PROYET-season (Emergence)
Third Month: Phamenoth
 
Day 1 – 15th January: It is the day (of jubilation) in heaven and earth and everybody likewise. Feast of entering into heaven and the two banks. Horus is jubilating. Feast of Horus the Elder. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 2 – 16th January: If you see anything, it will be good on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: at noon.
Day 3 – 17th January: [Damaged entry] Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 4 – 18th January: A Feast of Propitiation for Set. Announcement of fighting; call in Heliopolis by Set, his voice being in heaven [thunder], his voice being on earth, through great fury [storm]. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 5 – 19th January: Neith goes forth from Sais when they see (her) beauty in the night for four and a half (hours). [Possibly referral to an eclipse] Feast of Neith. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 6 – 20th January: Jubilation of Osiris is Bursiris … Going Forth of Anubis, (his adorers) following him … he has received everybody in the hall. Mayest thou make the ritual. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 7 – 21st January: Do not go out of your house until Re sets. It is the day when the eye of Re called the followers, and they reached him (in) the evening. Beware of it. [Marking the day when Sekhmet punished mankind for rebelling against Re.] Sun rises in Aquarius. Prayer or divinatory time: at noon.
Day 8 – 22nd January: If you see anything, it will be good on this day. It is the day of making way for the gods. Khnum who presides over those who remove themselves from him. The Feast Day of Khumn, the creator-god, who fashions human beings on his potter’s wheel. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 9 – 23rd January: Judgement in Heliopolis. The anniversary of the judgement of the gods between Set and Horus. Sun rises in Aquarius. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 10 – 24th January: It is the day of the coming of Thoth. They guided the very great Flame into her house of the desert of eternity (along) the way which she found among them. The celebration of Thoth bringing 40
 
Sekhmet, the lion-goddess, back from her self-imposed exile. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 11 – 25th January: As to the dead who go about in the necropolis on this day, the dead are going about in order to repel the anger of the enemy who is in the said land. A Feast of Osiris in Amenti. A day for honouring the Ancestors in the Otherworld. Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
Day 12 – 26th January: Wsr [the Nile] comes from Nun on this day. Traditionally a celebration of the first appearance of the life-giving waters at the Creation. The Feast of the Nile. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 13 – 27th January: The coming of Thoth (with his spirits) on this day. A Feast of Thoth. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 14 – 28th January: Do not go out of your house (on any road) on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 15 – 29th January: Rebellion in the shrine(?). Do not do any work on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 16 – 30th January: Opening of the windows and opening of the court, and looking into the doorways of Karnak, where his place is. Do not look into the darkness on this day. Reference to the cleaning of the temple. [There is a dark, inner sanctuary of Sekhmet in the Temple of Ptah at Karnak.] Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 17 – 31st January: Do not pronounce the name of Set on this day. As to him who pronounces his name without his knowledge, he will not stop from fighting in his house eternally. Set was the god of Chaos who was always at odds with his siblings. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 18 – 1st February: Feast of Nut who counts the days. Make a holiday in your house. Prayer or divinatory time: at dawn and in the afternoon.
Day 19 – 2nd February: Birth of Nut anew … Do not go out of your house; do not see the light (sw). Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 20 – 3rd February: Do not go out of your house on any road. Do not see the light. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 21 – 4th February: [Damaged entry] Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
Day 22 – 5th February: Birth of the mysterious one (Apophis). Do not get the thought of pronouncing the names of the snakes. [Obscure meaning but some snakes were unlucky and Apophis is the serpent-god of the netherworld.] Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
Day 23 – 6th February: Feast of Horus on this day of his years in his very beautiful images. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 24 – 7th February: Do not go out of your house on any road on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 25 – 8th February: Do not do anything on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 26 – 9th February: [Obscure meaning] Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
Day 27 – 10th February: Do not do anything on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 28 – 11th February: Feast of Osiris in Abydos. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 29 – 12th February: If you see anything it will be good. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 30 – 13th February: Feast in Busiris. The names of the doorways come into existence. House of Re, House of Osiris, House of Horus. Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.

How can I be of service? These words may be familiar to many who are walking a path of service to their gods/deities/Cosmic Consciousness/ humanity. They may be offered in all sincerity, at times without full understanding of what it entails. Regardless, the Powers That Are will take us at our words and fill the job vacancy forthwith. The probationary period may last years and there's always the possibility that they may terminate the job. You may, or may not, think my tone is a little disrespectful. Each to their own, in my experience it helps to temper your ego with large doses of humour. An inflated sense of self importance has been the downfall of many walking a spiritual path, never mind in the mundane world. 
 
As for me, my period of service began long before I'd even understood what those words meant. The ancient Egyptian neteru (gods) were of fascination since childhood, such fascination in retrospect was I think a form of devotion that kept their essences vividly alive in my life. Not that they were ever likely to disappear into the mists of time, and end up being just names in popular and academic tomes. They withdraw into the shadows when it suits, watching, waiting, to see what we do. Am I anthropomorphising? Perhaps, but the concept of pure abstraction isn't always easy to grasp. The force is contained within form to enable understanding of its qualities. There is also the issue of ancient Egypt seen through the lens of popular culture. It appears to be centred on certain god-forms to the detriment of others, without an understanding of the cultural milieu they arose in. "New Age" representations do not sit well with me. I digress. Where was I? 
 
The journey to the inner sanctum of the temple and initiation continued in all earnest when I entered the funeral profession. Anpu (Anubis) called and I answered readily. What entailed was a most sacred duty, and years of hardship, on material and spiritual levels. My health suffered, one could say I was tested to the limits of endurance. Yet, I survived, and proved resilient. His assessment continued over the years, during which I offered my time as a volunteer for the Samaritans and Cruse Bereavement Care. Further skills were added to the toolkit of an aspiring Priestess. The journey continued until I was ordained as a Minister with the Sacred Rites Foundation and initiated as a Priestess of Anubis with the Temple of Khem. I'm also on the Board of Trustees with the British Pagan Seminary, and awaiting training as a Pagan Chaplain.
 
An honour on all accounts. That doesn't mean the hard work is over, I have still to prove myself and be ever mindful to retain a sense of integrity and honesty in such sacred duties. Sounds idealistic, it isn't, standards have to be maintained, as does healthy self-awareness, and professionalism. One's deities/gods will deal appropriately with an egotistical individual deemed unworthy of their priesthood. Hubris has unpleasant consequences.
 

PROYET-season (Emergence)
Second Month: Mekhir
​
Day 1 – 16th December: The god and goddesses are in festivity on this day (namely), in the feast of [lifting] the heaven of Re by Ptah, with his hands (he who has no equal). [The notion of the sky being lifted by Ptah rather than Shu is found in a hymn to this god, which is now in Berlin.] A holiday in the entire land. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 2 – 17th December: The day of receiving Re by the gods. The heart of the Two Lands is in festivity. Prayer or divinatory time: at noon.
Day 3 – 18th December: Do not go out of your house on any road on this day. It is the day of the Going Forth of Set with his confederates to the eastern horizon, and the navigation of Ma’at to the place (where the gods are). Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 4 – 19th December: Apply your heart to your local gods; propitiate your spirits. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 5 – 20th December: If you see anything, it will be good on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 6 – 21st December: It is the day of putting up the djet by the Majesty of Osiris. The gods are sad with their faces turned downwards when they remember the Majesty of this god. [Refers to the resurrection of Osiris represented by the djet-pillar. For ritual purposes it is highly appropriate that this day coincides with Winter Solstice in the northern hemisphere.] Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 7 – 22nd December: Make invocation and offering to the spirits in your house. Make offerings to the gods, and they will be accepted on this day. Sun rises in Capricorn. Prayer or divinatory time: at noon.
Day 8 – 23rd December: The gods and goddesses are in festivity on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 9 – 24th December: If you see anything, it will be good on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 10 – 25th December: The Going Forth of the Wedjet-eye. The raising up of the female Majesty of the sanctuary by Mnevis. Re raised up Ma’at again and again to Atum. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 11 – 26th December: Feast of Neith. The Going Forth of Sobek to guide her Majesty. Thou wilt see good at her hands. Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
Day 12 – 27th December: If you see anything, it will be good on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 13 – 28th December: Do not go out of your house on any road on this day. It is the day of the preceding of Sekhmet to Letopolis on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 14 – 29th December: Do not go out on this day at the beginning (lit. in the face) of dawn. The day of the slaying of Apophis by Set. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 15 – 30th December: The gods go forth for him in heaven. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 16 – 31st December: Awakening of Isis by the Majesty of Re … when the son Horus saved his father. He has beaten Set and his confederates. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 17 – 1st January: A day of keeping those things (of Osiris) which have been placed in the hands of Anubis (for safe keeping). A day for remembering ‘absent friends’. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 18 – 2nd January: This is the day when a search was made to retrieve the eye of Horus that had been torn out during his battle with Set. It symbolises the eternal renewal of royal divinity and Egyptian faith in the continual reintegration of universal harmony. Prayer or divinatory time: at dawn and in the afternoon.
Day 19 – 3rd January: Decide not to go out during day-time. It is a day of (mourning the god). [Refers to the slaying of Osiris by Set, which interrupts the harmonious cosmic flow and endangers the whole social order.] Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 20 – 4th January: The proceeding of the (female) Majesty of Heaven southward to the road … [Referring to a ritual procession of a statue of Hathor.] Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 21 – 5th January: Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
Day 22 – 6th January: If you see anything, it will be good on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
Day 23 – 7th January: If you see anything, it will be good on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 24 – 8th January: Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 25 – 9th January: If you see anything, it will be good on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 26 – 10th January: The Going Forth of Min from Coptos on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
Day 27 – 11th January: The Feast of Sokar. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 28 – 12th January: The spirits are joyful, the dead are also in festivity. [A day for honouring the Ancestors and ‘speaking the name of the dead in order to make them live again’.] Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 29 – 13th January: Do not do anything on this day. [An unlucky day, marking the start of the fighting between the children of Nut and Geb. Often referred to as the ‘children of disorder’ because of their incessant quarrelling and the disturbances they provoked.] Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 30 – 14th January: Do not talk with anybody (in a loud voice) on this day. House of Re, House of Osiris, House of Horus. Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
​

PROYET-season (Emergence)
First Month: Tybi
 
Day 1 – 16th November: Double the offerings and present the gifts of nhb-kaw [for the sprouting of the new crops] to the gods in the presence of Ptah in the shrines of the gods and goddesses, saviours of Re and his own followers … and of Ptah-Sokar and Sekhmet the great, Nerfertem, Horus-Hekenu, Bastet, the great fire … propitiating the Wedjet eye [the cobra goddess]. It will be good … offering before … in nourishment. [The traditional first day of planting, i.e. spring for the ancient Egyptians.] Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 2 – 17th November: Make a holiday in your house. Prayer or divinatory time: at noon.
Day 3 – 18th November: Do not burn fire [i.e. incense] in the presence of Re. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 4 – 19th November: If you see anything it will be good. Anyone born on this day will die old among his people. He will spend a long life, and be well received by his father. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 5 – 20th November: It is the day of placing the flame in front of the great ones by Sekhmet who presides in the Lower Egyptian sanctuary when she was violent in her manifestations because of her detention by Ma’at, Ptah, Thoth, Heh [the personification of infinity] and Sia [the personification of the perceptive mind] and the gods on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 6 – 21st November: Repeat the offerings of the victuals of him who dwells in wrt [a holy place], and return the victuals of the noble Khenti-irty [the earliest form of Osiris which shows him as a hawk with a flail] and offerings to the gods were doubled by everyone on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 7 – 22nd November: Do not copulate with any woman, or any person in front of the great flame [i.e. the sun – during the day] which is in your house on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: at noon.
Day 8 – 23rd November: If you see anything, it will be good on this day. Sun rises in Sagittarius. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 9 – 24th November: The gods are joyful with the offerings of Sekhmet [on this] day. Repeat the offerings. It will be pleasant to the heart of the gods and the spirits. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 10 – 25th November: Do not burn any wbd-papyrus on this day. It is the day of the Coming Forth of the flame (together with Horus from the marshes) on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 11 – 26th November: Do not approach the flame on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
Day 12 – 27th November: If you see any dog on this day, do not approach him on the day of answering every speech of Sekhmet on this day. [Possibly referring to a superstition of the time.] Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 13 – 28th November: Prolonging life-time and making beneficent the goddess of truth [Ma’at] in the temple. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 14 – 29th November: Weeping of Isis and Nephthys. It is the day when they mourned Osiris in Busiris in remembrance of that which he had seen. Do not listen to singing and chanting on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 15 – 30th November: If you see anything it will be good on this day. It is the day of the Going forth of Nun through the cave to the place (where the gods are) … (in) darkness … [Coming into the light.] Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 16 – 1st December: The Going Forth of Shu. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 17 – 2nd December: Do not wash yourself with water on this day. It is the day of the Going Forth of Nun to the place where the gods are. Those who are above and below come into existence; the land being still in darkness. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 18 – 3rd December: The Going Forth of the gods to Abydos. Prayer or divinatory time: at dawn and in the afternoon.
Day 19 – 4th December: The great gods are in heaven on this day and (lit. mixed with) the pestilence of the year. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 20 – 5th December: Do not do anything on this day. It is the day of the Going Forth of Bastet who protects the Two Lands and cares for him who comes in darkness. Beware of passing on land until Re sets. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 21 – 6th December: Guidance of the Two Lands by Bastet and making ’abt-offering to the followers of Re on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
Day 22 – 7th December: If you see anything it will be good on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
Day 23 – 8th December: Anyone born on this day will die in great old age and rich in every good thing. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 24 – 9th December: Happiness is in heaven and earth on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 25 – 10th December: Do not eat milk on this day. Drink and eat honey on this day. [The prohibition of drinking milk probably means it was exclusively offered to the cow-goddess – Hathor or Nut. Purification by means of milk is also referred to in other texts.] Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 26 – 11th December: Do not go out in it [the day] until Re sets when offerings are diminished in Busiris. [The subject of diminishing offerings is frequently mentioned in the Book of the Dead.] Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
Day 27 – 12th December: Great festivity on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 28 – 13th December: Taking a solemn oath by Thoth in Ashmunein, and the Going Forth of the noble one. [The most solemn oath one can take and refers to that pledged by Horus the Elder and Set.] The land is in festivity on this day. Make a holiday in your house. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 29 – 14th December: Appearance in the sight of Hu [personification of the authority of a word of command.] Thoth will send his command southwards to guide the Two Lands by Bastet together with the sole mistress as Sekhmet the great, the gods being happy. If you see anything it will be good on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 30 – 15th December: Crossing over in the presence of Nun from the Temple of Hapi, the father of the gods and the Ennead. Do not neglect them while incense is on the fire according to their lists on this day. House of Re, House of Osiris, House of Horus. Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.

AKET-season (Inundation) Fourth Month: Khoiak
 
Day 1 – 17th October: The Great and the Small Ennead is in festivity and all those who came into being in the primordial age, their form is in every body of thine [Re]. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 2 – 18th October: Gods and goddesses are in festivity; the heaven and the land are in joy. If you see anything, it will be good on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: at noon.
Day 3 – 19th October: Do not do anything on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 4 – 20th October: One should perform the rituals in the Temple of Sokar and in thy house on this day, with all provisions in the necropolis. [Sokar was primarily a funerary god who was later associated with both Osiris and Ptah – perhaps a day for remembering the Ancestors.] Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 5 – 21st October: The Going Forth of Khentet-’abet [a goddess whose horns are prominent, i.e. Hathor, probably as the mother of Horus the Elder] in the presence of the Great Ones. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 6 – 22nd October: Do not go out on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 7 – 23rd October: Do not eat or taste fish on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: at noon.
Day 8 – 24th October: If you see anything it will be good on this day. Sun rises in Scorpio. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 9 – 25th October: It is the day of the action performed by Thoth. Thereupon the gods, together with Thoth caused the enemy of Set to kill himself [Apophis]. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 10 – 26th October: As to anyone born on this day, he will die of old age. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 11 – 27th October: Feast of Osiris in Abydos. The dead are in jubilation. Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
Day 12 – 28th October: Do not go out on this day on any road in the wind. It is the day of the Transformation of the Benu. Offer to the Benu in your house on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
The Transformation of the Benu refers to the phoenix, which personifies the everlasting sun god. The benu bird is thought to be the phoenix – the heron. Two days later the ‘Hedj-hotpe and the Tayet [both goddesses of weaving] come forth from the Temple of Benben on this day. They handed things [gifts] to Neith on this day.’
It is possible that this second festival coincides with the receding of the flood waters that symbolise the re-emergence of the land with its newly enriched soil. The goddesses of weaving also suggest that the second date is a women’s festival attached to the Temple of Benben – the holy stone that symbolised the primeval Mound and closely associated with the benu-bird.
Day 13 – 29th October: The Going Forth of the White One (or ‘the Majesty of Heaven’- an attribute of Hathor]. The Great Ennead is in festivity. Make a holiday in your house on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 14 – 30th October: [The goddesses of weaving] come forth from the Temple of Benben on this day. They hand things to Neith on this day. Their hearts are happy. [Obviously an ancient festival and one dedicated to domestic affairs rather than commerce or business. Weaving goddesses are also associated with fate and destiny, and the intertwining of lives. Explore the strands of this special weaving, especially at a time when the festival coincides with the end of the old year in the Northern hemisphere.] Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 15 – 31st October: Do nothing on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day. Day 16 – 1st November: Feast of Sekhmet and Bast. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 17 – 2nd November: Feast of Horus the Elder. Do not go out at midday on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 18 – 3rd November: [Damaged entry] Prayer or divinatory time: at dawn and in the afternoon.
Day 19 – 4th November: Do not taste beer and bread on this day. Drink water (i.e. juice) of the grapes until Re sets. A day of fasting. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 20 – 5th November: Do not go out on any road on this day. Do not anoint thyself with ointment on this day. Do not go out of your house at midday. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 21 – 6th November: It is the day of the going forth of the mysterious Great Ones to look for the Akhet-eye. Do not go out of your house in the day time. Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
Day 22 – 7th November: If you see anything, it will be good on this day. A time for beginning the formula for the making of the spirit of Osiris (i.e. resurrection). To be repeated for the next four days. Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
Day 23 – 8th November: Do not go out during night-time. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 24 – 9th November: Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 25 – 10th: November: Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 26 – 11th November: The end of the formula for the making of the spirit of Osiris. Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
Day 27 – 12th November: Feast of Thoth. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 28 – 13th November: If you see anything, it will be good. Do not go out at night-time on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day
Day 29 – 14th November: Do not eat fish on this day. Do not offer it to the gods on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 30 – 15th November: If you see anything, it will be pleasing to the heart of the gods and goddesses on this day. Offer to the gods and the assistants of the Ennead. Make an invocation to the spirits, and give food in accordance with their lust. It is the day of the pleasure of the Great Ennead. House of Re, House of Osiris, House of Horus. Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
​
The Calendar of Ancient Egypt - the revised and expanded edition compiled by Melusine Draco, is published by Ignotus Press UK ISBN 978 1 78876 583 1.   Order direct from the publisher to qualify for the special price. 
​

AKET-season (Inundation)
Third month: Athyr
 
Day 1—17th September: Feast of Hathor, the Mistress of Heaven. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 2 – 18th September: Return of Wedjet from Dep. [Dep is the pre-Dynastic name for Buto, of which Wedjet was the patron goddess.] Prayer or divinatory time: noon.
Day 3 – 19th September: If you see anything it will be good on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 4 – 20th September: The trembling of the earth under Nun [the god who personified the original formless ocean of Chaos]. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 5 – 21st September: Do not keep fire burning in the house on this day. The turning of the year with the Autumn (Spring in Egypt) Equinox. In Egypt traditionally the time for planting – in the Northern hemisphere, harvest and the end of summer. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 6 – 22nd September: The encouragement of the gods of the Two Lands [Set and Horus]. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 7 – 23rd September: If you see anything it will be good on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: noon.
Day 8 – 24th September: Isis goes forth unto her son, Horus. Sun rises in Libra. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 9 – 25th September: Do not go outside on any road from your house on this day. Do not let light fall on your face until Re is set in his horizon. It is the day of blaming the great ones … who were in his presence. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 10 – 26th September: Great rejoicing in heaven; the crew of Re are in peace, his Ennead is cheerful [lit. ‘shout loudly’]. Those in the fields are working. It is the day of judgement between Horus and Set. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 11 – 27th September: If you see anything it will be good on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
Day 12 – 28th September: Do not go to your antagonist but go to answer the neighbours [Obviously a time of strife in ancient Egypt]. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 13 – 29th September: This is the day of cutting into pieces ...This neshmet-boat of Osiris is sailing up-stream to Abydos to the great town of Onnophris. Set entered the embalming booth … to announce the god’s limbs. Then they became fresh [Opening of the Mouth Ceremony]. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 14 – 30th September: Do not do anything on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 15 – 1st October: Let a man sleep with his wife on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 16 – 2nd October: The appearance of the Great Ones of the Ogduad [The Hermopolitan group of eight deities connected to the Creation myth]. A happy day of infinity and eternity. Do not go out of your house on this day. Let not a man sleep with his wife. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 17 – 3rd October: Landing of the Great Ones, the Upper and Lower Ones at Abydos; loud weeping and wailing by Isis and Nephthys, her sister, over Onnophris [Osiris] in Sais. The weeping and crying isheard in Abydos. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 18 – 4th October: It is the day of strife by the children of Geb … do not approach any road for making a journey on it. Prayer or divinatory time: at dawn and in the afternoon.
Day 19 – 5th October: Beware the children of the storm … Let a man eat bread in his house. Do not go outside on the road on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 20 – 6th October: The Going Forth of Bastet. Offer to the gods on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 21 – 7th October: The Feast of Shu, son of Re. Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
Day 22 – 8th October: The raising of Ma’at in order to see Re, when she is summoned by the gods in the presence of Re. Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
Day 23 – 9th October: [Damaged] Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 24 – 10th October: Isis goes forth, her heart being happy and Nephthys being also in jubilation when they see Onnophris [Osiris]. He had given his throne to his son, Horus, in front of Re. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 25 – 11th October: If you see anything, it will be good on this day. Do not offer to the gods on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 26 – 12th October: Establishing the Djed … of Atum in the heaven and land of Heliopolis reconciliation of the Two Lords and causing the land to be in peace. The whole of Egypt is given to Horus, and all the desert land to Set. Going forth of Thoth in order to judge in the presence of Re. Do not offer to the gods. Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
Day 27 – 13th October: Judging of Horus and Set; stopping the fighting. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 28 – 14th October: The gods are in jubilation and in joy … The land is in festivity and the gods are pleased. If you see anything, it will be good. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 29 – 15th October: The going forth of the three noble ladies in the presence of Ptah, beautiful of face, while giving praise to Re, him who belongs to the throne of truth of the temples of the goddesses. Giving the White Crown to Horus, and the Red Crown to Set. [Usually Horus represents Lower Egypt and Set Upper Egypt, so the ascription of the Crowns may seem puzzling. But as ‘all the desert land’ is assigned to Set, perhaps the association of the same word, now applies to the Red Crown, and explains the previous statement.] Do not dispute with your antagonist on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 30 – 16th October: If you see anything, it will be good on this day. Do not offer to the male gods. Do not offer to the goddesses on this day. House of Re, House of Osiris, House of Horus. Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.

The Calendar of Ancient Egypt - the revised and expanded edition compiled by Melusine Draco, is published by Ignotus Press UK ISBN 978 1 78876 583 1.   Order direct from the publisher to qualify for the special price. 



​

Very  few  cultures  have  had  as  much  influence  on  present day esoteric systems and no other magical tradition has had so much rubbish written on its behalf than the Egyptian Mystery Tradition.  As German occult writer, Frater U. D. observed in one of his books: “It has become trendy to begin any exposition on secret lore with the words ‘The history of theory X is as old as mankind itself’. Not that such statements are always wrong, but there is little value in suggesting the long continuity of any tradition if it cannot be proved.”
    
Egyptologist Kurt Lange [Egypt] posed an opposing line of questioning as to whether we even see the pharaonic period with its ‘increasingly evident transformations’ in a different light to that in which it was viewed by the pioneer Egyptologists of only fifty or a hundred years ago.  And, he continued, if that is the case, does this explanation suggest that perhaps we are projecting our own essence and will into the unfathomable mystery of ancient Egypt?  “Can we of today ever penetrate to the core of the nature of an age-old creative community from a different milieu?  In our efforts to know, to explain and to feel ourselves corroborated, are we not attempting to grasp a mirage?  Every seeker after knowledge is bound to ask himself such questions before he turns to the sources.”
    
Aeron Medbh-Mara observed in her essay, Dagger & The Plough, each environment be it moor, bog, forest, heathland, fen, artic tundra, desert and mountain, etc, poses different problems for those living under such conditions. “Each had their own deities concerned with the various aspects of life, climate, circumstance and death.   True, in some case we may be faced with relatively modern landscape for, as we have colonised each area we have subtly or otherwise attempted to change this environment to meet any current need.  As these changes have come about so the interaction with the gods may have changed; perhaps even the gods themselves as they have been replaced or asked to take on ‘extra responsibilities’?”
 
At this point, the neophyte should make some attempt to clarify exactly  what  it  is  that  they  personally  expect  from  this  ancient religion.  Of the three opening observations in Part III of Liber Ægyptius,  two  of  them  have  been  taken  from  contemporary magical writings because the purpose of this book is a ‘purification of thought’ when it comes to modern Egyptian magic. But, as the Egyptologist  asks,  are we really trying to  grasp a mirage - a false image that only exists in the minds of romantics or does the essence of the Old Ways really shine through like a beacon for those willing to seek it out?
    
The reality of contemporary Egyptian magic can be proven but modern approaches to the tradition are often far from being pure and it becomes increasingly difficult to decide where fantasy and improvisation should be separated.  The most pertinent question, of course, is the one asked by Aeron Medbh-Mara in that are we asking too much from the Old Ones in expecting them to assume additional responsibility for our own spiritual short-sightedness? 
    
We,  in  the  northern  hemisphere,  are  people  of  sea, moor,  bog, forest, heathland and fen: the gods of Khem metamorphosed from a desert environment.  This immediately poses different problems for those living in northerly climes because, unlike the Egyptians, we are hampered by the widely fluctuating seasonal hours of daylight and weather conditions, which in turn interferes with traditional Egyptian religious practices.
    
Adaptations can be made, as Egyptians in exile would have needed  to  make  changes  but  these  ‘adaptations’  do  not  mean foisting bogus similarities onto indigenous deities - Bridhe is not synonymous with Isis, nor the Morrigan with Sekhmet. Needless to say, certain changes have  to be made  but in the  world of magic, trying to create an amalgam of cultural differences could result in a chimera of dangerous proportions.  In Egypt, as with all other cultures, the gods were elements abstracted from the great Being; merely forms of the male and female ‘constitutive principles’ to personify anything that may be touched or realised. They were, however, Egyptian concepts, identifying solely with the national and cultural ethos of an Egyptian people immured in a sun and Nile-based religion.  
    
It has been suggested that our ‘conceptual inadequacy’ over matters Egyptian stems from  a need to  assimilate its underlying religious structure to more identifiable features of the contemporary world. “Egypt becomes acceptable only when fitted out with the identity we, applying our modes of thinking and being, foist upon it ... We are less interested in acquiring knowledge of Egypt than in recognising ourselves in Egypt,” shrewdly observed Christine Favard-Meeks.
    
Parts I and II of Liber Ægyptius have drawn heavily on historical sources since these  can be proven  to a reasonable degree of satisfaction to both academic and magician.   And, in order to keep those sources as pure as possible, very few texts written after the New Kingdom have been included.   This still leaves the Adept with an  enormous  deficit  on  magical  working  methods  since, despite the vast quantity of accessible magico-religious writings, there is little evidence of exactly how the priesthood approached magic and religion.  What methods were used?  Which form, if any, of psychic protection did they employ during ritual working?  Were their devices for raising magical energy any different to ours?     
    
This is why we need to know Egypt.  To understand the social and historical implications behind changes in worship throughout the 5000 years of civilisation; to identify the different types of god-power with which we, as individuals, can empathise.  We can never come to that ‘knowing’, however, if there is a persistence in following the  airy-fairy paths  of a pastel  coloured,  multi-cultural Isis, superimposed upon a tragic, Christ-like persona of Osiris. 
    
In many instances, the Egyptian Mystery Tradition has even been transposed into some New Age amalgam of Wicca that fits quite uncomfortably into 21st century political correctness as neo-pagans attempt to ‘project their own essence and grasp the mirage’ without  the  slightest  understanding  of  the antecedents of  this ancient god-power. To use Kurt Lange’s own imagery, we must penetrate to the very core of the nature of this age-old creative community if we want to walk in the shadow of their knowledge, wisdom and understanding.
 
One of the chief difficulties in the study of the religion of Khem has been the method of its presentation to the world, as Margaret Murray explained in The Splendour That Was Egypt. “The plurality of gods and the representation of the Deity, whether as an animal or as a human being with an animal’s or bird’s head, was shocking to the prophets of Israel, from whose denunciations many of the modern ideas of Egyptian religion have been taken.  Other adverse commentators were the Greek authors, the early Christian Fathers and many later Christian writers. 
    
“Milton voices the general feeling when he speaks of ‘the brutish gods of Egypt’, and says of Osiris ‘Naught but profoundest hell can be his shroud’.  The more modern writer is apt to be either shocked at the resemblances to Christianity or to treat the whole subject with slightly contemptuous levity, forgetting that this same religion had for thousands of years brought to its believers help in times of trouble, comfort in sorrow, and courage in the face of death.”
    
The obvious juxtaposition between the later Christian ethic and the neo-Osirian myth cannot be ignored, although early writers on the subject must have been acutely embarrassed by the similarities.  It is also impossible to ignore the marked similarities between recorded Egyptian mythology and the various adaptations adopted by nearly every other civilisation in the Western world as the different cultures evolved. 
    
Aeron Medbh-Mara’s observation concerning these ‘changes’ becomes even more pertinent as history records the esoteric or religious teaching spreading outwards from Egypt; being adapted to suit the climate and environment of other cults who sought to use older wisdom and pass it off as their own.  It is pure speculation, but since Africa has long been considered the ‘cradle of civilisation’, could Egypt (which is, after all, geographically part of Africa) be looked upon as the ‘cradle of God’?  
    
If the would-be neophyte still has problems in making the transition from Wicca (or any of the other traditions) then it may be necessary to reflect again on the warnings made by Murry Hope in Practical Egyptian Magic. “Egyptian magic can be approached in three ways. Intellectually, though a profound study of its philosophy, history, art, literature and traditions; through practical application; or a combination of both. It is not a static system, however, and will slowly lead the neophyte into deeper waters from which he can either retreat if he is unready, or proceed if he is of the right spiritual maturity.  Never be ashamed to admit that you found it necessary to leave it alone. It takes a wise man to be humble ... There will doubtless be many who will not find the Egyptian system suitable to their own spiritual or occult needs. Fair enough. Then make it in your own way and in your own time.”
 

AKET-season (Inundation)
Second Month: Phaophi
 
Day 1 -18th August: The Opet Festival dedicated to Amun, Mut and Khonsu at Karnak. The Marriage of Isis and Osiris. The birth and feast of Re-Harakthte. The Feast of Wedjet. Jubilation. The Great Ennead is in festivity on this day. Do not do anything on this day. A public holiday or celebration. Wedjet, the cobra goddess of Lower Egypt was bound up with the regenerative forces. Traditionally, Pharaoh, or his high priest, would undergo extensive purification rituals during the two to four-week festival. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
     On the eastern bank of the Nile at modern Luxor, is a vast enclosure containing the Great Temple of Amun; the Great Hypostyle Hall is 6,000 square metres with 134 columns built by Seti I and Ramesses II in Dynasty XlX. Religious processions in honour of Amun, carried in state in a shrine, aboard his sacred boat, or personal confrontations between the Pharaoh and his god cover every column and every inch of wall space as a testament to the piety of the royal family. The Opet Festival is one of the best-known religious festivals that took place at Thebes from the early Dynasty XVIII onwards.
     Occurring annually in the second month of the season of Akhet, and lasting for a period that varied from two to four weeks, the main event was the ritual procession of the divine images of Amun, Mut and Khonsu from Karnak to Luxor. The Temple of Luxor was largely constructed as a suitable architectural setting for the Festival of Opet.
Day 2 – 19th August: Feast of Thoth. The proceeding of the Majesty of Sais – Neith. Offer to all the gods. It is important to hear what I say to you. Prayer or divinatory time: noon.
Day 3 – 20th August: Thoth is in the presence of Re in the inaccessible shrine. If you see anything, it will be good on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 4 – 21st August: It is the day of the Going Forth of Anubis for the inspection of the amulet for the protection of the body of the god. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 5 – 22nd August: Feast of Osiris. Do not go out of your house on this day. Do not copulate with a woman. It is the day of offering in the presences of Montu [the falcon-headed war god] on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 6 – 23rd August: Feast of Nekhbet. A happy day for Re in heaven, and the gods are pacified in his presence. The Ennead is making glorification in front of the Lord of the Universe. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 7 – 24th August: Feast of Horus. Do not do anything on this day. Sun rises in Virgo. Prayer or divinatory time: noon.
Day 8 – 25th August: If you see anything on this day, it will be good. Favourable is to do everything on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 9 – 26th August: Feast of Khnum. Jubilation in the heart of Re. His Ennead is in festivity, all enemies are overthrown on this day. Anyone born on this day will die at a good age. Favourable is to do everything. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 10 – 27th August: Feast of Atum. Proceeding the Majesty of Bastet … the Majesty of Re… to pay tribute to the August tree [The holy tree in Heliopolis on the leaves of which the gods’ names were inscribed – symbolically the sycamore]. Favourable is to do everything. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 11 – 28th August: Feast of Dwmutef [one of the four sons of Horus responsible for the protection of the stomach after embalming. Shown in the form of a jackal]. Everything is good on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
Day 12 – 29th August: Feast of Kebeh [daughter of Anubis]. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 13 – 30th August: Feast of Imstey [one of the four sons of Horus responsible for the protection of the liver after embalming. Shown in human form]. Favourable to everything on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 14 – 31st August: Feast of Hapy [one of the four sons of Horus responsible for the protection of the lungs after embalming. Shown in the form of a baboon; also the name of the god of the Inundation. Note that the fourth son of Horus, the hawk-headed Qebehsenuef, responsible for the intestines after embalming, is not allocated a feast day]. Offer to your local gods, and pacify the spirits. Prayer or divination time: dawn.
Day 15 – 1st September: Feast of Isis. Do not go out of your house at eventide. The Going Forth of the Majesty of Re at nightfall with his followers. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 16 – 2nd September: Feast of Osiris-Onnophris. Feast of the Eye of Horus. The gods who are in his retinue are in great festivity. If you see anything on this day, it will be good. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 17 – 3rd September: Give up beer and bread [i.e. fast]. Burn incense to Re and the invocation-offering to the spirits. It is important so that your words may be listened to by your local gods. On this good day … favourable in everything. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 18 – 4th September: Do not do anything on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: at dawn and in the afternoon.
Day 19 – 5th September: Feast of Ptah, lord of the workshop. Do everything on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 20 – 6th September: Feast of Horus and Set. Do everything on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 21 – 7th September: It is the day of the Going Forth of Neith in the presence of the Majesty of Atum Re-Harakhti – may he live and be prosperous. Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
Day 22 – 8th September: Do not bathe on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
Day 23 – 9th September: [Damaged] Prayer or divinatory time: dawn
Day 24 – 10th September: Do not go out of your house, or in any wind until Re sets. Prayer or divinatory time: dawn.
Day 25 – 11th September: Do not go out on this day on any road. Prayer or divinatory time: do not observe – not a suitable day.
Day 26 – 12th September: Do not order any work. Do not do any work on this day. It is the day of opening and sealing the windows of the place of Busiris [Old Kingdom temple complex at Abusir]. Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
Day 27 – 13th September: Do not go out. Do not give your back to any work until the sun sets. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 28 – 14th September: If you see anything, it will be good on this day. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 29 – 15th September: Anyone born on this day will die as an honourable man among his people. Prayer or divinatory time: throughout the day.
Day 30 – 16th September: The land is in festivity on this day. House of Re, House of Osiris, House of Horus. Prayer or divinatory time: in the afternoon.
 
The Egyptian Calendar – a revised and expanded edition of the Egyptian Book of Days – compiled by Melusine Draco : published by Ignotus Press UK : 202 pages : Available from https://www.feedaread.com/books/The-Calendar-of-Ancient-Egypt-9781788765831.aspx
​