Ritual purity in my practice: Kemetic Round Table Series.
As a Kemetic who is Kemetic Orthodox I follow a format of ritual purity that is somewhat more hard-lined and ritualized than other Kemetics out there. Not better, not “more correct” just as a KO community we have decided that this is how we are going to approach ritual purity.
So what exactly is this stance on ritual purity? Firstly, before I go into my shrine at all I must wash with natron (link), even just touching anything to move an object. For casual shrine contact I can just wash my hands and face with natron but for my daily senut I must take a shower, pray over the natron and wash my whole body with it. To go into shrine I (should) wear all white and only natural fibers. BUT, this is where I differ from other KO Shemsu. I usually do Senut in the morning before work and just do not have the time to get dressed twice before work. I reserve my ritual whites for festivals and big holidays.
As far as purity when it comes to food and daily habits. !This is a UPG warning! I and a few other KO Shemsu, as well as one of my best friends do not eat pork. My best friend and I are both daughters of Aset and have both been asked not to partake. I also know of other Shemsu who have been asked specifically not to eat pork or who have willingly chosen either based on a devotional sacrifice or based on their own research into Kemetic practices.
The research is not confirmed that Kemetic people had not eaten pork for religious purposes, economic reasons, or they did but not to the extent that maybe other cultures did due to availability because there has been evidence unearthed that pigs were kept domestically, so this suggests that Kemetics were allowed to be around them in close quarters. We also see art of pigs and even if there was a ban it may have just been with the uppercases. If we look at other cultures in similar environments that do not eat pork, such as Arabic cultures we can see they view the pig as dirty, rolling in the mud and in the heat tends to spoil faster. Further reading on the pig in Kemet- link
So in an overview:
- I shower everyday with natron and pray
- Every time I go into shrine I wash hands and face with natron.
- For big holidays and festivals I wear ritual whites which are 100% natural fiber.
- I do not eat pork.
Everyone has to tailor their own ritual purity into their schedule and is a very personal experience between you and your God. Ritual purity should always be approached as an act of respect towards not only Netjer but also yourself.
Thanks for an awesome post, i do like the ritual formality of KO. Dont know if i could stick to it, but i like it lol
Pingback: Ritual purity: what does that mean for my practice? | Kemetic Round Table | Kemetic Round Table
“Not better, not “more correct” just as a KO community we have decided that this is how we are going to approach ritual purity.”
This right here. So much this.
Pingback: Kemetic Round Table – Ritual Purity