In earlier articles in this series we have explored the history and meaning of the Ankh as well as the function that it has performed in a religious and ceremonial context.

In addition to the form, function and usage of the Ankh there is another key aspect to the Ankh that has not been universally revealed. It is evident that the Ancient Egyptians believed the Ankh to contain magical properties related to sound and energy.

The Light of God

The Universal Light

Throughout history esoteric tradition, mysticism and all the great religions speak of a universal power or substance which acts as the building block to all life. It is referred to in all scriptures, theologies and sacred texts as the binding energy which magnetises, animates and evolves all human life.

It is variously referred to as Love, Universal Light, Akasha and God Force - which is only to name just a few of its many titles.

Whilst many metaphysical beliefs suggest that this power exists all around us it is also generally accepted that it has a source or initial point of manifestation. In most cases this is believed to be way out in our Solar System - or even beyond.

Sirius and the Point of Creation

The Nile in Flood 

To the ancient Egyptians one star ruled the heavens supremely. This was the star Sirius, or the Dog-Star, the brightest star in the night sky and the one nearest to the Earth.

Found at the head of the constellation of Canis Major, Sirius was highly revered for its qualities of luminance. Due to its scintillating appearance and radiant beauty it was worshipped as a physical manifestation of the Goddess Isis.

Indeed so important was this star to the Egyptians that the whole of their calendar was centered around its appearance on the horizon each year.

So why was it that the Egyptians felt the effect of the star Sirius to be so influential that they orientated so many aspects of their culture around its veneration? 

The reason was that the most pivotal event to the Egyptian nation was the annual flooding of the Nile Valley by melting mountain waters flowing down from the north of the country. As it made its way down the Nile Delta it systematically raised the level of the Nile waters and deposited highly fertile silt along its riverbank. 

Once the water receded it left a rich and arable land around which most of the agriculture of the country was established. 

Naturally this annual event was of prime importance to the Egyptians who noticed that the inundation also coincided with the annual appearance of Sirius over the horizon. Thus, in the minds of the Egyptians, a close link existed between the two events and the belief grew that it was in fact Sirius that was responsible for bringing new life into the culture of these people. 

The Royal Star

The 'Dog-Star' Sirius 

To the kings/queens/pharaohs a belief was strongly established that Sirius was actually that very source of universal power of which so many spiritual disciplines spoke. Further more the belief arose that a close working harmony with its operation would ensure the continuation of the prosperity and well-being of the Egyptian nation and its people. 

But what of the actual nature of the power that is associated with the Ankh? 

It seems as if it had no real qualities of its own for the Ankh possessed by each Egyptian God focused the power of a nature associated with that Gods' attributes. Thus the Ankh of the God Anubis was related to the protection of the dead, that of Sekmet was that of war and to Amen, the spirit God, the ankh was attributed the breath of life. 

This therefore clearly means that in the main the power of the Ankh is simply just 'energy'. It appears to hold no intrinsic value itself but can be used to express any chosen human dynamic as required. 

However that said, to the Worshippers of Sirius/Isis the emanations of the star bestowed personal power, riches, good health and well-being upon all who came into contact with its powerful emanations. (see footnote 1) 

In short, and perhaps in terms that we might more readily understand today, the energy of the Ankh might simply just raise vibrations and reduce the forces of darkness and decay. 

Legends of the Age

The Egyptian Obelisk

As we have seen the Egyptians believed that the cosmic radiation from Sirius could be drawn down and utilised in a wide range of ways. Referred to as Nectar of the Gods, manna, ambrosia, soma etc. the ability of this cosmic/stellar energy to remove disease, prolong life and enhance personal power was legendary. 

Many stone carvings throughout Egypt display a wide range of Gods and Goddesses seeking the patronage of this Celestial Milk and the veneration of what they referred to as the 'Cosmic Cow' that produced it. In each case these drawings show the close relationship that existed in Egyptian metaphysical thought between the Ankh and the Universal Source (Sirius). 

A large number of these Egyptian wall paintings also show the actual flow of the power as arrows or streams of flowers or symbolic representations of the affluence and riches that manifest as a result of the highly tuned process. It is also believed that the obelisks found throughout Egypt and the whole of the region represented the similar idea of the flow of universal power - acting as if they were lightning rods on tall buildings. 

However no description or visual evidence exists to suggest that any other section of society other than a select few members of the hierarchy, were specifically utilising the power of the Ankh to draw down cosmic power in the Egyptian Age. 

Does this support the idea we discussed earlier - namely that only a few initiated or highly developed individuals were truly knowledgeable in the hidden secrets of the Ankh and how its magickal power could be utilised to greatest effect?