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From my reading and understanding, Egyptian theology actually paralleled Christian concepts which would later develop. Long before the heretic king, Akhenaton, who attempted to change Egypt’s polytheistic viewpoint to emphasis on the one god, that of the sun = the Aten, the region of Memphis broke through with a theology of its own. The “Memphite Theology” called upon the creative forces of nature much akin to the highly skilled artists/architects/artisans of ancient Egypt. Their chief god’s name was Ptah, and he is considered Father-god to all subsequent deities.

Ptah’s power lay in the power of the spoken word. Some sources compare his power of creation with the Hebrew book of Genesis = “Let there be light and there was light” (Genesis 1:3). This power is called by scholars “annunciation”. In John 1:1,2 we find the same annunciation “magic” if you will = “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” Ptah put the Word into creative action.

The Greeks had similar creation myths which scholars believe to be partly translatable into early Christian mythos.

Hathor, protectress of women

In the Mystical Christianity course, much emphasis is given to the feminine side of Christed individuals. In researching various sources for this concluding essay, I came upon Hathor who figured prominently as the goddess of joy and feminine love. She is depicted at various times in ancient Egypt as both the wife and mother of the god, Horus. Since both Horus and Hathor were sky-deities, they are usually pictured with either solar disks (Horus-a sun god) or in Horus’ case, a falcon head which kept careful watch on the activities of humankind. Hathor, however, had the distinction of being seen in either the role as wife or mother, wearing the countenance of several “grounded” animals: the cow who nourished pharaohs and children (and hid Horus every evening in her breast as the sun set), a ewe, and during playful moments could assume the head dress of male animals as well. Her symbol or fetish was the sistern, a musical instrument which had the power to soothe and drive away evil spirits. Hathor often entertained herself with dance and music, wine and wild love-making. In the later era of the great Egyptian dynasties, Hathor became associated with the journey of the dead. This became so wide-spread that a dead person, previously known as an “Osiris”, became supplanted in title to a “Hathor”.

Hathor, at this period of time, was known also as the “Lady of the Sycamores”. The story is told that the goddess hid in a grove of these trees at the edge of the desert to startle, then welcome, the newly dead and assist in guiding them on their final journey. She was also known to hold the ladder which the dead would climb on their path to Paradise. Hathor was present frequently in funeral processions in various roles as protectress of the deceased’s living children, a symbol of new beginnings which for the Egyptians was very true, and venerated along with her husband (or whatever relation that region attributed to her) Horus. Images or statuary of both were present during the processions and in their shared sanctuaries.

At Dendera, large celebrations were held in honor of Hathor where her most famous sanctuary was located. Even worship of her husband, Horus, could not eclipse the participant’s joy at these festivals where Hathor was the center of attention. Her birthday was New Years which added to the occasion. Songs were sung and composed and wine was abundant. Party-goers left happy and intoxicated.

Worship of Hathor was wide-spread and she was known by various titles according to region. In Phoenicia, she was called “the Lady of Byblos”; in Somaliland, her name was “Mistress of the Land of Punt..” In the Sinai, her title was “Mistress of the Land of Mefket”.

Bibliography:

EGYPTIAN MYTHOLOGY by Paul Hamlyn, Westbrook House, Fulham Broadway, London, Copyright 1965

WHAT LIFE WAS LIKE ON THE BANKS OF THE NILE: Egypt 3050-30 B.C .by the Editors of Time-Life Books, Alexandria, VA, USA, Copyright 1990

ANCIENT EGYPT, General Editor David P. Silverman, Oxford University Press, New York & London, Copyright 1997

TIMEFRAME 1500-600 B.C.,: Barbarian Tides, by the Editors of Time-Life Books, Alexandria, VA, Copyright 1987