Amenti (the Hidden), in Egyptian mythology, was the general name of the underworld, or Hades, including the lower heaven, or Aahlu, “fields of peace,” with its twenty-one gates; Kerneter, “good place;” Rusta, or purgatory; and Hell.
RELIGION: Death, the Afterlife & Hell – Library of Rickandria – What are YOU researching TODAY?
Osiris (/oʊˈsaɪrɪs/, from Egyptian wsjr) was the god of fertility, agriculture, the afterlife, the dead, resurrection, life, and vegetation in ancient Egyptian religion. He was classically depicted as a green-skinned deity with a pharaoh’s beard, partially mummy-wrapped at the legs, wearing a distinctive atef crown, and holding a symbolic crook and flail. He was one of the first to be associated with the mummy wrap. When his brother Set cut him up into pieces after killing him, with her sister Nephthys, Osiris’ sister-wife, Isis, searched all over Egypt to find each part of Osiris. She collected all but one – Osiris’s genitalia. She then wrapped his body up, enabling him to return to life. Osiris was widely worshipped until the decline of ancient Egyptian religion during the rise of Christianity in the Roman Empire.
It was under the special governance of the setting sun as Osiris Rhotamenti, the judge of the souls of the dead, of Horus and the funeral deities.
Horus (/hɔːrəs/), also known as Heru, Har, Her, or Hor (/hɔːr/) in Ancient Egyptian, is one of the most significant ancient Egyptian deities who served many functions, most notably as the god of kingship, healing, protection, the sun, and the sky. He was worshipped from at least the late prehistoric Egypt until the Ptolemaic Kingdom and Roman Egypt. Different forms of Horus are recorded in history, and these are treated as distinct gods by Egyptologists. These various forms may be different manifestations of the same multi-layered deity in which certain attributes or syncretic relationships are emphasized, not necessarily in opposition but complementary to one another, consistent with how the Ancient Egyptians viewed the multiple facets of reality. He was most often depicted as a falcon, most likely a lanner falcon or peregrine falcon, or as a man with a falcon head.
The great Hall of the Two Truths was there, and in it the examination of the soul of the deceased took place.
There were also the fifteen gates of the House of Osiris, and the fourteen Abodes of Hell.
Amenti had its rivers both of separation and punishment, in that respect resembling the Hades of Greek mythology, which was doubtless copied from it.
It is fully described in the great collection of funeral rituals called be Ritual of the Dead, and it was often spoken of as the country of the words of truth and the happy land of Osiris.
Owing to the graves of the Egyptians being mostly excavated in the mountains on the western bank of the Nile, the terms “land of the west” and “the hidden land” became synonymous; and the present name of the village of Armant is derived from that of one of the chief cities near the ancient Necropolis.
Giza pyramid complex – Wikipedia
For further details SEE:
Aahlu (Aaluna, Aahenru, or Aahnaru) – Biblical Cyclopedia
Atum – Biblical Cyclopedia
Horus – Biblical Cyclopedia
KERNETER
RHOTAMENTI
RUSTA
SAUCE
The Lost City of Amenti: A Journey to the Realm of the Dead
1. Introduction: The Concept of Amenti
In the heart of ancient Egyptian belief lay a profound reverence for the afterlife.
The Egyptians believed that after death, the soul embarked on a grand journey to the realm of the dead, known as Amenti.
This spiritual destination was not a mere resting place, but a vibrant and complex world where the deceased lived on, subject to judgment and a unique form of existence.
The journey to Amenti was overseen by a pantheon of powerful deities, each with a specific role in guiding and judging the deceased.
RELIGION: High Ranking Gods & Crowned Princes of Hell – Library of Rickandria – What are YOU researching TODAY?
The gods and goddesses of the underworld, such as:
Osiris
Anubis
Anubis (/əˈnjuːbɪs/; Ancient Greek: Ἄνουβις), also known as Inpu, Inpw, Jnpw, or Anpu in Ancient Egyptian (Coptic: ⲁⲛⲟⲩⲡ, romanized: Anoup), is the god of funerary rites, protector of graves, and guide to the underworld, in ancient Egyptian religion, usually depicted as a canine or a man with a canine head.
Thoth
Thoth (from Koinē Greek: Θώθ Thṓth, borrowed from Coptic: Ⲑⲱⲟⲩⲧ Thōout, Egyptian: Ḏḥwtj, the reflex of ḏḥwtj “[he] is like the ibis”) is an ancient Egyptian deity. In art, he was often depicted as a man with the head of an ibis or a baboon, animals sacred to him. His feminine counterpart was Seshat, and his wife was Ma’at. He was the god of the Moon, wisdom, knowledge, writing, hieroglyphs, science, magic, art and judgment.
Hathor
Hathor (Ancient Egyptian: ḥwt-ḥr, lit. ’House of Horus’, Ancient Greek: Ἁθώρ Hathōr, Coptic: ϩⲁⲑⲱⲣ, Meroitic: 𐦠𐦴𐦫𐦢 Atari) was a major goddess in ancient Egyptian religion who played a wide variety of roles. As a sky deity, she was the mother or consort of the sky god Horus and the sun god Ra, both of whom were connected with kingship, and thus she was the symbolic mother of their earthly representatives, the pharaohs. She was one of several goddesses who acted as the Eye of Ra, Ra’s feminine counterpart, and in this form, she had a vengeful aspect that protected him from his enemies. Her beneficent side represented music, dance, joy, love, sexuality, and maternal care, and she acted as the consort of several male deities and the mother of their sons. These two aspects of the goddess exemplified the Egyptian conception of femininity. Hathor crossed boundaries between worlds, helping deceased souls in the transition to the afterlife.
Isis
Isis was a major goddess in ancient Egyptian religion whose worship spread throughout the Greco-Roman world. Isis was first mentioned in the Old Kingdom (c. 2686 – c. 2181 BCE) as one of the main characters of the Osiris myth, in which she resurrects her slain brother and husband, the divine king Osiris, and produces and protects his heir, Horus. She was believed to help the dead enter the afterlife as she had helped Osiris, and she was considered the divine mother of the pharaoh, who was likened to Horus. Her maternal aid was invoked in healing spells to benefit ordinary people. Originally, she played a limited role in royal rituals and temple rites, although she was more prominent in funerary practices and magical texts. She was usually portrayed in art as a human woman wearing a throne-like hieroglyph on her head. During the New Kingdom (c. 1550 – c. 1070 BCE), as she took on traits that originally belonged to Hathor, the preeminent goddess of earlier times, Isis was portrayed wearing Hathor’s headdress: a sun disk between the horns of a cow.
and Nephthys, played crucial roles in the trials and tribulations the soul faced as it navigated the underworld.
Nephthys or Nebet-Het in ancient Egyptian (Ancient Greek: Νέφθυς) was a goddess in ancient Egyptian religion. A member of the Great Ennead of Heliopolis in Egyptian mythology, she was a daughter of Nut and Geb. Nephthys was typically paired with her sister Isis in funerary rites because of their role as protectors of the mummy, with her brother Osiris, and as the sister-wife of Set. She was associated with mourning, the night/darkness, service (specifically temples), childbirth, the dead, protection, magic, health, embalming, and beer.
Amenti was reserved for the righteous deceased—those who had lived a virtuous life and adhered to the principles of Ma’at, the cosmic order of:
- truth
- justice
- balance
The concept of Amenti reflects the Egyptians’ deep fascination with death, their desire for a continued existence, and their belief in the interconnectedness of the living and the dead.
2. The Trial of the Dead: Weighing of the Heart
The journey to Amenti began with a crucial trial known as the Weighing of the Heart.
The deceased soul entered the Hall of Two Truths, a grand chamber where they faced Anubis and Thoth, divine figures who oversaw the judgment process.
Anubis, the jackal-headed god of mummification and the underworld, prepared the deceased’s heart for weighing, while Thoth, the god of wisdom and knowledge, acted as scribe and recorded the outcome.
The heart was placed on one side of a scale, while a feather representing Maat was placed on the other.
Maat or Maʽat (Egyptian: mꜣꜥt /ˈmuʀʕat/, Coptic: ⲙⲉⲓ) comprised the ancient Egyptian concepts of truth, balance, order, harmony, law, morality, and justice. Maat was also the goddess who personified these concepts, and regulated the stars, seasons, and the actions of mortals and the deities who had brought order from chaos at the moment of creation. Her ideological opposite was Isfet (Egyptian jzft), meaning injustice, chaos, violence or to do evil.
The heart symbolized the deceased’s inner being, while the feather represented the ideal of righteous living.
If the heart was lighter than or equal to the feather, it meant the deceased had led a virtuous life and was deemed worthy of entering Amenti.
If the heart was heavier, it indicated a life filled with wrongdoing, and the deceased faced a dire fate.
The heart of the unworthy would be devoured by Ammit, a monstrous creature embodying chaos and destruction.
Ammit (/ˈæmɪt/; Ancient Egyptian: ꜥm-mwt, “Devourer of the Dead”; also rendered Ammut or Ahemait) was an ancient Egyptian goddess with the forequarters of a lion, the hindquarters of a hippopotamus, and the head of a crocodile—the three largest “man-eating” animals known to ancient Egyptians. In ancient Egyptian religion, Ammit played an important role during the funerary ritual, the Judgment of the Dead.
The importance of Ma’at in the Weighing of the Heart underscores the central role it played in ancient Egyptian belief.
Living a life in accordance with Maat was not merely a moral code, but a doorway to the afterlife and eternal existence in Amenti.
3. The Geography of Amenti: The Fields of Reeds
Amenti was not a realm of darkness and despair, but a paradise, a vibrant and flourishing landscape teeming with life.
It was envisioned as a verdant and fertile land, a stark contrast to the desolate world of the living.
The most prominent feature of Amenti was the Fields of Reeds, a vast and beautiful expanse that symbolized:
- abundance
- renewal
- eternal life
The Fields of Reeds were a place of eternal joy and peace, where the righteous deceased could roam freely, enjoying the pleasures of the afterlife.
They spent their days in leisure and happiness, engaging in activities that brought them joy and fulfillment.
The Fields of Reeds were a symbol of the deceased’s triumph over death and their attainment of eternal life in Amenti.
They represented the Egyptian belief in the cyclical nature of existence and the possibility of rebirth and renewal after death.
4. The Gods of Amenti: Guardians and Guides
Amenti was not merely a beautiful landscape but also a realm ruled by powerful divinities who:
- guided
- protected
- judged
the deceased.
Osiris, the god of the underworld, reigned over Amenti as its king and judge.
His role was to ensure the smooth functioning of the afterlife and the just treatment of the deceased.
Hathor, the goddess of:
- love
- beauty
- joy
welcomed the deceased to Amenti and offered them comfort and guidance.
Isis and Nephthys, Osiris’s sisters and powerful goddesses, played crucial roles in supporting the deceased in their journey through the underworld.
Isis, the goddess of magic and motherhood, was known for her healing powers and her ability to protect the dead, while Nephthys, the goddess of mourning and protection, helped guide the deceased through the trials and tribulations of Amenti.
The presence of these gods and goddesses in Amenti underscores the Egyptians’ belief in a complex and interconnected afterlife where divine beings played crucial roles in the fate of the deceased.
These deities served as guardians and guides, ensuring that the deceased received the proper judgment and the opportunity to attain eternal life in Amenti.
5. The Journey through Amenti: The Underworld Trials
While Amenti held the promise of eternal life, the journey to reach it was fraught with danger and challenge.
The deceased soul, guided by the gods and goddesses of the underworld, had to navigate a series of perilous trials and obstacles, each representing a different aspect of the Egyptian underworld and the ethical dilemmas the deceased might have encountered during their life.
The underworld was home to various monstrous creatures and formidable guardians who tested the strength and resolve of the deceased.
The soul had to face trials like navigating the perilous waters of the River of Fire, confronting the demon Ammit, and overcoming the judgment of the Forty-Two Judges, each representing a different aspect of Maat.
TRANSMIGRATION: SOULS & SPIRIT – Library of Rickandria – What are YOU researching TODAY?
To succeed in these trials, the deceased relied on the power of spells and rituals they had learned during their lifetime.
These spells, inscribed on papyrus scrolls, offered guidance and protection, ensuring that the deceased could navigate the perils of the underworld and emerge triumphant.
6. The Afterlife in Amenti: Eternal Life and Renewal
Those who successfully navigated the trials of Amenti and met the approval of Osiris and his court were granted entry into the Fields of Reeds, where they lived eternally in peace and happiness.
Eternal life in Amenti was not a mere continuation of earthly existence but a transformation into a new form of being, free from the constraints and limitations of the mortal world.
The deceased were believed to have shed their physical limitations and entered a realm of limitless possibility.
They could reunite with their loved ones who had preceded them into Amenti and enjoy the pleasures of a life beyond the mortal realm.
The Egyptians envisioned the afterlife as a realm of renewal and rebirth, where the deceased could experience a new form of existence that transcended the physical and the mortal.
The concept of eternal life in Amenti played a crucial role in the Egyptian world view.
It provided solace and comfort to those who grieved, offering the promise of a future reunion with loved ones.
It also inspired the living to lead virtuous lives in accordance with Ma’at, striving to earn a place in Amenti and a continuation of their existence beyond death.
7. The Search for Amenti: Archaeological Evidence and Theories
Despite the rich mythology and detailed descriptions of Amenti found in ancient Egyptian texts, the physical location of this realm remains a mystery.
Archaeological evidence for Amenti is limited, and the location of this spiritual realm has yet to be definitively established.
However, some scholars believe that Amenti may have been inspired by specific locations within the real world.
Some theorize that Amenti may have been associated with the fertile Nile Valley, its abundance and life-giving waters mirroring the descriptions of the Fields of Reeds.
Others suggest that the underground tombs and burial chambers of the ancient Egyptians served as symbolic representations of Amenti, creating a subterranean realm where the deceased could transition into their afterlife.
The concept of Amenti emerged from the Egyptians’ deep fascination with death and the afterlife, their desire for continuity and renewal, and their belief in the interconnectedness of the living and the dead.
This complex belief system, woven into the fabric of ancient Egyptian culture, left a lasting legacy on our understanding of death and the afterlife, inspiring awe and wonder even today.
8. The Mythological Significance of Amenti:
The myth of Amenti holds profound significance, reflecting the core values and beliefs of ancient Egyptian civilization.
It underscores the importance of living a virtuous life, adhering to the principles of Maat, and striving for a just and righteous existence.
The journey to Amenti represents the universal human experience of death and the challenges we face in navigating the unknown.
TRANSMIGRATION: SOULS: DEATH: A Transition – Library of Rickandria – What are YOU researching TODAY?
The concept of Amenti provides a framework for understanding the Egyptians’ complex relationship with death and the afterlife.
It offers a glimpse into their deep fascination with the unseen world and their belief in the interconnectedness of the living and the dead.
The rich:
- imagery
- symbolism
- narratives
associated with Amenti continue to inspire wonder and stimulate the imagination, offering a timeless testament to the enduring legacy of ancient Egypt.
SAUCE
The Lost City of Amenti: A Journey to the Realm of the Dead –
The Gates of Amenti: Unveiling the Secrets of the Egyptian Underworld
1. The Concept of Amenti: An Introduction to the Egyptian Underworld
In ancient Egyptian mythology, Amenti, also known as the Duat, was a vast and mysterious realm where the souls of the deceased embarked on a perilous journey after death.
This underworld held both fear and hope, as it represented the final destination and the potential for eternal life.
Amenti was not a place of eternal punishment but a complex and layered landscape with diverse regions, divine beings, and trials to overcome.
The Egyptians believed that when a person died, their soul, known as the “ka,” would detach from the body and begin its journey to Amenti.
To reach this realm, the deceased had to navigate through a series of dangers and challenges, including perilous rivers, monstrous guardians, and the judgment of the gods.
The journey was filled with symbolism and spiritual lessons, reflecting the Egyptians’ profound understanding of:
- life
- death
- the afterlife
The concept of Amenti was deeply ingrained in Egyptian culture, influencing their beliefs, rituals, and even architectural designs.
The pyramids, for instance, were not just tombs but symbolic representations of the journey to Amenti, designed to guide the pharaoh’s soul towards eternal life.
2. The Journey to Amenti: Trials and Tribulations of the Deceased
The journey to Amenti was not a simple path.
It involved a series of challenges and trials that tested the deceased’s character and their worthiness of eternal life.
The soul would be guided by the jackal-headed god Anubis, who played a crucial role in preserving the body and preparing it for the afterlife.
The deceased soul would encounter various dangers and obstacles, including:
- serpents
- demons
- treacherous landscapes
They would need to answer riddles, decipher ancient wisdom, and navigate through labyrinthine corridors.
One of the most significant challenges was the “Weighing of the Heart,” a ritual judgment by the gods that determined the deceased’s fate.
The soul’s heart would be weighed against the feather of Ma’at, the goddess of truth and justice.
If the heart was lighter than the feather, meaning the person had lived a righteous life, they would be granted eternal life in Amenti.
However, if the heart was heavier, it would be devoured by the monstrous “Ammit,” a creature symbolizing destruction and chaos, denying the soul entry into the afterlife.
The journey to Amenti was a reflection of the Egyptians’ belief in the importance of morality and ethical conduct.
It emphasized the need to live a good life, honoring the gods and respecting the laws of Maat, to ensure a favorable outcome in the afterlife.
3. The Weighing of the Heart: A Test of Morality for the Soul
The Weighing of the Heart, often depicted in tomb paintings, was a pivotal moment in the journey to Amenti.
This ritual symbolized the ultimate judgment of the deceased’s soul by the gods.
RELIGION: Gods & Religions on Planet Earth – Library of Rickandria – What are YOU researching TODAY?
It was a sacred event conducted in the Hall of Maat, presided over by Osiris, the god of the underworld, accompanied by Thoth, the god of wisdom and scribes, and Anubis, the god of mummification and the afterlife.
The heart, considered the seat of consciousness and emotion, was extracted from the body and placed on a scale.
On the other side of the scale lay the feather of Maat, representing:
- truth
- justice
- cosmic order
The feather was considered the embodiment of Ma’at’s principles and symbolized the ideal of righteousness.
The gods would meticulously observe the scale, and if the heart was found lighter than the feather, it meant the deceased had lived a moral life and was deserving of eternal life.
The soul would then be granted passage to the Fields of Reeds, a paradise within Amenti where they could enjoy eternal bliss.
However, if the heart was heavier than the feather, it signified that the deceased had committed wrongdoings and failed to live in accordance with Maat’s principles.
In this case, the heart would be devoured by the monstrous Ammit, a creature symbolizing destruction and chaos.
This act symbolized the soul’s condemnation and denial of entry into Amenti, resulting in eternal annihilation.
The Weighing of the Heart served as a powerful reminder to the Egyptians of the importance of moral conduct and the consequences of their actions, both in life and in death.
4. The Gates of Amenti: Guardians and Thresholds to the Afterlife
The Gates of Amenti served as the entry points to the underworld, guarding the threshold between the world of the living and the realm of the dead.
These gates were not merely physical barriers but symbolic representations of the challenges and trials that the deceased soul had to overcome to gain entry into the afterlife.
The gates were said to be guarded by powerful divine beings, who tested the soul’s worthiness and ensured that only those who had lived a righteous life could enter Amenti.
Some of the prominent guardians of the Gates of Amenti included:
Hathor the goddess of:
- love
- beauty
- music
who was believed to welcome the souls of the deceased into Amenti.
Horus, the god of kingship and protection, who stood guard over the gates, ensuring no evil forces could enter the underworld.
Anubis, the god of mummification and the afterlife, who played a crucial role in guiding the soul through the trials and tribulations of the journey to Amenti.
The Gates of Amenti were often depicted in Egyptian art and mythology as monumental structures, adorned with intricate carvings and symbols that represented the power and authority of the divine guardians.
These gates were a testament to the Egyptians’ belief in the importance of overcoming challenges and proving oneself worthy of eternal life.
5. The Halls of Amenti: Exploring the Landscapes of the Underworld
Amenti was not a single realm but a complex and multifaceted landscape with diverse regions, each with its unique characteristics and symbolism.
The Halls of Amenti represented the different stages of the soul’s journey after death, symbolizing the transformation and purification that the deceased soul underwent before reaching eternal life.
Some of the prominent Halls of Amenti included:
The Hall of Maat:
This hall was where the Weighing of the Heart took place, symbolizing the judgment of the deceased’s soul.
The Hall of Two Truths:
This hall was where the deceased soul would face judgment by Osiris, the god of the underworld, and confess their sins.
The Hall of the Great House:
This hall was believed to be the ultimate destination for the souls who had passed the trials and tribulations of the journey to Amenti.
The Halls of Amenti were filled with symbolic imagery, reflecting the Egyptians’ nuanced understanding of:
- life
- death
- the afterlife
The journey through these halls was a representation of the soul’s purification and transformation, ultimately leading to the possibility of eternal life in the Fields of Reeds.
6. The Divine Beings of Amenti: Osiris, Anubis, Thoth, and Others
Amenti was inhabited by a pantheon of gods and goddesses who played pivotal roles in the afterlife.
These divine beings were not just abstract concepts but powerful entities who governed the laws of the underworld, guided the souls of the deceased, and ensured the proper functioning of Amenti.
Osiris, the god of the underworld, was the ultimate judge of the deceased, presiding over the Weighing of the Heart and determining their fate.
He was also considered the king of the underworld, symbolizing resurrection and eternal life.
Anubis, the god of mummification and the afterlife, was responsible for guiding the soul through the journey to Amenti and protecting the deceased’s body.
He was often depicted as a jackal-headed figure, symbolizing the watchful guardian of the dead.
Thoth, the god of:
- wisdom
- magic
- knowledge
was the scribe who recorded the deceased’s deeds and acted as Osiris’s advisor during the judgment.
He was often depicted with a head of an ibis or a baboon, symbolizing his intelligence and wisdom.
Hathor, the goddess of:
- love
- beauty
- music
was believed to welcome the souls of the deceased into Amenti.
She was often depicted as a cow-headed figure, representing motherhood and nurturing.
These divine beings played crucial roles in the Egyptian afterlife, shaping:
- the beliefs
- rituals
- understanding of the journey to Amenti
and the possibilities of eternal life.
7. The Role of Magic and Rituals in Reaching Amenti
Ancient Egyptians believed that magic and rituals played a crucial role in ensuring a successful journey to Amenti.
SPIRITUALITY: WITCHCRAFT: Magic or Magick? – Library of Rickandria – What are YOU researching TODAY?
They believed the use of:
- spells
- incantations
- offerings
could help the deceased navigate the perils of the underworld and overcome the challenges.
SPIRITUALITY: WITCHCRAFT – Library of Rickandria – What are YOU researching TODAY?
These rituals were often performed during the mummification process, which was a sacred act dedicated to preserving the deceased’s body for the afterlife.
The Egyptians would place amulets and magical objects within the tomb to guide the soul and protect it from evil spirits.
SAUCE
The Gates of Amenti: Unveiling the Secrets of the Egyptian Underworld –