Mut - goddess

Who was Mut?

Mut, also pronounced Maut, was mother goddess worshiped in Upper Egypt (Thebes, Waset). She was quite ancient and important goddess of sky, associated with the bird vulture, that is protecting animal. That’s why she was depicted always with her crown for upper Egypt and head dress of vulture with wings spread on both side of her head. That was common style for Ancient Egyptian gods.

With her son was Khonsu, and consort – Amon, she was significant god from the Triad of Thebes. (modern Luxor). Her name means “mother”.

Name of Mut ~

Her name means “mother” and she was referred to as “mother of gods”, Queen of the Goddesses, Lady of heaven. Her hieroglyphic name includes symbols of vulture (protection, power), loaf of bread (generosity, giver of food for people), an egg (fertility, beginning), and sign of sitting goddess (authority).

Syncretism of Goddesses ~

As usually Egyptian Gods are strongly connected through history, so most popular ancient gods from one era and period resemble their main characteristic and functions in other new gods. Mut took the aspects of two earlier goddesses (Wadjet and Nekhbet), and in the same time gave her functions for the later generation goddesses – Isis, Maat. Both Wadjet and Nekhber symbolize the union of Lower and Upper Egypt in one –red and white crowns were united.

Symbols of Mut ~

Mut as goddess was wearing Uraeus crown of Upper Egypt, and a headdress of vulture, with wings spread as a strong sign of protection. (Similar crown has the goddess Isis later.) Vulture as a bird symbolizes protective feminine energy and motherhood. It`s bird with strong power and one of the aspects of vulture is freedom of women souls. Another important symbol was lioness. Mut was merged later with goddesses Sekhmet (lioness head) and Bastet (cat goddess). In this aspect her protective animal was also Lioness, symbol of feminine strength, independence and royal power. Lion was also wide spread symbol animal in ancient religions (Inanna-Ishtar goddess is depicted as riding a chariot with three lions).

The cult center ~

The center of worship of the Triad of Thebes was situated in Karnak (Luxor), where today is attracting point for many tourists. The temple of the amazing Karnak temple started in 18^th dynasty, New Kingdom (1570 BC) In this time Thebes was the capital of all unified Egypt. The sacred triad of Thebes consists of Mut, god Amun and their son Khonsu (the moon god).

Mut was believed to have existed since primeval times, together with endless waters (Nun), as she replaced Amaunet in the Ogdoad. 

[ nina Lea-nura * ]

References ~

~ Goddess Mut

Maat ~

Who was Maat ?

Important part of the religion and belief system in ancient Egypt was connected with Goddess Maat – representing the principles of truth, justice, harmony, judgment in the underworld. Her name means “truth” in Egyptian.

In mythology ~

Maat take part in many myths of world creation – she was with her father on his celestial baraque; She ruled over both Gods and people together with her father. Her functions include taking care of relationships, cycle of seasons, movement of the sun, moon and stars, religious laws and moral behavior, the positive characteristics of men, the justice for leaders and people of law, afterlife. Maat was symbol of balance and harmony in all aspects of life. She prevented the universe from revert to state of Chaos.

* Appearance ~

She was depicted on the ancient hieroglyphs as a slim beautiful woman with white ostrich feather on head. She carries a scepter or ankh in hand; but the most prominent feature of the goddess are her wide spread wings, appearing from both sides and under her hands. Wings are symbol of freedom, liberation of the Soul from all earthly life, and connection with God, spirit and universe.

Symbols of Maat are: primeval mound (showing her higher position between Gods, and ruling over all), wings, ostrich feathers, scales.

* Esoteric correspondences:

Maat is significant for the universal laws of Purity, truth and Justice, that makes her close to Christian views of Virgin Mary, and angels Gabriel and Raguel. Often her outer feathers of wings are colored in turquoise blue color. One of the most obvious correspondences is with the Greek goddess of Justice – Temmis (Temida), wearing a scale and with tied up eyes.

Family: her father was Ra, and her sister Shu – the goddess of Air, her husband was the moon and wisdom god Thoth.

* Mythology ~

We can see Maat judging souls in the afterlife, in the Hall of Osiris; she puts the heart of a person on one side of her scale and on another –her ostrich feather. If the heart weight is the same or less than the feather –the soul is considered just and worthy to go further to Duat – or everlasting life. If the heart was heavier than the feather, then the person was not following the laws of truth and justice during his lifetime, he couldn’t have eternal life and his heart was eaten by a demon, or even devoured by the monster Ammit.

Maat has many names as: Eye of Ra, Queen of earth, Lady of Heaven, Lady of Underworld.

All pharaohs worshipped Maat, in order to ensure their country, they have truth and justice in their heart, (they were called Lords of Maat”) so they should aim to be good caretakers of society. Temples of Maat are everywhere in Egypt.

From the 5^th dynasty the judges in Egyptian court were referred to as “Priests of Maat” and wear small golden images of Maat as well as her feather.

Her main temple is in Karnak complex (Luxor).

Additional missions of Maat include – development of science, art of magic, writing system, morality in relations;

The symbol of the feather – truth, justice, balance; such feather was worn also by god of the air – Shu.

The earliest references of the goddess Maat were found in the Pyramids text.

Esoteric symbols of Ma`at:

~ crystal : clear quartz

~ flower : white lotus flower

~ scent : Jasmine, lotus

~ fruit : Pear

~ number : nine

~ color : pearl white, blue

~ herb : peppermint

[ nina Lea-nura * ]

לאה נור

Maat in art 

Osiris

Osiris name is later Latin variation of the name found with Egyptian initials WSJR, which corresponds to Usir, Aser, Wesir, Ausar, Asari; His name means “Almighty, Powerful”.

Who was Osiris?

Egyptian god of dead, Underworld, afterlife and rebirth. He was one of the most famous, depicted in all tombs and powerful gods in Egypt. Other titles given to him are: King of Living, Lord of Silence, Lord of Love, He who is always Youthful; Lord of eternity, Lord of Abydos”.

Appearance?

He was shown always with green skin (symbol of rebirth and regeneration), dressed in white clothing in style referring to mummification (as his legs are wrapped). His hands are crossed in front of the chest, holding in one flail and in another crook (symbol of power and summoning the souls). He has conical head dress consisting of two large ostrich feathers (called Atef crown). He has human appearance, his beard (osird), refers to the power of the pharaoh – its false plaited divine beard).

Family?

Osiris mother and father were Nut and Geb (goddess of earth and god of sky). He had two sisters – Isis and Nephtis (later they are also his spouses) and one brother, the evil Seth. His children are: Horus (from Isis), and Anubis (from Nephtis).

Mythological stories?

As a first born child Osiris inherited the Throne of Egypt and married Isis. His brother Seth married Nephtis. One day Nephtis having magical power, transformed herself into Isis. Confusing her with his wife, Osiris was seduced by Nephtis; later she became pregnant and gave birth to ANUBIS.

The stories tell, that all the time there was a revenge of his brother Seth, following Osiris. He wanted to kill him and to take over the throne.

Seth make a trap for Osiris, closing him in a coffin, as part of a game, then killed him and cut his body in many pieces. Then threw the coffin in the Nile. Later Isis and Nephtis found the coffin with the pieces of the Osiris, and with help of Anubis gathered all body in one again (referring to first mummification).

This was the beginning of Osiris ruling as a god of Dead and underworld. Actually he was resurrected and lived again, but as a god of underworld and dead.

One of important functions of Osiris is as judge of the dead souls. He was called “Lord of Maat” (of divine law).

He was imprisoned by Seth inside a tree, which became later the Tree of life (and also the Djed pillar).

The pharaoh was believed to become incarnated in Osiris” after his death.

Osiris is important god we meet everywhere in ancient Egypt, as he symbolizes new beginnings, rules above life, dead, judgment and resurrection of souls.

Facts ~ Ancient Egyptians believed that after he dies, person meets gods Osiris with Thoth, Maat, Annubis, Ammut, Henefer, who perform the ritual of “Weighing the heart”. The person heart is put in one scale and feather of Maat in another. If the heart is lighter than the feather, the person lived a good and truthful life, and he will spend all the time in the kingdom of Osiris.

** pharaohs of Egypt took the symbols flail and Sheppard staff from Osiris, that’s why they carry them in afterlife.

Celebrations: The great Mystery festival, played 5 days in the spring in honor of Osiris, including plays, story telling, games and religious rituals. Osiris was called “The one who continues to be Perfect”.

His temple is in Abydos. 

Esoteric signs of Osiris:

crystal: green agate 

color: silver gray

number: 2

scent: myrrh 

animal: scarab 

flower: violet 

tree: cedar 

herb: basil 

food: pomegranate 

Mantra: Oh Osiris, save me from the evil, prepare me for eternal Life, you, who are Perfect, everlasting, all seeing, all knowing, ruling over life and death! 

relief of Osiris 

Osiris in a wall painting in tomb -King Tut

Horus

One of the oldest known god in Egyptian history. He was worshiped more over 5000 years.

Who was Horus?

He was deity with head of falcon (or hawk), depicted with scepter and ankh in his hands, symbols of royalty and eternal life. He was Sun god (as Ra, many aspects of him are similar). He symbolized courage and victory. He is wearing two crowns –of Upper and Lower Egypt (red and white), that represents the unity between them.

Name:

Horus means “the one far Above” representing the highest position of Horus among other gods. Other names and titles of him are: Hunter`s god, God of Kingship, god of the Dawn, Keeper of secret Wisdom, Son of Truth, Horus the Avenger; He was also a patron saint of the existing pharaoh, who was referred as “Living Horus”.

Family:

In the early dynasties Egyptian accepted Horus as son of Ra (the Solar god), later they merged in one powerful god of Sun –Ra-Horakhte. He takes part in many creation myths. Later in time father of Horus became OSIRIS and his mother ISIS. His companions are: Serket and Hathor; his children: Imsety, Hapi, Duamutef, Qebehsenuef, Sekhemet.

Horus in mythology?

In form of falcon, Horus flew at the beginning of the times and created the world. His right Eye was the SUN, and his left eye –the MOON.

2. Over the time (around 2350 B.C.) Egyptians put Horus in another role –as son of Osiris and Isis (known as Harsiesis or Horus the Younger).

The famous legend says, the brother of Osiris –Seth, became very jealous of him and decided to destroy him. He made a trap for Osiris, cut his body into pieces and spread them all over the world. Wife and sister of Osiris –Isis with help of Anubis, gathered all the pieces and put them together, making the first embalming in Egyptian history. Then with magic they were able to revive Osiris for short period of time. During this time Isis became pregnant, later giving birth to Horus. As a child Horus was seen next to Isis on a lotus leaf.

3. In varieties of myths and stories Egyptians described the most important battles for them – between Horus and Seth (Good and Evil). They are depicted in many temples and reliefs.

In one story Seth fought with Horus, damaging his left eye (the eye of Moon) –which refers to the changing moon phases on the sky.

God Toth was able to restore and cure Horus eye, so it became one of the most powerful symbols and amulets for Egyptians knows as WEDJAT (Udjat) –symbol of the protection of the world from dark forces and chaos, always watching and observing eye.

* As a funerary amulet, Eye of Horus protected the pharaohs in afterlife. It was seen in the tomb of King Tut.

Horus was the great protector of the pharaohs in their earthly life. He was seen as a hawk resting on the shoulder of the pharaoh, spreading his wings.

Temples of Horus?

The most significant temple is Temple of Edfu (Behdet Edfu)– 60 km  from Aswan. It is well preserved temple showing the battles between Horus and Seth; the construction process of the temple continued 180 years.

Sons of Horus were the guardians of Canopic jars in the Underworld. (These jars contained the liver, lungs, stomach, intestines of the dead).

Passage describing Horus with his words in the Coffin Text (148 chapter):

I am Horus, the great Falcon upon the ramparts of the house of him of the hidden name. My flight has reached the horizon. I have passed by the gods of Nut. I have gone further than the gods of old. Even the most ancient bird

could not equal my very first flight. I have removed my place beyond the powers of Set, the foe of my father Osiris. No other god could do what I have done.

 I have brought the ways of eternity to the twilight of the morning. I am unique in my flight.

My wrath will be turned against the enemy of my father Osiris

and I will put him beneath my feet in my name of 'Red Cloak'.

Esoteric signs of Horus:

Crystal: Quartzite, Golden Topaz

Color: golden, yellow

Number: 6

Scent: Frankincense 

Animal: falcon, hawk

flower: carnation 

Tree: acacia 

Herb: rosemary 

Food: sunflower seed 

Mantra of Horus: I`m the master of the Rising Sun, I`m defeating the darkness, I`m the symbol of Resurrection.  

Ra-Horakhte

Horus with the double crone of Upper and Lower Egypt

Wedjat -Eye of Horus as amulet

Hathor

Hathor was one of the oldest deities in ancient Egypt. The mother Goddess.

Who was Hathor? (Het-heru)

Goddess of Sky, love, joy, fertility, women energy, dance, music, foreign lands. She was protecting childbirth and pregnant women. Her direction is West (she was known as Nile of the Sky, as she was associated with the Milky way) another important name given to her was “Mistress of the West”, as they believed Hathor welcomed souls of the dead in the Tuat.

Appearance of Hathor?

She was depicted either as a woman or as woman with head of caw. Her symbol defining her from other gods was headwear of two horns, holding a sun disk and encircled by uraeus (sacred cobra). Another goddess who wears this symbol is Isis.

Associated with Greek goddess Aphrodite, Roman Venus ~

In mythology?

1. One of the myths represent Hathor as a divine Cow, who gave birth to the world and some gods. She is shown holding the sky, her four legs are the four pillar holding the cosmos.

2. Another myth tells about god Ra ruling over the world, when the humans turned against him and disobeyed him; they deserved a punishment. Then the Right eye of Ra (Sun symbol) in form of Hathor (as a daughter of Ra) started to judge people, many souls were killed, then she turned into Sekhmet –the lioness goddess. God Ra was worried that she would destroy the whole world, so he mixed red color with beer and spread it over the land. Hathor drank from it, thinking that it was blood and became intoxicated, in this way she forgot her mission and humanity was saved until the final day. Then she restored her form as Hathor and returned to home of Ra.

Titles and name?

Hathor name means “house of Horus”, The hieroglyph of her name is shown as wick (meaning the letter “h”), a duck (meaning daughter of Ra), and the cow symbol of the goddess. She had many titles like: Lady of the West, Lady of Turquoise, Lady of Byblos, “She of the Divine column”, Nile of the sky.

Family?

As always don’t be amazed from the family relations of ancient gods in any religion. Hathor was companion of Ra (who was also her father in the myth), and Horus (who was also her son). Her children were: Ihi, Imsety, Hapi.

Temples?

Hathor as one of the most prominent goddesses was worshiped at the temple of Dendera (Upper Egypt). This temple complex is well preserved and covers 40 000 sq.m. In this temple were found amazing preserved paintings, as well as a ceiling with Dendera zodiac, it is shown in round shape all 12 zodiac signs (instead of Aquarius they depicted Hapi –god of the Nile) and 2 eclipses. Some believe it is older than 50 years B.C. The calendar of ancient Egyptians was Lunar.

Hathor face was depicted in a triangular form associating a cow, with ears of cow from both sides of the face, she had plaited hair, typical for the ancient style.

Symbols of Hathor:

Sistrum: ancient Egyptian musical percussion instrument, used in rituals and ceremonies.

Mirror: often the mirrors used by women in Egypt had carved image of Hathor on the handles. (women used eye make up from cohl and crushed malachite stone for green eye shadows. Hathor was associated also with all turquoise jewelry.)

Hathor played a role in guiding the souls of death to the underworld. She is depicted embracing them. Nile river was viewed as bridge to afterlife. The west of Nile was place for death (Egyptians placed their cemeteries there), the east of Nile was place for new beginnings and rituals.

In the legends – The Seven Hathors” symbolizing fate, cycle of life and death, were able to predict the future of a new born Egyptian child.

Esoteric signs of Hathor 

Crystal ~ red Jasper

Color ~ Ocher

Number ~ 10

Scent ~ Patchouli

Animal ~ cow

Flower ~ primrose

Tree ~ elm

Herb ~ dill

Food ~ olive

(*May Hathor guide me to create life and bliss!)  

Fantasy image of Hathor with a heart ~ 

Hathor and Sobek (crocodile god)  

 Hathor as a cow with the sun disk 

Ra (Re)

Pronounced Ra or Re, he is the Sun god of creation in Egypt. He is also a central god in Egyptian pantheon, influencing all other gods. 

Who is Ra? ~

As connected with the solar deity, he was connected with the sun and always you ll recognize him by the solar disk encircled by cobra above his head. He was connected with Atum –as Atum-Ra. He represented the Sunlight, creation and warmth of world.

Appearance of Ra? ~

He appeared in a human form with head of falcon in dark blue and crown of the Sun disk in red color. The disk is always encircled by Uraeus – the sacred cobra. He also wears collars, bracelets and short dress, in his right hand he carries ankh, and in left –scepter. Some other variations in appearance of Ra are with head of beetle and head of Ram (as god Amun-Ra). As a main god he had the privilege to be depicted as all kind of symbolic animals – bull, lion, ram, hawk, heron, serpent, cat and phoenix. But always the sun disk is his main attribute.

The myth behind? (Solar boat)

Ancient Egyptians myth is telling that Ra sails through the skies with his Solar boat (called “Baraque of millions of years”) with his companions gods, giving light to the world. In the morning his boat appeared from the East and it was called “Madjet” meaning “becoming strong”. In the morning manifestation of the boat, Ra appeared as a beetle, know as “Khepri, the scarab God”.  In the evening the boat reached to the west horizon, where it was called “Semektet” (or becoming weak”). The evening appearance of Ra was as Khnum –ram headed god.

At the end of the day Egyptians believed Ra “died”, swallowed by Goddess of the sky Nut, where he went to the Underworld. He left the moon on his place to spread the light on earth in the night. Ra was always reborn on the next day. In some legends he is fighting with the evil serpent Apep –symbol of the Chaos, and defeat it.

Family of Ra?

As a supreme god, Ra created himself from the Primal chaos (or the dark ocean of the beginning called NUN) (as Amun, Atum). His children were: SHU (God of dry air and sky), TEFNUT (goddess of the moisture and rain), Bastet and MAAT.

His companions were: Isis, Sekhmet, Hathor.

There are many creation myths with god Ra, one of them talks about Isis taking power from him with a smartness and using one snake. Another myth includes the Tree of Life.

The tree was situated in the Sun Temple of Ra in Heliopolis and it was sacred. The fruit from the tree was available only to pharaohs and priests –as representation of Gods power of earth, so only they could taste it, have eternal life and knowledge of the Divine Plan. On the Tree of life was seated the mythological bird BENNU, which represented the soul of Ra. This bird is phoenix, had red and golden feathers and symbolized resurrection and rising sun. Bennu always turn to ashes and was reborn again (similar to the Solar boat of Ra, that went to Underworld and then was reborn for new day).

Another important symbol is Benben stone. It had the pyramid shape (sacred shape of fire element) – and was place on obelisk inside the Ra Solar temple. The stone was a beacon (light) for the Bennu bird.

Temple of Ra?

There are many temples, dedicated to Ra. They don’t contain statues of god, but are made in a special way, showing the sun light in a special time of the year and day. This is the Heliopolis temple called “Bennu Phoenix”.

Ra and other gods ~

Ra was connected with many powerful deities like Atum (Atum-Ra), Amun (Amun-Ra), Horus (Ra-Horakhty –meaning Ra of the Horizon);

During the New Kingdom were build many Solar temples, dedicated to Ra.

Sacred Symbols of Ra~

The EYE of Ra is one of the most important symbols. It represents the sun disk (the right eye of Ra), with two Uraeus (coiled cobras) around it, next to the white and red crowns of Upper and Lower Egypt. This eye was also a strong amulet against all evil.

The left eye was symbol of the moon.

The cobra on the sun disk is symbol of divine authority, royalty.

Esoteric signs of Ra ~

Crystals ~ Quartzite, Golden Topaz

Color ~ golden

Number ~ six (Hexagram)

Scent ~ Frankincense

Animal ~ Falcon

Flower ~ carnation

Tree ~ acacia

Herb ~ Rosemary

Food ~ sunflower seed