The ancient Egyptian mythology of creation and the afterlife is a rich tapestry woven with divine figures and cosmic events. At its core is the god Temu, manifesting as Ptah, who speaks the universe into existence and promises eternal life to the unborn. The narrative unfolds with gods like Anubis, Isis, and Osiris, each playing crucial roles in the cycle of life and death.

The Creation and Promise of Eternity

In the beginning, Temu, the spirit of creation, first appears as Ptah. Through Ptah's spoken word, the cosmos comes to life. Ptah conjures himself, followed by the pantheon of gods, and ultimately, the land of Egypt, breathing into existence the divine words that awaken the gods to their essence. These words not only bring the world into being but also bind all creation as facets of Ptah and his speech. Amidst the unfinished separation of earth and primordial waters, Ptah makes a vow of eternity to those yet unborn. On this significant day, Anubis, the guardian of souls, assigns destinies to each individual, holding them ready for their eventual journey.

Ra and the Power of Names

For humanity, Ra personifies Ptah in the form of the sun, who they most commonly invoke as the supreme deity. Priests refer to the divine being in many ways, reflecting the myriad manifestations of the god, each bearing a secret name that holds their essence and, consequently, their power. Through cunning, Isis uncovers the hidden name of Ra, harnessing his power to ascend as queen among the goddesses. Her might is exemplified in the tale of how she heals her consort, Osiris.

The Tragic Tale of Osiris

Osiris faces betrayal and death at the hands of his brother Set, who maliciously dismembers him, scattering the remains across the land. Isis, in her grief, painstakingly gathers Osiris’s fragments and reconstructs his body, conceiving their son Horus from the reassembled form. She resurrects Osiris, presenting him before the gods and transforming him into a deity of resurrection and renewal. This rebirth signifies Osiris's role as the harbinger of life, from the first sprouts of grain to the eternal renewal of pharaohs in the afterlife.

Rebirth and the Path to Osiris

The deceased who properly adhere to the sacred rituals are reborn as manifestations of Osiris in the afterlife, sharing in his splendor. As Osiris’s body was made whole, so too are their bodies restored through his name and sacred rites. Isis imparts the knowledge of embalming and ritual incantations to mortals, offering them a pathway to rebirth. As Isis reconstructed Osiris, so the deceased are reformed in his name. In the afterlife, the dead recite ritual incantations learned in life, shedding impurities that embody Set. The living continue to engage in acts of purification, offering ceremonial water to cleanse the deceased. Each soul approaches Osiris in turn, and those deemed righteous are rejuvenated and blessed by Isis and Horus, who hold esteemed positions among the immortals.

The Influence of Horus

Horus stands as one of the most prominent deities, known to take on as many as twenty different forms. He embodies aspects of both Osiris and Ra, often linked to light due to his close connection with the sun god. In a fierce battle with Set, Horus loses an eye but triumphs by rendering the malevolent Set powerless. This victory is revered by the deceased, for it symbolizes the triumph over darkness and evil, enabling the dead to pursue eternal life. Horus’s visage, known as Harmachis or “Horus on the Horizon,” is immortalized in the great Sphinx of Giza.

The Judgment Process

Horus escorts the dead...