Mafdet - She Who Runs Swiftly
A small summary of Her attributes - but please keep in mind that I cannot vouch for how correct these are.
Also known as
Maftet
Titles
Eye of Ra, She of Braided Locks, Slayer of Serpents, Lady of the Castle of Life
Roles
Protectress against snakes, venomous stings and bites, scorpions and dangerous animals. Patroness of healing, legal justice, execution of ma'at. Guardian of the king's chambers and other sacred places. A judge of the dead. Protector of Ra. Life giver. Symbol of official power.
Celebrations
None known.
Signs & symbols
Panther, cheetah, claws, harpoon, mongoose, lynx, leopard, executioner's staff, civet, ocelot.
Associations
Colours: browns, leopard print, orange, black, red, white. Scents: patchouli, musk. Gems: leopard stone, dalmatian dolomite.
Offerings
Cool water, snake skin or snake teeth, books on laws, things connected to healing, chocolate, red wine.
Relations to other netjeru
Associated with Bast. Daughter of Amun and Mut. Somehow connected to Bes.
Depictions in art
Woman with the head of a cheetah, with braided hair ending in scorpion tails. Sometimes wears a headdress of snakes. Panther. Lynx. Leopard. Civet. Ocelot. Desert cat. Feline running up the side of an executioner's staff. Woman dressed in cat skin.
My personal impressions
Mafdet feels old, and reserved, though this may simply be because I don't know Her very well. It feels as if though She is fierce when protecting those She claims as her own, but otherwise pretty withdrawn from our world. Perhaps She concerns Herself with matters in the Duat, when She isn't looking after Her children?
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