#basics of kemetic philosophy

[growing-yet-into-magic]

hi! I’ve been getting more serious with my practice recently and I was wondering what resources/tips/blogs helped you the most when you were starting out or first getting deeper into witchcraft

thank you so much and hope you gave a nice day/night!

Hey, Anon! :D

Well, I have some advice, a short book list, and a few excuses. The problem with creating book recommendations for anonymous asks, is that-- and no offense, anon-- I don’t know you. It makes it a lot harder to personalize the books I recommend to you when I don’t know your likes, dislikes, hard NOs and absolute YESs! (It’s why librarians make small talk with you. How else can we know what you want?)

For instance, when I started leaving my “only looking up spells and never making any” phase, I was Wiccan, which a lot of Witches on tumblr don’t enjoy catering to. The books I were reading included more formal Wiccan and Wiccan-style witchcraft books, such as Circle of the Cosmic Muse, Janet Thompson’s Of Witches and the later Magical Hearth, besides the already interesting Deborah Blake collection. I then moved into the weirdest copy of Aradia, which is pretty directly related to Wicca’s creation as well as Italian witchcraft, as well as Doreen Valiente’s books. I even read Scire’s fiction book. The famous one. It was okay. He didn’t write any compelling characters. Spiral Dance and Drawing Down the Moon are still on my bookshelf. I SWEAR I will get to them but for now they are set dressing.This is all excluding the tome upon tome of Kemetic culture and philosophy I was hauling in my backpack everywhere.

See? Unless you’re in my situation, such as a relatively new Wiccan convert or deeply into the history of Witchcraft in the U.S. , this list doesn’t mean a lot to you.

My recommendation is to simply go deeper into what you are already interested in. Hellenic Pagan? Look into more scholar-based anthropology texts on the culture and religious background. Kitchen witch? Play around with food theory and the process of growing your locally sourced ingredients, and maybe see about taking herbalist courses. Interested in the occult side of things? Fire up archive.org and read some rare magical tomes. There will be a lot of blogs that can recommend you more specific lists as to the basics, backgrounds, and essentials, but it’s time you get down to the nitty gritty of what appeals to you, in the process of getting good at it.

So! More generic advice and book lists:

Follow someone whose craft is not like yours! They will have perspectives that invite you to open up your own. This piece of advice let me really explore more sides of the craft that I would have otherwise avoided, just because it was unfamiliar to me. Familiarity let me confront them more honestly later down the line.

Read! Reading is good for you. If you get tired of it, set it aside and try to read it on the bus or something later on. I enjoy reading at work when I am not supposed to. Ironic.

Go to local events! You don’t have to like the people you meet with, as long as it allows you to meet new people. It reaches the same point as the first piece of advice. Hey, it’s worth at least trying once!

Prune down your toolkit! Some of the things you might have bought or bought into at the beginning of your craft you may not want to use anymore. It’s okay to let that stuff go...or even gift it to a new witch you know.

Understand your ancestors. Every bloodline has perspectives to explore. Learn more about where you came, and how you came to be, and you will learn more about yourself. And, of course, not all ancestors are blood-related. Adopted ancestors and the heads of movements that tie into your sense of personhood also apply.

Edit your Grimoire! Are you still using everything you put in there? Confess-- was there smudging in there? Go in with an eraser. It’s time to clean house.

Get a library card! Book are boring and expensive! Get your library to buy them for you! It’s free!

Go to therapy. It’s therapy.

If you cannot go to therapy, try downloading those therapy worksheets you can find online for free. This is part of “learning about yourself” and “shadow work” that everyone keeps hyping up.

Now. I think that learning from the book is best, because it is easy to go back to when you have to, and is written down in case you forget something. I love books. My book list of general second-step witchcraft recommendations are as follows:

Grovedaughter Witchery by Bree NicGarran! A lot of people recommended it as book #1, but I always thought it made a great book #2. I think it would be a bit overwhelming for a new witch, but it makes a great source of advice for witches looking to expand outwards.

Traditional Wicca by Thorn Mooney. Sure, the likelihood that you’re Wiccan, anon, is pretty low, but I don’t think that this book is necessarily...for Wiccans? Sure it has Wicca in the title, but what it actually is is a tome on how to interact with and apply to a formal spiritual coven or organization. It’s a great primer on the culture of secretive societies and how to spot a good one from a bad one from a mile away.

The Study of Witchcraft by Deborah Lipp is subtitled “Advanced Wicca”, but, again, it’s one of those cases where it’s more about Witchcraft than Wicca but the authors are Wiccan so they conflate the two, and... Listen, this book is a book list in and of itself. There’s some fluff you can ignore, but the book itself is a great resource for advice on looking for older witchcraft books and the history of witchcraft. I recommend it, especially if you’re in the US.

The History of Witchcraft or any book like it-- scholarly, competent, and neutral to witchcraft culture on the whole! The history of witchcraft is nuanced and interesting and often antisemetic on top of being deeply, deeply racist! Read up!

And HERE is @breelandwalker‘s public domain witch book dropbox info! Free is good. Free is very good.

As for blogs...

A lot of the blogs I used to like have Vanished Into the Ether or otherwise Joined the Exodus After the Porn Ban or have just Stopped Posting, but I can recommend @upthewitchypunx @breelandwalker @afrocentric-divination @ancestralmedicinemagic @north-of-annwn @whichwitchami @hillbillyoracle @lazywitchling @thewitchofthenorsetrilogy @therestlesswitch @tarotio @thetwistedrope @mudanglife @madamehearthwitch @heatherwitch...

There are numerous other blogs I want to include, but haven’t the memory to remember their names, haven’t logged on in years, etc, but this is at least a starting list. I try to follow a diverse amount of religion/witchcraft/occult blogs, but if you read my follow list, 90% of the blogs say “have not posted in 278 days” etc.

Go big, go hard, or go home. Witchcraft isn’t for the weak of heart; it’s for the grouchy and grumpy. Just listen to us argue some time! ;)

Blessings!

tips?

[samwisethewitch]

Cultural Appropriation in Modern Witchcraft

Cultural appropriation occurs when cultural practices are taken out of their original context and misused by outsiders. Cultural appropriation is different from cultural sharing, which occurs naturally in any multicultural society. Eating at an Indian restaurant is not cultural appropriation. Wearing a bindi when you don’t understand its significance in Indian culture is.

Cultural appropriation is a huge issue in modern witchcraft. When you have witches using white sage to “smudge” their altars, doing meditations to balance their chakras, and calling on Santa Muerte in spells, all without making any effort to understand the cultural roots of those practices, you have a serious problem.

When trying to understand cultural appropriation in witchcraft, it’s important to understand the difference between open and closed magic systems. An open system is one that is open to exchange with outsiders — both sharing ideas/practices and taking in new ones. In terms of religion, spirituality, and witchcraft, a completely open system has no restrictions on who can practice its teachings. A closed system is one that is isolated from outside influences — usually, there is some kind of restriction on who can practice within these systems.

There are different reasons a system might be closed. Some systems require a formal training and/or initiation, but there is no restriction on who can be initiated. Reiki and some forms of Wicca operate this way. (All other forms of Wicca are completely open.) Some systems are closely tied to a complex set of cultural beliefs that may not be fully understood by outsiders, so they are closed to people outside of that culture. Kabbalah (Jewish mysticism) is an example of this. Some systems require a family lineage, so you must have been born into the system to practice within it. Zoroastrianism and some forms of traditional witchcraft fall into this category. And finally, some systems are closed as a kind of self defense, usually because they have been the target of persecution from outsiders — keeping the system closed is a way to preserve beliefs and practices that might otherwise be lost. African Diaspora Religions fall into this last category.

If a belief or practice is part of a closed system, outsiders should not take part in it. It really is that simple. If you aren’t Native American, you should not be performing smudging ceremonies. If you aren’t Jewish, you should not be practicing Kabbalah or working with Lilith as your “goddess.” If you aren’t Black, you should not be practicing Hoodoo. You get the idea.

On a similar note, just because a system is open does not mean you can do whatever you want with its teachings. You should still make a point of educating yourself on the system you are practicing and take care not to take things out of their original context. Some forms of Shinto are open, but you wouldn’t involve the kami in a Wiccan- or pagan-style ritual — Shinto has its own rules for ritual, which are very different from Western paganism. If you feel called to work with a cultural system you are not already part of, you need to be willing to put in the work of respectfully learning about and preserving that system.

It is impossible to appropriate a dominant culture. For example, in the United States, white American culture is treated as the default. There is tremendous pressure on all other cultural groups to speak English, dress like white Americans, and act like white Americans. White American culture has deep roots in Protestant Christianity, and these religious influences are enforced through social norms and sometimes through laws. Many businesses are closed on Christmas and Easter, and I live in an area where it is illegal to sell alcohol on Sunday mornings. White (Christian) American culture is literally being shoved down everyone’s throats all the time. A non-Christian immigrant wearing a cable-knit sweater, taking Sundays off work, or celebrating Christmas isn’t cultural appropriation, because they are expected to adopt these elements of the dominant culture.

It is also impossible to appropriate your own culture, even if you weren’t raised in it. For example, a Latinx person who decides to learn brujeria does not need anyone’s permission to do so. That practice is a part of their cultural heritage.

Dead cultures are a gray area, but the general consensus is that you cannot appropriate a system that isn’t connected to a living culture. For example, Hellenic polytheism is very different from modern Greek culture. A non-Greek person practicing Hellenic polytheism isn’t appropriating Greek culture, because that religion hasn’t been openly practiced in Greece for thousands of years. The same goes for many other types of reconstructionist paganism (paganism based on recreating ancient beliefs and practices) such as Kemetic (Egyptian) polytheism, Celtic paganism, Norse paganism, etc.

This isn’t to say that you shouldn’t still make an effort to be respectful of the cultural origins of these religions. If you worship the Kemetic gods, you should probably educate yourself on at least the basic history and philosophy of Ancient Egypt. You should probably try to be faithful to the ancient beliefs in your practice. But you don’t need any sort of initiation, because there is no direct connection between the ancient religion and modern reconstruction.

So How Do We Avoid Appropriation?

Know the difference between open and closed systems, and respect if a system is closed.

If a system is open or only partially closed, try to find a teacher or mentor who is already a part of that system. If an in-person mentor isn’t possible, try to find books and other resources created by people who are actually part of that culture.

Only use items or practices in your witchcraft if you have a good understanding of their cultural, religious, and/or spiritual significance.

If a member of a culture or magic system tells you their system is closed and asks you to stop using it, listen to them.

Educate yourself on how cultural appropriation contributes to systemic racism and other social issues.

Don’t try to sneak around culture appropriation. If you burn white sage to cleanse your space, you are still appropriating Native American spiritual practices (and contributing to the overharvesting of an endangered plant), even if you don’t use the term “smudging” or appropriate the entire smudge ceremony. If something is not yours to practice, leave it alone.

Learning about other cultures is not the same as cultural appropriation. Here’s a personal example: I live fairly close to New Orleans, and I think New Orleans Voodoo is a fascinating tradition. When I visit, I like to speak to local Voodoo practitioners and learn from them about their practice. That being said, I recognize that I am not a part of that practice, and I’m not about to start incorporating elements of Voodoo into my personal practice.

As a white woman, my track record is not perfect when it comes to cultural appropriation. When I first started my witchcraft journey, I burned white sage and worked with the chakra system. I didn’t know any better, and these things were presented to me as if they were open to anyone. But now I do know better, and I’m making a conscious effort to avoid appropriation in my practice.

I’m also trying to do better for new witches just entering the world of alternative spirituality. It’s important for us to talk about things like cultural appropriation so that baby witches know from the beginning what the issues are and why they matter.

[witchbitchheadedtoaditch]

The Basics of Kemetic Philosophy (without the appropriated shit from Judaism)

I'm starting a series on Kemetic philosophy because a lot of my readings on it have included things like Kabbalah (Kabala, Kabbala, Qabala, etc.) which is directly appropriated from Judaism, and definitely would not have been included in ancient Kemetic philosophy.

This series relies heavily on the following books/independent publications (this continues to be updated as the series continues):

The Instruction of Ptah-Hotep and the Instruction of Ka'Gemni: The Oldest Books in the World translated by John Murray

Teachings of Ptahhotep

Maat: The 11 Laws of God by Ra Un Nefer Amen (somewhat, this book literally has the Kabbalistic tree of life on its' cover so I don't take a lot from it--it's really just a good jumping-off point because it covers so much)

Maat: The Moral Idea in Ancient Egypt by Maulana Karenga

The Literature of Ancient Egypt: An Anthology of Stories, Instructions, and Poetry edited with an introduction by William Kelly Simpson. Authors include Robert K. Ritner, Vincent A. Tobin, and Edward F. Wente.

I Am Because We Are: Readings in Africana Philosophy by Fred Lee Hord, Mzee Lasana Okpara, and Johnathan Scott Lee.

Ancient Egyptian Literature: Volume I: The Old and Middle Kingdoms by Miriam Lichtheim (2006 Edition)

Current Research in Egyptology 2009: Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Symposium by Judith Corbelli, Daniel Baotright, and Claire Malleson

Old Kingdom, New Perspectives: Egyptian Art and Archaeology 2750-2150 BC by Nigel Strudwick and Helen Strudwick

Current Research in Egyptology 2010: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual Symposium by Maarten Horn, Joost Kramer, Daniel Soliman, Nico Staring, Carina van den Hoven, and Lara Weiss

Current Research in Egyptology 2016: Proceedings of the Seventeenth Annual Symposium by Julia M. Chyla, Joanna Dêbowska-Ludwin, Karolina Rosińska-Balik, and Carl Walsh

Mathematics in Ancient Egypt: A Contextual History by Annette Imhausen

The Instruction of Amenemope: A Critical Edition and Commentary by James Roger Black

"The ancient Egyptian concept of Maat: Reflections on social justice and natural order" by R. James Ferguson

The Mind of Ancient Egypt: History and Meaning in the Time of the Pharaohs by Jan Assmann

Transformations of the Inner Self in Ancient Religions by Jan Assmann and Guy G. Stroumsa

Of God and Gods: Egypt, Israel, and the Rise of Monotheism by Jan Assmann

Death and Salvation in Ancient Egypt by Jan Assmann

Cultural Memory and Early Civilization: Writing, Remembrance, and Political Imagination by Jan Assmann

From Akhenaten to Moses: Ancient Egypt and Religious Change by Jan Assmann

Book of the Dead: Becoming God in Ancient Egypt edited by Foy Scalf with new object photography by Kevin Bryce Lowry

It also relies on the following journal articles/book chapters:

"A Modern Look at Ancient Wisdom: The Instruction of Ptahhotep Revisited" by Carole R. Fontaine in The Biblical Archaeologist Volume 44, No. 3

"The Teaching of Ptahhotep: The London Versions" by Alice Heyne in Current Research in Egyptology 2006: Proceedings of the Seventh Annual Symposium

"One Among Many: A Divine Call for Gender Equity" by Sandra Y Lewis in Phylon (1960-) Volume 55, No. 1 & 2.

"A Tale of Semantics and Suppressions: Reinterpreting Papyrus Mayer A and the So-called War of the High Priest during the Reign of Ramesses XI" by Kim Ridealgh in Studien zur Altägyptischen Kultur

EDITORIAL: African Philosophy as a radical critique" by Alena Rettová in Journal of African Cultural Studies Volume 28, No. 2

"Sanctuary Meret and the Royal Cult" by Miroslav Verner in Symposium zur Königsideologie / 7th Symposium on Egyptian Royal Ideology: Royal versus Divine Authority: Acquisition, Legitimization and Renewal of Power. Prague, June 26–28, 2013

"The Ogdoad and Divine Kingship in Dendara" by Filip Coppens and Jiří Janák in Symposium zur Königsideologie / 7th Symposium on Egyptian Royal Ideology: Royal versus Divine Authority: Acquisition, Legitimization and Renewal of Power. Prague, June 26–28, 2013

"The Egyptian Temple as a Place to House Collections (from the Old Kingdom to the Late Period) by Roberto A. Diaz Hernández in The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology Volume 103, No. 1

"Death and the Sun Temple: New Evidence for Private Mortuary Cults at Amarna" by Jacquelyn Williamson in The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology Volume 103, No. 1

"Mery-Maat, An Eighteenth Dynasty iry '3 pr pth From Memphis and His Hypothetical Family" by Rasha Metawi in The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology Volume 101, 2015

"A New Demotic Translation of (Excerpts of) A Chapter of The "Book of the Dead" by Joachim Friedrich Quack in The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology Volume 100, 2014

"The Shedshed of Wepwawet: An Artistic and Behavioural Interpretation" by Linda Evans in The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology Volume 97, 2011

"(De)queering Hatshepsut: Binary Bind in Archaeology of Egypt and Kingship Beyond the Corporeal" by Uroš Matić in Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory Volume 23, No. 3 "Binary Binds": Deconstructing and Gender Dichotomies in Archeological Practice.

"Egyptian Maat and Hesiodic Metis" by Christopher A. Faraone and Emily Teeter in Mnemosyne Volume 57 Fasc. 2

"Maat and Order in African Cosmology: A Conceptual Tool for Understanding Indigenous Knowledge" by Denise Martin in Journal of Black Studies Volume 38, No. 6

"Memphis and Thebes: Disaster and Renewal in Ancient Egyptian Consciousness" by Ogden Goelet in The Classical World Volume 97, No. 1

"A Radical Reconstruction of Resistance Strategies: Black Girls and Black Women Reclaiming Our Power Using Transdisciplinary Applied Social Justice, Ma'at, and Rites of Passage" by Menah Pratt-Clarke in Journal of African American Studies Volume 17, No. 1

"Emblems for the Afterlife" by Marley Brown in Archaeology Volume 71, No. 3

"Human and Divine: The King's Two Bodies and The Royal Paradigm in Fifth Dynasty Egypt" by Massimiliano Nuzzolo in Symposium zur ägyptischen Königsideologie/8th Symposium on Egyptian Royal Ideology: Constructing Authority. Prestige, Reputation and the Perception of Power in Egyptian Kingship. Budapest, May 12-14, 2016

"The Block and Its Decoration" by Josef Wegner in The Sun-shade Chapel of Meritaten from the House-of-Waenre of Akhenaten

"The African Rites of Passage and the Black Fraternity" by Ali D. Chambers in Journal of Black Studies Volume 47, No. 4

"Review: Translating Ma'at" by Stephen Quirke in The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology Volume 80, 1994

"Additions to the Egyptian Book of the Dead" by T. George Allen in Journal of Near Eastern Studies Volume 11, No. 3

"Types of Rubrics in the Egyptian Book of the Dead" by T. George Allen in Journal of the American Oriental Society Volume 56, No. 2

"Book of the Dead, Book of the Living: BD Spells as Temple Texts" by Alexandra Von Lieven in The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology Volume 98, 2012

"Fragments of the "Book of the Dead" on Linen and Papyrus" by Ricardo A. Caminos in The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology Volume 56, 1970

"Herodotus and the Egyptian Idea of Immortality" by Louis V. Z̆abkar in Journal of Near Eastern Studies Volume 22, No. 1

"Theban and Memphite Book of the Dead Traditions in the Late Period" by Malcolm Mosher Jr. in Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt Volume 29, 1992

"The Conception of the Soul and the Belief in Resurrection Among the Egyptians" by Paul Carus in The Monist Volume 14, No. 3

"It's About Time: Ancient Egyptian Cosmology" by Joanne Conman in Studien zur Altägyptischen Kultur Volume 31, 2003

"Egyptian Parallels for an Incident in Hesiod's Theogony and an Episode in the Kumarbi Myth" by Edmund S. Meltzer in Journal of Near Eastern Studies Volume 33, No. 1

"The Book of the Dead" by Geo. St. Clair in The Journal of Theological Studies Volume 6, No. 21

"The Egyptian "Book of the Two Ways"" by Wilhelm Bonacker in Imago Mundi Volume 7, 1950

"The Papyrus of Nes-min: An Egyptian Book of the Dead" by William H. Peck in Bulletin of the Detroit Institute of Arts Volume 74, No. 1/2

[brother-hermes]

GOYIM AND KABBALAH

Look. This is going to be one of the most difficult things I’ve ever tried to explain because my very being- my opus- is involved.

As I sit under the light of the full moon, back to the tree in my front yard, the very pulse of earth is moving within me. I am accutely aware of which trees have sprung from the seeds planted by the parent tree at my back. The night is still and yet it’s teeming with life. It is Ru’ahh- the breath of G-d I feel moving through all things but how did this happen? At what point did I become aware of Her presence and abandon all else on my journey? Where is the line between Christian and Jew in my mind? At what point did I cease to be Catholic?

The library unearthed at Nag Hammadi completely changed my perspective on the life and message of Christ. His own promise of the gift of Ru’ahh HakoDesh sent me within. After all, didn’t He urge us to sit in a closet and pray? Then a Rosicrucian text written in 1923 quoted the Gospel of Peace 30 years before its “discovery.”

Years of meditation- constant recital of the 72 triplets- later and The Chymical Wedding of Christian Rosenkreutz was given to me. A Frater from my order handed me his personal copy full of annotations and footnotes. This seemingly simple doctrine follows a similar pattern of the one found in the Apocalypse of John, what Christians know as Revelations. In it he speaks of communing with Sophia- Solomons Woman Wisdom. This mystical experience is one I recognized instantly having long since meditated in Her presence. I sought Her like silver just as Solomon suggested and found Her within.

Anyways, as I read of Christian Rosenkreutz taking this spiritual journey I couldn’t help but notice how blended the Rosicrucian path actually is. Here is a doctrine where the spiritual journey is divided into a seven day journey-referencing Genesis- to attend a Wedding on an evening before Easter- referencing, not only the Gospels, but the Wedding at Cana as well. It’s Alchemical in nature urging us to remember Hermès teachings and alludes to Platos Cave- the metaphysics behind Greek philosophy. He cuts the bread. That only happens in 9 books of the New Testament. There are also 9 Lords in attendance at this Wedding.

Genesis is tied into the story as a way to connect the dots between these seemingly different paths- all of which lead to One. “G-d said” appears 10 times. “G-d made” appears 3 times. “G-d saw” appears 7 times. The word G-d is used 12 times. 10 sefirot. 3 horizontal paths. 7 vertical paths. 12 diagonal paths. This is the Tree of Life. It serves as the basic framework for how Christian Rosenkreutz made it to this Castle- what I understand as a mountain Temple- to commune with the Creator.

There are Four Paths mentioned that one can take to achieve this goal. Couple that with several references meant to imply a connection between the Emerald Tablet and the Tree of Life and it’s no wonder I set out to understand why. Why would a Christian mystic explain how movement from Yesod, Hod, and Netzach moving from below to above correlates to the three step process of the Emerald Tablet? I mean, even the first day of Rosenkreutz journey ends painting the 4 step descent, 3 step ascent, and the one step re-descent. Why? What do the Emerald Tablet and Kabbalah have to do with what Christ taught? The question drove me mad.

The Wedding at Cana was the first of 7 miracles to be taken as signs of the Messiah. Specifically, the lawful Union of man and woman- or the reconciliation of polarity. The same polarity reconciled after 6 days of Creation through use of duality described in Genesis. It’s an allegory. Christ was teaching us how to reconcile our seemingly dualistic nature. The changing of water into wine implies the integration of our vehicles of consciousness- body and mind, waking mind and Spirit.

Even the number of disciplines outlined by Rosenkreutz isn’t merely a play on the 12 disciples. It’s 12 disciplines in three groups of four. Emanation, Creation, Formation, and Action. There’s no getting around going from below to above requires merkava- vehicles of consciousness. At the level of Assiah/Action, it’s easy to see this vehicle because we touch, taste, see, smell and hear with it, but as we move beyond that it gets decidedly more difficult. When we approach Atzilut/Emanation where we have no vehicle of consciousness because we are consciousness, what then? Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh. That same “I am” that manifests in the first word of the 10 commandments is the Divine expressing itself in the metaphor of Creature. That was Sophia/Chochmah manifesting within. Years of meditating at the Temple within my heart had taught me to trust the breath of G-d beyond anything else.

There was no escaping this truth. Prayer. Meditation. Study. Living a simple life. All of these disciplines had moved me to a place where I needed guidance. The Hermeticists of my order had much more in common with the Sorcerers of Kemet- Biblical Egyptians- than they did with those faithful to the Law. What could the descendants of Isis cults who genuinely believe we can reach the point of being gods teach me about ascending to the throne room of the one true G-d? Nothing.

Now I never abandoned Christ in all this. Even as I dove into deep meditative periods with heavy study almost never touching the Bible- Christian Rosenkreutz bridegroom I was still aware of how Christ is involved. See, if Chochmah/Wisdom is waves of energy, Binah/Understanding is form. With Christ as my template- the One manifested in the World of Formation- I chose to live in love. To be “the light that shone in the darkness.” But what Church would understand this journey? What Christian could hear this tale and not label me a heretic? Aside from one Anglican priest I had been completely isolated from the entire realm of Christianity.

So I did the only thing I could do. I turned to the source of this Ancient Mystery and joined a Kabbalah study group. I am a Gentile amidst the Chosen seeking Wisdom above all. Am I treated differently within the confines of said group? No. I came to this path after decades of prayer and meditation and it is doubtful this is the first lifetime I have spent in such a manner. I didn’t wake up yesterday and say “let me jack this culture and make it my own.” They know that because mystics are measured on what’s within more than they’ll ever be measured by appearance, race, or…

Trust and believe that every post I write comes from a place of love and I never intended to hurt or offend anyone. Mysticism had never been a game or a fad to me. This life cycle is one of dedication and servitude to G-d and humanity. That is the fulfillment of the Law- to love G-d with all of my mind and soul and to love my neighbor as I love myself. Humility may not always be my strong suit but my approachability runs high. You can always reach out to me with questions and ask why or how. Even in the mix of frustration I will gladly address anyone with the respect and dignity I would like to receive. Hehe. To receive.

That’s all I got.

[sandandlightning]

Introduction to Paganism

If you are just beginning your journey with paganism, consider reading this introduction post! Having a few friends who are just now beginning their own journeys, I wanted to share that knowledge with others outside my personal circle. I plan on posting more basics of the basics for those just starting out on this blog, and always feel free to shoot me an ask. ^^

'Pagan' is an umbrella term referring to a myriad of different 'old god' religions, or the religions that were widespread before the advent of Christianity. There are many paths, ranging from direct reconstruction to worship of gods from various cultures in different or more modern contexts, all of which constitute being Pagan. The largest common thread between pagans is that we are polytheists- meaning we worship and honor multiple gods.

Because of this, it is important to consider that not all pagans have the same holidays or even knowledge. There are certain common threads or more popular practices that are easier to find than others. What is important is finding what feels right for you, and sometimes if being a part of a larger community feels right, then adapting aspects to align with more popular practices is completely okay and appropriate!

In my experience, most pagans I have known started out with wider known, easier to access philosophies such as Wicca at the beginning of their journey, then from their were able to find the path right for them, whether that was staying with Wicca, doubling down on a more adapted form of Wicca, or branching out into a different reconstructed religion. But if you have an idea of what you're looking for, or already feel connected to a specific pantheon starting there makes perfect sense! 

I think it's important to remember religion is a personal thing, it's alright to be fluid, and it's alright to try things and decide what does and doesn't work for you. If working with a specific deity, or even just a specific aspect or version of a deity, makes you uncomfortable you don't have to continue with that practice. If you are focused on a pantheon, but keep encountering a specific deity from another, there is nothing wrong with dabbling in work with that deity, or even deciding that that deity and their pantheon is a better fit for you than what you had been doing. Just ensure everything you do is with respect when working with higher powers, and that you are not inadvertently snubbing or angering any forces as you explore your spirituality.

I've used the word pantheon a lot- for those unfamiliar, this colloquially refers to a group of deities that belong to a specific polytheistic religion. The example most people would be familiar with would be ancient Greece- Zeus, Posiden, Hades, Athena, Apollo- these deities all belong to the same pantheon. Below is a list of different pantheons as well as terms modern pagans use to describe practice working with these pantheons, which I hope will help newer pagans find other resources.

Greek and Roman - Hellenistic

Norse - Heathenry

Egyptian - Kemetic

Celtic

This page will be updated and expanded with links as the author compiles more information and fact checks. This is by no means a complete or comprehensive list.

[merytu-mrytw]

Hello hello! I know this might be a bit random, but I’ve been searching for books on kemetism and other resources for a friend of mine who’s trying to connect with her roots. Unfortunately I can’t be of much help cuz my brand of pagan is of the hellenic kind so I’ve been asking around to see if anyone had any recs! Any way that u are able to direct me would be of so much help! Thank you in advance and hope u have a lovely day❤️

Howdy and salutations!

I'll be the first to admit that I rely way more heavily on journal articles than I do print books, mostly because I have that sweet sweet university access at the moment, but here's a couple of quick reccs.

-A decent translation of the book of the dead. Not Budge, literally anyone but Budge. I don't have a copy at the moment, but there's a bunch of recent translations, especially look for ones that use the actual title (the book of coming forth by day)

-Religion And Magic In Ancient Egypt by Rosalie David. Seems to be a pretty solid overview of the timeline and how the religion changed over time

-Religion and Ritual in Ancient Egypt by Emily Teeter. Chapters about philosophy, the methods of communication from god to human and human to god, how temples were structured, festivals, etc etc.

-Religion in ancient Egypt : gods, myths, and personal practice, edited by Byron E. Shafer. Essays from a symposium on the topic, dips into personal practice like it says on the tin

-The Search for God in Ancient Egypt by Jan Assmann. Assmann (hehehe) is a name that shows up a lot in writings about Ancient Egyptian history, this book here is all about piety and personal faith

-The death of gods in ancient Egypt : an essay on Egyptian religion and the frame of time by Jane B. Sellers. This one at a glance is a bit tricky to get your hands on, but it's all about the framing of time and astronomy in the faith of Ancient Egypt, which is a fascinating topic in and of itself

My 'ma'at' tag should also have some historic resources on the topic, especially translations of texts contemporary to the period, which should basically be the first place you turn to.

Hope these help! Some more general rules for finding books on the topic is to trust academic presses over specifically occult ones, to trust more recent publications over older ones, and if anything you're reading so much as sneezes in a way that vaguely sounds like the word 'aliens', run away screaming.

[chakrayogacenter]

Attain Amazing Benefits of Egyptian Yoga at Chakra Yoga Center

Meditation Koh Phangan Egyptian Yoga is rapidly gaining popularity all across the world. Yoga is most likely thought to have originated in India, but many people do not know that it also shares its roots to Egypt that is commonly known as Kemetic yoga. The postures are quite similar to Indian yoga however, it mainly focuses on stretching the spine to create balance in postures as well as body. Along with yoga, chanting and meditation are also a part of Egyptian yoga that is practiced to develop balance and deeper concentration.

Egyptian yoga considerably focuses on developing deeper concentration and mental peace. This philosophy is known as “Smai Tawi’ which means the union of two lands. This basically symbolizes two states of existence: the universal consciousness and individual consciousness- the unison between individual spirit and the universal divine. Studies show that along with mental peace, yoga is also capable of addressing certain health problems such as arthritis, back pain, neck pain, and anxiety.

The Egyptian yoga practice has a symbolical meaning attached to it where the physical practice of yoga is called Hatha. One of the key postures looks like lifting the sky which symbolizes the union between the moon and the sun delineating the dual nature of mankind and the unification of the two extreme sides of human’s inner self. There are various other poses such as candlestick pose that has various health benefits such as the strengthening of the shoulders, relief from back and shoulder pain.

There are various other benefits of practicing Egyptian Yoga, to know about some of them, read the points below:

Increased circulation of blood: the postures of this yoga helps increase blood circulation especially in the feet and hands. It also helps in the oxygen supply to the body’s cells. The increased blood flow keeps individuals fit and healthy and prevents them from falling sick.

Provide inner peace and happiness: the greatest benefit of yoga is that it boosts the immune system and provide inner peace and happiness through creating a balance between mind, body and spirit. The more we become aware of our inner self, the more happy and peaceful life we live.

Better focus: according to experts, yoga improves memory and coordination. People who practice yoga regularly are able to concentrate better and solve problems faster. Thus, it not only focuses on physical health but mental health too.

Thus, to learn and practice Egyptian Yoga, join Chakra Yoga Center in the Philippines or Pyramid yoga Center in Thailand. You can also join another course of Yoga in Thailand at Koh Phangan offered by our institution. Contact us today and make your move towards a more healthy and contented life.

Content Resource https://bit.ly/3jzQhOU

[amazingthought-blog1]

Bobby Hemmitt Book List

Knowledge is Power - Source - SubconsciousCelebrity’s book list: Great work by SubconsciousCelebrity's for compiling this amazing book list from Bobby Hemmitt and other amazing scholars; Bro. Panic, Yaffa bey, Alim Bey, many more etc. This is truly a Great gem. Thank You. - Scroll down below videos for full Bobby Hemmitt Book list -

He who knows One Book Knows None - Pt. 1/3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Z84AyXEU1o Economic Justice Theory, General Social Structures, Historical References, Kundalini energy, Metaphysics and Mythology, People interactions, Religious Commentary and Opinion, Scientific theoryTagsBobby Hemmitt, Bobby Hemmitt Book List, Dr Alim Bey, Dr Frances Cress Welsing, Neelly Fuller Jr, Neely Fuller Jr The Code Book, The Arch Degree • The Isis Papers - Frances Wesling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKEF4HN8R-w

The Avengers CIVIL WAR Movie DECODED: ALL ROADS LEAD TO WAKANDA – The Arch Degree

https://youtu.be/atWtqcxjJxE www.hollywooddecoded.com – Ktthearchdegree Youtube More from The Arch Degree – www.ktthearchdegree.com http://amazingthought.net/movies-decoded-arch-degree-interpreting-films/ • The Hermetica - Peter Gandy

The Hermetica: The Lost Wisdom of the Pharaohs - Presented by Peter Gandy - http://www.pentos.tv

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYrfPbZRCk4[/embed] • Hermetica - Walter Scott [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFOkNVLUZkY[/embed] • Hermetica - Copenhaver • Pagan Origins of the Christ myth - John G Jackson (32pages) The Pagan Origins of Jesus Christ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQpxa32WqEc • The Finding of The Third Eye - Vera Stanley Alder - Support The Show @ http://www.theglobalreality.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hQHtseNhrA • The Egyptian book of the dead - Muata Ashby The Egyptian Book of the Dead Full Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dklixqvNcss The ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead, warning to black people https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKWdCj1CA74 • Legends of the Egyptian Gods- E.A. Wallis Budge - http://www.ReligionBookMix.com This is the summary of Legends of the Egyptian Gods - Illustrated by E. A. Wallis Budge, Matthew Vossler. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad9VrfO2Gq8 Ashra Kwesi The Truth About the Real 'Gods of Egypt' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZ1VbxKhHt4 • The Sirius Mystery - Robert Temple - Energy English https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1R88bnWjbo • Christianity Before Christ - John G. Jackson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tOgUnjXa5o Christianity before Christ Dr. John Henrik Clarke https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvQldd-McsI • Selected Writings and Speeches of Marcus Garvey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qEhxtbKPGtw • Things Fall Apart - Chinua Achebe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohwdA3xas6I • The ankh: African Origins of Electromagnetism - Nur Ankh Amen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5vlZkquIxw • African Origins of Civilization Myth or Reality - C.A. Diop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAFXFV62tu4 • Without Sanctuary: lynching photography in America - James Allen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WphcZ0DVuuc • Why Darkness Matters: The Power of Melanin in The Brain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7sy7ogCzeY Behold a Pale horse – William Cooper https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUbFwqglIaA A detailed research into government corruption, secret societies, conspiracies, and the UFO phenomenon. 'Behold a pale horse' We are Multi-Dimensional Cosmic Beings (With a Galactic Heritage) From The Mother Land to the Mothership – Shurlene Wallace https://youtu.be/0zhskk1uEk0 We as the original woman and man are galactic beings with a presence throughout the cosmos. Economic Justice Theory, General Social Structures, Historical References, Kundalini energy, Metaphysics and Mythology, People interactions, Religious Commentary and Opinion, Scientific theoryTagsBobby Hemmitt, Bobby Hemmitt Book List, Dr Alim Bey, Dr Frances Cress Welsing, Neelly Fuller Jr, Neely Fuller Jr The Code Book, The Arch Degree http://amazingthought.net/9-areas-activity/ • The Isis Papers - Frances Wesling • The Hermetica - Peter Gandy • Hermetica - Walter Scott • Hermetica - Copenhaver • Pagan Origins of the Christ myth - John G Jackson (32pages) • The Finding of The Third Eye - Vera Stanley Alder • The Egyptian book of the dead - Muata Ashby • Legends of the Egyptian Gods- E.A. Wallis Budge Ashra Kwesi The Truth About the Real 'Gods of Egypt' • The Sirius Mystery - Robert Temple - Energy English • Christianity Before Christ – John G. Jackson Christianity before Christ Dr. John Henrik Clarke • Selected Writings and Speeches of Marcus Garvey • Things Fall Apart – Chinua Achebe • The ankh: African Origins of Electromagnetism – Nur Ankh Amen • African Origins of Civilization Myth or Reality – C.A. Diop • Without Sanctuary: lynching photography in America – James Allen • Why Darkness Matters: The Power of Melanin in The Brain • Behold a Pale horse - William Cooper • From The Mother Land to the Mothership - Shurlene Wallace • Secret Source - Adam Parfrey • Earth pleiadian keys to the Living Library - Barbara marciniak • Who’s who in Egyptian mythology - Anthony Mercatante • Psychic Self-defense - Dion Fortune • Conflicting Genes Nuetranoids and Genocide - Amun re sen Atum re
 (brother Polight) • Gnosis - Philip Gardiner • Gnosis - Kurt Rudolph • Yurugu - Marimba Ani • 1984 - George Orwell • Cosmic Voyage - Courtney Brown • The Martian Chronicles - Ray Bradbury • The island of Dr. Moreau - HG Wells • The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho • The Art of War - Sun Tzu • The historical origins of Christianity - Walter Williams • Metu Neter Vol. 1- (ALL) - Ra un nefer Amen • Ma’at Philosophy - Muata Ashby • Ancient egyptian light of the world -
Gerald Massey • Pregnant Darkness Alchemy and the rebirth of consciousness - Monika Wikman • The Sufis - Idries Shah page 245 and 255 - Baphomet equals Black male and/or Black Female • The historical Jesus and the mythical Christ - Gerald Massey • The Coming Race - Baron Edward Bulwer Lytton • Saturn: A new look at an old devil - Liz Greene • Book of the Beginings - Gerald Massey • The way of Hermes - Clement Salalman • The book of the law - Aleister Crowley • The Rosicrucian Cosmo-conception 
- Max Heindel • The God Genes - R.a. Waldron • The kemetic Tree of life - Muata Ashby • Echoes of an Old Darkland -Charles Finch • Atlantis and Lemuria - Rudolf Steiner • The Third Eye - Sophia Stewart • Supreme mathematic African Ma’at 
Magic • Lost cities and ancient Mysteries of the south - David Hatcher Childress • Lost Cities of North & Central America - David Hatcher • From Fetish to God - E.A. wallis Budge • The Africans who wrote the bible -Nana banchie Darkwah • Medical Apartheid - Harriet Washington • The Conspiracy to Destroy Black Women - Kevin Mcnutt • The Name Negro - Richard B Moore • Phlilosophy and opinions of Marcus Garvey - Marcus Garvey • The Womans Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets - Barbara G Walker • The Women’s Dictionary of Symbols and Sacred Objects - Barbara G Walker • The first Americans were Africans - David Imhotep • The Immortal life of Henrietta Lacks - • Making sense of the Madness - Joseph Chippalone • Melatonin: your body’s own wonder drug - Russel J. & Jo Reiter • Armegddon Now: the end of the world A to Z - Jim Willis • Basic Magick: a practical guide - Phillip Cooper • The Modern Alchemist - Richard Alan Miller • African Origin of Biological Psychiatry - Richard D King • Melanin: key to Freedom - Richard D. King • The Diloggun: Orishas, proverbs, sacrifices - Ochani Lele • Ancient Christian Magic - Marvin Meyer • The Historical Origin of Islam - Walter Williams • Spiritual Cleansings & psychic Defenses - Robert Laremy • Lakshmi : the goddess of wealth and fortune - devdutt pattanaik • Dark light - Edward Bruce Bynum • Cosmic memory - Rudolf Steiner • Atlantis the Antideluvian world - Ignatius Donnelly • Astral Dynamics - Robert Bruce • Temples of Light - Danielle Rama Hoffman • Dirt: Social history…abuses of dirt - Terence McLaughlin • Elixer of Immortality - Robert E Cox • The Destruction of Black Civilization - chancellor Williams • The secret books of the Egyptian Gnostics - Jean Doresse • The Astral Body - A.E. Powell • The Metaphysics of Sex - Julius Evola • The Theology of Time- Elijah Muhammad • Other Tongues Other Flesh- George Hunt Williamson • Stolen Legacy - George G.M. James • Three Initiates: The Kybalion -Dover publications • Kundalini for the New Age - selected writings of Gopi Krishna edited by Gene Keiffer • The Confessions Nat Turner- William Styron • Ruled By Secrecy - Jim Marrs • Biographies of the Great Kings and Queens of Africa and Notable Black Men and Women - Lee John Smith/Deanna Williams • The People Could Fly -Virginia Hamilton • The Kybalion A study of he Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece • The Serpent Grail - Phillip Gardiner • Circle of Isis - Ellen Reed • A People’s History of United States -aka-(white people ruin everything) - Howard Zinn • Cosmic Trigger - Robert Wilson • The People of the Secret - Ernest Scott • The Ancient Power of the Flower of Life - Drunvalo Melchizedek • Simulacra & Simulation - Jean Baudrillard • Tales of the Cthulhu Mythos - H.P. Lovecraft • Sun Gods in Exile - Karyl Robin Evans • Oracle of the illuminati - William Henry • The Perfect Sermon or Asclepius • Angels Demon & Gods of the New Millenium - Lon Mili Duqquette • The Golden Fleece and Alchemy - Antoine Faivre • Vril, The Power of the Coming Race - Edward Lytton • Gospel of The Zodiac - Bill Darlison • Lucifer Dethroned- William Schnoebelen • Hermetic Magic- Stephen E. Flowers • The Gnostic Scriptures- Bentley Layton • Nag Hammadi Scriptures- James M. Robinson • Basics of Magic -Chic Cicero • The Golden Dawn Journal - Chic Cicero • The Virgin Of The World : hermes trismegustes • The Goetia - S.C. McGregor Mathers • Universe Earth and Man - Rudolf Steiner • The Cup Of Destiny - Trevor Ravenscroft • The Apocrypha of Jannes and Jambres - Albert Pietersma • The Astral Plane - C.W. Leadbeater • The Solar System - A.E. Powell • The Egyptian Mysteries - Arthur Versluis • The Secret Teachings For All Ages- Manly P.Hall • The Monuments of Mars - Richard C. Hoagland • The Tree Of Life - Israel Regardie • The Fall Of America - Elijah Muhammad • Brave New World - Aldous Huxley • Two Thousand Seasons - Ayi Kwei Armah • Civilization or Barbarism -Cheikh Diop • Ancient and Modern Britons - David Mac Ritchie • The Diplomatic Relations Of The United States - Ray Irwin • Encyclopedia Of Spirits- Judika Illes • Trance : Formation of America - Cathie Obrien • The Great Cosmic Mother - Monica Sjjoo • The Gnostics - Tobias Churton • The Cube of Space - Kevin Townley • Meditations on the Cube of Space- Kevin Townley • The Anatomy of the Body of God - Frater Achad • Astral Travel - Gavin & Yavonne Frost • Mind Power into the 21st century -John Kehoe • Lucid Living - Timothy Freke • The Hidden Creator - Hilton Hotema • Secret of Regeneration - Hilton Hotema • The Great Red Dragon - Hilton Hotema • The handbook of Yoruba Religios Concepts - Ifa Karade • Yoruba legends - M. I. Ogumifu • Wise Women of the Dreamtime - Langloh Parker • Astral Travel - Robert Brute • Siva : The Erotic Ascetic • Daimonic Reality - Patrick Harpur • The Dream And the Underwolrd -James Hillman • The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious - Carl Gustav Jung • Mysterium Coniunctionis - Carl Gustav Jung • Aeon - Carl Gustav Jung • Psychology and Alchemy - Carl Gustav Jung • The Presence of Siva - Stella Kramrisch • Hebrew Myths -Robert Graves & Raphael Patid • The Black Sun - Peter Moon • Equinox of the gods - Aleister Crowley • Necronomicon - H.R. Giger • What dreams may come • Spiritual Technology of Ancient Egypt - Edward Malkowski • Gnosticism - Stephen Hoeller • The Devil - Jeffrey Burton Russel • Cosmic Science of the Ancient Masters - Hilton Hotema • Satan: the early Christian Tradition - Jeffrey button Russel • Dictionary of Symbolism - Hans Biedermann • Encyclopedia of Gods - Michael Jordan • Dictionary of Deities - Patricia Turner • Hindu Deities a Mythological Dictionary - Margaret Stutley • Signs and Symbols of Primordial Man - Albert Churchward • Gods of love and Ecstacy - Alian Danielou (shiva & Dionysus) • Vodou Visions - Sallie Ann Glassman • A Textbook code/system/ concepts …Victims of White Supremacy - Neely Fuller • Palo Moyombe -Congo initiation spirits… - Carlos Montenegro • Seth God of Confusion - Herman te Velde • The Ancient Egyptian Buddha -Muata Ashby • Enuma Elish - L. W. King • Mornings of the Magicians - louis Pauwels • Powers of the Orishas - Migene Gonzales-Wippler • The Souless One, Cloning and Counterfeit Creation - Mark L Prophet • The Egyptian Elements of the Old Testament - Amin Sharif • The Souls of White Folk - Veronica Watson • Ancient Sungod - Hilton Hotema • The Black Goddess and the Unseen Real - Peter Redgrove • Godwin’s Kabbalistic Encyclopedia - David Godwin • The Book of The Sacred Magic of Abramelin the Mage - S.L. Macgregor • God Wills The Negroe - Theodore P. Ford • 5/5/2000: Ice The Ultimate Disaster - Richard W. Noone • In Search of the Dream People - Richard w. Noone • The Book of the Goetia of Solomon the King - E. Crowley • The Lesser Key of Solomon - Joseph H. Peterson • The Pale Fox - M. Griaule • The Serpent Shakti - Asha Auset • The Greatest Story Never Told - Lana Corrine Cantrell • The Rebirth of Pan - Jim Brandon • International Meat Crisis - Harvestime Books • The Call of Cthulu and Other Weird Stories - S.T. Joshi • The Warlocks Book: Secrets of Black Magic - Peter Haining • Encyclopedia of Black Magic - Cassiel • Atlantis - Aleister Crowley • The Sword and the Flute: Kali and Krsna - David R. Kinsley • White Supremacy and Negroe Subordination - John H. Van Evrie • Encounters - Edith Fiore • Spirit Rapping Unveiled - Hiram Mattison • Ego and Archetype - Edward F. Edinger • Theosophia: Hidden Dimensions of Christianity - Arthur Versluis • Kundalini, Evolution, and Enlightenment - John White • The Opening of the Way - Isha Schwaller de Lubicz • Tantric Visions of the Divine Feminine - David R. Kinsleu • Sex Magic, Tantra, & Tarot - Lon Milo Duquette • The Moses Mystery - Gary Greenberg • Moses and Akhenaten - Ahmed Osman • The Serpent Grail - Philip Gardiner • Paralell Myths - J. F. Bierlein • Wonderful Ethiopians of the Ancient Cushite Empire - Drusilla Dunjee Houston • The Emerald Tablet - Dennis William Hauck • Scales of the Black Serpent Basic Qlippothic magick - Michael W. Ford • The Soul’s Secret - Hilton Hotema • Nightshades - Jan Fries • Typhonian Teratomas - Mishien Linden • Qabalah, Qliphoth, and Goetic Magic - Thomas Karlsson • The Biography of Satan: Exposing the Origins of the Devil - Kersey Graves • The Chicken Qabalah - Lon Milo Duquette • Hanuman, an Introduction - Devdutt Pattanaik • Qliphoth, Esoteric - Edgar Kerval • Drums and Shadows: Survival Studies among the Georgia Coastal Negroes - Georgia Writers Project • Myths & Legends of Babylonia and Assyria - Lewis Spence • The Mysterious Sphinx - Hilton Hotema • Alchemy of the Soul - Lee Irwin • Isis Magic: Cultivating a Relationship With the Goddess of 10,000 Names - M. Isadora Forrest • The Golden Ass - Penguin Classics • Time and the Technosphere - Jose Argüelles • Magical Child - Joseph Chilton Pearce • Infancy in Uganda - Mary D. Salter Ainsworth • Yakub: The Father Of Mankind - Elijah Muhammad • Melanin the Chemical Key to Black Greatness - Carol Barnes • The Golden Age of the Moor - Ivan Van Sertima • The Worlds Sixteen Crucified Saviors - Kersey Henry Graves • Holy Harlots: Femininity, Sexuality, and Black Magic in Brazil - Kelly E. Hayes • Aleister Crowley: The Nature of the Beast - Colin Wilson • Who is This King of Glory? A Critical Study of the Christos Messiah Tradition - Alvin Boyd Kuhn • Darkness Visible: Awakening Spiritual Light Through Darkness Meditation - Ross Heaven • Aghora, at the Left Hand of God V.1 - Robert Svoboda • Aghora II: Kundalini - Robert Svoboda • The Science of the Dogon: Decoding The African Mystery Tradition - Laird Scranton • The Cosmic Serpent: Dna & The Origins of Knowledge - Jeremy Narby • Angels, Demons, & Gods of the New Millenium - Lon Milo Duquette • The Road From Orion - Judy Kay King • The Isis Thesis - Judy Kay King • The Book on Palo - Don Demetrio (original publications spiritual books and supplies) • Spirits of the Night - Selden Rodman • Voodoo Charms & Talismans - Robert W. Pelton • Voodoo Shaman: The Hatian Way of Healing and Power - Ross Heaven • Complete book of Voodoo - (original publications spiritual books and supplies) • Voodoo in Haiti - Alfred Metraux • Voodoo Rituals: A Users Guide - Heike Owusu • The Voodoo Quantam Leap: Alternate Realities, Power, & Mysticism - Reginald Crosley • Polaria , The Gift of the White Stone - W.H. Muller • Sexual Alchemy: Magical Intercourse with Spirits - Donald Tyson • A New Orleans VouDou Priestess: The Legend and Reality of Marie Laveau - Carolyn Morrow Long • Brazilian Palo Primer: Kimanda Recipes to Make You Win at Love, Money, Business, and Life - Robert Laremy • Blood Magick - Seth • Rituals and Spells of Santeria - Migene Gonzales-Wippler • Egyptian Erotica: The Essence of Ancient Egyptian Erotica in Art & Literature - Joseph Toledano • Egyptian Magic - Joseph Toledano • Black and White Magic - Marie Laveau • Wicca Candle Magick - Geri a Dunwich • Cunt Coloring Book - Tee Corinne • Secrets of Magical Seals - Anna Riva • Creating Magical Entities - David Michael Cunningham • The Magic of Believing - Claude M. Bristol • The Wise Wound: Menstruation and Every Woman • Mysteries of the Dark Moon The Healing Power of the Dark Goddess - Demetra George • Taboo: Sex, Religion & Magic - Christopher S. Hyatt • Dragontime Magic & Mystery of Menstruation - Luisa Francia • Star Walkers and the Dimension of the Blessed - William Henry • Cosmic Radiation - Hilton Hotema • The Great Law - Hilton Hotema • The Way of the Orisa - Philip Johm Neimark • Encyclopedia of African Religion - Molefi Kete Asante • African Folklore An Encyclopedia - Philip M.Peek and Kwesi Yankah • The Intellectual Adventure of Ancient Man - Henri Frankfort • The Serpent Power: Ancient Egyptian Mystical Wisdom of the Inner Life Force - Muata Ashby • Egyptian Hieretic texts transcribed - Alan Gardiner • Ecstasy through Tantra - John Mumford • The Gnostic Religion: The Message Of The Alien God and The Beginning of Christianity - Hans Jonas • Apocolypse of The Alien God: Platonism and the Exile of Sethian Gnosticism - Dylan M. Burns • The Serpent Power - John Woodroffe • The Teachings of PtahHotep: The Oldest Book in the World - Hilliard III Asa • The Acid- Alkaline food Guide - Larry Trivieri • The Mahabharata • Mysteries of the Mexican pyramid - Peter Tompkins • Man’s Higher Consiousness - Hilton Hotema • We Do Not Die - Hilton Hotema • Ancient Secret of Personal Power: Tetragrammaton - Hilton Hotema • The Magic Wand : The Caduceus - Hilton Hotema • Ancient Future - Wayne Chandler • Symbols Signs & Signets - Ernst Lehner • Ancient Astrological Secrets of the Jews Revealed - Rueven Shomroni • The Great Initiates - Edouard Schuré • Synchronicity: Science, Myth and the Triskter - Allan Combs • Interpreting the Eclipses - Robert Jansky • Sexual Astrology - Marlene Rathgeb • Planetary Symbolism in the Horoscope - Karen Hamaker • In Search of The Medicine Buddha - David Crow

Bobby Hemmitt

Economic Justice Theory, General Social Structures, Historical References, Kundalini energy, Metaphysics and Mythology, People interactions, Religious Commentary and Opion, Science Theory - Bobby Hemmitt, Bobby Hemmitt Book List, Dr Alim Bey More from SubconsciousCelebrity's: Foods that Look Like Body Parts They're Good for http://subconsciouscelebrity.tumblr.com/post/82607350226/luna-patchouli-sage-mode-bblackgoldd List of Spells http://subconsciouscelebrity.tumblr.com/post/82236200668 Vivien Thomas gifted hands movie http://subconsciouscelebrity.tumblr.com/post/82159243462/algietheminer-black-history-month-vivien Economic Justice Theory, General Social Structures, Historical References, Kundalini energy, Metaphysics and Mythology, People interactions, Religious Commentary and Opinion, Scientific theoryTagsBobby Hemmitt, Bobby Hemmitt Book List, Dr Alim Bey, Dr Frances Cress Welsing, Neelly Fuller Jr, Neely Fuller Jr The Code Book, The Arch Degree

Bobby Hemmitt Book List

Knowledge is Power – Source – SubconsciousCelebrity’s book list: Great work by SubconsciousCelebrity’s for compiling this amazing book list from Bobby Hemmitt and other amazing scholars; Bro. Panic, Yaffa bey, Alim Bey, many more etc. This is truly a gem. Thank You. • The Isis Papers – Frances Wesling • The Hermetica – Peter Gandy • Hermetica – Walter Scott • Hermetica – Copenhaver • Pagan…

[helvetica12point]

Judging Source Quality

So, today I want to talk about how to judge whether a potential source of information is reliable. I’m primarily going to approach this from an academic perspective, as sources used for academic purposes generally require the strictest standards. For my qualifications on this subject, I would like to submit ten years of higher education, two associate’s degrees, a bachelor’s degree, and enough additional course work that I’m 21 credit hours away from a second bachelor’s and a year long thesis away from a master’s degree. I spent a lot of time in academia, guys, so I feel qualified to talk on this subject.

Anywho, judging sources can be a bit of an art, depending on what subject you’re researching, and what the purpose is.  For example, if you’re just looking for your own personal curiosity, you can get by with less scholarly sources.  Additionally, there are some subjects that have a very limited amount of sources available, and you may have to use a lesser source because that’s all that exists.  So what I’m about to say is more of a general guideline than hard and fast rules, because there’s always an exception.

Here are the things you want to look at when judging a source for reliability.

Publisher

I’m listing this one first because if you physically have the book or journal in your hands, it’s the easiest one to judge.  The publisher’s logo is generally somewhere on the cover or spine, so you don’t even have to open a book to judge it by its publisher.  Not all publishers are created equal, and some are more reliable than others.  Some publishers will put out anything to make a buck (Llewellyn, I’m looking at you), while others are more about serious research and information.  Generally speaking, books from a university press will be more reliable for academic purposes.  Good examples of these would be Cambridge or Oxford University Press.  Other publishers may be hit or miss.  Self published works are generally not recommended because they require absolutely no vetting or peer reviews.  For Kemetic sources specifically, watch out for various new age publishers.  As I mentioned, Llewellyn is notoriously unpicky (although I do like a couple of their for beginners books for basic introductions to various subjects).  Weiser is a little better, but not much.  Especially look out for Bear and Co--they do a lot of conspiracy theories, so they are the most likely publisher to put out books about how the pyramids were made by aliens, and that sort of thing.  Entertaining, but not useful for research purposes.  Also, watch out for Dover, who generally publishes books and materials that are public domain, which leads us to our next thing to watch out for:

Age

Generally speaking, you want the most recent sources you can get your hands on.  Our knowledge is constantly expanding, and we know a lot more about the world today than we did 100 years ago.  Anything that’s public domain is almost certainly going to be outdated, as the copyrights have run out on it.  That said, this is one area where the subject you’re researching may affect the reliability of your sources.  If you’re researching something medical, you’ll likely be able to find sources dated within the year, and you wouldn’t dream of using a source from the 1970s.  If you’re researching Sumer, you might be grateful to find a source from the 1970s because there hasn’t been much research done in the field recently (what with all the ruins and relics being in Iraq) and what research there is largely focuses on archaeological methods.  Luckily for Kemetics, Egyptology is a field that hasn’t fallen out of favor, so we do have more recent sources, many of which correct misconceptions from the past.  This is part of the reason why Budge is so problematic--most of his work is like 100 years old (no seriously, he died in 1934, and most of his work was originally published between 1900 and 1920).  We’ve learned a lot in that time span, and the world is very different, which brings us to our next point.

Bias

You don’t want biased sources.  A biased source will almost always put a spin on the subject that favors their own viewpoint, and will usually throw out any data that disagrees.  This is why so many of the very old sources are bad--they tend to approach things from a strongly Christian worldview, as well as an imperialistic one that focuses on the superiority of the culture of the writer.  In Egyptology, this results in the ancient Egyptian people being looked at as ignorant savages, and filters their philosophies through a Christian lens.  For example, older sources will look at the Egyptian gods and say, well, they didn’t really believe they were separate gods, they believed they were just facets of one god.  Or, they’ll look down on them because they worship gods with animal forms.  Their own religious views prevent them from seeing things objectively.  Most modern sources account for their own biases, and try to present their findings in a neutral manner.  That said, you still need to watch out for religious bias, especially with internet sources.  I can’t tell you how many pages I’ve seen that demonized Heqet because they were coming at things from an extremely conservative Christian angle.  I’m not trying to bash Christian sources, mind you, but there is a strong tendency towards bias with Christian publishers and authors. Speaking of which....

Authors

This one pretty much goes without saying.  A good source is written by someone who is an expert in the field.  That’s not to say that Joe Schmoe from Minnesota hasn’t done his research, but the professor with a doctorate and several degrees in Egyptology who has actually worked on digs and translated directly from tablets probably knows more.  That’s not to say all professors know their shit, but it’s more likely.  (I have known some really terrible professors in my time.)

And finally, you want to look for

Reliable Sourcing

Yes, that’s right, we’ve come full circle.  Let’s say you’ve verified that it comes from a good publisher, it’s recent, unbiased, and the author is an expert in their field.  Or, let’s say you’re unsure about something, like the publisher and author--maybe they aren’t bad, but maybe they aren’t the best either.  The final thing you want to check for is what sources they used, if any.  Are there footnotes or in text citations?  What’s the bibliography read like?  Is there a bibliography at all?  Unless you’re reading someone’s findings on an original dig they performed themselves, there should be a bibliography, and it should generally include decent sources.  If the only thing in it is Budge, it may not be a good a source.  That said, many even scholarly sources will still include Budge in their list (I’ve heard that while his translations are inaccurate, the reprints of hieroglyphs are quite good, actually), so don’t freak out if you see one title of his amongst 30-40 other sources.  Also don’t freak out if half the sources are in French or German--a lot of historical research is done in these languages, and there often aren’t translations.

Conclusions

Hopefully this will be useful for new kemetics in search of info (or college students working on papers, even).  I do want to reiterate that these are not hard and fast rules.  There may be exceptions--I’ve seen a book or two on Egyptian mythology that had no sourcing and was pretty dated, but still accurate.  There are also some subjects where you might have to use sketchy sources.  For example, if you were doing a paper on ancient aliens, Bear and Co would have several things that would be essential for your research.  But generally speaking, academic and scholarly sources are going to be your best bet, especially if you’re trying to do scholarly research. Also worth noting is that your local librarian can also help you find and vet sources, particularly in a university library.  Don’t expect them to do all your work, but they can be helpful if you’re not sure.

[obiternihili]

Man I grew up on the youtube skepticism shit c 2010 onwards and have always sort of harbored a mix of wanting to believe, being unable to believe, and some current of maltheism that in my kemetic years was basically a gnostic layer on top of polytheism I've also held a special interest in philosophy and the philosophy of religion in a way that gives me a distaste for the standard nu atheist and non-secular interpretations of what religion is and should be, perhaps augmented by my own religious experiences. By which I mean as a narrow feeling of overwhelming spirituality, not my broad experiences with religion, the former most nu atheists have lacked. Too bad I'm on the road because this is really my flavor of discourse.

[kemeticyogi]

Have you registered for the WISE WARRIOR RETREAT with me & my Bro. Hasaan King from from November 3-6. I am so honored to be working with Hasaan. Sensei Hasaan is 18+ yr practitioner of the Martial Arts with a strong foundation in various forms of Okinawan/Japanese Karate (Shotokan, Shito-Ryu, Goju-Ryu), Kobudo (Weaponry), and practical self-defense. The Wise Warrior retreat will be held in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia in a beautiful cabin deep in nature. By way of Naga Yoga & Martials Arts, our purpose for this retreat is to hold space for and provide guidance with the reintegration of the hueman into the being by way of the HERU science (Ancient Codes). Participants can expect go deeper into the philosophy and practice of Naga Yoga & Kara Kinesthetics (African Martial Arts). In the practice of Naga Yoga as led by Bro. Kemetic Yogi, activities will included: Rising Mediation & Asana, Sacred Altar Work, Yogi Food Prep Demonstrations, Personal Reading & Energy Clearing Session. In the practice of Kara Kinesthetics as led by Bro. Hasaan, activities will include: (Karate & mind/body exercise techniques, Visualization, Energy-sensing, breathing exercise), Kihon (Basics), Kata (forms/simulated fight sequences), Principle breakdown/technique philosophy & application. In addition, learning the practices of both disciplines, in addition to mini lectures on the African Origins of Yoga & Martial Arts! In addition to learning the philosophy and practice of both Kara Kinesthetics and Naga Yoga, participants will also be enjoy: * Accomodation (Beautiful Mountain Cabin) * Nature Hikes * Fire Pit Rituals * Sacred Altar Work * Delicious & Nutritious Meals The total cost of the retreat is $399/Single & $749/Couple. The deposit for Singles is $199 and the deposit for Couples is $375. The deposit is due July 20th!! PLEASE NOTE: WE WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTING 10 REGISTRATIONS FOR THIS RETREAT SO REGISTER TODAY!! The link to make your deposit is: Single: http://shop.kemeticyogi.com/products/wise-warrior-retreat-registration-single Couple: http://shop.kemeticyogi.com/products/wise-warrior-retreat-registration-couple

[witchbitchheadedtoaditch]

The Basics of Kemetic Philosophy (without the appropriated shit from Judaism): Where the Fuck Do We Begin?

We should look to begin with what is, in my opinion, at the very heart of Kemeticism as a whole: Maat. Maat has a variety of different definitions, but it is most widely accepted as a "fundamental, pervasive and enduring element in ancient Egyptian civilization and an inclusive and defining cultural category." Maulana Karenga (author of Maat, the Moral Ideal in Ancient Egypt: A Study in Classical African Ethics) defines Maat as the "understanding of ancient Egypt's highest moral standards, its delineation of right and wrong, its definitive concepts of relational obligations and rules of conduct and other data which composed and informed the ancient Egyptian moral universe."

But what exactly does that mean?

That's a good question, and it's the question that a lot of Kemetic practitioners ask themselves every day (myself included). While we don't have a definitive definition necessarily, we do have the differing definitions of a variety of scholars, both philosophical and archaeological. Mubabinge Bilolo suggests that Maat is "a place of articulation of three ideals," and that these ideals are:

The ideal of knowledge; the love of science; the aspiration for knowledge; the aspiration for the knowledge of true being or of that which is true or sure.

The moral ideal of truth, justice, and rectitude.

The metaphysical ideal of love and the knowledge of being: the beginning of all being.

That is to say, Maat is more than just a moral ideal, it's also an epistemological ideal. Karenga calls Maat "polysemic," that is to say, it hold several different meanings, and they're all correct. Maat is not specifically an ideological ideal, it's the foundations on which the universe rests. It is the foundation and order of the world along with the foundation of morality and idealism. It is an "interrelated order of rightness" that we should all strive to both embody and perpetuate. Maat is the core of Kemeticism and the core of who we are as Kemetic practitioners. Henri Frankfort states that "a [person's] success in life appears as proof of his frictionless integration in (this divine) order."

While Maat is similar to a myriad of different ideological principles in different cultures throughout the world--cieng in the Dinka tradition, rta in Hinduism, etc.--Maat is uniquely situated as more than just an ideological principle for morality or for righteousness in a culture--it is "conceived and carried out within the worldview which links the Divine, the natural and the social. These three domains are interrelated, interactive, and mutually affective." (Karenga, p.10)

Maat, unlike many other moral principles, is not a fixed ideology or a fixed set of concepts. It's an ongoing project that we all work to create and make better throughout our practices. It is something that we have to actively work on in order to bring to fruition and continue to uphold.

So what all does Maat entail?

Maat, like I've stated, is a polysemic concept that envelops three distinct areas of life: the Divine, the natural, and the social. In order to best understand Maat so that we may best practice it, it is best to split it up into these three sections: Maat as it relates to relationships with the Divine, Maat in the natural world, and Maat in the social world. In order to understand Maat as it relates to relationships with the Divine (or even the goddess Maat herself), we must first understand Maat in the natural and social worlds.

Maat in the natural world

Maat as it relates to the natural world is, in my opinion, the most basic understanding of Maat. In ethical texts, it is described as "life-giving" and "life-affirming," which is to say that it is natural way of life. Ptahhotep describes Maat as "a way even before the unlearned," suggesting that it is innate within us and when we learn things that go against our instincts we are effectively going against Maat. It is considered a way of life that we are so innately connected to we do not even have to learn it. Of course, we will always have to work to practice it--isfet is always nearby--but we do not have to work to learn it. It is the understanding that we are to be mutually beneficial with nature. We cannot take whatever we please from nature without giving back to nature in some way, just as nature cannot take whatever it pleases from us without giving back in some way. There is a reciprocity in Maat as a natural principle.

Maat in the social world

Maat as it relates to the social world is probably the most common definition of Maat--at least in my research--and it centers around social ethics and civil service. To be more precise, it centers around several key teachings made by different pharaohs during different Kingdoms. The most common teachings cited as the foundations of Maat stem from the Old and Middle Kingdoms, with a heavy focus on the teachings of Ptahhotep and his court and the writings of multiple tombs which include things like the Declaration of Virtues, the Declaration of Innocence, and the Book of Coming Forth By Day (Also known as the Egyptian Book of Life/The Egyptian Book of the Dead).

The oldest instructions come from The Instruction of Hordedef, during the third Old Kingdom. They say:

"Cleanse yourself before your own eyes, lest another cleanse you. When you prosper, found your household, take a mistress of heart, a son will be born to You. It is for the son that you build a house when you make a place for yourself. Make good dwelling in the graveyard, make worthy your station in the West. Accept that death humbles us, accept that life exalts us, the house of death is for life. Seek for yourself well-watered fields. Choose for him a plot among your fields, well-watered every year. He profits you more than your own son, prefer him even to your [son]."

While there are a multitude of versions of the Egyptian Book of the Dead that we can look towards for information regarding Maat in a variety of contexts, I have found the Papyrus of Nu to be one of the most helpful in interpreting the social constructs of Maat.

From the Papyrus of Nu, we get the following:

"In truth I have come to thee (Maati), and I have brought Maat to thee, and I have destroyed wickedness for thee. I have not done evil to mankind. I have not oppressed the members of my family, I have not wrought evil in the place of right and truth. I have had no knowledge of worthless men. I have not wrought evil. I have not made to be the first consideration of each day that excessive labor should be performed for me. I have not brought forward my name for exaltation to honors. I have not ill-treated servants. I have not thought scorn of the Gods. I have not defrauded the oppressed one of his property. I have not done that which is an abomination unto the gods. I have not caused harm to be done to the servant by his chief. I have not caused pain. I have made no man suffer hunger. I have made no one to weep. I have done no murder. I have not given the order for murder to be done for me. I have not inflicted pain upon mankind. I have not defrauded the temples of their oblations. I have not purloined the cakes of the gods. I have not carried off the cakes offered to the khus. I have not committed fornication. I have not polluted myself in the holy places of the god of my city, nor diminished from the bushel. I have neither added to nor filched away land. I have not encroached upon the fields of others. I have not added to the weights of scales. I have not misread the pointer of the scales. I have not carried away the milk from the mouths of children. I have not driven away the cattle which were upon their pastures. I have not snared the feathered fowl of the preserves of the gods. I have not caught fish with bait made of fish of their kind. I have not turned back the water at the time when it should flow. I have not cut a cutting in a canal of running water. I have not extinguished a fire or light when it should burn. I have not violated the ties of offering to chosen meat-offerings. I have not driven off the cattle from the property of the gods. I have not repulsed the gods in their manifestations. I am pure. I am pure. I am pure. I am pure."

We also have the Negative Confession from the Papyrus of Nebseni, which is a numbered list of 42 statements that define what Maat is not. These are somewhat edited from the most commonly found translations because the translations speak only of God, and we know that Kemeticism is not a monotheistic religion and it irks me lol.

Hail, thou whose strides are long, who comest forth from Annu, I have not done iniquity.

Hail, thou who art embraced by flame, who comest forth from Kher-aba, I have not robbed with violence.

Hail, thou divine Nose, who comest forth from Khemennu, I have not done violence to any man.

Hail, thou who eatest shades, who comest forth from the place where the Nile riseth, I have not committed theft.

Hail, Neha-hau, who comest forth from Re-stau, I have not slain man or woman.

Hail, thou double Lion-god, who comest forth from heaven, I have not made light the bushel.

Hail, thou whose two eyes are like flint, who comest forth from Sekhem, I have not acted deceitfully.

Hail, thou Flame, who comest forth as thou goest back, I have not purloined the things which belong unto the gods.

Hail, thou Crusher of bones, who comest forth from Suten-henen, I have not uttered falsehood.

Hail, thou who makest the flame to wax strong, who comest forth from Het-ka-Ptah, I have not carried away food.

Hail, Qerti, who come forth from Amentet, I have not uttered evil words.

Hail, thou whose teeth shine, who comest forth from Ta-she, I have attacked no man.

Hail, thou who dost consume blood, who comest forth from the house of slaughter, I have not killed the beasts which are the property of the gods.

Hail, thou who dost consume the entrails, who comest forth from the mabet chamber, I have not acted deceitfully.

Hail, thou god of Right and Truth, who comest forth from the city of double Maati, I have not laid waste to the lands which have been plowed.

Hail, thou who goest backward, who comest forth from the city of Bast, I have never pried into matters to make mischief.

Hail, Aati, who comest forth from Annu, I have not set my mouth in motion against any man.

Hail, thou who art doubly evil, who comest forth from the nome of Ati, I have not given way to wrath concerning myself without a cause.

Hail, thou serpent Uamemti, who comest forth from the house of slaughter, I have not defiled the wife of a man.

Hail, thou who lookest upon what is brought to him, who comest forth from the Temple of Amsu, I have not committed any sin against purity.

Hail, Chief of the divine Princes, who comest forth from the city of Nehatu, I have not struck fear into any man.

Hail, Khemiu, who comest forth from the Lake of Kaui, I have not encroached upon sacred times and seasons.

Hail, thou who orderest speech, who comest forth from Urit, I have not been a man of anger.

Hail, thou Child, who comest forth from the Lake of Heq-at, I have not made myself deaf to the words of right and truth.

Hail, thou disposer of speech, who comest forth from the city of Unes, I have not stirred up strife.

Hail, Basti, who comest forth from the Secret City, I have made no man to weep.

Hail, thou whose face is turned backward, who comest forth from the Dwelling, I have not committed acts of impurity, neither have I lain with men.**

Hail, Leg of fire, who comest forth from Akhekhu, I have not eaten my heart.

Hail, Kenemti, who comest forth from the city of Kenemet, I have abused no man.

Hail, thou who bringest thine suffering, who comest forth from the city of Sau, I have not acted with violence.

Hail, thou god of faces, who comest forth from the city of Tchefet, I have not judged hastily.

Hail, thou who givest knowledge, who comest forth from Unth, I have not... and I have not taken vengeance upon the god.

Hail, thou lord of two horns, who comest forth from Satiu, I have not multiplied my speech overmuch.

Hail, Nefer-Tem, who comest forth from Het-ka-Ptah, I have not acted with deceit, and I have not worked wickedness.

Hail, Tem-Sep, who comest forth from Tattu, I have not uttered curses on the king.

Hail, thou whose heart doth labor, who comest forth from the city of Tebti, I have not fouled water.

Hail, Ahi of the water, who comest forth from Nu, I have not made haughty my voice.

Hail, thou who givest commands to mankind, who comest forth from Sau, I have not cursed the gods.

Hail, Neheb-nefert, who comest forth from the Lake of Nefer, I have not behaved with insolence.

Hail, Neheb-kau, who comest forth from thy city, I have not sought for distinctions.

Hail, thou whose head is holy, who comest forth from thy habitations, I have not increased my wealth, except with such things as are justly mine own possessions.

Hail, thou who bringest thine own arm, who comest forth from Aukert, I have not thought scorn of the god who is in my city.

**"neither have I lain with men" can be used to excuse homophobia in Kemeticism, but I personally interpret it similar to declaration 19, in that it is specific to those already married/in relationships.

There is a large body of work surrounding Ptahhotep's Maxims as a site of Maatian ideals, but the Maxims alone are over a dozen pages long, so I will put those in a separate post!

Maat, the relationships with the Divine

Maat as it relates to relationships with the Divine is probably the least well-defined aspect of Maat. In the autobiography of Seshem-Nefer, Maat is defined as "What God loves, wills and wishes" and "the Good". In relationship to the Divine, Maat is essentially "right" worship. This leaves a lot of room for interpretation and expansion, which is ideal in a culture and religion that continues to evolve and survive the tests of time.

What the hell does all of this mean?

This all goes to say that Maat is the crux of Kemeticism, and without it we would definitely struggle to understand the gods and our world effectively and efficiently. Maat is an ever-changing ideal that centers around doing what is good and right both socially, naturally, and with regards to the Divine. There are a multitude of interpretations of this concept, and this is only one of them.

[enddaysengine]

Planer Cosmology and the Power of Perspective (Planescape)

I'm going to start this with a stupidly obvious statement. My version of Planescape has incorporated Golarion into it. Different people feel different ways about this idea and the idea I'm about to get into is not right for every campaign, nor is it right for every table.  If you're not a fan, I won't be offended.

Here's the rub that I face when I add Golarion to Planescape...  the cosmology of their planes is completely different. The  Great Beyond and the Great Wheel containing some very basic similarities, but they're are also very distinct from each other.

Let's go back even further, to the very first tabletop RPG  book I bought (well... my parents bought after I nagged them).  It was 3.5's Deities & Demigods.  Not everyone's favourite, for sure, but I have a soft spot for it to this day.  One of the neat things that Deities & Demigods did is that it included a lot of information about the Great Wheel,  but it also included a lot of information about alternative cosmologies.  In addition to featuring the core pantheon, which at the time was from Greyhawk,  it featured the Norse pantheon, the Greek pantheon and the Kemetic (Egyptian) pantheon.  For each of these, they provided a map and basic description of the cosmology that went with that pantheon. For the record, I adore maps.  Looking at each of those three cosmology maps gave me tons of ideas for stories that I could tell.

One more digression, and that I'll have set everything up to get to my point. Aethera came out last week and knocked my socks off. The Aethera solar system has a unique cosmology in two regards. First, the entire solar system is cut off from the Outer Planes. Second, it possesses an extra Inner Plane, the Elemental Plane of Wood. Now, the Elemental Plane of Wood has shown up before, as an optional plane in the 3.5 Manual of the Planes. That got me thinking, why do there have to be only four elemental planes? Wouldn't Planescape benefit from being more flexible if it includes the Chinese Wu Xing elements? The Wu Xing, or Five Agents, are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water for the record. Of course it would.  If for no other reason than that it would be less culturally hegemonic. The four elements of the inner planes correspond with the four elements that Aristotle identified. Basing your entire knowledge around them is a distinctly Western point of view.  

Perspective is the solution to all these problems. It is firmly established in Planescape that belief shapes reality. When we look at the Great Wheel cosmology, that description of the planes carries with it a particular bias. Specifically, that bias originates with the Great Modron March and likely comes down to use via the Fraternity of Order. The Great Wheel Cosmology roughly follows the path of the Modrons, with the Outlands acting as the central hub. Furthermore, this cosmology biases Sigil by placing the Spire at the centre of the Outlands. Now, we know this is intentional on the part of the writers since Sigil is an important location and because Sigilites place such an importance on their city, but remember the three rules of the planes. The Rule of Three. The Unity of Rings. The Centre of All. No matter where you are on the planes, you are at the centre of existence. Placing Sigil at the heart of the map is arbitrary, at least as arbitrary as placing Hopeless or Tir na Og at the centre would have been. Hells, you could put Dis at the core of a planar map, and it would be just as accurate (and don't think Dispater doesn't)!

So what's the point? We can deconstruct the rules and categories of planes and nothing about the Planescape setting will break. The Great Wheel has four Elemental Planes that are infinite yet bleed into each other to form a ring. Golarion has four Elemental Planes that are nested inside of each other with relatively discrete boundaries. Aethera has five Elemental Planes, featuring one that is unknown to the other settings. A prime setting that draws heavily on Chinese mythology and philosophy has a different set of five, four in common with Aethera, three with Golarion and the Great Wheel, and the Elemental Plane of Metal, which is unique to its cosmology. All of these settings can coexist in Planescape. Even if they appear to be contradictory, they aren't. The Clueless aren't clueless because they don't know anything, it's that mortals have such a hard time reconciling the complexities of the universe.

People like to categorize and stick things in cute little conceptual boxes. Every year, I have an hour long discussion with my students about how we say there are "ionic" bond and "covalent" bonds in chemistry, but in reality, those two categories aren't separate, they are a continuum. Chemical bonds will have a variety of properties, some ionic, some covalent, based off of the differences in electronegativities between atoms and the two specific chemicals involved with the bonds. It takes them time for this idea to sink into their brains. Planescape likes its boxes for planes as well. Inner, Outer, Transitive, and Prime. Anything that doesn't fit into those boxes either gets labelled as a demiplane (like the plane of dreams or time) or as a planer pathway (like Mount Olympus).

Is that fair though? How are these planes less of a plane than those four main categories. Going all the way back to my Deities & Demigods days, I think that there is a strong argument that Mount Olympus should be a proper plane of its own.  Mount Olympus overlaps with parts of what the Fraternity of Order calls the Prime, Elysium, Arborea, The Grey Wastes, Carceri, but that part of the plane exists in none of those places. If you asked a Divination spell where you could find Zeus' Domain, it could give the answer of either Arborea or Olympus, depending on the diviner's point of view, and both would be true. It is important to note that this doesn't mean that Mount Olympus or the Great Beyond cosmology is "just" a subsection of the Great Wheel.  Rather, all three cosmologies are accurate and correct,  focusing on the aspects of the planes that are relevant to the worldview of the people who created those particular maps.  Creating a 100% accurate and inclusive map of the planes is likely impossible. The multidimensional geometry of planar cosmology is too complicated. We can only look at it from certain points of view, and there is much to be gained by changing  our perspective to look at the universe in a different way.

What is to be gained through this exercise? A big benefit to storytellers would be flexibility. This allows for many different types of worlds to be incorporated into a Planescape campaign, offering the diversity that is a hallmark of the setting. Creativity could be another benefit. New stories could easily spring forth simply by looking at an alternate configuration of the planes. Even if they don't, they could provide a unique personality for a particular NPC whose worldview is different from that of the PCs. Imagine an archon becoming convinced that the PCs are clueless rubes because they think there are four elemental planes,  and how could you have air be an element when metal and wood aren't. That is memorable!  The last benefit is sensitivity. Despite it being fuel for flame wars, I like to be able to include contemporary religions as an option in Planescape,  but forcing them to conform to the Great Wheel strips intricacy and nuance away from the philosophies and metaphysics that act as the root for those religions.  Metaphysical maps are often extremely important to the esoteric and mystical aspects of any given faith. If you do not allow the faith's cosmology to exist, you erase the richness of that culture. Furthermore, it appropriates culture,  and there is a certain arrogance to disregarding a religion's internal cosmology and declaring that "this is the way it really is in my world!" It is humbler by far to have both metaphysical configurations be true simultaneously.  Even if they appear to be mutually exclusive,  you are dealing with the Planes. If you can't believe six impossible things before breakfast, you just aren't going to cut it.

[architectural-art]

Black History Month

Right, when I was at school we didn't really go back further than the American slave trade in black history month despite going past that in normal lessons. Sooooo here's a post about an African dude who is basically one of the most important figures of the ancient world but is scarcely mentioned: IMHOTEP So this dude was working in Kemet (now known as ancient Egypt) at the time of King Djoser (the second king of Egypt) and is usually just listed as an architect but he was so much more than that He is widely considered to be the first official architect, the first physician and the first mathematician in all of human history. He was also the Chancellor To The King (In charge of the economy) and he also dabbled in philosophy and poetry and his sayings were well known for at least two millenia after his death Imhotep was so successful and respected that he was one of the very few people who weren't royal to be given divine status when he died. He was basically the Kemetic religions equivalent to Saint Paul BEFORE Christianity ever existed In short, African history is full of amazing people and it really bugs me that schools often go straight to the 19th and 20th centuries for "inspirational" black people. Learn history, your teachers are not to be trusted

[kemeticyogi]

I am happy to announce that I will be co-hosting the WISE WARRIOR RETREAT with my Bro. Hasaan King from from November 3-6. I am so honored to be working with Hasaan. Sensei Hasaan is 18+ yr practitioner of the Martial Arts with a strong foundation in various forms of Okinawan/Japanese Karate (Shotokan, Shito-Ryu, Goju-Ryu), Kobudo (Weaponry), and practical self-defense. The Wise Warrior retreat will be held in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia in a beautiful cabin deep in nature. By way of Naga Yoga & Martials Arts, our purpose for this retreat is to hold space for and provide guidance with the reintegration of the hueman into the being by way of the HERU science (Ancient Codes). Participants can expect go deeper into the philosophy and practice of Naga Yoga & Kara Kinesthetics (African Martial Arts). In the practice of Naga Yoga as led by Bro. Kemetic Yogi, activities will included: Rising Mediation & Asana, Sacred Altar Work, Yogi Food Prep Demonstrations, Personal Reading & Energy Clearing Session. In the practice of Kara Kinesthetics as led by Bro. Hasaan, activities will include: (Karate & mind/body exercise techniques, Visualization, Energy-sensing, breathing exercise), Kihon (Basics), Kata (forms/simulated fight sequences), Principle breakdown/technique philosophy & application. In addition, learning the practices of both disciplines, in addition to mini lectures on the African Origins of Yoga & Martial Arts! In addition to learning the philosophy and practice of both Kara Kinesthetics and Naga Yoga, participants will also be enjoy: * Accomodation (Beautiful Mountain Cabin) * Nature Hikes * Fire Pit Rituals * Sacred Altar Work * Delicious & Nutritious Meals The total cost of the retreat is $399/Single & $749/Couple. The deposit for Singles is $199 and the deposit for Couples is $375. The deposit is due July 20th!! PLEASE NOTE: WE WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTING 10 REGISTRATIONS FOR THIS RETREAT SO REGISTER TODAY!! The link to make your deposit is: Single: http://shop.kemeticyogi.com/products/wise-warrior-retreat-registration-single Couple: http://shop.kemeticyogi.com/products/wise-warrior-retreat-registration-couple