← Home
The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) · 143 of 357 · tr. E.A. Wallis Budge

Chapter 18 (part 2)

In the upper part of it the deceased is shown adoring Osiris, and below is the legend, "Hail, Osiris, the chief of Amenta, the lord of eternity, [1. This instrument is called ### ur hekau , and is made of a sinuous piece of wood, one end of which is in the form of a ram's head surmounted by a uræus (Fig. 1). 2. In the Neb-seni papyrus the "Guardian of the Scale" opens the mouth of the deceased (Fig. 2). 3. ###.] spreading out in everlastingness, lord of adorations, chief of the company of his gods; and hail, Anubis [dweller] in the tomb, great god, chief of the holy dwelling. May they grant that I may go into and come out from the underworld, that I may follow Osiris in all his festivals at the beginning of the year, that I may receive cakes, and that I may go forth into the presence of [Osiris]; I, the double ( ka ) of Osiris, the greatly favoured of his god, Hu-nefer." In the upper register of this section of the papyrus is the text of the "Chapter of opening the mouth of the statue of Osiris." The complete scene, including this stele and vignette, appears in the tomb of Pe-ta-Amen-Apt. In the vignette of the first chapter of the Book of the Dead in the papyrus of Neb-qet the soul of the deceased is represented descending the steps of the tomb to carry food to its mummy in the underground chamber (Fig. 2). The ceremonies which took place at the door of the tomb in an Egyptian funeral are of considerable interest. The priest called Kher-heb , holding the Sem priest by the arm, gives directions for the slaughter of "a bull of the South." The slaughterer, standing on the bull, cuts off a fore-leg (Fig. 3) and takes out the heart. A woman, called the Tcherauur , who personifies Isis, then whispers in the deceased's ear, "Behold, thy lips are set in order for thee, so that thy mouth may be opened." Next, an antelope and a duck [1. Devéria and Pierret, Papyrus Funéraire de Neb-set , plate 3. 2. The following description of them is based upon the chapters on this subject in Dümichen, Der Grabpalast des Patuamenap , Abth. ii I, plates x ff., pp. 3 ff. 3. ### ari . 4. ### smennu .] are brought by order of the Kher-heb , and their heads are cut off. The Kher-heb then addresses the Sem priest: "I have seized them for thee, I have brought unto thee thine enemies. His hands bring his head [as] his gift. I have slain them for thee, O Tmu; let not his enemies rise up against this god." The slaughterer then presents the thigh to the Kher-heb , and the heart to an official whose title was Smer , and all three then "place the thigh and the heart upon the ground before this god" ( i.e. , Osiris). The Kher-heb then says to the deceased, represented by his mummy or statue: I have brought unto thee the thigh (Fig. 4) as the Eye of Horus. I have brought unto thee the heart; let there be no rising up against this god. I have brought unto thee the antelope, his head is cut off; I have brought unto thee the duck, his head is cut off." Here the sacrifice ends. The next part of the ceremony, i.e.
§ Ask Guru about this passage →
Themes
Anthropomorphismtheology

Attributing human characteristics, emotions, or form to the divine; embodied divine imagery.

[auto] Deities are described with physical forms such as a ram's head and uræus, and the deceased adores them.

All passages →
Funerary Navigationpraxis

Texts and rituals guiding the soul through death.

[auto] The passage is explicitly from the Book of the Dead and details rituals for navigating the underworld and interacting with deities after death.

All passages →
Hidden Sayingssoteriology

Esoteric teachings reserved for those ready to receive them; outer meaning conceals an inner liberating truth.

The text describes specific chapters and vignettes of the Book of the Dead, which function as esoteric knowledge for the deceased.

All passages →
Living Godtheology

The divine conceived as active, present, and dynamic—not an abstract principle but a personal responsive reality.

[auto] Osiris and Anubis are depicted as active deities who grant requests for passage and participation in festivals.

All passages →
Mystical Unionsoteriology

The merging of the individual soul or self with the divine, transcending personal identity.

[auto] The speaker identifies themselves as 'the double (ka) of Osiris,' signifying a union with the deity.

All passages →
Psychopomp Journeycosmology

Guided passage of the soul through afterlife realms.

[auto] Anubis and Osiris are invoked to grant the deceased passage into and out from the underworld.

All passages →
Ritual Puritypraxis

The maintenance of a state of cleanliness—physical, moral, or spiritual—required for encounter with the divine.

References to the 'holy dwelling' and the 'opening of the mouth' ceremony imply a state of ritual cleanliness required for the afterlife.

All passages →
Sacred Namestheology

Divine names or formulas that carry ontological power, used in prayer, liturgy, or magical practice.

[auto] The text relies on invocations like 'Hail, Osiris' and references the magical instrument 'ur hekau.'

All passages →
Related passages · 4 parallels
christian_mysticism|Pseudo-Dionysius: The Divine Names|Chapter 5, Section 1i
364 The ultimate Godhead is reached only by the Negative Path, and known only by Unknowing. The Affirmative Path of philosophical knowledge leads only to the differentiated manifestations of the Godhead: e.g. the Trinity, in Its creative…”
Shared concept: Mystical Union — The merging of the individual soul or self with the divine, transcending personal identity. (derived)
greek_mystery|Orphic Hymns|Hymn LVI. THE TERRESTRIAL HERMES
LVI. TO THE TERRESTRIAL HERMES. The FUMIGATION from STORAX. HERMES I call, whom Fate decrees to dwell In the dire path which leads to deepest hell O Bacchic Hermes, progeny divine Of Dionysius, parent of the vine, p. 189 And of celestial Ve…”
Shared concept: Psychopomp Journey — Guided passage of the soul through afterlife realms. (derived)
neoplatonism|Select Works of Plotinus|Select Works, Section 67
Section 6 6. For, as the ancient teaching was, moral-discipline and courage and every virtue, not even excepting Wisdom itself, all is purification. Hence the Mysteries with good reason adumbrate the immersion of the unpurified in filth, ev…”
Shared concept: Ritual Purity — The maintenance of a state of cleanliness—physical, moral, or spiritual—required for encounter with the divine. (derived)
western_esoteric|The Book of Ceremonial Magic (A.E. Waite)|Page 38 (part 1)
Click to view DEVIL FROM HEARNE'S PRINT OF THE "DESCENT INTO HELL." Engraved by Michael Burghers , c. 1676. CHAPTER I The Preparation of the Operator § 1. Concerning the Love of God THE rites of so-called Transcendental Magic are, ex hyp…”
Shared concept: Ritual Purity — The maintenance of a state of cleanliness—physical, moral, or spiritual—required for encounter with the divine. (derived)