African Religion Vol. 5, The Ancient Egyptian Mysteries Review

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(More customer reviews)As usual for Muata Ashby's books, this one changes its title very frequently. (I have read the 2001 edition.) It has been known as of yet as "Mysticism of Ushet Rekhat. Worship of the Goddess", "Mysticism of the Ancient Egyptian Goddess: Goddess Worship and Rituals of Enlightenment", "The Goddess Path: [The] Secret Forms of the Goddess and the Ritual of Resurrection" and "African Religion Vol. 5: The Goddess and the Ancient Egyptian Mysteries". In other words, the inclusion as the current last volume in the artificial African Religion series is a belated one. Clearly, it was not intended as such. For one thing, the format is much smaller and thinner and it has been published originally BEFORE volumes 1, 2 and 4. For another, that series is designed to be on the main city-based religion branches of ancient Egypt. The Goddess cult does qualify in principle, but this special city is NOT even really mentioned "yet" in this early book.
The very premise of the book is a bit awkward, considering that all deities (who are the ONE) of ancient Egypgt are "androgynous", to use the word of a more modern concept provided in the book. As such, the Goddess may be depicted with an erection here and there, for example. Clearly, the author hasn't REALLY solved the paradox of genders not existing, yet saying everyone (and everything) comprises both. Actually, to write a book specifically on the female part of ancient Egyptian religion is indulging in the belief of the construct of genders, qualifying it as a work of separation, which very literally means "sexism". Thus, this book(let) is defeating its cause. Yet, the spirit of the book had the opposite in mind. (I would like to mention, though that some of Muata Ashby's books are rather sexist, such as Egyptian Yoga Vol. 1:: The Philosophy of Enlightenment.)
It is a bit difficult to rate this book in context of my rating of his other works. This one IS repetitive, unsurprisingly, but not as intense as usual. I do not agree 100% with the author, yet, he is much more balanced than in other (later!?) books. He is actually lobbying for a balance in the indulging of such things as entertainment, work, fun, emotions etc. and advises to "avoid extreme people". He even includes a sex-POSITIVE quote of ancient Egypt, for once, by Ra as the creator: "...and I have made the joys of love (love-making) to exist." Usually its about sublimating/avoiding sexuality only.
The book features a parable of Hetheru and Djehuti and the Story of Ra and Aset. The author interprets them (and the usual Asar-Aset-Heru-Set/Osiris-Isis-Horus-Seth story in the abridged version) and explains the many Goddesses facets of the one Goddess (who in turn is part of the One Supreme Being). At the end, a practical meditation/prayer is provided. I give this book 4.5 stars. If you want to look up the first volume: African Religion Vol. 1, Anunian Theology and the Philosophy of Ra.

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