Reading Notes: Ancient Egyptian Myths, Part A

(Image of Ra. Source)

Egypt: The Sun's Journey

• Ra forgives his followers (among mankind) for slaying his enemies
• Ra tells the goddess Nut he will move his home from Earth to the heavens. He will no longer reign upon the Earth.
• Ra assembles different beings in the heavens and stars that were born from Nut to come and praise him.
• Ra makes reptiles dread him by shining his rays (sunlight) on them. Announces they can be charmed by words of magic. Says Osiris will favor the magicians who protect mankind from reptiles.
• Ra tells the god Thoth to record the sins of men and the names of his enemies in the underworld Daut.
• Ra creates the moon
• Ra and his companions enter the underworld
• Ra must pass through the enemies of the hour divisions
• First hour division - A high and strong wall with a gate opened by incantations
• Fifth hour division
• Sokar, the underworld god
• Drowning Pool, bodies of men with animal heads on fire
• Seventh hour division
• Osiris, divine judge of the dead
• Worthy live in the Nether World, unworthy get tortured and devoured
• Serpents attack the sun barque but are defeated
• Eighth hour division - Serpents that spit forth fire to illuminate the darkness
• Tenth hour division - Water reptiles and fishes
• Twelfth hour division - Ra and his followers are reborn