On the nature of Sekhmet, and the nature of the altar.

The other day, I re-arranged my altar space to give Anubis/Upwawet, and Sekhmet their own separate altar spaces. While I have already dedicated the altar for Anubis and Upwawet, Sekhmet's is still a work in progress. I just bought a red theatre curtain for an altar cloth for her. It's washed, dried, and ready to be hung... but I'm lacking a curtain rod to hang it from. It's long enough that once it's hung on the wall, it'll drape beautifully over her altar table. For now, it's folded neatly on her table. I found the curtains by chance, soon after I decided I was going to give Sekhmet her own altar. Now I'm putting it out into the universe to find a curtain rod that will work well with it.

I'm taking my time setting things up for her, because I know that in this case the universe is moving to help me find what is perfect. Sekhmet and I have talked briefly. She's aware of what I'm doing and seems to have no complaints about it. Just the fact that I'm giving her a separate altar is a sacrifice in and of itself. I'm sacrificing personal space, time, effort, and money to do this for her. She has also been promised burnt offerings of saffron when I officially dedicate the space to her. She likes saffron. I don't think I've heard of anyone else giving her offerings of saffron, but I imagine a lot of spirits would appreciate it. Saffron isn't cheap, and since ancient times has been considered of great value, and a sign of wealth. Buying it just to burn it, instead of cook with it, is considered a great sacrifice. It's also red, which is a color Sekhmet favors, as well as carries a pleasant aroma.

As I start trying to get her altar together, I've also started looking around at different statues for her. Looking at what sort of statues people are making and selling of Sekhmet has also led to many moments of anger. One design in particular stood out to me. I was looking for ideas for sconces to hang in her corner of the room. I was hoping to find maybe a statue of a lioness' head with the opening for a candle or something similar. Sekhmet is the "Lady of the Flame" so of course I want to have something for her like a sconce or a candle holder, or something. I found a pair of candle holders, except there was one serious flaw: Sekhmet was kneeling.

Now, I don't know how many of you know Sekhmet, but the idea of Sekhmet kneeling to anyone, or anything, is laughable. Sekhmet is proud, Sekhmet is strong, her very name is derived from the ancient Egyptian word for "power".... Power does not kneel. "The Lion of war", does not kneel. The very fact that this candle holder exists feels like an act of blasphemy. Sekhmet is an active force and manifestation of divine might, and judgment. Kneeling is an act that is submissive and passive. If anyone has a statue of Sekhmet kneeling on their altar, they clearly have no knowledge of this deity or what she represents, and have no business working with her. That kind of thing is likely to either get you ignored by her, or have her give you a harsh education on who and what she actually is. Sekhmet does not submit. The very idea that she does, is counter to her very nature.

The reason this is so upsetting isn't just the fact that someone who didn't know what they were doing (or they did, and did it as an insult) designed this piece of statuary for the mainstream pagan market... It's the fact that I know that there are other pagans out there who would buy it anyway, because they don't understand the purpose of an altar.

An altar is a space dedicated to a certain idea, designed to bring that idea into manifestation. That idea can be anything from a god, a magical working that you're doing, or a shrine to your ancestors. When you're designing an altar, it's important that the aspects of the design are in line with the nature of what you're trying to accomplish.

I know a fellow who was taking a class on Wicca. They decided they were going to make an altar to Mars as a homework assignment. Many of them put all sorts of things on their altars. Many of them were cluttered and disorganized. The fellow had a bit more experience working with that particular entity. His altar was simple and direct, much like the god he was building the altar to. Of everyone there, he was the only one who didn't suddenly have all sorts of conflict pop up in his life. The school was completely disbanded within several months. - Mars tested those who acted like they knew him, and created altars to him with no direction. Sekhmet is similar in that she will also test you if you do something stupid like that.

It's important to not rush setting up an altar. Find the right pieces, not just the pieces that "might" work. There's a reason I'm using blood red theater curtains, instead of matching the dark blue velvet I have on Anubis/Upwawet's altar. When you create an altar to a god, or spirit, you're creating a space that resonates with that god/spirit's nature. That place is the home that you have created for that god or spirit to dwell in, and manifest themselves from.

This is actually something covered a lot more in magical traditions involving evocation, like Goetia. When evoking a spirit, you make the place they are being summoned to, more in line with their nature. This is done by utilizing different colors, numbers, incenses, elements, sounds, their images.. and so forth. Going that extra distance means that the spirit in question will be able to manifest more easily in a place that isn't counter to their nature. Having an active altar is like having an ongoing evocation. The altar isn't for YOU, it's for the gods and spirits that you're working with.

Please note that some traditions and some gods don't mind a cluttered altar. Some prefer it, and the who/why really matters to determine this sort of thing... However if you're creating a space for your deities, don't put it together hastily. Time and effort, dedication, is your sacrifice. Your gods will thank you for it.