Shu

Culture: Ancient Egyptian   Domain: Air, light, the space between sky and earth

Shu personifies air and light, and is shown physically holding his daughter Nut (the sky) up and separate from his son Geb (the earth), creating the breathable space in which life exists; he embodies the necessary distance and structure that makes room for everything else.

Associations

Air and breath, necessary space, the structure that allows life to exist, clarity.

Ways people honor him (modern)

• Practice breathwork or simply notice your breathing with real attention
• Create literal or figurative space where you feel crowded
• Keep a window open for fresh air during ritual
• Read of his role separating Nut and Geb in Egyptian cosmology

Approach any deity with respect and do your own research. Practices vary widely between traditions, and modern devotional practice often goes beyond what survives in ancient sources.