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Faces of Death VIII: Egypt Rises

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Land of the Dead

Well you didn't think Egypt stopped at 25 death gods, did you? Welcome to the home of the more rarely seen gods and goddesses, including a few who just creep people out. Oh, I wouldn't smash any bugs while you're here.

As you enter the tomb, a stone slab slams down behind you. In the flickering torchlight you see thousands of insects. Scorpions scuttle towards you along with a living carpet of beetles. You try to suppress a scream as a massive centipede begins to crawl up your leg. Then the torch goes out.

Out of respect for the proud country that brought us the Egyptian pantheon, all funds go to the Africa Way Foundation.

Faces here: 9

Death in Egypt

Our ancestors were wise, and prepared over a lifetime for death. Prayers, penance, offerings and more would pave the way. Once properly embalmed and buried with the right prayers and world's oldest crib-sheet there were judges left to face. A person who lived with Ma'at in his heart would pass into paradise. If not, the soul and entire memory would be erased from time forever.

The gods and goddesses connected with death were a comfort. Egypt thousands of years ago had many hazards. You could easily die and be lost in the desert. Poisonous snakes, scorpions, and centipedes abounded. Rats could strike food stores at any time. And the Nile could take away what she gave. Add the threat of drought, plague, and invasion, and you see why gods and goddesses were befriended and loved long before death.

Due to a lack of proper art some gods and goddesses are shown by animal form. These animals are sacred but not divine.

WARNING!!!!

Please do not attempt to handle ANY wild animal to "get in touch with" Deity. Many of these animals are deadly and the anti-venoms are rare or non-existent in the United States.

Harmachis (aka the Sphinx)

This sun god was an avid hunter. He truly despised Set and his followers. So much so that he would take the form of a man-headed lion to destroy them. In a famous later tale the giant statue of the Sphinx would adopt an unloved and lonely prince as his son.

When the Sphinx's promise became true the adopted son followed his promise. As Pharaoh he had the sand removed from obscuring the statue of his god and father. He is the Lord of Secrets Harmachis is not only connected with sexual secrets, he is also a destroyer of evil. He ravages evil beings like the mighty lion he is.

This is of course but one face of the Sphinx. This animal gaurdian can also be female.

Khepri

He is most often seen as a beetle-headed god. While that might induce jitters in some, he and his holy animals are essential. Just like a scarab beetle lays its eggs in dead things, he can overcome death to bring new life. He is the god who ushers the sun safely underground and back up every night. In this form he is associated with the dung beetle. The scarab is his symbol and a symbol of rebirth and regeneration.

.scarab beetle Pictures, Images and Photos

Nehebkau (AKA Nehebu-Kau, Nehebkhau)

He is one of the oldest Egyptian gods, and a snake one at that. He loves swimming around in primordial waters, and giving protection. He protects gods and humans in life and the afterlife. He is often seen giving food to the dead, so we know he is loving.

He can be overly aggressive at times, but has calmed down after being, well pierced with a nail. He can also be a judge of the death in the afterlife. That's a lot of work for one snake god, but he also has to watch over the soul as well. Ang gaurd the gateway to the underworld. Nehebkau always has time for prayers sincerly offered to him, though.

Cobra Pictures, Images and Photos

Nekhebet

She of the white crown, marvelous vulture goddess and protector of the South along with Seth. After he fell her star only rose, to shine over all. She is seen as the motherly protector of the ruler, and often holds symbols of eternal life. Her sacred bird is of course the vulture, who fills a vital role. Without the vulture to eat the dead, Egypt would soon be wrought with disease. Nekhebet may be a protector from both disease and one who tends to the dead lost in the desert. She is often seen with snake goddess supreme Wadjet.

NekheBet Pictures, Images and Photos

Sepa (aka Sep)

This centipede god has a lot going for him. He can prevent snake bites and scorpion stings. He can also appear as a mummy with centipede horns, since he is a special friend to each corpse. How? Well centipedes love to eat the bugs that eat dead folks. Just remember that centipedes are poisonous. Some say he is a path of Osiris. Though most likely he was done away with as centipedes do give folks the heebie-jeebies.

Vietnamese Centipede Pictures, Images and Photos

Serket

Mortuary goddess of Egypt. She protects the canopic jars that store the vital organs. This is vital for the loss of even one organ is the loss of eternal life. She most often takes the form of a scorpion. As if that was not enough, she is the special portectoress of Qebehsenuef, who in turn gaurds the canopic jar containing the large intestines.

SCORPIONGODDESS Pictures, Images and Photos

The Sphinx

Although this sacred animal had many forms, her most famous one was connected to the war and solar lion goddess, Sekhmet. The mighty female creature gaurded the dead, and in that sense the Sphinx is an early gargoyle of sorts. But the Sphinx is truly the deadly protector of sacred knowledge and will destroy those who seek power for the wrong reasons. The famous Sphinx in Giza is based on the queen or pharaoh Hatshepsut. She is bearded to show her right to rule as the mighty queen she was.

Menesluxor Pictures, Images and Photos

Uraeus

The holy or good cobra that protects the dead in the travel to the underworld. He or she is often reared protectively in the front of the boat the soul rides on.

SNAKE COBRA Pictures, Images and Photos

Wadjet (AKA The Green One, Wadjit)

This snake headed goddess rocked Egypt every December 25th. She not only had a festival, several in fact, but she was the protector of the North. Wadjet would be seen as the sun disk on tombs and always went before Pharaoh. She would go on to become the protector of all of Egypt and her deadly sacred animals were revered as protectors. Those who angered her could expect a cobra attack. She is an eye of Re, and as Wadjet-Bast she would astound the world with her warrior might. She isn't know as the Lady of Flame for nothing.

Wadjet Pictures, Images and Photos

Buy Like an Egyptian

Mau, Baby

This cat is truly that old and her beauty adorns the walls of tombs. Sacred cat, family cat, and trusted family member, she's more than worthy of her status. Buying Egyptian Mau items here helps sens fuunds back to Africa, where she comes from.
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