Fasting According to the Sidereal Calendar
Fasting According to the Sidereal Calendar
In the M’TAM initiation we are introduced to many customs that have been practiced by our Ancestors for thousands of years. Many of these customs have been maintained in various cultures for different reasons and in different ways, such as attending worship services or singing chants. Fasting is another one of these ancient customs that we see across the globe.
Fasting is seen in different forms in today’s world, but there are specific rules of fasting for the initiate of the Kemetic traditions. For one, the fast is observed from sunrise to sunset. It is commonly acceptable to designate the times 6am to 6pm, but traditionally we observe the fast according to the sun. During these fasting hours one does not eat nor drink, and in fact, nothing passes our lips at all except to do the ablutions (purifications). We do not chew gum, brush our teeth, smoke, etc. during these times. Generally one keeps as pure as possible, even refraining from bad thoughts and words. One would also abstain from sex during a fast. There is a time for lamentation and prayer before breaking the fast at sunset, which is usually done with a feast in the company of others.
Fasting is a sign of dedication to one’s spiritual obligations. However, those who are ill, women who are on their menstrual cycle, and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding do not observe any fast. The main thing is to put your mind that you are fasting and be careful throughout the day to make sure you do not break your fast. For example, even tasting your food when preparing a meal before sunset would break your fast.
Knowing when to fast depends on the energies of our place in space and time. We can use the Sidereal Calendar, which is based on the Sirius Star, using the exact cycle of the Heliacal Rising, and denotes days that are well indicated for different spiritual practices, including fasting. This calendar is humanity’s oldest calendar. It is made up of 12 months of 30 days and the 13th month of 5 days, using the original names of days and months as was used by our ancestors in the Medu language (commonly referred to as the Egyptian hieroglyphs).
According to the Sidereal Calendar, the first time one fasts is on the 17th of Ateeri (the 3rd month of the year), the anniversary of the Death of Wsr (Osiris). Wsr is known in the Medu language as ”Oumnefer Kersheta” or “he who is continuously good.” Interestingly, the Medu word Kersheta is the root from which the word “Christ” comes from. Wsr is an important figure for humanity, and is seen as the Ancestral Father to us all. He is a God who had the human experience. Wsr took humanity under his wing, leading us away from barbarism and towards an enlightened path. On this day of mourning, the initiate fasts out of respect for Wsr whom we owe our way of life.
The second time we observe a fast comes on the 27th of Kairika (the 4th month of the year), 3 days after the anniversary of the Embalming of Wsr. This day is the beginning of a 10-day fast. This is a period of time for purification of the body and soul and to remind ourselves that we have not forgotten the world of the dead. The met-heru (Medu word for 10 day week) fasting period is especially taxing. To maintain physical strength during this longer period, it is customary to wake up before every sunrise and eat a meal before the day begins. And Kem will also prepare lots of fruit and water for each evening after each day of fasting to replenish one’s hydration before eating their meal. The last day of this 10-day fast is the 6th of Tepia (the 5th month of the year), which is broken at sunset as a community with a feast.
The final fast we observe occurs on the 15th of Heb Senseni (the 11th month of the year). This is a day spent in mourning the death of the Prophet Neb Naba. Naba Lamoussa Morodenibig began the Earth Center to bring the ancient traditions to those in the diaspora. The knowledge is for all of humanity, with no boundaries of color, country, religion, or other belief. Like anything else in life that requires a master or a teacher, many have found Neb Naba as our teacher of life. Initiates of the Earth Center worldwide come together to commemorate his death by fasting to honor his contributions to humanity, and respect his journey from the world of the living to the World of the Dead.
Fasting is a symbol of worship and is a spiritual practice that requires discipline and dedication of an initiate. Our Ancestors have fasted for Wsr during these times mentioned above for thousands of years. Although the practice of fasting may have various purposes today in the modern world, our Ancestors preserved the knowledge of the original times to observe this spiritual obligation as well as the resolute reasons. For more information on fasting, consult the current Sidereal Calendar provided by The Earth Center.