2003 NOTE: Kemetic Orthodoxy is a living religion, and the definitions of terms and practices mentioned in this document and their applications in our faith may have changed or evolved since this document's original writing. Please refer to more recent documents for clarification on any information that is unclear. This letter will be updated to reflect changes in our practice as soon as possible.

This evening, I wanted to talk about Shemsuhood. When I was soliciting topics for my lectures, a number of existing Shemsu and Remetj expressed interest in getting some "pointers" or "steps" in Shemsuhood. Others often ask questions about what Shemsuhood is or means. I think we can possibly tackle both questions a little bit tonight.

What is a Shemsu?
Shemsu is a Kemetic word that is something called a collective noun. That is a grammatical term to say that it is both a singular and plural word: one Shemsu, many Shemsu. That may tie into our discussion about what it means to be Shemsu, so keep that in the back of your head: it's one and many at the same time.

Shemsu means "to be in the following." It's related to the verb shems, which means to be attached to or to be following in the sense of discipleship, not the sense of walking behind someone literally. In antiquity there were Shemsu of the king and Shemsu of the gods.

Shemsu is sometimes translated into English as "retinue" or "entourage," to continue this idea of a body of persons dedicated as disciples to something or someone.

We have more than one type of membership in our faith. While it is not required that all who honor Netjer become Shemsu, Shemsuhood is the highest form of service in Kemetic Orthodoxy. Not priesthood, nor even what I do as Nisut. Remember that also.

A person who decides to become a Shemsu in Kemetic Orthodoxy has made a personal and important decision in terms of their desired relationship with Netjer. This man or woman who is a potential Shemsu has decided to dedicate their entire life to the following: following their Parent Name(s), and through their Parent(s), to enable Ma'at to flow freely in the world. This is important. If there were no Shemsu, Netjer would have no reason for worship.

Some people think priesthood is the only form of dedication to Netjer. In reality, it is not. A priest in our faith is also a Shemsu. He or she cannot possibly improve or enlarge that intimate relationship with Netjer. The only thing a priest does that not all Shemsu are required to do is that he or she makes a covenant with Netjer to serve Its Children: to serve the Shemsu and Remetj as well as his or her gods and goddesses. However, a priest remains a Shemsu, and is never more or less important than them.

The Shemsu are the body of our faith, the family of its temples and shrines and nation. They are the force that keeps our faith together and perpetuates the legacy of Ma'at it holds. Each person who has made that commitment should be proud of it. There is no higher form of service to the gods and goddesses than Shemsuhood.

What does a Shemsu DO?

In very plain terms, a Shemsu follows. He or she is devoted to the service of his or her Parent(s), performs ritual to Them daily, and learns to be part of the intimate Parent-child relationship in this manner. He or she is an ambassador to the world for his or her Parent(s) and Ma'at, as well as our faith. He or she brings Ma'at to mankind in the form of service, teaching, and any gift and talent (s)he possesses.

Given that Shemsu have different Parents and different life experiences, what a Shemsu can do is limited only by what a Shemsu can come up with. There is no set of official rules or steps by which one becomes a "better" Shemsu. Reading all the books in the proper order, doing prayers "just right," wearing the right shrine robe: none of this makes a Shemsu. Commitment and love for the gods and goddesses define Shemsuhood. It is life, not window dressing. It's not the practices, but the beliefs behind them.

Beyond the Rite of Parent Divination, there are many horizons. Every person who decides to become a Shemsu after divination has a responsibility to themselves and their Parent(s) to become that person they wish to be, and to travel that road in the Following. It is both as simple, and as complex, as that.