PRAYER CORNER

Prayers were very important in Egyptian religion, as they are in most major
religions. Here are some prayers to Bast.

Well, first look at the basics. Bast is a Sun/Moon goddess. Therefore when
praying to Bast it is better to look in the direction of the sun or moon,
according to whether it is day or night. If the sun or the moon has not yet risen,
look at the West, or the North, or the East, depending how much time is left for
it to rise again.

When praying to Bast she should be invoked from the East (she was known as
the Lady of the East). However, if the prayer is to protect a dead cat for
instance, facing the West, preferably at Sunset (the underworld is known as the
Land of the West), is wise. Often an oil lamp or white candles are lit.

Blessing to the Dead (For Bast)
(NOTE: This is a quote taken from Michael Poe’s e-text.)

"Bast is a goddess for the Sun and the Moon, but for the dead Sunset is
the best time; Night comes second, sunrise third, and daylight comes in
fourth for ritual for this.

Face the West, setting sun (or if not at sunset, either the moon or the
sun depending on you doing it in the day or night time. If you have an
oil lamp lit it; if not use white candles, and a little votive candle. Bless
the two white ones to Bast, the votive to the dead cat. Meditate upon the
cats attributes; able to see at night, intelligent, quick, independent, very
maternal, luxury minded and sensual. (if you have a cat, invite her in
your circle).

Bast nefer dy ankh
Beautiful Bast giving Life,

A Bast, shu asenu
Hail Bast, in visible form, casting light into the darkness

sesept em kekui,
I have come before you,

i kua ser-ten, uat sesh-tha, ta em hetep.
the path is opened, the earth is at peace.

(Egyptian pronunciation is optional, but in ancient Egypt was imperative to speak the language to create the sounds to get the response.)

O Great goddess, Bast,
Soul of Isis,
Heart of the Sun-hear my call.
Enter now this consecrated shrine (or circle)
Make Thy presence known to me.

(envision the dead cat)

Aid thy servant in reaching the source of all things,
Guide thy servant's steps on the true path
Answer your physical manifestation's soul's desire for Thou.
Blessed be Bast,
Who gathers her children into life everlasting.
Blessed be Bast,
The Beloved of Bast has gone to the Horizon,
Your physical manifestation lives now only in the sunset.
May it's ka endure and it's shadow seek the light.
The power of Bast protects her,
Shut en Bast sau."

If THAT is unsatisfying or baffling, do not worry. Here is a simpler prayer:

"Mau Bast! Mau Bast! A Basti, per em setat, erta-na chu em asui
neter sentra semu hena net'emmit, hetep ab em asui tau heqt.

Translation: Hail Bast! Hail Bast! Hail Bast, coming forth from the secret place, may there
be given to me splendor in the place of incense, herbs, and love-joys, peace of heart in the
place of bread and beer."