Basic Guidelines to Egyptian Magic

By Sarah Rooke, Archdruidess

In Egyptian magic, it is usual for the participants to enact or role play the parts of the
Neters or Gods being invoked. However, this magical tradition is ceremonial and
certain guidelines are laid down as regards to correspondences. In my life, I have
been lucky to know and be taught by Murry Hope. Using her book Practical
Egyptian Magic (Aquarian Press, 1984), I shall attempt to provide an overview and
some notes. Murry has stripped the archetypes down to a main nine for easy
reference. Hence:
Deity

Archetype

Expression

OSIRIS
ISIS
HORUS
BAST
THOTH
HATHOR
NEPHTHYS
PTAH
ANUBIS

King
Nature
High Priestess Mother
Sun god
Warrior
Intuition
Song/Dance
Scribe
Writing
Nourisher
Beauty/love
Revealer
Dreams
Architect
Science
Guide
Traveller

No.

Metal

Colour

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Deep gold
Pale gold
Yellow gold
Yellow gold
Silver
Copper
Silver
Red gold
Silver

White/green
Sky blue
Yellow
Turquoise
Amethyst
Coral
Seagreen
Violet
Terracotta

For robes, the colours and metallic shades should be adhered to. For example, a
priestess of Isis would wear a sky blue dress and pale gold jewellery, a priest of
Anubis terracotta robes and silver jewellery, and not mix in other colours simply
because the fancy takes them. Headbands are part of the regalia, and unless one is
well versed in magic and of a high level, they should be plain. However, it is
permissible to have a simple stone as inspired by the tutelary deity set into it.
A symbol of the represented Deity should also be worn as an amulet, e.g. the Ankh,
Sistrum, Winged Disk, Uraeus, Crook and Flail, Eye of Horus, Caduceus, Scarab,
Buckle of Isis, Djed, Mirror, Lotus. etc. Make sure that you are following a Deity that
resonates well with you, i.e. if you feel you would like to follow Isis but cant stand
the colour blue, you might be better off with Hathor or Nephthys. Footwear can be
worn as simple slip ons in silver or gilt shades, and should ideally match the colour of
the headband and other jewellery. Egyptian style collarettes and earrings are available
in many ethnic or new age outlets nowadays.
The Egyptian priesthood would fast, have a ritual bath, and meditate before a working
or ceremony. They also had a no sex and no alcohol rule as well. They would not
attempt anything if anyone was out of harmony with the others. The colour worn by
the Egyptian priesthood was white, with insignia of their office to the Deity
concerned; though the priests of Ptah wore a special Masonic cord (a gilt one knotted
at the waist will suffice). Animal masks were popular with the priesthood, e.g.
Anubis, Bast, Thoth and Hathor, and gave the impression that the god was about to do
his/her stuff to the populace, but was shed when they got down to the nitty gritty.
Music may be employed, but that which is soft and flowing, and has no beat (like
harp, lute and flute). Incense like kyphi, frankincense, myrrh and sandalwood may be
used in stick form or on charcoal (you can get some incense called Blue Nile or
Egyptian Musk). And a chalice of water, and candles as appropriate, can be used.

Murry Hope recommends the lodge principle as the best for Egyptian magic. This
consists of a minimum of five people bearing the offices of Celebrant, Scryer, Keeper,
Recorder and Protector. The Celebrant should handle the elemental invocations and
alter work, and leads the group. The Scryer looks in when requested into other time
zones or dimensions by a crystal ball (or Mirror). The Keeper maintains the magical
instruments and sets up the altar correctly. The Recorder notes what happens at each
session and later developments as they arise. And the Protector keeps up a continual
guard during the ceremony to see that everything is okay.
Now the Egyptian tradition does not suit everyone. If you have Norse, Wiccan, Pagan
or Celtic leanings you may find it easier to get along with it, than someone of the
Christian, Buddhic or Semitic. This form of magic is very abstract and based on
cosmic principles. But it will depend on where your spirit underwent its training as
well. The roles assumed by the participants must also be based on the right person
for the job, if they are suited to the task, then that is simply it.
Magical sessions are not for the soap-box, leave politics out of it or the group will
fold up. Those on an ego trip are also similarly warned, if this is the case, then
Egyptian magic is not for you. Sorry, but the Universe does not work that way. In
this form of tradition the energies are more finer and subtle, and therefore most
unstable, being more unmanifest.
Each participant assumes a god form as appropriate. For the Celebrant Osiris, Isis
and Thoth, for the Scryer Nephthys and Horus, for the Keeper Bast, Ptah and
Anubis, for the Protector Hathor and Horus, for the Recorder Thoth and Osiris. It
is possible to interchange them, i.e. Bast can protect as can Isis, Anubis can record as
can Ptah. The gift of prophecy is associated with Horus and Nephthys; physical
strength with Horus and Hathor; healing with Thoth, Horus and Bast; magic with Isis
and Thoth; legal matters with Thoth and Osiris; and mundane things with Anubis,
Hathor and Ptah. Having done this, each member should become or assume the god
form in their mind during the ceremony, and endeavour to imbibe and radiate out the
qualities and nature of that god. All lodge ceremonies should be ritually opened and
closed, giving thanks to the Deities concerned, with all participants earthing
themselves after. If you aim to have a party after the working, then close all psychic
doors securely. We know that the Egyptians love to have a ball at public ceremonies,
but the serious aspects of the festivals were always dealt in private by the actual
priesthood beforehand. A balance in the lodge is also advised, so it cannot be all male
or all female. Egyptian magic works on the principle, of twinning or polarising.
Domestic pets are permissible the Egyptians had their temple cats after all. But make
sure it is trained not to make a nuisance of itself during ceremonies. The Egyptians
had two teachings, one for the laity and one for the priesthood. So be advised by
Eliphas Levi's statement: Magic is not a profession. The quarters in Egyptian magic
are Neith in the North, Nephthys in the East, Selkit at the South, and Isis at the West.
These Goddesses should be invoked at their compass points at the beginning of the
ceremony to ensure their protection, and dismissed at the end to go back from where
they came.
Egyptian magic is deep and extensive, and there is also much more. One word of
advice: Like attracts like, as it follows cosmic law. But it is a rewarding path for
those attracted to it.