Ra

Culture: Ancient Egyptian   Also spelled: Re

Ra is the great sun god, often considered king of the gods, who sails across the sky by day in his solar barque and through the underworld (the Duat) each night, battling the chaos serpent Apep to rise again at dawn. Many other deities were merged with him over Egypt's long history, including Amun-Ra, reflecting his centrality to the entire pantheon.

Associations

The sun, daily renewal, kingship, the triumph of order over chaos.

Ways people honor him (modern)

• Mark sunrise with a small daily ritual of renewal or intention-setting
• Reflect on cycles of struggle and renewal in your own life
• Keep a gold disk or sun image on the altar
• Read of his nightly journey and battle with Apep in Egyptian funerary texts

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.