Tag Archives: magic

Egyptian Afterlife: Mummies with Golden Tongues

Arkane Curiosities

The ancient Egyptian civilization has always held an allure of mystery and magic, with intriguing burial rituals and belief in the afterlife. Among the fascinating artifacts discovered in Egyptian tombs are the Golden Tongue Amulets. These small yet significant charms have sparked the curiosity of archaeologists and historians alike, revealing not only the ancient Egyptians’ beliefs but also their artistic craftsmanship. So why do we find some mummies with golden tongues?

The Significance of the Golden Tongue Amulet

The Golden Tongue Amulet is a small, intricately crafted charm that was placed inside the mouths of deceased individuals during the mummification process. These amulets were believed to have magical properties, ensuring that the deceased would retain the ability to speak in the afterlife. 

Protect Your Speech

The Golden Tongue Amulet symbolized the power of speech and communication. In Egyptian mythology, it was essential for the deceased to recite the correct spells and incantations during their journey to the afterlife. The amulet served as a potent talisman, safeguarding the deceased’s ability to speak and express themselves in the presence of divine beings.

Also, during the weighing of the heart, the deceased would need to recite specific spells and declarations to assert their innocence and adherence to the principles of Ma’at. The amulet enabled the deceased to speak eloquently and convincingly before the divine tribunal.

Only Limited Golden Tongues

It’s important to note that not all mummies were found with golden tongues. The practice of adding golden tongue amulets seems to have been more prevalent during the New Kingdom (around 1550 to 1069 BCE). For example, when archeologists found a cache of mummies outside of Alexandria, only two had golden tongues. 

Artistry and Craftsmanship

Despite their small size, these amulets were meticulously crafted from precious metals such as gold, which symbolized the sun and the eternal cycle of life. The intricate details of the amulets, often shaped like small tongues, highlighted the artisans’ dedication to their craft and their reverence for the afterlife beliefs.

Tim Kane

Strange News Signup

Arkane curiosities: five minute reads on mythology, legend, and supernatural history delivered monthly to your inbox.

churning

Thank you for sign up!

Ancient Egyptian Afterlife: The Opening of the Mouth Ceremony

Arkane Curiosities

The ancient Egyptians left behind an awe-inspiring legacy of culture, architecture, and beliefs. The ancient Egyptians also held a particularly fascinating and complex view of the afterlife. The concept of a double soul and the opening the mouth ceremony were only the start to a long journey in the ancient Egyptian afterlife.

Ka and Ba: The Dual Essence of the Soul

Central to the Egyptian concept of the afterlife were the ka and ba. These two aspects represented the dual essence of an individual’s soul. The ka was the life force or spiritual double, residing within the physical body during life and continuing to exist after death. It required sustenance in the form of offerings to remain content and connected to the earthly realm.

On the other hand, the ba was the individual’s personality, often depicted as a bird with a human head. After death, the ba would separate from the body to roam freely in the spirit world, visiting loved ones and sacred places. However, it needed to return to the tomb periodically to reunite with the ka and sustain its existence.

Opening the Mouth

The “Opening of the Mouth” ceremony aimed to revitalize the deceased’s senses, allowing the mummy to see, hear, smell, eat, and breathe again in the realm of the dead. Essentially, this would allow the ka, still residing in the body, to accept and enjoy any offerings presented to it. 

Key Elements of the Ceremony

Touching the Mouth: The priest touched the mouth and eyes of the mummy with a special forked tool. This gesture symbolized the restoration of the mummy’s senses, allowing them to speak and see again.

Incantations and Spells: During the ceremony, priests would recite spells and incantations to invoke the help of various gods and deities. These spells were believed to activate the powers of the objects used in the ritual and ensure the successful transition of the deceased into the afterlife.

Offerings: Replicas of milk (activated with the incantations) were presented to the mummy. This represented the baby’s first nourishment. There were also replicas for salt water (used for cleansing) and fresh water. These offerings were meant to sustain the deceased in the afterlife and provide them with the necessities for eternity.

Reborn: The idea that the body was “reborn” into the afterlife was strong. Egyptians used a forked blade (called a pesesh-kef) to touch the mummy’s mouth. This was the same tool used to sever the umbilical cord when this person was born.

The Opening of the Mouth ceremony aimed to reanimate the senses of the deceased and ensure their successful transition into the afterlife. By performing this ceremony, the ancient Egyptians believed that the mummy would be fully prepared to undertake the journey to the realm of the dead, where they could enjoy eternal life in the presence of the gods. 

Tim Kane

Strange News Signup

Arkane curiosities: five minute reads on mythology, legend, and supernatural history delivered monthly to your inbox.

churning

Thank you for sign up!

Daikokuten: The Japanese God of Wealth and Theft

Arkane Curiosities

There aren’t many deities out there that actually encourage you to steal from their temples. But Daikokuten does just this. As the Japanese god of wealth, he (or sometimes she) understands that you might have a break a few rules to climb up the ladder of riches.

One of the Seven Lucky Gods

Daikokuten is one of the seven lucky gods who brings abundance and good fortune. Also referred to as Daikoku or Daikokutenno, this god his roots in both Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Originally a deity of Hindu origin known as Mahakala, he was a fierce manifestation of Lord Shiva. As Buddhism spread to Japan in the 6th century, Mahakala became entwined with the Shinto god Ōkuninushi.

God of Darkness

Represented as 大黒天 in Kanji, Daikokuten means “God of the Great Darkness.” It might seem strange that a good luck god is associated with the dark, but this has more to do with those sneaking around to seek their fortune. One of his several forms is feminine, known as Daikokunyo (大黒女), meaning “She of the Great Blackness,” or Daikokutennyo (大黒天女), meaning “She of the Great Black Heavens.”

The God of Five Cereals

The term “five cereals” refers to a group of staple grains that form the foundation of traditional Japanese agricultural — rice, wheat, barley, soybeans, and millet. Daikokuten symbolizes the bountiful harvest and abundant yields of these crops. By invoking Daikokuten’s divine presence, farmers express their gratitude for the life-sustaining nourishment that the five cereals bestow upon them.

Magical Mallet

Daikokuten is often depicted carrying a magical mallet known as a “Uchide no kozuchi” (the Mallet of Fortune). He uses this weapon to squash demons who might bring bad luck. According to the myth, when the mallet is swung, it can grant any wish, producing abundant crops and endless riches.

Stealing Your Way to Good Luck

The tradition of fukunusubi (theft of fortune) holds that anyone who can steal the divine figure of Daikokuten would gain good fortune. That is, unless you are caught in the act. Daikokuten bestows luck only to those bold enough to grasp it. Also known as “She of the Great Blackness,” he is also the god of thieves. 

So nab one yourself, but be sure not to get caught. With Daikokuten, you have to steal your good luck. 

Tim Kane

Strange News Signup

Arkane curiosities: five minute reads on mythology, legend, and supernatural history delivered monthly to your inbox.

churning

Thank you for sign up!

The Bizarre and Bewildering World of Apollyon SCP Entities

Arakane Curiosities

Picture this: a universe where objects defy logic, creatures shatter the boundaries of comprehension, and phenomena threaten the very fabric of existence. As you traverse the cryptic corridors of the SCP Foundation, you will come across anomalous objects, creatures, and phenomena. The Apollyon SCP entities pose an existential threat to humanity and cannot be contained or controlled by the Foundation’s conventional means.

Apollyon Class Entities

The term “Apollyon” refers to Abaddon, mentioned in the Book of Revelation in the Christian Bible. It is associated with the destruction and end of the world. SCP Foundation authors have adopted this term to describe entities or phenomena that have the potential to bring about an apocalyptic scenario.

Apollyon-class SCP entities are characterized by their immense power, invulnerability, or sheer incomprehensibility. They are often portrayed as forces of destruction that defy containment, research, or understanding. These entities may possess reality-altering abilities, be beyond human comprehension, or exhibit anomalous properties that challenge the limits of the Foundation’s knowledge and capabilities.

SCP-192119 Unstoppable Computer Virus

This deadly computer virus can inject itself into any computer on the planet. No matter how well protected, no security can stand up to SCP-192119. Once infected, the virus created thousands of pop ups written in a strange language: ኃጢአተኛ ነፍስህ. 

These pop up windows cannot be closed. A glitching sound will play, even if the computer has no ability to create sound. Then the computer will detonate. Any persons who witness the computer explosions will suffer a heart attack. In addition, their cerebellums will swell and explode. SCP-192119 is sentient and aware of what it is doing.

SCP-3125 – “The Escapee”

Then there’s SCP-3125, an entity so incomprehensible that our puny human minds are reduced to quivering masses of jelly at its mere mention. This reality-defying monstrosity seeks to dismantle the very fabric of our perceptions. 

SCP-3125 originated in the fifth dimension, where concepts and ideas are alive. These living memes feast on weaker concepts to increase their power. Dubbed “The Escapee”, SCP-3125 has begun to emerge into our dimension. 

Anyone who learns about SCP-3125 will be targeted for attack. This entity will inhabit a victim’s mind and erase all knowledge of both SCP-3125 and its attack from the world. Should a person escape direct attack, or gain even a sliver of information about SCP-3125, then it will cause antimemetic spider-like creatures to emerge from bystanders. These anti-memes will attack and kill anyone with knowledge of “The Escapee.”

The only place it is safe to “think” about SCP-3125 is the one place it will never go: its own containment cell in the Foundation. Operatives can enter the room and be safe. 

Conclusion

The Foundation’s response to Apollyon-class entities is typically focused on minimizing their impact or delaying their inevitable effects, rather than attempting to directly contain or neutralize them. In some cases, containment protocols for Apollyon-class entities involve information suppression or the implementation of long-term plans to mitigate or delay their catastrophic effects.

In a universe where reality itself can bend and break, where forces beyond comprehension lurk, we find solace in our humble insignificance.

Tim Kane

Strange News Signup

Arkane curiosities: five minute reads on mythology, legend, and supernatural history delivered monthly to your inbox.

churning

Thank you for sign up!

The Curious Case of Keter SCP Entities: Where Chaos Meets Containment

Arkane Curiosities

Keter symbolizes the pinnacle of difficulty when it comes to containment. Keter SCP entities are among the most unpredictable and potentially catastrophic anomalies lurking within the SCP Foundation’s vaults.

Origins of the Keter Classification

Derived from the Hebrew word for “crown” and comes from the topmost part of the Tree of Life in the Jewish Kabbalah. Just like a crown sits atop a regal head, these Keter entities hold a position of authority and demand the utmost attention and care.

Now, let’s shed some light on a few examples of famous Keter SCP entities that have left researchers scratching their heads and clutching their containment manuals for dear life.

SCP-106 – The Old Man

Also known as Corporal Lawrence, this enigmatic and elusive creature appears as an elderly man who seems to be rotting. It will remain motionless for days at a time to wait for its prey. It will “corrode” any object it comes in contact with, generating rust, rock or cracks in the material. 

It can also phase through solid matter, leaving behind a patch of corrosive mucus. In actuality, it slips into a pocket dimension and then is able to exit from any point connected to the initial entry point. Thus, it is contained within 40 layers of lead-lined steel to slow and detect its movement. 

SCP-610 – The Flesh That Hates

This entity is a pervasive and rapidly spreading biological infection that affects both organic and inorganic matter.

SCP-610 primarily manifests as a skin condition, initially appearing as a series of red rashes and blotches on the infected individual’s skin. Within five hours , the infection progresses, causing the skin to decay and erode. The affected tissue is gradually replaced by a highly resilient and flexible organic substance similar to muscle and cartilage, often referred to as “flesh.”

Infected individuals may develop multiple appendages resembling arms or legs. In addition, their head might elongate or distort. Finally, the skin May split open revealing additional fleshy appendages.  

The infection is highly contagious and can spread through direct contact with infected individuals or exposure to infected biological matter, including blood, tissue samples, or airborne spores.

SCP-2317 – The Devourer of Worlds

The containment area for this cosmic horror is seemingly benign: a wooden door leading to the basement of a Massachusetts brownstone. However, passage through the door leads you to an pocket-dimension where the Devourer of Worlds is chained. 

SCP-2317 is humanoid in appearance but colossal in size, standing over 200 kilometers tall. It has horns like tree branches and overlapping scales. 

The entity is supposed to be chained to seven pillars, but six of these chains have already broken. As the name implies, should SCP-2317 ever fully break free, it is capable of devouring entire universes. Let’s hope that the final chain holds. 

Containing the Horrors

In the face of such formidable anomalies, the dedicated researchers and agents of the SCP Foundation persist in their ceaseless efforts to maintain a semblance of order. They tirelessly toil, concocting elaborate containment procedures and protocols, hoping to contain these unruly forces.

Tim Kane

Strange News Signup

Arkane curiosities: five minute reads on mythology, legend, and supernatural history delivered monthly to your inbox.

churning

Thank you for sign up!