Anubis and Upuaut [Wepwawet] (Egyptian Symbolism, Mythology and Mysticism)

Egyptian Neters, commonly referred to as gods and goddesses,
are Symbolic representations of divine principles of Nature. They
are the means by which the Ancient Egyptians materially and
artistically expressed the mythological archetypes existing
within nature and the cosmos. In other words, the Neters are
the physical Symbolic expressions of the invisible Laws, aspects,
essences and principles concealed within Nature.

The depiction of a Neter is twofold: first, the aspect of Nature which
is being represented; and secondly, whether this aspect is either
masculine or feminine. A masculine Neter is depicted with a man’s
body and a feminine Neter is depicted with a woman’s body.

This article will evaluate two Egyptian Neters: Anubis and Upuaut
(aka: Wepwawet); two Neters which are often confused with one
another. Both are masculine aspects of Nature and are therefore
portrayed with the body of a man.

Anubis has the head of a dog and Upuaut has the head of a
jackal. Both heads are painted black which tells us that they
represent some form of transformation. Transformation is
synonymous with Sacrifice, Initiation Ceremonies and
Rites of Passage.

Anubis: Anubis is portrayed either as a black dog or as a man
with the head of a black dog. It is important to note that this
“dog” is a sleek and domesticated dog which is Symbolic of
loyalty, protectiveness and obedience to its master. It is the
type of dog which is the perfect guardian, companion and ally;
the kind of dog that is always proud and content to be near its
master and often sleeps at its master’s feet.

As a dog’s role is that of a guardian and protector, Anubis is
therefore called “Guardian of the Way” or “Protector of the Way”.

We are probably most familiar with Anubis in his role in the
Ceremony of the Weighing of the Heart in which he gently
escorts the recently deceased Pharaoh (who is a Symbol for
every man and woman) into the Hall of Maat where his heart
is placed on the Scales of Justice and weighed against the
Feather of Maat.

In the painting of this scene the Pharaoh is Symbolic of the
Ancient Initiate who is participating in an Initiation Ceremony,
Rite of Passage or an Act of Sacrifice in order to obtain
entrance into a much higher realm. However, before the
Initiate, or aspirant, can be admitted into this higher realm
he, or she, must pass through a threshold or doorway. This
threshold is Symbolized by the Initiation Ceremony called the
Weighing of the Heart which takes place in the Hall of Maat.
And it is Anubis who is the guardian and protector of this
threshold.

And although Anubis is gently guiding the Pharaoh into the secret
and sacred Hall of Maat in this scene, he is also assuring that the
Pharaoh will not proceed through the threshold which leads to the
higher realms of consciousness unless he, or she, is not only
worthy and well-qualified but also properly passes the necessary
Initiation test.

Whether or not the Pharaoh passes the test is determined by the
weight of his, or her, heart in relation to the weight of the Feather
of Maat when both are weighed against each other on the Scale
of Justice. The heart, in this instance, is Symbolic of the
worthiness of the Initiate.

Once the Pharaoh successfully passes the required Test of
Initiation the Pharaoh leaves the dog-headed Anubis behind and
is then escorted by the falcon-headed Horus to the next threshold
where he is greeted by Osiris who is accompanied by Isis and
Nephtys.

The Symbolism contained in this part of the scene is thus:

The dog (Anubis) occupies the realm of earth; and earth, in this
instance, is Symbolic of the lower aspects of our Incarnation.
The falcon (Horus) is Lord of the Skys and is Symbolic of the
higher aspects of our Incarnation. Osiris is the Neter of, and
therefore Symbolic of, re-Incarnation. The Pharaoh, again, is
Symbolic of every man and woman.

The Esoteric meaning contained in the Symbolism of this
scene is this:

Whenever we successfully pass a Test of Initiation we pass
through a threshold whereby we leave a lower aspect of
ourselves (the dog-headed Anubis) behind. We are then
introduced to, and experience, a higher aspect of ourselves
(the falcon-headed Horus) who ascends us to our next higher
Test of Initiation.

These next higher Tests of Initiation take place in our upcoming
and continuous processes of re-Incarnations (Osiris) where these
three archetypes repeat their designated responsibilities, but
in much higher realms.

Of course, should the Pharaoh (who is a Symbol of our self) fail
a Test of Initiation, Anubis would not permit the Pharaoh to be
introduced to Horus nor be greeted by Osiris. Anubis would then
exercisehis authority as protector and guardian of the threshold,
turn the Pharaoh away, and require the Pharaoh to repeat his, or
her, current Incarnation until he, or she, ultimately “gets everything
right” in order to pass the Test of Initiation.

Anubis’ role in the Weighing of the Heart Ceremony is an ideal
depiction for his title of “Guardian of the Way” and “Protector
of the Way”.

In this role Anubis is very similar to the Greek dog Cerberus
who stands guard at the entrance to underworld realm of Hades
which is a Symbol for the Great Subconscious.

And because Anubis both guides the Pharaoh and guards the
entrance to higher realms of spiritual existence, Anubis, as the
guardian of the threshold of transformation, is also associated with
the process of Becoming; for each time we obtain the required
Wisdom to cross a spiritual threshold we Become more spiritually
enlightened then we were before we crossed this threshold.

Anubis is often portrayed wearing a ribbon around his neck. The
ribbon is a Symbol of achievement and recognition. Ribbons, and
ribbons attached to medals, are presented to us for achievements
we experience throughout our life. Ribbons, shaped into bows,
also adorn the boxes of gifts we either give or receive. And it is
because gifts represent the appreciation or recognition one person
feels for another that they are wrapped up with not only a ribbon
but also with a bow made from a ribbon.

As Anubis is the Guardian of the Threshold and the guide who
escorts the worthy Initiate through the threshold he is often
portrayed wearing a ribbon. For the ribbon is Symbolic of the
recognition of the achievement obtained by the Initiate when he,
or she, successfully crosses the guarded threshold which leads
to the higher realms of spirituality and enlightenment.

Upuaut (aka: Wepwawet): Upuaut is depicted as a man with the
head of a black jackal. Very often, in today’s mythology books, the
jackal-headed Upuaut is mistakenly identified as Anubis. And
although the jackal and the dog are both members of the canine
family, their differences are both subtle and distinct. For whereas
the dog-headed Anubis is the archetypal “Guardian of the Way”,
the jackal-headed Upuaut is the archetypal “Opener of the Way”
Whereas Anubis (the dog) is domesticated, sleek and obedient,
Upuaut (the jackal) is wild, disheveled and wily.

The jackal is the Egyptian counterpart of the American coyote.

The jackal is a seldom seen animal that lives on the outskirts of
civilization. It is an animal that fends for itself. The jackal spends
its life becoming familiar with secret hiding places and concealed
passageways. It avoids contact with people and thrives by way
of its curiosity and wits.

These characteristics make the jackal synonymous with the
adventurer, explorer and mountain man. In addition, the jackal
is a Symbolic counterpart of the Wanderer, the Traveler, the
Seeker and the Lone Wolf.

The following two stories serve as metaphors which support the
archetypal aspect of the jackal, and thereby Upuaut, as the
“Opener of the Way”.

Until around 1879 no hieroglyphic writing was ever discovered
in any of the pyramids and it was assumed that no such
inscriptions were to be found in any of the pyramids.

Then one day, at Saqqara, an Egyptian workman found himself
in eye-to-eye contact with a jackal standing next to a pyramid.
According to the workman, the jackal seemed to be trying to
get his attention so as to entice him to follow it.

The jackal then walked to the north face of the pyramid and
again made eye contact with the workman before disappearing
into the rubble at the base of the pyramid.

Curious, the workman crawled through a passageway in the
rubble into which the jackal disappeared and found himself
standing in the main chamber of the pyramid. Holding his light
to the walls the workman discovered that the walls were covered
with hieroglyphic writing. The first hieroglyphic inscriptions ever
discovered within a pyramid!

The pyramid in which he was standing was the pyramid of Unas
and the hieroglyphic inscriptions on the wall came to be what is
now referred to as the Pyramid Texts.

This well documented story serves as one example of how the
jackal is the “Opener of the Way”.

Rudolf Gantenbrink is the inventor of a remote-controlled robot.
In 1993 Gantenbrink used his remote-controlled robot to explore
one of the shafts in the Queen’s Chamber in the Great Pyramid
at Giza. And because this robot was used in an adventure of
curiosity and discovery he appropriately named his remote-
controlled explorer Upuaut!

See also:The Egyptian Neter“; “The Ancient Initiate“;
Egyptian Weighing of the Heart“; “Statues, Images and Idols

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My Email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the “Comment” link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2012

Thoth – The Ibis-Headed Egyptian Neter (God):Symbolism, Mythology and Mysticism

Thoth is one of the oldest Neters, or deities, worshipped in Ancient
Egypt where he also was called Djehuti.

Thoth is usually portrayed as having the body of a man and the
head of an ibis. The man’s body tells us that he represents
masculine aspects of nature. The head of the ibis tells us that
Thoth is associated with the principles and aspects of this bird
which was sacred to the Ancient Egyptians.

Thoth was later called Hermes by the Greeks and Mercury by the
Romans. Therefore the aspects attributed to both Hermes and
Mercury are the same attributes which were originally attributed to
Thoth.

Thoth is the deity who is recognized for bestowing all arts and
sciences unto mankind. This includes, but is not limited to,
art, music, writing, speech, communication, Words, Symbols,
numbers, mathematics, geometry, counting, measuring, land
surveying, astronomy, astrology, science, logic, medicine,
magic and the mystical arts.

It is because Thoth bestowed such an enormous amount of
knowledge and Wisdom upon humanity that he was recognized
and honored as a great magician. This is made clear to us by
one of the titles originally attributed to him: Ur heka.

When we analyze the title Ur heka we get the following definition:
Ur translates as first, original or primary. Heka is the Egyptian
Neter (god / Divine Principle) of Magic.

Therefore, Ur heka translates thusly: “The original Neter, or the
original Divine Principle, of Magic”. This tells us that Thoth is the
primal or primary source (a “fountain” – if you will) from which all
of theLessons and secrets of the cosmos are made available to
mankind.

It is important at this point that we define and understand the
true original meaning of the words Magic, Magician and Magi.

A Magician is someone who is the master of magic; a master
of mysteries both terrestrial and celestial. Someone who
understands and is able to make use of the secret powers and
energies that are constantly flowing within and between the
cosmic and earthly realms.

This includes, but again is not limited to, the mastery of herbs,
potions, healing practices and purification practices along with a
thorough knowledge of all the arts and sciences mentioned above.

Magic, in its true original sense, is the knowledge and
understanding of not only the movements of the universe and the
Cycles of Time, but also the secret and sacred powers and
forces contained within all things celestial and terrestrial…hidden
and tangible…visible and invisible…esoteric and exoteric.

Magi is the plural of Magician. And, in Christian lore, we find the
Three Magi, or Three Wise men, bringing gifts to the Christ child
of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.

We are now beginning to understand what a powerful deity
Thoth was to the Ancient Egyptians. However, there is more to
this Neter Thoth, much more.

Thoth, as a bestower of all primordial knowledge and Wisdom,
is portrayed with a man’s body; for the act of bestowing is a
masculine aspect of nature.

And because the knowledge and Wisdom he bestowed to mankind
occurred in the realm of duality – the realm of Cycles, Time,
movement and measurement – Thoth was portrayed with the head
of the ibis bird; a bird which also has many additional attributes
and behaviors which are also Symbolic of the knowledge and
Wisdom associated with this beneficient deity, Thoth.

The beak of the ibis is curved, or crescent-shaped; a shape which
is Symbolic of the Moon. This tells us that Thoth is a lunar deity.
Now the question may arise, “but isn’t the Moon a feminine aspect
of nature?”. The answer is “yes”.

However, as all creation occupies the realm of duality, no one
“thing” is either wholly masculine or feminine. All masculine
aspects contain a feminine portion, and all feminine aspects
contain a masculine portion. This is portrayed for us within the
Symbol of Yin and Yang.

Although the Moon is receptive to the light of the Sun (a feminine
aspect), once that light radiates from the Moon in order to
eventually penetrate into the Earth it then becomes a masculine
aspect; similar to the masculine aspect of the sunlight radiating
from the Sun.

The curved beak of the ibis is Symbolic of the crescent-shape
of the Moon which we are all familiar with. The Moon is crescent-
shaped for the majority of its visible time; either the lighted portion
is in a crescent shape, or the dark portion is in a crescent shape.

It is this crescent shape of the Moon, which changes in measure
every night, that Symbolizes the marking, or “notching”, of Time
during either its waxing or waning phases. Lunar calendars, from
the beginning of history, are calculated and measured based
upon the different nightly appearances, or phases, of the Moon.

This cyclical “marking of time”, which is a lunar aspect, is
Symbolic of mathematics, counting, measuring, and numbers;
aspects which are attributed to Thoth. By using a celestial body,
the Moon, to accomplish these “markings” the sciences of
astronomy and astrology also become associated with Thoth.

The ibis is also a wading bird. It therefore has its head above the
water, its legs in the water and its feet firmly planted in the earth
below.

Symbolically, these aspects of the ibis represent the following:

The head, which is also a Symbol for the mind, occupies the
higher realm of Air. And the Element of Air represents the realm
of Thoughts, the super-conscious, the spiritual, and the heavenly.
Air also contains the unseen realm of Aether wherein all creative
aspects of the arts and sciences reside; aspects associated with
Thoth.

The legs occupy the realm of Water. Water represents the
Sub-Conscious: the realm of intuition, feelings and insight

The feet are firmly planted into the ground below the Water.
The ground represents the Earth along with everything associated
with the Earth. This includes the visible and consious realm above
the Earth’s surface along with the unseen realm below the Earth’s
surface: the underworld. The unseen realm of the underworld is
what the Ancient Egyptians associated with the twilight realm of
our spiritual respite between Incarnations.

Thus, by way of the Symbolism of the ibis, Thoth represents the
power and ability to maneuver comfortably within, and Travel freely
and unimpeded throughout, all realms of creation: the unseen
realms of the spiritual, mental, and Sub-Conscious (Aether, Air and
Water), the visible realm of matter (Earth), and the twilight realm of
the Underworld.

Another aspect of the ibis is that, as it probes the water looking for
bugs and insects to feed upon, it appears to be drawing designs
upon the surface of the water; a behavior which makes it appear
as if it is writing, painting, drawing or creating heiroglyphs – aspects
which are also associated with Thoth.

Most of us are familiar with Hermes; the later Greek aspect of Thoth.
Hermes is the Greek god who has wings on his feet and helmet and
is referred to as “the messenger of the gods”. Hermes, like Thoth,
is one of the very few deities who could travel freely and unrestricted
throughout all three realms of nature: heaven (Mount Olympus: home
of the gods), earth and the underworld. And because he was able to
travel unimpeded throughout all realms he was recognized, and
worshipped, as the guardian of roads and travelers.

There is an esoteric Lesson contained within this particular aspect
of Thoth-Hermes: in freely traveling between the underworld and the
earthly realm Thoth-Hermes is the Neter, or Divine Principle, who
assists us in entering and exiting, without restriction, our
Sub-Conscious (our underworld) in order to obtain all the knowledge,
Wisdom and information which is contained and hidden within this
realm.

In addition, this Divine Principle, Thoth-Hermes, is the Spiritual
Guide who we can call upon to assist us in accessing the higher,
and highest, realms of consciousness in order to obtain whatever
enlightenment we may be Seeking from these higher realms.

Also as “Messenger of the gods”, Thoth-Hermes is the diety who
shares information (communication) not only between the gods,
but also between heaven and earth (mental and spiritual messages),
and the underworld and earth (Sub-Conscious messages) as well.
In this aspect he is the Messenger, the Bringer, the Communicator
to mankind of all Cosmic Laws, Divine Principles, Spiritual Truths,
and Esoteric (hidden) Knowledge.

Among the numerous titles assigned to Thoth we find the following:

Inventor of Writing, Keeper of Records, Scribe of Truth, Record
Keeper of the Underworld, Lord of Wisdom, Creator of Sacred
Words and of Secret Writing, God of Chronology, God of
Counting, and Inventor of Hieroglyphic Writing

Thoth, as the “marker of time” is often depicted holding the stem
of a palm leaf. This stem contains sharply pointed protrusions on
both sides of the stem. These protrusions are equally spaced
along the length of the stem and are similar therefore to our
modern day ruler or yardstick.

Thoth is often portrayed as “notching time”, etching counts,
marking Events, recording historical deeds and measuring the
rulership of a pharaoh or the life-span of an individual into the
stem of a palm leaf.

Again this “notching”, or “counting”, or “marking” is Symbolically
similar to the crescent-shape changes of the waxing and waning
moon as it passes through the nightly phases of its cycle.

Ancient Egyptian art in the Egyptian Book of the Dead contains
the scene of Thoth “notching”, or recording, the result of the
Ritual called the Weighing of the Heart as the heart of the recently
deceased pharaoh is weighed against the Feather of Maat.

As previously mentioned, the Roman Mercury is the modern day
counter part of Egyptian Thoth. Mercury is associated with the
mind and therefore controls communication, information, thought,
clear thinking, reasoning, logic, negotiation and discrimination;
all of which are aspects of Thoth.

Mercury is also the astrological ruler of the constellation Gemini.
Gemini is a dual sign (Castor and Pollux). Mercury, as ruler of a
dual sign, enables those who are truly in Harmony with Mercury,
and therefore Thoth, to properly evaluate both sides of any issue
and communicate correctly.

Hermes is also the source of the modern term “hermetically sealed”
which also means “tightly sealed”. Therefore, esoterically,
“tightly sealed” refers to anything which is hidden or Secret
an aspect of the dark side of the Moon (Lunar Thoth). In this case
it refers to hidden or secret knowledge and information (both Thoth
aspects) which can only be opened by, or revealed to, a select
worthy Initiate.

The mythologies, Symbolism, mysticism and mysteries which are
associated with Thoth, and his later Greek and Roman counterparts
of Hermes and Mercury, are far too vast to be covered in one single
article.

Therefore, those who are interested in discovering further, and
similarly deep, aspects of this ancient and powerful deity named
Thoth, along with his later counterparts Hermes and Mercury, will
find themselves informed, amazed and enlightened should they
Choose to delve into the legends, mythologies and lore of this
ancient, dynamic and powerful Egyptian Neter.

Added on December 24, 2012:
As the Moon is the reflector of the Sun’s perpetual light, the light
which supplies brightness to the dark night, Thoth, as a moon-god,
Symbolizes the reflection of Divine Light. And, in this aspect, he
is the bringer, or conduit, of all eternal Truth, Wisdom and
knowledge (light, enlightenment) to mankind.

 Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My Email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the “Comment” link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2012