Kemetic ritual shower [from my personal practice]

Kemetic ritual shower [from my personal practice]

This is a part of my personal practice, and I thought it would be worth it to share. * thanks to @idi-the-noof who encouraged me to write

Ritual purifications in Ancient Egypt was indeed very important thing. And while I’m not hardcorely-recon, I know that Djehuty values ritual purity and keeps me “in shape” about it - especially if I’m planning to do a long, more formal ritual.

I keep some natron in the bathroom, and also a special cup that is dedicated for ritual purification (this cup was before used for liquid offerings, then I got the vibe that it’s better to take it for ritual shower use)
So, usually, in the shower, there is a ritual part, - I may start regular bathing with it or in turn, bathe first, then make the ritual part.
I add some natron to the cup, mixing with water.
Then, there is a prayer for purification. I adapted this prayer from books of Kerry Wisner and R.Reidy; in “Eternal Egypt” it’s on page 200, however I shortened it for myself. You may do the full version.

I say this prayer (in my russian translation) while pouring water with natron slowly - hands, feet, shoulder, head:

“O water, may you remove all evil,
As Ra who bathes in the Lake of Rushes,
May Heru wash my flesh,
May Djehuty cleanse my feet,
May Shu lift me up and Nut take my hand.
May Set be my strength, and may Sekhmet be my healing.
[…small part omitted here; see below]
May Amun the Hidden One be my life and may He prosper me daily!”

(In “Eternal Egypt it’s on page 200; I shortened it a bit, in the book it’s actually bigger. It has the beginning part I don’t use myself, but I will cite it here as well: so you may begin the ritual shower as this

“I, [insert reciter’s name], am a child of Ra.
I am a child of the Lord of Life, Lord to the Limit.
I am created from the tears of the Eye of Ra.
As Ra bathes in the waters of the Lake of Rushes,
so now do I bathe in the waters of the Lake of Rushes.
As Ra I am purified and cleansed.
As Ra I am renewed and rejuvenated.

And this is the extended ending of prayer from “Eternal Egypt” –

May Wadjet be my protection,
May Anpu be my guide,
May Wepwawet open the way before me in safety and in peace;
May Heru grant me victory,
May Heru bring me victory;
May Amun-Ra grant me life and may He prosper me daily.
May Amun-Ra be my life and may He prosper me greatly!” )

Also, I make 4 small pours of water on left and right shoulder, saying “wabet” four times; - that means, “pure” ("wabet" is feminine form, "wab" would be for masculine)
And so, this is enough - and I do it while standing in the bathtub.

I try to keep things balanced and simple.
If I have no time for shower, and no time to undress in this case, then I mix water with natron, and pour it on the hands/wrists, feet, and may be head (depends of what I’m wearing!)

And what about chewing natron, I usually just put a very small piece in the mouth. Djehuty reminds that it was more a hygiene thing, so “just brush your teeth”! :)
(Before ritual, there is sometimes putting some natron in the mouth too.)


P.S. If anyone is interested in reading about ritual purity in AE, there is very good essay by magnificent egyptology scholar J.Quack; published in “Purity and the Forming of Religious Traditions in the Ancient Mediterranean World and Ancient Judaism” – see page 115. “Concepts of purity in Egyptian Religion”.