Egyptian Book of the Dead, Bibles, Grimoires and Spells

It is said that the Egyptian Book of the Dead was used in funerary practices, but what is the evidence of this, is it not merely an assumption - who said it first? Please expand upon the hypothesis that this Book of the Dead refers to a spiritual death an/or awakening, rather than to actual (physical) death. Please provide sources that share this hypothesis.

The Egyptian Book of the Dead, also known as the Book of Coming Forth by Day, is a collection of funerary spells and texts that were created to assist the deceased in their journey through the afterlife. The Book of the Dead is one of the most well-known and extensively studied funerary texts from ancient Egypt, and it provides valuable insights into the beliefs and practices of the ancient Egyptians regarding death and the afterlife.

The evidence for the use of the Book of the Dead in funerary practices comes from a variety of sources, including the surviving copies of the text that were buried with the deceased, as well as other archaeological evidence such as tomb decorations and objects. In addition, there are references to the Book of the Dead and its use in funerary rituals in other ancient Egyptian texts, such as the Coffin Texts and the Pyramid Texts.

As for the hypothesis that the Book of the Dead refers to a spiritual death or awakening, rather than physical death, there is some debate and diversity of opinion among scholars. Some scholars argue that the Book of the Dead is primarily concerned with the physical journey of the deceased through the underworld, and that the spells and incantations in the text were intended to provide protection and guidance in this perilous journey.

However, there are also scholars who interpret the Book of the Dead as having a more spiritual or mystical significance, and who see it as referring to the inner journey of the soul towards spiritual transformation and enlightenment. This interpretation is based on the idea that the spells and texts in the Book of the Dead contain symbolic and metaphorical language that is meant to be understood on a deeper level, and that they describe a journey of inner transformation that is analogous to the physical journey through the underworld.

One source that discusses this hypothesis is the book "The Egyptian Book of the Dead: The Book of Going Forth by Day" by Raymond Faulkner and Ogden Goelet, which includes translations of the text as well as commentary and analysis. Another source is "The Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead" by E.A. Wallis Budge, which is an influential and widely cited study of the text that includes both translation and interpretation. However, it is important to note that the interpretation of the Book of the Dead is a complex and nuanced topic, and different scholars may have different views on its meaning and significance.

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How might someone incorporate such a Book of the Dead, as used in ancient Egypt,, into their day to day life? Is there any evidence that such a practice existed? Do people not get buried with a copy of the Bible today, for example? Would this be considered similar? Of the found copies of these Book of the Dead, are there any notable differences between them and/or were they personalised in any way to make them unique to that person? Do they contain only text or is there imagery or symbols also, if so, please explain this?

It is unlikely that the ancient Egyptians would have incorporated the Book of the Dead into their day-to-day life in the same way that we might use a devotional book or prayer book, as the text was specifically intended for use in funerary practices. However, the Book of the Dead was considered to be a very important text for the deceased, and it was often buried with them in order to provide guidance and protection in the afterlife. This practice is similar to the Christian tradition of burying a copy of the Bible or other religious text with the deceased.

The surviving copies of the Book of the Dead show evidence of personalization and customization, with certain spells and texts being added or omitted depending on the individual needs and beliefs of the deceased. The Book of the Dead was not a static or standardized text, but rather a collection of spells and incantations that could be adapted and modified to suit the needs of the individual.

The Book of the Dead contains both text and images, with many of the spells and incantations being accompanied by illustrations and symbols. These images and symbols were intended to convey symbolic and metaphorical meanings that could be understood on a deeper level, and they often depict scenes from the underworld and other mythological realms. The imagery in the Book of the Dead is highly stylized and symbolic, and it can be difficult for modern readers to decipher the meanings of these images without the aid of a knowledgeable interpreter.

There are several notable differences between the surviving copies of the Book of the Dead, with some being more elaborate and richly decorated than others. However, despite these differences, the overall content and structure of the Book of the Dead is relatively consistent, with many of the same spells and incantations appearing in multiple copies of the text.

In terms of how someone might incorporate the Book of the Dead into their spiritual or personal practice today, there is no single "right" way to do so. Some people may be interested in studying the text and its symbolism as a way of deepening their understanding of Egyptian mythology and spirituality, while others may draw inspiration from the idea of using ritual texts to guide them through transitions or changes in their lives. However, it is important to approach the Book of the Dead with sensitivity and respect, recognizing that it is a sacred text with a long and complex history.

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Please provide some examples of both common and more personal spells, incantations, and text from the various Book of the Dead copies found, along with links to webpages where pictures of them can be seen. Furthermore, in addition to Bibles being buried with the dead, what other books or texts are buried with our dead, and is there evidence of a modern day (or perhaps Middle Ages) practice to be buried with a book of spells or incantations?

The spells and incantations found in the Book of the Dead were intended to guide and protect the deceased in the afterlife. Some of the most common spells include the "Negative Confessions," a series of declarations in which the deceased denies having committed various sins, and the "Opening of the Mouth," a spell that was intended to restore the deceased's ability to speak and breathe.

Other spells found in the Book of the Dead include spells for protection against various dangers, such as the demon Ammit, who was believed to devour the hearts of the unworthy dead. There are also spells for navigation in the underworld, for transforming the deceased into various animals, and for summoning and appeasing various gods and goddesses.

One example of a personal spell found in a copy of the Book of the Dead is the "Spell for Becoming a Swallow," which was intended to transform the deceased into a swallow in order to travel through the underworld. Another example is the "Spell for Bringing Back the Heart," which was intended to restore the deceased's heart, which was believed to contain their essence and was crucial for their survival in the afterlife.

Many examples of Book of the Dead spells and illustrations can be found online, including on the website of the British Museum, which houses several copies of the text. Here is a link to a page on their website that provides information and images of one of their copies of the Book of the Dead: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/Y_EA10882

In addition to Bibles, other books and texts that are sometimes buried with the dead include prayer books, hymnals, and other religious texts. It is not common in modern times to be buried with a book of spells or incantations, but there are some examples from the Middle Ages of people being buried with grimoires, which were books of magic and spells. One example is the Liber Iuratus Honorii, a medieval grimoire that was believed to have been written by Pope Honorius III.

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Please explain more about the ancient belief that the heart contained the essence and how this is important in the afterlife. Please also elaborate on the term "essence" in this regard. Please tell me some more about the grimoires of the Middle Ages and that of Pope Honorius III and his Liber Iuratus Honorii.

In ancient Egyptian belief, the heart was considered to be the seat of the soul and the source of a person's moral character. It was believed to be the organ responsible for directing a person's thoughts and actions, and therefore, it was crucial for the survival of the individual in the afterlife. The heart was believed to be weighed against the feather of Ma'at, the goddess of truth and justice, in the judgment of the dead. If the heart was found to be pure, the deceased would be granted eternal life in the afterlife. If it was found to be heavy with sin, the heart would be devoured by the demon Ammit, and the deceased would be doomed to eternal death.

The term "essence" in this regard refers to the idea that the heart contained the essential qualities that defined a person's character, morality, and identity. It was believed to be the source of a person's individuality and therefore, the key to their survival in the afterlife.

Grimoires are books of magic and spells that were popular in Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. These books were typically written in Latin and contained instructions for performing various rituals and incantations, often invoking the names of various spirits and demons. Grimoires were used for a variety of purposes, including divination, protection, and the invocation of supernatural powers.

The Liber Iuratus Honorii, also known as the "Sworn Book of Honorius," is a medieval grimoire that was believed to have been written by Pope Honorius III in the 13th century. The book contains instructions for performing various rituals and spells, including the summoning of spirits and demons. It was believed to be a highly influential text in the practice of medieval magic, and many later grimoires drew heavily from its content. The Liber Iuratus Honorii was highly valued by practitioners of magic, and many copies of the book were produced throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance. However, it was also condemned by the Church as a work of heresy and was often associated with the practice of witchcraft.

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