The 5th Dynasty of Egyptian monarchs erected huge sun temples as part
of their building projects. Unlike other temples of the period, which
were enclosed, the sun temples consisted of open courtyards with a huge
single obelisk and offering altar. Facing the obelisk from across the
altar, the sun would rise to shine its light on the obelisk, or else
silhouette the obelisk as it set.
I
find the sun temple rituals very intriguing, because while other
temples used a sheltered statue to perform their rituals around, the
sun temple's icon was the very sun disk of Ra itself! For a wandering
priest, or one finding themselves away from a temple or shrine, the
prospect of enacting a full offering ritual to Ra through the sun is
particularly attractive. Note that the sun itself is not worshipped,
but rather the power behind what it represents.
We don't know
the ritual format of the sun temple, since the only depictions on the
walls of its chapels were of the Sed festivals to honor the Pharaoh's
reign. However, we do know that 2 ox and 2 geese were offered daily to
Ra at the temples, and that the offering rituals to the gods are
analogous to the offerings to the dead.
Hence, I have
reconstructed a conjectural rite using the old kingdom pyramid texts,
specifically the offering formula and purifications. I have added
period hymns to Ra and arranged the format to be in keeping with the
state rites, and I have shortened the rather lengthy offering list to
something more in keeping with the means of a modern practitioner. For
example, there is an offering of meat instead of the multiple offerings
of the various parts of the ox. Adherents are encouraged to offer only
what they can, or more if it is within their means to do so. The ritual
itself was originally done facing the obelisk, with the altar in front
of the priest. Offerings would come in their various censers, bowls,
and vases but beyond that, since there is no statue, the other elements
of the state rite (adorning the statue with linen, for example), are
omitted.
-light incense-
The fire
is laid, the fire shines; the incense is laid on the fire, the incense
shines. Your fragrance comes to me, O Incense; my fragrance comes to
you, O Incense. Your fragrance comes to me, O you Netjeru; my fragrance
comes to you, O you Netjeru. May I be with you, O you Netjeru; may you
be with me, O you Netjeru. May I live with you, O you Netjeru; may you
live with me, O you Netjeru. May I love you, O you Netjeru; love me, O
you Netjeru. The pellet of incense comes, the pellet of incense comes,
they come forth from the thigh of Heru.
-hymn to the rising sun-
Awake
in peace, in peace. Awake in peace, Eastern Heru, in peace. Awake in
peace, Eastern Soul, in peace. Awake in peace, Heru-akhety, in peace.
You sleep in the evening boat; you wake in the morning boat, for you
art as he who oversees the gods; no god oversees you. The double doors
of heaven shall be open; the double doors shall be open. Greetings to
you, Atum. Greetings to you, Khepri, who created himself. You come into
being, in your name of "Khepri." Greetings to you, eye of Heru, which
he adorned with his two hands completely.
-offering burning incense-
O
Re, the arm of your Ka is before You ! O Re, the arm of your Ka is
behind You ! O Re, the foot of your Ka is before You ! O Re, the foot
of your Ka is behind You ! O Re, I have given You the Eye of Heru ! May
your face be adorned with it ! May the perfume of the Eye of Heru
diffuse over You !
This is your libation, Re. This is your libation, O Re, you have gone forth
-libation & two pellets of natron (a salt from the nile)-
you
have gone forth. I have come and I bring You the Eye of Heru, that your
heart may be refreshed with it. I bring it to You under your feet. Take
the outflow that comes out from You. Your heart will not be weary with
it. Come, (for) You have been invoked ! (x4)
Your purification is the purification of Heru. Your purification is the purification of Seth.
-natron, 5 pellets-
Your purification is the purification of Thoth. Your purification is the purification of the Netjeru.
Your
purification is also among them. Your mouth is the mouth of a sucking
calf on the day he is born. O Re, I give You the Eye of Heru ! Provide
your face with it, spread through.
O Re, take the white teeth of Heru, which shall equip your mouth.
- offer a bowl of 5 onions-
O
Re ! Your dawning, You in the sky, your dawning, for Re, Lord of All
Things ! As all things belong to yourself, let all things belong to the
Ka of Re, let all things belong to himself !
-the lifting up before him of a sanctified offering-
Thoth came with it to him. He has come forth to him with the Eye of Heru.
- indicate an offering table-
Give
him the Eye of Heru, that he may become satisfied with it. O Re, take
the Eye of Heru with which he became satisfied. O Re, take the Eye of
Heru and be satisfied with it. Cause it to turn back to You !
O Re, take the Eye of Heru, lift it to your face.
-the lifting up of 1 loaf of bread and 1 bowl of beer-
Lift
up your face, O Re. Lift up your face, O Re, whose Ba goes ! Lift up
your face, O Re, be strong and effective. Re, take to yourself this
bread of yours, which is the Eye of Heru. O Re, take the Eye of Heru,
which he has pulled out. O Re, receive what should be on You. Re, take
the Eye of Heru with which You have refreshed yourself.
-a bread loaf-
Provide yourself with the fermentation which comes from You.
-a jug of beer-
O Re, take the one of the shank, the Eye of Heru.
-1 bowl with meat-
O Re, gather to yourself the water that is in it.
-2 bowls of water-
O Re, take the Eye of Heru, which cleansed his mouth.
-2 bowls of cleansing natron-
O Re, take your Eye, take possession of it. (x4)
O Re, take all of this heart. (x4)
-1 bowl of goose-
O Re, take the Eye of Heru ! It will not separate itself from You.
-bowl of wine-
O Re, take to yourself this Eye of Heru, return it to yourself.
-any additional offering-
O
Re, may what You have endure for You with You ! O Re, turn yourself to
this your bread, accept it from me. May the Eye of Heru endure with
You. (repeat x4)
-the reversion of divine offering-
O Re, the
arm of your Ka is before You ! O Re, the arm of your Ka is behind You !
O Re, the foot of your Ka is before You ! O Re, the foot of your Ka is
behind You ! O Re, I have given You the Eye of Heru ! May your face be
adorned with it ! May the perfume of the Eye of Heru diffuse over You !
Salutations
to You, incense ! Salutations to You, brother of the Netjer !
Salutations to You, Great in the limbs of Heru ! You of great purity,
spread yourself in your name of the cake of incense : let your scent be
on Re and purify Re. O Eye of Heru, be high and great toward Re !
-incense-
This is the Eye of Heru ! It has been set for You that You may become strong and he may become afraid of You!
-remove the foot-
For
Libations: Stand with vessel in left hand, right hand raised as if
propping it up at the top as it is tilted. Receiver should assume
offering stance.
For Censing: As per libation only censer is held upright and not tilted.
For Offerings: Kneeling, haunches on heels, arms extended perpendicular to body holding offering with both hands.
