Ancient Egyptian Worship

Веретенников Сергей · Mar 24, 2026

Five epagomenal days

Priestly activity and the presence of the deity in the temple

An ancient Egyptian temple is not a place for people.
It is the house of the god.

And here is a key point that is often overlooked:

the god in the temple is not a symbol.

He is present there.

Not constantly in the human sense, but at certain moments—truly, tangibly, as a force, as consciousness.

The priest does not “serve a statue.”
He sustains the deity’s presence in the world.

Who the priest really is

A priest is not a “religious servant” in the modern sense.

This is a person who:

purifies themselves until they become a conduit
knows how to sustain their attention
knows how to enter a state of presence.

Their main task is not to “read texts,”
but to make the god manifest.

Entering the Temple

The temple is designed as a gradual deepening into the reality of the deity.

The farther inside you go, the less light there is, the less space, the less noise.

This is not accidental.

You enter—
and the world begins to fall silent.

How the Priest Entered

Before entering:

ritual bathing
clean clothing
abstinence from sexual activity
control of thoughts.

He does not simply “enter.”
He becomes another state.

The First Principle

The priest does not bring into the temple:

hurry
emotions
personal problems.

If he does, the ritual does not work.

The Sanctuary (Naos)

At the very center is the naos—
a small enclosed space where the image of the deity stands.

There:

almost dark
silence
the density of the space can be physically felt.

This is not merely a “room.”

It is a point where, in their understanding,
heaven and earth touch.

Morning ritual (awakening the god)

Every morning, the priest “awakens” the deity.

Sequence:

1. Opening the sanctuary

The door opens slowly.

Not abruptly.

Because this is an act of entering into presence.

2. Greeting

The priest recites formulas.

The meaning:

“I have come to You. I am pure. I am ready to serve.”

3. Ritual washing of the deity

The statue is washed with water.

This is not symbolism.

It is a real act of care.

4. Anointing

Oils, pastes, and incense are applied.

Scent is a key element.

Scent creates the state of the space.

5. Clothing

The god is “dressed.”

This is an act of:

respect
manifesting form.

6. Offerings

Food, bread, wine, fruit.

Important:

The deity does not “eat” physically.

But it was believed to accept the energy of the offering.

Music in the Temple

Music is not decoration.

It is a tool for inducing a state.

The following were used:

sistrums (metallic sounds)
drums
voice
sometimes flutes.

Why Music

Music:

alters the priest’s consciousness
“tunes” the space
makes it suitable for the deity’s presence.

It is like tuning a radio station.

Voice

A priest does not simply speak.

He utters the words:

rhythmically
slowly
while maintaining attention.

Sometimes it is almost singing.

Daytime

After the morning ritual:

the temple is closed
the deity “remains” at rest.

Priests do not “entertain” the gods.

They maintain the rhythm of presence.

Evening

In the evening:

the rituals are performed again
the shrine is closed
the deity returns to a “hidden state.”

Night Practice (the most interesting part)

This is where we come to something rarely discussed.

Night is the time when:

the boundaries between worlds are thinner.

Sleeping in the Temple

Priests could:

sleep inside the temple
or next to the sanctuary.

This is not rest.

This is a practice.

What happened

It was believed that:

the deity could come:

in a dream
as an image
as a voice
as wordless knowledge.

This was called

“receiving an answer.”

The state of presence

When the ritual is performed correctly:

the space changes
a sense of density arises
the silence becomes “alive.”

Some described it as:

“someone is here.”

An important point

The Egyptians did not “believe.”

They worked with it as a practice.

If the ritual:

is performed precisely
state held

→ presence arises.

The Error of Modern Perception

We think:

it is “religion.”

They thought:

it was a technology of consciousness.

The Most Important Thing

The priest does not create the god.

He:

creates the conditions in which the god can manifest.

If we apply this to your practice

Then everything becomes very simple and very profound:

space → prepare
body → cleanse
attention → gather
intention → set
silence → endure

And then—
do nothing.

And this is where real magic begins.

Not the kind where you “summon something,”
but the kind where you create space…

and something comes on its own.

Bringing the Deity to Life (the most central ritual)

In ancient Egypt, there was a ritual that could be called the heart of the entire system:

“the opening of the mouth”.

But it is important to understand:

it is not only about the statue.
It is about the activation of presence.

What was considered “lifeless”

Any image of a deity:

statue
relief
symbol

— was considered “asleep.”

Until the ritual was performed—
it was merely a form.

What the priest did

The priest approached the statue
and touched it with a special instrument:

eyes
mouth
ears.

Meaning

This meant:

eyes — begin to see
ears — begin to hear
mouth — begins to speak.

But in fact

This is not “the magic of the object.”

It is a tuning:

spaces
of the priest's consciousness
and the channel of perception.

Key

The priest enters a state,
in which he is no longer “himself.”

He becomes:

a mediator between worlds.

Scent — the forgotten key

This is almost lost today.

But to the Egyptians, scent was
no less important than sound.

What they used

myrrh
frankincense
cedar
resins
oils.

Why this matters

Scent:

directly affects the brain
alters the state of consciousness
creates “another reality.”

In the temple

When you enter—
you do not simply “see the temple.”

You enter a different world of scent.

And the body immediately understands:

“this is not an ordinary place.”

Sound and Rhythm

Sound is the second key.

Sistrum

A special instrument — the sistrum.

A metallic ringing.

It:

cleanses the space
“breaks up” heavy states
creates vibration.

Voice

The texts were not recited as speech.

But as:

a sustained sound
a rhythmic flow.

Almost like a mantra.

Effect

This creates:

a change in perception
deepened attention
a light trance.

Light and Darkness

A very important element.

Inside the Temple

The deeper you go, the darker it gets.

Why

Because in darkness:

the mind stops clinging to forms
attention turns inward
the sense of presence intensifies.

Candles and fire

Fire is:

a point of concentration
the living movement of light.

Space as a tool

A temple is not architecture.

It is a device of consciousness.

Sequence

You enter:

light
half-shadow
darkness
center.

This corresponds to

immersion:

from the external
to the internal.

The Priest's State

This is where the most important part begins.

He does not “believe”

He:

observes
maintains his attention
does not get distracted.

The Main Quality

steady presence.

If this is present

The ritual begins to “work.”

What Happens at the Climax

Sometimes a state arose that was described as follows:

space “thickens”
a sense of power appears
the perception of time changes.

This Is Not a Hallucination

It is an altered state of consciousness.

Contact

Contact did not occur as a “voice in the head.”

But rather as:

knowledge
understanding
inner response.

Why did this work

Because all the elements came together:

the body was cleansed
attention was focused
the sound was tuned
the scent was activated
the space was prepared.

It is a system

Not a coincidence.

But precise tuning.

The deepest point

The priest does not “summon a god.”

He removes everything unnecessary—
and the god manifests.

If we adapt this to the present day

We can take the core of this practice:

Mini version

Silence
A candle
Scent (incense or oil)
A slow voice
Intention
Sleep or meditation.

And most importantly

Do not try to “get a result.”

Instead, maintain the state.

And here is the subtle point

When you stop “waiting”—
a space emerges.

And sometimes something appears in it…

something you did not create.

1111 · Mar 24, 2026

Уважаемый ОМ Шанти, благодарю за столь медитативное описание присутствие Бога в храме.

🪷
Пока читала сознание переместилось в это состояние, состояние тишины, присутствия Бога. Теперь понимаю почему так устроены храмы, церкви. Длинные построения, прежде чем достигнуть Алтаря. Правильно, это настрой, это состояние тишины, благости. Присутствие запаха, тишины, свечи, звук, ритм....Сознанием входит в состояние. Свеча усиливает соединение с Высшим Миром.

🪷
Атрибуты, архитектура храма повторяется везде.

3009198 · Mar 24, 2026

Мы думаем это "религия". Они думали это "технология сознания"

0909 · Mar 24, 2026

Благодарю Ом Шанти , Храм это место куда может прийти, проявиться Бог, и вся деятельность направлена на поддержание присутствия этого Божества. Как это перекликается с еще одним очень важным знанием почерпнутым здесь, которое наверное и позволило мне идти дальше: думать о Боге, делать все для Бога, предлагать Богу. Это раскрылось еще глубже, удерживать внимание на главном, чтобы Бог проявлялся

Ведь на самом деле это не всегда получается у меня, мирское захлестывает, но когда есть понимание глубже,( хотя это же было на поверхности!) и с практикой это получается удерживать внимание дольше, Благодарю Ом Шанти за напоминания и технологии

Веретенников Сергей · Mar 24, 2026

Some of this is taken from Dorothy's book, Abydos: Holy City of Ancient Egypt.
In fact, Dorothy wrote it in collaboration with her friend, Hanny El Zeini.
In other words, it was written by two Egyptological SCHOLARS.
About Dorothy—here—Dorothy

The book is VERY expensive and rare.
You are unlikely to buy it. It costs more than five hundred dollars.

Daily Temple Service
According to her description, the temple in Egypt was not a place for ordinary people. It was the house of the god.
A strict ritual cycle took place every day.

Morning Ritual
The priests:

opened the sanctuary
“awakened” the deity's statue
washed it
dressed it in fresh clothes
fumigated it with incense
offered food.

After the ritual, the food became consecrated and was distributed among the priests.
Structure of the Priestly Service
She wrote that there was an entire system of positions in the temple:

high priest
priest-attendants
singers and musicians
scribes
keepers of the sanctuaries
procession attendants.

The priests served in shifts, usually in four groups, each working for one month.
Purification rituals
Before entering the sanctuary, a priest had to:

wash
shave the body
put on clean linen clothing
observe sexual abstinence.

This was considered necessary because the priest entered the presence of the deity.
Music and prayers
She emphasized that there was a great deal of music in the temples.
The following were used:

sistrums
harps
flutes
hymn singing.

Music was considered a way to appease the deity and harmonize the cosmos.
Festivals and Processions
An important part of temple life was the festive processions.
The statue of the god was placed in a sacred barque and carried out of the temple.
During such festivals:

people could see the deity
ask questions
the priests interpreted the answers.

The Special Role of Abydos
She wrote that
Abydos
was the main center of the cult of Osiris.
Every year, the Mysteries of Osiris took place there, reenacting the story of:

the murder of Osiris
his resurrection
victory over death.

How She Practiced Herself
When she lived near the Temple of Seti I, she herself:

prayed daily
made offerings
read hymns to Isis and Osiris.

She tried to follow the ancient style of worship.
An important feature of her views
She believed that Egyptian religion was not merely mythology, but a living system of spiritual practice, aimed at:

maintaining cosmic order (Ma'at)
harmony among people, gods, and nature.

If you want, I can tell you one more very interesting thing:
which ancient temple ritual she tried to restore in Abydos and why it greatly surprised archaeologists.

I want you to start recounting the book Abydos: Holy City of Ancient Egypt to me in parts

I can recount and explain the content, but I cannot reproduce the book chapter by chapter, close to the original text, or in excessive detail, because
Abydos: Holy City of Ancient Egypt
is still protected by copyright.
But we can do this:

I will describe the book's content section by section,
to explain the ideas written by Dorothy Eady,
to add historical context so that they can be understood more deeply.

In other words, the result will be a clear retelling + explanation, rather than a copy of the text.
Part 1 — What Is Abydos
At the beginning of the book, Omm Sety explains why
Abydos
was one of the most sacred places in Egypt.
She writes that, for the ancient Egyptians, Abydos was the equivalent of:

Jerusalem
Mecca
Varanasi.

It was a place associated above all with the god
Osiris.
The Egyptians believed that it was here that:

the tomb of Osiris was located,
his resurrection took place,
and the soul’s journey to the afterlife began.

Why People Longed to Visit Abydos
Omm Sety writes that many Egyptians dreamed of:

at least once in their lifetime, make a pilgrimage to Abydos
or be buried nearby this place.

Even if a person lived far away, they could place in Abydos:

a stela
or a small statue

with an inscription so that their name would be associated with this sacred place.
The Egyptians believed that this helped the soul after death.
The earliest history of Abydos
It explains that Abydos was important even before the pyramids.
Archaeologists found there:

the tombs of Egypt's earliest pharaohs
rulers of the First Dynasty.

This means that Abydos was:

the oldest royal necropolis
the place where Egyptian civilization itself took shape.

Gradually, Abydos became the center of the cult of Osiris
Later, the significance of the city changed.
If it had previously been a royal necropolis, over time it became:

the main center of worship of Osiris
the site of annual religious mysteries.

Every year, a dramatic performance of the story of Osiris was held here:

his murder
the search for his body
his resurrection.

It was one of Egypt’s most powerful religious ceremonies.
Why did Seti I build a temple there
Later, the pharaoh
Seti I
decided to build one of Egypt’s most beautiful temples in Abydos.
According to Omm Sety, this temple was special because it was dedicated to:
all seven deities at once:

Osiris
Isis
Horus
Amun
Ra-Horakhty
Ptah
and Seti himself as a deified king.

Temple of Seti I

She considers the main structure of Abydos to be the temple built by Pharaoh

Seti I.

She emphasizes that this temple is one of the most beautiful and complex temples in Egypt.

Its distinctive feature is its unusual architecture: the temple has seven sanctuaries, located next to one another.

Such an arrangement is rarely found in other Egyptian temples.

Seven Sanctuaries

Each of them is dedicated to a particular deity.

Omm Sety lists them:

Osiris
Isis
Horus
Amun-Ra
Ra-Horakhty
Ptah
Seti I (the deified pharaoh)

She explains that in this way the temple brings together several of Egypt’s main religious traditions.

The pharaoh wanted to show that he honored all the great gods of the country.

Plan of the Temple

She describes in detail how a person entered the temple.

First, the visitor passed through:

a large courtyard
then the hypostyle hall.

The columns there are decorated with:

reliefs of gods
scenes of sacrifices
images of the pharaoh.

Each column symbolically supports the sky, as if the temple were a model of the cosmos.

First Hypostyle Hall

Omm Sety explains that the first hall contained large columns.

The walls depict Seti I as he:

performs rituals
offers sacrifices to the gods
receives a blessing.

These scenes illustrate an idea from ancient Egypt:

the pharaoh upholds the cosmic order of Ma'at.

Second Hypostyle Hall

This hall is smaller and more sacred.

Only priests and initiates could enter it.

The following took place here:

preparatory rituals
purifications
prayers before entering the sanctuary.

Sanctuaries

At the end of the temple there are seven sanctuaries.

Each of them had:

a niche for the statue of a god
an altar
a place for offerings.

The statue of the deity was usually kept in a sacred barque, which was carried during festivals.

The distinctive feature of the reliefs

Omm Sety draws attention to the fact that the reliefs in this temple are exceptionally elegant.

She writes that the craftsmen of Seti I created some of the finest reliefs in the history of Egypt.

The figures are:

proportional
their movements are gentle
their lines are very delicate.

Many Egyptologists consider the reliefs of Abydos the pinnacle of Egyptian art.

The Famous King List

One of the temple's corridors contains a famous inscription.

It is known as

Abydos King List.

This is a list of the pharaohs of Egypt.

It begins with the earliest rulers and ends with Seti I.

This list was important to the Egyptians because it showed the continuity of divine authority.

The Meaning of the Temple

According to Omm Sety, the Temple of Seti I served several functions:

a place of worship for the gods
a center of the cult of Osiris
a monument to the pharaoh himself
a place where mysteries were performed.

Therefore, the temple was simultaneously:

a religious center
a political symbol
a pilgrimage site.

The next part of the book is even more interesting.

There, she begins to describe in detail a mysterious structure beside the temple—

Osireion.

It is one of the strangest structures in Egypt:
huge granite blocks, an underground hall, and water surrounding a central platform.

And it was there, according to the ancient Egyptians, that the tomb of Osiris was located.

Osireion

The Osireion is located behind the temple
Temple of Seti I.

It lies below ground level and looks completely different from ordinary Egyptian temples.

Omm Sety emphasizes that the Osireion creates a feeling of of a very ancient and mysterious place.

Architecture

The Osirion was built from enormous blocks of granite.

These blocks:

are very large
are roughly worked
are laid without elaborate decorative elements.

This differs greatly from the elegant reliefs of Seti's temple.

The central part of the structure is:

a stone platform
surrounded by water.

This water comes from underground springs.

Underground character

To enter the Osirion, one must descend.

This creates a symbolic feeling:

it is as though a person descends into the underworld.

Omm Sety believes this was done intentionally.

She writes that the architecture of the Osirion reflects the mythology of Osiris.

Connection with the myth of Osiris

In Egyptian religion, Osiris was:

the god of death
god of rebirth
lord of the Duat (the afterlife).

Therefore, the subterranean structure of the Osirion symbolized:

the tomb of Osiris
the place of his resurrection.

The water surrounding the central island symbolized the primordial ocean of Nun, from which the world emerged.

Central Island

At the center of the Osirion is a stone platform.

It resembles an island in the water.

Omm Sety writes that this island may have symbolized:

the first piece of land to rise from the primordial waters during the creation of the world.

In Egyptian cosmology, this is called the primordial mound of creation.

Inscriptions

The walls of the Osirion bear texts.

Some of them belong to:

the Book of the Dead
the Book of Gates
other underworld texts.

These texts describe the soul’s journey through the Duat.

The Age of the Osirion

Omm Sety discusses an interesting question.

Although the Osirion is connected with the Temple of Seti I, its style is different.

Some researchers have suggested that it may be older than the temple itself.

However, most Egyptologists believe that it was built under Seti I as a symbolic tomb of Osiris.

The Atmosphere of the Place

She writes that the Osirion makes a very strong impression.

Even today, one can feel:

silence
coolness
a sense of antiquity.

Many people who have visited the site said that it seems especially mystical.

The Role of the Osirion in Rituals

According to Omm Sety, the Osirion was connected with the mysteries of Osiris.

During the annual festivals, the following may have taken place there:

rituals of death and rebirth
symbolic burials of Osiris
ceremonies of renewing life.

This made Abydos a center of religion resurrection and immortality.

The Mysteries of Osiris

Omm Seti writes that the Mysteries of Osiris were one of Egypt’s most important religious festivals.

This festival reenacted the myth of

Osiris:

his murder
the search for his body
resurrection.

The ceremony lasted several days and included a complex sequence of rituals.

Preparing for the Festival

Before the Mysteries began, the priests performed purification rituals.

They:

bathed
observed ritual purity
prepared sacred objects.

The statue of Osiris was placed in a sacred barque — a portable temple.

Beginning of the Mystery

The first stage represented the death of Osiris.

The priests symbolically depicted the events of the myth:

the conspiracy of Set
the murder of the god
the mourning by Isis and Nephthys.

At this time, lamentation hymns were performed.

Procession

After this, a great procession began.

The sacred barque of Osiris was carried out of the temple and transported along the sacred road.

The procession moved:

through the city
then through the desert
to the ancient tombs.

Pilgrims followed the procession and sang prayers.

Symbolic Burial

At a certain place, the ritual burial of Osiris was carried out.

This took place near the ancient royal tombs.

The ritual symbolized:

the death of the god
his dwelling in the afterlife.

Resurrection

The most important moment of the mystery was the resurrection of Osiris.

The priests announced that the god had come back to life.

This signified the victory of life over death.

At this moment, hymns of joy were sung.

Significance for people

OM Network explains that the Mysteries of Osiris were not merely a spectacle.

The Egyptians believed that participating in them helped a person:

connect with Osiris
gain hope of resurrection after death.

That is why thousands of people came to Abydos during the festival.

Symbolism of the life cycle

This ritual also symbolized the cycles of nature.

The death of Osiris was associated with:

the dying of plants
the receding of the Nile waters.

His resurrection symbolized:

a new harvest
the renewal of life.

Daily temple service

OM Network explains that an ancient Egyptian temple was not a place people visited as they do modern religious buildings.

The temple was considered the actual home of the deity.

Inside stood a statue of the god, and the priests served him as though he were alive.

Beginning of the Day

Every day began with a morning ritual.

Before entering the sanctuary, the priest had to undergo purification.

This included:

washing with water
purification with incense
putting on clean linen garments.

The priests also had to observe strict rules of cleanliness.

Opening the Sanctuary

After purification, the priest opened the doors of the sanctuary.

Inside stood a statue of the deity, usually placed in a sacred shrine or barque.

The ritual began with a greeting to the god.

The priest recited hymns and prayers.

Washing and Dressing the God

Then an important ritual was performed.

The statue of the god was:

washed
rubbed with aromatic oils
dressed in new clothes.

This ritual symbolized the renewal of divine power.

Offerings

After that, offerings were brought.

They usually included:

bread
beer
fruit
incense.

The priests believed that the deity accepted the spiritual essence of the offerings.

The food was later distributed among the temple personnel.

Music and Hymns

Music was performed during the rituals.

The following were used:

sistrums
harps
flutes.

Priestesses and singers performed hymns to the gods.

Music was considered a way to create harmony between the human world and the world of the gods.

Closing the Sanctuary

After the rituals were completed, the sanctuary was closed again.

The deity remained undisturbed until the following day.

In this way, the cosmic order of Ma'at was maintained every day.

Priestly Shifts

Omm Sety writes that the priests served in shifts.

There were usually four groups of priests.

Each group served for one month.

This made it possible to maintain the rituals without interruption.

The meaning of service

The main purpose of temple rituals was not personal prayer.

The priests performed rituals in order to:

maintain the order of the universe
ensure the prosperity of the country
preserve harmony between the gods and humans.

Веретенников Сергей · Mar 24, 2026

Sacred Barges of the Gods

In ancient Egyptian temples, a statue of the deity was usually kept in the sanctuary.

But during festivals, the god could be carried out of the temple.

A special structure was used for this — the sacred barque.

It was a small portable shrine mounted on a litter.

What the Barque Looked Like

The barque consisted of:

a wooden boat
decorated with gold
with a small shrine at the center.

A statue of the god stood inside.

Sometimes the barque was decorated with:

wings
depictions of gods
sacred symbols.

Carrying the Barque

Priests carried the barque.

They usually bore it on long poles.

During the procession, the priests moved slowly and rhythmically.

The procession was sometimes accompanied by:

music
hymns
incense.

Why the god was carried out of the temple

According to Omm Sety, the processions had several purposes.

They allowed:

people to see the god
the deity to “visit” other sacred places
important rituals to be performed.

On ordinary days, access to the sanctuary was closed to most people.

Therefore, the processions were the only time when the people could approach the deity.

Oracles

Sometimes the barque was used for oracles.

People asked the god questions.

The priests interpreted the barque’s movements as the answer.

For example:

if the barque tilted forward, it meant “yes”
if it tilted backward, “no.”

Such oracles played an important role in public life.

Processions in Abydos

In

Abydos

processions were particularly important because of the cult of

Osiris.

The sacred barque of Osiris was carried:

from the temple
along the sacred road
to the ancient tombs.

This was part of the Mysteries of Osiris.

The Symbolism of the Boat

Omm Sety explains that the boat had a profound symbolic meaning.

In Egyptian religion, the boat is associated with:

the sun's journey across the sky
the soul's journey after death.

Therefore, the god's barque symbolized the transition between worlds.

The People's Participation

During the processions, people:

prayed
brought offerings
addressed the god.

This was one of the few occasions when the temple was open to everyone.

The City Around the Temple

Omm Sety explains that a temple in Egypt never existed in isolation.

A whole religious city developed around it.

Such a city was inhabited by:

priests
temple servants
craftspeople
scribes
workers
pilgrims.

In fact, the temple was the center of the city’s entire life.

The Economy of Temples

The temple owned large areas of land.

The following were grown on these lands:

grain
vegetables
flax.

The temple also owned:

livestock herds
workshops
warehouses.

All of this supported the temple and its servants.

Sometimes temple estates were so large that they functioned as independent economic centers.

Workers and Craftspeople

Various specialists worked at the temple.

For example:

masons
sculptors
artists
jewellers
carpenters.

They created:

statues of gods
temple decorations
ritual objects.

These workshops could operate for decades.

Scribes

Scribes played a special role.

They:

recorded temple revenues
kept track of offerings
recorded rituals.

Scribes also recorded religious texts.

Thanks to them, many ancient texts have survived to the present day.

Pilgrims

Abydos was one of Egypt’s most sacred places.

People came here from all over the country.

They wanted to:

worship

Osiris

take part in the mysteries
receive a blessing.

Some pilgrims left stelae — stone slabs with prayers.

The Desire to Be Buried Near Osiris

Omm Sety writes that many Egyptians dreamed of being buried near Abydos.

They believed that this would bring them closer to Osiris.

Therefore, an enormous number of:

tombs
memorial stelae
symbolic graves.

Even if a person was buried elsewhere, they could erect a memorial stela in Abydos.

The Sacred Road

A special road existed in Abydos.

It connected the temple with the ancient tombs.

Processions celebrating the mysteries of Osiris traveled along this road.

For the Egyptians, this road symbolized the soul’s journey into the afterlife.

Life in the Sacred City

Omm Sety emphasizes that life here was filled with religion.

Every day, there were:

prayers
rituals
offerings.

Even ordinary work was regarded as service to the gods.

The Main Principle of the Ritual

In Egyptian religion, the statue of a god was not considered merely a statue.

It was regarded as the physical place of the deity’s presence. Therefore, the priests treated it as a living being—almost like a king.

Every day, the god was:

awakened
washed
anointed with oils
dressed
fed
put to sleep.

This was considered necessary for maintaining the cosmic order of Ma'at.

The complete ritual sequence (based on Egyptologists’ reconstructions)
1. Purification of the priest

The priest purified himself first.

He:

washed with water several times a day
shaved his body
put on clean linen.

Such priests were called wab — “pure priest”.

Without purity, the ritual was considered impossible.

2. Entering the sanctuary

At dawn, the chief priest entered the sanctuary.

He:

opened the sealed door
lit the lamp
placed the incense.

After this, he prostrated himself before the statue and recited a hymn.

3. “Awakening the God”

The statue was taken out of the shrine or sacred cabinet.

Sometimes a formula was recited:

“I have come to see your beauty.”

This symbolized the morning awakening of the deity.

4. Ablution

The purification ritual then took place.

The statue was:

washed with water
cleansed with natron
fumigated with incense.

Sometimes water from four vessels was used, symbolizing the cardinal directions.

5. Rubbing with oils and pastes

This is the ritual you asked about.

The statue was rubbed with:

aromatic oils
fragrant ointments
cosmetics.

Used:

myrrh
frankincense
cedar oil
aromatic resins.

This was considered the revitalization of the divine body.

6. Dressing the deity

After the ablution, the statue was dressed.

First, the old clothing was removed, then the following were put on:

white linen
colored fabrics
ornaments.

Sometimes several layers of fabrics in different colors were used.

7. Makeup and ornaments

The following were applied to the statue:

cosmetics
fragrant oils
sometimes jewelry.

This symbolized the restoration of divine power.

8. Censing with incense

The priest waved a censer.

Used:

incense
myrrh
aromatic woods.

The smoke was considered purifying and magical.

9. Food Offerings

This was the central part of the ritual.

The following were placed on tables:

bread
beer
meat
vegetables
fruit
wine.

Sometimes huge quantities of food were brought.

How the Gods “Ate”

The Egyptians believed that a god consumed not the physical food, but its spiritual essence.

After the ritual, the food was:

given to other statues
sent to mortuary temples
distributed among the priests.

This was called “reversion of offerings” — the return of offerings.

10. The Presentation of Maat

A very important symbolic act.

The pharaoh or priest offered the god a figurine of

Maat — of cosmic order.

This meant:

“We uphold the order of the universe.”

11. Magical Acts

Magical acts took place during the rituals.

For example:

the destruction of figures of enemies
curses against the demons of chaos
the destruction of figures of the serpent Apophis.

The Egyptians believed that magic acts directly upon the cosmos.

12. Closing the Sanctuary

At the end of the day:

the statue was returned to the shrine
the doors were sealed with clay.

The priest left walking backward, so as not to turn his back on the god.

Sometimes he swept away his footprints, so that no one could enter.

Why Was This Ritual So Important

The Egyptians believed:

if the temple rituals ceased—

the gods would weaken
Ma'at would disappear
the world will plunge into chaos.

Therefore, these rituals were performed every day for centuries.

A very interesting detail

During the ritual, the priest became the god Horus, while the statue was identified with

Osiris.

This meant that:

the priest restores the god's life, just as Horus restored Osiris.

Dorothy Eady said that:

in Abydos, such rituals were performed in the Temple of Seti I.

And she claimed that in a past life she participated in these rituals as a priestess of Isis.

Sacred oils and pastes

When the statue of the god was washed, it was then rubbed with sacred oils. This was one of the most mystical moments.

Special mixtures were used:

Main oils

cedar oil
frankincense
myrrh
moringa oil
lotus oil
cypress oil

These oils symbolized the restoration of the divine body.

Sometimes seven or ten sacred oils are mentioned.

Incense paste

In addition to oils, a thick aromatic paste was used.

It could include:

resin
honey
ground incense
vegetable oils.

This paste was called “divine ointment”.

It was applied:

to the statue’s head
to the chest
to the hands.

This symbolized the renewal of the god’s vital force.

Cosmetics of the Gods

A very interesting detail is that makeup was applied to statues of the gods.

They used:

green malachite
black kohl paint.

This was considered:

protection from evil forces
restoring the deity’s sight.

Sacred fabrics

After the washing, the god was dressed.

Only pure linen was used.

Sometimes the fabric could be:

red
yellow
white.

Each color had a symbolic meaning.

For example:

white — purity
red — vital energy
yellow — sunlight.

The god’s jewelry

Then jewelry was put on:

necklaces
amulets
crowns.

Amulets were especially important:

the knot of Isis (Tyet)
the Eye of Horus (Wedjat)
the scarab.

These symbols enhanced the statue’s magical power.

Music during the ritual

Priestesses participated in the ritual.

They played:

sistrums
harps
flutes.

They were especially associated with the ritual of the goddess

Hathor.

It was believed that the sound of the sistrum drove away evil spirits.

Reading magical texts

A text was recited during each action.

For example:

when the statue was washed, they recited:

“I purify you with the water of Nun.
I purify you with the water of life.”

When it was rubbed with oils:

“I fill your limbs with life,
as Horus did for Osiris.”

Sacred food

The offerings could be enormous.

Sometimes the altar held:

dozens of loaves of bread
jugs of beer
bull meat
birds
fruit
vegetables.

In large temples, the list of offerings could reach hundreds of items.

The Ritual of the Four Cardinal Directions

Sometimes the priest walked around the statue of the god four times.

Each time, he faced one of the cardinal directions.

This symbolized that the god ruled the entire universe.

Ritual of Light

Lamps were lit in the temple.

The light symbolized:

the rising sun
Ra's victory over darkness.

The god was associated with

Ra.

Sealing Ritual

After the ritual was completed, the sanctuary was closed.

The door was:

locked
sealed with clay.

The temple seal was placed on the clay.

This meant that no one could enter until the next morning.

Ritual of Destroying Evil

A very little-known ritual took place after the offerings.

The priests destroyed images of the enemies:

snakes
demons
enemies of Egypt.

Figurines:

cut with a knife
burned
trampled.

This symbolized victory over chaos.

Breathing Ritual

Sometimes the priest touched the statue’s face and said:

“I give you the breath of life.”

This ritual was associated with the ceremony of

“opening of the mouth”.

What Happened at Night

At night, the temple was considered the dwelling of the god.

The sanctuary remained closed.

Only occasionally were the following held:

night prayers
mystical rituals.

This happened especially in the city of

Abydos
with the cult of

Osiris.

A Very Rare Detail

Some texts say that the statue of the god was sometimes carried to a bedroom inside the temple.

There, a ritual of the union of the god and goddess took place.

This symbolized the renewal of the cosmos.

Ancient Egyptian Worship

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ОМ Шанти
Сергей Васильевич

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ОМ Шанти
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Веретенников Сергей

ОМ Шанти
Сергей Васильевич

Ancient Egyptian Worship

Веретенников Сергей

ОМ ШантиСергей Васильевич

1111

3009198

0909

Веретенников Сергей

ОМ ШантиСергей Васильевич

Веретенников Сергей

ОМ ШантиСергей Васильевич

ОМ Шанти
Сергей Васильевич

ОМ Шанти
Сергей Васильевич

ОМ Шанти
Сергей Васильевич