Heka, the ancient Egyptian god of magic and medicine, was a fundamental force that existed before duality had yet come into being. The term ḥk3 was also used to refer to the practice of magical rituals. Heka played a crucial part in creation myths, as the ancient Egyptians used magic to connect with the gods, heal the sick, protect themselves from harm, and ensure a successful afterlife.
The Egyptians believed that magic could be harnessed through rituals, incantations, and the use of potent symbols. Priests were the main practitioners of magic in pharaonic Egypt, where they were seen as guardians of a secret knowledge given by the gods to humanity to “ward off the blows of fate”. Heka was the deification of magic and medicine in ancient Egypt, and the word heka translates to “magic” from the ancient Egyptian language.
Three significant gods associated with magic are Isis, the winged goddess of life, and Bes, the god of magic associated with life, such as healing and protection. Ancient Egyptian magic can be understood as either a natural force (ḥeka) or a god in human form with the same name (Ḥeka). Priests were seen as guardians of a secret knowledge given by the gods to humanity to “ward off the blows of fate”.
📹 Heka: The Egyptian God of Magic and Medicine – Mythology Explained
Heka is the god of magic and medicine in ancient Egypt and is also the personification of magic itself. He is perhaps the most …
Who is the god of sorcery?
Hecate, the chief goddess of magic, witnessed the abduction of Demeter’s daughter Persephone and assisted in her search. She created Hecataea pillars at crossroads and doorways to protect against evil spirits. Hecate was depicted as single-formed, clad in a long robe, holding burning torches, or triple-formed, with three bodies standing back-to-back. She was accompanied by packs of barking dogs. This information was last revised and updated by Adam Augustyn.
Who is the Egyptian goddess of dark magic?
Nephthys was a complex goddess with both positive and negative aspects, often associated with her husband-brother Seth. She was known for her ability to heal the sick and was often paired with her sister Isis. Nephthys was considered the dark side of Isis, as Seth was the dark side of his brother Osiris. Like Isis, she had great power through her knowledge of sacred words and magical spells. She was also associated with the fertility god Min.
Nephthys had no children with Seth and instead seduced her brother Osiris, resulting in the birth of her son, Anubis. Seth murdered and dismembered Osiris, and Nephthys and Isis became known as the Weeping Sisters. Together, they prepared the funeral bed and made the funeral cloth. Nephthys and Isis were guardians of the head and feet of the coffin, and in the Pyramid Texts, she was depicted as a friend to the deceased. In the Book of the Dead, she stood behind Osiris as the heart of the dead was weighed in the Great Balance, promising to protect the pure of heart forever.
Who is the god of spells?
Hecate, the chief goddess of magic, witnessed the abduction of Demeter’s daughter Persephone and assisted in her search. She created Hecataea pillars at crossroads and doorways to protect against evil spirits. Hecate was depicted as single-formed, clad in a long robe, holding burning torches, or triple-formed, with three bodies standing back-to-back. She was accompanied by packs of barking dogs. This information was last revised and updated by Adam Augustyn.
Who is the female god of magic?
Hecate, the chief goddess in Greek religion, was believed to have originated from the Carians in southwest Asia Minor. She was the daughter of Titan Perses and the nymph Asteria and had power over heaven, earth, and sea, bestowing wealth and blessings on daily life. Hecate witnessed the abduction of Demeter’s daughter Persephone and assisted in her search. Hecataea, pillars standing at crossroads and doorways, were believed to protect against evil spirits.
Hecate was represented as single-formed, clad in a long robe, holding burning torches, but later she was triple-formed, with three bodies standing back-to-back, possibly to allow her to look in all directions. She was often accompanied by packs of barking dogs.
Who is the god of ancient magic?
Heka, the deification of magic and medicine in ancient Egypt, was depicted wearing a Hemhem crown, sidelock, crook, flail, and ankh. Heka was the father of Khnum and the mother of Neith, Mehet-Weret, Menhit, or Nebetu’u. The name Heka comes from the Egyptian word for “magic” and was believed to exist before duality had yet to emerge. The term ḥk3 was also used to refer to the practice of magical rituals.
Who was the magician in ancient Egypt?
Djedi, also known as Dedi or Djedi of Djed-Sneferu, is a fictional ancient Egyptian magician who appears in the fourth chapter of the legendary Westcar Papyrus. He is said to have worked wonders during the reign of king Khufu (4th Dynasty). Although there is no archaeological or historical evidence of his existence, his magic tricks are connected to later cultural perceptions of king Khufu’s personality.
Djedi is described as a commoner of extraordinary age, endowed with magical powers, and talented in making prophecies. Despite the lack of archaeological or historical evidence, Djedi’s name remains an object of great interest for historians and Egyptologists.
Who is the god of magic?
Hecate, an Egyptian goddess of fertility and childbirth, may have a foreign origin, possibly from Heqet, a frog-headed Egyptian goddess associated with rulers. The word heka in the Egyptian language is also the word for “magic” and the name of the god of magic and medicine, Heka. Hecate was generally represented as three-formed or triple-bodied, but her earliest known images are singular. Her earliest known representation is a small terracotta statue found in Athens, with an inscription dedicating her in writing of the 6th century.
A 6th-century fragment of pottery from Boetia depicts a goddess possibly Hecate in a maternal or fertility mode, crowned with leafy branches and offering a “maternal blessing” to two maidens who embrace her. The figure is flanked by lions, an animal associated with Hecate in the Chaldean Oracles, coinage, and reliefs from Asia Minor. In artwork, she is often portrayed in three statues standing back to back, each with its own special attributes.
Hecate was first depicted in triplicate by the Greek sculptor Alcamenes in the late 5th century BCE. The general motif of a triple Hecate situated around a central pole or column, known as a hekataion, was used at crossroads shrines, temple entrances, and private homes. Some hekataia, including a votive sculpture from Attica of the 3rd century BCE, include additional dancing figures identified as the Charites circling the triple Hecate and her central column. It is possible that the representation of a triple Hecate surrounding a central pillar was originally derived from poles set up at three-way crossroads with masks hung on them.
Who is the Egyptian goddess of sorcery?
Isis, the Egyptian Goddess of Magic, was associated with the throne symbol, which held magical power and could turn a prince into a king. She was the sister and wife of Osiris, who was known for his magical abilities. Isis was also a supreme deity known for her curing and redemptive powers. She was often depicted wearing the headdress, the throne symbol, with which she is usually portrayed. One tradition suggests that she was the personification of the throne, seen as a female deity.
Egyptian art, which spans over a thousand years, primarily focused on conveying their views on life and death, making it highly symbolic. This is evident in the depictions of Isis and Nut, two of the most important Egyptian Goddesses. Isis was the sister and wife of Osiris, and after his death, she became the protector of the dead. In her love and devotion to Osiris, Isis became a symbol of the loving wife, while after his death, she became a symbol of the Mother in her protection and devotion to her son, Horus.
Is Isis the god of magic?
Isis, the Greek goddess of healing and magic, was a significant figure in ancient Egyptian religious beliefs. Known as Aset, she translates to “Queen of the Throne” and is often depicted with a throne headdress, vulture headdress, or a disk with horns, attributed to the goddess Hathor. Isis was the sister and wife of the god Osiris, ruler of the underworld, and was said to have been in love with Osiris even in the womb. She was also the mother of Horus, the protector of the pharaoh.
The most famous story of Isis begins when Seth, Osiris’s jealous brother, dismembered him and scattered his body throughout Egypt. The other deities were impressed with Isis’s dedication to finding her beloved husband and helped her revive him. Isis was important to the ancient Egyptians because she had numerous powers, including being the protector of women and the bringer of magic. After thousands of years of worship, she was transformed into the Queen of the Universe and the embodiment of cosmic order. By the Roman period, she was believed to control the power of fate itself.
Who is the Egyptian god of magic and wisdom?
Thoth, the Egyptian God of writing, wisdom, and magic, was associated with order, justice, and was an advisor and mediator to the gods. He was the patron of scribes and created language. His female counterpart was Seshat, the Goddess of writing and bookkeeping. Thoth had two manifestations: as a Baboon and an Ibis. As a baboon, he was heavily maned and sometimes wore the Atef Crown or the crown of Upper and Lower Egypt.
Who is the Egyptian Magic deity?
Heka, in ancient Egyptian religion, was a personification of the creator god Re-Atum, often translated as “magic” or “magical power”. Heka was believed to accompany Re on his solar boat and could be given to common men. Egyptians believed heka was the primordial force present at the creation of the world, summoned up during religious rituals, and its main function was to preserve the natural world order. It could also be given to and used by common men.
📹 Who is Thoth?The Egyptian God of Writing, Magic, the Moon and Fate who Became Hermes Trismegistus
Thoth was among the most complex and mysterious gods of the ancient Egyptian world. His origins lost to time, he would become …
I remember when I was really young I picked up Age of Mythology and started spamming Egypt and I would sometimes pick Thoth as my Mythical-tier god to worship because he had the meteor power and phoenixes. nearly 20 years later here I am perusal an Esoterica episode all about him. Life’s a wild ride, my guys.
My Godfather and Friend is a long time “student” of Thoth/Hermes. He stands centre on our Altar in the Main Room in our house. He even placed a pocket version of The Art Of War on it (my friend is an ex Army Officer, and as such holds a personal synergistic view of Esoterica and Martial school of Knowledge) An excellent article as always.
excellent post sir, i am a british occultist, and have studied it for 30 yrs. i had a vision of Thoth when i was in hospital a few years ago, i was passing in and out of consciousness due to serotonin syndrome caused by running out of my trazodone (anti depressant) he took me above the earth and whispered universal secrets in my ear, his armour shone in colours we dont have on earth. peace love and light to all. 93,93/93
Mah boi Thoth! Let’s go! Absolutely love this article, such a wealth of information. Thank you so much for this. Of all the gods that humanity has presented, Dhwtj is one of the few that I would absolutely be okay with existing. His whole domain of truth, knowledge, and wisdom is quite admirable for humanity. His mercy as a defense attorney when called on yet also his impartiality to be a judge is wonderful. There is an audiobook on Tehuti by Markus Carabas on Audible that I’ve listened to that seemed to be quite good. Keep on sharing the knowledge, Dr. Sledge. You’re doing The Silver Sun’s work.
Excellent article Dr Sledge. I’ve been studying all aspects of ancient Egypt for over 40 years now and it’s just wonderful to hear someone pronounce the words Djehuty, ogdoad and hekka. I can’t add anything to your scholarly presentation here except the theory that I once read that the early ancient Egyptians may have noticed the marks that the ibis makes in the mud with its bill as it forages for food – suggesting writing. Please consider doing a article on The Book of Coming Forth by Day. btw I’m convinced now that you’re a fellow metalhead. Cheers from South Australia.
Thank you Dr. Justin, I thoroughly enjoyed this episode of esoterica,how you cram so much information into your presentation without it just becoming a long list of facts is nothing short of astounding,being educated while simultaneously being entertained wins my admiration and appreciation,thank you very very much🙏🏻🥷❤️
This was an awesome article. I’m surprised there isn’t more on Thoth specifically as opposed to his later Greco-Egyptian forms. When I checked the citations of Boylan’s book on Google Scholar, I mostly got stuff on Hermes. Weirdly, the top result was Martin Bernal’s book, which I’d love to see you cover one day. Maybe that’s beyond the scope of this website, but your nuanced approach to topics like that would be very welcome. Thanks for this awesome article!
Thank You Dr. Sledge for your amazing website and Scholarly documentaries. I have been perusal them for several months now, and you are one of the most enjoyable educators on this topic on YouTube. I feel I can also speak in a more educated manner on these topics as a result of your high regard for historical and anthropological accuracy. I just bought one of your Thoth shirts to support your website. Shana Tovah and Blessings for the New Year.
I once received an astrological card that had mine as mine (Virgo) Sept. 15 as Ma’at. I just came across this website. It’s very interesting. I study mythology and have a degree in Philosophy from Utah as well as a Teaching degree (M. Ed.) in Special Education, Teacher of Deaf and Hearing impaired. Now retired, I have returned to my research and writing project on Comparative Images of the Goddess in religion and mythology. I hope to complete a book in this lifetime. At this time I am finishing up my project on Indian (Indus Valley) mythology. Thank you for your work and offering of esoteric knowledge on this website. When I am able, I will send some financial support. very truly, Staci
I really love your articles. You present such an in-depth picture of so many subjects with as little bias, as I imagine, it’s possible to do. Also, I really love the subtle ways in which you throw shade. Thank you so much for providing me and millions of others information to your scholarly insight into these subjects that are so foundational to our societies, to current religion, and to the way human beings have looked at the world since they started being able to communicate about it
Fantastic article Dr. Sledge! A question, since I’ve been debating on it for a while: the collected volume of the Nag Hammadi Library, specifically the most recent volume, is it accurate for lay reading? I know many people criticize it for being “too translated” or more precisely “sanitized”. Is that true in your mind or over blow? I just want to clear that up before I buy it.
Really brilliant article. I went to the BM* several months back for their special exhibition on Egyptian hieroglyphs and having watched your articles really appreciated how much they gave me another richness in looking at the amazing collection of artefacts and manuscripts they’ve gathered for it. One that stood out to me at the time that I’m sure I would have looked right past is a little leaf from the Bodleian (MS Arab. d. 221 fols 48b and 49a) that has two great little illustrations of what I think must be Thoth/Hermes Trismegistus as he has a bird head. Which made me more interested in Thoth and… here we are again! Thanks for your work – I really appreciate your rigorous approach to such a massive subject, and the jokes for a bit of leaven. *Yeah. I know. I ordinarily boycott it. I did feel guilty. But didn’t stop me enjoying the hell out of the exhibition.
Long time listener, first time commenter. I especially loved this article Dr. Sledge! I appreciate the time spent on the pronunciation, which has always been mysterious to me, as well as the survey of mythology and symbolism associated with this mysterious and wonderful deity. Thank you so much for your academic prowess and clear, interesting, and insightful explanation!
Great job! I was thinking about it recently, and to the extent that the use of the Ascendant was motivated by the Egyptian use of the decans, and the earliest text on the concept of the 12 houses was attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, the practice of horoscopic astrology today has to represent one of the most long lasting, pervasive, and influential instances of Hermetic doctrines influencing culture all the way into the present time.
Thank you, Dr. Sledge!! Interesting parallels between Thoth and later, Hermes, in that Thoth was basically lord of the underworld (oversaw the rules) and later Hermes would be the only Greek god allowed to enter Hades and return!? Also, Hermes was the most approachable of the greek gods in how frequently he interacted with humans (becoming a mediator/messenger). Thoth had his Ankh and staff and Hermes had his caduceus staff (re-embodiment of Thoth??), with both introducing highest level spiritual knowledge/teachings. Awesome work, as usual!!
Thank you for doing this. I delayed and delayed my usual ravenous consumption of your most recent episode because I wanted to savor its mere existence, not wishing to pass into “having been viewed.” Dejuhti be praised, the content satisfied and reawakened my admiration for both yourself, and the god/concept of Thoth. I saw in your recommendation for further reading “Egyptian Hermes”, I highly agree! I’ll be purchasing the shirt, and will wear it as I work on a dark wave song, “Cosmic Egg in the Lake of Fire.” Question, if “Heka” is loosely “magic,” is “Hp” then a “Spell?” Because, that’d be….hip.
Wow. That half hour went by in no time. These articles are such a gift. I have a lovely divination deck based on the emerald tablets, but I appreciate it for its artistry and any meaning I find in it rather than seeing any link with ancient wisdom. It’s what an early 20th century occultist might think sounded profound and mysterious. Always sells your book of aphorisms better if you can say you were websiteing Atlanteans 🙂
I first read the Chapters of coming Forth by Day at age 10yrs old. The Pert em Rhu remains a timeless Spellbook, the so-called 42 Negative Confessions in {Ma’at} is that they are really Purifications. 🌞Hekau🌜 APPRECIATE the fact that you emphasized staying as much as possible to the original source material, of paramount importance !! T.Y…
Thoth is hands down and pens down (quote me) my favorite Egyptian god. Djehuty is another name for him, and I thought the spelling of that sounded kind of like how that name is spelled? Idk, my source is the vibe basically. I’ve been aware of Thoth for at least 8 years now, so many facets to him. Thank you for this article! It is super weird (but probably fittingly mysterious) that there isn’t more written on The Literal Scribe. Of like, The Universe. truly strange. Maybe now in this age people will write about him…
Perhaps Tahuti is ephemeral by necessity. I always appreciate your lectures doc… they are invaluable in that they shine light upon translational or even interpretations of the past and provide historical insight thus elucidating the errors or alternative interpretations based upon the lack of individual scholarship in the prolific number of orders comprised utilizing apostallic succession ive diven head first into over the years. I’ve improved the degree to which I approach the states of embodied apotheosis.. I’ve forgotten much over 30 years of involvement but I can always recall a rite lecture lesson or article that circulated that any given commentary you provide on western esotericism i can at least find a an textual ideal leading to new perspectives with newer source based historical material. One caveat being much scholarship wasn’t being done by academics but devotees and votaries then. I’m will remain forever grateful. Hermeticism always required three languages to understand fully Egyptian Hebrew and Greek but now I’m familiarizing myself with demodic coptic and cunieform..latin is just a given based upon anatomy and physiology etc… in my life.
18:23 – After having finished perusal Miniminuteman’s multi-episode debunking of that netflix series and getting recommended pretty awful ‘alternative histories’ on youtube shorts all the time, this pause hit pretty hard for me. It’s particularly depressing when you think about how the prevalence of those shorts and the existence of that netflix series are all predicated on the fact that these ‘alternative facts’ will always sell and some people (clearly not everyone thankfully) are more interested in making a quick buck than presenting good or reliable information. I bet half of the people peddling that stuff don’t even believe it but are still disseminating that info because they gotta find some way to keep the lights on. I speak from some personal experience; I was once hired as a proofreader and corrected a bunch of scripts covering these kinds of topics. I did it. I’m not proud of it. I don’t believe a word of it. I didn’t like it. I felt stupider for having done it. And have avoided taking jobs like it ever since. I’m personally very sorry for having contributed for the dissemination of what’s basically problematic fan-fiction and hoaxes and that’s why I find it doubly important that I study stuff like this and whatever you, miniminuteman, RfB, PBS Eons, and more, have to say about the story of life, humanity, philosophy, and religion. That’s why we need people like you, Doc. And why I deeply appreciate the existence of your website and the coverage you give on these topics.
I think I get it now! I interpret Thoth as having or representing a sort of Cosmic Conservatism or stabilising power, his powers of writing and mathematics allow him to record events, organise and keep track of everything. He is associated with the Moon because he is passive, which is why he always features in an important supporting character in the myths, he doesnt go out into the world and try to impose his will, he merely stands by and when things go out of balance he fixes them and makes sure everything gets back on track, which is why he heals the moon’s shape, and restores Horus’s eye and Osiris penis
Thanks! So happy you called out the New age Atlantean B.S. lol . Any book recommendations for the Heka practitioner? I have a couple. The Mechanics of Ancient Egyptian Magical Practice by Robert Ritner Magic in ancient Egypt by Geraldine Pinch PGM & PDM Eternal Egypt: Ancient Rituals for the Modern World by Richard J. Reidy The priests of Ancient Egypt by Serge Sauneron Heka by David Rankine Ancient Egypt magical Text by J.F Borghouts
Fascinating how תחות appears in the bible as meaning ‘under’. Like in Jeremiah Jeremiah 10:11 HEB: מֵֽאַרְעָ֛א וּמִן־ תְּח֥וֹת שְׁמַיָּ֖א אֵֽלֶּה׃ from the earth and from under the heavens. And seems to have an etymological root of תַּחַת • (tákhat) which means “below” and “under”. Pretty dope for the God of the Underworld who’s been famously tagged with the philosophical term “as above, so below”
“Mummified penis power” I can’t believe you said that with a straight face 😂 not me giggling like a pre-teen Edit: you know, before I even found your website years ago I was reading the book you’re showing on the far right. My dad has it and I thought it was interesting. It was a tough read for me though.
“Come to me, lord Hermes, as fetuses do to the wombs of women. … I also know what your forms are: in the east, you have the form of an ibis; in the west, you have the form of a dog-faced baboon; in the north, you have the form of a serpent; in the south, you have the form of a wolf. … Whereas Isis, the greatest of all the gods, invoked you in every crisis, in every district, against gods and men and daimons, creatures of water and earth, and held your favor, for victory against gods and men and all the creatures beneath the world, so also I, NN, invoke you. …” — PGM VIII 1-63, “Astrapsoukos”
I loved this article!!! Something I was curious about– you seem to imply that it’s “obvious” why Thoth and Hermes were synthesized together. While i can see that they are both Psychopomps, what other factors do they share? Honestly, I’d just love a article dedicated entirely to Hermes and/or Hermes Trismegistus. This trio of God’s has always fascinated and compelled me, but how Hermes got there has always been a bit mysterious. Anyways, another great article as always!
Thoth is a Bin Chicken? No. Thoth is The Bin Chicken (I’m Australian – we call ibis “bin chickens”. All our birds are some sort of chicken. Kookaburra are giggle chickens. Emu are speedy chickens. Magpie are swoopy chickens. Depending where you lives determines which bird is your local FU up chicken – Wedgetail or Cassowary)
This was a perfect companion to my Sunday morning coffee and space out. I love your work so much, and can’t believe our luck that you’re out here making it! ❤ I can’t wait for the stuff you mentioned at the end. If you ever want a free card reading, I’d be honored. Or to trade letters and sigils. I just ordered some Amalfi paper and I’m already planning for its use. Is there any relationship between Heca (sp?) and Hecate?
Very enjoyable dive into the background of Thoth! I appreciate your smooth delivery of the interesting panorama of Thoth’s influence and dominance. The comparative hyroglyphs are informative to the imagery and descriptions of Thoth. Also appropriate to see how magic seems to keep the Lord of Magic from being ever present and transmuting. Thank you!
I loved this. Thank you for helping me clarify so much by your deep diving. I bow down to your thoroughness. Did Neoplatonism borrow from the Hermetica? Was Thoth an influence there? I always feel sorry for Francis Yates who got panned by some scholars for mistaking Hermetic for Neoplatonic thought. Especially with regards to Bruno. Your portrayal here of the ubiquitousness of Thoth makes me wonder, was she really so wrong?
That was really enjoyable! Thank you. I find it interesting that legend has it the ibis is the last sign of wildlife to take shelter before a hurricane hits and the first to reappear once the storm has passed. Whereas baboons are known for rising at daybreak to gaze at the morning sun, even racing each other to the top of the best vantage point to do so. It’s almost as if THOTH being represented as those creatures was associated with being the ‘first to arrive and the last to leave’, or ‘the alpha and the omega’. An ‘end of times’ and ‘beginning of times’ character.
Love your content! This was really informative. Do you know anything on Egyptian thought’s influence on Greek philosophy? I have heard it stated, I don’t remember the source, that many Greek philosophers would be trained in Egypt. That Plato was even taught in one of the Egyptian mystery cults. Just wondering if you have heard anything about that?
When I purchased my favorite tarot deck fifteen years ago, the witch (this was a magic shop somewhere in New Orleans’ French Quarter) sternly corrected my pronunciation as “Toath” (as in tau omega theta), and “Crowley, rhymes with ‘holy'”. Regardless of how one feels about his occult work and legacy, Crowley was undoubtedly a very accomplished tarot reader. This deck has been the easiest and most lucid to read, and I always suggest it as well as the Book of Thoth and Rileys “the tarot book” for anyone interested in Tarot. This article, Dr. Sledge, has given me such a terrific amount of insight and information on Thoth mythology that I am sure I will rewatch it many times. Thank you so much for your work, your collaborations, and your patient lecture style. You are the best!
Hi! I love your YouTube articles, and also struggle to understand a lot of what you say when you teach content. Are there any beginners books you would recommend to me or other beginners? I am an adult, and have a decent vocabulary. Not at your level though for a lot of the content. To be able to follow along more smoothly. Anyway, if you have time please, I would appreciate any book recommendations for beginners!
Here finally from the fugue, late commenting, and in thrall of this magnificent new installment in the mytho-hermetic epic of Thoth. My words fail to convey my excitement in all this, even moreso than usual! Ill recover and become coherent soon! And I love the aesthetics of Thoth and the on point mention of timeline of Giza Pyramids when mammoths 🦣 were disappearing!
many thanks Dr for this article. I had a large image in my wardrobe of THOTH, shortly after moving into my new apartment back in 2014. I took a picture of it with my camera, which I have somewhere. He is GOD “I AM” (who also dwells among man), among many other names, who still communicates with and is very active in this world and in this time. I forgot to mention that he is actually MY HUSBAND.
Thank you for all the wonderful information and images of Thoth. I look forward to your other articles and appreciate hearing about the books you have suggested. Carvings of Thoth often show a certain gracefulness or sensitivity which I think he shows himself when he was there to help Isis protect Horus and outwit her brother Seth after he killed Osiris. He shows compassion and does what he can to uphold justice and order against the forces of chaos. I have always wondered how Thoth became Hermes Trismegistus. I wouldn’t say that Thoth alone survived, as Isis was very popular in Greece, Rome. Her cult rivalled that of Jesus at the time. A clay vessel was found in London suggesting there may have been a temple of Isis there for the worship by the Romans solders who were stationed there. She is still worshipped today by many and quite a few of her names (Stella Maris) and depictions were carried on by the Virgin Mary and Black Madonnas after Goddess worship was banned by the Romans and in Europe. I agree with you that much New Age stuff is not based on tradition or ancient writings and is ungrounded in tradition.
I knew Justin would do it right. Loved this article. Yes, the name is “Scroll of Thoth,” but I am not foolish enough to put any stock in that, “Emerald Tablets of Thoth,” nonsense. I was cracking up. Such an excellent look that doesn’t focus all of its time on later, Hermeticism. Does justice to a possibly pre-dynastic god. The shade of Thoth’s beak is all over Egyptian mythology from the very beginning.
Dr. Sledge I can’t even begin to explain how much your work and articles has helped me on a crazy Spiritual journey I’ve been on. around 7 minutes when you started talking about the numerous changes, do those correlate with disasters or wars? Also, the way you said Thoth in one of its interpitations, sounded like a name I heard in a article on Navajo Traditional Teachings when he (Wally) was speaking of the “The Shining Ones” I think. but it sounded very similar thanks again for everything you do! Tell Mr. Zev i enjoy y’alls discissions too!
Dear Dr. Sledge, I wrote a poem for you based on your impressive work: SciA The oath to Thoth is the one ubiquitous ibis not being a scribe for both the trials of the underworld and above, but opening its point-tip beak imbued with twilight ink not to write charms but to speak many of its guises wisely Born as the beginning itself, the cosmos is a marble with a nipple, its birth month the moon’s abode and shrine of the aftertime’s cosmic ripple 👁 Johan F. Hoorn, April 22, 2023
I didn’t know who Thoth was, but had the strangest dream, which included anointing me head with oils from a melted lavender candle, marking my door and “being careful of whom you let in”. I went into a major rabbit hole for over a week and have many notes about it. I didn’t know the name, as mentioned, but I heard the name repeated 5 or 6 times as I was about to wake. It sounded like Toth, so took me a few tries to find the messenger god. Edit: I was born and raised Christian and still am, tho, I find other cultures, their “gods” and similarities across cultures interesting and insightful.
Really finding these articles very interesting especially with the open minded approach to an area of history that has so many tributaries and muddy waters and changing narratives – also the simple fact that we interpret all of it through current modern perspectives so in many ways could fail to understand the obvious by introducing modern associations & narratives. 14:49 Thoth -Determiner of Time (not sure who originally interpreted it to mean that or why.) I find the concept of Time to be an artificial & pretty much modern perspective that only leads to an obvious paradox – now if Time were swapped out for Change (seasons, people, fortune, health) it would make far more sense given the context.
Eye of Heaven/Celestial Wheel/Abode of the Gods, this motif can be found on every habitatable continent on earth. Now they all vary in appearance, but it’s the same story/event they’re representing. I believe the universal “Golden Age” and this motif are related and has something to do with possibly a significant cosmic event witnessed by ancient man, and that these so called “myths” are actually a lost memory about a real event. I didn’t expect the subject I’m researching to come up in this episode, so I’m delighted, lol. I became fascinated over this particular motif after making a significant archeological discovery on United States east coast a year ago.
You reference “metal” more than once here, do you have any favorites you care to empart…? I’m mostly old school with my preferences, most of the newer bands are too screamo/dirty vox for me… Edit: I just read your FAQ on this, I’ll be checking out Wolves in the Throne Room, Panopticon, Krallice, Abigail Williams, Ash Borer, etc later today… cheers 👍
a couple years ago in the UK this occultist/artist guy started a sort of cult that worships Thoth as its main deity. Their bible is called ‘book of flesh and feather’ I was going through a ‘buy rare tomes’ phase and picked it up. Wild, interesting stuff. I’ve always liked Thoth anyway, so it wasn’t much of leap. I don’t belong to the group in any formal capacity, but I wouldn’t mind performing a ritual or two. lol
Excellent slam on modern websiteed books like thoth the antlantian I’ve been annoyed by things like that since I first learned about Guido VonList who websiteed a runic script in the late 19th century. I enjoy a nice esoteric symbolic use of writing systems weather hebrew various runic scripts with accompanied poems ancient Greek. Nice article on Thoth whom I like very much, I learned several tidbits. Thank you
Oh wow so I had a dream awhile ago about this massive ship. I crashed into the ship and the captain/ father was shook because nothing had ever disturbed the ship in such a way. Then I witnessed the son taking the eye from his father and it being really bad. How wild! I don’t think…I knew this story beforehand
You mentioned websiteings recorded in the past two centuries, and I’m very curious to hear your thoughts more fully! The existence of spiritual beings that can be websiteed has always seemed compatible with ancient cosmologies to me, though of course it’s basically impossible to “guarantee” that the websiteers are being genuine.
at 0:15, I hear many scholars use the argument of ”it is closer in time” but I don`t think it is a valid argument for the following reason: Ideas, culture and science evolves more and more rapidly due to the progress in communication: – The invention of writing – The printing press – Telegram – Radio -Television – The internet ideas and concepts that might have taken centuries to develop might take a years or months today. Thus, we must rethink timelines. instead of looking at time as linear, we might see it as an exponential curve.
just around 19min in, you mention Thoth as the lord of books that contain all knowledge (or something like that) and it made me thing of the Monk who was said to have sold his soul to the devil to write a book that contained all knowledge in one night. That’s all. I dont know enough to have more comments, just wanted to share the connection my mind made.
I’ve got a hardcover copy, both my grandfathers married Bohemian women. Tarot is something deep I’ve discovered only some it’s powerful innermost knowledge, enough to introduce others to themselves, like numerology, once I discovered how both go together. Begins to work good. Astrology is more then the most knowledgeable person knows). Thanks for posting, don’t just trust anyone without a beard)
What i’ve always wanted to discuss and learn is the eguptian/kemetian vs jewish magic, the bronzeage collape and rebirth of the jewish people, the “numbers” and the snake on the cross. Why the vast amounts of gold in the desert, why the pyramid on top of supreme court in israel, why the western occult an the need to erase all other originstories apart from the mosaic remains of the sumeri memory….
Dr. Sledge – I very much hope you reply: to what extent is Hermes Trismegistus exaggerated by Greek philosophers if he is the personification of Thoth? Are works like Divine Pymander by Hermes more so interpretations of a Thoth school of thought, or can be more directly correlated to text affiliated to Thoth?
I got curious about how thoth and hermes got associated with each other and did a search. I sighed with frustration as all these magical wierdos claimed to have the answer. I sighed with relief when i say your vid. Ah! A source i can trust! Thankyou thankyou. everyone, please give this guy money! Combating the idiocy of the internet is a worthy endeavor. My friend calls you the Hebrew Hammer (yep you can have that 😆)
Great article, as usual! I’m not sure, obviously, but it sounds to me like what you’re describing at minute 11:44 is kind of a brain hemisphere/circuits of the body at play, sort of like the dance of Shiva and Shakti or the combination of Ida and Pingala in Shushumna. This is, a raising of the sacred secretion, the chrism in which the Christ abode. It is said that when you retain semen and uplift it using some kind of organic alchemy or practices, it reaches the brain and illuminates it with the creative life force. Sounds pretty close to what you describe
They’re all cool, but this one was especially cool for me. Interpretatio Romana for the pantheon I align with (Gaelic, particularly Irish) is often understood to equate Mercurius with Lugh (whom I do venerate and once was my primary god) but Mercurius seems to align better with my current primary god, Manannán mac Lir, who, when you strip him of his blatantly oceanic associations becomes more a traveling master of all arts and magic, and who tutors other gods, and even who acts as judge for the gods. This all ignores the fact that he’s also pretty much in charge of the Otherworld and assigning parts of the Otherworld coinciding with specific parts of this world which is also very Thoth
I feel kind of “basic” (for lack of a better word) for honing on in this specific concept, but – just the idea that “Annihilation” and/or “Nothing” for an afterlife, was the thing to be absolutely avoided, is sort of fascinating. It goes against many schools of thought (especially Eastern ones, like, escaping the the Wheel/Samsara) and a lot of more modern philosophical death ideals. I think this probably says something interesting about their culture, but I’m not sure what. Perhaps an early outburst of Ego in upcoming agrarian civilization; non-essential form, wishing to perpetuate itself. Also seen in the the materialistic things which make them famous – from pyramids to temples to mummies to the deluge of epigenetic leaps and bounds in writing/hieroglyphs, arts in general, ad infinitium.
29:40 Myths which day has forgotten continue to be told by night, and powerful figures which consciousness had reduced to banality and ridiculous triviality are recognized again by poets and prophetically revived; therefore they can also be recognized “in changed form” by the thoughtful person. The great ones of the past have not died, as we think, they have merely changed their names ~ C.G.Jung
I definitely think thoth is a good pronunciation with the many cool sounding names of egyptian deities. While the pictographs at about 11:00 are interesting with set, the raven and the ram, or like osiris, the little known, cave lion/snake, or horus, cave lion/falcon, and geb the lion and lionen wearing the red crown of lower egypt, and father of snakes, god of the earth, while thoth could make for a better nato chief if he was like a person or nor father, and some people could make for a better hapi, baboon river god, personified as the river at flood, and one of the four sons of horus of the canopic jars. But in the very first fishing net that was ever made that sobek found as a trap on the bottom of the ocean, were the hands of horus that was teeming with fish of chaos from the primordial waters, and as the dunes of apophis and apostasy doth beckon, and ideological games bemusing the unique virtue of ra’s leadership with train wrecks and naievity at times. And as like grass that can be anything, can relieve some of the tension of successive trees with likely civil disputes one way or another and more oppressive methods of succession, with madness and achievement and incentive, greed, or unnecessary danger and complication; and without destabilizing our own governments on purpose, with keeping more popular and potentially great leaders in office longer. Like the passing of the day into the nights of longest shadows. Though they may find themselves in good company, even the shadows know that the sun must rise again, and at which time it could be a good idea to fill up on alkaline water with calcium and magnesium at the water store.
Speaking of Egyptian obviously I’ve been perusal a lot of different things, one is Tribal Person’s interpitations and deep thoughts perusal American music articles; the same sounding words pop up that sound like other words and names he uses as well, all part of one thing I’m looking into about The Flood and how science is actually proving it. more especially if we can trust the digital images we get from Satelites. Floods have pre floods and after floods just like earthquakes. What is a ‘Swimming Witch” hahahah 1215, loved that episode. There is also I guy I watch, Kurimeo Ahau, who has trough old – books with pictures (still want to see the negatives though for the same digital picture reason), personal letters, newspapers, ect, pretty well collectively proving the floods in North and Central America and the more than likely – crap deal – the Copper Colored Peoples got and rounded into African Slave trade.