Hi All!
Thought I would post a recent essay I composed on the Netjeru Set. He is the most maligned and misunderstood of all the Netjer. His role is a vital one in the operation of the cosmos and our individual lives.

I hope you enjoy it and please feel free to comment.


SET
Seth, Setekh, Setesh, Seti, Sutekh, Setech, Sutech)

For the past several days, Set has been “gently” urging me to write an essay in his honor. I lovingly dedicate this work to Set, who has revealed his important place among the Netjer and given me the opportunity to express on his behalf his valuable position and function in our universe.

I express my great gratitude to Set for the many powers and favors that he has performed on my behalf and pray that all come to understand with affection the Great Divider, Great of Strength, One Who Dazzles, Pillar of Stability, Red Lord, He Before Whom the Sky Shakes, Son of Nut, Lord of the Storm, Lord of Upper Egypt, Lord of Darkness, Netjer of Thunder in Heaven, Lord of Chaos, Lord of the Northern Sky, Lord of the Red Land, Protector from Foreign Enemies, Lord of the Desert Winds, and Mighty One of Two-Fold Strength.


APPEARANCE and PERSONAL:

Set has a curved snout, erect square-tipped ears, red body and a long forked tail. He is also portrayed with white or gray skin and red hair.

He is associated with deserts (deshert), storms, chaos, and is the Principle of Fixation and function of corruption in the Heliopolitan Ennead.

His scent is the musk of the Libyan gazelle. With his metal lead, he constructed the Adze, which gives the user the power to pass through the northern regions. The ceremonial wands are fabricated from his wood, ebony.

Set’s major temple is Kom Ombo where the statue of Sobekh-Haoeris, the twins resides. This image has the heads of Set and Horus fused to one figure. This fusion represents the harmony of spiritual and physical desire, thus contributing to the elevation and harmony of spirit and matter.

Set is father of Anpu and Sobek.

He is the bearer of the harpoon in the prow of Ra’s barque traveling through the Duat protecting Ra from Apep (evil serpent intent upon devouring Ra).
Animals associated with Set are, the desert Oryx, red ox, pig, black boar, hippopotamus, crocodile, braying donkey, and snake with the donkey’s head.


THE BATTLE:

Most everyone knows the story of Set overcoming Asar, Aset restoring Asar and conceiving Heru.

The metaphors here are evident in the corruption of the earth (Set). The earth then becomes fertile from which new growth (Asar) springs forth. In most of the desert area nothing grows and that is the domain of Set. Life depends on both Netjeru and their functions.


SOLAR ENNEAD:

Set is part of the Epagomenae (added, Gr.) days of the Year. The five days celebrated for the five solar deities of Heru-ur, Set, Nebt-Het, Aset and Asar.

REGION RULED and TEMPLE ORIENTATION:

The Ancient Egyptians regarded the North-South axis as stable, magnetic and static. Set and his powers are fixed in the region of the North at the zenith. The northern constellations, which do not rise or set or perish but remain fixed, embody the sacred principle of Set. This position represents our world mandated by forces that one is only able to infiltrate by using the most powerful magic.

This region is the most sought after by ascending souls. Set is the metaphor for cosmic permanence. Set is connected to eclipses, the winter solstice.

The South is considered the region of Nebt-Het and the source of the Nile, consort to Set. The South’s crowning point belongs to the stars and planets whose power converge in the sky. Therefore, when determining the orientation of ones temple, this is an axis that may used to determine temple orientation. We will discuss the other axis at another time.

It should be kept in mind that all of the directions are considered advantageous and none of them are considered adverse in any way.

Here is an excerpt from Rosemary Clark’s Sacred Magic of Ancient Egypt regarding the “Consecration of the Four Quarters” chapter of the book. This is the speaking part of the Kher-Heb (priest/priestess):

“Hail Suti, red god who dwells in the northern sky: Your mouth is closed, the red sky is opened with the Seb-Ur in your hand in your name of Great Divider. You awaken in this sanctuary, it is filled with your light.”

This beautiful consecration excerpt honoring Set is part of the entire Consecration of the Four Quarters ritual that includes Nut and Geb (above and below), Asar for the East quarter, Nebt-Het for the South quarter, and Aset for the West quarter as found in Rosemary’s book.

ART and ARCHITECTURE:

In architecture, Set is that portion of a figure defined, measuring from the first digit to the full cubit, number 21, representing the 8th nome in Upper Egypt, Ta Ur. In art, this is the area just above the brow of the figure. It is the crowning area and usually begins near or at the top of the head.

The figures are drawn with respect to the Golden Mean or Golden Ratio, a term in art that represents, not only the harmonious ratio, but also the specific point at which all the motion or action takes place. One can compare this with the natural perfection of the Nautilus shell.

The Nautilus shell is called the golden spiral. It represents the sacred essence and energy culminating in the perfection of proportion.

Therefore, each section of each painting on the walls and on papyrus, the sacred buildings, is subject to these sacred measurements.



PRIESTLY PATRON:

The priestly function of the Mer (Overseer) priest or priestess (Mert) has its patron as Set. The Mer priest is governed by Set because he is the one who governs material life and its continuance.

The function of the Mer priest is that of overseeing the supplies, food, drink, or any other supplies the temple personnel, members and guests need. Mer are in charge of furnishing the sacred space, feeding all attending, and fundraising. Mer is record keeper and treasurer.


SEASON:

The Season of Capricorn belongs to the Netjer, Set.

Observed dates for this are: 1/10 – 2/08 and Sothic dates 12/1 to 12/30.

The Sacred Magic of Ancient Egypt by Rosemary Clark contains the ceremony for this Netjer’s Season.

In closing, I hope that all will consider honoring Set and his vital functions in the role of our universe and our daily lives.

Let us, also, recognize the reconciliation of the two brothers, Set and Horus, who now live in harmony in the cosmic functions that serve all of us.

Ankh Udja Seneb, UdjatSekhmet



Susan MacFarland owns all works, text and images, messages or writings on the Kemetic Faith group as well as any other writings she has composed for any other venue, website, or mechanically published documents and all are copyright protected. Use or copy of any and all these works in any form known or to be invented is forbidden and may not be used for any purpose without the permission of the author. © 2006 by Susan MacFarland
Ref:
The Sacred Magic of Ancient Egypt and The Sacred Tradition of Ancient Egypt by Rosemary Clark.
Gods and Goddesses by George Hart.
www.sciencemall-usa.com/nautilus1
members.aol.com/egyptart/seth
www.sacredarch.com/sacred_geo_exer_shell.htm

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__________________
The opinions expressed in my post are only my humble opinions. I expressly request that none of my opinions be taken personally or taken offense to as it is not in my nature to intentionally cause hurt. I am only human and I make mistakes, so please remember this when reading some of my more passionate or lengthy posts. --Fortuna