Solar deity

A solar deity (also sun god or sun goddess) is a sky deity who represents the Sun, or an aspect of it, usually by its perceived power and strength. Solar deities and sun worship can be found throughout most of recorded history in various forms.

Overview

The Neolithic concept of a "solar barge" (also "solar bark", "solar barque", "solar boat" and "sun boat", a mythological representation of the sun riding in a boat) is found in the later myths of ancient Egypt, with Ra and Horus. Predynasty Egyptian beliefs attribute Atum as the sun-god and Horus as a god of the sky and sun. As the Old Kingdom theocracy gained power, early beliefs were incorporated with the expanding popularity of Ra and the Osiris-Horus mythology. Atum became Ra-Atum, the rays of the setting sun. Osiris became the divine heir to Atum's power on Earth and passes his divine authority to his son Horus. Early Egyptian myths imply the sun is within the lioness, Sekhmet, at night and is reflected in her eyes; or that it is within the cow, Hathor, during the night, being reborn each morning as her son (bull).

Sun Goddess (album)

Sun Goddess is a jazz album by Ramsey Lewis released on Columbia Records in 1974.

About the album

After his classic acoustic albums in the 1960s, Ramsey Lewis wanted to head in a new musical direction in the 1970s. As the mid-70s approached, he reunited with Maurice White, who at that time was with his own band, Earth, Wind & Fire. Members of EW&F including White played on the album sessions, while Philip Bailey added vocals.

The album became a huge crossover hit, charting at #1 on the Billboard Black Albums chart, as well as the Jazz album chart. The album also charted #12 in the Pop chart. While the album charted in the top 15, the songs "Hot Dawgit" and "Sun Goddess" charted in the Black Singles, the Pop Singles, and the Disco singles charts.Sun Goddess has been certified gold.

For years, the identity of the woman on the iconic album cover, photographed by Herb Breuer, had been a mystery among fans, as there was no credit on the album cover. Lewis revealed on his Facebook page in June 2011 that the model was Susan Leigh Scott, now Susan Maxon. Maxon had moved to Seattle, where Lewis was performing during his 2011 Sun Goddess Tour, and decided to attend one of his performances. A photo was taken of the backstage meeting between Lewis and Maxon, which Lewis posted on his page.

Sun Goddess (song)

"Sun Goddess" was a single for jazz musician Ramsey Lewis and jazz/R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire. It was written by Jon Lind and Maurice White of Earth, Wind & Fire. Released from Lewis's studio album Sun Goddess in 1974, Sun Goddess rose to 5, 20 and 44 on the U.S. Disco, R&B and Hot 100 Singles charts respectively. It was Lewis's biggest hit since "The 'In' Crowd". Earth, Wind & Fire also recorded a live version of the song for their "Gratitude" LP in 1975.

Chart positions

References