Talk:Egyptian soul

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[edit] Sekhem and Sekhu

In Norman Mailer's novel Ancient Evenings, set in ancient Egypt, he talks about the "seven souls and spirits" which leave the body after death. As well as the five mentioned here we hear about the Sekhem and the Sekhu. Is there any info about what exactly these terms refer to?

I added two new sections to accomodate Sekem and Sekhu. I also edited the introductory paragraph to reflect this and reordered the seven in the order that they leave the body. I am not entirely sure what Sekem is but I added something about Sekhu. - reahad

[edit] Sekhu vs Ha

Is there any difference between the "Sekhu" and the "Ha". They both seem to mean the physical body. Are they simply synonyms? (Several of the other souls have two names.)

[edit] Removal and rewrite

I've removed sekhem and sekhu -- not sure Norman Mailer is an appropriate authority. I believe Sekhem (I'm presuming this is the word sxm) means power, as in the power to do violence (sxm-ib, violent minded). I'm not sure what sekhu is. There is a word "sxw" which according to my word-list means "breadth". Yes, breadth. Though my notes aren't completely accurate ... The usual word for breath is "taw"

Added some stuff based off Essays 7 & 8 from James Allen's book (reference added). I've also deleted some stuff about the Ka which seems to come from Wallis Budge (who is unreferenced?). The Akh was transliterated by him as Khu sometimes.

Ha means body, as in the physical shell. Sometimes you will see Xt (khet, or variant) also translated as body, but I think this is more associated with "womb" or "belly". In a Ramesside inscription I remember reading, sa ra n xt.f (ra-ms-s), the Son of Re, of his body (i.e. begotten by him), Ramesses. --Cliau 03:52, 25 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Tomb of Paheri

The tomb of Paheri = http://www.osirisnet.net/tombes/el_kab/pahery/photo/pahery_niche_26.jpg

Oh excellent satisfier of the heart of his master, may you enter and leave happy, in the favour of the lord of the gods.
A perfect burial after a long life of excellent service.
When old age is here and you arrive at your place in the underworld and join the land of the west, become a living Ba.
May you be able to enjoy bread, water and breath.
May you be able to transform into a heron, swallow, falcon, egret, according to your desire.
May you cross (the Nile) in the barque without being driven back and having to sail with the current.
May you live again a second time, without your ba being kept away from your divine corpse.

--Cliau 03:39, 25 February 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Problems with this page

There are many. I think the interpretation of the AE parts of being is difficult. This page attempts to make equivalents such as ka = life force which are not strictly ok. The akh which is one of the most important concepts isn't given its own section. The text says the ka leaves the body - when actually it remains with the body and the ba actually leaves. Needs a complete revision in my view. Apepch7 18:49, 15 October 2007 (UTC)

[edit] The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind

Calling The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind "regarded as on the fringe by the mainstream" is like calling the Pacific Ocean "moist". Julian Jaynes's theories have been utterly debunked. Works of fantasy that just happen to mention ancient Egypt do not belong in this article. This is why people sneer at Wikipedia. --76.104.46.56 (talk) 19:34, 17 January 2008 (UTC)