Aset is an ancient Name of Netjer whose worship goes back at least to the time of the pyramids more than 4500 years ago. Her Name means "throne" and this symbol appears in the hieroglyphs of Her Name:
Aset is the power that makes kings, the wife and sister of Wesir, and the daughter of Nut and Geb. She is also the mother of Heru-sa-Aset ("Heru, son of Aset"). She raises and protects Him so that He can become King. She also tricks Ra into revealing His secret Name, which lets Aset learn the mysteries of the universe. She passes on this knowledge to Her son Heru-sa-Aset.
She is a great magician, often called "Mistress of Magic," and "Great One of Heka." She can change shape and is often shown in different forms. She can appear as a woman with a throne on Her head. Other times She takes the shape of a bird or a winged woman. In later periods of Kemetic history Aset was combined with Het-Hert and took over many of Het-Hert's roles. At this time, Aset began appearing with the horns-and-disk headdress of Het-hert.
[pictures of Aset in Her different forms]
As Sopdet, the Kemetic name for the star Sirius, Aset is associated with the Inundation of the Nile. The appearance of this star every July in the dawn sky announces the beginning of the annual flood, which brings rich and fertile soil to the fields.
Aset is also connected with preserving life. During the birth of a child, She stands in front of the mother, ready to catch the baby as it is born. Aset's sister, Nebt-Het, also stands nearby, but She is ready to take the mother if she dies.
One of Aset's primary centers of worship was at Per-Hebitet ("Domain of the Festival Goddess"), or Behbeit el-Hagara. She also had a beautiful temple complex on the island of Philae.
Here is a prayer for Aset written by Her priest, Kai-Imakhu Inibmutes:
O Mother, protect me
As you protect Your son.
I love You,
Because You give to me Your beauty
And Your strength.
Remember me,
And I will remember You.
Aset is strong and demanding, and She expects a lot from Her children. She is direct and honest, but also patient and kind. She was loved and revered throughout ancient times, and She is still worshipped all over the world today.
Test your knowledge!
[click on question to see answer]
1. What does Aset's Name mean?.
2. Name three ways that Aset can appear in pictures.
3. Who is Aset's son?.
More information on Aset: Aset: The Egyptian Isis
The House of Aset
