Ancient Egyptian Magick
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In ancient Egypt, special knowledge of the properties of powerful elements--
the sun,
the earth,
water
and fearsome animals--
the snake,
the crocodile,
the scorpion,
and therapeutic essences--
the poppy,
the acacia,
and honey,
was the province of magicians.
Magic was part and parcel of the ancient religion. Egyptian magic was not to display psychic powers or perform fantastic feats, but rather, it had a practical purpose in the civilization. Magic was the way by which one extended and eased life, relieved physical and emotional pain and, generally, advanced individual well-being and benefitted society.
Egyptologists have unearthed thousands of scrolls and texts, documenting innumerable, healing prayers and spells against evil. The ancients saw magic as a creative force that bound spirit and matter together. Magicians sought the thread of spirit, that connected to any actual object (or in the case of illness, a condition), then addressed intervening energies to that connection.
PRINCIPALS OF THE ANCIENT MAGICK
Magicians
Purification
From the Book of the Heavenly Cow
To pronounce this spell in the right way (one) must be drenched in oil and ointments, with a censer filed with incense in hand; he must have natron of one quality behind his ears,and natron of another quality in his mouth; he must be clothed in two new vestments, having washed in flood water, be shod in white sandals and have a picture of the goddess Ma'at painted in fresh ink on his tongue.
This spell must be read when one is in a state of purity and without blemish and has not eaten small animals or fish and has not had carnal relations.
THE TOOLS OF MAGICK
Amulets
An item, worn, hung from a chain or cord or bound to the body, thought to enhance positive forces and ward off evil influences. (the djed pillar (Osiris), scarab (Khephre), Isis knot, see the pectoral, left)
Gold and Precious stones
Gold was thought to be the skin of the gods, silver represented the bones of the gods and precious stones, such as lapis lazuli, was the hair of the gods. In general, things of beauty, were considered to be pleasing to the gods.
Knots and Numbers
A magic knot is the convergence of the forces of the earth and the divine. A number is considered to be an abstraction of a knot. In the Leyden Magical Papyrus seven is the number that has a particularly compelling power.
The Substitute Body
Wooden models of humans, who would be entombed with royalty and nobles to perform duties for the dead in the next t world. These are shabtis or those who answers.
Waxen figures would be used as the objects of hatred and anger.
Letters to the Dead
These are communications from the living to their deceased relatives, asking them for forgiveness, help and assistance and guidance.
The Lamp
A special light used to divine the existence of good or evil forces.
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Magickal Incantation from an Egyptian Papyrus, circa 18th Dynasty
"Flow out, thou poison, come forth upon the ground. Horus conjures thee; he cuts thee off, he spits thee out and thou risest not up but fallest down. Thou art weak and not strong, a coward who dost not fight. Thou art blind and cannot see. Thou liftest not thy face.
Thou art turned back and findest not thy way. Thou mournest and does not rejoice.
Turn back, thou snake. Conjured is thy poison which was in any limb of [insert name],
the son of [insert father's name].
Behold, the magic of Horus is powerful against thee.
Flow out, thy poison, come forth upon the ground."
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Divination by Use of a Lamp, 18th Dynasty
You go to a clean cell without light and you dig a new hole in an east wall,
and you take a white lamp with a clean wick. You fill it with genuine palm oil and
you recite the spells praising Ra at dawn in his rising.
You hold the lamp, while reciting, opposite the sun and recite to it four times.
Then you put pure frankincense on a brazier and close your eyes. Then you open your eyes
toward the lamp and shall see the shadow of a god around the lamp, and of the god you
must inquire that which concerns you. If it be that you are inquiring for the repose of
a spirit, then clarified butter must be in the lamp. If for purposes of love, then oil
of roses is that which you put into the lamp.