Nut: ​​Egyptian Goddess ‘Mother of All Gods’

The Egyptian goddess Nut was a sky goddess who was married to Ra, the creator god of the sun. The goddess Nut was widely known for her spectacular beauty and incredible kindness.

​Nut’s loving and generous nature was obviously extensive. It led to having affairs with Thoth, the god of divine words, and Geb, the god of the earth. 

A Cursed Pregnancy

Nut
A. Parrot, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

​When Ra discovered the goddess Nut’s infidelity, he was furious with her. In his anger, he pronounced a curse that Nut, who was pregnant at the time, would not give birth in any month of any year!

​Desolate and despairing that she would never be a mother (not to mention the endless pregnancy), Nut turned to Thoth for words of comfort. ​What male can stand to see a woman he loves cry? Not Thoth. He quickly soothed her by promising to find a solution to Nut’s dilemma.

​And this he did! With his divine powers of persuasion, Thoth persuaded the Moon to gamble with him. ​The stakes were high. It was agreed that for each round that Thoth won, he would be rewarded with a bit of the Moon’s light.

​The games continued for months on end, and eventually, Thoth had managed to win enough light to create five entire new days.

​Nut wasted not a precious moment of those blessed days, giving birth to a different child on each of the five days. Hence, Nut came to be called the “Mother of the Gods.” 

Nut’s Children

​The Firstborn was a son she named Osiris. He was the son of Re and later became the god who was to rule all of the earth. After him, Nut gave birth to Set, Isis, Horus the Elder, and Nephthys. 

Isis and Osiris

Each one of Nut’s children was powerful in their own way, but Isis and Osiris were the most revered. ​Isis and Osiris loved each other deeply, even when they were still in Nut’s womb. The myths of Isis and Osiris are among the most beautiful love stories ever told.

​Ruling together as husband and wife, they created the first great nation of Western civilization during what was called the “Golden Age of Egypt” (around 2,500 BCE).

​The additional five days that Thoth had added to the solar year were spent in celebrations honoring the goddess Nut. ​Festivals were held in late February, just before the new solar year began. And this is the story of how our years came to number 365 days.

Legacy

​The myths of the goddess Nut instruct us never to give up our hold on our precious dreams. She reminds us to persevere and to accept the help of others when we need it.

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Nut Symbols

Nut, a powerful sky goddess and the mother of all gods, is usually represented with symbols associated with the sky, stars, and fertility. This goddess is best known for her children, Osiris, Isis, Set, Horus, and Nephthys, so she can be represented with their symbols too.

General

Since Nut is the goddess of the sky, it makes no wonder that her main symbol is a sky full of stars. In this context, the sky symbolizes immortality, eternity, abundance, wisdom, omnipotence, and freedom.

Nut’s other symbols are stars, water, sacred ladders (Maqet), pots, and wind.

Animals

The cow is a symbol of fertility, motherhood, birth, and generosity, and as such, it is a perfect symbol for Nut. Bunnies, bees, and frogs are also great choices to represent Nut.

Plants

For ancient Egyptians, lotus flowers were seen as symbols of fertility, and they were often used as symbols of the goddess Isis, Nut’s daughter. Since Nut is closely associated with fertility and birth, lotus flowers can be used to symbolize her too.

Perfumes/Scents

In the past, musk scent was reserved only for wealthy individuals, as it was quite expensive. Apart from being a symbol of wealth due to its price, musk also symbolized earth, warmth, strength, immortality, and eroticism. As such, it is a perfect scent to capture Nut’s essence.

Gems and Metals

Since Nut was the goddess of the blue sky, turquoise is a perfect gemstone to be her symbol. Other blue gemstones, such as sapphire, tourmaline, blue topaz, and opal, are also great choices for representing Nut.

Goddess Jewelry

There are many reasons why you might want to keep a healing crystal or stone close to you. Getting closer to your goddess by wearing her color or crystal is a great one. That they also look great as jewelry only makes it so much better!

Here is a guide to crystal jewelry you hopefully will find helpful. In it is a list of 30+ crystals and links to some really great looking jewelry with that crystal or stone. Enjoy!

Colors

Blue and black are colors of the sky, making them good symbols of Nut.

Embracing the Call of Nut: Recognizing Her Presence and Cultivating a Sacred Connection

Ever felt a profound connection with the sky and the stars and wondered if it’s more than just chance? Many spiritual seekers may be receiving an invitation from the Egyptian goddess Nut. Discover how to identify the signs of her call, invoke her presence, and cultivate a significant relationship with this powerful goddess.

How to know if Nut is calling you

One way to recognize Nut’s call is through the sky. Encounters with starry night skies, constellations, or a sense of awe when observing the heavens may be signs. Be attentive to any celestial phenomena that resonate with you, as Nut often communicates through her domain.

Dreams and visions are another way Nut may reach out. Dreams featuring her or her symbols, like the night sky or the sycamore tree, can be significant. Similarly, visions of stars or the cosmos might signal her presence.

Finally, notice synchronicities in your life. Repeated encounters with her symbols, or a strong attraction to her stories and mythology, can indicate that Nut is calling you. These patterns may seem coincidental, but they’re worth noting.

Invoking Nut

To call upon Nut, begin by selecting an outdoor location or creating an indoor space inspired by the night sky. Incorporate her symbols, such as stars, constellations, or images of her arched body, into your chosen area. This will help establish a connection with the goddess.

During your ritual, light candles, especially blue or white, as they represent the sky and her nurturing energy. Offer symbols of Nut, such as flowers, tokens, or even written intentions. These offerings demonstrate your dedication and respect for her.

In meditation, focus on your breath and clear your mind. Visualize Nut, her symbols, and the energy she embodies. Quietly ask for her guidance, and be open to any insights that may arise during your meditation.

Signs that Nut is present

Identifying when Nut is with you is essential to deepening your connection with her. The goddess often manifests her presence in various ways, from emotional sensations to visual cues. Here are six signs to help you identify when Nut is near:

  • Emotional sensations: Feelings of calm, nurturing, or wisdom can indicate her presence.
  • Physical reactions: Sudden warmth, tingling sensations, or goosebumps may signal she’s near.
  • Visual cues: Flashes of starlight, shadows moving, or glimpses of her symbols can be signs.
  • Auditory cues: Hearing whispers, rustling leaves, or gentle winds may suggest her presence.
  • Celestial occurrences: Unusual celestial events or star patterns can be a signal.
  • Intuitive connection: A strong sense that Nut is with you, even if you can’t pinpoint why, can be a sign of her presence.

Cultivating a relationship with Nut

To build a deeper connection with Nut, establish a consistent practice of meditation, prayer, or ritual to honor her. Make regular offerings, such as during the new moon, to demonstrate your commitment to the goddess.

Embrace her values by seeking wisdom and embracing the mysteries of the universe. Protect and nurture the environment, as the natural world is essential to her being. Aligning your life with her principles will help deepen your connection to her.

Lastly, study her mythology and history. Read about Nut and her place in Egyptian mythology, and engage with others who share your interest. By exchanging insights and experiences, you’ll develop a richer understanding of the goddess and strengthen your bond with her.

Other Goddesses

If you enjoyed this post we are sure you will enjoy getting to know some of the other goddesses we also write about. You can find the complete list of goddesses sorted across regions and religions here.

Featured Image Credit: Jonathunder, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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Liz Turnbull

Sharon and Elizabeth Turnbull, mother and daughter team and the website's midwives, had over 45 years of combined work and continuous study in psychology when they decided to create the Goddess Quiz and goddessgift.com. In 2001, we launched our mission to provide visitors with tools for personal insight, self-knowledge, inspiration, and refinement. Sharon, the bestselling author of Goddess Gift (a book about finding the goddess in yourself) worked as a senior partner in a consulting firm, a speaker at seminars and conferences, and as a professor and administrator at four universities during an academic career that spanned over three decades. Liz is also a published author who works as a healthcare provider, an instructor in communication skills for healthcare providers, and leads workshops on multiple subjects including health/healing, communication, and personal growth. It is our greatest hope that our gift may help the Sacred Feminine within and all around us thrive and bless us all with Her Gifts.