Bastet, the cat-faced Goddess of Egypt is perhaps well-known for her Festival at Bubastis. The cat is representative of sexual feminine energy, the fecundity and abundance that arises from it. Larousse, as quoted by Walker (1983), describes the Festival at Bubastis as one filled with “dancing, jokes, and sexual rites”. Leaning into the energy of such a festival uncovers the way in which sensuality is a path that can lead to the powerful rise of sexual feminine energy.
Sensuality vs. Sexuality
In a recent Thoughtful Thursday within the Dark Goddess Collective, I asked the following:
- How do you define sensuality?
- How does it appear in your life?
- How do you want it to appear?
- What about Sensuality is powerful to you and do you have any special or specific practices you use to increase that power?
The answers were glorious and most defined sensuality as the ability to incorporate all senses to allow the body to open more fully to pleasure.
It reminds me of a book by Elise Loehnen, On Our Best Behavior, in which her chapter on Lust encourages a deep dive of pleasure and our own desire. She references how her cat (hello Bastet) taught her a better understanding of sensuality and how we can reclaim this too.
Lynne, an amazing Sovereign and collaborator within Dark Goddess Collective, has a beautiful definition too:
As Kaycee mentioned last Thoughtful Thursday, sensuality is the path which leads to the door of sexuality. I see sexuality as the state of being engaged in hyper-focused and transformative/transportive acts of sexual expression with oneself or another person. And I see sensuality as the various dance steps we take to reach that state of being, all part of the journey we walk with mutual respect, consent, and curiosity.
Our five senses are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to sensuality. What we see, taste, touch, smell and hear can definitely get our juicy cups overflowing. Yet it is our senses of safety, security, vulnerability, curiosity, consent, adoration and awe, among others – that makes the cocktail ever-so potent. There are so many ways to walk the sensual streets of life.
Walking the Sensual Streets of Life with Lynne
Many years ago, I hosted a handful of events called “munches” where strange friends and friendly strangers could meet in various restaurants to discuss taboo topics in public and “accidentally” leave behind the meeting’s agenda to shock anyone who finds it into a hopeful sense of healthy curiosity. At a couple music festivals, I hosted a workshop called Platonic People Puddle, which was inspired by Cuddle Party facilitators who taught me how to accept/set clear boundaries and request consent without expectations.
My sensuality includes so many different practices: from my choice of clothing to friendly-flirtatious conversation; from smiles, hugs and non-sexual touch, to compliments for strangers; and calling everyone my neighbor.
My husband has some adorable ways of expressing himself sensually as well. He’s a musician with an engineering brain who is fascinated by lights and tech, so he’s rigged our old home with motion sensors, LED bulbs and speakers so he can tell our computer to turn on “sexy time” creating colorful lamps and ambient sounds. He’s given me commands to enjoy a full “chakra shower” or green heart chakra lights for bath time. Sometimes I light candles as well and soak in Epsom salts to the sound of his music, or just drums, while sipping herbal tea and snacking with a book or video.
I have written a few stories about some extra special sexual adventures I’ve had with others, and I even keep a diary of sex with my husband that I plan to publish when we’re very old, even if only on my own. In the meantime, we both enjoy reliving my recollections of our experiences. We hold hands and kiss in intentionally odd ways to make each other laugh, we have words like “we’re” that are part of our uniquely intimate language, and we create so many acts of daily intimacy (into-me-see) that we choose to enjoy each day.
In the early days of our relationship, my husband and I had sex a lot more often and more spontaneously than we do now. I don’t see that decreased frequency as a failing, but rather as a harmonious rhythm we’ve fallen into that we sometimes shake up when we both want to do so. We don’t make a big deal about the quantity of “big Os” when the quality is always present. That’s always been the case for me when it comes to solo sex as well. I may not do it very often, but I always do it very well – because who knows us better than ourselves? Once in a blue moon, I toss in a bit of sex magic through orgasmically visualizing my goals being achieved.
That said, it’s the daily little acts of sensuality with ourselves and others that have the biggest impact on us all! I love looking in the mirror each morning and saying “I love you” while eye-gazing. I used to spend a lot more time naked in front of the mirror and admiring my whole body in all its parts a decade ago. I need to do that and more small sensual acts every day again! I want more spontaneous songs, sultry dance moves, striking a pose, and purring in my life. I invite you all to do the same!
Going Deeper with Lynne
Here are some prompts that I hope you find inspiring enough to ponder personally, put pen to paper, or perhaps more piquant options:
- What are some of the daily sensual acts that you practice?
- What sights, sounds, smells, tastes and touches get your sensual juices flowing to fill your soul with bliss?
- Are there specific yoga poses that make you blush, or particular clothes that put you in the mood?
- Do you dress up for yourself and seduce your body, or just get down to business?
Sacred Sensuality
Lynne is truly amazing for sharing her experiences and her openness to sensuality. It is empowering to see many of us embracing pleasure, sensual and/or/both sexual. The understanding that sensual does not mean sexual is a differentiation that society does not often take into consideration. That is changing with every passing day. I still have hope that the power of the sensual continues to rise, not as something to be taken, but as it has always been: Sacred.
Sacred Sensuality in Practice
If this is new or if the idea of Sacred Sensuality makes you blush or feel shame, I see you. It is relatable. However, I encourage you to be curious about the power you hold when it comes to awakening the sensual for yourself through the following practices.
Sight and Smell
I want you to create the environment for yourself. One in which you are safe and undisturbed. Light a candle and incense or put on an oil diffuser with lavender. Just breathe and let the space open up to you and you to it.
Sound
Curate a playlist that brings you into a state of awareness of your body and also makes you want to move. It could be drumming, it could include sounds of nature, and it could also be wildly taboo or out of your comfort zone. Turn it on and let it play.
Move
Allow yourself the space to not analyze, drop the consciousness to the heart. Let it feel. And then allow yourself to move. What does it feel like to move? What does it feel like to allow yourself to let go, to surrender to this moment?
Touch
As you move, grab a salve or an oil (recipes will be coming soon for Bastet!). With your fingertips, I want you to caress and massage it into your skin at the following places (continue to move with the music though):
- Your collar bones
- Your heart center
- Where your neck meets your shoulders
- Your wrists
- Locate your hip bones, go 2 inches toward your stomach and about 4 inches down.
Allow yourself to breathe through this exercise and experience it fully. What sensations come up? How does your body feel, not just the parts being touched, but your fingertips that did the touching? Do you want to incorporate more places? Did you keep your clothes on? Did you take them off? These are all questions meant to empower you to go deeper.
Other Sensual Suggestions
There are few other ways in which I have found moments of sensual power within myself that you may wish to experience for yourself:
- Yoga: Nude Cat/Cow
- Foot massage: incorporate a self-massage of the feet at the end of a meditation or yoga.
- Hand massage: incorporate a self-massage of the hands at the end of a meditation or yoga.
May you grow to know the power of your pleasure and desire among the abundance and protection of Bastet!
A Candle & A Key,
Kaycee
References
Larousse Encyclopedia of Mythology. London: Hamlyn Publishing Group Ltd., 1968.
Walker, Barbara G. The Woman’s Encyclopedia of Myths & Secrets. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc., 1983.
Feature Image: via Pixabay
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