Ma'at was the first thing made by the Creator. It is the basis of Kemetic society, both in ancient times and today. The idea of Ma'at means truthfulness, balance, order, and justice. It is "doing what is right." Ma'at is also represented by the goddess of the same Name. She appears as a woman with a white ostrich feather on Her head and sometimes has wings that extend from Her arms. Ma'at is the opposite of Isfet.
[picture of Ma'at]
In the Hall of Judgment, the heart of a person who has died is weighed against the feather of Ma'at on a scale. If the person has done what is right and truthful during his life, his heart will be light. On the scale, it will then balance with the feather of Ma'at and he will become transformed into an "akh." An Akh is a Shining Spirit who is close to Netjer and who can watch over and help relatives still on earth.
[picture of scales at Judgment]
How do we know what is Ma'at and what is Isfet? First of all, it is a feeling of what is right. When your life is in Ma'at, you can feel it. We also learn what is Ma'at from the teachings of our ancestors and from our teachers today. The main thing to remember about Ma'at is that you have responsibility for your actions. Ma'at goes into action whenever you do something. If you do what is right, Ma'at will come back to you. If you do something that is not Ma'at, the consequences of that action will also come back to you. Ma'at always works to put things back into balance, no matter how long it takes.
The Nisut (AUS) has said that Ma'at is like light. If you put a lot of little lights together, you can have enough to brighten the sky. With the help of our parents and teachers, the priests and our Nisut (AUS), we can learn to "walk in Ma'at" and help spread its light and blessings throughout the world.
Here is a beautiful prayer to Ma'at. Michelle Balsley was inspired by her Parents to write it.
I Know the Lady in White.
She is Pure.
She is Good.
To Know Her is Beautiful.
Lady of Truth, Lady of Justice,
Teach me Your Ways,
Let my head learn Truth,
Let my eyes see Truth,
And from my mouth only Golden Droplets of Wisdom
And White Pearls of Truth be spoken.
Let my ears hear Truth,
Let my Heart be filled with the Truth of Kindness,
To Know Ma'at. I know Netjer.
She is Pure, I am Pure,
My Netjer is Pure
Test your knowledge!
[click on question to see answer]
1. How can you tell if something you do is in Ma'at?
2. What is your heart weighed against in the Hall of Judgment?.
3. Is there anything in your life that is not in Ma'at and needs changing?
Click here for more information about the Goddess Ma'at!
