Egypt Chapter Eight. Egyptian Sacred Symbols

Transcription

1 Egypt Chapter Eight Egyptian Sacred Symbols

2 Sacred Symbology Telling a fourth year student that symbols are an important part of magickal practice would truly be an example of preaching to the choir. Without question, the most familiar symbols are word symbols which are expressed as language either spoken or written. By the time we reach third grade these symbols are so thoroughly integrated into our consciousness that we find it odd to think of them as symbols. They cease to be just an arbitrary representation of a person, place or thing and, upon invocation, seem to become that person, place, or thing. These word symbols are the foundation of culture, society, history, and even civilization. They are intellectual light that sparks the spirit of the seeker. Language is the marvel that has made spiritual acceleration possible. I now present a second truth which you will readily recognize and that is that there is another side to every benefit. In the case of magick, word symbols are too familiar. We speak to each other in word symbols. We write our grocery lists and office memos in word symbols. We are surrounded by word symbols that are NEVER CEASING. Even our favorite TV shows now have balloon font word symbols creeping across the bottom of the screen, exploding, or obliterating the face of a character in the process of delivering a line critical to the plot. We can t escape words even in sleep. Consequently, the use of word symbols in practical or ritual magick will have less impact, making less of an impression on the subconscious mind, than other kinds of symbols. That is one of the reasons why I dedicated an entire chapter to SIGILS. Our minds love puzzles and something new to notice or learn. The presentation of a new or different shape that carries meaning creates a need to focus and pay attention that is missing when we rely on words. Chapter Eight 2

3 Spirit Gathering Masters Studies Before we begin looking at Egyptian symbols in detail, I would like to mention that Egyptians called the process of preparing a spell spirit gathering. I was very taken with this terminology when I first ran across it. As I have said many times, a spell does not begin when you light the first candle and begin your chant. A spell begins the moment you determine that you will cast. When you decide that you will weave a spell for a particular purpose on a particular day at a particular time, the spell begins to build energy. Every time you think about it, or take a step toward the event in terms of research of gathering materials or writing chants, that energy expands, spiraling higher, with revolutions increasing in speed until the climactic moment when the spell is cast and the energy is released. Symbols gathered specifically for magickal use have spirit in the sense that, once given purpose, they hold that energy until it is released. If a symbol, or thing, is given the spirit of magickal purpose and that energy is not released, the expression of that symbol could, under the right circumstances, become somewhat dangerous to the unaware or innocent; sort of like the underlying principle behind the TV show Warehouse13. Like many such popular culture references to magick, it is exaggerated, silly, and, wrong... but fun. I highly recommend the use of symbols in magickal practice as highly effective tools. However, please keep in mind that a symbol, once given magickal purpose, becomes something more. It does not becomes an entity or an actual spirit with any sort of self-determination, but is a force with single-minded purpose on a mission to fulfill that purpose. For this reason, as a safeguard, I suggest that you do not assign symbols a magickal purpose until you are ready to cast the spell. Chapter Eight 3

4 Egyptian Symbols One of the remarkable things about hieroglyphics is that it is a language form that was devised by the priests for use in their function as priests; meaning that the entire system is imbued with occult undertones. It is not necessary to learn to read or interpret hieroglyphics as an archeologist would. Any of these symbols may be incorporated into a magickal working. Furthermore, real magick is based on cosmic principle and, therefore, does not have cultural or system bias. You may use an Egyptian symbol in a spell based on a Celtic foundation, for instance. So long as you understand the implications of your steps and implements, there should be no adverse effect. Chapter Eight 4

5 Certainly I will not present every hieroglyph in this lesson, but will mention those that I think are most germane for use in spell work. In order of importance, first would be some of those mentioned in the section on talismans. Remember the difference between a talisman and an amulet is that a talisman is assigned the task of attracting a specific form of positive energy whereas an amulet is assigned the task of repelling negative energy - either specific or in general. Any of these symbols can be employed for either purpose. I think of the implementation of these sacred symbols as high magick. These symbols have the power of antiquity meaning that people have regarded these images as sacred for several thousands of years and that alone acquires an energy unique to magick. In addition, these symbols were empowered with what I think of as the three m s : magick, mysticism, and mystery. For the purpose of spell work, the form your symbol takes is entirely up to you. You can use an elaborate, colorful, artistic rendering, or a hand drawn pencil sketch. In review, I believe the most potent of the Egyptian sacred symbols are these, not necessarily in order: 1. Eye of Horus - For me personally, this is one of the most powerful symbols. I started wearing one as an amulet when performing with my band, but was soon wearing it everyday. In addition, the right Eye of Horus is thought to represent consciousness, wholeness, unity, etc. It is also reported to be the symbol for an Egyptian Mystery School of Sacred Geometry. Best use: amulet. Eye of Horus tattoo Chapter Eight 5

6 2. The Ankh. If you spent any time at all looking at Egyptian art you would not be able to escape noticing that this symbol appears in most renderings where Neteru are present. Clearly Egyptians believed this was the symbol most cherished by the gods themselves. The deities are often pictured holding an ankh to someone s lips as a symbolic offering of the breath of life (or gift of life). Best use: health, healing, vigor or greater feeling of aliveness. 3. Feather of Ma at. Represents truth, justice, morality and balance. Pictured at left is a simple form of the hieroglyph. This symbol may be used in picture form or in physical form as an actual feather. Best use: justice, balance, clarity. 4. The Cat. Symbol of the goddess, Bastet. There was, apparently a cult of the cat in the area of the Nile that predates both Egypt and Bastet. Sacred regard for cats is apparently one of the oldest expressions of human spirituality. The Egyptian word for cat was Mau which imitates a common cat cry and the first word uttered by most humans which is why the word for mother universally stars with ma. Best use: fertility, protection, independence, dance and sexuality. Chapter Eight 6

7 5. The Cobra. You are probably familiar with the image of the cobra decorating the forehead piece of a pharoah s crown. The cobra was used as an amulet for the purpose of spitting fire at the wearer s enemies when they tried to approach. This is a powerful image because of the natural fear serpents inspire in the human species. Best use: banishings, bindings, reversals, defense against psychic attack Chapter Eight 7

8 6. The Lotus Flower. Sacred symbol of creation, but especially rebirth. The lotus closes and sinks into the water at night, but rises and reopens the next dawn. Best use: beginnings, changes, rededication, initiation, new projects 7. The Palm Leaf. The evergreen date palm was a sacred tree because it literally fed life even in harsh and hostile circumstances. The palm branch was the symbol of the god Heh, the personification of eternity. For later cultures, the palm branch also served as an emblem of fecundity and victory. Best use: courage, competition, warrior energy, fertility. Chapter Eight 8

9 8. Staffs and Scepters. A traditional display of power that was adopted by the whole of Western Civilization. Staffs and scepters usually indicate royalty, but the always indicate power. In Egyptian art, staffs and scepters typically appear an an accoutrement of male deities, but that distinction is not relevant to your use of one of these symbols in magick as magickal principle recognizes gender, but does not give your gender more significance than you attach to it. Best use: career, recognition, politics, negotiation, business success Chapter Eight 9

10 Sacred Geometry Masters Studies Last in the lesson, is a mention of the study of Sacred Geometry, where math, geometry and spirituality meet. This symbol, called the Flower of Life, forms the basis for music, as the distances between the spheres is identical to the distances between the tones and the half tones in music. It is also identical to the cellular structure of the third embryonic division (The first cell divides into two cells, then to four cells then to eight). Thus this same structure as it is further developed, creates the human body and all of the energy systems including the ones used to create the Merkaba. If we continue creating more and more spheres we will end up with the structure called the Flower of Life. The flower of life holds a secret symbol created by drawing 13 circles out of the Flower of Life. By doing this, one can discover the most important and sacred pattern in the universe. This is the source of all that exists; it s called the Fruit of Life. It contains 13 informational systems. Each one explains another aspect of reality. Thus these systems are able to give us access to everything ranging from the human body to the galaxies. In the first system, for example, it s possible to create any molecular structure and any living cellular structure that exists in the universe. In short every living creature. - Andrew Monkman Evidence that the ancient Egyptians were aware of Sacred Geometry is apparent not only in the building of pyramids, but also in the appearance of the Flower of Life on the wall of the Temple of Osiris at Abydos, Egypt. Chapter Eight 10

11 Here are just a few other examples of the Flower of Life symbol. Leonardo Da Vinci manuscripts (above). (Right.) Symbol found on Knights Templar tombstone at St. Magnus Cathedral in Kirkwall, Orkney. (Below left.) Floor mosaic, Turkey. (Below right.) Floor mosaic, India. Chapter Eight 11

12 As a sidenote, in relation to our modern symbol of Witchcraft, Egyptian hieroglyphics did include a five pointed star. I have even come across some examples of five pointed stars with circles drawn around them, but have never found a translation or explanation. A digest of translations for the star, itself, indicates that it related both to starfish and stars in the night sky with a passing notation that Egyptians thought of space as another kind of sea, or ocean. For those of us who have spent decades with Gene Roddenberry s TV shows (Star Trek in all its installments), that may not seem unusual, but the notion of space as ocean would have been an extremely sophisticated, if not unlikely, thought for six thousand years ago. That one insignificant comment has caused to me to reconsider the possibility that actual space travelers may have engaged our ancient ancestors and left behind some amazingly forward thinking ideas. Assignment: Your assignment for this lesson is simply to contemplate how you might be able to use one or more Egyptian sacred symbols to benefit your own magickal practice. Chapter Eight 12