Us.
You are eating the doorway.
Stop it.
Stop it.
Unless you want to become a doorway yourself.
Unless you want to become a Shaman’s Gate–
stop it.
Do not eat this libation.
Offer water separately to Us to drink or to give to your pets.
That is fine.
But this specific libation–pour out.
It is a ritual conduit.
It is a ritual tool.
Do not consume it.
Dispose of it when you are done.
Link: Devotional Practice Pt. 1
Here is an excellent article on devotional practice. It is a series. Here is part 1.
Link: Growing Devotions Part 1- Understanding Devotions
Edit: Here is great post on hospitality with Holy Powers:
2 Links
Here is a great post about being actively serving your Holy Powers. Passivity and Engaged Service
Another great article about veiling in Paganism:
Modesty and Covering My Hair-A Perspective
Edit: Another great post about devotions (for anyone): Six Devotional Tips
Link: A Southern Girl’s Guide to Hospitality
This is a great article guiding the beginner on how to interact with the Holy Powers. I highly recommend it! Just a note: she uses the word “Kindred” for “Gods, Goddesses, Spirits, Ancestors, etc”.