Neteru-Am Kemetic Spirituality

When I am asked what my spiritual and/or religious beliefs are, I answer that I am a Neteru-Am Kemetic. This, of course, has caused a lot of confusion throughout the course of answering this question, but it is the only answer that I feel satisfied with. And thus, I feel it is necessary that there be some explaination of what I mean.

“Neteru-Am” can be translated as either “child of the Neteru” or “pupil of the Neteru”. I personally view it in both concepts, as a “child-pupil”. The Neteru, of course, are the Gods of Kemet — the native name of Egypt in ancient times. I am Their child as much as I am Their pupil, learning from Them and growing in Their presense in body, mind, and spirit.

“Kemetic Spirituality” offers the only escape from the automatic assumption of Orthodoxy or Reconstructionism of the ancient religion, which is impossible, as the original religion was a state religion. There is a group that is the Reformed Kemetic group that I can agree with on their methods as they work out how their beliefs should be, though I don’t know so much about a strict doctorine… This is why I chose to refer to the Neteru-Am Kemetic belief as a spirituality rather than a religion, though it is very much both.

With each day, I honor Re, the Lord of the Sun, with a brief prayer if I do not have time for anything else. Often I will make an offering of song and praise at sunrise, but sometimes certain circumstances do not allow for this, so I make a simple prayer of praise as an offering to Him.

 Throughout the day I offer prayers, foods, drinks, and various other items to various Neteru. As He is my Master, my primary focus is generally focused towards Anpu. Djehuty, whom is my Patron, also is another primary focus. Because let’s face it. It’s hard as hell to honor every Deity you worship when They number in the hundreds, if not more.

These are part of my daily rituals and have become a part of my daily life. If I am forced off this routine, I’m out of whack all day and feel very disconnected from Them during the course of the day. It is then that I often perform a devotional ceremony rite at the first chance I have time for, just to help myself through the rest of the day by bringing myself back into attunement with the Neteru.

There is a freedom found in this that most people don’t experience. I feel the presense of many of the Neteru around me throughout the day. There is no specific holidays that I must celebrate. There are no rites, rituals or specific things I must do by religious doctorine. My practices are led only by inspiration, intuition, and the guidance of the Neteru. In so long as it fulfills my spiritual needs and pleases Them, isn’t that all that really matters?

Problems in the Communities

“One spirit in the dark, like a candle wavers. Many spirits joined as one, burn with the power of the blazing sun. There is strength in community; Circle empowering you and me. Circle binds us, sets us free. In the Goddess Name, so mote it be.”

It is a sad state of affairs we’re in when we look at our local Pagan communities and realize how little any of us know each other, how some of us don’t even know of each others existance, and how we struggle to come together for things as simple as a fellowship gathering of like-minds. This and much more has been witnessed by the Priests I have spoken to, and we are all quite saddened by the lack of community in our…well, community.

In Alabama, there are only two stores that cater for all the needs of Pagans. And, happily, one of these stores is in my local area. Known as The Sacred Paths, the store offers books, statuary, candles, drums, altar decorations, incense, spell kits, gemstones, journals, blank books, CDs, ritual clothing, and much MUCH more. Every Thursday night, from 7pm to 9pm, there is a class, a workshop, a drum circle, or a meet-up (except on five-Thursday months when Loki takes a night off).

 While we are able to bring in new people to these events (all of which are FREE, by the way), it is sad to see politics in action with that Craftier-than-Thou mentality that tends to infect many of the “priests” in the area. I serve my Gods as They require, and I serve the community in any way that I can. I have opened up my home on many occassions as sanctuary, as a center of learning, and more, and I have offered counciling and advice, teachings, and more as well. I am there for those who follow simular paths on the worship of the Neteru, and for those who are on other paths. I do not discriminate against those who need help. I am always willing to try, and I rarely give up trying, even when the person I’m trying to help gives up.

There are other “priests” who are in it only for the “power and glory”, and it is these “priests” that I loathe. They serve no Higher Power, much less honor Them, and they dare call themselves Priests, much less High Priests?! I do not see how…

The Beginning of Effective Utterances

It is my intention to use this blog as an archive for articles to encourage spiritual growth, self-education of religious studies, and to bring a better understanding of the universe to those who read these. While, yes, many of these articles are written with Pagans in mind, many others may find use or understanding through these articles.

 For now, however, I must work on getting set up. We just have purchased a laptop, which is currently our only computer, so I will have some articles typed up and ready to go soon. Thank you for your interest in Medu. I hope you enjoy what you find here in the future. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at beketanpu@gmail.com.

Em hotep.

In peace,
Sab Saiti