Monáe's Musings | Fabulous and Fortunate Podcast

Sekhmet

She who is Powerful | Lady of Slaughter | Mistress of Life | Protector of Energy

Background

One of the most intriguing ancient Egyptian figures is a feminine goddess who came to the earth to restore it from its evil and wickedness. As the daughter of Ra, the Sun God, Sekhmet was essentially was born into the flame’s influence. Ra beseeched her with the task of cleansing the Earth of those who conspired against him. Let’s just say she took the task seriously. She looked at the ways of humans and said, “What is this blasphemous way of living?” She observed the disregard for the seas, the careless treatment of the lands, and the disrespect of life. At once a beautiful healer who protected the lands, Sekhmet could quickly turn into a destroyer who wiped everything away with the flick of the wrist. She is believed to have caused devastating plagues and has a temper that is unmatched. Yet she could cure any disease or illness in the entire galaxy with one breath, and she frequently did. All around Sekhmet was known as bloodthirsty and tricks were constantly pulled on her to quell her temper and keep her at peace. Basically, don’t cross her and attempt to appease her. Her healing abilities were equally as known, her name being the one to call for the most mystifying illnesses.

In Sekhmet we find destruction, fierceness, chaos, and retaliation. Yet, we also find utter compassion, pure grace, innocent wisdom, and monumental healing. Sekhmet is complex in the most satisfying type of way. After the destruction of realms, Sekhmet extended grace and replenished that which she destructed. Equally fun to note, Sekhmet enjoys the healing powers of incense (Dragon’s blood resin), citrine, and red pigmented fruit such as pomegranate as offerings. Her favorite offerings also include tantalizing music and the lotus flower, which signifies rebirth.

Archetype

Discussing Sekhmet brings me to *that* final Daenerys Targaryen play on Game of Thrones. Iykyk. That is a mere glimpse of the wrath of Sekhmet. Other examples of this archetype include Moana‘s Te Fiti, a beautiful, green, heart chakra-esque goddess committed to the flourishment of the Island on which she rested. Yet, she turned into a wrathful, dark goddess named Te Kā (a dark goddess who plagued crops, waters, and all life around) once scorned. What is a goddess to do when she sees so much bitterness in the world?

As Sekhmet’s archetype goes from being this benevolent, kind mother Healer figure to the other end of acting out of retaliation if you burn her, I say I get it. I’ve had to check my own temper when something has really, really hurt me or I’ve been witness to an injustice. I do feel touched by fire and I look back sometimes and say, “Ohhhh, yes, indeed. That was definitely a moment where I truly embodied Sekhmet.” There have been many times where witnessing/experiencing an injustice has made me physically ill to the point of wanting to cause destruction. And in the past, to the point of allowing fire to cloud my vision and lead to impulsive, destructive decisions. 

Sekhmet’s Gifts

A defender of the defenseless and an initiator of due change. Where would we be without the touches of Sekhmet in our own lives? Even during her most destructive moments, she is the keeper of cosmic balance. One who has been tasked with restoring harmony and equality. A primal goddess reminding us of the primal nature that is in us all. A primal nature that is the balance between good and evil, right and wrong, or even forward and backward. 

A healer on a mission to essentially reconstitute the concept of Gaia? I cannot get mad at her! And in this current time, Sekhmet’s influence can be felt more than ever. It is through Sekhmet’s life that we also learn that with great wisdom comes great responsibility – the responsibility to balance the healing powers bestowed upon us weighed against the desire to cause havoc in the wake of injustice.

Sekhmet’s archetype undoubtedly encourages evolution and metamorphosis in its highest form. As she is a goddess of war and death, she is also the goddess of rebirth. A rebirth always comes after rock bottom moments in our lives and change in all forms begin to take place. Disintegrating what no longer serves us and making a path for reformation and ultimate abundance. Destruction proceeds creativity in the purest form. A chance to create something anew and heal what once was. A process that is vital, but can be brutal. Sekhmet helps us in our wildest endeavors and supports cosmic homeostasis in our everyday activity. Akin to the delicate balance of wind, earth, fire, and water. In the most ideal sense, tapping into Sekhmet’s teachings strengthens healing abilities, connects us to our wild side, deepens trust in self, and heightens our intuition. All beautiful gifts if you ask me.

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This morning upon pondering Sekhmet’s plight, my stroll turned into a playful reminder. As I neared the end of the trail, two birds suddenly swooped in front of me, barely missing my eyelashes, and then soared up to the sky in such a playful manner I couldn’t help but to laugh and giggle in awe. I was then encapsulated by dozens of their friends – a mini flock of chirping birds, though none ever touched my skin. I was essentially in an air of wings that seemed so grounding I almost could leap up and fly with them. I was sure they were playing with me and it truly made my morning.

A dragged out exhale followed after. That exhale you get after all the craziness and all the chaos. Finding the innocence inside of it – that further opening of your heart and that further opening that allows divine occurrences to happen in your life. I believe that is truly one of Sekhmet’s teachings. Nature and its many ways of playfulness and innocence reminding me to just relax and laugh sometimes. Make space for the injustices pitted against her, but enjoy nature’s beauties more than anything and live in harmony with her. That’s one of the best feelings ever. And this morning as birds teased and sang to me, I laughed deeper than I normally would have –  just for the love of Sekhmet.