In earlier posts, ancient Egyptian New Year, Sirius’s heliacal rising, and the intercalary days were discussed. An article published in August 2020 examines the history of Sirius’s heliacal rising. Another article published at the same time provides a script for a Sirius heliacal rising ritual. The Sirius ritual is influenced by traditional ancient Egyptian religion. In recent days, an article about the intercalary days was published. All three articles are linked to ancient Egyptian religion, history, and culture. Though the articles focus on the major transitional point of the Opening of the Year, the ritual and accompanying articles fail to mention the festival of Wep Ronpet, or the Ancient Egyptian New Year. Most likely, a person who observes the five intercalary days and Sirius’s heliacal rising would also be interested in doing something for Wep Ronpet. As a result, this article will discuss some of the history of Wep Ronpet, how it was celebrated, and some potential ways to celebrate it in one’s daily life.
Wep Ronpet was a festival that was celebrated in various ways. Kemetic practitioner and author Sharon LaBorde mentions both apotropaic rituals and a variety of other official and temple rituals that took place at the time. She cites the lighting of special torches in temples and the placing of nemset jars on altars. The torches were burned to keep evil away. At the same time, rituals for Sakhmet were continued. The Egyptian state destroyed effigies of enemies and Apophis. There were also rites that kings performed that were connected to Ra, and the society as a whole also focused on Osiris. One ritual connected to Osiris was to take ink and throw it in the water of the flooding Nile. In addition to many examples of communal worship, there were feasts and drinking parties that were held as well. Egyptian history covers a long span and the Opening of the Year was observed in a variety of ways depending on the social class, locale, and era. 1
The traditional observances and celebrations of Wep Ronpet can be adapted to a syncretistic approach. In addition to Kemetics, who likely already worship, celebrate, and observe versions of Wep Ronpet in a semi-traditional manner, some astrological magicians and others working in the Hellenistic spiritual milieu might include the intercalary days, a Sirius heliacal rising ritual, and a celebration of Wep Ronpet into their practices. For non-Kemetics, there are a number of paths to take when celebrating Wep Ronpet. I would suggest starting with a traditional path, While a lot of the evidence is fragmentary and there are numerous ways to observe the Opening of the Year, a good place to start would be to do actual Kemetic rituals. LaBorde’s book Circle of the Sun: Rites and Celebrations for Egyptian Pagans and Kemetics has excellent resources and ritual scripts for celebrating Wep Ronpet in a Kemetic way. As for reconstructing a person’s own Wep Ronpet observances, one has a lot of potential approaches. First, a few gods should be included in the rites, even if they are not to be the main focus. One necessary deity is the god Osiris. It might also be good to include Ra and Sekhmet. My feeling is that the Sekhmet portions of a ritual should be done separately, given their apotropaic nature. Next, celebration is an essential part of a new year’s festival. Practitioners can have their own small parties or go to real world parties or public places with a festive atmosphere to celebrate the new year. The celebration should include food and the drinking of beverages. Third, a person should contemplate the things typical of a new year like new beginnings and changes one would like to see. Fourth, a person can adapt historical elements like having a lit candle or lit torch safely burn for hours and throwing an ecologically safe substitute for ink in a local waterway for Osiris(It is believed this might have influenced modern Egyptians in their casting of flowers into the Nile River.). Last, a practitioner can make an oath to follow certain dietary restrictions or other types of restrictions for a period of time in honor of a deity or the festival itself. Therefore, there are many potential approaches to adapting the new year festival.
A ritual for Sirius’s heliacal rising doesn’t have to be a one-off, even for those practicing in a syncretistic manner. In addition to the epagomenal days, the actual new year festival of Wep Ronpet can be celebrated as well. Of course, modern people aren’t living in ancient Egypt and don’t have the benefit of having a conducive cultural environment for observing all of these calendric occasions. It is possible that one may want to follow all of these traditional days but doesn’t have the time or means to do so. Some people might want to do a small ritual for Wep Ronpet for a variety of reasons and environmental factors. Other syncretistic ritualists might feel the Sirius heliacal rising ritual is enough. There are many issues that will come up for one who wants to adapt it to a syncretistic practice while not becoming fully Kemetic.
Similar resources:
Notes
- LaBorde, Sharon, “Circle of the Sun: Rites and Celebrations for Egyptian Pagans and Kemetics,”( 2017), 347.
Bibliography
LaBorde, Sharon, “Circle of the Sun: Rites and Celebrations for Egyptian Pagans and Kemetics,” 2017.
Photo Credits
- Osiris on a detail of a frieze of a wall of a tomb for Princess Nefertari, Photo by mursal. Public domain.
- The Great Sphinx of Giza in Cairo, Egypt. Photo by Hamerani.
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David has studied traditional astrology since 2014. The Bay Area native completed Chris Brennan’s Introduction to Hellenistic Astrology course, and attended courses taught by Austin Coppock, Nina Gryphon, and Ryhan Butler. He is interested in exploring the less well known aspects of astrology, divination, and spirituality.