Kenmet

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Kenmet as depicted on the ceiling of the Dendera Temple on the Dendera D Zodiac

Tepy-a Kenmet is the second decan of the main decanal stars of Egyptian astrology.

Name

Kenmet is found in all lists of the decans, a rare distinction shared by few other decans. Even when it is not presented among the first decans in a given list, it is still regarded as the “leader” of the decanal gods. A text from the temple of Kom Ombo states that Kenmet is the “first among the stars, great god, lord of the stars.”

The translation of the hieroglyph knmt has long been disputed. It could mean “cow,” or a partial rendering of the Egyptian word for Egypt itself, Kenemet, meaning “black” (a reference to the fertile black soil along the Nile River). Either meaning could accurately describe the first group of decanal stars: it may reference the primordial darkness that existed before humans were created or it could indicate the cow as a mother-figure who gave birth to the rest of the decans.

Characteristics

In ritual work, Kenmet, like Sopdet, may be called upon to lead the decans to your altar and may serve as an intermediary between you and other Egyptian deities. Kenmet can also influence events by delaying their conclusion. If there is something you would like to postpone, according to the Naos of the Decades, this decan has the ability to “tie their hands.”

On the Dendera D zodiac ceiling, this decan is depicted as a snake crossed by three other snakes. The same ceiling gives its mineral as garnet.



The Decans of Egyptian Astrology
Previous Decan This Decan Next Decan
Tepy-a Kenmet Kenmet Khery Heped En Kenmet