Sekhmet: Egyptian Goddess of fire, war, destruction, plagues, healing, and the sun

                Just like last week, we have another feisty goddess of destruction.  Sekhmet, the lion-headed goddess of Egypt, is known as the goddess of destruction, fire, the sun, plagues, and strangely healing.  In ancient Egypt, she was widely feared for her destructive nature, especially those who pose a threat to Egypt and her father Ra.  She unleashes plagues, scorching flames and heat, and diseases to those who have wronged her father and kingdom.  Though she is the cause of plagues and diseases, she also brings cures to those she deems as worthy of protection.  Because of this protection and life-giving side of hers, she is often shown with the ankh—the symbol for life.  I guess this is what attracted her husband, Ptah, to her in the first place, unless he is into the bloodthirsty, ruthless babes of Egypt.  Not only is she split between healing and destruction, she also has a whole different personality named Hathor.  It is sometimes shown that Hathor turns into Sekhmet when she turns angry. Just think of her as the ancient Egyptian womanly version of the Hulk.

                Sekhmet is one of the oldest deities in the Egyptian mythology.  She is also known as one of the most powerful.  In fact, in her most famous legend, she almost destroyed the whole human race.  It started with her birth.  In some variations, she was born from Ra’s eye when he looked at the ground.  I know, I know.  Weird way to be born, but that’s mythology for ya.  Anyways, she was born from his eye, and is mainly a protector of him as the first pharaoh.  When humans were being a little bit too chaotic, Ra got mad and sent Sekhmet to take care of the situation.  The problem?  She was too destructive and almost took out the whole human race.  To stop her, Ra poured 7000 jugs of beer and red dye into the Nile to look like blood.  She drank from the river, and ended up wasted and passed out for 3 days.  When she woke up, returned to Ra nice and calm.

Symbols: lion, sun disk, red dress

Major city: Memphis, Leontopolis

Parents: Ra or Nut and Geb

Titles: Powerful One, Destroyer of Rebellion, Lady of Terror, Lady of Life

Children: Maahes, Nefertem