Heart of the Lotus
Page 39
Hordjedtef shrank slightly as something unknowable stepped from behind him.
I am “He who cannot be known.”
You, Great Hordjedtef, son of Khufu,
Have long been my ally
But as this younger human just learned,
My ever wisest of men,
That you planned to discard him once certain things came to pass,
He now learns I no longer have a need
For you
I await your final explanation as he awaits it in his god-role.
We will weigh your heart together.
The dark voice surrounded by red and black whispered, invading every fiber of Maatkare’s being as if it had always belonged there.
“It was the Lilitu… her fault. A trick. It named itself ‘Teaka’ and made itself brown, but I discovered it was the same beast that killed Our Father with a stronger emotion than his aching heart could bear. And it is the same one who confused my dear boy Wse so that I had to wipe out his thoughts and somehow try to get him back. Oh…” the spirit image of Hordjedtef wavered in pain. “Oh, I think I may have… no…” the most wise and powerful man in Kemet who had manipulated the reigns of four kings huddled and sobbed, then sank his talons into his chest and pulled out his dripping heart. The gaping hole in his chest sealed as the heart in his hand jellied and grew darker. “I think I may have hurt him or killed him, but I did it for the sake of preserving Ma-at – only that.” His hollow eyes looked up, imploring. “Raem, dear boy, if that is even you inside the image of the god – find the woman and end her. Find her and cut the demon from her belly… It will be justice. It will preserve what is right and promote discipline when I am no longer here,” his voice trailed in desperation.
“Old man?” Maatkare stared, horrified at the words that came from his grandfather’s ghostly lips. “No. I will not kill a child, no matter what it may grow up to be. That is a step too far. If it takes a wicked path, I will do it justice in time when it comes to me. Say goodnight and mean goodbye…” the image of Anpu grew huge and began to howl in discomfort.
“No! Here is my heart, young Raem, to place on the scale of truth. Whether I am judged wicked or not matters no longer, because my heart believed itself right.
Maatkare, held out his clawed hand to receive the grisly stilling mass.
Nefira, now you may dine… his thoughts whispered before he caught himself.
Yet, I am here, beloved… I watch as you assume your godliness. Know I love you well. The voice of Deka whispered gently, even passionately, as if she had witnessed his own ascension instead of an old man’s departure.
Trembling and confused, the young general in the form of Wepwawet and Anpu plopped the heart into the pan of one side of the scale and watched as it began to sink when balanced against the required feather.
Suddenly, red and scaly hands with sharp claws appeared from nothingness, carrying the goose which the image of young Hordjedtef had held. They placed the goose opposite the heart on the scale.
Poor human
Alone, your heart is heavy with guilt and uncertainty
Let us see if the ‘truth’
Can take away these burdens
The dark voice spoke as the scale reversed course. Against the red-ribboned goose, the symbol of the truth of Djedi which Hordjedtef had enshrined his entire life, the scale balanced.
“Yes, see! See, I was right all along!” Hordjedtef proclaimed.
But the true symbol of Djehuti,
That is not
The dark voice stopped the old man’s celebration.
You believe this to be truth,
See truth’s image revealed.
Then, the goose spoke with an odd and bird-like human voice and transformed into the ibis of Djehuti.
Oh, the Red Fiends have their faces directed against me.
I am the unveiled one.
The heart sank once more, as if the ibis weighed no more than the feather. Laughter, long, dark, and loud, followed.
Be consumed by the truth!
The ibis picked at the heart with its black, curved beak. Once it had sampled it, the bird watched as the heart shrank down and became a seed to be eaten whole. It ate the tiny seed, then flew into the mist. All the images flew with it. Maatkare shook himself and shuddered.
Arms surrounded the prince. He looked hard at the woman he called Nefira Deka. Her eyes were the green-gold of lion eyes.
“I saw it, beloved,” she whispered, “and now I understand so much more. I came to see if you wished to come to the boat. All is in readiness… waiting for you.”
“You saw, what?” he tensed, overwhelmed and still in denial of the events he had witnessed.
He gazed upon the boat and his men at the shore. Emitting something between an anguished howl and a whimper, he stared back at Deka as if she had become the red and black monster. He shook it off and steeled himself, heading for the boat in silence, even though he wanted to rid of everything and everyone except his men and a large jar of wine.
Map
Upper Kemet and the Copper Road
The Lands of Ta-Seti
Glossary
Pronunciation note: the pronunciation guides are purely speculative and written in common American English pattern.
Akh (Ahk) – Intelligence after death, memory.
Akkad (Ah-cad) – Ancient name for the area of modern-day Iraq; a person from that region.
Amenti (Ah-men-tea) – Also known as Duat land of the Underworld – The West, Field of Reeds. The place of the dead.
Ammit (Ay-mit) – “Devourer” or “soul-eater”; also spelled Ammut or Ahemait, was a female demon in ancient Egyptian religion with a body that was part lion, hippopotamus, and crocodile.
Anhur (On-Her) – The Nubian Lion god. Also Aker (Ah-care)
Apedemeketep (Ah-ped-eh-meh-keh-tep) – Grandson of Akaru.
Apep (A-pep) – A huge serpent (or crocodile) which lived in the waters of Nun or in the celestial Nile. Each day he attempted to disrupt the passage of the solar barque of Re. In some myths, Apep was an earlier and discarded sun-god himself. Also called Apohis
Ariennu (Ah-ree-in-oo) – Similar meaning to name Arianna or Ariadne in Greek meaning “most holy”.
Asar (Uh-sar) – An Ancient Egyptian deity of the underworld and resurrection. Name of the Nile. Also called Osiris.
Ashera(h) (Ah-sher-ah) – A mother goddess who appears in a number of ancient sources “Queen of Heaven”, consort of the Sumerian god Anu and Ugaritic El (both bull deities) the word ‘elat’ is used to describe her as “goddess”.
Bakha Montu (Ba-ka-mahn-too) – The meaning of his name was “nomad”. The warrior nature of Menthu made him a bull god Menthu would also be represented as a man with the head of a bull. There were at least three great sacred bulls of the Ancient Egypt called the Apis of Memphis, Mnevis of Heliopolis and Buchis at Hermonthis (the Bakha).
Buhen (Boo-hen) – Town and sepat south of Qustul.
Bunefer (Boo-ne-fur) – Prophetess for Shepseskaf, bodily wife, possible mother of his eldest daughter.
Buto (Boo-toe) – Ancient coastal city near Alexandria. The goddess Wadjet was its local goddess, often represented as a cobra. Her oracle was located in her renowned temple in that city. King Menkaure received a tragic prediction there, according to legend.
Deka (Deh-kuh) – Means “One who pleases”
Djedi (Jed-iy or Jed-eye) – Historical Djedi son of Sneferu. He was the first recorded magician.
Djehuti (Jeh-hoo-tea) – The Egyptian God of mathematics, writing, and scholarship. In some creation myths He is the voice of Ptah (the word or logos that appears in Christian and Jewish creation myths) as Ptah Emerges from the Cosmic Egg. Also called Thoth.
Djerah bin Esai (Jair-uh –ben-ee-sye) – Djerah son of Esai, Marai’s great grandnephew.
Djin (Jin) – Spirit, often demonic.
Dumuzi (Do-moot-see) – Is a shepherd god who represents the harvest season but also became a
god of the underworld thanks to the goddess Ishtar (Ashera).
El (Ell) – Cannanite for penis. One of the male deities.
Haboob (Ha-boob) – Dust Storm.
Heka (Heh-kuh) – Magic, sorcery.
Heru (Hair-oo) – Horus Hawk deity.
Hethrt (Heth-uroot) – Hethara, Hathor Mistress of Life, the Great Wild Cow, the Golden One, the Mistress of Turquoise, Lady of Iunet (Dendera, Egypt) Beauty, happiness music & dance.
Hordjedtef (Hoar-jeh-tef) – Also seen as Hardaduf or Dedephor in ancient literature. Son of Khufu, Count of Nekhen. Prince, Scholar, Author of the “Wisdom Texts” faded into semi obscurity after his brother Djedephre became king, but name appears as a living person throughout the rule of Menkaure.
Houra bint Ahu (Hoo-rah-bent-ah-hoo) – Marai’s half-sister.
Iah (Yah) – Egyptian Time God Iah-Djhuty.
Ibu (Ee-boo) – The tent of purification. This is the place where mummification was performed.
Inanna (In-ah-na) – Sumerian pantheon in ancient Mesopotamia. She is a goddess of love, fertility, and war.
Ineb Hedj (In-eb-Hedge) – Earliest name for Memphis (Men Nefer) later Cairo means White Wall.
Kalasaris (Ka-la-sah-ris) – Woman’s sheath was held up by one or two straps and was worn down to the ankle, while the upper edge could be worn above or below the breasts.
Ka-reen (Ka-reen) – Kemet-ized word for qua-reen – a succubus.
Ka’t (Ka-tea) – Woman, vagina, used as a derogatory term woman good for only one thing (Egyptian).
Keftiu (Kef-tee-oo) –Land of People of the Sea; Crete.
Keleb (Kay-leb) – Sexually submissive male or dog position in M/M pairings – a Canaanite term.
Kemet (Kem-et) – Ancient name for Egypt.
Kentake (Ken-tah-kay) – Title for “queen-mother” of the ancient Kingdom of Kush in the Nile Valley.
Khat (Koht) – Simpler men’s head scarf, covering.
Khmenu (Khmun, Hermopolis K’men-oo) – Worship center for Djehuti Thoth.
Kina-Ahna (Kina Land – Kee-na Ah-nah) – Canaan (Israel & Palestine).
Kuna (Koo-nah) – Canaanite version of the word Ka’t (see above).
Kush (Koosh) – Sudan.
Maatkare Raemkai (M’yat-kah-ray Ra-em-kiye) – The names mean “Truth in the soul of the sun”. It also means “the sun is my life force”.
Mafdet (Mof-det) – Mafdet was a goddess who protected against snakes and scorpions. Mafdet was also seen as a feline goddess.
Malak (Ma-lack) – Semitic word for “angel”.
Mandulis (Man-doo-liss) – Solar deity in the Sudan seen as a lion.
Marai bin Ahu (Muh-rye ben Ah-oo) – Marai son of Ahu.
Menkaure or Menkaure KhaKhet (Men-caw-ray Ka-ket) – King associated with the 3rd Giza Pyramid.
Merytetes (Mary-te-tees) – Common princess name. In this case name of an unknown, speculated daughter of Menkaure.
Monthu (or Menthu-Ra Mahn-too) – A solar god (hawk or bull), associated with Amun and sometimes paired with Set.
Mtoto Metauhetep Akaru Sef (Muh-toe-toe Meh-t’ow-tep Ah-kah-roo-seff) – Regional ruler of Qustul Amani and Qustul.
Mut (Moot) – A primal deity, associated with the waters from which everything was born through parthenogenesis.
Naibe-Ellit (Nah-ee-bay El-it) – Name means “Calls My Lady” or channels the goddess Inanna or Ashera.
Nefira (Neh-fear-uh) – Beautiful one from the word Nefer.
Nemes (Nim-mess) – The striped headcloth worn by pharaohs in ancient Egypt.
Nit or Neith (Neat) – Goddess of Weaving, War, Hunting and the Red Crown, Creator Deity, Mother of Ra.
Ntr Stones (Nit-ur) – Kemet name for Children of Stone.
Nut (Noot) – Goddess of the Sky, Stars, the Sun, the Moon, Light, Heaven, Astronomy, the Universe and the Winds woman or cow covered with stars.
Oya (Oy-ah) – Goddess of the Wind and Storms.
Per-A-At – Heliopolis. Worship center for Ra.
Pschent (Shint) – double red and white king’s crown, symbol of unified Kemet – Upper and lower lands.
Pyr-akhs, pyr mer – Both terms for Pyramid.
Qustul (Kuh-stool) – kingdom seat in prehistoric Ta-Seti or Nubia.
Ra-Kedet (Ray-ked-et) – The ancient name for Alexandria.
Sadeh (Sah-day) – Maatkare’s wife & former concubine.
Sanghir (Sang-hear) – Ancient Middle-Eastern tribe.
Satet (Say-tet) – Was the archer-goddess of the Nile cataracts, fertility goddess, due to her aspect as a water goddess and a goddess of the inundation, and a goddess who purified the dead with her water. She was a goddess of the hunt who protected Egypt and the pharaoh with her bow and arrows.
Savta (Sav-ta) – Granny, great granny (Semitic).
Sebek (Seh-Bek) – Human with a crocodile head. Sobek was also associated with pharaonic power, fertility, and military prowess, but served additionally as a protective deity with apotropaic qualities, invoked particularly for protection against the dangers presented by the Nile River.
Sebiumeker (She-boo-ee-meh-kur) – Nubian God of Procreation in human form. He was translated into Atum through Egyptian Influences.
Sekhem (Seck-him) – Healing magic.
Sekhmet (Sek-met, Sek-het) – Also spelled Sakhmet, Sekhet, or Sakhet (among other spellings) was originally the warrior goddess as well as goddess of healing for Upper Egypt, when the kingdom of Egypt was divided. She is depicted as a lioness.
Sepat (Seh-pat) – The Ancient Egyptian name for the regional divisions of the country.
Sesen (Se-sin) – A lotus or water lily. Lotus Points; Chakra.
Shendyt (Shin-dit) – A kilt-like garment worn in ancient Egypt.
Shenti (Shin-tea) – A loincloth under-kilt.
Sheol (She-oll) – Underworld, Hell in Canaanite.
Shepseskaf (Shep-ses-calf) – Last or second to last king of the 4th dynasty.
Shinar (She-nar) – Babylon.
Sokor (So-core) – Modern day Saquarra place of the dead. Has to do with rituals for the dead. God seen as a mummy with a hawk head. Also spelled Sokar.
Sutek (Soo-tek) Set or Seth – A god of the desert, storms, disorder, violence and foreigners in ancient Egyptian religion Dark balance of Ra.
Ta-Ntr (Tah-nit-ur) – Land of the Gods.
Ta-Seti (Tah-se-tee) – Land of the Bow, Nubia.
Tauret (Taw-ret) – Hippopotamus-goddess of pregnant women and childbirth.
Tefnut (Teff-noot) – Goddess of moisture, moist air, dew and rain in Ancient Egyptian religion. Sister and consort of the air god Shu.
Tyre (Tear, possibly Tire) – Phoenician ancient trading outpost Lebanon.
Wadi (Wah-dee) – The Arabic term traditionally referring to a valley. In some cases, it may refer to a dry (ephemeral) riverbed that contains water only during times of heavy rain or simply an intermittent stream
Wawat (Wa-Wat) – North Sudan.
Wdjat (Wu-jot) – The Wadjet or Eye of Horus is intended to protect the pharaoh [here] in the afterlife and to ward off evil. Also called Udjat.
Wepwawet (Wep-wah-wet) – originally a war deity, whose cult centre was Asyut in Upper Egypt (Lycopolis in the Greco Roman period). His name means, opener of the ways and he is often depicted as a wolf standing at the prow of a solar-boat. Some interpret that Wepwawet was seen as a scout, going out to clear routes for the army to proceed forward. One inscription from the Sinai states that Wepwawet “opens the way”. Also possibly spelled Upuwat.
Wserkaf (Oo-sir-kaf) – First king of the 5th dynasty formerly a High Priest of Ra and Djehuti. Also spelled Userkaf.
Yaweh-Sin (Ya-way sin) – Semitic lunar deity living atop Sinai, later shortened to Yaweh and disobedience of his law is Sin.
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he Lotus