Hathor
From Association of Independent Readers and Rootworkers
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Hathor is an Egyptian goddess of childbirth, motherhood, love, and joy. Her historical roots can be traced to the pre-dynastic period in ancient Egypt. She is depicted as a crowned cow goddess and is also shown as a beautiful woman or priestess with cow horns with the Uraeus sun-disk between the horns. Among the deities of Ancient Egyptian religious pantheon Hathor was one of the more popular deities, and as a result, her worship could be found among the royalty and common people alike. Veneration of Hathor was so widespread that it also took root outside of Egypt, in Canaan.
Hathor is a goddess of love, fertility, motherhood, and joy. She is deeply revered by women who, like her, fulfill the multiple role of mother, daughter, and lover. She brings the joys of motherhood and love, and so her festivals involve great happiness and celebration. While she hold a special place with women, she is honored by men as well, especially fathers. Devotees of Hathor often call upon her to assist in matters regarding beauty, love, fertility, childbirth, motherhood, and for blessings. Her personality is gentle and serene which made her an accessible and highly-sought after deity. She cares greatly for mankind and so listens to their petitions and gives solace to the supplicant.
Like other Egyptian deities, Hathor has different roles and maintains diverse relationships simultaneously, even if they may seem contradictory. She is associated with Ra, Isis, Horus, and at times with Sekhmet. There are times when Hathor is seen as the mother of Ra, or his daughter, or his wife, and because of that connection with Ra, the sun, she is seen with a sun-disk or Uraeus between her horns. When connected with Nut, goddess of the sky, the two are related to the Milky Way which is seen as the Nile River of the Sky. These differences reflect historical differences and changes in her cults relationship to other deities. Hathor is also the goddess who first welcomes a soul into the underworld and afterlife. In this role as the deity who welcomes a soul to the afterlife she is extending her role as a goddess who gives succor.
Hoodoo psychic readers, spirit workers, and root doctors who practice in the North African religion of ancient Egypt or contemporary Kemetic Neo-Paganism, and who call upon the netjeru on behalf of clients, may petition Hathor for matters of Love and Romance, for Fertility and Motherhood, for Joy and Tranquility
