Sacred Magic of Ancient Egypt: The Spiritual Practice Restored »

Rosemary Clark is a writer and lecturer on the esoteric tradition of ancient Egypt and its religious, philosophical, and metaphysical legacy in modern times. Her continuing study in this field derives from a thirty-year background in historical research, travel throughout the Middle East, and the development of a repertoire of unique skills in recreating Egyptian ceremony and rituals. She has been a featured speaker on several tours of Egypt, and has acted as coordinator for on-site devotional temple activities. Ms. Clark served as exhibit leader for the Tutankhamun tour when it came to Chicago in 1977, and illustrated The Traveler’s Key to Ancient Egypt (New York: Knopf, 1985). She has appeared on NBC television in a feature broadcast on her work as founder of Temple Harakhte, a group of men and women devoted to the experiential religious practices of Egypt’s Old Kingdom. Above and beyond offering a thorough knowledge of Egyptian history and mythology, Clark is well versed in the hieroglyphic script, its transliteration and the translation of ancient texts, and in the nuances of Hermetic philosophy and Sacred Science.

In The Sacred Magic of Ancient Egypt, Rosemary Clark presents a comprehensive guide to a modern practice of ancient Egyptian theurgy. Included are daily rituals, annual ceremonies, and the founding of a temple tradition for either the sole practitioner or a gathering of celebrants. The dimensions of Sacred Science-esoteric architecture, cosmic resonance, and magical practice-are outlined in detail and demonstrated in a program for practical, everyday use. Authentic and richly detailed, this guidebook also:

- Presents beautiful rituals patterned on ancient Egyptian texts for modern initiates
- Serves as an excellent reference on many aspects of the Egyptian mysteries that have not been accessible elsewhere
- Contains a complete repertoire of ancient hymns, litanies, spells, and ceremonies that allows for reading in the ancient tongue

Enter the timeless realm of Egyptian sacred ritual. Experience for yourself the ultimate realization of ancient Egyptian spirituality-the assumption of divine knowledge and grace.

Contents
List of Illustrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xi
Acknowledgments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xv
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xvii
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xxi
Sacred Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xxiii
Prologue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .xxvii
Chapter One, The Legacy of Ancient Egypt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Egypt’s sacred tradition and its relevance to modern spirituality. Ancient cosmogony,
beliefs of the powers inherent in nature, humanity, and spiritual beings.
Sacred Science and its component disciplines: esoteric architecture, cosmic
resonance, and theurgy.
Chapter Two, Esoteric Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Sacred geography, construction, and functions of the ancient temple. Planning
the modern temple with cosmic orientation, symbolic furnishings, and art.
The spiritual constitution of the temple through ritual: dedication of the cardinal
quarters, invocation of the elemental forces.
Chapter Three, Cosmic Resonance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83
The sacred astronomy of the ancient temple with a delineation of theLunar,
Solar, and Stellar calendars. Ceremonial events following the rhythms of the
New and Full Moons, the Solar Ingresses, and cosmic tides. The dekanoi and
sacred hours, understanding the “seasons” of the Neteru.
Chapter Four, Theurgy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139
Egyptian spiritual practice in the temple setting—theurgy and the sacraments.
The daily ritual, ceremonies following the sacred calendars, and special rites.
Ancient initiation and the fabrication of the light body.
Chapter Five, Liturgy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185
The components of ancient Egyptian ceremony and a complete Solar liturgy
of twelve monthly observances, honoring the twelve Neteru of the Heliopolitan
cosmogony.
Chapter Six, Ceremony . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .237
Twelve Hebu (festivals) that convey the benefit and special powers of the
twelve Neteru in the Solar cosmogony. Healing, divination, coming of age,
marriage, funerary, and offering services for the modern temple.
Chapter Seven, Transformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .313
The function of high ritual in divination, protection, and execration. The
transformative ceremony of the Opening of the Mouth for animating sacred
space, healing, and funerary observance. A daily practice that fulfills the initiatory
tradition of ancient times.
Appendix 1: Chronology of Ancient Egypt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .359
Appendix 2: Place Names of Ancient Egypt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .361
Appendix 3: Spiritual Locales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .363
Appendix 4: Omm Sety—A Life Well Remembered . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .367
Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .373
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .378