An in-depth examination of the ancient Egyptian approach to death and its relevance to the modern near-death experience

• A thought-provoking account of the numerous initiatic stages of the immortalization process

• Examines the Ritual of Embalming and the Ritual of the Opening of the Mouth, both central to the ancient Egyptian death experience

• Includes numerous illustrations from the rich field of Egyptian funeral art

In their well-known Book of the Dead, the ancient Egyptians left humanity one of the most comprehensive looks at the death experience and the afterlife. Without sacrificing the rich complexity of pharaonic thought, Stephane Rossini and Ruth Schumann Antelme provide an accessible, thought-provoking account of the numerous initiatic stages of the immortalization process and the magical self-defense techniques necessary for the soul to achieve its ultimate objective as a solarized being.

The true significance of the ancient Egyptian view of death cannot be entirely comprehended without knowledge of the practices that preceded those described in the Book of the Dead. Becoming Osiris presents an informative account of both the Ritual of Embalming, which transforms the deceased into a latent Osiris, and the Ritual of the Opening of the Mouth, which restores to the deceased his faculties. Though thousands of years old, these texts have an astounding contemporary relevance.

With numerous illustrations from the rich field of Egyptian funeral art, Becoming Osiris presents a comprehensive guide to the fascinating Osirian odyssey that is the ancient Egyptian death experience.

Ruth Schumann Antelme is an Egyptologist, an emeritus researcher of the CNRS in France and a professor at the School of the Louvre.

Translator's Preface

Hymn to Osiris


1. Ancient Egypt in Context
The Effect of Geography on Egyptian Thought
The Concept of the Eternal Return
The Ritual Integration of the Deceased and the Tomb in the
Cycle of Everyday Life
The Constituent Elements of the Individual
The Texts and Rituals of Immortality

FIRST STAGE: THE EMBALMING

2. The Transformation of the Deceased into a Latent Osiris
The Preparation of the Body to Be Embalmed
The Intervention of the Deities

SECOND STAGE: THE OPENING OF THE MOUTH RITUAL

3. The Restoration of the Deceased's Faculties
The Place and the Protagonists for the Opening of the Mouth Ritual
The Enactment of the Opening of the Mouth Ritual
The Funeral Banquet

THIRD STAGE: THE BOOK OF THE DEAD, METHODS OF OBTAINING IMMORTALITY

4. The Return to the Universal Matrix
The First Contact of the Deceased with the Beyond
The Magic Funerary Statuettes
The First Obstacles to Entering the Dwat
Guardian Deities, Hope, and Adoration of Ra

5. Teachings for Coming Forth by Day
Summary of Essential Knowledge
Accompanying Prayers for the Deceased and the Litany to Thoth
Mystical Restoration and Reactivation of the Individual

6. Magical Self-Defense
Invocation to the Heart
Places and Forces Hostile to the Deceased
Magical Protection for the Deceased
The Mystical Food for the Departed
Mastery of the Elements

7. Transformations and Solarization of the Deceased
General Program for the Coming Forth by Day and Practical
Recommendations
Alleged History of Chapter 64
The Transmuted One Takes Cosmic Flight to Meet the Divine Powers
Return to the Tomb and Provisions for the Solarized One
The Twelve Avatars of the Glorified Individual

8. Magical Integration of the Transfigured One within the Cosmic Framework
The Dead Individual Assures Himself of the Presence of His Soul,
His Shadow, and His Ka
Thoth Hands over the Magic Palette to the Deceased
Formula for Bringing the Ferry in the Sky to
Oneself and Voyaging with Ra
Invocation to the Ka and to the Souls of the Holy Cities

9. The Vindicated Explores the Cycle of the Beyond
Travels and Works in the Land of Abundance
Stellar Take-Off and the Return to the Tomb
The Tribunal of Osiris
The Vindicated, Osiris-Ra, Travels through the Hereafter

10. Accompaniment of the Deceased and Geography of the Beyond
Prayers and Magic Practices Based on Lunar Rhythms
The Deceased in the Service of Ra: Solar Destiny
Ritual Furnishings for the Tomb and Its Safeguards
The Four Secret Books

11. The Mystical Labyrinth and the Glorious Arrival
The Geography of the Beyond
Dangers of the Beyond and Protective Amulets for the Dead
The Opening of the Sky to the Four Cosmic Winds
The Radiant Glorification of the Deceased, Osiris-Ra

12. The Additional Chapters
Preservation of the Body and Soul of the Deceased
Homage Paid by the Deceased to the Deities of the Caverns and to Osiris
The Destruction of the World and the Cosmic Renewal
Glorification of Osiris-Ra

Epilogue

Appendix: Were the Ancient Egyptians Familiar with Near Death Experiences?

Deities and Guardian Spirits Cited

Glossary

Bibliography

Index