The Ash Tray System

Greatly inspired by @khaire-traveler's wonderful subtle worship series, which can be found here.

Learn self-defense, weapons included or not

Take care of your body physically to the best of your ability (shower, eat well, get a good amount of sleep, etc.)

Stand up for family members blood or otherwise and friends (keep in mind they might be in the wrong)

Take your medications, if any; take medications as needed

Practice standing up for yourself; speak your mind and assert your personal boundaries

Hold others and yourself responsible for their/your actions; apologize or make amends when possible/appropriate

Take care of a sick loved one or someone who is having a hard time

Learn about and uphold Ma'at

Make a playlist or listen to songs that remind you of her or you think she'd like

Make a collage/moodboard/pinterest board/similar collection of photos and images you associate with her, especially if some of the images are your own

Wear a piece of jewelry or other clothing item that reminds you of her

Light a candle or incense that reminds you of her (safely)

Carry a picture of her in your wallet, pocket, phone case, etc. or as a phone or computer wallpaper

Have lioness, weapon, sun, or fire imagery

Freely express your emotions in healthy ways

Light a bonfire in her honor; gather with loved ones around it or sit alone in peace

Making a list of your personal strengths and things you're proud of

Exercise a little, even if it's just stretching

Allowing yourself to express your anger and frustration; sit with and feel your feelings

Playing combat-based video games

Start your morning by stretching your muscles or doing some light exercises if you can

Learn about/research health conditions that you or your loved ones have; get a better understanding of these things

Clean anything you regularly interact with

Look into healthy coping skills for any anxiety, depression, trauma, etc. - anything that can improve your mental/emotional well-being

Support humanitarian organizations, especially medical or veteran related ones

Sunbathe

Watch sunrises and sunsets

Go on walks on sunny days

Destroy depictions of A/p/e/p this can be as simple as drawing it on a piece of paper and tearing it up

Do something hard or challenging, especially if you've been putting it off, or it needs to get done

Learning archery

Learn about your healthcare options and medical rights (HIPPA in the US)

Donate blood

I may add more to this list in the future. Suggestions are always appreciated.

*of course the main color of my closet is red

*of course I have specific gold jewelry I wear even though I prefer silver

*of course I respond best to direct tough love

*of course she baps me on the head when I'm being self deprecating

*of course I keep taking on devotional crafts beyond my skill level to challenge myself

*of course I have a playlist of angry women getting even

*of course I lust after knives when I'm at thrift shops

*of course I like red wine and hate beer

Bastet, or also known as Bast, Ubasti, and Ailuros (her Greek name), is the Egyptian goddess of: Protection, Perfume, Pleasure, Joy, Music, Dance, Home, Cats, Ointments, Women's Secrets, Domesticity, Childbirth, Sensuality, Sexuality, Good Health, and associations with both the sun and the moon. She is the daughter of the Sun God Ra. However there is many speculation of who her mother is, many sources say that her mother is Isis: Goddess of magic, life, motherhood, protection, healing, fertility, and associations with the moon.

Now many link her with her elder sister Sekhmet: Egyptian Goddess of War, Healing, Plague, Carnage, Justice, Strength, and associations with the sun, as well as their other sister, Hathor: Egyptian Goddess of Healing, Love, Joy, Beauty, Motherhood, Fertility, Celebrations, Marriage, and Association of the Sun.

In modern traditions, there are multiple ways to praise Bastet, Sekhmet, and Hathor as the most common is viewed as a goddess trio or an individual goddess. I however, worship them separately as they each have their own depictions, ideologies, and personalities. Thus why this is an individual post. I do not work or worship Hathor, however I recently came into contact with Sekhmet as most Bastet devotees eventually work with Sekhmet in a way and thus Sekhmet shall get her own post eventually.

my relationship was Bastet is a fond one as she was my first goddess I answered to and she is truly a multi-purpose goddess. She is great for if you need a goddess to help with your protections, she is great for if you need a maternal deity figure, and she is great as a goddess of joy and mirth. I typically see her as a goddess of all three just as she is intended to be. anytime I go clubbing, I always ensure that I am honoring Bastet as dancing and drinking is a very common way to honor her. I will get more into ways to honor her in a bit.

A common myth Bastet is associated with is when Set took control of Egypt and usurped the throne from Osiris and gouged out Horus's eyes. In one version of the story, Bastet is said to have fought Set and managed to retrieve one of his missing eyes for him. Another common myth is that Bastet, along with the Eyes of Ra, battles the devouring worm and defends Ra on his nightly journey on the river of night. Now I cannot say the name of the devouring worm as names have power and I swore to Bastet I would never speak his name however, I will spell it for you. A.P.O.P.H.I.S. or as he is also known as A.P.E.P.

a little fun fact about Bastet is that she was the patron of firefighters of ancient Egypt. The Egyptians believed throwing a cat into a burning fire was a way to draw out the flames. Although, I don't know how as I wasn't there in that time period however, I do find it interesting how she is the goddess of firefighters and yet my family has a long history of being firefighters.

It is unknown if Bastet is married however, she does have two known consorts. Ptah: God of Architecture and Creation and Anubis: God of Funerals, Burial Rites, and Passage in the Underworld. although, I personally believe she and Anubis have something going on since her association with Oinments links her to embalming fluids and burial as well as she has a hand in the afterlife and therefore sees Anubis quite a bit.

She does have one confirmed son, Nefertem: God of Sweet Scents, Healing, Beauty, and Perfumes. A few sources state that she has a son named Maahes: The Lion Headed Egyptian God of War and Knives. although some say that he is the son of Sekhmet.

Now you are probably tired of my info dumping on my beliefs and adoration for my soul mother, so I shall here add her favored items: Herbs, stones, etc. As well as a few of her associated symbols.

Herbs associated with her are: Vervain, Cinnamon, Lavender, Jasmine, Vanilla, Catnip, Mint, Dill, Rosemary, Orange, Juniper, Chamomile, Dandelion, Kyphi, Frankincense, Myrrh, Lotus, Sandalwood, and although I am allergic to it: Hemp. Stones and Metals associated with her are: alabaster, cat’s eye, tigers eye, citrine, turquoise, black tourmaline, lapis lazuli, sunstone, moonstone, pyrite, malachite, copper, gold, onyx, jet, Colors associated with her are: blue, black, gold, silver, gray, green, yellow, red, and orange. I personally believe that she occasionally likes purple as well, although many will tell you she loves green. Symbols associated with her are: cats, eye of ra, sistrums Tarot cards associated with her are: strength, the moon, the sun, Animals associated with her are: cats Holidays associated with her are: Feast of Sekhmet and Bast (November 22nd), Festival of Bast (February 5th), Feast of Hathor (November 29th) Days of the week sacred to her: Mondays Offerings to her include: burning incense of her favorite herbs or Kyphi, fresh water, alcohol, music, dance, perfume, jewelry, gemstones, metals, meat, images of cats, aiding strays cats, images of the eye of ra, images of sistrums, anything pleasurable (whether it be sexual, simple, or sensational), chocolate, milk, honey, candles, ways to honor her: dancing, living your life joyously, bringing smiles to others, volunteering at animal shelters, keeping a secret a woman has given you, assisting cats/elderly/children/mothers in need, taking time to enjoy the things that bring you pleasure (doesn't matter what kind), taking a nap in the sunlight, sunbathing, moonbathing, cutting your nails into points and growing them to be claws, listening to music, watching the sunrise/sunset, also working on controlling your anger issues.

Signs Bast is calling to you: seeing cats (through media, real life, being drawn to them, in dreams, etc), feeling an innate desire for fun, pleasure, or sex, feeling a maternal, compassionate, protective presence nearby, seeing her in the astral realms. Epithets: Lady of East, Sacred Eye of Ra, All Seeing Eye of Ra, Beautiful Sistrum Player, She of The Ointment Jar, Bringer of Good Health, Banisher of Negativity, Hostess of Per-Bast, Mother of Cats, Protector of Homes, Goddess of Pleasure, Daughter of The Rising Sun

The “getting it done in an unconventional way” method.

The “it’s not cheating to do it the easy way” method.

The “fuck what you’re supposed to do” method.

The “get stuff done while you wait” method.

The “you don’t have to do everything at once” method.

The “it doesn’t have to be permanent to be helpful” method.

The “break the task into smaller steps” method.

The “treat yourself like a pet” method.

The “it doesn’t have to be all or nothing” method.

The “put on a persona” method.

The “act like you’re filming a tutorial” method.

The “you don’t have to do it perfectly” method.

The “wait for a trigger” method.

The “do it for your future self” method.

The “might as well” method.

The “when self discipline doesn’t cut it” method.

The “taking care of yourself to take care of your pet” method.

The “make it easy” method.

The “junebugging” method.

The “just show up” method.

The “accept when you need help” method.

The “make it into a game” method.

The “everything worth doing is worth doing poorly” method.

The “trick yourself” method.

The “break it into even smaller steps” method.

The “let go of should” method.

The “your body is an animal you have to take care of” method.

The “fork theory” method.