The Book of Shadows of a Broom Closet Dweller *EDITING*

Kemetism

Overview

Kemetism/Kemeticism/Neterism/Egyptian Neopaganism, is the revival of the Ancient Egyptian religion. There are several main groups, each of which take a different approach to their beliefs, ranging from eclectic to reconstructionistic. However, of all of these groups, Orthodox Kemetism/Kemetic Orthodoxy appears to be the largest and most popular, adopting a philological approach to Kemetism.

Kemetic Orthodoxy claims to be based on the religious practices of Ancient Egypt. However, it is not a reconstructionist religion, but an ever-evolving religion that combines ancient and modern practices to create a modern religion.

History

The beginnings of Egyptian religion extend into prehistory, though evidence for them is sparse and ambiguous. The Early Dynastic Period began with the unification of Egypt around 3000 BC. This event transformed Egyptian religion, as some deities rose to national importance and the cult of the divine pharaoh became the central focus of religious activity.

In the 4th century BC, Egypt became a Hellenistic kingdom under the Ptolemaic dynasty (305 - 30 BC). The traditional religion and temples were maintained. The kingdom's Greek ruling class identified the Egyptian deities with their own. From this cross-cultural syncretism emerged Serapis, a god who combined Osiris and Apis with characteristics of Greek deities. Nevertheless, for the most part the two belief systems remained separate, and the Egyptian deities remained Egyptian.

Ptolemaic-era beliefs changed little after Egypt became a province of the Roman Empire in 30 BC. In Egypt, as the empire weakened, official temples fell into decay, and without their centralising influence, religious practice became fragmented and localised. Meanwhile, Christianity spread across Egypt, and in the third and fourth centuries AD, edicts by Christian emperors and iconoclasm by local Christians eroded traditional beliefs. While it persisted among the populace for some time, Egyptian religion slowly faded away.

In 1988, Tamara Siuda founded Kemetic Orthodoxy and remains its current Nisut or Pharaoh. The temple began in 1988, when she claimed to have experienced a series of visions during her initiation as a Wiccan priestess. She started a small study and worship group at that time, which gradually grew in membership. In 1993, the group was federally recognised as a religious entity and changed its name from the House of Bast to the House of Netjer.

Deities

Central to Kemetic Orthodoxy is the belief in Netjer and its "Names", the commonly recognised gods of ancient Egypt. These gods and goddesses, commonly called Names of Netjer, manifest in various forms and have various names, e.g. Anpu, Aset, etc. Followers of Kemetic Orthodoxy usually refer to Netjer using these various Names, and believe that such gods are merely different aspects of the one supreme God, which has multiple names.

In the Ancient Egyptian religion, Ma'at is believed to be both a goddess and the force that keeps the world balanced. In Kemetic Orthodoxy, Ma'at is considered to be both a Name of Netjer and an abstract concept of balance, justice and truth.

The actual number of Names of Netjer figures in the thousands, but these are some of the most notable:

Isis, Nut, Hathor, Osiris, Set, Ra, Anubis, Geb, and Thoth.

Ethics & Morals

Ma'at represents balance, justice and truth. Kemetics believe that this standard must be upheld in all daily life. This includes not being deliberately harmful to any person as well as being kind to one's self, among other things.

As part of Kemetic Orthodoxy, members strive to support a thriving religious community. Every member is required to show respect to all other members.

The Kemetic Orthodox emphasises the importance of family in the personal lives of adherents. The faith encourages increased relationships and understanding of an individual with their family members. This concept is related to the principle of Akhu veneration.

Holidays

Within the Kemetic Orthodox faith, Kemetics celebrate many festivals, both ancient and modern. These include major holidays such as Wep Ronpet (the Kemetic New Year), Aset Luminous, and Wag Festival.

(I was unable to find any dates or information about these festivals because it appears that you have to be a member of Kemetic Orthodoxy to find out).

Magick & Practices

The word "magic" could be used to translate the Egyptian term heka, which means, as James P. Allen puts it, "the ability to make things happen by indirect means". Heka is believed to be a natural phenomenon, the force which was used to create the universe and which the gods employed to work their will. Humans can also use it, and magical practices are closely intertwined with the religion.

Language was closely linked with heka, to such a degree that Thoth, the god of writing, was sometimes said to be the inventor of heka. Therefore, magic frequently involves written or spoken incantations, although these are usually accompanied by ritual actions. Often these rituals invoke the power of an appropriate deity to perform the desired action, using the power of heka to compel it to act. Rituals also employ sympathetic magic, using objects believed to have a magically significant resemblance to the subject of the rite. The Ancient Egyptians also commonly used objects believed to be imbued with heka of their own, such as the magically protective amulets worn in great numbers by ordinary Egyptians.

In addition to magick, Ancestor veneration, or Akhu veneration, is a very important aspect of Kemetic Orthodoxy. Adherents believe that their Akhu are their ancestors. As Akhu are believed to have already experienced human life, it is thought that they can give valuable advice and support regarding things related to daily human life.

Ways in which members believe that they can honour their Akhu vary, ranging from the practice of keeping household ancestor shrines, on which offerings can be made, to writing letters to the Akhu and posting them on a website designed for such a purpose, similar to the practice of writing letters to the dead found in ancient Egypt.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kemetism

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kemetic_Orthodoxy

www.kemet.org