Wep Renpet

[Harmony Aurore]

So, because i'm new to this... i was wondering what are the themes are for Wep Renpet. What do you do to celebrate. What is the myth behind it. What is this holiday? How DID people celebrate?

and all that jazz...


and side note: to those in the beginner's class, did it start yet? I was told that the deadline to respond to the acceptance was last friday, and that class would start right after... and I haven't gotten an email since, even though i responded. Maybe I'm just too eager


Kat

[Zephyrstorm]

My sister Temwa has a wonderful thing on Wep Ronpet:
Temwa's Article (http://kemet.misguidedangel.nu/about/celebrations_wepronpet.html)

Basically, It's the Kemetic New Year, which traditionally heralded the Nile flood and was scheduled with the rising of the star Sopdet (which we know as Sirius) over the Palace of the Pharaoh.

As a New Beginning, it is also a rebirth of the Universe. Everything is renewed. apep (apophis) is slain, and Zep Tepi (the first time) re-occurs. The Gods are reborn, and the sons and daughters of Geb and Nut have their birthdays.

Think sunrises, blooms, water, birthday stuff.
It's traditional in the House to do something that is based on the slaying of Apep - creating a drawing of him and cutting it up - baking a cake and slicing it, etc. This is Heka to banish isfet from the world. isfet = uncreation

It's a good time to renew almost anything you'd like. ;)
Z

[TaysatWesir]

Cool link going to try this in August it will be my first Wep Ronpet.

[Ishtara]

i was wondering what are the themes are for Wep Renpet. What do you do to celebrate. What is the myth behind it. What is this holiday? How DID people celebrate?


Zephyrstorm already gave you a great answer as to what Wep Renpet is and the myth behind it.

From a historical point of view, I know that Wep Renpet, which is probably the oldest known Egyptian festival, began with the rising of Sopdet (Sirius) seen as Aset cloaked in light. The whole festival had a strong association with Aset and Wesir due to the renewal and rebirth theme running through Their myths.

The temples at Dendera, Philae and Karnak would open their doors before dawn so that the starlight of Sopdet could reach the cult statues of Aset.
At Dendera, a procession would take the cult statues to the temple roof so that they could bask in the light of Ra.
In every temple, wicks would be lit for the temple fires, symbolising light and the eternal life of the soul/spirit.

Wep Renpet is closely associated with Zep Tepi, the "First Time" right after Creation - or re-Creation as the Egyptians saw creation as a cycle that would repeat itself. There were reenactments of the myths of how Creation arose or re-arose from the Great Flood and how Wesir overcame death.

At least in the predynastic period and Old Kingdom, Wep Renpet also was the symbolic birthday of the King. The King would ritually hoe the ground to prepare it for the sowing of seeds.

On a more individual level, people would tend to their ancestor's tombs and perform rites to ensure their eternal life.

As for me, I am taking Wep Renpet off from work and I have planned a party at the beach with my friends. On the morning of Wep Renpet, I will set my alarm clock before dawn, put my icons and some candles on my balcony and watch the sun rise.
Then I will think about new beginnings, the new projects I want to undertake in the New Year. I will set goals for myself and perform a ritual to help those things manifest in my life.
Then I will give offerings, put my icons back in Their shrine and get ready to go to the beach! :D
My friends all know about my beliefs but they are not Pagan. As I do not want to force my beliefs on them, I will not do anything religious at the beach party, but I simply cannot imagine the New Year and my new beginnings without my friends :)

[Zephyrstorm]

As for me, this years Wep Ronpet is going to involve a big dinner - still planning what to fix, and candles and the like. I'm going to do my best to see the sunrise the first day.
Then during the midst of it all, I have my first (official) wedding anniversary with the hubby - so we're planning romance. :)

In an ideal world, Ronpet would be spent at a resort with my beloved... massages, meditation, a break from the world so that we can feel renewed. And the statues would be bathed in morning light.

Having Lammas and Wep Ronpet coincide makes planning both easier and harder. heh

[Ishtara]

Congratulations in advance on your first anniversary, Zephyrstorm!
And yay for romance, be it planned or not :)

[Senushemi]

Great link, Zypherstorm! Temwa did a great job. I need to print that out...

[Zephyrstorm]

thanks Ishtara :D Romance is pretty common around here - he's good with that. :)

and not a problem Shemi. ;)

[Harmony Aurore]

Sadly, I'm going to be working. But my friends have decided to celebrate with me after work. We've decided to create a huge feast. It'll be good.