Kemetic supernatural beings

[David19]

I was reading this book on Ancient Egyptian mythology today in the library and it mentioned a few things about different supernatural beings in the Kemetic universe, it mentioned the gods, obvously, the ancestors, as well as demonic beings. Does anyone know if there any other supernatural beings, and also can someone tell me more (or provide some links or recommend some books) on the supernatural beings, especially things like the ghosts, ancestors, and demonic beings, as i'm really interested in the beings that inhabit the Kemetic universe, especially the Kemetic concept of demons.

Thanks.

[Etezonael]

There are a few resources that discuss this in some detail. I would personally recommend Geraldine Pinch's book "Magic in Ancient Egypt" which has a fairly extensive section on this topic. (ISBN 0-292-76559-2, textbooks.com has a good price on a used copy of this, you might also be able to get it on inter-library loan.)

~Etezonael

[liliana]

There is a papyrus that belonged to Georg Ebers explaining different diseases and medicines. Lots of diseases are described as demons.

[NefertSatSekhmet]

Originally Posted by David19

it mentioned the gods, obvously, the ancestors, as well as demonic beings. Does anyone know if there any other supernatural beings, and also can someone tell me more (or provide some links or recommend some books) on the supernatural beings, especially things like the ghosts, ancestors, and demonic beings, as i'm really interested in the beings that inhabit the Kemetic universe, especially the Kemetic concept of demons.

Well, for more information, I would have to recommend the House of Netjer, but I am biased because I am taking the beginners course with them right now and I love it.

But to touch a bit more on your post... the ancestors are called "Akhu" (shining ones)... the demonic beings referred to may be a "Netjeri", a spirit being that has never been human, or a "Muet", the spirit of someone who was once a living person.

Netjeri are not necessarily bad or "demonic"... they can be spirits of beloved deceased pets, but netjeri also include beings that have never been in physical form, like nature spirits. Some Netjeri may not be as concerned with the welfare of humans, and I suppose these may come across as "demonic"

Muuet are more likely to be seen as demonic or as evil sprits, poltergiests and the like... they are the unhappy dead who wander the earth in search of revenge or justification they can never have. As they were once human, they had the chance of becoming Akhu like the other ancesters, only these spirits have not been justified.

Apep (Apophis), the great serpent that tries to devour the sunboat while it is travelling in the underworld at night, also comes to mind, as he is the uncreated, neither a god nor spirit in the sense mentioned previously. He is often demonised.

Hope this helps a little bit.

[Erincelt]

I believe that pretty well answers the question. Except I think its spelled "Muuet" with two U's... might be wrong, too tired to go double-check... May do that tomorrow. ^_^``

[NefertSatSekhmet]

Originally Posted by Erincelt

I believe that pretty well answers the question. Except I think its spelled "Muuet" with two U's... might be wrong, too tired to go double-check... May do that tomorrow. ^_^``

Thank you.

I just noticed I spelled it both ways in my post. Guess I am not too sure of the spelling either. ;-)

(Now that I tried to check the spelling, I am still unsure, as I have seen it spelled both ways in various instances. Since heiroglyphs dont exactly have vowels, maybe its a moot point anyway?)

[Erincelt]

It is nearly moot, yes, as we are trying to approximate a completely different writing system... We'll never hit on a perfect emulation, I'm sure. The House, though, tries to use a consistant pattern based on the considered-most-likely sounds of words, and I vaguely recall muuet being pronouned like "moo-wet". That "oo-w*" pattern is usually represented by a 'uu'. I think there are other exceptions though, so... *shrug?*