PAS-Meriti: CH.6 TPoI&O (Study Questions)
// August 31st, 2009 // 1 Comment » // PAS, magick
— In PAS_Meriti@yahoogroups.com, wrote:
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> Discuss each Aspect of Neters she discusses, how is this like and unlike your experience (per section/aspect).
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> Reread and contemplate that last section. Discuss it in detail.
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Ch. 6 – Neters: Agents of Creation
–The Neter as the God in Nature – Houston describes how the divine impulses of the neters reveal themselves in the natural world and in the body. That they are the “rock bed” of our first spiritual longing. Having my neters be revealed to me calls to my pagan upbringing. The farming and the observation of the cycles of nature and “each thing to its place” gave rhythm and ritual to many aspects of my mundane life and allowed me to connect to my Divinity by my daily tasks.
For me, my neter has been Nebet-Het, and she manifests in the shadows, the wisdom that comes after a statement or revelation, and in the after-images after blinding light. She reveals herself in the duty of fulfiling my obligations and in the dark moons.
–Neter as Archetype – TPoI&O describes neters operating on a psychological level and that they both create and hold patterns. They are the “embodiment of an ancient consciousness.” They served as motivating principles which the ancient Egyptians could aspire. I know that I’ve used many of the neters to help me become more “aligned” to a certain current or aspect of personality. I’ve learned how to be a fierce hunter from Set, a nurturing mother from Isis, a practical nursemaid and humble helpmate from Nebet-Het. I learned how to keep my heart light when I consider Ma’at and her feather. My home is protected from lessons learned from Anpu (Anubis).
–The Appearance of Neters – Neters may appear in entirely animal guise, or as humans with animal heads, or entirely human. When appearing as animal, they represent a principle of organic life on Caosaga. When they appear in human form with the head of an animal they symbolize a function of activity. Illustrated is Thoth, appearing with an Ibis head, and representing being the keeper of knowledge and archives. An anthropomorphic neter might embody wisdom, urge or asset. When they are shown in entirely human guise they are to represent the transcendent gods who command creation. One thing to consider is that when in human form (and sometimes in anthropomorphic form) they usually hold in their hands symbols of their earthly power. The ankh; showing the knot of life, the menat; fertility and physical satisfaction. The appearance of each neter shows through colour, gesture, size and placement what providence that neter holds over this dominion.
Interesting is that my dealings with the neters use their human guise, with the exception of Heru and Anpu, both whom I’ve seen in all three aspects: animal, anthropomorphic and human. Nebet-Het and Asar, Suti and Asar, I always see as human.
–Neters as Science - Houston presents that for ancient Egyptians man was a model of the universe and the universe a model for God. When he understood himself fully, he was likewise able to understand his environment and the Divine connected to/through him. Everything was linked and nothing really opposed anything else in this system. It all worked together. Using this “netered psychology” they were connected to each other in civilization and the collective, durative unconscious.
My experience with the neters have helped me understand geometry, physical, astronomy, agriculture, fertility and probably many, many others aspects of the scientific world.
–Neters as the Physical Body - The reference in the book is the vital organs of the body being placed in canopic jars being the heads of the transmorphic Sons of Heru: Jackal = stomach, because of the decomposition needed for that animal to be able to digest its food properly. The heart = Ma’at because it is her feather which is weighed against the individuals heart to determine its lightness, or it’s ability to process and integrate “truth” into ones life and experience.
My experiences is with Ptah and the pneuma or the logos/word which can weave energy into creation. Aset spinning her woes into her world, which was matted to protect the child she was gestating. I’ve learned how to protect my own home and family with such weaving.
