The Egyptian Cobra

Appearance: The cobra was almost always portrayed rearing up and with its hood dilated. The Greek word uraeus is typically used to describe the cobra in this pose. The word may have its origins from the Egyptian words which meant "she who rears up". The species of cobra represented as the uraeus is the Naja haje.


Meaning: According to the Story of Re, the first uraeus was created by the goddess Isis who formed it from the dust of the earth and the spittle of the sun-god. The uraeus was the instrument with which Isis gained the throne of Egypt for her husband Osiris.
The uraeus was a symbol for various things from early times including: the sun, Lower Egypt, the king and a number of deities.

As the sacred creature of the Delta city of Buto, the reptile was known by the same name. She soon became an emblem of all of Lower Egypt. The uraeus was often depicted with the vulture Nekhebet who served the same function for Upper Egypt. Together they symbolized the unification of the two lands. The creatures also appear together in the pharaoh's nebty or "Two Ladies" name.

The cobra was also called the "fiery eye" of Re and two uraei were sometimes depicted on either side of the solar disk.
A gilded wooded cobra called netjer-ankh ("living god") was found in the tomb of Tutankhamen. It is representative of the cobra's associations with the afterlife. In funerary works, the cobra is often depicted spitting fire. Two cobras doing just that were said to guard the gates of every "hour" of the underworld. During the Late Period, uraei were also shown towing the barque of the sun in funerary papyri. In all of these examples, the cobra's protective nature is clearly demonstrated.

The cobra was also representative of various deities such as Neith, Ma'at, and Re.

Casting an Egyptian Circle

I went to the ROM yesterday, and had a fairly good time. My photos are on my aunt's camera, so you'll get them in tomorrow's post. They put on a new wing, and it looks good, but messes with perception, even inside.
What I was most impressed with was the gift shop: it used to be a dingy little afterthought with everything either too expensive or things you could get for kids. Now, they have all sorts of things, including reproductions. I got the four canopic jars. Why did I get them? Well, I'm a visual person, and the four sons of Horus (the canopic jars) are used in making an Egyptian circle, which is a ritual I'm going to share with you today.
I found this in a book called Egyptian Paganism for Beginners, which I reviewed here, but was modified a bit by me.
Any basic Wiccan circle can be modified to fit any tradition or theme you want.

You Will Need
- Four candles of tea candles for the four quarters. These may be placed in coloured holders, or the candles themselves may be coloured to represent the directions. Traditionally: yellow for air in the east, red for fire in the south, blue for water in the west and black for earth in the north. You may use whatever colours you feel symbolize the elements and directions
- Two candles for the altar or shine, these should be in the deity’s colours or white
- An image of the deity
- A wand
- A sistrum or rattle. You can use a singing bowl or drum if you can't find a sistrum. They can be hard to come by
- A compass if you need help figuring out directions
- If you are a visual person like me, you can get a set of the four canopic jars, and place the corresponding deity in each direction, to give a more visual boundary to your circle.
The shrine or altar should preferably be placed in the east, the direction of sunrise, or else so that you are facing toward Egypt. This might be hard to do if you have a permanent altar set-up.

You may wish to have a copy of this ritual printed out with you while performing the ritual, in order to make sure you are following all the steps. It is also a good idea to do a couple “run-throughs” of the ritual, to get a basic feel for the ritual. In that way, you can also modify it to fit your own tastes before the actual ritual begins.

STEP ONE: Calling the Elemental Powers
Light the candles or tea candles at the four quarters, but leave the candles on the altar unlit when you start. Face the altar and compose yourself. Relax. Visualise a white light shining down from above. It comes from a divine source and bathes you and the room in its cleansing power, removing all unwanted influences from the vicinity. Image the divine light entering through the top of your head and flowing down your spine, awakening the latent psychic-etheric energy that is in your spine (like Chakras). A force also rises up your body form the earth. Imagine these forces within your body, imbuing you with power.
Take up your wand or use your finger, and turning clockwise, face east. Point your wand or finger toward the east and visualize the power flowing out toward where you point. Moving clockwise, draw the circle around your working area, from east to south, to west, to north, to east. As you draw it, visualize it as a line of bluish-white light flowing from the tip of your wand or finger, emanating from the power circling in your spine. Take your time to do this, pausing at each quarter is necessary—you may need to allow power to gather before you continue. When you have completed the circle, see it as a line round the circumference of a great protective sphere that encompasses you and your place of working, creating a sacred space within it.

STEP TWO: Calling the Sons of Horus
Always turning clockwise, take the sistrum, face east, and shake it. Sat: “Hail to you, Lords and Ladies of the East, Powers of Air! Hail, Lord Qubhsennuf! Please be present at this sacred place and witness this rite.” You need to project the words out onto the astral plane or realm of the imagination. The sound does not have to be loud in actuality, but it should be imagined as long enough to call the elemental air to you. As you chant the name three or four times, visualize Lord Qebhsennuf approaching in the form of a falcon—a golden bird of prey. He comes to rest at the edge of the circle as a tall, falcon-headed man, and behind him you can see a sunny sky with windswept clouds. You may “hear” clairaudiently a greeting from the neter. Reply politely, thanking him for coming (you may reply with your “inner voice” rather than speaking aloud).

Turn south, shake the sistrum. Say: “Hail to you, Lord and Ladies of the South, Powers of Fire! Hail, Lord Duamutef! Please be present at this sacred place and witness this rite.” Visualize him as a black jackal—a slim, doglike animal resembling a greyhound with erect, pointed ears and a bushy tail—approaching through a desert landscape. He comes to rest at the edge of the circle as a jackal-headed man (or woman as this neter is sometimes female), seen against a background of flames. If he greets you, thank him for coming.

Carry out a similar procedure in the west, calling on the power of water and Lord Imsety. See him as a bearded man standing on the seashore with the waved behind him.

Repeat the procedure in the north, but this time calling on the powers of earth and Lord Hapi. Visualize the neter approaching in the form of a baboon or ape. He stands at the edge of the circle as a baboon-headed man, seen against a background of plants and trees.
These four guardian spirits are the Four sons of Horus.

STEP THREE: Empoweing the Altar
Turn clockwise and face the shrine or altar. Shake the sistrum. Say:
The heavens are opened,
The earth is opened,
The West is opened,
The East is opened,
The southern half of heaven is opened,
The northern half of heaven is opened,
The doors are opened,
And the gates are thrown wide open to Ra
As he cometh forth from the horizon.

If performing the ceremony at night, you may wish to replace Ra with the name of a moon god such as Thoth or Khonsu.

Shake the sistrum. The circle is now cast. Light the candles on the shrine or altar. Say:
The shining Eye of Horus cometh
The brilliant Eye of Horus cometh
It cometh in peace;
It sendeth forth rays of light unto Ra in the horizon
And it destoryeth the powers of Set according to the decree.
It leadeth them on and it taketh possession of him
And its flame is kindled against him
Its flame cometh and goeth about and bringeth adoration;
It cometh and goeth about and bringeth adoration;
It cometh and goeth about heaven in the train of Ra
Upon the two hands of thy two sister, O Ra
The Eye of Horus liveth
Yea, liveth within the great hall;
The Eye of Horus liveth
Yea, liveth!

Thus, the circle is ready for work. Be sure that if you invoke a deity, you should thank them at the end of the rite.

STEP FOUR: Closing the Circle
Go round the circle counter-clockwise, stating in the east and pausing at each quarter to thank the respective elemental powers and neter. For example, in the east, shake the sistrum and say: “Lords and Ladies of the East, powers of Air, and Lord Qebhsennuf, thank you for attending this rite. Hail and farewell!” Visualize the neter departing, taking the elementals with him and the door to the elemental world closes. Extinguish the candle or tea candle as this happens. Use the energy to send a word or blessing to the elementals. Othewise, send a healing thought to those in need—candles in this rite should not be blown out unless they are used in this way. If you do not send a blessing, snuff out the candles on the altar.

Heh

No, that isn't slang for a laugh, that is the name of an Egyptian deity.

Heh is the god of infinity and formlessness, usually shown as a crouching man holding out two palm ribs in his hands, each of which terminated with a tadplole and a shen ring. The shen ring is a symbol of infinity. The palm ribs were symbols of the passage of time, in the temples they were notched to record cycles of time. The tadpole hieroglyph represents the number 100,000.

The image of Heh himself was with his arms raised was the hieroglyph for the number one million.
Heh was a member of the Ogdoad of Hermopolis. He and his consort Hauhet together are the aspects of formlessness and endlessness that existed in the universe prior to the Creation. In Hermopolis, he was depicted as a serpent.

Religion and Magic in Ancient Egypt

This book isn’t what I expected. I read some reviews from pagans on Amazon, and it was spun as a book that actually had some revamped ancient rituals. This book is actually a history book. It covers the evolution of magic in Egypt, and thus also covers the history of the empire.
Though the book is no doubt interesting, and should be a staple to any Egyptologists library, it is not exactly a “pagan” book. History is always a good thing to know, particularly in paganism.
I recommend a couple good history books in any pagan library, and this is one of those history books you should have, particularly if you have an interesting in Egypt.

Published in 2002 by Penguin UK

Other Books by Rosalie David:
Handbook to Life in Ancient Egypt; Conversations with Mummies: New Lights on the Lives of Ancient Egyptians; Guide to Religious Ritual at Abydos; The Ancient Egyptians: The Philosophy of Structuralism & Post-Structuralism; Growing up in Ancient Egypt; Mummies: Unwrapping the Past; The Pyramid Builders of Ancient Egypt: A Modern investigation of Pharaoh’s Workforce; A Biographical Dictionary of Ancient Egypt; The Egyptian Kingdoms; The Ancient Egyptians: Religious Beliefs & Practices; The Sussex Library Religious Beliefs and Practices: The Ancient Egyptians: Beliefs and Practices

Readability:
Is it easy to read? To a degree: it is well written, but it is written in a very academic context.
Is it easy to follow along with? Again, to a degree.
Is it interesting? Yes
How long does it take to read? Because it is very academic and in that regard, it is dry, so it’s kind of hard to get through.
Overall: 3/5

Content:
Is the author knowledgeable? Most defiantly: she is a professor of Egyptology.
Is the knowledge valuable? Yes.
Is the knowledge new knowledge or is it common knowledge? This depends on education. If you are really interested in the history of Egypt, then it might be fairly common knowledge. If you know very little about Egyptian history, then it will be new knowledge.
Is it cohesive and relevant? Yes
Other notes: There are many books and websites devoted to the history of ancient Egypt. This is not the only book that provides this information.
Overall: 4/5

Design/Layout:
Is the book set up for easy reference: To a degree. You may have to do a bit of hunting
Is the layout or design obnoxious or annoying? No.
Overall: 4/5

Overall:
Do you recommend this book? Yes
Was it worth the money? It costs about $15 on Chapters. If you like a physical book to reference instead of the internet, then this book is worth it. However, you could probably find cheaper.
Will You Purchase Other Books from this Author?: I don’t know. Her other books are also academic.
Overall: 11/15

Book Review: Egyptian Paganism for Beginners

This book was an Amazon recommendation after I purchased a few books on Ancient Egypt. It was on sale at the time, so I ordered it. I was very excited when I got it in the mail, and skimmed through it.
When I settled down to really read it, I was slightly disappointed. Jocelyn Almond and Keith Seddon are both very well-versed, but they write in an arrogant way.
They both believe in a very traditional Egyptian path, and have a holier-than-thou attitude about following a strict Kemetic path.
The book has some redeeming features. It offers prayers too many different deities from the pantheon, and some interesting tips on creating an altar you can hide away in case you have family or friends that are deeply opposed to paganism, or if you are tight on space. The book also offers an interesting ritual on casting a Wiccan circle using Egyptian elements.

Published in 2004 by Llewellyn

Other Books by Jocelyn Almond: An Egyptian Book of Shadows: Eight Seasonal Rites of Egyptian Paganism; Tarot for Relationships: A Practical Guide to Understanding Love and Sex from Tarot Reading; Understanding Tarot: A Practical Guide to Tarot Reading

Other Books by Keith Seddon: Epictetus’ Handbook and the Tablet of Cebes: Guides to Stoic Living; An Egyptian Book of Shadows: Eight Seasonal Rites of Egyptian Paganism; Time: A Philosophical Treatment

Readability:
Is it easy to read? To A degree; some parts are easier to read than others
Is it easy to follow along with? Again, some parts are and some parts aren’t
Is it interesting? Yes
How long does it take to read? You can probably get through the book in a week.
Overall: 3/5

Content:
Is the author knowledgeable? Yes, they are very well-versed
Is the knowledge valuable? Yes
Is the knowledge new knowledge or is it common knowledge? It is ancient knowledge worded in a new way.
Is it cohesive and relevant? To a degree
Other notes: If you can ignore the preaching attitude, the content is really good.
Overall: 4/5

Design/Layout:
Is the book set up for easy reference: Yes
Is the layout or design obnoxious or annoying? No
Overall: 5/5

Overall:
Do you recommend this book? Somewhat.
Was it worth the money? It was $12 on Chapters, so if you can afford to spend that money, it can be nice to have in your library. However, if you can, borrow it from the library or a friend and just copy out the information you need.
Will You Purchase Other Books from this Author?: I’m looking to the Egyptian Book of Shadows, but other than that, no.
Overall: 12/15

Book Review: The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt

When I first got this book, I carried it around with me endlessly. I even started a novel using the information from it. Not only does it cover the major deities of Egypt, like most of these books, but it covers the dozens of minor, local deities.
It also talks about some basic history, like Egyptian altar set up, how people would worship, and how the Pharaoh’s and Gods were interconnected. It gave me some ideas as to how to eventually set up my Egyptian room when I have my own house, and even some ideas on how to set up my current altar. It not only talks about the royal family, which a lot of these books do, but it also talks about how the common people would worship, which is much different that the imperial family.
Honestly, this is possibly the best book on Egypt I’ve purchased. I’m really happy with it.


Published in 2003 by Thames and Hudson

Other Books by Richard Wilkinson: Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt; Egyptian Scarabs; Symbol and Magic in Egyptian Art; Reading Egyptian Art
Note: “Richard Wilkinson” is a common name, apparently. The ones I listed are the ones published by Thames and Hudson. These are the only ones I know for sure are by the same author.

Readability:
Is it easy to read? Yes.
Is it easy to follow along with? It can jump around a bit, but for the most part it is easy to follow along with.
Is it interesting? Yes
How long does it take to read? It took me two days...
Overall: 5/5

Content:
Is the author knowledgeable? Yes
Is the knowledge valuable? Yes
Is the knowledge new knowledge or is it common knowledge? A lot of it is new. There are a lot of minor Gods and Goddesses in this book that I had never heard of before, plus some interesting things about well-known deities.
Is it cohesive and relevant? Yes
Other notes: Eh, I got nothing, really...
Overall: 5/5

Design/Layout:
Is the book set up for easy reference: Kind of. It is divided into major parts, but you may have to do a bit of hunting. But, it’s totally worth it
Is the layout or design obnoxious or annoying? Not really. There are a lot of pictures, so the text can be organized in weird columns, but I’m okay with that.
Overall: 5/5

Overall:
Do you recommend this book? Yes!
Was it worth the money? It was expensive...$40 on average. I find it well worth the money, but some people may not want to spend that sort of money on a book. It makes a good Christmas or birthday present though!
Will You Purchase Other Books from this Author?: I haven’t decided yet
Overall: 15/15

Book Review: Heka - The Practices Of Ancient Egyptian Ritual And Magic

This was my first real book on Egyptian magic. Ironically, it arrived on Egyptian new year when I got it. I poured over it, reading it cover to cover at least half a dozen within the month of August. This book made me feel grown up; not just some teenage dabbler in Wicca, but a real Pagan.
This book puts ancient Egyptian practices into a modern context, and that makes it rather easy to use in a modern setting. Though it does explain the concepts of the Ancients, it also converts the Egyptian calendar to a Gregorian one, so you can properly plan ceremonies.
This book not only gives a history of the civilization of Egypt, but also brief overviews of different deities, including many of their symbols. It converts very ritualistic ceremonies, such as the Opening of the Mouth ceremony, to something that can easily be done today. This book really blends ancient practises with modern society.
I really think this is a staple for anyone at all interested in Egyptian magic.

Published in 2006 by Avalonia

Other Books by David Rankine:
Climbing the Tree of Life; The Voyage of the Black Witch; The Guises of the Morrigan - The Irish Goddess of Sex & Battle; Becoming Magick; Magick Without Peers; Circle of Fire


Readability:
Is it easy to read? Yes
Is it easy to follow along with? Yes
Is it interesting? Yes
How long does it take to read? It took me about three days to read cover to cover
Overall: 5/5

Content:
Is the author knowledgeable? Seems to be
Is the knowledge valuable? Yes
Is the knowledge new knowledge or is it common knowledge? It’s new knowledge. Most books on Paganism, and even on Egypt, don’t present this kind of information.
Is it cohesive and relevant? Yes
Other notes: Though this information is probably available online, the way this book is put together makes it worth buying
Overall: 5/5

Design/Layout:
Is the book set up for easy reference: Yes
Is the layout or design obnoxious or annoying? Not in the least
Overall: 5/5

Overall:
Do you recommend this book? Yes
Was it worth the money? It’s a little pricy. On Amazon it’s about $28, and on Chapters it’s about $36. It’s worth asking for as a birthday/Christmas present, or if you can afford it, it is worth the money.
Will You Purchase Other Books from this Author?: I’m going to look into it, for sure.
Overall: 15/15

Makeshift Egyptian Ceremony

Date: August 1st, 2009.
First Month of Akhet, Djehuti, Day One
Location: Howard Johnson in Leamington
Written On: July 31, 2009

So, today is the Egyptian New Year, and one of three New Year ceremonies I celebrate. Today is also the day of my cousin Melissa’s wedding. So, because of that, I’m in Leamington; a small factory town just about 45 minutes north of Windsor.
So, I can’t have a big ceremony and feast for this New Years, which kind of sucks because I was hoping my mom and I would cook up a big feast with all of our favourite foods.
But, instead, I’m in a hotel room.
So, as to not break any possible rules, I’m writing a ritual for New Years without any candles or incense. How exciting! See, I love my candles and incense, but I also don’t want to get in trouble by the hotel staff, or have angry neighbours pounding on my door for “stinking up the floor”. But, this will help me be in touch with my oils and stones.

First off, I’m going to make a list of what I’ve packed, so that if I ever get caught in this situation again, I can refer to this list.
Basics
- Sea Salt
- Mini Egyptian statues (Bast, Anubis, Thoth and Isis)
- Large ankh
Oils
- Eucalyptus
- Bergamot
- Lemongrass

Stones
- Carnelian(1)
- Amethyst
- Zebra Agate
- Lapis Lazuli
- Malachite(tower and tumbled stone)
- Rose Quartz (ball)
- Hematite (1)
- Moonstone (1)
- Citrine (1)
- Sodalite
- Apatite
- Sunstone
- Ammonite
- Clear Quartz

Let’s plan the ceremony now!
I am going to put actions in regular type, and words spoken either verbally or mentally in italics.

Before this, take a nice bath or shower, and don’t get out until you feel really clean. Imagine the water washing away all the impurities from the past year. Dress either in ritual garb, or in comfortable clothes.
We arrange a mid-size work area. Upon our altar cloth, we lay out our stones, our bottles of oil, our holy water, our ankh and our miniature statues. Hopefully, we will have Timbits as an offering and New Years “feast”. Music is optional.
I like to position myself with my back against a wall or object that is against the wall, like a bed, so that I have a complete view of the area without having to worry about my back.
I am far from my home, and my temple, but today, the first day of the first month of the new year, I still must honour the Gods. Today, the star Sothis will rise over the homeland of Egypt, signalling the flooding of the Nile, the bloodline that sustains the country.
With your little finger, pick up a bit of the salted water and place it on the statues. Also, place some on your forehead. Sprinkle a little over the Timbits as well.
Though I am far from my temple, I ask for the Gods and Goddesses to join me in this ceremony. I also invite all spirits pure of heart and soul to join me here.
Center yourself. Feel the Gods, Goddesses and spirits. Let them speak to you, and greet them.
Today is also the day of my cousin’s wedding. This is the happiest day of her life, so please make this day and every day with her new husband joyous.
For the coming year, I don’t know what to ask for, so I’m going to cover the basics: happiness, love, health, and spirituality. I want to really become the person I should be.
Put a little bit of Bergamot oil on the statues, and over your heart. Bergamot is an oil of protection, money, and prosperity; all things we want for a New Year.
Eat a Timbit, slowly.
I thank the Gods for my “feast” of Timbits, and I invite everyone present to indulge in the offering.
Stand up, and place the Timbits on a surface for the spirits to eat. Return to your little “nest”, and start dealing your tarot cards for the upcoming year. I’m going to use the Animal Companions deck, and the Wheel of the Year spread, the second variation. Before you deal the cards, place a mixture of the oils eucalyptus and lemongrass on your third eye, to aid in psychic vision.
After you’ve dealt the cards, write them down in your traditional manner. Clean up your area, and pack everything up, except the Timbits (let the spirits indulge, and have a couple more yourself! This is your New Years feast, after all). You don’t have to analyse the cards just yet, as long as you have them written down, but if you wish, you may.
Now that everything is cleaned and packed back up, find a comfy place and relax; read a book, watch TV or a movie, analyse your tarot reading, anything.
-----
Well, this is the closest thing I could do to a real New Year’s celebration. I’m out of town, and in a hotel room. It’s rather spur of the moment, and there are probably a lot of elements that either don’t belong or are missing.
Think of this as a traveling ceremony, requiring small, compact things that fit in a suitcase.