What Is Kemetism?

 

Original Kemeticism, also referred to as Ancient Egyptian Religion or Kemetism, is the belief system and spiritual practices rooted in the ancient civilization of Kemet (modern-day Egypt). This tradition is one of the oldest known religions, flourishing for over 3,000 years and serving as the foundation for many of the world’s spiritual systems today.

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The term Kemet refers to the "Black Land" of Egypt, named for the rich, fertile soil of the Nile River Valley, and it was used by the Egyptians to describe their homeland. The term Kemeticism refers to the spiritual, philosophical, and religious system of the ancient Egyptian people that was practiced long before the rise of modern religions.

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The foundation of Kemetism is rooted in the concept of divine order, as upheld by Ma’at, the embodiment of truth, justice, and cosmic balance. In this belief system, the natural world, the gods, and humanity are all interconnected. Practitioners of Kemetism, known as Kemetics, honor a pantheon of deities called the Neteru, each representing various forces of nature, cosmic principles, and aspects of life.

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Kemetism is more than just an ancient religion; it's a living, breathing spiritual path that speaks to those seeking a deep connection with the divine and nature. While the world of the Pharaohs is long gone, its wisdom, magic, and deities remain ever-present for those who seek them.

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​Kemetism is guided by five fundamental principles:

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1. Upholding Maat (order & justice),

2. Belief in Netjer (the divine),

3. Veneration of akhu (ancestors),

4. Participation in and respect for the community, and

5. Acknowledgment of Siuda as the Nisut.

 

Practitioners of the faith are known as Shemsu (male) or Shemset (female).

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According to an ancient and very unique papyrus known as the Turin King List (or the Turin Royal Canon), ten Neteru, or "gods", reigned for hundreds of years each, for a total of 23,200 years. After this comes a list dedicated to the Shemsu Hor, the Followers of Horus, who reigned a total of 13,400 years.

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Ka, Ba, and Akh

These are three essential parts of the soul. The Ka is the life force, the Ba is the personality or spirit, and the Akh is the transformed soul that enters the afterlife. Proper rituals and offerings ensure the well-being of these aspects after death.

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Heka - Magick & Healing

Heka, is a divine force as magick and healing, that could be harnessed to influence the world. Shemsu practice as a Heka in the form of spells, invocations, and rituals to bring about change, heal, or protection.

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Netjer - Nature

 

​Kemetism is sometimes referred to as Neterism (From the word Netjer meaning "divine"). Netjer is the root word for the English word "Nature".

Netjer is often mistranslated as "god". Like the Indian and Chinese pantheon, the "gods" of Kemet are not be taken literally, but as manifestations of Nature.

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​The Ancient Egyptian "gods" are manifestations of Netjer, which can be translated as "divine power". These manifestations are referred to as the "Names" of Netjer. The Names are understood to encompass personal deities, impersonal forces, and metaphorical concepts simultaneously.

 

It is also recognized that Names can merge and identify with one another, resulting in syncretizations, such as Amun-Ra. Siuda believes that the "gods" manifest in this way to allow for human comprehension.

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Maat - Truth, Order & Justice

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At the heart of Kemetism is the concept of Maat, the goddess who personifies truth, justice, and cosmic order. Ma’at isn’t just a deity but a principle that governs the universe. The ancient Egyptians believed that the balance of the world—its harmony and peace—depended on the maintenance of Maat.

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Practicing Maat means living in a way that promotes balance and fairness, not just in terms of spiritual practice but in every aspect of life. It’s about acting with integrity, honoring commitments, and maintaining harmony with nature and the community. This principle extends beyond religious practice and informs how Kemetics view morality, environmental stewardship, and social justice.

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Although little mythology survives concerning the goddess Maat, she was the daughter of the Egyptian Sun god Ra; and the wife of Tehuti, the god of wisdom. Maat (which is associated with solar, lunar, astral, and the river Nile's movements) is a concept based on humanity's attempt to live in a natural harmonic state.

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Maat represents the ancient Egyptian concepts of truth, balance, order, harmony, law, morality, and justice. Maat was also the goddess who personified these concepts, and regulated the stars, seasons, and the actions of mortals and the deities who had brought order from chaos at the moment of creation. Her ideological opposite was Isfet, meaning injustice, chaos, violence or to do evil.

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Maat represents the ethical and moral principle that all Egyptian citizens were expected to follow throughout their daily lives. They were expected to act with honor and truth in matters that involve family, the community, the nation, the environment, and the gods.

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