Also called Mafedet, Lady of the House of Life.
Their story
Mafdet is one of the earliest named goddesses, known from the First Dynasty. She was a feline, perhaps a cheetah or a civet, admired for how quickly she killed snakes and scorpions. The Pyramid Texts call on her to protect the king and to strike at serpents with her claws. She was also linked with the execution of wrongdoers, carrying a staff with a blade.
Best times to give to them
- nightfall
- when moving into a new home
What they like being given
- water
- incense
- bread
How to honour them
- Ask her to guard the home against things that creep in unseen.
- Honour her with a cat figure by the door.
How they can help you
- protection
- swift justice
- clearing out harmful things
Symbols
- cheetah or other wild cat
- executioner's staff with a blade
- claws
Scholars disagree over exactly which animal she represents.
Sources
- Pyramid Texts
- Wilkinson, The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt
More Egyptian goddesses
- Isis Great of Magic, mother of Horus
- Bastet Protector of the home, lady of joy
- Hathor The Golden One, lady of love and music
- Sekhmet The Powerful One, healer and protector
- Maat Truth, balance and right order
- Nephthys Lady of the House, comforter of the grieving
- Taweret The Great One, guardian of mothers
- Amunet The hidden goddess of the primordial eight