I haven’t taken the beginners class yet but I have been working with the netjeru for more than 20 years now (since I was 7).
I have a tattoo sleeve that I’m working on designing that I know I want a Sekhmet tattoo involved in. For me, my tattoos are a part of my body and because after a while I find I become complacent in them being on my body I do not see it as my body being a temple at all times. Not that I do not value myself or anything but I don’t have the feeling of constantly being in a temple 24/7 if that makes sense. I have never done Senut but normally with rituals I have done a cleansing component and I wear certain clothes and jewelry that is only for rituals or similar things. In more mundane settings like work I have a Isis and sekhmet necklaces and I feel more connected with Them and more aware of my surroundings and what I’m doing when I wear them. It allows me to put myself in the mindframe of this is a time dedicated to the gods, rather than feeling like I’m being watched all the time.
As for people wearing ankhs and other symbols as part of counter culture. I am rather gothy and I wear an ankh necklace and have an ankh tattoo. I get accused of having them as a part of counter culture and of course the cultural appropriation. If i have the spoons I might take the time to talk about it but sometimes I really just don’t want to explain it so I just give some kind of “yeah counter culture” sort of answer so that they are satisfied and stop asking. I ignore most other arguments about them because I know myself and my intentions and cultural appropriation is an issue and its valid for people to be mad about it. I don’t really feel its my place to speak on it. I just sort of go “okay” which is a flippant and dumb answer but I’m not sure how to explain my intentions to someone who has a lot of anger and does not want to listen in that moment. I also do not want to weaponize voices against other voices. So for the most part I don’t really talk about it.
Sorry, I wasn’t trying to get political but those have been my experiences since i live in an area where that is a conversation.
Basically I agree with the person above who said that we don’t really know if someone who is a part of counter culture has a connection to the Netjeru or not. Even if you ask them they may not want to answer or talk about it if they do not know you. I do find that most people I meet have some connection if I get to know them enough and they eventually talk about it a little. But for the most part I try not to judge because I honestly just don’t know and may never know.
Sometimes I do talk about my symbols and what nots with my clients because I work in Long term care (LTC) and they get curious after seeing me for months and years and its normal to want to get to know staff as people. But even than I just say “Its my religion” and thats it. I try to keep it short and sweet. I’m fairly private when it comes to people I don’t know very well.