Bastet: How a goddess ensured she would never be forgotten

 Bastet:The Goddess that made sure she would never be forgotten 

Bastet in the ancient Egyptian pantheon is a fascinating story. When the ancient Egyptians were losing their faith and interest in the old gods and goddesses, they all feared that in time they would be forgotten; lost in the Egyptian sands of time. Sekhmet ( check out our article on her) did not want to be forgotten and responded to the other deities dismissive attitude towards her and mortals by evolving into a figure that would defy time and her image as a cat is very much an integral part of world culture.  Cats are everywhere and loved by millions. How’s that for immortality!!?

Bastet (originally Bast), one of ancient Egypt’s most beloved deities, was worshipped from at least the Second Dynasty (c. 2890–2686 BCE) until the Greco-Roman period. Her cult centered on Bubastis (Per-Bast) in the Nile Delta, which flourished especially during the Third Intermediate Period (c. 1070–664 BCE) and Late Period.

Early depictions showed her as a fierce lioness or lioness-headed woman, embodying solar power as an “Eye of Ra.” She defended the sun god against chaos (notably the serpent Apep) and protected the pharaoh, sharing traits with warrior goddesses like Sekhmet.

From the New Kingdom onward, and particularly after c. 1000 BCE, Bastet’s image softened. She became a domestic cat or cat-headed woman, symbolizing nurturing qualities. She presided over home protection, fertility, childbirth, motherhood, joy, music, dance, and pleasure—often shown holding a sistrum and aegis, with kittens at her feet.

This transformation reflected cultural shifts: Sekhmet retained the destructive aspect, while Bastet embodied gentle guardianship. Domestic cats, vital for pest control, were sacred to her; harming one was a serious crime, and many were mummified as votive offerings. Vast cat cemeteries near Bubastis attest to her popularity.

Her family ties placed her as daughter of Ra, sister of Sekhmet, wife of Ptah, and mother of lion-god Mihos

Herodotus (5th century BCE) described Bubastis’s grand temple and its joyous annual festival, drawing massive crowds for music, dancing, feasting, and revelry—celebrating Bastet’s domains of fertility and delight.

Bastet’s enduring appeal highlights ancient Egyptians’ reverence for cats as symbols of subtle strength, domestic harmony, and protective grace. Her legacy bridges fierce solar warrior and affectionate household guardian, leaving a lasting icon of femininity and feline mystique in Egyptian religious history.

Over centuries, Bastet’s iconography and character gradually softened, shifting from lioness to domestic cat or cat-headed woman. This transformation reflected cultural and practical changes:

  In the Middle Kingdom (c. 2055–1650 BCE), subtle shifts began as cats (descended from African wildcats) gained domestic importance for controlling vermin and protecting grain stores.

By the New Kingdom (c. 1550–1070 BCE), depictions increasingly favored the gentler feline form, though lioness traits persisted in some contexts.

The major change solidified during the Third Intermediate Period (c. 1070–664 BCE), particularly under the 22nd Dynasty (c. 945–715 BCE), when Bubastis rose as a political and religious center. Bastet became predominantly a cat goddess, symbolizing nurturing protection, fertility, motherhood, joy, music, dance, and home harmony.

This differentiation from Sekhmet was key: as Sekhmet retained the fierce, destructive solar-eye role, Bastet embodied the benevolent counterpart—gentle guardianship, pleasure, and domestic well-being. The addition of the feminine suffix “-et” (making “Bastet”) in later texts emphasised her femininity and milder nature.

The rise of domestic cats paralleled this shift; cats became sacred embodiments of Bastet, mummified in vast numbers as votive offerings. By the Late Period (c. 664–332 BCE) and Ptolemaic era, she was almost exclusively shown as a cat-headed woman holding a sistrum (for joy and music) and an aegis, often with kittens, highlighting her protective yet affectionate role.

Bastet’s evolution mirrored ancient Egyptian society’s growing appreciation for subtle strength, family life, and the everyday utility of cats, transforming a warrior lioness into one of the most beloved symbols of grace, femininity, and gentle protection in their pantheon.

The festival of Bastet (also known as the Festival of Bubastis) was one of ancient Egypt’s most joyous and popular celebrations, held annually at her cult center in Bubastis (modern Tell Basta) in the Nile Delta. It honored the cat goddess Bastet, embodying themes of joy, fertility, music, protection, and uninhibited revelry—contrasting with more somber Egyptian rites.

The journey to the festival was reportedly grand . Boats carried large groups singing, clapping, playing flutes and rattles (sistrums), and dancing. As boats passed towns, women (often central to the rituals) shouted playful insults or “abuse” at locals, danced, and sometimes stood to expose themselves—symbolising fertility, freedom from social norms, and honoring the goddess’s domains of pleasure and women’s liberation during the event. This behavior continued along the riverbanks.

Upon reaching Bubastis, the celebration peaked with grand sacrifices, feasting, and heavy wine consumption—more than the rest of the year combined. Music, dancing, and merriment filled the air, with the temple (praised by Herodotus as visually stunning, island-like, surrounded by tree-shaded canals from the Nile) as the focal point.

The festival likely tied to seasonal events: originally linked to the New Year and Nile inundation (around the heliacal rising of Sirius, shifting over centuries from June–August in earlier periods), it aligned with renewal, fertility, and harvest themes. Some sources note it as the “Great Bastet Festival,” possibly celebrated once or twice yearly, with connections to Hathor-like “Beautiful Festival of Drunkenness” rituals emphasizing intoxication to please goddesses. This exuberant event reflected Bastet’s evolution into a goddess of domestic harmony and delight, drawing Egyptians for communal joy, divine favor, and escape from daily constraints. It remains a vivid testament to her enduring popularity.

So, next time you see a cat; especially a black cat, remember that they have not forgotten that they were once worshipped and you are in the presence of an eternal goddess. 

Paranormal Places: Creepy Cannock Part 2

Paranormal Places

Part Two

Mysterious military manoeuvres  and echoes of war

Having been  there on a foggy November day close to Remembrance Sunday it is no wonder that the location has tales of paranormal activity. With such loss and sorrow concentrated in one place and the natural energy that the Chase seems to have it’s no surprise that strange things are happening here. Let’s look at some of the main places and events in the area that seem to be connected to the location’s past and the soldiers who stayed there and were laid to rest in this creepy party of Staffordshire.

 The Katyn Memorial and the soldiers who haunt the Chase

The Katyn Memorial is a poignant tribute to the victims of the Katyn Massacre. In 1940, Soviet NKVD forces executed around 22,000 Polish military officers, police, intellectuals, and other elites in the Katyn Forest (near Smolensk, Russia) and other sites, an atrocity initially blamed on the Nazis but later confirmed as a Soviet war crime

It’s widely regarded as one of the UK’s most active paranormal hotspots. Reports over the years include:

•  Sightings of ghostly soldiers (often in WWI/WWII uniforms, sometimes specifically German soldiers near the nearby German War Cemetery)

•  The infamous “Black-Eyed Child”

•  Werewolf-like creatures

•  Other entities like a ghostly woman in white, a phantom parachutist, or shadowy figures

Regarding specific ghosts or hauntings tied directly to the Katyn Memorial itself, there aren’t many widely documented or specific eyewitness accounts of apparitions of Polish victims appearing there (unlike the more famous soldier ghosts elsewhere on the Chase). However, the site’s tragic historical resonance—commemorating a mass execution in a forest setting—contributes to its eerie reputation. Paranormal investigators and visitors sometimes describe feelings of being watched, a heavy or oppressive atmosphere, unexplained sounds, or a sense of “lingering energy” or presence around the memorial, especially given its somber purpose and isolated woodland location.

It’s not just here however…

The hotspots for these encounters include:

•  German War Cemetery (also called Cannock Chase German Military Cemetery): This is the most frequently mentioned site for soldier ghosts. It holds nearly 5,000 German and Austrian servicemen (plus a few others) from both world wars, many of whom were POWs who died in UK captivity and were later reinterred here in 1967. Reports describe ghostly soldiers in German uniforms (WWI or WWII era) patrolling or standing among the dark stone crosses and the central hall. Visitors often feel an oppressive presence, cold spots, or the sense of being watched. Some accounts mention a particularly eerie “9ft headless German soldier” roaming the broader Chase area, though this blends into wider folklore. Paranormal groups and YouTube investigators have captured claimed EVPs, shadows, or figures here during night vigils.

•  Nearby Commonwealth War Cemetery (Cannock Chase War Cemetery): This site buries over 500 Commonwealth troops (mostly New Zealanders from WWI, plus some WWII), along with 286 Germans. Ghosts of Allied soldiers (in British/Commonwealth uniforms) have been reported wandering or running through the woods around it.

•  General woodland trails and former camp areas: Soldiers are seen sprinting through trees or appearing as misty figures, especially at dusk or night. Some tales include “time-slip” experiences where people glimpse entire platoons in old uniforms fading away.

The site of the World War 1 hospital 

The Brindley Heath Military Hospital, built in 1916 on Cannock Chase, was a major WW1 facility serving training camps at Brocton and Rugeley, with 1,000 beds for injured soldiers. Located near Hednesford, it later became a Ministry of Pensions hospital before being converted into "Brindley Village" for miners in the 1920s, with remains still visible today. 

Key Facts About the WW1 Hospital:

• Location: Situated on Brindley Heath, Cannock Chase, Staffordshire.
• Function: Built in 1916 for training camp casualties and to treat wounded soldiers from France, later managing "shell-shock" (PTSD) and poison gas cases.
• Structure: Comprised 12 large wards (20ft x 208ft) connected by corridors.
• Post-War Use: Converted in 1924–1925 into housing for miners and their families, known as Brindley Village or "The Huts".
• Closure: The village was demolished in the 1950s, though concrete pad foundations and remnants of the site remain visible in the landscape. 

And if that’s not enough weird shit, UFO sightings at Brocton and other places including a well known sighting in 1990!!

Paranormal investigators (like the Ouija Brothers and groups featured in YouTube series such as “Cannock Chase Paranormal Investigation”) have visited the abandoned site, exploring the remnants of the old hospital/village huts and grounds.

•  Local paranormal author and investigator Lee Brickley (who’s written books like Ghosts of Cannock Chase and A Ghost Hunter’s Guide to Cannock Chase) has mentioned the old Brindley Village area as a place worth checking for activity, noting remnants of wartime huts and the hospital where spirits might linger due to its history of treating wounded and ill soldiers.

•There aren’t many specific, widely circulated eyewitness accounts of ghosts directly tied to the hospital building itself (like apparitions of nurses, patients, or soldiers in that exact spot), unlike the more famous soldier sightings near the war cemetery.

The site gained some creepy modern notoriety in 2021 when walkers found eerie baby dolls nailed or tied to trees in the “Doll Forest” area (on the former Ministry of Pensions Hospital grounds), which some paranormal enthusiasts linked to occult activity or urban exploration vibes—but this seems more like modern prank/art/horror setup than classic hauntings.

In short: No strong evidence or consensus that the exact Brindley Heath hospital site is distinctly haunted with frequent sightings but who knows? Maybe you know of any.

https://www.cwgc.org/visit-us/find-cemeteries-memorials/cemetery-details/4007266/cannock-chase-german-military-cemetery/

Join us next week when we look at strange creatures that are believed to live on the Chase.

Book of the week: Psychic Protection by Dr William Bloom

 Book of the week 

Psychic Protection: Creating Positive Energies for People and Places 

by Dr.William Bloom 

Paperback. 176 pages

First published 1996 by Judy Piatkus, London.

Our library version 1998 reprint.

ISBN 10: 0749916036 / ISBN 13: 9780749916039

is a practical, accessible guide in the holistic spirituality and energy work genre. First published in the mid-1990s (with editions continuing into later years), the book has built a solid following among readers interested in personal energy management, meditation, and subtle energy practices. It averages around 3.95 stars on Goodreads (based on over 100 ratings) and earns strong praise on Amazon, often hovering at 4.5 stars from hundreds of reviews.

Bloom, a respected teacher in holistic wellbeing, metaphysics, and spirituality (with endorsements from figures like Julia Cameron of The Artist’s Way fame), approaches the topic without heavy occult or “woo-woo” overtones. Instead, he frames psychic protection as everyday energy hygiene—protecting yourself from negative atmospheres, lingering emotional residues, stressful environments, or draining interactions, while actively creating positive, grounded energy for yourself, your home, workplace, or even objects.

The book’s core strength lies in its simplicity and practicality. Bloom starts with basic principles of energy (how your aura or magnetic field interacts with surroundings and your nervous/endocrine systems), then moves into straightforward techniques. 

These include:

•  Visualisation exercises (e.g., protective bubbles, columns of light, shields)

•  Cleansing methods for spaces (after arguments, unwelcome encounters, or heavy vibes)

•  Ways to generate positive vibrations for greater confidence, calm, and success

•  Grounding and centering practices to stay balanced amid stress or sensitivity to energies

The book is easy to read and follow with its gentle, clear, personable, and beginner-friendly tone.

His guides are easy it is to read and apply—perfect for newcomers to spirituality or energy awareness, without requiring prior experience in meditation or esotericism. The book can be useful during tough personal periods, with some calling it “life-changing” or “recommendable” for building self-confidence and emotional resilience. The exercises are short and doable (some in under an hour), and the focus on positive creation (not just defense) gives it an uplifting tone.

Criticisms are minor but consistent and we tend to agree : some skeptics may dismiss the concept outright as pseudoscience (though Bloom keeps it grounded and non-magical), and some readers may find the material basic if they’re already advanced in energy work. A few reviews in the past have also said that the book feels dated in style, but the timeless techniques hold up well.

Overall, Psychic Protection earns its reputation as a helpful, empowering little book. If you’re sensitive to environments/people, deal with stress/absorptive tendencies, or simply want tools to cultivate more calm and positivity in daily life, it’s a worthwhile read. Highly recommended for holistic beginners or anyone seeking practical ways to feel more centered and protected in a challenging world—without needing crystals, rituals, or elaborate beliefs.

https://www.abebooks.co.uk/9780749916039/Psychic-Protection-Creating-positive-energies-0749916036/plp

About the author 

William Bloom is a prominent British author, educator, and practitioner in the fields of holistic wellbeing, spirituality, metaphysics, and meditation. Widely regarded as one of the UK’s leading figures in modern mind-body-spirit teachings, he has over 30–40 years of experience researching, teaching, and writing about subtle energies, personal transformation, and compassionate spiritual practices.

Born in central London in 1948, Bloom grew up during the vibrant cultural shifts of the 1960s and has described his early life as influenced by experiences ranging from the flower power era to deeper explorations of consciousness. He holds a PhD (though the specific field isn’t always detailed publicly) and has reported experiencing subtle dimensions and altered states since childhood.

Bloom is best known for pioneering accessible, grounded approaches to spirituality that avoid dogma or heavy ritual. He co-founded the Alternatives Programme at St James’s Church in London, a key platform for holistic and spiritual events in the 1980s–1990s. He also founded the Spiritual Companions Trust, an educational charity dedicated to holistic, person-centered spirituality and wellbeing. Additionally, he has been involved with organisations like the Findhorn Foundation (Europe’s leading eco-spiritual center, where he serves on the faculty), acted as a trustee for Glastonbury Abbey, and developed trainings in hospice care focused on supporting consciousness transitions.

His background includes unique experiences, such as a two-year off-grid retreat in the High Atlas mountains of Morocco, which deepened his practical understanding of energy work and inner development.

Bloom has authored numerous influential books, including:

•  Psychic Protection: Creating Positive Energies for People and Places (his breakthrough title in energy hygiene and protection)

•  The Endorphin Effect (on natural mood enhancement and body-mind connection)

•  The Power of Modern Spirituality

•  Working with Angels, Fairies and Nature Spirits

•  The Sacred Magician

•  And others, with Psychic Protection translated into 16 languages.

He continues to teach through online courses (e.g., via Watkins Wisdom Academy on topics like psychic protection and meditation masterclasses), workshops (including a Diploma in Practical Spirituality and Wellness), writings on his website (williambloom.com), and public talks. Described by some as a “modern western mystic” and Britain’s most experienced mind-body-spirit teacher, Bloom emphasises practical, inclusive tools for everyday spiritual living—blending compassion, energy awareness, and grounded psychology to help people navigate contemporary life with greater calm, resilience, and positivity.

His work appeals especially to those seeking non-religious, holistic approaches to personal growth, emotional balance, and creating harmonious environments.