HEKA - THE PRACTICES OF ANCIENT EGYPTIAN RITUAL AND MAGIC [Paperback]

David Rankine (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2006 | ISBN-10: 1905297076 | ISBN-13: 978-1905297078

The religious and magical practices of the ancient Egyptians have had a profound and lasting effect on the world. Egypt has been described as the "mother of magicians". To appreciate the Egyptian view of magic, we need to accept that to the Egyptians magic was not considered strange or eccentric, but was a part of daily life, to which everyone resorted. Magic blended seamlessly with religion and medicine, being seen as part of a holistic worldview. In this volume these magical and religious practices are explored, from both a historical and practical perspective. The practices are explored from an ancient Egyptian worldview, taking into consideration that the Egyptian culture spread over a period of more than 3000 years. The Egyptians saw the universe as being made of four worlds - the everyday world we live in, the underworld, the sky and the heavens. Subject covered in this book include: -What is Heka? -Ancient Egyptian Worldviews -The Gods and Goddesses of Magic -Symbolism - Colours & Sacred Numbers -The Tools Used -Sacred Words & Gestures -Statues & Masks -Crystals & Other Materials used in Heka -Incenses & Perfumes -Food & Wine used in Offerings & at Feasts -The Ancient Egyptian Magical Calendar -Purification, Sacred Space & Rituals David Rankine is based in London (UK) and is a respected authority on spiritual & magical practices. He is the author of many books, including Climbing the Tree of Life, Circle of Fire & The Guises of the Morrígan. This book, HEKA - The Practices of Ancient Egyptian Magic, is the result of careful research & practical work and is highly recommended to students wishing to pursue practical work within this system.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

There has long been an interest in the magick and spiritual practices of Ancient Egypt. Many books have been published on the subject - primarily focussing on the well-known Funeral Texts and only a few touching on the magic done by the living. This book draws together the different strands of Heka (the name of both the Egyptian God of Magic and the magic performed by and for the people)

From the Author

In presenting this material I have endeavoured to place it within the context of the ancient Egyptian worldview as far as I am able, albeit limited by the knowledge we have thousands of years later. The glory of ancient Egypt spanned a period of around three thousand years, so inevitably during this time practices evolved or fell into disuse, and foreign influences crept in. Obviously we are not in ancient Egypt any more, and the level to which you may choose to recreate the practices of heka within your own magic is your decision.

I have included as much detail as possible about the various materials used by the ancient Egyptians, including food, crystals, metals, woods, incense materials, etc, so that you may work with the same materials if you wish to. Remember that the Egyptian magicians were rigorous in maintaining the discipline of good hygiene and timing!

You may be puzzled at the absence of information on hieroglyphics in this book. However as this volume is focused on techniques and information, I leave it to the reader to pursue this topic in one of the already extant works that cover the field admirably, such as Sir Alan Gardiner’s Egyptian Grammar or James Allen’s Middle Egyptian.

I hope you enjoy finding out more about heka, and may you always uphold Maat in all that you do.

David Rankine London December 2005

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 196 pages
• Publisher: Avalonia (January 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1905297076
• ISBN-13: 978-1905297078
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,336,905 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Rankine is an author, esoteric researcher and Qabalist who lives and works on the Welsh borders with his wife, the author Sorita d'Este and their son. David has been writing and contributing articles to a variety of publications, and has given lectures, workshops and presentations since the early 1980's.

His personal passions include the Qabalah, Medieval and Renaissance Magick (particularly the Grimoires), and Greco-Egyptian Magic. Since 2003 he has been working with occult legend Stephen Skinner, co-writing and producing the highly acclaimed Sourceworks of Ceremonial Magic series. These books make available for the first time previously unpublished manuscripts and Grimoires of great significance to the development of modern magick. He is a member of Societas Magica and ESSWE (European Society for the Study of Western Esotericism).

David has also contributed to a number of anthologies, journals and magazines over the years. These include essays in Hekate: Keys to the Crossroads (2006), Horns of Power (2008) and Howlings (2008); as well as numerous articles in esoteric publications such as The Watkins Review, Skoob Occult Review, Nuit-Isis, Celtic Dawn, Chaos International, Witchcraft & Wicca, Pagan Dawn, Talking Stick, Vitriol, Evohe! and Dragon's Brew. In fact, David was the editor of Evohe! (1986-88) and Dragon's Brew (1991-96).

During the period 2002-04 he contributed around 300 articles to the Enhancing Your Mind Body Spirit international part-work magazine produced by D'Agostini. His contributions to this very successful worldwide publication included articles and entire sections on Crystals, Healing, Chakras, Qabalah, Shamanism, Ancient Egyptian Magick, Alchemy and Angels.

Since the early 1980s David has facilitated many dozens of workshops and public ceremonies throughout the UK, since 2001 often with Sorita. He has also given lectures and presentations throughout the UK and Europe on his work and the subjects he is passionate about - including the Grimoire Tradition, Angelic Magic, Egyptian and Celtic Mythology and spirituality.

David has appeared on many television and radio programs over the years. His work and interviews with him have featured in numerous publications including TIME OUT, The Guardian, The Sunday Times, Alternative London and many others. More recently he was interviewed for That's Wierd on Glastonbury Radio about the Qabalah (1 hour program, syndicated worldwide) and BBC Radio London on the Tarot and Dr Rudd's Goetia. He has also featured on television programs on Channel 5, ITV, BBC and Sky.

For recent interviews with David, see:

http://www.thelemacoasttocoast.com/archives/52 - discussion of Goetia, Qabalah and the grimoires with John Crow

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/witchtalk/va/2009/10/25/the-method-of-science-the-aim-of-religion-a-conve - discussion of use of the voice in magick, the grimoires, and a wghole host of other topics in a wide ranging interview with Karagan

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Facts first thank you, May 21, 2009

By 

Edward (Anderson, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: HEKA - THE PRACTICES OF ANCIENT EGYPTIAN RITUAL AND MAGIC (Paperback)

Mr Rankine's
book is a non frill and
bare boned
book covering
what is presently known about Egyptian magic and is certainly a workable tool.

33 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not really worth it - A Priestess Of Isis, October 7, 2006

By 

A. M. Mellenthin "Itachi Hime" (Macomb, MI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: HEKA - THE PRACTICES OF ANCIENT EGYPTIAN RITUAL AND MAGIC (Paperback)

I was really excited about ordering this book, but when it came i was dissapointed before i opened it. It was this tiny, skinny little package. I opened it and read it in about an hour. It has bits and pieces of useful and NON-redundant information but not worth the almost thirty dollars. What a rip off.

The author also was severly biased toward the goddess Maat, and he was rather incorrect with his descriptions about the god/desses. I dont think he had his facts straight either. He gives a slight feeling that Maat is more important than any other god (and also provides more ritual for her), and he also portrays Isis as a conniving, tricking, she-devil. And anyone who knows Her knows it is quite the opposite. (Not to get off subject, but i highly recommend the book "Isis Magic" by M. Isidora Forrest. It talks about the real egyptian magic and a lot of hard work was done so she could get accurate historical information. It has alot about Ancient Egypt in it.)

All in all, the book had very slim pickins. It had small tidbits here and there of good info. The only thing i found to be of great value was the tables he has about the correspondances of the god/desses. Like colors and vegetables. But there werent that many god/desses he had in his book. He has very little rituals (i think 3) and doesnt go into spells really. I recommend "Ancient Egyptian Magic and Divination", "Egyptian Paganism for beginners", and Rosemary Clarks "Sacred Magic Of Ancient Egypt." And if you care "Circle Of Isis", because the info isn't really Isis-y that much at all. It has INVALUABLE information about most of the panthenon.

Dont buy this book. Rent it from the library. I would have returned it, but thats a hassle and I'm a book pack-rat. Seriously not worth more than $10.00. All of the info you could EASILY find on the internet.

I hope this review will help you, and i know its a contrast to the first one, but i didnt think it was fair of that review. (I seriously think that Daivd Rankine or one of his pals wrote it) Because of the first good review i thought this would be an awesome book. (if you dont know anything about Ancient Egypt, i guess it'd be okay. But take it with a grain of salt) And its nowhere near awesome. Take my word for it. Spend your money on better books. You can email me if you'd like at [e-mail]. Thanks, Happy Amazoning.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction to the subject, but nothing new, December 16, 2008

By 

Michael G. Smith "Book Snob" (Georgetown, DE USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: HEKA - THE PRACTICES OF ANCIENT EGYPTIAN RITUAL AND MAGIC (Paperback)

I purchased this book based on some other recommendations outside of Amazon. I am often called upon to recommend or give an opinion on books on a variety of subjects, and I will only speak to books I have read. Several people had asked my opinion on this book, and so I bought it.

I found the book well written, but very basic. It is, in some ways, an accumulation of summaries of several excellent books, with tables, references and pertinent guidance. It does not, however, present any new information nor does it present any new ideas as to synthesis of existing knowledge.

That said, if one is looking for a basic introduction to ancient Egyptian ritual and magic, or looking to get started quickly without a large monetary or time investment, it is a good book. I would recommend it as a jumping-off point, and if you still interested and intrigued, move on to more complicated and complete books. If you are already a practitioner or have a wide experience, you are probably going to be disappointed.