This year, at the Lammas Faire and Samhain, the SEF offers a unique opportunity to experience the most commonly practiced religious ceremonies of ancient Egypt.
In antiquity, religious observations and magical practice were patterned after myths. The belief was that repeating mythic patterns symbolically would bring about the same results. Every night, the egyptian sun God would bathe in the waters of creation, don His divine apparel and insignia, then ascend into the sky renewed, bringing light and life to the world.
The daily temple rites, the ceremonial purification and investing of the king, the consecration of statues, the awakening of the mummy prior to internment, and certain magical ceremonies, all were derived from and recreated this myth. All share the same ritual pattern and acts, but with text directed to the work at hand.
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The SEF offers the opportunity to participate in two of these types of ritual. First, the consecration of statuary will be presented at the Lammas Faire. This ceremony was performed at the egyptian new year, around the beginning of August. Images and objects so consecrated were thought to be suitable dwelling places for the spirits of the Gods. Modern use of this ritual allows one to develop a closer relationship with the Powers one serves. Participants are encouraged to bring a statue of their Patron deity to be consecrated.
