Serqet

Other Names:
Selkis, Selqet, Selket, Serket

(G/R Selkis; WB Selqet, Selket, Serket) - "She Who Breathes" Depicted as a woman with a scorpion on Her head, poised to strike, Serqet is one of the four protective Names of Netjeru seen in the canopic shrines along with Aset, Nit and Nebt-het; She is intimately connected with Aset as a protectress of Heru (and hence, metaphorically, of both children and the ruler), and was devoted in antiquity both to protect the innocent and children, and to ward against the sting of deadly scorpions, a pervasive threat in Kemet's climate. Serqet seems to be associated with protection and healing/recovery from poisons and threats of all sorts, and in modern times, Serqet has been invoked as a "goddess of detoxification" as well as a source of strength to those going through the detoxification process, especially recovering from illicit drug abuse. It is possible that Serqet is not Her own Name, but a specialized form of Aset, as Nebt-het may be a specialized form of Nit.