Sekhmet, the lion-headed goddess of ancient Kemet, is one of the most powerful deities in the Egyptian pantheon. Known as the Eye of Ra, and an aspect of Hathor, she embodies both ferocity and healing. She is the divine intelligence that burns away what is false, while also restoring balance to body, spirit, and the land. She is the blazing heat of the desert sun, the fire that consumes corruption, and the living embodiment of divine Ma’at (cosmic order).
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Through the Fire – A Tarot Spread for Working with Sekhmet
Her most famous myth tells of her bloodthirsty rampage when humanity turned away from Ma’at. Sent by Ra to punish humankind, Sekhmet’s fury nearly destroyed all of creation. (This destruction is a metaphor for the deconstruction of faulty programming.) She was then tricked into drinking red-dyed beer that resembled blood. Intoxicated, she transformed from the Eye of Ra destroyer back into Hathor or, according to some accounts, Bastet. Her essence is twofold: she is both the feral lioness and the gentle physician.
Sekhmet and the Rose Priestess
For the Rose Lineage Priestess, Sekhmet represents the fierce power of truth, the holy fire that purifies the heart, and the sovereign embodiment of the Divine Feminine in her uncompromising form, whether an aspect of Hathor, Bastet, Tefnut, Wadjet or Isis. Working with her means not shying away from shadow or fear, but walking through the fire to emerge renewed—heart-centred and strong enough to wield love as the most powerful force in the cosmos.
Epithets of Sekhmet
Some of her best-known titles include:
- Eye of Ra
- Great One of Magic
- Mistress of Dread
- She Before Whom Evil Trembles
- Lady of Flame
- Mistress of Life
- Beloved of Ptah
- Powerful One
- The Lady of the West
- Mighty Full One
- Destroyer of Rebellion
- Great One in Heaven
- The Great Mother
Ancient Prayers to Sekhmet
From temple hymns and inscriptions:
“Hail to you, Sekhmet, Great One, Eye of Ra, Who brings the fire against his enemies.”
“O Sekhmet, Great One, beloved of Ptah, mistress of heaven, sovereign of the two lands, may you pacify your heart, and may you be gracious to those who call your name.”
“Sekhmet, Lady of Life, when you are merciful, the land lives; when you are wrathful, the land perishes. Come to us with your healing breath.”
Signs That Sekhmet Is Calling You
When Sekhmet wants your attention, her presence tends to blaze through the veils of ordinary life. Yet because her energy is so fierce, many of us hesitate, second-guessing whether it’s really her and whether we are “worthy” of her call. This is part of her initiation: to burn through the false modesty and fears that keep us small.
Common Signs
- Lioness Energy Everywhere: Dreams or synchronicities involving lions, lionesses, or even cats staring directly into your soul.
- Heat and Fire Symbolism: A sense of heat rising (yes, even hot flashes) in your body, unusual encounters with fire or solar imagery, or feeling “scorched” during meditation.
- An Urge to Speak Truth: Suddenly finding you can no longer stay silent about what matters, even if it shakes the status quo.
- Fierce Compassion: Feeling called to protect others, especially the vulnerable, while also burning away illusions in your own life.
- Pull Toward Sovereignty: A deep, almost aching longing to stand fully in your power, unashamed and uncompromising.
My Own Journey with Sekhmet
For me, the call did not come all at once. For about three years, it was a back-and-forth, an inner wrestling. I kept shrinking myself, convinced my work was “not that important” and that others carried the real authority. But Sekhmet persisted, her presence flickering in and out of my field of perception, and in the longing I felt for sovereignty. That desire—which I mistook for pride or rebellion in the throes of religious trauma—turned out to be the very medicine I needed.
It was through finally answering her call that I healed the final vestiges of religious trauma and the toxic programming that told me to stay small, silent, and unworthy. Sekhmet’s fire burned those chains away. A daily practice with her now keeps me grounded in my power, not as dominance over others, but as the sacred right to live, speak, and use my heka (magic) to create in alignment with Ma’at.
Why She Calls the Wounded
Sekhmet often calls those who carry scars from systems of control. Her flame is fierce, but it is never cruel; it is the holy fire of purification. She insists that we no longer apologise for existing or diminish our gifts. With her, sovereignty is not ego; it is truth. It is standing tall in the knowledge that your work and your voice matter, and that through living your purpose, you become a vessel of divine justice and healing.
Creating a Sekhmet Altar
You can make your altar as simple or as elaborate as you like. She knows and approves of your soul, whether you are a minimalist or a maximalist. Here are some items to choose from to create the fiery vibe that facilitates connection:
- Statue or Image: A lioness-headed statue or a sacred image of Sekhmet at the centre. (If you want to go really minimalist, you only need this and a candle.)
- Cloth: Red or gold altar cloth symbolising flame and solar power.
- Candles: Red and black candles to signify transformation and protection.
- Offerings: Beer, red wine, pomegranate juice, water, bread, or grains.
- Crystals/Metals: Carnelian, garnet, tiger’s eye, hematite, or gold.
- Sacred Tools: Incense (frankincense, myrrh, cinnamon), flowers (lotus, red roses).
“Opening of the Mouth” Ritual
The “Opening of the Mouth” was an ancient temple rite performed to awaken the divine intelligence within a statue. In your devotional practice, you can adapt this sacred act to invite Sekhmet’s living presence into her image on your altar.
Timing
Sekhmet, as a solar and martial goddess, responds powerfully to Sundays (day of the Sun) and Tuesdays (day of Mars). For deeper resonance, choose the planetary hour of the Sun to invite her vitality and radiance, or the hour of Mars to call upon her protective and warrior aspect.
The Ritual Flow
- Purification – Wash your hands and face with clean water or prepare yourself with a lustral bath. Light incense such as frankincense, myrrh, or cinnamon to sanctify the space.
- Invocation of Light – Stand before her image and raise your hands, saying: “Sekhmet, Lady of Flame, Eye of Ra, I call upon you. Enter this image with your breath of fire and truth.”
- Opening Gesture – Touch the mouth of her statue with a ritual blade, wand, or your finger anointed with sacred oil, reciting: “I open your mouth with the sacred touch of light, that you may see, hear, breathe, and receive offerings as the Living Flame of Ra.”
- Offerings – Place beer, wine, water, bread, or flowers before her, bowing in reverence. Allow her presence to fill the space.
- Silent Communion – Sit quietly and listen for her voice or presence in your heart. Record any impressions in your journal.
Maintaining Devotion
Once enlivened, the statue becomes a living point of contact with Sekhmet. Regular offerings keep this connection strong: fresh water daily, and food, incense, or flowers weekly (on her planetary days). Think of these offerings as nourishment for the bond you share. Remove offerings respectfully when they are no longer fresh, returning them to the earth if possible.
Through the Fire – A Tarot Spread for Working with Sekhmet
- The Flame – What illusion or falsehood does Sekhmet want me to burn away?
- The Roar – Where must I speak truth with courage?
- The Claw – What must I fiercely protect right now?
- The Healing Breath – What aspect of myself or my path needs her healing?
- The Lioness Heart – How can I embody Sekhmet’s power in service to Ma’at?
Through the Fire – Sample Tarot Reading
1. The Flame – What illusion or falsehood does Sekhmet want me to burn away?
XX Judgement
Sekhmet wants to burn away the illusion that old stories or past mistakes still chain you. Judgement is the call to rise and claim your true voice, leaving behind shame and guilt that no longer serve. The falsehood here is the belief that you are small or unworthy; Sekhmet’s flame says: You are already chosen. Stand up and live in truth.
2. The Roar – Where must I speak truth with courage?
Page of Cups
This is about speaking tender truths from the heart. The Page of Cups calls you to honour your emotional sensitivity and creativity rather than hiding it. Sekhmet asks for courage not just in battle, but in vulnerability. To roar with the Page of Cups is to speak with innocence, authenticity, and love — even when that feels risky.
3. The Claw – What must I fiercely protect right now?
3 of Swords
Here Sekhmet shows her protective side. The 3 of Swords is the wound of betrayal, heartbreak, or painful truth. She calls you to protect your healing process and not let others reopen old wounds. Guard your heart fiercely—not by hardening it, but by refusing to let sorrow define you. This card affirms that your healing is sacred and worth defending.
4. The Healing Breath – What aspect of myself or my path needs her healing?
Ace of Swords
Sekhmet directs her healing breath toward your clarity of thought and communication. The Ace of Swords is the blade of truth, but it can also cut harshly when wielded in self-criticism. Her medicine here is to purify your inner dialogue—to speak truth, yes, but with precision and compassion. Her healing breath sharpens your mind while softening your judgment of yourself.
5. The Lioness Heart – How can I embody Sekhmet’s power in service to Ma’at?
The Chariot
To serve Ma’at, Sekhmet calls you to take the reins of your life with full sovereignty. The Chariot is self-mastery, focus, and the courage to align action with divine will. Embodying the Lioness Heart means leading with integrity, holding steady even when the road is uncertain, and directing your power toward a higher purpose. This is not about domination but about moving forward with unwavering alignment to truth. It’s you vs. you.
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