Egyptian Beliefs and Practices FAQs (Challenge Entry)

Some more questions. I can’t seem to add them to the main post.

How do you set up an altar to honour the Neteru?

An altar to your chosen Neter(et) or for multiple Neteru is an effective and respectful way to show them your devotion and love. It can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be but should have some basic essentials:

An image or statue of the Neter(et) is important as their spirit is said to inhabit them. This is essentially how the Neter(et) becomes present in your sacred space.

A candle should also be placed on the altar as a guiding light for the Neter(et). You can use as many as you wish buy I have a candle for each Neter(et) represented on my altar.

Incense burner or stick holder. Incense was a regular offering to the Neteru. Infact, it was offered daily. This can be sticks, cones or loose incense.

A bowl or plate for offerings. I have small brass bowls and have one for each Neter(et):

You can also have other items on your altar:
A feather to represent Ma’at.
Symbols such as the eye of Horus, tyet etc.

I have small glass pyramids on mine, as well as stones and a central vase of flowers.

It is important to try and make your altar symmetrical. The Egyptians valued the sense of balance because it reflected the ideals of Ma’at.

What offerings can be made to the Neteru?

In ancient Egypt, the most common offerings were water and bread. These are ideal offerings to present on your altar.

Milk, beer, wine, flowers and incense are also suitable offerings. Raw meat can be offered to some Neteru (Horus, fish for cat goddesses) but this is not something I do as I have a thing about bacteria etc plus my cats would probably eat them!

Osiris should never be offered fish. This is because fish ate his penis when he was murdered and cut up by Set. Even today, many Egyptians will not eat a certain type of fish from the Nile due to its role in the Osiris myth.

Consumable offerings should always be eaten after a ritual as this was the tradition of the Egyptian priests. They should not be thrown away or buried like in other traditions. I just compost the flowers from my altar after they pass their best.

what is your daily routine for honouring the Neteru?

In morning, I uncover my statues and “dress” them by wrapping and tying linen around them.


I then take oil on my pinkie and place it on the heads of my statues while saying:

With this annointing, a sacred right
I awaken your spirit’s shining light
Asar, Heru,Auset, eternal and true
In reverence I commune with you.

I also place my pinkie on my own forehead to anoint myself with the oil.

I make an offering of incense. I light a stick and waft it around the statues and then 3 times over the altar before placing it on the Holder. While doing this, I say:

With Fragrant incense of (name of incense)
I delight the senses of the triad of Abydos,
Offering devotion that fills the air and
Brings forth their divine presence.

I then say my morning prayer:

Triad of Abydos, Asar, Auset and Heru
I come before you in reverence and in love.

Asar, mighty ruler of the underworld.
Foremost of Westerners,
Guider of souls and bringer of renewal.
I honour your wisdom and seek your guidance.

Auset, compassionate Queen and magical healer.
Mother and protector,
Embodiment of divine love.
I embrace your nurturing presence and seek your solace.

Heru, falcon God of the the sky and kingship.
Avenger and protector of your father Asar.
I invoke your justice and strength to prevail.

Triad of Abydos, United in divinity.
I seek your wisdom and divine grace.
My that wisdom, love and power fill my life,
Guiding me on a path of truth and transformation.
Grant me strength in times of challenge,
*Healing in times of pain, *
And the courage to rise above adversity.

As I honour you, may your blessings flow,
And may your sacred Triad,
Be forever praised.

Dua Asar Neb Abdu
Dua Heru Neb pet
Dua Auset nebet heka

At this point I open my blinds to let the day light through and say

My the light of the new day Awaken your spirit.

In the evening, I light a candle for each deity. Right now I am using LED candles which have a nice little flicker. I tend to use proper candles during the winter months.

At bed time, I remove the linen from the statues. My evening prayer is then recited:

In the realm of the dark’s embrace
I humbly express my gratitude to the Triad of Abydos,
Whose strength is imbued.
I give thanks for your celestial sway,
And I surrender to my slumber,
May your spirit light my way.

I then cover the statues with cloth before saying:

Dua Asar Neb Abdu
Dua Heru Neb pet
Dua Auset nebet heka
May the darkness bring you peace and rest.

I then close the blinds at my window and extinguish the candles.

These are obviously tailored to my deities but could be altered to suit your own.

Is there Egyptian inspired music I can use in rituals or meditation?

Yes. Click the link to take you to a spotify playlist that has music named after different deities.

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3mYGiFqvw6TprWaexx1aEm?si=AOgfLE0FTMqYHy2pT1inrw&pt=ad7f17661d53a073e83c8ae44cf7ee6c&pi=nN_eQlNgS6iLy

There’s also this project by a group called Neymur. They specialise in ysing ancient insteuments and languages. They have just released a book of the dead album and use ancient Egyptian language. They were assisted by Egyptologists in the pronunciation.
Spotify

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