Shamanic Mysteries of Egypt - Awakening the Healing Power of the Heart author: Nicki Scully, Linda Star Wolf artist: Kris Waldherr Bear & Company 2007 ISBN #1-59143-068-2 The first mystery that I ran across was of my own making - I had ordered this book from the site, so that I could get an autographed copy (I am a big fan of Nicki Scully!), and could not find the autograph! I fussed about this for a couple of days, then I sat down to review the book. And there was the autograph, right where it was supposed to be! My first lesson - open your eyes, so that you can see what is right in front of them! This is such an incredible book, combining channeled information (from Linda) on the Egyptian Gods and Goddesses, Egyptian myth and history, and first hand information (from Nicki) on the archetypes and on ritual work. The heart of this work is literally our physical heart, and its ability to express love and heal. It is through our heart that we retain our connection to the ancient gods of Egypt - a connection that at this moment in time needs to be reinforced. We are asked to remember that as humans we are divine, and that we do have a sacred purpose. The reader begins their journey through this book as an initiate, and works their way through an alchemical death and rebirth, under the auspices of Thoth and Anubis. The Gods/Goddesses/Elements worked with are as follows: Part I: The First Great Round 0 The Dove - Initiate: Innocence/Trust 1 Nekhbet - Mother-Mut-Alchemist: Wisdom Keeper/Grand Mother 2 Nephthys - The High Priestess: Intuition/Mystery 3 Isis - Holy Queen/Mother of Us All: Embodied Manifestation of Love 4 Khnum - Master Craftsman: Creator of Form/Organizing Principle 5 The Sphinx - Divine Messenger: Earth Alter/Cosmic Library 6 Sobek and Horus - Reconciliation of Opposites: Forgiveness/Understanding 7 Sekhmet - Transformation: Fierce Compassion/Healer 8 Ma'at - Truth: Radiance/Balance 9 Thoth - Illumination: Architect of Wisdom/Enlightened Communication 10 Khpera - Cycles of Change: Planetary Guardian/Spiral Dancer Part II: The Second Great Round 11 Bast - Holy Longing (Desire): Instinct/Sensuality 12 Anubis - Surrender: Shaman/Enlightened Heart 13 Osiris - Regeneration: Transmutation/Beauty 14 Hathor - Magic: Medicine Woman/Integration 15 Set - Shadow: Adversarial Ally/Trickster 16 Wadjet - Life Force Energy: Purification/Divine Awakener 17 Sothis - Star Consciousness: Generosity/Bodhisvattva 18 Khonsu - Lunar Energies: Divine Timing/Blood Mysteries 19 Amun-Ra - Solar Energies: Transfiguration/Alchemical Gold 20 Ptah - The New Aeon: Imagination/Visionary Prophet 21 Nut and Geb - Wholeness: Creation of Sacred Purpose/Divine Parents Part III: The Elements - Tools For Manifestation 22 The Nile - Sacred Archetypal Element of Water 23 The Pyramid - Sacred Archetypal Element of Earth 24 The Desert - Sacred Archetypal Element of Fire 25 The Crested Ibis - Sacred Archetypal Element of Air In her introduction, Scully notes that the renewal of the healing power of the heart is the result of the sacred marriage between the heart and the mind, which mirrors the awakening of consciousness in humans. the focus of this book is to allow humans to step into their divine nature. In reconnecting with the archetypal energy of the Gods/Goddesses, we break through the veil that separates us, as humans, from the Gods. The rituals shared address the intelligent nature of the heart, as well as its intuitive and discerning abilities. Through story, breath work, meditation, visualization, and ritual, the reader is walked through an alchemical death and rebirth, as the energy of the archetypes becomes part of them. It is recommended that the journey that is this book be followed in order, with the ability to return to whatever archetype is needed in the future. One of the wonderful gifts of this book is the amazing artwork that was done by artist Kris Waldherr. I think my favorite was the mandala of the Four Elements - richly colored, and highly evocative animal imagery. At the end of the book Scully has included a glossary of the Gods, a glossary of terms, and a suggested reading list. This is not a book just to be read, it is a book to be worked with, for personal growth and the placement of wisdom. We don't often get this kind of a chance to work on ourselves - for anyone who wishes to do so, get this book! © April 2007 Bonnie Cehovet Personal Lifestyle Reading - I offer a Personal Lifestyle Reading using Tarot that looks at past, present and future influences in your life, at the energies that are currently available to help you along your path, and at those energies that are appearing as challanges. My goal is to offer you insight into your decision making process, as well as tools that you can use to both better understand your path and make conscious, choice centered decisions. Home Personal Empowerment links Personal Empowerment articles Graphics by Art for the web