Last update: 07/27/01
 Wep
Ronpet ("the Opening of the Year") is established as the New Year's Day from the Old
Kingdom, when Sopdet
(the star known to us as Sirius) rose at
dawn after a period of invisibility of 70 days. The sighting of
Sopdet, which was later associated with the "Tears of Aset," also
noted the first day on which the Inundation could be sighted and
the Nile began to rise to its annual flood stage. In modern times,
the High Dam at Aswan prevents the Inundation of antiquity from
occurring; but Egyptians still celebrate a festival called the "Night of
the Drop" in honor of the yearly miracle of water.
To the Kemetic Orthodox, Wep Ronpet is one of our most important
celebrations. So important that it is during this time of year when we choose
to plan our annual retreat. The faithful gather in Chicago, where the
House of Netjer is located, and spend five days together attending workshops,
telling stories, and building friendships.
Please note: The retreat is for Shemsu, Remetj,
their families, and select interested parties. Please understand that
while we try to provide workshops for non-members of the faith, we
will be necessity have some events that are for the congregation only.
This year's retreat deadline has already come up, but if you would
like to contact us about it, please write the
Seshet at seshet@kemet.org
with the subject line "Retreat Information".
 WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1 (BIRTHDAY OF HERU-WER) |
|
8:00 AM |
Open fellowship |
|
10:00 PM |
|
10-11 PM |
Evening Prayers with Kai-Imakhu Antybast and Kai-Imakhu
meryBast |
|
Note:
__________ |
Check in time is 3 PM. Please plan accordingly. |
| THURSDAY AUGUST 2 (BIRTHDAY OF SET) |
|
|
Breakfast before 8 AM |
|
8-9 AM |
Group Senut and discussion |
|
9-10 AM |
Introductions and general information |
| |
10-11 AM |
Kha (appearance) of the Nisut (AUS) |
|
11:00 AM -
NOON |
Lunch, free time, Imy-Ra meetings, and privately
scheduled meetings.
|
| |
1-3 PM |
Dancing and drumming workshop |
| |
4-6 PM |
Free time and preparation for wedding ceremony |
| |
6-10 PM |
Dinner with the Nisut (AUS), God's Dances |
| |
10-11 PM |
Evening prayers with Kai-Imakhu Nakht
|
| FRIDAY AUGUST 3 (BIRTHDAY OF ASET) |
|
|
Breakfast before 8 AM |
|
8-9 AM |
Group Senut and discussion |
|
9:00 AM |
History workshop
Wab priest training for Senior Shemsu (until 3 PM) |
| |
10:00 AM |
Heka Workshop: Amulet dedication and construction |
|
11:00 AM -
NOON |
Lunch |
| |
12-2 PM |
Hands on Workshop: Netjer Candlemaking |
| |
2-4 PM |
Divination workshop for Shemsu |
| |
4-5 PM |
Freetime and wedding preparations |
| |
5-6 PM |
Blessing of Wedding: Biaytsekhmet and Robb |
| |
6-8 PM |
Dinner with the Nisut (AUS) |
| |
8-10 PM |
Sekhmet Healing Ceremony |
| |
10:00 PM |
Prayers with Imakhu Inibmutes
|
| SATURDAY AUGUST 4 (BIRTHDAY OF NEBET-HET) |
|
|
Breakfast before 8 AM (except for Imakhiu) |
|
8-9 AM |
Coronation ritual of the Nisut (AUS): Nisut (AUS)
and Imakhiu only |
|
9-10 AM |
Presentation of H.H. the Nisut Hekatawy (AUS) to
Her people, blessings ceremony. |
|
10:00 AM
__________ |
Open time for non-Shemsu and guests (to 5:00 PM).
Ordeal preparation for Shemsu |
|
11:00 AM -
1:00 PM |
The Shemsu Ordeal: Current and New Shemsu only |
|
1-5 PM |
Lunch, free time, private meetings. Discussions
TBA |
|
5-9 PM |
Naming Ceremony. Dinner with the Nisut (AUS) |
|
9-10 PM |
Evening prayers with the Nisut (AUS)
|
| SUNDAY AUGUST 5 (WEP-RONPET -- THE
OPENING OF THE YEAR) |
|
5-6 AM |
Ritual: Kissing the Face of Ra |
|
6-7 AM |
Ritual: Against the Enemies of the Year |
|
7-9 AM |
Discussion |
| |
8-9 AM |
Breakfast with the Nisut (AUS) |
| |
9-10 AM |
Cleaning up, packing. |
| |
10:00 AM -
NOON |
Closing and Fellowship. |
What to Bring....
- Comfortable, CASUAL clothing (you do not need to dress up for any part of
the weekend). Air conditioning is provided but August in Chicago is usually
quite warm and humid. Short-sleeved clothing, jeans and khaki pants are
probably most comfortable; skirts are not necessary.
- Materials for performing Group Senut (water, natron and incense will be
supplied).
- Shemsu undergoing Ordeal: Senut clothing or other plain white comfortable
(loose) clothing and a cushion (pillow, towel, etc.) to sit on.
- Percussion instruments for the God's Dances (drums, rattles, sistra, etc).
- Items of personal interest that you would like the Nisut (AUS) to bless.
- New Year's gifts if you are giving them to anyone.
- Spending money for meals, bus/taxi fare, shopping. Dinners with
the Nisut (AUS) will be at restaurants TBA; we will keep the costs
to under $20/person for that dinner. Chicago is a moderately priced
city; you should be able to eat and enjoy yourself on $30-$40 per
day (not counting expensive shopping trips). Please alert Imakhu
Inibmutes (Seshet@kemet.org) if you are vegetarian or have special
dietary needs so we can be sure the restaurants can accommodate
you.
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