The Twelve Gates: A Spiritual Passage Through the Egyptian Books of the Dead »

John A. Rush, PhD, N.D., is a Professor of Anthropology at Sierra College, Rocklin, California, teaching Physical Anthropology and Magic, Witchcraft and Religion. He is the author of several books on Clinical Anthropology, the application of anthropological concepts to psychotherapeutic and physical healing. He is also a Naturopathic Doctor and Medical Hypnotherapist in private practice.

In The Twelve Gates, clinical anthropologist John Rush embarks on a spellbinding journey through death rituals in various cultures, centering on the ancient Egyptian philosophy of death and resurrection. The first part of the book provides an overview of different rituals, encouraging readers to confront their feelings about death and to reevaluate their lives. The author details his own experiences preparing for death, including a painful tattooing process inspired by the ancient Egyptian Books of the Netherworld. He then guides readers through the Twelve Gates of the Underworld, symbolic ritual stages during which they can figuratively experience death and rebirth. A set of full-color tarot cards, designed by the author, is included as an aid in passing through each of the Gates. These ancient rituals, performed by pharaohs and priests for thousands of years, help ease the way toward a peaceful, conscious death.

Author's Preface     vii
Understanding Death     1
The Ass Texts: Ancient Myth in a Modern Age     71
Gates Zero through Five     137
Gates Six through Twelve     211
Becoming Osirian     253
Glossary of Gods and Goddesses     273
Bibliography     305
Index     311
About the Author     317
Plates for Chapter One     319
Plates for Chapter Two     321
Gate Cards