BAST
Bast (also known as Bastet, Ubaste, Ubasti, and Pasch) is an ancient solar goddess of protection, fertility, joy, health, women, and – of course – cats. She has been described as both “Goddess of the Rising Sun” and “Goddess of Sunset” highlighting the dual nature of solar goddesses.
Most statue depictions show Bast as a women with the head of a cat, often holding a sistrum (a sacred rattle used in ceremonies and dances). However, in the myths, Bast has three forms: woman, half cat half woman, and full feline form.
As the warrior daughter of the Sun God (Ra), Bast was the original protectress of Lower Egypt. She was the fierce lioness, the “Eye of Ra”, who defended her father – the king – from Apep. Ra’s greatest enemy was the serpent, Apep, a demon of chaos and darkness who continually tried to destroy him. After many attempts by others, it was Bast who finally slew the demon ensuring the vitality of the Sun would continue to bless life on earth.
When Lower Egypt was conquered, the lion-headed goddess of Upper Egypt, Sekhmet supplanted Bast in the role of the Eye of Ra, and the lioness goddess Bast became the cat goddess Bastet. Bast’s aggression and power were tamed and her image softened, becoming a goddess with more domestic concerns such as fertility, birth, and health. She became a protectress of women, children, and cats – all representing fertility – and a goddess of pleasure, joy, music, and dance. With her deep connection to cats, Bast’s association with healing came easily: cats keep rodent population (disease) under control ensuring health and food security for the Egyptian people.
Interestingly, Bast’s name translates as “she of the ointment jar”, suggesting both her role as goddess of life as well as her chthonic role as guide of the dead. While it may seem a bit of a leap to suggest ointment = life, the importance of oils and perfumes to the ancient Egyptians cannot be overstated. Protecting their skin and eyes from the extreme solar conditions was a top priority. We also know that the rituals and rites surrounding the dead were elaborate, involving much cleansing, embalming, and anointing of oils. Though the chthonic role was never a primary responsibility of Bast, it does speak to the duality of solar energies.
Furthermore, when we couple this with her connection to Isis – even being referred to as the “Soul of Isis” – we start to see a bigger picture in which Bast may hold the secrets of the greater mysteries.
However, the best ways to honour Bast are through celebration, joy, music, and dance. The Cult of Bastet started in Bubastis around 3,200 B.C. where celebratory worship of the Goddess was believed to bestow mental and physical well-being on her followers.
Playful yet protective, vital yet mysterious, Bast is honoured through mirth and reverence. So celebrate her through the joy of Life!