Necrotome

   

The Lector Priest’s Necrotome

A Book of Egyptian Last Rites

© Copyright 2013 Michael J. Costa, All rights reserved.

No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the Author or Copyright owner.  

This book was printed in the U.S.A.

First Edition © MJC 2013 

www.amazon.com/author/michaeljcosta

Genre: Occult, Egyptian Mythology.

Acknowledgements:

          This book is based on the funerary texts of Ancient Egypt, and is a replica of their culture in modern times.  Parts of this book were inspired by the Book of the Opening of the Mouth (a ceremony of religious importance to the souls of the dead), the Amduat (what exists in the Other World), and the Book of Appearing in the Light (or: the Book of the Dead). 

          By creating this modern conceptual book, it is hopeful that people will be inspired by the ancients to explore what exists outside of the mortal plane, and further the journey into the next realm. 

            M. J. Costa, B.A. Archaeology ’99,

Contents:

Book 1: The Opening of the Mouth

Book 2: The Liturgy of Offerings

Book 3: The Prayer-Spells

Book 4: The Otherworld (Am-Duat)

About the Author

Chapter 1:

          When performing this ritual, the mouth of the dead person is symbolically opened, not literally.  The purpose here is to allow the dead to receive air, or breathe, using the ritual tools, thereby giving the soul the abilities it had while alive on Earth (etc.).  This ritual was performed at the tomb site or grave site by the eldest able male of the family, in imitation of Horus for his divine father Osiris. 

          The Lector Priest reads the lines and directs the other priests for their parts, and may act the lead role of Horus or Osiris; in this case I selected the Creator Ptah as Chief Deity for this book. Ptah is the god who ritually opened the Horizon for the solar god Ra to enter daybreak, and it is he who opens the mouth of the deceased soul.  This ceremony is a ritual drama performed at funerals in ancient times.  This ritual may be performed using a Ka Statue made of cast stone or resin. 

Priests List:

1.   Kheriheb (Lector Priest)

2.   Erpae (heir of the person)

3.   Sameryf

4.   Setem Priest (Anubis Priest)

5.   Smer

6.   Amas

7.   Am-Khent

8.   Mesentiu (musicians)

9.   Isis & Nephthys actresses

Purifications:

          First, all Priests listed above must be clean and be wearing new or ritually clean clothing.  If not entirely clean, the Priest must be washed from the hands to the upper arms with clean water, soap, or some cleansing material (sand or Natron); also wash the face up to the neckline.  Second, new incense must be prepared in a censing device or holder. Third, all fires or candles must be contained to prevent accidents.  Or use air freshener or fresh flowers instead.

Ritual Tools:

1.   Incense holder

2.   Premium Incense (stick, cone)

3.   Lighter (for flame)

4.   Sash or Band of white linen

5.   Ka Statue (Cast stone or resin)

6.   Ritual Screwdrivers

7.   (This Book)

8.   Water Libation Bottle (plastic)

9.   Food Offerings (or Models)

First Ceremony:

          The Kheriheb orders the Setem Priest to wear the White Sash and to use the incense, allowing the incense to waft up around the Ka Statue or other murals near the tomb site, for one minute.  The Ka Statue is placed on a platform so that it is level, facing south (towards the Nile River origin, or “Nu”).  Place any offering prayers in the path of the incense smoke so they may be “read in Heaven.” 

          The Setem Priest chants, while the incense is burning, the following:

          “You are purified, you are purified O Ptah, the Creator of all Life; (North)

“You are purified, you are purified O Ptah, the Creator of all Life; (South)

“You are purified, you are purified O Ptah, the Creator of all Life; (East)

“You are purified, you are purified O Ptah, the Creator of all Life.” (West)

Say this facing in the 4 directions per line. 

Second Ceremony:

          The Setem Priest takes the water bottle, fills it with clean water and then makes libations (pours it onto the ground or sprinkles it) near the Ka Statue or gravesite.  This consecrates the site or Statue with water.  The Setem Priest may also ritually wash the Ka Statue with water and a damp sponge or cloth. 

          The Setem Priest then says to the Ka Statue:

          “You are purified, you are purified, your purifications are those of Ptah, and his purifications are yours.  You are purified with the Natron Water of Horus, Set, Geb, and Thoth.”

          The Smer Priest then duplicates the above 2 Ceremonies on the Ka Statue. 

          References:

          Ptah = the Creator

          Horus = the Sky, god of light

          Set = god of Chaos and Storms

          Geb = Earth god

          Thoth = god of Literacy & Science

         

Third Ceremony:

          The Setem Priest takes some incense and directs it to the Ka Statue’s face, touching the mouth, the eyes, and a hand twice each part with his fingers. 

          The Kheriheb Priest says to the Ka Statue:

          “Your incense is the incense of Horus, and his incense is yours; as is the incense of Set, Geb, and Thoth.  You are established among the gods as a purified soul; your mouth is that of a newborn being nursed by its mother.”

          “Your head is incensed with the scent of the gods; your mouth is incensed likewise, as are your bones.  You are brought forth and are whole.”

Fourth Ceremony:

          The Setem Priest wears the White Sash and wraps it about himself like a mummy shroud while sitting on the floor.  The Am-Khent Priest and Kheriheb stand at the entrance to the tomb (House of Gold).

          The Amas Priest declares to the Setem Priest,

          “Oh my father, what has happened?”

          The Setem Priest replies,

          “I was sleeping and yet someone awoke me.  I noticed my every form; in the darkness of death I was alight.”

          The Amas Priest asks the Setem Priest:

          “Is not your father here?”

          The Setem Priest replies,

          “Horus was hunting birds with his net, and he trapped me in it.  Come, my shadow awaits”

          The Kheriheb says,

 “I have seen my father in all his forms. He is Osiris, the god of peace.”

Fifth Ceremony:

          The Setem Priest says to the Ka Statue, while not wearing the White Sash now:

          “I love Osiris, my divine father, and his many forms he has created.  I have made him a statue (Ka Statue) that you may smite him, so as to make it divine.”

          The ritual smiting represents the death of Osiris by Set and his conspirators.  This may also account for any damage done to statues in the past as found in Egyptian Temples.  Each Priest will lightly “tap” the Ka Statue with their fingers.  Then the Setem Priest will touch the mouth of the statue and say:

          “I am your beloved son, Horus, and have pressed your lips with my hand.  May you be able to breathe again, O Osiris, the Lord of Life.”

Sixth Ceremony:

          The Setem Priest presents a food offering (Thigh or leg of Beef) to the Ka Statue, saying:

          “Hail Osiris, I have come to embrace you, for I am your son, Horus.  I have pressed and opened your mouth with this (offering), which is the Eye of Horus.” 

          Kheriheb: Press the ritual Screwdriver to the mouth of the Ka Statue whenever someone says “open the mouth.” Then say: “Your mouth is open, O Osiris.”

MC 2013.