Customer Reviews

Egyptian Cosmology: The Animated Universe - Second Edition

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Second Edition print of Egyptian Cosmology could almost be a new book by Moustafa Gadalla. The chapters and a majority of the contents has been updated in line with his recent research and other publications. To compare the two academically would be an injustice, the second edition stands strongly on its own right and the divergent material included only accentuates what was a puissant publication. There is more than fourty pages of additional information and as ever the writing is succinct and intuitive.

In itself the book flows with the concept of universal harmonic laws, broken into eight parts the last being The Octave; which is a return to the beginning, or new beginning derived at the end. Moustafa explores number symbolism greatly in the second book and its co-existence with our own science and discovery of how all life is generated. Points are made clearly without academic egocentricity as the book breaks down the hegemony that surrounds modern Egyptology. "Words convey information; symbols evoke understanding." The book does not hide answers behind veils of rhetoric but delivers an intuitive perception that the reader can quickly identify with.

The symbolism of numbers one through eight are given a chapter, each outlining the basic principles of the numbers and their correlation to our world and as the Ancient and Modern indigenous Egyptians interpret them. Animism is a strong theme, but not a natural dissection of a culture rather a exploratory look at it through the eyes of the Egyptians analogous to our own scientific facts of the universe.

The so-called `Gods', really neteru - the main principles/universal actions of the Egyptian spirituality - are detailed richly. Man's identification and personification of these neteru is dutifully explained as microcosm to the macrocosm. The books goes on to discuss the metaphysics of spirituality refusing to treat it like it was some fanciful metaphor giving strong backbone to ideas of life after death and the cycle of nature. In addition humankind's role in society and culture is explored as it was with the Ancient Egyptians and how it saw and maintained itself in accordance with true harmony of community, not just titular.

Egyptian Cosmology is not a book for the academic shelf, it is a book of rediscovery of what is lost in many cultures and shows with clarity the links with nature and the universe now taken for granted. It is a book to read and re-read, to give understanding to the nature of life.

Now is an expandedand and enhanced second edition, Moustafa Gadalla's Egyptian Cosmology: The Animated Universe offers the reader a an unusual and articulate introduction to the advanced and sophisticated cosmology of ancient Egypt. The metaphysics of Egyptian antiquity is coherent, comprehensive, consistent, logical, analytical, rational, and had an influence that went well beyond the borders of Egypt to influence the cultures of Rome and the western world. A native Egyptian and independent Egyptologist, Moustafa Gadalla provides the non-specialist general reader with highly recommended commentaries and insights into the Egyptian concepts of monotheistic mysticism; the description of the"Big Bang" origins of the universe as described in Egyptian texts; the numerical codes of creation; and much, much more. Egyptian Cosmology is enthusiastically recommended reading for students of Egyptology and metaphysics.

This was the first of Gadalla's books I ever read. Since then, I have also read a few chapters from his other books. Prior to reading his stuff, my previous knowledge of Egyptian (Kemetian?, Hermetian?) cosmology was a few of Ra Un Nefer Amen's and Muata Ashby's books. I am also vaguely familiar with Budge's ideas in this area, but I feel I have long ago outgrown those. Gadalla's strength is that he is a native of the area he writes about.

I have never seen a photo of Gadalla, so I don't know his race. But, I am going to guess by his occasional efforts (sometimes requiring him to bend over backwards and touch his toes) to avoid the issue of the race of the ancients that he is not what the west would consider a black man.

That said, I learned a lot from this book. If you have a thirst for knowledge of the ancients, and you have managed to get rid of the prejudices most folks have about that period in mankind's history, you will value this book.

When you observe the content of this work you realize that the author has a way of interpreting a so vast subject into plain english. So many that teach the kemetic science and/or egyptology many times loose people in their explinations of very simple truths. You need this book to give you a good foundation. After you have a foundation you can move in a direction that best suits you, but you must read this book first.

The book discusses numbers and their meanings, Animism, and how religions with a Good/Bad structure (Judaism, Islam, Christianity) are Polytheistic, not Monotheistic. The author lists the ancient Egyptian "42 Negative Confessions," which appear to be what the Judeo-Christian "Ten Commandments" are based on. The author offers an interesting, even if minority, viewpoint and lists himself as a source reference along with only a handful of other authors. The book introduces Baladi Egyptians.

I've always been fascinated by the mysticism of Egyptian culture and history. Clearly there is more to this culture then meets the eye. This book is a good read for the novice or any recreational reader. I rated it 4 stars because it lacked elaboration and detail on certain subjects. Nevertheless, it was worth the read.

This book isnt that easy to understand and alot of it is pure speculation. I recommend it only as a reference book.

This will give you all the basics to get you started with a good foundation.