About
Wepet Renpet, the Opening of the Year, marked the start of the Egyptian calendar and was ideally tied to the reappearance of the star Sopdet (Sirius) before dawn, which heralded the Nile flood. Because the civil calendar had no leap years it slowly drifted, so the official new year and the star's rising only lined up once in about 1,460 years. It was preceded by five extra days counted as the birthdays of Osiris, Horus, Set, Isis and Nephthys.
Customs
- Watching for Sirius rising before dawn
- Marking the five days before the new year as a time of care and caution
- Cleaning and renewing shrines and homes
- Giving gifts and wishing one another a good year
- Offering to Ra and to the gods for the coming year
Food
- Bread
- Beer or barley water
- Dates and figs
- Honey
- Onions and fresh vegetables
A simple ritual
- In the days before, tidy your home and your shrine thoroughly.
- Rise before dawn if you can and look east for Sirius or the first light.
- Light a candle safely and greet Ra as the sun rises.
- Offer a little bread, water and honey and ask for a year in balance.
- Wish those you love a good new year and give a small gift.
- Put out the candle and share the offering later with your household.
Never leave candles or fires unattended, and keep them away from pets and children.