Egyptian Magic

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Egyptian Magic

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

E. A. Wallis Budge's "Egyptian Magic" offers a scholarly survey of ancient Egyptian ritual and talismanic practice. Exploring amulets, spells, magical names, and ceremonies, this text appeals to readers of history and the occult, revealing how early beliefs in supernatural powers shaped Egyptian religion from predynastic times through the Pharaonic era.

Summary up to 500 words

In *Egyptian Magic*, E. A. Wallis Budge presents a comprehensive survey of ancient Egyptian religion, revealing its dual nature where high spiritual concepts coexisted with pervasive superstition. Budge argues that while the Egyptians achieved great intellectual development and professed a profound faith in one almighty God, they simultaneously maintained a deep belief in magic from the earliest predynastic times. This magic aimed to transfer power from supernatural entities to humans, enabling them to compel gods, heal the sick, restore the dead, and control natural forces like wind and rain. The work details the antiquity of these practices, tracing beliefs that the earth, air, and sky were populated by beings influencing human fate. Early magic sought to placate friendly beings with offerings but required wheedling or flattery to appease hostile ones. Over time, magic evolved into a sophisticated system integrated into temple worship, where even educated priests utilized charms to protect the Sun-god Râ from mythical monsters like Âpep. Budge illustrates this through translations of religious texts and descriptions of artifacts, showing that the belief in the efficacy of words and images persisted alongside orthodox faith. A significant portion of the book covers magical stones and amulets, often inscribed with protective words of power. Budge extensively analyzes the hypocephalus, a circular amulet representing the Eye of Horus used to ensure the deceased's safe passage in the underworld. He examines specific chapters from the *Book of the Dead*, explaining how magical pictures and formulas were recited over images of deities like Isis-Hathor and the cow to provide warmth and protection. For instance, figures of cows and bulls were placed under the heads of the dead to grant them divine status in the afterlife. Budge also discusses the role of the magician, who was believed to possess boundless power to heal, cast out evil spirits, and command nature. However, he acknowledges that these practices often degenerated into sorcery among the uneducated, who were too ignorant to distinguish spiritual conceptions from gross superstition. Despite this, the text provides evidence that Egyptian magic influenced later religious systems. Through the preservation of ancient religious literature, Budge demonstrates how the Egyptians carefully maintained a mixture of lofty spiritual worship and childish superstition, trusting in amulets and talismans with the same confidence they placed in the resurrection of Osiris.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Religion
• History