Real life adventures with Sekhmet in Egypt
Our metaphysical tour group was scheduled to go to Karnak¹, an immense temple complex covering many acres, built and added to over many centuries. A buzz went around our group when Mohammed Nazmy, owner of Quest Travel, announced that our group would be having a private showing inside the Ptah Sanctuary, including a very-famous statue of Sekhmet.
I confess to my almost-total ignorance at that time. Prior to this first trip I knew virtually nothing about Egypt, except perhaps the Giza complex with its pyramid and sphinx, Isis, Osiris, Ramses the Great and Cleopatra. So when the name Sekhmet was introduced, I shrugged at the excitement. Being from a mental Missouri, I needed to be shown.
When we got to Karnak, I was overwhelmed by the immensity of the place. I could have easily gotten lost, so I stuck close to our group. And of course I didn’t want to miss the private viewing of the popular Sekhmet.
It was late morning and the temperature was reaching 127°. I drank water non-stop and my legs were swollen from the heat, but I doggedly followed the others. Emil Shaker, our group’s Egyptologist and resident comedian, led the way to the Sanctuary of Ptah. We had to wait for a prior group to finish their visit to the famous sanctuary, so we waited in whatever shade we could find.
Finally it was time to go inside. A quiver of excitement passed through me as we entered the tiny sanctuary. It was quite dark, lit only by a small opening in the ceiling to allow light into the room. The granite walls were bare of decoration. In the middle of the dining-room-sized space was the black basalt statue of the Neter Sekhmet. (Neter is the ancient Egyptian word for beings like Sekhmet, Isis, Anubis, Amun, and so on, which roughly translates to “energy source.”)
Sekhmet, with her stylized Lioness head and larger-than-life-sized body of a woman, was placed on a granite platform. Including the sun disk over her head she stood well over seven feet tall. I had to look up to see her eyes. She was holding a carved ankh, the key of life, in one hand, placed at her side, and a Was scepter in the other.
To say she was commanding is an understatement. She took my breath away!
We had been advised throughout our travels in Egypt to avoid touching any of the antiquities, to maintain their condition for future visitors. Yet at this sanctuary we were not only allowed – but encouraged – to touch Sekhmet. Emil showed us the ritual of touching Her. Each of us was instructed to touch the top of Sekhmet’s head, then our head. Then touch Her heart and then our heart. Finally we were asked to move out of the way to allow the next person in line to do the same.
We lined up single file in front of her. When my turn came, I dutifully did as Emil had demonstrated. Her head, my head. Her heart, my heart. Then I stepped aside, to stand next to Her. I reached out to touch Sekhmet’s arm. It was cool to the touch, especially after the blazing heat outside. I stroked it, amazed at both the coolness and smoothness of the basalt.
Suddenly – without warning – I felt the arm move under my hand. Then the statue turned and looked at me!!
Her gaze was kindly, almost motherly, yet compelling. Involuntarily I screamed. Statues are not supposed to move! Then I ran outside.