Heka

The practices of Ancient Egyptian Magic
By David Rankine

The religious and magical practices of the ancient Egyptians have had a profound and lasting effect on the world. Egypt has been described as the “mother of magicians”. To appreciate the Egyptian view of magic, we need to accept that to the Egyptians magic was not considered strange or eccentric, but was a part of daily life, to which everyone resorted. Magic blended seamlessly with religion and medicine, being seen as part of a holistic worldview. In this volume these magical and religious practices are explored, from both a historical and practical perspective. The practices are explored from an ancient Egyptian worldview, taking into consideration that the Egyptian culture spread over a period of more than 3000 years. The Egyptians saw the universe as being made of four worlds - the everyday world we live in, the underworld, the sky and the heavens.

Subjects covered in this book include:

- What is Heka?
- Ancient Egyptian Worldviews
- The Gods and Goddesses of Magic
- Sacred Symbolism of Colours & Numbers
- The Tools Used
- Sacred Words & Gestures
- Statues & Masks
- Crystals, Metals & Other Materials Used
- Incenses & Perfumes
- Food & Wine for Offerings & Feasts
- The Ancient Egyptian Magical Calendar
- Purification, Sacred Space & Rituals

"Speak the truth, do the truth: for it is great, it is mighty, it is everlasting.”
The Tale of the Eloquent Peasant, circa 1800 BCE

PB, RRP £14.99, 192 pages,
ISBN 978-1905297078
First published by Avalonia Jan 2006