This is a beautiful hand carved Egyptian made basalt statue of Sekhmet.  The goddess, Sekhmet, was depicted as a lioness and was regarded as both a warrior and goddess of war. 

It was said that she accompanied the pharaoh to battle and was seen as his protector.

It was also said that Sekhmet's hot breath formed the hot dessert.

Sekhmet is an ancient Egyptian Goddess of war and destruction, plagues and healing. Her name means "The Powerful One," and She is linked in some tales with Hathor. She is depicted as a woman with the head of a lioness, sometimes also with the sun disk and uraeus on Her headdress, Who symbolizes the destructive heat of the sun. Sekhmet, Her husband Ptah, and Their son Nefertum or Imhotep make up a triad of Deities especially worshipped in Memphis. She is also closely connected with Bast, the cat-headed Goddess of pleasure and luxury.

The tale is that Ra, the old king of the Gods, became angry with wayward humankind and in His wrath ripped out His own eye and threw it at mankind. This Divine eye became the Goddess Sekhmet, Who in the form of a lioness set about slaughtering humans, butchering them and drinking their blood. Ra, seeing this, realized that at the rate She was going no one would be left on Earth and tried to calm Her. But She refused to listen, joying in killing. So Ra then filled a lake with a mixture of beer and pomegranate juice, and Sekhmet, thinking it blood, drank the whole thing. . .and then fell asleep. When She woke the next morning, She was much calmer, though She had a terrible headache!

Sekhmet, though sometimes a violent Goddess, was however also known as a healer who set and cured broken bones. She is said to cause epidemics when She is not honored properly; but when She is, She can stop them as well.

Sekhmet is the wife of Ptah, the patron of artisans, and their son is Nefertum. Later the deified architect Imhotep was named Her son. Imhotep was a real man who worked under the third dynasty pharoah Djoser and was responsible for building the Step Pyramid, the very first pyramid. After his death He was worshipped as a God, and became the patron of doctors. Miraculous cures were His specialty.

Sekhmet in a reading indicates issues of revenge and anger, and a warning not to get carried away. In this situation it is very easy to go too far and let things get out of control. Or it can indicate that old grudges and patterns are getting in the way of needed change. Let these things go, and work on forgiveness. Remember, Sekhmet's tale of massacre is sometimes told of Hathor, meaning that when we can let go of our anger and forgive old hurts, joy and celebration are waiting for us.

Alternate spellings: Sakhmet, Sekhemet


Names of Sekhmet

Sekhmet, Great One of Magic
Mother of the Gods
Lady of the House of Books
She Who Walks On Forests of Rose Petals
One Who Was Before The Gods Were
Lady of the Place of the Beginning of Time
Lady of Radiance
Revealer of the Ancient Paths
At Whose Wish The Arts Were Born
Beautiful Eye Which Giveth Life To The 2 Lands
Flaming One
Finder of Ways
Protectress of the gods
Lady of the Scarlet-Colored Garment
Pure One
She of Great Beauty and Hope
Keeper of the Light
Lady of Strong Love
Pre-eminent One in the Boat of the Millions of Years
Roamer of Deserts
Wanderer in the Wastes
Self Contained
Only One
Awakener
Lady of Enchantments
Opener of Ways
Lady of Transformations
Lady of the Many Faces
Enrapturing One
Giver of Ecstasies
Satisfier of Desires
Inspirer of Human Kind
Victorious One in Battles
Overcomer of All Enemies
Ruler of the Desert
Ruler of Serpents and of Dragons
Ruler of Lions
Complete One
Sublime One
Enlightener
Empowerer
Sparkling One
Great One of Hekau
Lady of the Magic Lamp
Mother of the Dead
She Who Perserveres in Times of Struggles
Lady of the Sacred Flame
Great One of Healing
Destroyer by Fire
Lady of the Waters of Life
Great One in the Places of Judgment and
Execution
Guide and Protectress From the Perils of the Underworld
Great One of the Place of Appearances in Silence
Lady of the Way of the Five Bodies
Unrivaled and Invincible One
Ruler of the Chamber of Flames
The Source
She Whose Opportunity Escapeth Her Not
Winged One
Powerful of Heart
The Aware
The Gleaming One
Sekhmet, Who Reduceth to Silence
Sekhmet, Who Rouseth the People
Lady of Jubilation
Adorable One
Shining of Countenance
Mother of Images
Incomparable One
Lady of Intoxications
Mightier Than The Gods
Most Beautiful
Most Strong
Great One of Laws
Protectress of the Divine Order
The One Who Holds Back Darkness
The Beautiful Light
Goddess of Peace
Goddess of Love
Great One in Heaven
Great One of the Incense of the Ennead
Great Lady of the House of Life
Queen of the Venerable Ones
Devouring One
Sekhmet of the Knives
Burner of Evil Doers
One Before Whom Evil Trembles
Terrible One
Lady of All Powers
Eternal One
Lady of the Manifold Adornments
Bountiful One
Sekhmet, Who Gives Joys
Unwavering Loyal One
Drier of Tears
Lady of the Flowers
Guardian of the Gates
Beloved Teacher
Beloved Sekhmet