Also called Selket, Selqet, Serket-hetyt, She who lets the throat breathe.
Their story
Serqet was the scorpion goddess, and her name means she who lets the throat breathe, since she could relieve those struggling to breathe after a sting. Her healers, the controllers of Serqet, treated stings and snakebite with medicine and magic. She was one of four goddesses who guarded the dead and the canopic jars, with Isis, Nephthys and Neith. A beautiful gilded statue of her stands guard on the canopic shrine of Tutankhamun.
Best times to give to them
- nightfall
- the Wag festival
- before travel in wild places
What they like being given
- water
- incense
- bread
- a written prayer for protection
How to honour them
- Ask for her protection from harm that strikes suddenly.
- Keep her image as a guardian of the home, particularly by doors.
How they can help you
- protection
- recovering from something poisonous in your life
- breath and calm
- healers
Symbols
- scorpion on the head
- outstretched protective arms
- ankh
Sources
- Tutankhamun's canopic shrine (Egyptian Museum, Cairo)
- Pinch, Magic in Ancient Egypt
- 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