In the civilization of ancient Egypt, magic was a fundamental aspect of life and religion, known by the term heka. It was believed to be the primordial force used by the creator god Atum to form the universe. Unlike in other cultures, there were no distinct ‘witches’; instead, certain individuals like kings and priests were thought to wield more control over heka. This magical force was applied for a wide range of purposes, from curing diseases and ensuring good harvests to cursing enemies and, most importantly, guiding the dead to the afterlife.
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👑 Divine Magic of Gods and Pharaohs
All Egyptian gods were thought to possess heka, but some were particularly powerful. Isis was known as ‘Great Lady of Magic,’ famous for resurrecting her husband Osiris. The lion goddess Sekhmet was feared for her ability to bring plagues and unleash demons. The pharaoh himself was called hekau (‘possessor of magic’), and his very body was considered magical. Lector priests, or hery-heb, were also deeply associated with magic, as the power of words spoken aloud in spells was seen as a direct application of heka.
💀 Navigating the Underworld with Magic
The afterlife was of central importance to the ancient Egyptians, and magic was crucial for navigating it. The soul, known as the ba, had to pass a series of trials to avoid a second death. To aid in this journey, the dead were buried with spells from texts like the Book of the Dead and protective amulets. These magical words and objects were used to defeat demons and overcome dangers in the underworld. Once a soul successfully passed the tests, it became an akh, a spirit with its own magical powers to help living relatives.
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- Curses: The History of the Evil Eye and Binding Magic
- Magical Plants: A Witch’s Garden of Herbs and Poisons
- Roman Magic: Curses, the Strix, and Everyday Protection
- Circe: The Greek Sorceress of Transformation and Myth
- Greek Magic: Hecate’s Power, Oracles, and Enchantresses
- Japanese Magic: Yōkai, Onmyōdō, and Supernatural Folklore
- Empress Chen Jiao: The Royal Scandal of Witchcraft in Han China
