Sekhmet is best known as the Ancient Egyptian lion-headed Goddess who is a protector of sovereignty in both life and death, an initiator of divine restructure; teaching us that in order to transform, things must change and this change is inevitable. She is often pictured with a sun on her head, representing her status as the Eye of Ra, together with the uraeus serpent, a symbol of sovereignty and divine connection to source.

But this “Red Lady” is often depicted as a terrifying figure, unsurprising given that she is sometimes called the Lady of Pestilence thanks to her ability to wreak chaos and destruction – although she was also known as the Lady of Life. So what is the real story of Sekhmet; and more, what does she have to share through Sekhem?

The best-known story of Sekhmet may leave you wondering why on earth we would work with such chaos? But watch this space, because that’s only part of the story that has been adapted over time.

As this story goes, Sekhmet was sent to Earth by the Sun God Ra when the people began to disrespect and defy him. Some say that Sekhmet was a facet of the Goddess Hathor, transforming from the placid cow- headed Earth mother into a rageful lion-headed Goddess of justice, while others believe her to be a figure in her own right. Either way, Sekhmet caused havoc, destroying the structures of man that were not serving the greater good. She didn’t just go to war with those who defied and disrespected her father and the lands, she annihilated them, having to be subdued by Ra.

Depending on which story you follow, Ra either removed Sekhmet from Egypt entirely, or turned her into the more mild-mannered domesticated Bastet. Bast or Bastet, was the final facet of the triple goddess between the states of Sekhmet and Hathor. Ra was then depicted as the all mighty saviour of the people of Egypt.

Whatever you believe here the story is simple: Sekhmet was ordered by her father, the sun God Ra to do his bidding, but once she unleashed her full power and became out of control, she was subdued. That sounds like a familiar story, but it’s not the only one.

Archaeological evidence has been found to suggest Sekhmet was worshipped long before Ra’s name or likeness appeared in Egypt. She was once known as the protector of Ma’at, the universal wisdom, and is said to have established Ma’at when she – as Goddess of destruction – united with the creator God Ptah which birthed the healer Son Nefertum, represented by a lotus flower. This role reminds us that destruction and endings are as necessary as creation and beginnings, and that we can only find true harmony and wisdom through the emergence and respect of both.

Many believe it is no coincidence that both Sekhmet and her sister Bast are cat-headed. It is said that the Gods of the Ancient world were actually extra-terrestrial beings who came to Earth to support and guide us. The star system most closely associated with Egypt is Sirius, the beings of which were said to be feline-headed in appearance.

Outside of her own temples, Sekhmet was a patron of doctors and healers throughout Egypt and even today is the patron of Sekhem, an energy that brings not only realignment but divine restructuring within us and our lives as it moves us into a place of deep self-reflection.

But don’t be fooled into thinking that Sekhem is chaotic! This energy also brings the kind of underlying support that allows us to step out in the
world from a deep sense of courage and security, knowing that we are held by one of the most potent guardians imaginable.