The Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead: Navigating the Afterlife with Occultism

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The occultism of ancient Egypt is a fascinating and enigmatic subject that continues to intrigue scholars and enthusiasts alike. Egypt, with its rich history and deep-rooted belief system, had a strong relationship with the supernatural realm. One of the main aspects of Egyptian occultism was the belief in magic. Magic was seen as a powerful tool that could be wielded by both humans and gods. It was believed that by performing certain rituals and spells, one could tap into the divine forces and command them to manifest desired outcomes. The practice of magic in ancient Egypt was closely tied to religion.


"The pharaoh Rameses III greets Isis on behalf of his deceased son, as the goddess visits the prince's tomb in both her roles: as ideal mother and protector of the dead."

The second depiction is of her wearing a headdress of cow horns and a solar disk the headdress of Hathor as well as a girdle bound by a tyet , a magic knot that gives life. Her headdress is the Egyptian hieroglyph for the throne, which is also the hieroglyph for her name As a hieroglyph for the throne, it represents her magical powers because the throne was believed to possess magical power.

Occultism of ancient Egypt

The practice of magic in ancient Egypt was closely tied to religion. The Egyptians believed in multiple gods who controlled different aspects of life, and magic was seen as a means of communicating with these gods and gaining their favor. The priests and priestesses were considered the custodians of this knowledge and were responsible for performing rituals and spells on behalf of the community.

ancient Egyptian religion

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External Websites
  • Touregypt - Ancient Egyptian Religion
  • Chemistry LibreTexts - Ancient Egyptian Religion
  • Carnegie Mellon University - Computing Services - Ancient Egyptian Religion I: General Concepts and the Heliopolitan Gods
  • Australian Museum - Religion and gods in ancient Egypt
  • World History Encyclopedia - Ancient Egyptian Religion
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External Websites
  • Touregypt - Ancient Egyptian Religion
  • Chemistry LibreTexts - Ancient Egyptian Religion
  • Carnegie Mellon University - Computing Services - Ancient Egyptian Religion I: General Concepts and the Heliopolitan Gods
  • Australian Museum - Religion and gods in ancient Egypt
  • World History Encyclopedia - Ancient Egyptian Religion
Written by John R. Baines Professor of Egyptology, University of Oxford. Coauthor of Atlas of Ancient Egypt. John R. Baines , Peter F. Dorman

Peter Dorman received his PhD. from the University of Chicago in 1985 and served as the president of the American University of Beirut from 2005 to 2015. He has received numerous research grants and is.

Peter F. Dorman See All Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Oct 17, 2023 • Article History Table of Contents Isis nursing Horus Category: History & Society Key People: Akhenaten Ramses II Hatshepsut Snefru Imhotep . (Show more) Related Topics: ka ba akh Khenty-Imentiu triad . (Show more)

ancient Egyptian religion, indigenous beliefs of ancient Egypt from predynastic times (4th millennium bce ) to the disappearance of the traditional culture in the first centuries ce . For historical background and detailed dates, see Egypt, history of.

Occultism of ancient egypt

Another important aspect of Egyptian occultism was divination. Divination was the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or unseen through various methods. One common method was through the interpretation of dreams. Egyptians believed that dreams were messages from gods and ancestors and could provide valuable insights into the future. Egyptian occultists also believed in the power of amulets and talismans. These were objects infused with magical properties and were believed to protect the wearer from harm or bring good luck. Amulets were commonly worn as jewelry or carried on the person as a form of protection. The practice of Egyptian occultism had a significant impact on various aspects of life in ancient Egypt. It influenced medicine, with the belief that illnesses could be caused by supernatural forces and could be cured through magical rituals. It also influenced art and architecture, with the inclusion of magical symbols and hieroglyphics in temples and tombs. In conclusion, the occultism of ancient Egypt was a complex and multifaceted belief system that played a significant role in their society. The practice of magic, divination, and the use of amulets were all integral parts of this belief system. Today, the study of Egyptian occultism continues to shed light on their fascinating culture and spiritual practices..

Reviews for "The Sacred Art of Hieroglyphic Divination in Ancient Egypt"

1. John - 1/5 stars - I was really excited to read "Occultism of ancient Egypt" as I have always been fascinated by ancient civilizations. However, I found this book to be incredibly disappointing. The author seemed to have a very limited understanding of the subject matter and there were numerous factual inaccuracies throughout. The writing style was also dry and difficult to follow. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a comprehensive and accurate examination of ancient Egyptian occultism.
2. Emily - 2/5 stars - As someone with a strong interest in occultism, I was really looking forward to diving into "Occultism of ancient Egypt". Unfortunately, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied. The book lacked depth and failed to provide any meaningful insights or analysis. The information presented was surface-level and lacked any real substance. I was hoping for a more nuanced and engaging exploration of the topic, but unfortunately, this book fell short of my expectations.
3. Sarah - 2/5 stars - I was initially intrigued by the title of "Occultism of ancient Egypt", but the content of the book failed to deliver. The author seemed more interested in asserting their own theories and beliefs rather than providing an objective examination of the subject matter. It felt more like a personal manifesto than a scholarly exploration. Additionally, I found the writing to be overly convoluted and difficult to follow. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and would not recommend it to others.
4. Michael - 1/5 stars - "Occultism of ancient Egypt" was a huge letdown for me. The author seemed more interested in sensationalizing the topic rather than providing any meaningful insights. It was filled with wild claims and baseless speculation, with little evidence or research to back them up. The lack of scholarly rigor was evident throughout, and I found myself questioning the credibility of the entire book. If you're looking for a serious exploration of ancient Egyptian occultism, I would suggest looking elsewhere.

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