Sekhmet Tarot Spread - Connecting with the dark Egyptian Goddess Sekhmet
Last Updated: November 6, 2022
Sekhmet is the dark goddess of ancient Egypt, and she is connected with many powerful aspects of life such as death, destruction, tranformation, and rebirth. She is a deity who can help us unlock our deepest fears and desires, work with our difficult emotions and situations, and can offer us great insight into our lives. She governs many things, including anger, passion, and violence. Sekhmet is a dark goddess who can help us to unlock our inner power and strength, and assist us in aiding our inner power with compassion.
In this spread, we will be exploring who Sekhmet is for us, what she holds sway over in our lives, and why it might be beneficial to connect with her. We will also explore some ideas for how to connect with her energy, including a special oil blend that you can use and some correspondences for special days or moon phases. Finally, we will end with a mocktail or cocktail recipe to help you connect with Sekhmet over the cards.
Who is Sekhmet?
When we talk about war goddesses, Sekhmet is not one of the first you usually think of. An evolution of Hathor, Sekhmet came to be known as the “lioness who mauls”. She was a protector of Ma’at (the Egyptian concept of truth, justice, and balance), and often times represented the violent Eye of Ra. As such, Sekhmet became associated with healing, protection, justice and vengeance.
Sekhmet’s name means “powerful one” or “she who is strong”. And she was known to be a very powerful deity. In fact, she was so powerful that the Egyptians were afraid of her. They saw her as the goddess of destruction, and so they built temples and statues in her honor to placate her. In her rage at the injustice of mankind, she nearly destroyed humanity – it took for the gods and humans to get her drunk to placate her, to transform her back to the nurturing Hathor.
Her origins are as such: Ra was the Egyptian sun god, and he grew angry with humanity because they were not worshipping him. He sent his eye – in the form of Sekhmet – to punish them. But when she began to destroy everything in her path, even the gods became afraid. She was so filled with rage that she almost destroyed humanity. But then she was transformed back into Hathor, the goddess of love, sensuality, joy and beauty.
Sekhmet is therefore a goddess of transformation. She can take us from destruction and anger, and bring us back to love and beauty. In her rage, she is the destroyer. In her love, she is the nurturer. And in her power, she is the transformer.
Sekhmet is often depicted as a lioness or a woman with the head of a lioness. She is usually shown wearing a red dress, which represents her connection to the sun. As the Eye of Ra, Sekhmet is also associated with the color gold.
Why Connect with Sekhmet?
I feel that Sekhmet (like many other goddesses) remains part of Hathor. Hathor is a mother goddess, and if you’ve ever had deep maternal complications, childhood neglect or even struggled with child birth trauma, it’s easy to see how you can move from a Hathor phase into Sekhmet as an individual.
If you have ever felt the rage of your loved one’s injustices, if you have ever felt the anger from a situation in which you could not do anything – you have felt Sekhmet. If you have ever had the urge to destroy something because of the pain it has caused you, if you have ever wanted to lash out and hurt someone who has hurt you – you have felt Sekhmet.
Sekhmet is a goddess who can help us to understand and work with our anger, our rage, our destruction. She can help us to see the power that lies within us, and how we can use it for good. We can learn from her how to transform our beliefs that negative emotions need to be positive ones, how to take our pain and turn it into strength.
When we connect with Sekhmet, we are opening ourselves up to her power. We are asking for her assistance in our lives. We are working with her to understand our anger, our rage, and our destruction. And in return, she can help us to find our strength, our power, and our transformation.
Sekhmet is a powerful ally, and one that I think we can all benefit from connecting with – especially if you are someone who struggles with anger or rage.
There are many ways that you can connect with Sekhmet. Here are some suggestions:
- Read books or articles about her
- Watch videos about her
- Write about her
- Make art about her
- Create an altar for her
- Pray to her
- Meditate on her
- Work with strength, weights and core exercise
- Create and use Sekhmet affirmations
- Burn Sekhmet incense or candles
- Drink red wine, beer or juice in honor of her
- Wear red clothing in honor of her
IMPORTANT
Do not replace navigating significant emotions with alcohol, drugs or other addictive crutches. When in moments of distress and rage, bring yourself back to yourself. Ways to go through this include using saunas, going for a massage, trying aromatherapy, getting to the gym or a dance class, listening to music that soothes you, and verbalising your emotions. If you find yourself deeply unhappy with how you work through this space, I highly recommend speaking with a medical professional who can navigate counselling with you.
Sekhmet Asteroid Astrology
There are many ways to connect with this powerful goddess. One way is to find her in your birth natal chart, and see what is happening in current transits.
The asteroid Sekhmet (5381) was discovered on May 14th, 1991 by Carolyn Shoemaker.
Sekhmet asteroid astrology can be used to understand our rage, anger and destructive impulses. It can help us to see where we need to transform our beliefs about these emotions, and how we can use them for good.
When Sekhmet is strong in our chart, we may find ourselves struggling with anger or rage. We may feel like we are always ready to lash out and hurt someone, or we get described as aggressive or “too assertive”. But if we harness the power of Sekhmet, we can use it to find our strength, our power and our transformation.
It’s encouraging to compare your natal chart placement vs a current asteroid transit, which may highlight challenges and opportunities for growth. An example would be if your Sekhmet (5381) in your natal placement was within the 2nd house, and in transit was currently going through Sagittarius.
You’d find your authoritative power across ethics, morals and values really prominent themes for you as it moves through this transit – encouraging a great time to look deeper into philosophy, politics and education that work best for you to ensure more stability and groundedness in your approach to these themes as a resource, and potentially in your main job.
With this in mind, have a look at where Sekhmet is in your chart after your reading, to see if it brings any further wisdom. You do not need to change, there’s just additional inspiration for new approaches in how you go about things.
Sekhmet's Correspondences
Sekhmet was associated with the sun, she was also associated with heat, fire, and drought. In times of pestilence or plague, it was said that Sekhmet’s anger had been unleashed. But she was also seen as a healer, and so priests would invoke her name when performing healings.
Other correspondences include:
- Lions
- Cows (her connection to Hathor)
- Red, Black and Gold
- Blood
- Assertiveness
- The Animus
- Dominant sexlife
- Medicines
- Pomegranates
- Beer
- Fire Agate, Carnelian, Libyan Desert Glass and Sunstone crystals
Days you can work with Sekhmet include July 29th to August 11th, October 30th – November 7th. Not only this, but there is also the Lion’s Gate Portal; a time when Sekhmet’s energy is especially potent. This occurs around August 8th each year, and is a powerful time for working with Sekhmet’s energy. As she is a solar goddess too, I would advocate any solstice or equinox too.
Sekhmet Divination Oil
A divination oil is a great way to connect with Sekhmet and attune yourself to her energies. Anointing yourself with red oil in honour of Sekhmet is easy to do, from body paint to make up to food dye in homemade body lotions, although as a divination witch I will always suggest divination oils. You can use them to anoint yourself, your decks, your candle, your spellwork, or whatever feels right to you. It can help you connect with them when you are working with your insecurities when you need to empower yourself and help you step into owning confident transformative energy. To make a Sekhmet divination oil, you will need:
- 3 drops Lion’s Mane Mushroom tincture
- 2 drops Lavender essential oil
- 2 drops Red Thyme essential oil
- 2 drops Hops essential oil
- 20ml Jojoba carrier oil base
Mix together in a clean, sanitised space and store out of direct sunlight – always consult a medical professional before using essential oils.
Sekhmet-themed drink: "Roaring Strength"
With potions, elixirs and brews we find a way to connect with the elements and our magick. The heat of the cup, the scent of the ingredients, the flavour and of course the liquid itself that nourishes us. This “Roaring Strength” can be drunk before connecting with Sekhmet, or before you engage in activities that reflect her qualities as an offering; put this together at a time where you want to evoke Sekhmet energy and seek guidance with her themes. You will need;
- 330ml Beer (or Non-alcoholic Beer)
- 10 drops of Pomegranate Juice, or iron rich Strawberries
- 12ml Ginger Brandy (or fresh Ginger juice)
- 1 drop of St John’s Wort extract or garnished with St John’s Wort flowers
Light some incense such as clove, or burn an intention candle specifically for Sekhmet, to cleanse your space and to start your work with them. Sit, sip, scry if you like, and contemplate your thoughts. This drink is perfect with the tarot spread below.
Sekhmet tarot spread layout & questions to ask
This tarot spread can help you when you need support with ethical, moral and value-based decisions in your life. It can also help you when you need to understand what is going on beneath the surface – the shadows that may be lurking. To begin, shuffle your tarot deck and draw a card for each position in the tarot spread as shown in the below layout.
Place a Sekhmet card in the centre
(Strength/The Tower/The Queen of Wands) Sekhmet is aligned with these cards due to the destructive, cycle ending, and new foundations that Sekhmet provides. Not only this, but the elements from Strength including courage, endurance and willpower also speak to Sekhmet. If you want to know more about the card associations, please check the Deity Association page
Finally, take some time to reflect on the questions that each card position represents and what message the tarot cards in that position might be trying to tell you. If you’re just starting to learn tarot, or if you’re still getting to know your deck, you may find my in-depth articles on the meanings of every tarot card helpful.
Tarot card #1: Where to avoid emotionally losing control in my life?
This placement represents what you need to be aware of in your life, in order to avoid losing control. Emotions can get the best of us, and it’s normal to lose control, but hopefully with harm to none. The tarot may provide guidance such as Knight of Wands: don’t rush into action without thinking things through first. Or it may be a supportive tool, such as Two of Pentacles: learn to juggle your responsibilities so you don’t become overwhelmed.
Tarot card #2: How to keep my strength up during times of transformation?
This card will show you tips and tricks to maintain your energy and keep your strength up during tumultuous times, such as The Empress: focus on your self-care routine, or Six of Swords: take time out to recover and heal before moving forward. Knowing your own strength will help you get through anything!
Tarot card #3: How to keep my appetites and passions from becoming overwhelming or into excess?
Sekhmet has shown us what may happen if we overstep into excess – we lose ourselves, and become something else. Whilst following your passion and focusing on all that brings you joy isn’t something to immediately stamped out, overwhelm make kick in and make it “not fun” anymore. Through the cards we will find advice for this, such as The Magician: use your resources wisely, or The Hanged Man: take a step back and look at the situation from a different perspective.
Tarot card #4: Sign to show Sekhmet is here showing me strength, keeping me motivated and as a support
This is a direct nod to show you that this energy, whether as a deity form or astrologically, they are showing up for you in that moment that you need them. This is a very literal card, depicting specific imagery or definition from the card itself. This may be like the Page of Cups: an innocent childlike energy that is eager and enthusiastic, or The Tower: a massive upheaval that completely changes your perspective.
The additional two cards are not necessary if you're short on time, but either side of two and four can be for:
Optional card #5: What needs to be nurtured from my past
Sekhmet is known for her ability to destroy, but also for her ability to create and heal. It’s important that we use our power to help others, and before she was Sekhmet she was Hathor. This card shows us what in our past life needs to still be a part of our modern day, and what needs some nourishment to grow. This may show up like the 4 of Pentacles: security and stability, or The Star: hope, wishes and hard worked for possibilities.
Optional card #6: How to maintain authority in my own life in the future
Sekhmet is known for her rage, and it is a powerful emotion. It can be difficult to control, but it is important to find a way to use it in a positive light. This card shows us how we can maintain our power and authority in our own lives, without letting the darker aspects of Sekhmet take over. Some suggested cards for this position are The Chariot: focus on your goals, take inventory on your successes and don’t get distracted.
Try this 4-card Sekhmet tarot reading below
What to do after this Sekhmet tarot reading
After you’ve finished a tarot reading, there are a few things you can do in order to reflect on the experience and integrate the insights you gained. Here are some suggestions:
Use a tarot journal to record your findings
Jotting down your thoughts in a tarot journal after reading can be helpful in a few ways. First, it can help you remember the details of your reading later on, such as how you felt at the moment and perhaps your first impressions of what a card meant. Second, it can provide a space for you to process the information you’ve received and explore what it means for you. Third, it can be a way to keep track of your progress over time as you revisit your journal entries and reflect on your journey.
Take a picture of the cards
If you want to remember the position of the cards and what they meant in relation to your questions, take a picture of the spread. This will help you look back on the reading later and review the insights you received. Sometimes, clarity is better acquired after you’ve stepped back from the situation for a little while and had some time to process it.
Some people create Instagram accounts or Pinterest accounts specifically for this, and if you use any of our spreads please tag us @backyardbanshee if you feel comfortable!
Take some time to meditate and reflect
Immediately after a tarot reading, it’s important to take some time to sit with the insights you’ve received. This can be done through proper meditation, visualisation, or simply taking some time to reflect on the reading. It can be helpful to think about what the messages from the cards mean for your life and how you can apply the advice that was given to you. That time can also be used to replenish your energy level and cleanse your tarot deck.
Get a second opinion from a close friend
If you have close friends who also happen to be tarot practitioners, it can be helpful to get their take on your reading. They may be able to offer additional insights or perspectives that you hadn’t considered before. This is also a good way to get feedback on your own interpretation of the cards.
Ensure to ask permission before just blindly sending your cards across in a message and saying “what does this mean to you?” as your friends may not have the energy or have a boundary with this sort of thing – manners cost nothing, and this is especially to note if they are a professional tarot reader who normally gets paid to interpret readings.
Layer your reading with more divination
Why not try adding astrology dice or a pendulum reading to your tarot session? Your intuition will guide you on how to best use these tools, but they can be helpful in providing more clarity around the messages from your tarot reading. We have lots of methods for you to utilise here on the website.
Do the same reading a month later
This is a great way to check in on your progress and see how far you’ve come. It can also be helpful in understanding the cyclical nature of our lives and how our current situation is likely to change over time. This can be especially useful if you’re struggling with a decision or trying to figure out which path to take as to offer suggestions, provide perspective and encourage your confidence to move forward.
At the end of the day, tarot readings are meant to be a helpful tool, not a replacement for your own intuition. The best way to use tarot is to combine the insights you receive with your own understanding of the situation. Trust your gut and follow your heart—the answers you’re looking for will come.
It is my hope that these tarot spreads on my website help you with clarity and articulate whatever is going on. Let me know what you think of this tarot spread in the comments below and if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me. Until next time xox
I have been passionate about reading divination for more than 15 years. This gives me a unique perspective when it comes to creating fun, supportive and creative tarot spreads. I hope they help you find the clarity and insight you are looking for.
More tarot spreads for you to try ✨
This page is part of our collection of free tarot spread layouts. If you enjoyed the read, then you’ll love the following articles.
In this article, I’ll share different tarot cards that are often associated with various deities from throughout mythology.
