#ma’at

[thesirenisles]

Examining the "Feminine"

mythology & meaning of venus, taurus, and libra ♀

by thesirenisles

Dark/Night Mode recommended. Do not steal, rewrite, or copy any of my original writing. Photos are from Pinterest or collaged by me. If it does not apply, let it fly. All rights reserved. © 2024 The Siren Isles

Your Majesty,

It is as if you manifested in this world to be adored and cherished. Blessed with royal charisma and a natural grace, your Venusian energy is often happily welcomed. Even with afflictions, there is just something(s) about you that others value.

A Venusian is blessed to enjoy the material aesthetics and splendors of this world. They understand high-quality, material value in items and prefer the nicer things. They have an inherent taste for what is aesthetically pleasing. The Venusian tends to collect all of these things... while being on the journey to understanding that they can't collect people.

At your core… you are here to create and increase the value, beauty, harmony, and love in the world around you.

It's all about life’s pleasures when you’re a child of Venus and they float diplomatically, steadily seeking pleasure of all forms, whether this be from material means, the five senses, or even the addictive taste of social relevance.

╰┈➤ Think: Serena VDW from Gossip Girl, waltzing around with her “Golden Retriever” energy lol. Beyoncé, (Venus 1H) no matter the rumors... honestly can she actually ever be canceled? Jasmine Tookes (model) has such a Venusian complex, Venus 1H)

With this energy dominant in the natal chart, you can become a natural feminine role model for the women in your life. Venus is a benefic and a lucky chart ruler energy. But, this does not come without its lessons usually involving worth, value, and balance.

-`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´-

In astrology, the gifts of Venus manifest in:

⋆˚⋆˚ ❥ TAURUS (fixed Earth) 2nd House (Possessions, Values, Skills) understands tangible & personal worth but is seeking to understand the value of intangible beauty in life.

⋆˚⋆ ❥ LIBRA (cardinal Air) 7th House (Marriage and Partnership) understands how to create beautiful social and romantic relationships based on justice, but is seeking to understand the true value of self love & worth.

-`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´-

If you control the feminine deity,

you control the feminine.

VENUS (Aphrodite to the Greeks, Hathor to Ancient Egyptians) is the Goddess of love, feminine energy, erotic desire, harmony, balance, and to some motherhood.

Greco- Roman Mythology:

When consuming any ancient mythological texts, one must consider the social and political attitudes or even agendas during that time period to add context. This female social status very clearly carries over into their mythology.

-`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´-

🐚 In Ancient Greece: "Greek women had virtually no political rights of any kind and were controlled by men at nearly every stage of their lives." (source)

🐚 In Ancient Rome: "Unlike society in ancient Egypt, Rome did not regard women as equal to men before the law." (source)

Glamour is the enemy of truth.

Her sordid birth is GLAMOURIZED in an undeniably gorgeous painting: “Birth of Venus” by Sandro Botticelli; 1486 (see below).

🐚 This beautiful portrayal led to Venus being OFTEN glamourized by women, especially here on Tumblr. We feel empowered by her, which is justified. But, her Greco-Roman mythology is anything but empowering. No shade, but it embodies the social limits and pain for women within the dominant European culture. 🐚 The Goddess is often presented on display, (as above) her womanhood made a spectacle! Her very "feminine" form is written to have manifested from the discarded sexual organs of a male God, (Uranus), Also then.. technically her father.

This is a DIVINE Goddess and YET ...

Her adoptive father, Jupiter (Zeus), literally sold her to her "husband", Hephaestus (Vulcan), like property.

She has petty grudges stemming from vanity, tormenting beautiful young maidens.

She engages in frequent, extramarital love trysts with a sibling, Ares (Mars)

... & we're supposed to romanticize this??? ✋🏾(It's giving Cersei Lannister).

-`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´-

🐚 Negative divine feminine imagery creates a space to demonize the many beautiful traits associated with Venus! This became especially apparent after the bloody global shift into Christian and Catholic dominance.

-`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´--`♡´-

and alas life imitates art:

"HOTTENTOT" VENUS

🐚 The Greco-Roman/ European depiction of Venus being on full display makes a disgusting reappearance in their humiliation, brutalization, and rape of naturally curvy and voluptuous African women. 🐚 Most notably, a South African Khoikhoi (or Khoisan) woman named Saartjie (or Sara) Baartman, who was fiendishly deemed the: "Hottentot Venus." (a racial slur; see image below) Her divinely feminine body was, like Venus , put on live display and defiled for ANY paying Europeans. Most all had never witnessed such divine beauty, 1810. (source) 🐚 They were socially conditioned to gawk, hyper-sexualize, and inflict pain upon the female form. Even after death, she was taken in 1816 and displayed in a French museum until as late as 1985."

Venus Figurine:

🐚 This grotesque misuse of Venus in the news article title takes its inspiration from: The Upper Paleolithic “Venusian figurine”, an example the “Venus of Willendorf” (28-25,000 BCE; see below) which also shows pronounced hips and figure. Men were said to carry these in thought of women. However, the exposure is none short than Venus' own in the Botticelli painting.

🐚 While similar in their representation, the Greco Roman translation of this Goddess is far too crass and none of Venus' listed Greco-Roman origin stories have any symbolic feminine connection or adoration to the actual bull or scales! LOL. So, I went on my search to connect the lost ancient mythological mysteries that did not make it past the Euro-Colonialism eradication and re-naming. 🔎🕵️

"Mother of the Pharaohs"

taurus: the horned cow🐄

HATHOR is the (Ancient Egyptian Goddess of the Divine Feminine, Love, Fertility, and even expression of female sexual desire). The Goddess is a cow or a maiden with cow horns, typical symbol of Taurus.

How is Venus connected to Hathor?

🐄 Since the moment they step foot in the "ancient New York City" that was Ancient Egypt, their European neighbors were enamored of Ancient Egypt's Neter (Gods), especially the "Mother of the Pharoah's". The Greco-Roman nations would come to conquer Egypt. Under Alexander the "gr8" in 332 B.C., they renamed one of the seven major African cities that worshipped Hathor: "Aphroditopolis" or City of Venus and made it a CAPITAL of its district. 🐄 The Venus planet symbol ♀ is literally the African Ankh. This fascination and renaming is like the renaming of Thoth into Mercury, Hermes, or "Hermes Trismegistus". (some say they explain it with "reincarnation.") You, as the reader, decide which mythology matches the energy best for yourself.

Mythological Origins:

🐄 Hathor is said to be born from the eye of Ra, like Sekhmet. She was thought of as beauty, love, grace incarnate. Her presence is said to exude an aura of allure, femininity, and attraction. She embodies passionate expressions of desire, love, and the pursuit of exquisite living. 🐄 A maternal symbol, she is considered the mother or nourisher of all of the Pharaohs. The presence of the Goddess in a Pharaoh's royal court is essential to ensure the connection to the divine. 🐄 Music and dance are another keystone of Hathor's energy. The female body is created to release tension and trauma with the very movement of your hips! Connect with your inner Goddess! 🐄 Symbols for Hathor: Cows, Sun disk with Cow Horns, Lotus Flower, Sistrum, Protective Cobra, Mirrors, and Cosmetic jars.

Why the cow? 🐄

🐄 Ancient Kemet (Egypt) connected their Gods to the natural skills, gifts, and talents of the animals within their ecosystem. This is the reason their Gods’ are called Neter, like “Nature". (For example: Lions of Leo are native to Africa) 🐄 The African cattle breed: “Ankole-Watusi" has female cows with very large horns��� similar to the male bull. These horns are depicted holding the sun disk upon the head of Hathor, (as seen above & below in the Egyptian bas reliefs).

🌷Cows are the mothers!🌷

┈➤ Bulls are the male cow. Heifers are the females without offspring.

🐄 The natural feminine physical traits associated with the cow are: plush eyelashes, a pretty symmetrical face, pronounced nipples that produce milk, and wide hips. 🐄 However, the cow also provides fertilizer, which brought forth the agriculture of the African Nile Valley. The cow , not bull...is a perfect fertility symbol.

Hathor provides the Pharaoh the ANKH or “Venus planet symbol.” ♀ (see below)

Bas Relief of the goddess Hathor, Temple of Horus, Edfu, Egypt, Ptolemaic Period, c251 BC-c246 BC

"soft life"🐄

🐄 I imagine a Taurus (or 2nd houser) thriving in the energy of the cow, frolicking the lush green lands, eating their fill, and providing nourishment. If the 5 senses of a Taurus are satisfied, they are content. 🐄 They will create this value around them, often ensuring that their spaces smell good, the food is prepared excellently, and only the best to drink it down. Access to a Taurus is access to their natural value. 🐄 They will bless you with gifts that you need because they care enough to pay attention and want to increase your value too.. all while being loyal! I love Taurus energy, so similar to cancer... but less mood swings.

(noun). a person, especially a woman, who pursues a lifestyle of buying luxury items or of seeking them as gifts from lovers and admirers.

🐄 Taurus most often manifests Venusian gifts in the physical and sensual. This can be "classically" feminine physical traits, such as wider hips or ample bosoms, etc. On a negative, these traits can be hyper-sexualized or demonized while they are young, like their sister sign, Scorpio. But, it can also be literal material gifts and blessings.

🐄 On a positive, Venus will bless them with options! Many suitors will present these Earthly gifts, writing love poems to woo the feminine cow. Taurus may find pride in the flattery that comes with this treatment and beauty privilege. They are used to being adored (unless badly aspected).

Beware the love Bomb.

🐄 In love, these cows are especially vulnerable to being victims of love bombing. (When a potential suitor bombards one too quickly with serious promises, excessive flattery, and material gifts. This can be friends as well.🧿) The key here is to not allow flattery to falsely parade as love.

🐄 Taurus (2nd house) carries a natural royal energy and an air of grace. It’s your silent, but solid confidence of being a fixed sign. They are extremely loyal when they consider you kin. However, this dogmatic belief system can result in you charging your horns into sketchy territory. This reminds me of John Snow and his “honor” energy (from Game of Thrones).

it’s nearly impossible to change your mind.🌸

🐄  In love, this can be ignoring all of your friends over a partner who is not good for you. You find yourself giving all of your love, loyalty, and even money (most have a language of gift giving and receiving) to an undeserving soul. On the bright side, these tragedies will result in a tower moment marked with major transformation (also like sister sign Scorpio).🌷 🐄 Ultimately, I feel and often see that the Taurus (2nd house) native will be challenged to vacate the creature comforts in which they enjoy in order to transform like their sister sign, Scorpio. When in doubt, do NOT choose the Hephaestus (safe choice).

"Queen of the Earth"

libra: moral scales ⚖️

MA'AT (Ancient Egyptian Goddess rules balance, justice, harmony, law, order, and morality.) She is depicted as a maiden adorned with beautiful wings, very similar to Isis.

⚖️ I often find my beautiful Libran queens confused about the meaning of the scales and how it connects to femininity. I hope to be a light bearer. ⚖️ Ma'at represents the typical light feminine attributes in my opinion (elegance, forgiveness (justice), and nurturing energy (Venus). Similar to Librans, who inherently know how to enact these gifts create harmony in their social spaces and float amongst varying personalities. (Think: Lady Liberty or Lady Justice). However, the sign is the masculine side of Venus.

Mythological Origins:

⚖️ Ma'at is also a daughter of Ra, sometimes written as his wife. She manifested with Ra from the waters of Nun (Chaos). Her existence brought order to the realms . She is often depicted holding an ANKH and a scepter to symbolize power and eternal life. (See Below) Some sources say that she was married to Thoth (Mercury) and birthed 8 children, known as "The eight gods of Hermopolis." (Just like Aphroditopolis)

Why the Queen of the Earth?

⚖️ As mentioned, Ma'at was said to be present at the beginning. She was present when Ra stood upon her "mound" (seen above) for balance as he created the realm of Earth... ending chaos. This placed the Goddess in charge of the cycle of seasons, the movements of the sun, moon and stars, all parts of religion, relationships, and the moral actions of both mortal and God-alike. This is very powerful!

⚖️ The Libra native can carry very similar themes. In life, they may feel the need to regulate amongst their social circles and be the organized hostess. Cardinal energy blesses them with the drive to girl boss through anything!

⚖️ The ethical and spiritual foundation of Ancient Kemet was presented by a woman. The head of religious worship and justice was called "Priest of Ma'at". From this, you gather that Ancient Kemet was nothing as Egypt is today in terms of equality for women. Women were free to own their own properties, businesses, marry one-another, divorce their husbands, and even rose to be Pharaoh like in the case of Pharaoh Hatshepsut. (personal fave)

Why the scales? ⚖️

The Libran scales literally determined if a soul had lived their life with balance and morality! (7th House).

⚖️ The actions and morality of the Ancient Egyptian people were guided by a set list of commandments, known as the "42 Laws of Ma'at". These ancient texts predate the Bible, but have uncanny similarity in diction to the 10 Commandments. ⚖️ It was believed that Upon death, before one could enter the Duat (Underworld), the heart was weighed on the scales of Osiris (God of the Underworld) in comparison to a single feather of Ma'at. Osiris is linked to Saturn which is exalted in Libra. The weighing was done by Anubis (God of funerary practices and care of the dead).

“light as a feather”🪶

⚖️ If the heart weighed less or the same, the spirit was granted access to Aaru (a sort of heaven). This explains the scales of LIbra. If it did not, the heart was eaten and the native faded into nothingness.

(noun) a woman who acts as master of ceremonies, moderator, or who receives and entertains guests in her own home or elsewhere.

⚖️ The mythology of Ma'at is excellent... a little too excellent. She is like the oldest and favorite daughter who must be 100% perfect. Many Libra's may have father or projection issues in this way. The expectation of excellence begets pressure! ⚖️ This carries over into the relationships of course. This balancing act is where things get tricky for the Libra. This can manifest as people pleasing to keep the peace with friends, family, romantic partners, or co-workers. There can be a distaste for controversy or not wanting to damage the public image. It gives "Dollhouse" by Melanie Martinez vibes at its worse. Rich Auntie vibes at it's best!

Their scales will be tipped. ⚖️

⚖️ The Libras/7th housers will find themselves in situations where they have to STAND on their boundaries. It's like a self-actualization that has to happen. Venus is teaching them to respect and protect their Venusian gifts. Similar to Taurus. Venusian energy will bless you with generous suitors. BEWARE THE LOVEBOMBERS. ⚖️ They bear the reputation of almost needing to be in a relationship. This is obviously due to the 7th house ruling, but also stems from it's less favorable position with the sun.(Father). It is also kind of true, because it is apart of your life path. ⚖️ While it can be painful to have to experience relationship after relationship, these are apart of your life path and contribute to your glow up! To love and be loved is truly a blessing. You guys are blessed with so many loving friendships and romantic experiences!

Regina George?

⚖️ There can be some performative behavior and some judgment! After all, this is scales. Blessed with beauty, style, and grace... they can end up judging those who aren't. Mean Girl vibes. But, I believe this comes from the Libran urge to judge and lead the masses LOL. Ma'at energy. ⚖️ Despite any of this, Libra is the least slandered amongst the air signs (unless it’s Libra moon… I see quite a bit of slander? LOL.) Ma'at seems to bless the Libran with this air of favor. It's like they can really do no wrong, even sometimes after doing so. People are going to think the better of them 9/10 because the Libra has already established their character and value amongst social groups. The air just adds a bit more flow, allowing more harmonious energy in their relations.

Conclusion

♀ The intention of this post is to shed some light on lesser known mythology and symbolism of the planet Venus. I also believe that it is worth noting a very beautiful pattern among Venus and her signs.

♀ The Libran scales and Taurus Cow horns both resemble the female reproductive system. They also resemble the African Ankh symbol (of fertility and eternal life). Nature makes no mistakes and everything has duality, just as the Ancient Egyptians understood so well. It’s beautiful. (See below).

Thank you for reading!! Wishing you blessings!

@thesirenisles | masterlist | Enjoyed? Support!🧜🏾‍♀️

All rights reserved. © 2024 The Siren Isles

[the-mortuary-witch]

MA’AT

WHO IS SHE?

Maat or Maʽat comprised the ancient Egyptian concepts of truth, balance, order, harmony, law, morality, and justice. Ma'at was also the goddess who personified these concepts, and regulated the stars, seasons, and the actions of mortals and the deities who had brought order from chaos at the moment of creation.

BASIC INFO: 

Appearance: a woman who is either sitting or standing with an ostrich feather on her head and, in some cases, she was depicted with wings. 

Personality: she is often depicted as maintaining the cosmic order and preventing chaos. In some depictions, she is shown as a stern and fearsome deity, punishing those who go against her principles.  

Symbols: scales, ostrich feathers, and Ankh

Goddess of: truth, justice, cosmic order, harmony, wisdom, morality, and balance

Culture: Egyptian 

Plants and trees: papyrus, orris root, frankincense, aloe, lotus, and rose

Crystals: jade, turquoise, clear quartz, and blue calcite

Animals: vulture and ostrich

Incense: frankincense, rose, and myrrh

Colours: white, gold, blue, and green 

Numbers: 2, 7, and 8

Zodiac: Libra

Tarot: Justice, Temperance, and Judgment

Planets: Mercury

Days: Wednesday, Yule, new moon, New Years, and Opet

Parents: Ra and Hathor

Sibling: Shu

Partner: Thoth

Children: Seshat 

MISC:

Ostrich feathers: represented truth and justice, as a symbol of Ma'at's role as the goddess of these principles.

Ankh: life and the breath of life, as the Egyptians believed Ma'at was responsible for the cycle of life and death.

Scale: justice and balance, as the instrument used to weigh the heart of the deceased against her feather.

Papyrus: truth and knowledge, as it was a common writing material and symbol of written records.

Eye of Horus: healing and protection, as Horus was the god of the sky and healing, and the eye of Horus was a symbol of health and regeneration.

Sceptre: she was believed to wield the authority to maintain the cosmic order and ensure that truth and justice prevailed in the world. The sceptre symbolised her power and authority as the goddess of truth and justice.

Lotus flower: rebirth and renewal, as the lotus would emerge from the mud and bloom each day.

FACTS ABOUT MA’AT:

Ma'at was believed to sit at the scales during the weighing of the heart, determining of the deceased was worthy of the afterlife.

She originally determined the daily course of the sun. 

Ma'at was the counterpart and balance to chaos, and it was her role to maintain the cosmic order and prevent chaos from winning over.

She was also associated with the Nile River, which was seen as the lifeblood of Egypt and a symbol of fertility and renewal.

In some accounts, Ma'at was seen as the mother of the Ennead, the nine creator gods of Egypt.

She was believed to weigh the heart of the deceased in the afterlife, along with the help of Anubis and Thoth.

HOW TO INVOKE MA’AT:

Meditate on her symbolism and the meaning of truth, justice, and order. Use divination tools like tarot or oracle cards to call upon her guidance in decision making, perform rituals or ceremonies centered around honesty and integrity in the self, use visualizations to connect with the energy of Ma'at, focusing on the qualities of balance, order, and truth. Incorporate crystals associated with Ma'at, like clear quartz, blue calcite, jade, and turquoise into your spiritual practice.

PRAYER FOR MA’AT:

“Oh goddess Ma'at, you whom we celebrate and honor on this auspicious day. We call upon you, great goddess of truth, justice, and order. Hear our humble prayers and answer our supplications with grace, with your mighty scepter, bring balance to our souls and our lives. Guiding us with your divine wisdom and protecting us from the traps of chaos and disorder. We offer praises and gratitude for your infinite goodness and wisdom, may your light always illuminate our path, Hail Lady Ma’at.”

SIGNS THAT MA’AT IS CALLING YOU:

Repeated thoughts or dreams of order, balance, and justice.

Unexpected opportunities to help others or uphold moral principles.

Feeling a strong connection to the number eight (representing the eight petals of the lotus and the eight elements of the soul).

Unexplained urges to study ancient Egypt or its mythology.

Encountering symbols associated with Ma'at (such as a feather, a scale, or a lotus flower) frequently.

A feeling of a guiding presence or inner voice that encourages you to seek truth and uphold justice.

Being attracted to the colour blue. 

Increased intuition and a sense of empathy for the suffering of others, as Ma'at represents the compassionate aspect of justice.

Sudden encounters with people or situations that prompt you to defend truth and fairness.

Synchronicities or divine signs that relate to the justice system, such as dreaming of a courtroom or witnessing an injustice.

Deep desire for truth and honesty in all aspects of your life, leading to more authentic relationships and decisions.

A growing desire to be of service to others and stand up for the rights of the oppressed, reflecting Ma'at's role as a defender of the weak.

OFFERINGS:

No drugs and alcohol. 

Cold water. 

Bread. 

Tea with milk. 

Dates. 

Plums. 

Fish. 

Chicken. 

Olive oil. 

Vinegar. 

Books or scrolls. 

Hummus. 

Barley biscuits. 

Reeds. 

Gold jewelry. 

White linen. 

Grains. 

Flowers and plants that symbolize growth, renewal, and abundance.

Mirrors. 

DEVOTIONAL ACTS:

Daily meditation on her symbolism and the principles she represents, such as truth, justice, and order.

Recitation of prayers, chants, or invocations to Ma’at.

Performing daily acts of justice and truthfulness.

Practicing honesty and integrity in all your relationships and interactions.

Participating in social justice causes and promoting equality and fairness in society.

Setting up a shrine or altar dedicated to Ma'at, with symbols of her such as a feather, scepter, or scale.

Regularly reading or studying texts on Ma'at's mythology and symbolism.

Practicing self-reflection and introspection, examining your own moral compass and making efforts to align yourself with Ma'at's principles.

Making charitable donations or offering acts of kindness to those in need, as Ma'at is associated with compassion and benevolence.

Exploring ancient Egyptian practices associated with Ma'at, such as the ritual of the weighing of the heart or the performance of the Opening of the Mouth ceremony.

Embracing the divine feminine energy of Ma'at through dance or movement.

[batb1mb0]

So I just realized that I never shared my senior art thesis that I had completed! I love tarot cards and studying g Egyptian mythology so I decided to illustrate some of my favorite deities with the major arcana tarot cards!

Kehpri for Chariot

Ra for Emperor,

Anubis for Death

Sutkeh/Set for The Devil

Neith for Temperance

Thoth for Magician

Isis and Osiris for The Lovers

Sekhmet for Strength

Ma’at for Justice

[lizardinkart]

So I’m living up to my username now I guess-

Lizardfolk NPC from this new campaign! Woo!

[crashhole]

Resurrection of Magneto #1 was incredible! I’ve mapped out Storm’s journey by correlating the tarot imagery. Interestingly, she is not taking the lightning path despite her motif, instead starting at Malkuth heading to Netzach, followed by Hod and ending in Gavurah.

Magneto as the 5 of Cups in the Broken City (Gavurah)

Storm as the 7 of Cups in the Waiting Room (Netzach)

Tarn as the Hermit (or maybe the Devil but I’m leaning Hermit due to the serpent imagery)

The 7 of Cups featuring the Wheel of Fortune

Ashake, servant of the goddess Ma’at, as Adjustment (Justice), but the black cat and magical attributes are also giving Queen of Wands

Storm as the Tower

The Domains as the Sun in Domain Space (Hod) peeking into Beyonder Space (Yesod)

Storm and Magneto as the Hanged Man

Storm as the 5 of Swords, featuring elements of the 5 of Cups, in the Broken City (Gavurah)

[worldwide-blackfolk]

@_africanhistory :

The Ten Commandments are a condensed version of the 42 Declarations of Ma'at from ancient Kemet, stripped of their original context and power.

[nickysfacts]

All hail the goddess Maat, the literal embodiment truth and justice itself!

𓁧

[the-phantom-in-regular-size]

saw the god djehuty/thoth in my dream last night and he took on the most intimidating form possible for what i presume was meant to be a nice chat

[bl00dveil]

the prerogative of the privileged is to share with and provide for those who have not been so fortunate. those who have never been denied ought not to deny him who would ask for help.

as a devotee and child of Ra, i look to the aspect of Him which is infinitely provident, who “provideth bread for all,” who “made every man like his fellow,” and who comes to those who call. my offerings of Ma’at to Him take the form of my mutual aid efforts and humanizing those who have been pushed into the shadow of the city i live in. Ma’at is an active and practical principle that flourishes when embodied in our day-to-day interpersonal interactions.

[omegaphilosophia]

The Philosophy of Ma’at

The philosophy of Ma’at originates from ancient Egyptian thought and represents the foundational principle of cosmic order, truth, justice, harmony, balance, and morality. Ma’at is both a goddess and a concept, symbolizing the natural law that governs the universe, society, and individual behavior. It played a central role in the ethics, politics, and religious life of ancient Egypt.

Key Principles of Ma’at

Cosmic Order and Harmony:

Ma’at embodies the natural order of the universe, ensuring that all elements of the world—both physical and metaphysical—exist in balanced harmony. This includes the movement of the stars, the cycles of nature, and human relationships.

Ma’at is the force that counters Isfet, or chaos. Maintaining Ma’at was essential to preserving the stability of the world and preventing the descent into disorder.

Truth and Justice:

Ma’at represents truth in both a literal and moral sense. To live in accordance with Ma’at is to live truthfully, embracing honesty, fairness, and justice.

In Egyptian society, kings (Pharaohs) were expected to rule according to Ma’at, ensuring justice in legal, social, and political matters. Judges and officials invoked Ma’at when making decisions, as justice was seen as a reflection of cosmic balance.

Moral and Ethical Conduct:

Living according to Ma’at involved a commitment to ethical behavior. This included virtues such as truthfulness, integrity, generosity, respect, humility, and compassion.

Individuals were expected to contribute to societal harmony by acting justly and in alignment with the community’s well-being. This included respect for family, honoring ancestors, and maintaining relationships based on mutual fairness and kindness.

Ritual and Religious Practice:

Ma’at was not just an abstract concept but also a goddess worshipped in temples and daily rituals. Pharaohs, as the earthly representatives of Ma’at, were tasked with performing rituals to ensure the continued balance between the gods, nature, and humanity.

Offerings and prayers to Ma’at were meant to maintain cosmic balance, ensuring favorable outcomes such as good harvests, protection from natural disasters, and societal peace.

Ma’at and the Afterlife:

In the afterlife, Ma’at played a key role in the judgment of souls. The Weighing of the Heart ceremony, described in the Book of the Dead, involved weighing a deceased person's heart against the feather of Ma’at. If the heart was lighter than the feather, the soul was deemed virtuous and granted access to the afterlife.

The symbolism of the feather represents purity, truth, and justice. If the heart was heavier, symbolizing a life of sin or imbalance, the soul would be devoured by Ammit, a creature representing annihilation.

Ma’at and Leadership:

Pharaohs were seen as upholders of Ma’at, both politically and religiously. Their rule was considered legitimate only as long as they maintained Ma’at, and their primary duty was to ensure justice, harmony, and the protection of their people from chaos (Isfet).

The king's role in upholding Ma’at was intertwined with religious duties, as they performed daily rituals to reaffirm the relationship between the gods and society.

Social and Environmental Responsibility:

Ma’at also extended to one’s responsibilities toward society and the environment. People were expected to contribute to the common good, maintain peaceful relationships, and live sustainably within the natural world.

Protecting the environment, fostering communal welfare, and adhering to one’s duties were seen as necessary to uphold Ma’at. Individuals who deviated from this path contributed to the breakdown of order.

Opposition to Isfet (Chaos):

Isfet, the opposite of Ma’at, represents disorder, injustice, falsehood, and destruction. Ancient Egyptians believed that the constant struggle between Ma’at and Isfet was inherent in the functioning of the cosmos.

Upholding Ma’at was a daily battle against Isfet. Actions like dishonesty, oppression, and violence were manifestations of Isfet and had to be resisted to preserve balance in society and the natural world.

The philosophy of Ma’at emphasizes the importance of balance, justice, truth, and harmony in all aspects of life—individual, social, and cosmic. It serves as a framework for ethical living, responsible leadership, and societal well-being, promoting a worldview in which all elements of existence are interconnected and must be in balance to sustain order and prevent chaos.

[toange]

42 Ideals of Ma’at

1. I honor virtue

2. I benefit with gratitude

3. I am peaceful

4. I respect the property of others

5. I affirm that all life is sacred

6. I give offerings that are genuine

7. I live in truth

8. I regard all alters with respect

9. I speak with sincerity

10. I consume only my fair share

11. I offer words of good intent

12. I relate in peace

13. I honor animals with reverence

14. I can be trusted

15. I care for the earth

16. I keep my own counsel

17. I speak positively of others

18. I remain in balance with my emotions

19. I am trusted in my relationship

20. I hold purity and high esteem

21. I spread joy

22. I do the best I can

23. I communicate with compassion

24. I listen to opposing opinions

25. I create harmony

26. I invoke laughter

27. I am open to love in various forms

28. I am forgiving

29. I am kind

30. I act respectively of others

31. I am accepting

32. I follow my inner guidance

33. I converse with awareness

34. I do good

35. I give blessings

36. I keep the waters pure

37. I speak with good intent

38. I praise the goddess and the guard

39. I am humble

40. I achieve with integrity

41. I advance through my own abilities

42. I embrace the all

[erotetica]

Browse the Egyptology Collection on my redbubble!

Some are inspired by extant artifacts, like the funerary mask found in Tutankhamun’s tomb

[sillysparklygal]

I’m so thankful for the deities that I work with and worship. They’ve really helped build who I am today and helped me discover my path. I hold them very dear to my heart.

Dua Hathor, Dua Taweret, Dua Ma’at, Dua Nut, Dua Isis, Ave Satanas♡

[lizardinkart]

Dog boy has a boyfriend fiancé now! This is Evonh. He’s the city’s treasury councilor, and also wants to topple monopolistic corporations via the organized rebellion he helps finance :)

Nahte tried to get their engagement approved, but it was denied by his family/ancestral council, so rules-focused puppy decided to break a rule for once, and they’re still happily together. Even if it’s in secret… and causing some strain on them both… no biggie :,) They can still get away with a little flirting in public

[magdalene-spirit]

Time to repair & restore, the new justice is restorative, bringing back the deep, sacred internal balance 🪷 not condemning & othering, dividing & cutting up life into a “you” & a “me”— the patriarchal mind fragments, divides, categorises & takes— the Mother heart expands, includes, relates, connects, exchanges with giving & receving 🤲

[veneration-of-truth]

Welcome! Em hotep!

I’m Toby (he/they) and this is the blog where I plan to post about my spirituality and Kemetic journey. I started exploring Kemeticism during the summer of 2022.

My intent with my spiritual journey is to facilitate understanding and acceptance of my human experience. It’s important to me that my spiritual practice feels purposeful and is personally meaningful. As such, I am using Kemeticism as a framework; adopting practices and beliefs that I see truth in, and giving them meaning by adapting them to suit my life.

I understand deities/netjeru as personifications of different truths, ideas, or themes. The primary netjeru I am working with:

Djehuty (Thoth)

Nebt-het (Nephthys)

Netjeru I am interested in connecting more with:

Wesir (Osiris)

Heru-wer (Horus)

Het-heru (Hathor)

Ma’at

Please follow along if you’d like! I would love to connect with other Kemetics!