| Lesson 6; Journey threw the after-life | |
|---|---|
| Topic Started: Mar 17 2005, 10:09 AM (100 Views) | |
| Dark Mistress | Mar 17 2005, 10:09 AM Post #1 |
|
HoM Professor/DE Leader
![]()
|
Lesson 6 The importance of the After-life in Ancient Egyptian times. Posted Image Once again you have found your way back to the tombs of ancient Egyptian Kings Today’s lesson will focus on how magic was important in the after-life in ancient Egypt. The entire civilization of ancient Egypt was based on religion (or magic) and their beliefs were important to them. Their belief in rebirth after death became their driving force behind their funeral practices. They believed that death was just a temporary interruption, and that their journey would soon continue again. To help insure that a safe trip into the after-life certain rituals were done. Offerings of gifts to the gods, mummification, and the provisions of statues and funerary equipment, they were set into place so that the deceased may enjoy their time in the after-life. Within the tombs you will find inscriptions (spells) from the “Book of the Dead”, “Book of Two Ways”, and Amuduat (a section of the “Book of the Netherworld”) around the deceased. Reading the scriptures you will find that they had every right to be cautious. The walls of the tombs tell a dangerous tale of trying to pass over into the after-life. The inscriptions were spells to ward off and protect the dead as they progressed through the netherworld. The tale written upon this tomb wall tells of how the deceased chose to travel by solar barque (a slow shallow boat from which Ra the “Sun God” recreated the world everyday, as a way to achieve eternal life). Priest were then required to perform the “Opening of the Mouth” ceremony over the deceased, whereby all the spells restored the senses to the body. Speech was very important, as they needed to justify themselves at the “Hall of Judgments”. Other senses were also needed because the next phase of their journey was to the “Field of Reeds”(The land of wish fulfillments). Once again moving through seven gates, aided by magic spells in scripted on objects surrounding the deceased. They soon arrive at the presence of Osiris (God of the Underworld) to face judgment. The ceremony was called the “Weighing of the Heart”, which explains why the heart was left intact and other organs were removed and placed in Canopic Jars. To justify yourself you must come face to face with 42 Gods, “The weighing of the Heart” ceremony was done in the presence of Anubis (God of the Dead), you must give testimony to a feather, (representing MAAT “The Goddess of Truth”). Balancing of the scale meant immortality. If the heart was not balanced perfectly then the deceased body was destroyed by Amemet and Seth (Murder of Osiris). It was little wander that spells, tokens, ushebits (responsible for doing the work required of you in death), amulets, and charms held such sway over the Egyptians. Next topic I would like to discuss is the Egyptian spell books used during their rituals. The first one is the “Book of the Dead”, which is a group of Mortuary spells written on sheets of papyrus covered by magical texts and illustrations called Vignettes. These spells were placed with the deceased in order to help them pass safely through the dangerous underworld. Upon doing so they would find eternal bliss in the “Field of Reeds”. Texts from the book can be found on walls of tombs, coffins, or linens. The texts are divided into individual spells or chapters, 200 in all. The next book also found in tombs is the “Book of Two Ways”. Another book that describes the story of a King’s travel through the netherworld, and spells used to repel danger, and assist with a safe journey. The book holds the incantations for the “Opening of the Mouth Ceremony”. The Amuduat also know as the “The book of the Secret Chambers”, was the earliest of all funerary text and documents the Sun God Ra’s journey thought the 12 divisions of the underworld. The texts begin with the setting of the sun, and the rebirth of a new one. The texts correspond with 12 hours of night. In this book the deceased King travels throughout the netherworld in his solar boat. While most tombs in the “Valley of the Kings” contain passages from the book, the burial chambers of Tuthmosis III and Amenophis II contain almost the complete text. This is your final lesson on ancient Egyptian magic. I hoped that you all found this to be fun and informative. Your final exam will be posted by March 30th. Thank you and it's been a pleasure instructing you. References: http://www.lostcivilizations.net/acient-eg...oks-page-2.html http://www.touregypt.net/boda.htm Homework: Answer all questions in compete sentences and in your own words. Questions are worth 2 points apiece. 1. The entire civilization of ancient Egypt was based on what? 2. They believed that death was what? 3. What did the Egyptians do to insure a safe trip for the deceased in the after-life? 4. Spells from what three books are found in the tombs? 5. What method of travel did the deceased use for their journey through the Netherlands? 6. What was the importance of the “Opening the mouth Ceremony”? What book were the spells found in? 7. What is the “Field of Reeds”? 8. How many gates do the deceased have to travel through before they met Osiris for judgment? 9. The “Weighing of the Heart” ceremony is done in the presence of what God? He was the God of what? 10. What book is known as “The book of the Secret Chambers"”? 11. Which book contains 200 chapters of individual spells? 12. What is the Ushebits responsible for? 13. What does the feather represent? Posted Image The Ushebits Posted Image Funerary scene ( This is what the Eygptians think the journey into the after-life looks like) |
![]() |
|
| Cottonmouth | Mar 17 2005, 08:17 PM Post #2 |
|
Graduated
|
Cottonmouth Slytherin [size=7]Excellent Work! Full Marks 26 pts to Slytherin[/size] |
![]() |
|
| Lexi | Mar 21 2005, 02:07 AM Post #3 |
![]()
Headmistress/Gryffindor Head of House
![]()
|
Elsbeth Gryffindor [size=7] I love the pictures, these I thought I'd leave up for others to see. Full marks 26pts for the assignment and 5 extra points for the great pictures. Your total 31pts to Gryffindor![/size] |
![]() |
|
| Samantha_Malfoy | Mar 28 2005, 06:00 PM Post #4 |
|
Graduated
|
samantha malfoy slytherin [size=7] Good work! 26 pts to slytherin![/size] |
![]() |
|
| Ellen Nelle | Apr 4 2005, 01:49 PM Post #5 |
|
3rd Year
|
[SIZE=7]Excellent work! 25 pts for the assignment and 5 pts for the great pictures. 30 pts to Ravenclaw |
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| « Previous Topic · ARCHIVE · Next Topic » |







2:33 AM Jul 11