It’s hard to believe, but on January 28th it’ll be time to celebrate Bast’s Journey Down the River (also known as the Boubastia or just the Festival of Bast) here in Eugene once more. For background and a rough outline of what we do, click here. For accounts of past celebrations, click here and here.
This will be the fifth year that we’ve done it. Even though I don’t really have much to do with her the rest of the time, this thing has definitely taken on a life of its own and both Dver and I feel it’s really important to do for the goddess and the community. I love how pronounced the communal aspect of this festival has become, especially since so much of the stuff we do is very personal and private.
As in years past, we very much hope that you guys will participate as well by sending in your prayers, poems, photos, pieces of art, etc. to be shared with the goddess on this occasion, as well as personal memories and stories about cats you’ve cared for in the past, thank yous to Bast for sending her children your way, or requests of blessing and protection for the cats currently in your life. Whatever you feel like offering. You can comment here or e-mail them to me at sannion@gmail.com any time before January 28th. (I’ll be sure to post reminders as we get closer to the date.)
And of course just because this has become a tradition here in Eugene and we’re accepting these things on behalf of the community, that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate it on your own. Indeed, you should! You don’t have to be a devotee of Bast or even a Kemetic polytheist to do so. (As far as I’m aware most of the folks who will be joining us aren’t.) Bast is a very ecumenical goddess. Further, she loves a good party with pretty gifts and yummy things to eat and smell. What cat doesn’t enjoy being the center of attention, really? So on this day – or any time during the week around it, for that matter – whatever your religious background, think fondly of her, pray and make fine offerings, and most important of all, go out of your way to pamper her beloved children.
I was really hoping the warm weather here would hold out til this festival and Anthesteria, but no go. We finally hit our seasonal norms of -20C. :/
I’m always a bit conflicted trying to celebrate this festival, as the rivers where I live are all almost frozen, so She doesn’t have anything to really travel down. :P
Well, cats are clever – I’m sure a frozen river wouldn’t stop her. :)
[...] over at The House of Vines (a most excellent and noteworthy blog ) has been accepting devotional works for the Boubastia. I [...]