Bast (Egyptian)

Bast (Greek: Bastet)

[Egyptian] Bast, or Bastet, was originally a lion headed goddess.  She was a daughter of Ra, the god of sun and a national deity of protection.

She was the cat-goddess of the delta, sometimes with a lion decorating her breastplate as a reminder of her former, wilder self. Cats were respected and often portrayed as the slayers of evil serpents. She was sometimes fused with the more dangerous Sekhmet.

She was the Egyptian goddess of affection, hearth, home, joy, music, celebration, dancing, pleasure and fertility.

To take part in a celebration at her temple in Bubastis, ensured the mental and physical health of the participants. Also, she was known as the harvest goddess. All cats were worshipped as incanations of her.

Honoring live domesticated cats was also important to Bast's followers.A vast cat cemetery has been uncovered in Bubastis. Mummifying one's pet was considered homage to this playful, free spirited goddess.

Hestia (Greek)

Hestia

Hestia is Zeus sister. She is a virgin goddess. She does not have a distinct personality. She plays no part in myths. She is the Goddess of the Hearth, the symbol of the house around which a new born child is carried before it is received into the family. Each city had a public hearth sacred to Hestia, where the fire was never allowed to go out.