Bast Also Known As: Bastet Responsible For * Joy * Music

Bast

Also Known As: Bastet Responsible For Joy Music Dance Health & healing Protection against contagious diseases & evil spirits Totemic Form Cat About Her Cult Cult Center: Bubastis (Nile delta) Rituals honoring Bast included light-hearted barge processions and orgiastic ceremonies. Her cult can be traced back to about 3,200 BCE, and she became a national deity when Bubastis became the capital of Egypt circa 950 BCE. Legends 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.
Name in Hieroglyphics Bastet's name means, "She of the perfume jar," and therefore the first symbol in her name is that of a perfume jar. Another name for the perfume jar is a "bas-jar". This symbol can be written by itself to refer to Bast, or it can be followed by the loaf symbol which indicates that the feminine "t" sound should appear at the end of the name. The symbol of the seated goddess is also optional.
Depicting Bastet 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. If doing a theatrical portrayal of Bast, these elements may be useful in building the character: Dressing as a cat, or wearing a cat mask. Carrying a sistrum. Incorporate music and dance into the character.