Bast is the Egyptian Goddess of Cats and a powerful Goddess of protection. She was named the bringer of good health and was known as the Lady of magical ointments. She was worshipped as early as the Second Dynasty (2890-2670 BCE)
A Statue of Bast dating between circa 400 and circa 250BC (Late Period-Greco-Roman)
Bast was first depicted to have the body of a woman and the head of a lioness and later depicted as a large female black cat, resembling the form of an Egyptian desert sand cat.
Statue of Bast designed to contain a mummified cat 332–30 B.C. from the Ptolemaic Period
Bast origins are found in the great city of Bubastis, located along the Nile Delta, where her largest cult was found. Another significant cult of the Goddess Bast was located at the capital of ancient Egypt, known as Memphis. The cult of the Goddess Bast spread far and wide and was brought to Italy by the Romans. Evidence of this can be found in Rome, Ostia, Nemi, and Pompeii.
In the mid 90's I had the good fortune to study abroad for a semester in Rome. I decided to study art history there and was taken on some extensive tours of many of the monumental churches in Rome. Often these tours would lead us underground below the churches where we were able to see the sacred sites that the churches were built over top of. I still remember the profound effect that one such tour had on me. As we went underneath the church and descended below the earth's surface a feeling came over me that I was about to encounter something extremely sacred. I did not discover what this was until we went several layers down to the very bottom level where we entered an ancient temple. In the very center of this dimly lit circular temple stood a towering statue of the Goddess Bast! I could not believe my eyes. It was then that I realized the extent of the damage the Romans had done to the pre-existing matriarchal religions, in their effort to destroy any evidence of the existence of the Goddess in her many forms. Yet, here she stood proud and strong and deeply hidden below so as not to distract anyone from the ruling Roman Catholic religion which fought so hard to gain their seat of power. I was so deeply moved to feel the presence of one of my favorite Goddesses and paid my respects to her in gratitude of all she once meant to the land and the people there.
All cats, but especially black cats in ancient Egypt, were considered to be the living form of the Goddess Bast and therefore seen as sacred. All of her temples were filled with cats and when a cat died in Egypt, they were brought to a Bast temple to be mummified and buried within the temple grounds.
Mummified Cat Ptolemaic-Roman Period (332 B.C.–395 A.D.)
Bast’s cult, the Cult of Bastet, dates back to the 5th Century BCE and was located in the town called Bubastis in the Eastern Delta in Lower Egypt. The Cult of Bastet had one of the largest cult followings recorded in Egyptian history.
Site of the Temple of Bubastis
The Temple of Bubastis was surrounded by a body of water known as the Nile River. Ancient Greek Historian, Herodotus described the Temple as follows:
"Temples there are more spacious and costlier than that of Bubastis, but none so pleasant to behold. It is after the following fashion. Except at the entrance, it is surrounded by water: for two canals branch off from the river, and run as far as the entrance to the temple: yet neither canal mingles with the other, but one runs on this side, and the other on that. Each canal is a hundred feet wide, and its banks are lined with trees. The propylaea are sixty feet in height, and are adorned with sculptures (probably intaglios in relief) nine feet high, and of excellent workmanship. The Temple being in the middle of the city is looked down upon from all sides as you walk around; and this comes from the city having been raised, whereas the temple itself has not been moved, but remains in its original place. Quite round the temple there goes a wall, adorned with sculptures. Within the inclosure is a grove of fair tall trees, planted around a large building in which is the effigy (of Bast). The form of that temple is square, each side being a stadium in length. In a line with the entrance is a road built of stone about three stadia long, leading eastwards through the public market. The road is about 400 feet (120 m) broad, and is flanked by exceeding tall trees. It leads to the temple of Hermes." (1)
The annual Festival of Bubastis was the most popular festival in Egypt and was a site to behold!
Herodotus, described the festival in great detail;
“Now, when they are coming to the city of Bubastis they do as follows:-they sail men and women together, and a great multitude of each sex in every boat; and some of the women have rattles and rattle with them, while some of the men play the flute during the whole time of the voyage, and the rest, both women and men, sing and clap their hands; and when as they sail they come opposite to any city on the way they bring the boat to land, and some of the women continue to do as I have said, others cry aloud and jeer at the women in that city, some dance, and some stand up and pull up their garments. This they do by every city along the river-bank; and when they come to Bubastis they hold festival celebrating great sacrifices, and more wine of grapes is consumed upon that festival than during the whole of the rest of the year. To this place (so say the natives) they come together year by year even to the number of seventy myriads of men and women, besides children.” (2)
Cannabis was a popular medicine in ancient Egypt. In 1992, Dr. Svetlana Balabanova, a toxicologist and endocrinologist at the Institute of Forensic Medicine located in Ulm Germany, discovered cannabis pollen on 3,000-year-old Egyptian mummies.
Findings of more research done on Egyptian mummies were published in 1994 by Parsche and Nerlich, and unveiled that the ancient Egyptians did in fact smoke cannabis. Tetrahydrocannabinol, a cannabinoid found in cannabis and responsible for it's psychoactive effects, was found in the lungs of an Egyptian mummy dating back to approximately 950 B.C.
This discovery proved that ancient Egyptians smoked cannabis as well as ingesting it internally.
The Eber Papyrus, an ancient Egyptian medical text as well as the oldest medical textbook found in history, describes a vast number of cannabis elixirs and cannabis infused medicines. These cannabis remedies were reported to relieve pain, inflammation and depression especially in women as well as a number of psychological issues in both men and women.
Some historians believe that the Priests and Priestesses of Bast may have consecrated cannabis in their religious ceremonies in order to commune with the Goddess Bast. While there is not a mountain of evidence to prove this theory, I personally feel cannabis use among the Bubastis cult members was more than likely during the festival of Bubastis.
Egyptologist Geraldine Pinch, citing Egyptian historian, Herodotus, revealed, "women were freed from all constraints during the annual festival at Bubastis. They celebrated the festival of the goddess by drinking, dancing, making music, and displaying their genitals" (3) The fact that women were lifting their skirts to expose their genitals shows that an important part of the Festival of Bubastis ritual was the freedom to express oneself without normal societal restraints.
Years ago I co-created a very large and beautiful women's ceremony honouring the Goddess Bast. In this ceremony we consecrated cannabis and at some point a number of the women began to spontaneously remove their clothing. This all happened very naturally and organically until pretty soon most of us were nude or at least partially unclad. I honestly feel we were tapping into the essence of these ancient ceremonies as it wasn't until much later that I discovered the traditional Bast ceremonies were extremely sensual and women were known to remove their garments.
According to Egyptian historian, Geraldine Pinch, Bast translates to "She of the Ointment Jar". Bast was associated with protective ointments and healing. The Egyptian hieroglyph for "Ointment jar" is often painted in the center of Bast's name in many Egyptian paintings.
Calcite alabaster ointment jar from the tomb of Tutankhamun (d. 1323 BC).Egyptian Museum, Cairo.
It is with great reverence for the Cat Goddess Bast that I have named this beautiful Cannabis Ointment Recipe after the Egyptian Goddess of Protection and the Bringer of Good Health, Bast. May this beautiful ointment bring you healing, good health and protection! Blessed be!
Bast Cannabis Ointment Benefits: This healing balm contains 3 powerful medicines which are beneficial for the skin and for soothing pain; Cannabis, Rosemary and Basil.
Topical Rosemary Benefits:
Analgesic,
Anti-bacterial,
Anti-fungal,
Anti-inflammatory,
Antimicrobial,
Antispasmodic,
Anti-oxidant,
Soothing,
Antiseptic,
Mood balancing,
Topical Basil Benefits:
Antimicrobial,
Antispasmodic,
Anti-inflammatory,
Antioxidant,
Analgesic,
Clarifying,
Balancing,
Cleansing,
Refreshing,
Soothing,
Stimulating,
Topical Cannabis Benefits:
Analgesic,
Antibacterial,
Anti-inflammatory,
Antioxidant,
Blissful,
Calming,
Nourishing,
Relaxing,
The properties of the Bast Cannabis Ointment are beneficial for the following conditions: Psoriasis, arthritis, boils, cellulitis, impetigo & folliculitis
This Topical Soothing Balm is also wonderful for: Localized pain management, soothing inflammation, uplifting the mood, calming the emotions, relaxing the body & muscles.
Bast Cannabis Ointment Recipe:
All Organic Ingredients:
1 cup Pure extra virgin cold pressed Olive Oil,
1 cup Pure extra virgin cold pressed Almond Oil,
14 to 21 grams of Cannabis Indica Flowers
1 cup Beeswax,
Sunflower Lecithin Oil,
13 drops of Vitamin E Oil, (I like to puncture vitamin E capsules and squeeze in the drops)
1 teaspoon Benzoin Oil (acts as a preservative),
Essential Oil of Rosemary,
Essential Oil of Basil,
Supplies:
Glass pyrex oven safe pan,
Aluminum Foil,
Wooden spoon,
Cotton Cheesecloth or silk cloth,
Mesh strainer,
Crockpot or slow cooker (with a keep warm setting),
Amber of Cobalt Blue Medicine Jars with Lids,
Mason Jar with lid,
Instructions:
Decarboxylate Cannabis Instructions:
Preheat oven to 225 Farenheit
Grind cannabis and place in glass oven safe pan, (spread evenly)
Cover with aluminum foil and seal around edges so it is completely covered,
place in oven on pizza stone if you have one but if not on the oven rack is fine,
bake 45 minutes
Remove from oven and allow to cool before taking aluminum off
Infused Oil Preparation Instructions:
1. Add olive oil, almond oil, sunflower lecithin oil and decarboxylated cannabis to a crockpot with a lid,
2. Heat on warm setting for 12 hours and stir every now and again,
3. Remove from heat and let cool,
4. Strain cannabis from oil by lining a large mesh strainer with cheesecloth or a piece of silk fabric and pouring mixture through it into a separate bowl. I like using disposable gloves and then wrapping the cannabis in the fabric or cheesecloth and squeezing the excess oil out into the bowl or a large mason jar,
Cannabis Ointment Instructions:
1. Add strained cannabis oil and beeswax to crockpot or slow cooker and heat on warm setting until the beeswax is melted. (Note: You may slice up your beeswax with a large sharpened cutting knife so that it is in small chunks making it easier for melting and measuring)
2.. Turn off heat and Add 13 drops vitamin E oil and one teaspoon of benzoin oil and stir well,
3. Add as much Rosemary and Basil essential oil as you wish and stir (Smell your ointment and see if you want to add more of either. Because there are so many different brands of essential oils available each one varies in terms of potency so it is best to experiment and create the desired fragrance you are fond of),
4. Spoon your ointment into your ointment jars as carefully and as quickly as possible before the ointment hardens. You will want to stir it often as you are transferring it into your jars.
5. Label your jars and store in the refrigerator to preserve the freshness.
You may now use your Bast Cannabis Ointment anytime you wish! It is a beautiful medicine to share with your friends and loved one's as well. Enjoy! Blessed be!
References:
1. Smith, William, ed. (1854–1857)."Bubastis".Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography. London: John Murray. Retrieved 2012-01-28.
2. "The History of Herodotus — Volume 1", By Herodotus
3. Mark, Joshua J. "Festivals in Ancient Egypt."Ancient History Encyclopedia. Ancient History Encyclopedia, 17 Mar 2017. Web. 20 Apr 2020.
Sources:
"A Versatile Plant: What Were the Many Uses of Cannabis in Ancient Egypt?" by Roberto Busco
"Bastet" by Joshua J. Mark from the Ancient History Encyclopedia
Parsche, F., Nerlich, A. Presence of drugs in different tissues of an egyptian mummy.Fresenius J Anal Chem 352,380–384 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00322236
"Leaving the Wild: The Unnatural History of Dogs, Cats, Cows, and Horses" by Gavin Ehringer
"Bastet", Encyclopedia Britannica, February 11, 2020, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Bastet