Bastet in America?

I was visiting my daughter in Georgia and in talking to one of her friends, I discovered that there are groups still worshipping the Egyptian cat goddess, Bastet. I wonder if I should be concerned? This is kind of a creepy little girl that my daughter met during her live action role playing (larp) game. I am going to research this myself, just wondered if anyone knew anything about this or had any opinion. I had heard this mentioned when I was living in Kansas City, but never any details.

Another name for that goddess is Bast, and I think there's a spelling with a P also but I don't remember it. People who study and practice the ancient Egyptian religion are called Kemetic or sometimes reconstructionists, but lots of different ethnic groups are trying to reconstruct their folk beliefs, so that might not be too helpful.

There is a site I really enjoy called Beliefnet . They are a space where people of all different faiths can talk to each other or to others with the same beliefs. From their start page, choose "discussions" and scroll down to "faiths" then "reconstructionist". Kemetic is in the right hand column. You should be able to read what people are saying without joining. At least it is a place to start getting info.

PS. for Star Trek fans: Leonard Nimoy is on the cover page today

Bastet was Responsible For: Joy, Music, and Dancing! Also Health and Healing

Totemic Form: Cat

Bastet (also known as Bast) was the cat goddess, whose cult centered in Bubastis in the region of the Nile delta. It's small wonder so many dancers
are drawn to name their studios after Bastet or acquire artwork featuring her--she was the goddess of joy, music, and dancing! Rituals honoring
Bastet included light-hearted barge processions and orgiastic ceremonies. She also protected humans against contagious diseases and evil spirits.

Her cult can be traced back to about 3200 BC, and she became a national deity when Bubastis became the capital of Egypt in about 950 BC.

One legend said Bastet accompanied the sun god Ra's boat of a million years on its daily journey through the sky, and at night she fought Ra's
enemy, the serpent Apep. In art, Bastet is depicted as either a cat-headed woman carrying a sistrum and basket, or as a whole cat. Often, in either form, there are kittens at her feet.

Yes, I've my own statue of Bast. She looks to the east from my living-room window.

:egypt:

=^..^=

P.S.: Ancient religious artifact, from pre-Christian Sámi culture in what's (erroneously) termed Lapland, shown below.

I have a sterling silver necklace-and-earring set, bought at the Luxor Hotel, in the shape of Bast. I'm not a worshipper but, I love the set!

I like these cats , I don't have any though

If this girl is into LARP it could just be her persona for the game and not her real religion...

Huh, I don't know much about Bastet, but I think it would be cool to have a little statue somewhere in my house of her, for my kitties to see.

I have several Bastet statues, one of which is in a place where the kitties go. They frequently go up to Her and headbump Her. It is very cute!

Prayer to Bast for a Sick Cat

"Great Lady of the Cats,
I call upon your sleek form to aid me.
Your child is ill here in my arms.
Come to us and bathe your child
with your tongue and heal her wounds.

Heal her nose and mouth,
so she may breathe and taste.
Heal her teeth and claws,
so she may hunt and eat.
Heal her eyes and ears,
so she may know the world.

Heal all those things that let her digest,
So she can grown healthy.
Heal her heart, lungs and legs,
so that she may travel on.

Heal her skin and fur,
so she may show beauty.
Heal her bones and joints,
so she can play again.
Heal her tongue,
so she can heal her sisters"



I found this on the net, and had to share it.

"As I lay me down to sleep
I pray to Bast my soul to keep,
I pray to Bast my soul to take,
And transport it to the sandy lands
Where my forbears worshipped were,
Where my ancient kin were much revered
And where the cat first learned to purr.

As I pad on velvet feet
I pray Bast will give me mice to eat,
And as I use my litter tray
I ask that she will find me play,
In her bright heaven where all cats,
Are stroked by Bast's most blessed hands,
And bask and gambol in her care,
Remembering Egypt's ancient sands.

As I knead upon your knees,
I hope that Bast is greatly pleased
To see her child at rest and play,
Fed and cared for every day,
And when I reach that glorious place
And gaze upon her feline face,
I'll ask that Bast will grant you grace
To join me in eternal play."

-- Anon.

Actually Kemetic is a very interesting and ancient religion and I personally do not believe there's anything within it to fear. It's no stranger than believing in some of the other religions we have on this planet.

There's also information on the pagan site at about.com on this religion. I found it one night looking for a different pagan religion.