honey

Second up Ive allways had an interest in Egypt and Egyptian mythology but never looked at it more then an interest. I've been a Hellenic polythiest for about 2+ years now but have started reaching out elsewhere, so here I am my question is where can I find reliable information about Egyptian deities and religion etc If you have any info or advice I'd really appreciate it xx if not that's totally fine !!!

Ah shite I can't believe I'm seeing this now!

Well personally I've learned a lot through Sharon Laborde's YouTube channel called "Kemeticindependent" and her books such as Circle of the Sun, Celebrating the Egyptian Gods and Following the Sun. She does legitimate historical research and spends a lot of time writing her books to be factual and also practical and easy to understand. She however considers herself a part of Kemetic reformation. She does book reviews aswell. Just be careful buying books because there's lots of misinformation or personal bias/interpretation in many neopagan/witchy books out there. Then again at the end of the day it's up to you what you want to believe and how you interpret etc.

I personally spent time learning about many different deities/their correspondences/myths etc. and then started reaching out to the Netjeru directly, they're very open and friendly (in my experience I can't speak for everyone). I've learned a lot through personal interaction with the Netjeru.

I've read some excerpts from translated papyri (The Greek Magical Papryi or the Leyden Papyrus for example) or temple hymns which provide helpful insight into how it was historically done. The Egyptian Book of the Dead is a popular one (not the one by Budge however!)

A great blog to check out for actual historical info is thatlittleegyptologist who is an actual Egyptologist. The Kemetic tumblr community/pagan community who include Egyptian deities are also helpful as a lot of us post informational posts/links/etc. to other resources.

EDIT: ADDING IN BOOK RECS AGAIN BECAUSE TUMBLR DELETED MY ENTIRE PARAGRAPH

Decent book recs:

• An Ancient Egyptian Herbal by Lise Manniche (about herbalism in ancient Egypt)

• Ancient Egyptian Magic: A Hands-On Guide by Christina Riggs

• Everlasting Egypt: Kemetic Rituals for the Gods by Richard J. Reidy

• Red Land, Black Land: Daily Life in Ancient Egypt by Barbara Mertz

There's a website that has a crap ton of great info that I will add onto this post as a reblog later on because I can't remember the name of it specifically at the moment.

see the first post here

wear devotional jewelry (typically a symbol that is associated with them, but can be anything as long as you designate it)

create something with them/for them (poetry, drawings, cook or bake, build something, etc)

research their myths

create playlists for them and listen to those playlists

do you like sandbox games? create a shrine, temple, altar, etc for your deities in those games (like minecraft, terraria, stardew valley, etc)

go on a walk outside and invite them with you

thank them. thank them for anything and everything

take care of yourself as a devotion to them. if you want to specify, you could do this with a deity that is more closely related to self care (my mind immediately goes to Aphrodite or Hera), but any deity would appreciate you taking care of yourself; they love you

set aside a day of the week to be “their” day and spend time with them, give them offerings, etc that day (some deities are associated with days of the week; apollo for sunday, artemis for monday, thor and zeus for thursday, to name a few)

As a follow up to my 20-day deity work challenge! (day 11)

Context 

Sometimes when I feel unexpected enjoyment during an activity, I feel the urge to invite a deity to “join me”, so to speak. In my personal practice, I create a distinction between “invoking” and “inviting”. The way I choose to see it is that the former serves as a formal summoning. During a group/individual ritual (during holidays, for example), one/many may invoke a deity by openly calling out to them and reciting a formal request for them to enter the circle. Inviting, on the other hand, is casual and informal. Instead of asking the deity to attend an event, you may simply suggest that they join you, as you believe they would enjoy the activity you are engaging in. For example, if you merely want to share a day to day activity which you like, then a ritualistic invocation is not necessary. A candid invitation would be more indicated. Why so? Because you’re simply and respectfully presenting  the deity with whatever the activity is, leaving them the choice to join you or not. Moreover, inviting is a lot easier when you are unprepared for a formal invocation!

How to invite a deity

There are a few ways I favor when it comes to calling a deity to my side. The first would be to simply whisper their name, while envisionning them as clearly as I can. I try to put as much of my intent as I can into that simple name (meaning I attempt to communicate my invitation through it). After this step, I focus all the more actively on the activity I am engaging in, as if I wanted the deity to see through my eyes and to experience it as I do. If they do choose to join me and appreciate what they see, then they will stay by my side for while. Another simple way to invite a deity would be to light a candle for them as you’re practicing the activity, especially if they have a dedicated candle. Same goes: if they have a dedicated song, then play it! If they have a dedicated piece of jewelry, wear it. 

Examples of more or less specific activities a deity may want to join in on

Watching fireworks, a sunrise, a sunset, a bonfire

Cooking something they enjoy, like a meal they are associated with

Hiking in the woods/mountains, or by the beach

Gathering herbs, mushrooms, flowers, leaves, etc…

Meditating

Driving through the countryside 

Any creative activity! Drawing, painting, sculpting… Especially if they are a deity of the arts, or inspiration.

Listening to music, or attending a concert.

Visiting a museum or gallery (especially when the exhibition is centered around their related culture!)

Watching a movie you think they might enjoy

Doing a general divination reading, like your weekly tarot card pulling

Exploring a new place

Any moment when you’re unexpectedly having fun/experiencing happiness