Working with Bastet: Offerings, Herbs, Crystals & More

Bastet is best known as the Egyptian Goddess of cats. As such, she’s also a deity of playfulness, sensuality, and joy.

That’s not all there is to her, however — she’s also the counterpart of Sekhmet, the Goddess of destruction.

Originally, the two were both considered deities of lionesses. They eventually converged into two aspects of the same lion Goddess, with a complex and sometimes contradictory history.

About Bastet

Bastet’s history is a bit complicated. Her name is modern, originally it would’ve been closer to Bu’istiat. This would have eventually evolved to Ubaste as grammar and pronunciation changed over time.

Nobody’s really certain what it means — one theory holds that her name stems from “ointment jar,” since it was written with the hieroglyph for a jar commonly used to hold perfumed ointments and she was associated with unguents used for protection.

Another holds that her name may be locative, derived from a place named Baset. A third contends that her name was Pasch long before that, from which we derive the word “passion” via the Latin “pati.”

Though Bastet and Sekhmet couldn’t be more different in character, they do have a lot in common. Both began as leonine deities and fierce warriors, associated with the sun.

They’re also daughters of Ra and wives of Ptah, though Sekhmet is said to be the mother of Nefertum. There’s some dispute over who is the mother of Ptah’s son Maahes — some sources say it’s Sekhmet, while others claim it’s Bastet.

Bastet is also associated with the Eye of Ra. This figure is simultaneously a depiction (or extension) of Ra’s power, but also an independent entity itself.

The Eye of Ra is a feminine counterpart to the Sun God, who is procreative and protective, but can also be highly vengeful and aggressive.

Bastet encompasses both the aggressive and gentle aspects of the Eye. She is also said to shine on the realm of the dead, granting the deceased safe passage through it.

In the third millennium BCE, Bastet was shown as either a lioness or a lioness-headed woman. Over time, her image softened. About two thousand years later, she was being widely depicted with the features of a domestic cat instead.

Where Sekhmet remained the aggressive and bloodthirsty lioness, Bastet is playful, procreative, and maternal, associated more with enjoyment, sensuality, and fertility than anger.

That said, she can also be aggressive when it’s warranted, and has been depicted as a protectress against evil spirits and disease.

Symbols & Associations

Bastet is associated with protective ointments, wards against evil spirits, and the prevention of contagious disease. At various times, she was also associated with truth, enlightenment, civilization, abundance, and the household.

Different civilizations connected her to different things. To the Greeks and Romans, she was a lunar deity synonymous with Artemis and Diana.

Her symbols include domestic cats, ointment jars, a ceremonial percussion instrument called a sistrum, and a collar with an image of a lion’s head.

It should be noted that Bastet’s image and iconography was often combined with other goddesses. Some depictions may show her as Wadjet-Bastet, with a solar disk, cobra, and lion’s head, or as Bastet-Sopdet, a combination of Bastet and the deity of the star Sirius.

Powers

Bastet’s powers vary. Alone, she is often shown as having some power over fertility and motherhood, surrounded by kittens.

She’s also a protector, especially against contagious illness and evil spirits. This makes sense when you consider the role of domesticated cats in a household. They keep out vermin, thereby preventing problems like snake bites and insect- or rodent-borne diseases.

As an aspect of the lion goddess, Bastet also shares Sekhmet’s powers. The only real difference between the two may lie in how they choose to use it.

Both are associated with the Eye of Ra, but Sekhmet is spoken of as the vengeful one while Bastet is the torch that lights the way for the dead.

Offerings

Offerings to Bastet can include:

  • Alcohol, especially good wine. Historically, lioness deities were appeased with feasts of intoxication.
  • Meat.
  • Catnip, catnip flowers, or catnip tea.
  • Fragrant ointments or solid perfumes.
  • Images of cats and kittens.
  • Any of the crystals associated with her.
  • Music.
  • Dance.
  • Incense, like kyphi.

Signs Bastet is Calling You

Bastet may be calling you if you feel a pull to rediscover your enjoyment of life. This could be through sensual pleasures like music, good wine, or sex, or through cultivating a comfortable, nurturing home.

You may also have dreams that prominently feature her, domestic cats, or the sun.

Bastet is strongly connected to music and dance. If you feel the urge to take up one of these performing arts, it could be a sign that she’s trying to connect with you.

If cats seem to follow you wherever you go, especially if a stray or shelter cat seems to “choose” you, that could also be a call from her.

Crystals Associated with Bastet

Any crystals associated with cats or feline energy are similarly tied to Bastet. These can include cat’s eye stones (either man-made or natural varieties, like sapphire with inclusions of rutile) and tiger’s eye.

Bastet is also connected to alabaster. Many ancient sculptures of her were crafted from alabaster, and even the word “alabaster” may derive from her name through a very convoluted etymology.

Crystals that are connected to her powers or domains can also help. Black tourmaline and smoky quartz, for example, help get rid of negative energy. Citrine and sunstone are both solar stones, which tie into her as a solar deity.

Herbs Associated with Bastet

Bastet is associated with catnip, an herb thought to trigger intoxication in felines by mimicking the scent of specific pheromones.

While this herb is a popular choice for her, it isn’t the only one out there — she’s also associated with vervain and cinnamon.

Some worshippers associated Bastet with cannabis, but this is a controversial viewpoint. Use your own judgment to determine if this is an appropriate addition to your practice.

Working with Bastet

Working with Bastet is a bit easier than working with some other deities. She tends to be a compassionate, protective presence, though her capacity for aggression and vengeance shouldn’t be underestimated.

One of the best ways to begin working with her is to research her origins — learn where she came from, and her significance to her people.

You can also work with Bastet by caring for cats. This could be as simple as donating money, goods, or your time to a shelter, or feeding strays. Bastet isn’t just a cat goddess, she’s also connected to caring and protection.

It might be a good idea to set up a small altar to her. Start with a table or shelf and decorate it with a statue or image of her, images of cats, depictions of the sun, an offering bowl, a candle, and any crystals connected to her.

Keep it clean and free of dust and visit it regularly to make offerings and meditate. You don’t have to meditate silently, either. She appreciates music and dance, so sing, play an instrument (especially the sistrum), dance, and have fun!


Bastet is an interesting example of a deity mellowing over time. Where she began as a lioness, she became the well-known goddess of cats, pleasure, and protection.

A call from her is often a sign to tap into your innate desire for pleasure and fun. Heed her call and let her show you what you’ve been missing.

Similar Articles

Latest