Have you ever wondered how ancient Egyptian goddesses can inspire us today? Bastet, the Egyptian cat goddess is more than just a figure from mythology - her energy is alive and relevant today. Even though thousands of years separate us from ancient Egyptian culture, Bastet’s values remain relevant.
By embracing her principles, we can reshape and enrich our lives, learn to find balance, and give back to our communities.
Today, Bastet continues to inspire modern pagans and witches who wish to bring her energy into their spiritual practice. This article explores the powerful energy of Bastet, the goddess of cats, and how her principles can guide us towards a world where animals and people are cherished and protected.
Her worship was widespread, and her temples were filled with the warmth of music, incense, joy, and purring cats.
Who Is Bastet
Bastet, the radiant goddess of ancient Egypt, is most often pictured as a sleek cat or a lioness-headed woman. She embodies joy, music, fertility, and above all, protection. Her worship was widespread, and her temples were filled with the warmth of music, incense, and purring cats.
Bastet is a goddess of fertility, motherhood, and protector of the home. Women and children, human and feline, are her domain.
To learn more about her symbolism, history and how you can follow her read my article first article:
Signs Bastet is Calling You
Bastet is just as relevant today
Find Bastet Today
Today's world can be pretty rushed and finding a sense of calmness can be difficult. You may be constantly running from one meeting to the next. Even when you get home there might be lots of chores waiting for your attention.
So how do we invite Bastet's energy into our modern lives?
It starts with understanding what she truly represents. Bastet embodies the perfect balance between independence and nurturing, fierceness and gentleness, playfulness and wisdom. These aren't contradictory qualities—they're complementary aspects of a whole, integrated self.
Start paying attention to your first impressions of people and situations. Notice how your body responds to different environments. Are your shoulders tense in certain places? Do you feel energized or drained around specific people?
Bastet's energy teaches us to trust these subtle signals and use them as guidance for our choices. Bastet's energy encourages us to be just as clear about our own needs and limits.
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Channeling Bastet for Personal Growth and Wellbeing
So how do we invite Bastet's energy into our modern lives? It starts with understanding what she truly represents. Bastet embodies the perfect balance between independence and nurturing, fierceness and gentleness, playfulness and wisdom. These aren't contradictory qualities—they're complementary aspects of a whole, integrated self.
Cats are masters of reading energy and sensing what's happening beneath the surface. They know when storms are coming, when someone in the household is sick, when it's time to offer comfort or maintain distance. Channeling Bastet means developing this same intuitive awareness in our own lives.
Bastet’s energy can be invited into your daily practice in many ways.
Symbols and Offerings: Place cat figurines, lotus flowers, incense, and music on an altar. Light a candle and call her name.
Daily Reminders: Spend time with cats (if you have them) or volunteer at an animal shelter.
Personal Growth: Bastet encourages self-care. Just as a cat tends its fur, you are reminded to nurture your own wellbeing.
To grow under Bastet’s guidance, practice embodying her qualities: confidence, grace, playfulness, and fierce protectiveness when needed.
Boundaries
Have you ever tried to pet a cat that wasn't in the mood? They'll let you know—clearly and without guilt—that now isn't the time. This isn't meanness; it's healthy boundary-setting.
Practice saying no without elaborate explanations. Set aside time for solitude and self-care without feeling selfish. Remember that protecting your energy isn't just good for you—it ensures you have more genuine care to offer others when they truly need it.
The guided meditation starts at 7:08 if you prefer to listen or read it below.
Meditation and Visualization with Bastet
Meditation is one of the most powerful ways to connect with Bastet. Visualization can help us feel her presence and embody her attributes.
Preparing for the Meditation
Find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed.
Light a candle (gold, green, or black are appropriate).
Burn a gentle incense such as myrrh, frankincense, or sandalwood.
Sit comfortably, with your spine straight and your hands resting in your lap.
Allow your eyes to gently close if that feels comfortable, or allowing them to be open with a relaxed soft gaze, taking a moment to invite your mouth to be relaxed and your tongue to rest wherever is comfortable. Focus your attention to become internally aware, feeling your body and noticing your body from the inside. Inviting in a sense of relaxation and also a bit of curiosity and interest. You might see yourself as a cat lying in the sun.
Imagine yourself standing in the sands of ancient Egypt. The air is warm, filled with the scent of incense and flowers. The sun is warm and nurturing. Your body is relaxed. You feel safe.
From the light emerges a sleek black cat with emerald eyes. She approaches you gracefully, her gaze both playful and powerful. You know in your heart that this is Bastet.
She circles you once, brushing against your legs, and then transforms into a tall woman, her jewelry shimmering with sunlight. She smiles warmly.
She speaks, “welcome little one.” There is such warmth in her voice, her words soft like honey. She opens her arms to you, and you see an immense pool of love and pride in her eyes. Like a child returning to its mother, you step forward and she wraps her arms around you. She lifts you up off the ground and twirls you gently before placing you back on the ground.
You suddenly feel her energy spread out all around you. Bastet places her hand on your heart. Feel her protection surround you. She whispers:
“You are safe. You are strong. You are worthy of joy.”
Now imagine her energy flowing into you:
Fierce strength when you need to protect yourself or others.
Open your heart up and speak with her. You can ask her for guidance, or simply share whatever is on your heart. Listen to what she has to say to you. Take this moment of communion and togetherness with her. Do not rush this, but allow it to be as it is, a gift from Bastet.
She shows you one final image—yourself moving through the world with cat-like grace, trusting your intuition, protecting what's precious, and finding joy in simple moments. This is who you are when you embody Bastet's energy.
Slowly, you see her image begin to fade and you know that your time is up together. But you find comfort in the fact that she will always be there, always within your reach should you seek her. You return to the present moment. Take three deep breaths. Wiggle your fingers and toes. When you are ready, open your eyes.
You have walked with Bastet.
Check out my video on Bastet
Apply Bastet’s Principles
Bastet’s values remain relevant today. By embracing her principles, we can reshape our lives and communities.
1. Protection of Animals and Nature
Watch a cat discover a new box or chase a beam of sunlight, and you'll witness pure joy in action. Bastet reminds us that playfulness isn't frivolous—it's sacred. Cats were sacred to Bastet, and harming them was unthinkable. To honor Bastet today, we can extend this principle to all animals.
Cats were sacred to Bastet, and harming them was unthinkable. To honor Bastet today, we can extend this principle to all animals. I specifically work with wildlife. I've dedicated my life to wildlife rescue and training rehabbers.
I honor Bastet, Artemis, and Artio and often ask them for guidance.
If you are able, support animal shelters and wildlife rescues. Did you know many shelters don't even take cats. Animal welfare organizations suggest there are between 30 and 100 million unowned cats in the U.S. alone.
The wide range comes from the difficulty of counting free-roaming cats, but most experts agree that feral cats far outnumber those in animal shelters at any given time.
Bastet’s energy reminds us that compassion for animals strengthens our spiritual bond with the natural world.
2. Supporting Mothers and Families
Bastet’s role as guardian of women and children makes her a powerful ally for young mothers. As a goddess of motherhood and fertility, Bastet offers profound guidance for supporting families during vulnerable transitions. Her energy teaches us that true support combines fierce protection with gentle nurturing.
Bastet's energy calls us to create communities that wrap around families like protective arms. This might mean organizing meal trains for new parents, offering to hold babies so mothers can shower or nap, or simply checking in without expecting anything in return.
If you're a mother yourself, remember that asking for help isn't weakness—it's modeling healthy interdependence for your children. Bastet reminds us that even the most capable protectors need support systems.
Offering childcare support to new mothers.
Advocating for maternal healthcare access.
Creating community circles where women can share wisdom and find strength.
Her energy encourages us to protect and uplift caregivers, honoring the labor of love they provide.
3. Joy, Play, and Balance
Bastet was celebrated with festivals filled with laughter and music. She reminds us that joy is not frivolous—it is sacred.
Joy is a form of worship, a way of honoring the gift of being alive. Make space for activities that bring you genuine delight, even if they seem "pointless" to others.
Dance in your kitchen, spend an afternoon reading fiction, paint, or simply sit in a sunny spot and enjoy the warmth. These moments of joy create ripples of positive energy that extend far beyond ourselves.
Dance, sing, and laugh often.
Keep rituals lighthearted when the spirit calls for it.
Practice balance: know when to be fierce, and when to be gentle.
Cats, and Bastet, show us the art of enjoying life fully while maintaining dignity and strength.
Ultimately, connecting with Bastet isn't about elaborate rituals or ancient costumes—it's about embodying her qualities in everyday life. It's about trusting your intuition when something feels off, fiercely protecting those you love, finding joy in simple pleasures, and maintaining the balance between independence and connection.
