Sekhet (also spelled Sekhmet or Sakhmet) is the lion-headed goddess of war, destruction, and healing in ancient Egyptian religion. Her name derives from the Egyptian sekhem, meaning "power" or "might," and she is often depicted as a lioness or a woman with the head of a lioness, wearing the solar disk and uraeus. As a solar deity, she is the daughter of the sun god Ra and serves as his avenger, unleashing plagues and pestilence upon his enemies. Yet she is also a goddess of medicine and protection, whose priests were skilled physicians, and she is invoked to ward off disease and evil.

Position on the Tree of Life

Sekhet corresponds to Path 24, the twenty-fourth path on the Tree of Life, which connects Chesed (Mercy) to Netzach (Victory). This path is associated with the Hebrew letter Nun (fish) and the astrological sign of Scorpio. The path represents the transformative, often destructive power of water—the flood that cleanses and the deep that conceals—aligning with Sekhet's dual nature as both destroyer and healer.

Astrological and planetary correspondence

Path 24 is governed by Scorpio, a water sign ruled by Mars (and traditionally by Pluto). Scorpio's themes of death, rebirth, and hidden power resonate with Sekhet's role as a goddess who brings both destruction and regeneration. The belly and back, as the physical seat of the solar plexus and the spine, correspond to the core of vitality and instinctual power, which Sekhet embodies in her fierce, protective aspect.

Historical context

Sekhet was one of the most prominent deities in the Egyptian pantheon, particularly during the Middle and New Kingdoms. Her cult center was at Memphis, where she was worshipped alongside her consort Ptah and their son Nefertem. She was also closely associated with the pharaoh, whom she protected in battle and whose enemies she destroyed. In the Pyramid Texts, she is described as the "Lady of Slaughter" and the "Mistress of Dread." Her festival, the "Festival of Drunkenness," was celebrated to appease her wrath, as recounted in the myth of the Destruction of Mankind, where Ra sends Sekhet to punish humanity for their rebellion. Her priests were renowned for their medical knowledge, and she was invoked in healing rituals and amulets.

In Liber 777, Sekhet is assigned to the belly and back, the central region of the body that houses the vital organs and the spine. This placement reflects her role as the source of both physical power and vulnerability, the core of life that she both protects and threatens. The belly and back are also associated with the solar plexus chakra in esoteric anatomy, linking Sekhet to the fire of will and the transformative power of the sun.