The Eye of Ra Calls the Shemsu
© 2015 Natalie Baan
Hail to the Eye of Ra
calling the Shemsu!
Swear to Her you will be true
in all You do. [repeat 2 more times]
Hail to the Eye of Ra
calling the Shemsu!
I swear that I will be true
in all I do!
Notes: Written on February 5, 2015, for the festival of The Eye of Ra Calls the Shemsu.
Lord of the Northern Sky
© 2013 Natalie Baan
Lord of the Northern Sky,
wearing the crown of winter,
far to the south Ra’s Eye
is walking the road in Her season,
bringing the summer,
bringing the sun’s light.
When will You cease Your raging,
soldier of many battles?
Where is the end of fighting
when everything has been forgotten
except for the struggle,
the thunder and iron.
Look, here She comes, the Mistress of Joy,
bringing You sweetness, bringing You love.
Look, here She comes, Her hands full of pleasure.
Taste Her milk, close Your eyes.
Lord of the Northern Sky
for whom the whole world trembles,
let go the snow and ice,
lay down Your mighty scepter.
Lord of the Northern Sky,
dream of a desert wind.
Lie down and sleep for a while
until the new day.
And when You waken,
a thousand flowers bloom.
Notes: Written in March 2013 for the Feast of Set, Lord of the Oasis. This is based on an entirely personal, modern myth in which Set as the Lord of Winter must step aside when the once-wrathful Eye of Ra returns to the land with the waxing sunlight of spring — but it takes a little convincing. (“Lord of the Northern Sky” is, however, a traditional epithet.)
Eye of Ra, Watch over Me
© 2011 Natalie Baan
Eye of Ra, watch over me,
splendid in protection.
Eye of Ra, watch over me,
radiant reflection.
Eye of Ra, watch over me,
light my way to safety.
Eye of Ra, watch over me,
May Your arms embrace me!
Neither storm nor darkness
in their wrath dismay me,
when I feel You by my side.
Shelter me, great Lady,
in the fortress of Your strength,
with Your claws like sabers.
Breathe Your courage into me;
I will fear no danger!
Eye of Ra, watch over me,
splendid in protection.
Eye of Ra, watch over me,
radiant reflection.
Eye of Ra, watch over me,
light my way to safety.
Eye of Ra, watch over me,
May Your arms embrace me!
Eye of Ra, watch over me,
May Your arms embrace me!
Notes: Written in May 2011.
O Eye of Ra
© 2011 Natalie Baan
O Eye of Ra
O Eye of Ra
Bright sun Nesret
Cobra Wadjet
You come in peace for us,
Beloved child of Ra!
You come in peace for us,
O blazing Eye of Ra!
Protect us from harm
as You protect Heru!
Defend us from harm
as You defend Heru!
O Eye of Ra
O Eye of Ra
Mistress of green
Royal nurse, great queen
May You nourish our souls
as You nourish the King!
You feed our souls with love
and all good and pure things.
At Ra’s command you bring
the wealth of field and tree,
the flood of the lake,
the wave of the sea.
O Eye of Ra
O Eye of Ra
Red crown Deshret
Holy Iaret
You go forth in the King,
The King goes forth in You.
You rear upon her brow.
and she is strong through You.
Effective in Your flame,
O Lady of the Sky,
We live because of You,
O light that will not die.
O Eye of Ra
O Eye of Ra
O You Who rise
Lovely and wise
Papyrus in Your hands,
You bless the coming year
Wadjet is pacified
and I will have no fear.
I do not eat my heart;
I dwell within ma’at.
I follow my heart;
I live by ma’at.
O Eye of Ra
O Eye of Ra
O come, Wadjet!
O come, Wadjet!
Notes: Written in December 2009. Nesret: “female flame.” Iaret: “She Who rises up,” from which derives our word “uraeus.” The flood of the lake, the wave of the sea:from prayer 79, “Prayer to Ra for Prosperity,” adapted from the Pyramid Texts by T. Siuda in The Ancient Egyptian Prayerbook.