Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Thoth

(Source: http://www.aquarianradio.com/2013/04/11/3235/)
Deity Name
Thoth, the Great Measurer
Pantheon
Egyptian
Native Origins
Egyptian, his primary temple was in Khmun (later known as Hermoplois Magna)
Correspondences
Day of the week
Wednesday is said to be the sacred day of Thoth.
Flowers and Herbs
Drawing on the planetary association of Mercury it could include: fennel, mint and parsley.  If we were to include his moon aspect then perhaps the following would also be appropriate: hyssop, rosemary, moonflower, moonwort, garlic.  Almond and hops are also associations I have found.
Fragrances and Incenses
As he was linked to the planet Mercury than cinquefoil, fennel or anise would be appropriate fragrances.  Musk is also said to be associated with the god Thoth.
Crystals and Gemstones
I found one source that claimed opal was his gem stone, but as the Egyptians had no source of opals I could find reference to I find this hard to reconcile.  Flourite would be more appropriate if the connection was described as a rainbow like stone.  Purple was a color associated with him and it is possible that amethyst could be a stone of association as it did exist, although was very rare
Foods
Given that Thoth is a god of Egypt it is plausible that foods from that locale and time would be appropriate such as beer (although it was nothing like our modern beer), dates, figs, legumes, bread, wine etc. 
Sabbats
You could call upon Thoth during any of the equinox sabbats as he is a god of balance and these are times of balance.  Thoth is also a god of wisdom and divination so you could call upon him during those Sabbats when divination is a key part such as Samhain and Beltane. 
Metals
Given his origins metals that could have been associated with Thoth would be gold, copper, silver or bronze.  Both gold and silver were associated with the gods and so these are most likely.
Aspects
Thoth is represented as a creator god as well as a Moon god.  He is believed to have been the inventor of language, scribe to gods and patron of scribes, invented astronomy, geometry and medicine, and maintained the balance of the universe as a mediator. 
Favored Offerings
Traditionally the scribes in ancient Egypt used to offer daily libations of a drop of water before commencing work.  Given the importance of water in the life of ancient Egypt I could imagine this to be a respectful offering.
Myth & Legend
Thoth has been credited with the creation of the 365 day calendar.  It is said that Thoth gambled at dice with the moon (Iabet) and having won asked for 5 days as his prize.  These five days he gifted to the goddess Nut who had be separated from her lover/brother Geb and cursed with the inability to give birth on any day of the month within the Egyptian calendar.  The 5 days gifted by Thoth would allow Nut and Geb to procreate as those days belonged to no month.  During those 5 days Nut is said to have birthed Osiris, Horus the elder, Set, Isis and Nephthys.  The addition of these 5 days also set the Egyptian calendar into the 365 day cycle. 
Many of the myths in which Thoth features contain a role of arbitration between the gods.

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