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As well as
working a witchcraft path I also practise Egyptian magic
which is also known as Neo-Kemeticism or Kemetics.
Kemetic means the religion of the ancient
Egyptians (stemming from the word 'Khemet' meaning 'the black
land'), Neo means new. The Isiac religion is the religion/mystery
tradition of
Isis worship which spread across Roman Europe as far as the
British Isles.
Most
of the texts of the Egyptian religion we have were found on the
walls of the pyramids and other tombs of the Pharaohs. The religion
blended with Greco-Roman paganism during the classical period. |
The Isiac religion spread around around the world with the Roman
Legions and much was written of it by philosophers of the time. It
was eventually 'stamped-out' by the Christian church.
Neo-Kemeticists work with the myths and rituals of
ancient Egyptian religion and the later Isiac religion, some in attempt to recreate the
religion(s) and others as they relate to their chosen/patron
deities.
Ritual is created incorporating invocations and ideas from the
translated Egyptian texts. From
my point of view:
I do not personally try to recreate the ancient religions. To me
this would be pointless as the religion is dead and many of its
rites only make sense in the context of ancient Egypt. For example
we here in modern England have four seasons rather than two, and
we do not rely upon the flooding of the Nile for sustenance (which
has not happened since the building of the Aswan damn anyway).
Religion/spirituality should be a living changing thing just as we are. The
Kemetic Deities Most
of you will have learnt something about the Egyptian/Kemetic gods
whilst you were still at school. The
most well known are Isis and Osiris - a fairly typical God-Goddess
partnership. (Isis and Osiris are the Greek names for the Deities
whose Egyptian names are Aset and Asar).
Isis as mother, Osiris as the sacrificial father God who is reborn
as his son Horus.
Similar myths from pantheons all over the world
are popular with modern pagans, and are often equated with the
neo-pagan concept of the 'wheel of the year' although the Osirian
myth does not match exactly as Horus and Osiris are two separate gods.
Aset and Bast are my patron Deities, they chose me as their priestess
and I accepted although I do not work with them to the
exclusion of all other deities as I work more than one system.
I have felt a natural affinity with Egypt ever
since discovering the gods as a child. I plan to visit the country for
myself as soon as my FMS will allow however I have friends who are able to
go there twice a year - not quite the same but it will have to do for now
until I am able to fly. Books
on Neo-Kemetics and the Isiac religion:
| Title
and Author |
Summary |
'Liber
Ægyptus'
by Mélusine Draco |
In
my opinion the best book available on the Egyptian tradition
of ritual and magic. An absolute must read!
Explains the different Egyptian traditions and their
context. |
'The
Mysteries of Isis'
by
De Traci Regula |
The
Mysteries of Isis is one of the best books published on
Isian Magic. de Traci Regula explains it all in an easy
to understand manner which is beneficial to beginners and
advanced students alike.
Focuses on the Greco-Roman form of Isis. |
'Circle
of Isis'
by Ellen
Cannon Reed |
Based
on over 25 years of work with Egyptian deities, 'Circle of
Isis' begins by showing how Reed has come to know them,
and how these Gods and Goddesses have enriched her life.
Included are mediations and techniques to help readers
bring those deities into their own lives.
This book uses a Wiccan context. |
'Isis
Magic'
by M. Isidora Forrest
|
The
most comprehensive book to date on the Isiac religion. The book
begins by sharing loads of historical information
regarding the Great Goddess and her worship throughout the
Mediterranean.
In the second section, it takes you step by
step through the grades of priest/ess. The rituals in the
book are
both moving and inspiring.
Very comprehensive book tracing the history of the deity. |
'The
Way of Egyptian Wisdom'
by Naomi Ozaniec |
Combining
historical accuracy with esoteric insight, this text
examines the background to the Egyptian tradition to
reveal the secrets of this complex world of myth and
spirituality. |
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