Lots more questions from me!

[Sobeq]

So I have lots more questions regarding Kemetic Orthodoxy, but I'd be interested in hearing non-KO opinions as well.

Firstly, what sort of daily things do you do besides senut? Are there any simple prayers one can say/do?

Is anyone here a college student or does anyone have advice for a college student? I'm going to be in a dorm with one room-mate, I'm not sure how she feels about other religions right now. I think she might be Hindu but I'm not sure. I want to set up a small altar (sans candles or incense, of course) in the dorm, but again, don't want to hurt roomie.

Oh, and I'm considering taking sort of a transitional Kemetic name... that wouldn't be offensive to anyone or anything, would it? I wouldn't think so, but I wouldn't know.

I have a zillion more questions but I can't think of them right now, I'll post them back in here when I can!

[OrionNeb87]

Besides senut I pray and talk to them all the time. I also offer up all my meals to them (at least when I can remember _inabox_ )

I'm a college student. I for the most part did not do senut while I was living on campus. The room was too cramped and purifing was hard to do in the showers. Plus we're not allowed to have candles or inscence. I had a small alter set up and I set it up in a way that one couldn't tell it was an alter. My roomie had already known about my beliefs so it wasn't a big deal but I can understand feeling cautious. I'd say give it a week or so before you set it up. Just to get a feeling for how your roomie might react.

[Sobeq]

How does one offer a meal? I usually just greet Them and invite Them to join me in plain words... how do you go about it?

[Duwayitheru]

I actually do not get to do Senut all that often. Travelling often and a lack of privacy in general makes it difficult. I often pray and meditate. I go for walks in the sunset, I star gaze, look at clouds, feel the wind, I lay in the warm sunlight, that sort of thing. All those activites are things I do to connect with the Names in my life.
My prayers are often spontanious, but I also use prayer beads (not really a KO practice, though a few of us use beads) and have a journal of prayers I like.

Setting up a shrine is not too difficult, even in a small space with a room mate. If someone asks, just say you're into ancient Egypt. Not really a lie, is it? :lol: When you know them better, you can tell them more if you wish. Or, you could do a temporary shrine. I use one in my travels. It is a Japanese basket my grandmother gave to me, which carries some natron, a statue of my Father, some jems to represent my Beloveds, a soapstone box filled with solid perfume, a sake glass for offerings, incense, candle, and matches. You could leave those last bits out, but it still works. Set up when you have time, take it down afterwards. In a dorm room, I find a nice alternative to incense is wax poutpouri tarts and an eclectric warmer. Or something similiar. A good way to offer something nice smelling, without worry of fire.

Hmm.. I don't see the harm in taking a Kemetic name? I had a Kemetic name I found on my own before being named in Kemetic Orthodoxy, I don't think anyone would mind such a thing. ;)

[Duwayitheru]

How does one offer a meal? I usually just greet Them and invite Them to join me in plain words... how do you go about it?

I'm pretty informal about this. I just say this is for You, have a little bit of silence, and then eat. Or, ask Them to join me and share with me while I eat. Sometimes I don't offer it really, but I will do a prayer of thanks. Just depends on my mood I guess.

[OrionNeb87]

How does one offer a meal? I usually just greet Them and invite Them to join me in plain words... how do you go about it?

I do the same, sometimes I'll hold my hands out over the food palms up and invite anyone who is interested to join in. :) There are some formal words you can say. Check out the Nisut's letters, she has one about a Kemetic Grace. http://kemet.org/letters/shomu0100.html

[OrionNeb87]

Hmm.. I don't see the harm in taking a Kemetic name? I had a Kemetic name I found on my own before being named in Kemetic Orthodoxy, I don't think anyone would mind such a thing. ;)

I did too :)

[Zephyrstorm]

:)

Other than Senut, I keep my eyes open for things that make me think of them - for example, yesterday there was a cloud that was shaped like Bast - very noble and gorgeous, just as the sun was starting to set as if She was watching it. Then today, I spotted a small obelisk in a store window. I'm hoping to buy it as an offering to Ra for Wep Ronpet. ^_^ but I haven't checked the pricetag yet.

I also give them parts of my dinner if I think they'll like it. I slip them chocolate all the time, and talk to them through the day. I give them silent prayers for emergency vehicles when they pass me too - especially ambulances. And when I see dead animals in the wild or on the road :( I usually ask Mom and Yinepu to guide them safely to their rest.

Re: college - just graduated, was the president of my local PSA - which your school might or might not have.
With your room-mate, get a sense of who she is first, and be subtle at first. Let her see that you're a good person before she finds out that you're not necessarily the religion that she expects. Not saying that you should lie, but privacy needs to be respected in any live-in environment.

Also, be creative - you can have a photo of a sunrise from someplace special - or just one that strikes you - instead of having a statue of Ra. :) Do a collage of images that make you feel comfortable talking to the Gods - they'll listen whether you're in shrine or not. Senut is just more personal and in depth.

[Sobeq]

Oh, if it's not to personal, what were your Kemetic names like, OrionNeb and Duwayitheru?

I do have lots of non-scary thing which I could set out as an altar.

I've been trying to remember that short prayer, but I always forget the last word! I'm so awful with last words. Alack!

Thanks everyone!

[OrionNeb87]

Mine was Neferahabut if I remember correctly. It means beautiful dancer.

[adrianne]

I just talk to Them, like one might talk to a friend. It sort of depends on the specific god, but I've found that the Ones I serve don't mind too much if I'm not formal. Hetherw in particular likes to be spoken to. When I speak to Her, I get a rush of warm, smiley feeling. It's awesome.

I am in the HoN but not a full-fledged convert, just a friend of the faith. I don't perform Senut, because it doesn't have any personal resonance with me. I am trying to write my own purification ritual, so I can have a weekly rite to perform that means something to me. For the time being, I just pray.

And no, I don't think there's anything wrong with taking a transitional Kemetic name. (I've never thought to call it that; it's a good term.) I've done so, and I haven't been smited (smitten? smote?) yet. :)

[Duwayitheru]

Oh, if it's not to personal, what were your Kemetic names like, OrionNeb and Duwayitheru?

Mine was Meketheru, which means something like protected by Heru.

[Of10Rot10]

Well it was a billion years ago when I went to college and nobody batted an eye if you had an altar set up in your dorm room. In fact you were thought of as "enlightened and hip" if you did. This all having to hide it thing is new and depressing to me, you shouldn't have to because nobody has the right to tell you what you can or can not believe.

Incense can be placed in a bowl and treated like potpourri, you don't have to burn it, remember the Egyptian were buried with unburned incense. Its the essence thats important not the smoke.

I like the prayer bead idea and you can make a set of bead from Frankincense tears. Just heat a needle strung with a good cotton thread and run it thought Frankincense pieces. Remember to charge it once you are done.

I'm loving the collage idea! Most people would just glance it and think 'Ah, you want to tavel to Egypt someday! This person has a goal.' Nobody has to know the real meaning unless you want them to.

I have a different take on a name. I have one and it's been my nickname since my college days for 25+ years. My favorite professor/advisor gave it to me; Often Rotten. Now if you listen to those two words you can hear an Egyptian ring to them since they both end in 'ten'. Is it "purely Eygptian"? Not really but it carries the spirit of the people as I have come to know them. When you study, which I hope you do, the Ancient Egyptian people you will soon discover they had a wild and wonderful sense of humor with a fondness for puns. Not all Egyptians were named after the Gods nor had names a mile long. A popular simple name for a girl was Meryt which means kitten. The important thing is picking one that makes your heart sing.

[argento_occhi]

I've been through several Kemetic names actually. I had:
SatSobekre (daughter of Sobek-Re)
MerytDjehuty (Beloved of Djehuty)
IbDjehuty (Djehuty's heart)
KhenmetAset (joined with Aset)
Neferkheru (beautiful voice)
Sashataakheru (secret voice -- also my pen name)
Oh, almost forgot Sebekemsai (Sebek protects me)

IbDjehuty was actually given to me in a dream, so whatever name I get on Thursday *squees* I'll probably still keep IbDjehuty, and of course Sashataakheru, my pen name.

Yeah. That's a lot of names, isn't it? I see no problem with taking Kemetic names. Whatever you're comfortable with. If it rings true to you, go for it. :)

Argent

[Sobeq]

I've been through several Kemetic names actually. I had:
SatSobekre (daughter of Sobek-Re)
MerytDjehuty (Beloved of Djehuty)
IbDjehuty (Djehuty's heart)
KhenmetAset (joined with Aset)
Neferkheru (beautiful voice)
Sashataakheru (secret voice -- also my pen name)
Oh, almost forgot Sebekemsai (Sebek protects me)

IbDjehuty was actually given to me in a dream, so whatever name I get on Thursday *squees* I'll probably still keep IbDjehuty, and of course Sashataakheru, my pen name.

Yeah. That's a lot of names, isn't it? I see no problem with taking Kemetic names. Whatever you're comfortable with. If it rings true to you, go for it. :)

Argent

Ooh, how exciting!

Thanks for all the info everyone. I would put incense in a bowl, but if we even have it in our dorm, it's confiscated and they will take action against me for breaking the fire safety rules. Bummer. Likewise, I can't even have candlewarmers or anything -- any thing electric or natural which causes heat or fire is absolutely out! So are those squid power splitters, and I really wanted one of those. Rats. I'm thinking of just having a small ceramic jar with scented oil in it, a small dish of water, a picture... and anything else that I can think of that wouldn't scare my roomie away hehe!

I will wait before I set it up, though, as sad as I will be. My altar is in my room now and I never realised until I had to think about leaving it exactly how attatched I had grown to it! I love to light my candles (I actually happen to have alot of candles... I'm not a pyro I swear...) and just chill out in front of it with a deity or two, pardon the colloquialism.

As for the name, I'm thinking of keeping it very generic, something like "lover of truth" or "truth is my light" -- I know there's a list of words for names on this board, but can anyone recommend a good online source for how to translate that? I've found a few but I don't think I'm entering the right terms into Google because I'm not coming up with much.

Of10Rot10: Firstly, I love your name. Secondly -- I know loads of people that think it's cool that I'm pagan/Kemetic, but I also know several people who would never speak to me again -- a few friends and at least two family members. Alas. Also, just because someone's cool with your faith doesn't mean they accept an altar. It might make them uneasy, the same way some people don't mind Tarot cards, but try to stay away from them. It's foreign and I don't want to make anybody uncomfortable.

I know I asked this question over on the HoN boards, but I'll ask it again here -- How were your interactions with your Parent Names before your RPD? I ask because I'm beginning to definitely feel a handful of Names very strongly coming through, and two more than others. I know Dual Parentage is possible, and I've had several dreams in which I discovered I was dually Parented but I can never remember Who it was! My logical assumption would be that it's the Two who are hanging around me right now.

Also, there's alot about ritual purification in KO -- what is the KO standpoint on a non-pure noob to the faith chatting with Names? Will they be standing like 10 feet away from me because I smell bad? I'm going to guess they have a sense of humour and are pretty lenient with such things.

That's all for now -- you're all awesome hehe, thanks so much for all your answers, sorry about all the questions but Curious is my middle name.

[kheretsenu]

Hotep!

As far as altars and roommates go, when I lived on campus, I had the most conservative Catholic roommate. I'm a little gothy, and I think I freaked her out from the beginning. But we talked, and as she got to know me she realised I wasn't evil, I just had an obsession with black lace...

Anyway, once I finally got interested in KO, she just wrote off my Yinepu statue as "oh she's being all cool with the funerary god." That's the interesting thing about being Kemetic; in some ways, it's easier to hide your altar/shrine than it is for, say, Wiccans. A lot of people know (or thing they know) what a pentacle means - but most people will just assume you have an interest in Ancient Egypt. Lucky for me, I've been a wanna-be Egyptologist since I was about six years old - I have a 17" tall Het-Hert statue in the living room, and not even my parents bat an eye.

[OrionNeb87]

Before my RPD Djehuty was always showing up in my chemlabs, during senut, randomly. :hehehehe: I pretty much knew he was going to be somewhere in my lineup. Set I had a very strong feeling was also a parent mostly because he took the time to wack me upside the head whenever I feel into the trap of self pity.

Ritual purification I find is just for well, ritual. You don't have to purify yourself everytime you want to talk to them. Some Names don't mind if you smell a little funky :lol:

[Duwayitheru]

Most college kids loved our electrec warmers when I worked for a candle store, I was not aware that some places didn't even allow these. :thumbsdow *Thinks* well, for scent you could also use fake flowers with different spray perfumes and such on them. (Or real flowers, if you can afford them, or have access to wild ones.) Scented oil is also a good idea as you were thinking.

Before my RPD I KNEW my Father would be, well, my Father. He has made it very clear for many years now just who He is and that He will always be a big part of my life.
I also thought that Nut would be my mother, but I was misunderstanding things. Shu and Ra I did not expect to see at all. Shu, looking back, I can see clearly through my life, I just did not really see how big a part He was playing. Ra, well, still a surprise. :)

Well, it really depends on the Name(s) and what you are doing. Some are more strict than others. For the most part though, in informal settings ritual purity is not needed. I have been known to roll in the grass, climb a tree, and just be naturey dirty and still be talking to Them. Sitting in a tent camping offeting my twinkies up to my Father. Then again, if I am lighting a candle for them, making a slightly more formal offering at home, I will want to be somewhat clean. Senut is the only thing I ever go all out ritually pure for.

[David19]

Thanks for starting this thread, as it's given me some ideas :).

Also, i have a question, do you think it's ok to start worshipping the Kemetic gods if you haven't started the Kemetic Orthodox class?

Hope you don't mind me jumping in :).

[Duwayitheru]

Also, i have a question, do you think it's ok to start worshipping the Kemetic gods if you haven't started the Kemetic Orthodox class?

Of course! Not all Kemetics are Kemetic Orthodox, and many of us who are KO worshiped the Names before joining the faith. :) We don't claim a monolopy on the Names, anyone who wishes is free to interact with them how they see fit.

[Zephyrstorm]

In my case, I wasn't aware of my Parents for a long time.
but I collected Bast's image none the less - had a suncatcher, a few cat statues, various other Bast related stuff in my house.
Dad's always been here too.

I just didn't know it. It took Sekhmet clocking me and helping me out with stuff in order for me to notice Kemet at all. heh.

And sure, lots of folks follow the Kemetic Gods without being KO. :) The Gods talk to whom They will, and the relationships that develop are unique in every instance.

[Sobeq]

So offering food, you can just... offer it, like... "If You want some of my cookie, You can have some,"? That's pleasant then!

I've started looking for simple things to put on my altar. I bought a small soapstone jar from a local shop -- it's sort of a charity thing too so I felt good about buying it as well.

So the name thing. I'm not sure how Egyptian language syntaxes, so I have words, but not grammar! I know Merytma'at would be "beloved of truth"... but I don't know how to switch it around to be "lover of truth". Or would Merytma'at be something else besides "beloved of truth"? And I can't even begin to figure out what "light" is because I don't have anything like a dictionary, and probably won't for a while. Argento_occhi, where did you find what you needed to come up with your names -- other than the ones you were given?

Ohhh I still have more questions -- like do the Names like soap, sometimes? That seems like a silly question... but it's me! :)

[Zephyrstorm]

I'm terrible with Egyptian syntax so I can't help you with the name thing.. but
I can say that a good smelling soap would probably be a pretty good offering for Bast or HetHert - :) They both like perfumes too.
Or Tayet perhaps would like soap, since she purifies things.

I'd never considered offering soaps... *ponders* will have to try that... woot, Bath and Body Works here I come. :lol:

[amunakht]

Do the school people not allow any religious oriented stuff in the dorms?

If they do but no candles or incense, build it without it. The Neteru will understand your sitiuation. If your roomate objects to it, stand up for your religion and set it up anyway. If she harms the altar take her to court for destruction of property. I don't think she will bother you if shes Hindu but if shes a Muslim you have a LOT LESS chance of her not being bothered by it.

You should also consider getting an apartment. Dorms are more expensive and with an apartment you wont have to deal with an annoying roommate

[OrionNeb87]

I never thought of offering soaps either but then again *looks at her RPD line up* would any of them like soap? :lol: I do have sun, moon, and star shaped soaps hmmm...

[Duwayitheru]

So offering food, you can just... offer it, like... "If You want some of my cookie, You can have some,"? That's pleasant then!
That's how I tend to do it, but I am pretty informal in that area. ;)

As for soap.. Hmm.. Many names like nice smelling things, so I think they may enjoy such an offering. Especially if it is like a shaped soap, as was said.


Or would Merytma'at be something else besides "beloved of truth"? And I can't even begin to figure out what "light" is because I don't have anything like a dictionary, and probably won't for a while.
I hope you don't mind if I link you to an HoN thread for this?
http://www.netjer.org/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=151364&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1
It just came up a while ago, and since I do not speak much Kemetic language myself I think it might help.

My old name, Meketheru, came from the name Meketaten. I just really liked the sound and meaning of it, so I adjusted it from Aten to Heru to make it more fitting for myself. That might be another thing to consiter when looking for names, look at historical names of kings, priests, and other such people for inspiration.

[argento_occhi]

Argento_occhi, where did you find what you needed to come up with your names -- other than the ones you were given?


I have Mark Collier's How To Read Egyptian Hieroglyphs, which helped me work out names and such. I basically chose what felt right. :) It's by no means extensive though, that book. I've had to go elsewhere to find words it doesn't have. Or ask someone else to help who knows more about it than I do. I know there's a thread round here with a whole bunch of Kemetic names in it. That might be useful. I'm no hieroglyph expert though. :)

Argent

[Sobeq]

Thanks for the information everyone. I'm currently going to sleep on it and see what happens, but after much misreading and misremembering of what I had actually picked an hour and a half ago, I think I might be going with Seshesma'at. I found those links at the bottom after staring at that list for an hour. Hooray for observation.

As for soap, well I guess any Name could enjoy soap if it was a smell They like...

Amunakht-- I don't think it will go so far as to go to court -- I'd take it up with the school first. They don't seem to have a problem with religious paraphernalia. After all, we are a pretty liberal college.

On another note, I'm sure you (collectively) have, but have you ever felt disconnected not just from your Parents but from all Names, all Netjer? What do you do to get back in touch?

Also, about the KO beginners' class, if you've taken/are taking it: Did you find that it answered alot of questions you had been thinking of? Was alot of information imparted or did it mostly deal with the application of things you knew?

Thanks again from the fountain of questions!

[amunakht]

Amunakht-- I don't think it will go so far as to go to court -- I'd take it up with the school first. They don't seem to have a problem with religious paraphernalia. After all, we are a pretty liberal college

Yeah, I was just thinking too extreme but thats only because I have a strong passion about protecting the beliefs of pagans (Not just kemetics but others too).

[NefertSatSekhmet]

Also, about the KO beginners' class, if you've taken/are taking it: Did you find that it answered alot of questions you had been thinking of? Was alot of information imparted or did it mostly deal with the application of things you knew?

Thanks again from the fountain of questions!

6 of one half a dozen of the other :hahugh:

Some things just clarified what I already knew or had been figuring out on my own, and other information was totally new, such as things to do specifically with KO methods.

I really do think it is worth it, after all, it is free and you are under no obligation to join or continue further afterwards if you decide its not for you.

[Duwayitheru]

Also, about the KO beginners' class, if you've taken/are taking it: Did you find that it answered alot of questions you had been thinking of? Was alot of information imparted or did it mostly deal with the application of things you knew?

In my case, it gave a lot of information on certian Kemetic topics which I did not know much about going into the class. Also of course it gave a good look at KO practices too. I didn't really go in with any questions or anything, just wanting to learn more about Kemet and this group. Which, I did. :) There were some things covered in the class which I did already know about Kemetic religion, since I had been practicing it for a while before, but there was a lot of new information, and as you say also parts where it was applying knowledge I already had of the religion to daily life now.

[Sobeq]

That brings up another question for those who are KO -- how long did you practice Kemetic religion before you came to the House of Netjer? How long did it take you to take the beginners' class? How long did you wait before you decided to go for you RPD and Shemsu vows?

I'm signed up for the beginners' class -- since you can take the class without converting, I want to learn as much about KO before I make any decisions about anything.

Also, when it comes to practicing other religions alongside Kemetic religion -- mostly for Kemetic Orthodox again -- how do you manage that?

[Duwayitheru]

That brings up another question for those who are KO -- how long did you practice Kemetic religion before you came to the House of Netjer? How long did it take you to take the beginners' class? How long did you wait before you decided to go for you RPD and Shemsu vows?
I was Kemetic on and off for about 8 years before joining?
I found the House about a year before taking the class, but it didn't strike my interest at the time. I found it again.. hmm.. last spring it must have been? Sent in my application, and took the summer class. As the class was ending I was about to begin my cross country move, or else I'd have gotten my RPD right away. So, I got it a few months later due to the move. The RPD was really the deciding factor for me.. depending on the results I'd either stay a divined remetj or become a Shemsu. I was very pleased with my RPD and the house in general by that time. I knew I'd found my path, and so decided to become a Shemsu right after my RPD. Waited a while for the naming and the actual vows, because the next naming ceremony was planned for the end of the month.


I'm signed up for the beginners' class -- since you can take the class without converting, I want to learn as much about KO before I make any decisions about anything.
That's really a good plan. If you don't like it (no path is for everyone) you can stay on as a friend of the faith (a remetj), or leave totally. Even as a remetj you can still be divined and not convert fully if you decide. That's something I liked about the House, there was not a lot of pressure about anything. (I'd had some bad experiances with groups before.. so..)


Also, when it comes to practicing other religions alongside Kemetic religion -- mostly for Kemetic Orthodox again -- how do you manage that?
It can be difficult for those who choose to do this. I guess it depends on the religion. Say if you were Kemetic and Wiccan, neither religion claims to be the only right way, so you could practice both seperately. With something like Christianity, it can be harder, as it claims to be the only true religion. You'd have to spend more time working that out for yourself.
After taking Shemsu vows, you promise to serve the Kemetic Gods first, but you are not forbidden from worshiping other Deities, or practicing another religion.

[OrionNeb87]

I was a kemetic pagan for about a year and a half before I found HON. I was 17 at the time so I decided not to apply for the beginners class until I turned 18. The summer of my 18th year was when I finally applied. I waited a few months after the class to get my RPD done. I needed to gather sufficient funds and I had just started my second semester in college so I felt I was too stressed out for it then.

As for practicing other religions as well as being Kemetic Orthodox I can't really help out on this. Right now KO is all I practice but who knows what the future has in store. I would imagine it would be difficult but definitely not impossible.

[Zephyrstorm]

I kind of fumbled around with integrating Sekhmet into my Witchcraft for about 7 years before giving in and taking the HON class and joining. It just never felt right, and I didn't know any Tamerans at the time.

These days, I practice the Witchcraft that I've practiced for over 15 years alongside my KO practices. This has meant, at times, keeping two altars, dividing my time between the practices, and occasionally celebrating two different holidays in one day.
Its been stressful occasionally, but I can't set aside the vows I've made to either set of Deities. Though I admit, it took me a while to find my equilibrium.

[TaysatWesir]

I've been through several Kemetic names actually. I had:
SatSobekre (daughter of Sobek-Re)
MerytDjehuty (Beloved of Djehuty)
IbDjehuty (Djehuty's heart)
KhenmetAset (joined with Aset)
Neferkheru (beautiful voice)
Sashataakheru (secret voice -- also my pen name)
Oh, almost forgot Sebekemsai (Sebek protects me)

IbDjehuty was actually given to me in a dream, so whatever name I get on Thursday *squees* I'll probably still keep IbDjehuty, and of course Sashataakheru, my pen name.

Yeah. That's a lot of names, isn't it? I see no problem with taking Kemetic names. Whatever you're comfortable with. If it rings true to you, go for it. :)

Argent
I had many names too before this one.

MerytNeferBast
NeferMerytBast (my all time fav)
MerytMaahes
MerytMaihes
MerytMut

[TaysatWesir]

I have no space or privacy in my room to place an alatar. :( I've been thinking about making a travel shrine box from wood. I tried making it with a cardboard box but it didn't look to nice.

[TaysatWesir]

Also, about the KO beginners' class, if you've taken/are taking it: Did you find that it answered alot of questions you had been thinking of? Was alot of information imparted or did it mostly deal with the application of things you knew?

I'm taking the beginner's class, it answered alot of my questions. I learned new wonderful things with some stuff I knew before joining. :)

[Duwayitheru]

I have no space or privacy in my room to place an alatar. :( I've been thinking about making a travel shrine box from wood. I tried making it with a cardboard box but it didn't look to nice.

I find that a small picknic basket or something similiar is very nice to use. It takes up little space. Depending on the type you can set up on top of the closed basket, and it is course easy to carry when travelling. :)

[Sobeq]

Thanks so much everyone! The only other questions I have really are personal, and I don't want to ask personal questions in public. If there's anyone on here who wouldn't mind answering personal questions about your experiences with Netjer, or your journey to Kemetic Orthodoxy, please PM me! Both KO and non KO -- I have questions that are applicable to both.

Thanks everyone again!

[OrionNeb87]

Thanks so much everyone! The only other questions I have really are personal, and I don't want to ask personal questions in public. If there's anyone on here who wouldn't mind answering personal questions about your experiences with Netjer, or your journey to Kemetic Orthodoxy, please PM me! Both KO and non KO -- I have questions that are applicable to both.

Thanks everyone again!

Feel free to PM me any time. I'll try my best to answer any questions you may have even though I supposed to be taking a break from Mystic Wicks _inabox_

[Romani Vixen]

I know that this is an old thread, and Sobeq certainly knows the answers to her questions at this point, but there were a couple of her original questions which I didn't quite see answered. Of course, if you are new to, or just looking into, Kemetic Orthodoxy, you are more than welcome to ask on the House forums, or to ask your beginners class instructor (if you are in the class). Specifically I'd like to address the fire concerns. These have been asked before. Ultimately, you can get creative!

For a lamp, instead of a candle, you can use something like an electronic tea light. The kind some restaurants will have at tables. Many craft stores will carry them. They're not expensive and are battery operated. If I were to use one, I would find a pretty tea light holder to put it in. You can certainly do an internet search for "battery operated candle" and find a lot of them to choose from. If you find one of the pillar types, you could even get creative and paint an ankh or some such on it!

For incense, you can certainly use something which doesn't have flame. I would go with a very small dish with a few drops of essential or perfume oil. While this won't "give off" sent as well as if it were heated, I think it would certainly be acceptable. There are some people who have sensitivities to strong scents. I honestly don't recall what they in partcular use, but I suspect that they may be of service in that realm.

[helmsinepu]

You could consider the electric tealight as being stored sunlight, offering the flame of the sun, because any of the electrical energy that went into charging the battery ultimately came from the sun (except for nuclear, of course.)There are electric oil warmers for people who live in dorms or other places that forbid flames. A traditional incense that meets Kemetic purity requirements are the Nippon Kodo "Morningstar" sticks. They are pure incense (no poo or urea) and they give off very little smoke. You can get a box of 50 sticks for around $3 US, so they're not terribly expensive. The amber is especially nice. The main thing is that if you are absolutely forbidden by dorm rules or the like, you should be able to find some sort of workaround, like the electric tealights. I get the feeling that the Netjer are pretty forgiving about things like that.