Reverend Kathie Blakeslee

Table of Contents

Rev. Kathie Blakeslee

High Priestess of Sekhmet

Initiated 2006 -

Even as a very young child, I longed for the sun and warmth. I grew up in Western Pennsylvania but never really belonged; the terrain and climate were all wrong. The desert called. A feeling of awe, joy, and longing swept over me when I first saw pictures of the Egyptian pyramids. I wanted to learn about the people who created these magnificent structures in the desert. The desert, where the sun blessed the land with warmth.

At age 3 my mother died and I turned inward. I became very quiet and shy. I developed a rapport with animals. I was always finding a stray and bringing it home. My closest bond was with twin cats, Ike and Mike. They became my friends and confidants. I loved their inner strength, independence, agility, dignity, warmth, and affection.

Unwillingly, I was raised in a Christian environment. Monotheism never made sense. I protested, but since I was a child my protest was silenced and I had to pretend that I believed in God and Jesus. My outward self-lived the lie, however, my inner self found solace with the Divine in Nature; long solitary walks in the woods, observing the flowers, animals, trees, and the changing seasons. Once I was an adult I never participated in another monotheistic service. Instead, I began searching for nature religions.

In 1971 I moved to Phoenix, Arizona. I was finally home. I loved the desert, the sun, the heat. Hiking in the mountain reserve was one of my favorite activities. At dusk, the coyotes would start calling. The sound always filled my heart with wild abandoned joy. Phoenix was home for 20 years. After graduating college in 1992, career opportunities were limited in Phoenix, so I expanded my job search. I accepted a job in Boise, Idaho. Boise was still desert, just not as hot as Phoenix.

My love and fascination with all things Egypt continued. Then, in 2000 I enrolled in a ten week evening class in Egyptology taught by Harold Moss. I completed the class with honors, but this merely whetted my appetite and I plunged into serious studies in Egyptology and Egyptian religion.

In 2004, with my husband Bret’s help and encouragement, I began building my temple to Sekhmet in a room in the basement of my house. The temple was dedicated to Sekhmet in June 2004. I attained the level of Initiate in CES, began conducting rituals, volunteered to be the new webmistress, and began concentrated study of Egyptian language with Harold and Bret. In July 2005 I was consecrated in the Temple of Sekhmet and ordained as a CES Priestess of Sekhmet in November 2006.

During my consecration I was asked why I wanted to be a Priestess of Sekhmet, My response:

Across the sands of time she called, "Arise, arise my daughter!"

"No, no I am young and weak," I answered.

"Arise, arise daughter of light!"

"No, no it is dark and I am afraid," I cried.

"Arise, arise daughter of the sun!"

"No, no it is cold and I am alone, GO AWAY," I shouted.

"My daughter, my daughter", she roared, "You do not understand, I have spoken, I will not be denied. I AM SEKHMET!! I am older than time and a fierce protectress. My light will illuminate many doors and paths. My burning rays will clarify and heal. I will surround you with my heat, courage, and strength. Come, It is time - take my hand - together we take this journey."

"Yes, Sekhmet"

Effective with the New Year (2011) Kathie will be taking a two sabbatical from CES to follow a healing path, with Sekhmet as always her guide.

As of December 2012 Kathie is still on sabbatical from the CES and living in Arizona.