Seth is an ancient Egyptian deity, much maligned in popular, academic and theological thought. Up until fairly recently the only thing one needed to know about Seth was that he was the personification of evil and the prototype of the devil and Satan and all bad things in the world. He is the god who in one of the world’s most ubiquitous myths, kills another god, his own brother Osiris no less, then usurps his role as king, persecuting the orphaned Horus who only survives to manhood, due to the cunning of his sorcerer mother Isis. Horus then overpowers Seth and ensures he gets his just deserts.
This book explores the mythos of the god and various ways of seeing him; these may even appear antithetical, as is encapsulated in what is sometime known as “The Nagada Hypothesis” which stands in contrast to the consensus that Seth was always a malign deity.
Topics covered include historical views of Seth such as Plutarch’s Anti-God; Modern views of Seth; The Outsider: Gods of Sex and Death;The Two Ways. Includes extensive liturgy, ritual and appendices such as the Seven Spells of Nekhbet - a fantastic piece of battle magic in which the ancient Vulture Goddess enlists the power of Seth to protect Egypt’s borders. Also a discussion of Apophis, an ancient personification of evil, who is often confused with Seth.
cover: Horus & Seth blessing the King, Pharaoh Ramses III, from His mortuary temple at medinet Habu, Thebes (Luxor) Cairo Museum of Antiquities. Reconstructed
The author’s previous books include: The Bull of Ombos; Tankhem: Seth & Egyptian Magick; Supernatural Assault in Ancient Egypt; The Ritual Year in Ancient Egypt & Phi-Neter: Power of the Egyptian Gods.
