About the Weblog
Welcome in peace!
Gold of the Valley, Lapis of the River is the weblog of a longtime spiritual seeker — though nowadays, I think I’m finally becoming more of a finder. My tradition is Kemetic Orthodoxy; other influences on the journey have included Feri, Reclaiming, eclectic and neo-Wicca, Goddess Spirituality, and various threads of Taoism, Shinto, Buddhism, mystical Christianity, and Sufism, but at present I’m pretty firmly Kemetic. I’m a daughter of Bast and a Shemsut-Ankh and W’ab priest of the House of Netjer, on behalf of which I maintain a state shrine for my Mother, Nekhen Saut-sen Iryt Ra (”The Eye of Ra Watches over Them” Shrine). See the Glossary and FAQ for more information about the above terms. My religious name in Kemetic Orthodoxy is Shefytbast, although in various places I also go by Lapis. I’m an editor and writer, owned by cats, somewhat fluffy and easily distractible, and — ooh, shiny!
This blog is and will be a process rather than a closely defined thing, and especially this early in the game I’m not sure I can entirely tell you what it’s going to be about, but you can definitely expect to see writings on Kemetic religion and probably some other forms of spirituality as well, specifically as filtered through the particular, lived existence of a priest of Bast who worships and practices in a certain corner of New Jersey in the twenty-first century.
A disclaimer: This blog has no formal connection with the House of Netjer or the religion of Kemetic Orthodoxy, aside from the fact that I belong to one and practice the other. It’s not an official mouthpiece of the faith; nor should anything that’s posted here be construed as being the final word on KO’s beliefs, practices, or teachings. I know some stuff; I get some stuff wrong; I find out better answers and learn from my mistakes. It’s all a work in progress. If you really want to know what this religion is about, read their site and/or take their beginners course.
With that out of the way, I hope that you enjoy your time here. I do value readers’ comments and will try to respond to as many as possible, but often I don’t know what to say until days have gone by, if even then. In the absence of a reply, please assume that I’ve listened closely, smiled, and nodded.
Be well,
Shefyt