Ty says…
Another song for an Egyptian god – this one is Serqet, a scorpion goddess prayed to for protection against scorpion stings and healing from poison. She is beautiful and deadly, and ancient Egyptians acknowledged that quite readily. (They also tried to appeal to Her more compassionate healer-side by showing Her statues crowned with a pincer-less, stinger-less scorpion.)
Mythology notes: Her name is often translated as She Who Makes The Throat Breathe – its alternate translation is She Who Tightens The Throat, as Her namesake scorpion could kill even a healthy adult with a well-placed sting. Other lore (guarding the royal child – Horus the Younger or Heru-sa-Aset – and yes, She did sting Him) and Her sevenfold form is included and not made up by yours truly.
lyrics
“Come before Me in purity and whites.
Bring Me incense of a pleasing scent.
Give Me your offerings of bread and cool water.
Kneel at My stone feet and pray.
And see if I hear you.”
I will stand before you in My temple.
I will listen, arms outstretched, to what you say.
I am golden and warm, like morning sunlight.
You are safe in the house that you built for Me.
But meet Me outside, in My desert,
and do not think you are safe.
I am fleet and fickle, harsh as sand,
and I will strike you down if I choose.
For I am Serqet, scorpion goddess,
and I am poison just as I am protection.
I am Serqet, scorpion goddess,
She who makes the throat breathe
for the last time.
Within these walls, I am mercy.
My priests wash My face and tend My fires.
I am the lady of the beautiful tent,
but don’t forget that tent is for embalming.
I am sevenfold deadly, here in the bright sunlight;
seven tails, seven points for seven poisons.
I guard the royal child, but he is not free,
when he irks me, even he shall feel my sting.
For I am Serqet, scorpion goddess,
and I am poison just as I am protection.
I am Serqet, scorpion goddess,
She who makes the throat breathe
for the last time.
When it’s time for your soul to travel West
and join your ancestors in Wesir’s land,
I will guard the jar that holds your coiled guts
as your body is immortalized in its tomb.
And when you sail with Ra on his night-barque
and descend into the darkness of the dead world,
it is I who will guard you from the jaws
of the chaos-serpent, the nameless one.
For I am Serqet, scorpion goddess,
and I am poison just as I am protection.
I am Serqet, scorpion goddess,
She who makes the throat breathe
She who makes the throat breathe
She who makes the throat breathe
for the last time.