Domain/Influence:

The goddess of home, fertility, and protection, Bastet is the guardian of domestic spaces, women, and children. She also embodies the duality of nurturing love and fierce defense, standing as both a gentle mother and a fearsome warrior.

Symbolism:

• Symbol: The Cat (representing grace, independence, and protection)
• Colors: Black and Gold
• Numbers: 7 (a number sacred to cats and mystical protection)
• Other symbols: The Sistrum (a musical instrument symbolizing joy and celebration), Lioness (as her fierce, protective side).

Offerings:

Bastet favors offerings of perfume, flowers (especially lilies), and fine textiles; rituals involving music, dance, and incense also please her greatly, as she is a goddess of joy and pleasure, as well as protection.

Personality:

Bastet is loving, graceful, and fiercely protective. Though she can be soft and nurturing, she becomes a lioness when it comes to defending her loved ones or her realm. Bastet also embodies sensuality and playfulness, showing that power can be expressed through joy and celebration as much as through battle.

Pantheon:

As a major goddess in the Egyptian pantheon, Bastet is closely linked with Ra, the sun god, whom she defends. She was also associated with Sekhmet, another lioness goddess, although Bastet embodies the more protective, nurturing aspects while Sekhmet represents the destructive force of a warrior.

Favored Rituals:

Rituals of music, dance, and merrymaking are favored by Bastet, as well as acts of protection for the home and family. She also delights in offerings to cats, her sacred animal, and ceremonies that honor the balance of feminine power—soft yet fiercely strong.