Also called Seth, Sutekh, Typhon (to the Greeks), Great of Strength.
Their story
Set is the son of Geb and Nut, born on the third of the five extra days. In the best known story he murders his brother Osiris and fights his nephew Horus for the throne, a struggle told at length in The Contendings of Horus and Seth. Yet he also rode in the sun boat and speared the serpent Apep each night, and kings of the Nineteenth Dynasty such as Seti I were named after him. In the later periods, with Egypt under foreign rule, he was increasingly treated as a figure of evil and the Greeks identified him with Typhon.
Best times to give to them
- the third epagomenal day (his birthday)
- storms
- Wepet Renpet
What they like being given
- bread
- water
- strong incense
- red flowers
- beer or a non-alcoholic ginger drink
How to honour them
- Approach him with respect and honesty, as many modern Kemetics do.
- Ask for strength to face what frightens you, remembering that he stood at the prow of the sun boat against Apep.
How they can help you
- courage
- facing difficult change
- strength and endurance
- protection on journeys
Symbols
- Set animal
- was sceptre
- red colour
- iron
- donkey
His reputation changed a great deal over time, so older and later sources describe him very differently.
Sources
- The Contendings of Horus and Seth (Papyrus Chester Beatty I)
- Plutarch, De Iside et Osiride 12-13
- Te Velde, Seth, God of Confusion
More Egyptian gods
- Osiris Lord of the afterlife and new growth
- Horus The falcon, protector of the rightful king
- Ra The sun who sails the sky
- Thoth Scribe of the gods, lord of wisdom
- Anubis Guardian and guide of the dead
- Khonsu The Traveller, the moon who heals
- Amun The hidden king of the gods at Thebes
- Ptah Creator by word and patron of craftsmen