Kheper/Xeper

Why Those Beetles?

KHEPER
''transformation - evolution - metamorphosis''

All the beetles, AKA scarabs are meant to be more than just decorative. They stand for a concept, represented by the Egyptian word Kheper, also spelled Xeper (using the Greek 'X' Chi for the first letter), and pronounced 'Kheffer'.

I have attempted to show an evolution in the row of scarabs with the metamorphosis of color. The scarab is a triconsonantal Egyptian heiroglyph for the KHEPER/XEPER concept.. In Egyptian, 'heiroglyph' means 'sacred writings. Glyph is 'symbol', and heiro is 'sacred'. Thus, XEPER acquires sacred significance as it is no ordinary word. It means 'becoming'. In English, 'becoming' has no sacred significance. But to the Egyptians and those of us today who harken to their wisdom, it means the whole sphere of metamorphosis, transformation, evolution and growth in the spiritual realm, as well as the physical realm.

To those who understand, it has powerful magical implications:

XEPERA XEPER XEPERU:

''I Have Come Into Being, and by the Process of my Coming Into Being, the Process of Coming Into Being is Established.''

This becomes a self-sustaining system, for once the wheels start going in a certain direction, that mobilizes further process in that direction. One scientific principle is that an object in motion tends to remain in motion. Not only so in the physical world, it is also so with our mental and emotional evolution, as well.

All of my philosopical and spiritual concepts are constantly growing and changing. This is but part of the larger evolution I seek in my life at large, knowing that using our will, this can become a conscious process, and therefore more self-directed.

John Anthony West in Serpent In The Sky informs us that "Schwaller de Lubicz notes the similarity in form between scarab and human skull"(pg 85)

My large silver scarab

Skull top, dividing lines accentuated somewhat

Were the ancient Egyptians aware of that when they picked the scarab as symbol for becoming (Xeper)? West is implying they were.

Egyptian 'Xeper' in Germanic Runes

Kenas, Ehwas, Fehu, Ehwas, Raidho

At first sight, the word 'Xeper' looked odd to me. I kept wanting to pronounce it Zepper, rather than Kheffer. Yet this word looks even more ‘alien’ when spelled using the Runic letters. However, the ‘Kenas’ looks like a K without the vertical bar, and if I rolled the two Ehwas on their side, they would look like Es. So with a little imagination, the Runic version looks like Xeper/Khefer.

A deeper understanding of Xeper can be obtained by studying the meanings behind these ancient symbols.

Xeper first begins in us with Kenas, the ‘vital fire of life’. This is the ‘emotional root of creativity’, and ‘the will to generate and create’. It begins with the Will and the Desire. Then, with Ehwaz , we can begin to actualize “Movement and change for the better.’ in a partnership of our self with Self, and also with SET.

With Fehu, we channel the ‘raw, archetypical energy’ and further actualize “Movement and change for the better.’ But this requires seeing ‘seeing the larger perspective’ of Raidho, and being aware of the rhythms of life, we can then see ‘the right direction’ and make progress towards it. Thereby, we complete the cycle of Xeper and then it begins again, ever the cycle of 'being' and 'becoming'.

(various sources for this, including an online source and Edred Thorsson's 'Handbook of Rune Magic'.) JAL, 2-15-05

Egyptian 'Xeper' in Greek Letters

chi, epsilon, phi, epsilon, rho

Not an 'Egyptian scarab', but a 'Flamboyant Flower Beetle', aka Flamboyant Flower Scarab
(seen at Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle)

(The following poem is inspired by a fresh look at "What is Xeper":)

The Cauldron of Change

The cauldron of change,
into it, what do I put?
What pieces of action,
thought, aimed Will,
what will bring about the alchemy?
Life changing stuff here,
not wispy wishes
and worn clichés -
Hard Will and hard test.
I will not know how strong I am
until I am tested.
And yet I need to learn to be my own tester,
push my own boundaries,
push against my limitations,
all my 'I can'ts',
all that would keep me from my goals,
constraints more self made than any.
Fear, doubt,
who said
'Fear is the mind killer'
should add 'Fear is the soul killer',
If I stand on the precipice
and let it consume me.
But I can't fear fear.
That must go into the cauldron, as well,
along with all my dreams and hopes.
And therein, with my long desire,
I stir and stir and stir.
I think now, now is the only time to act.
I act from this moment based on how I acted in the last.
flame to flame to flame are the moments of consciousness.
But to strengthen the flame,
that is the goal of my Will and Xeper.
To break down my barriers,
my limitations.
If I can't go through a wall,
I will go around that wall.
I will get across,
and I know it will take every ounce of Will,
pointing, stirring, every moment.
Is that all it is,
raw determination of brute force?
Ah, but something else enters the cauldron,
and it indeed is of Mystery.
I declare my intention,
and unseen forces enter their gifts into the cauldron.
I do not struggle alone.
I cannot know all that goes into it,
I just am grateful.
But I am the one who stirs the pot,
who tastes the result,
and maybe who can share the result.
What will I cook up?
Today's recipe will not do for tomorrow.
I'll find a rare spice, perhaps,
I cannot know.
Meanwhile, I tend my cauldron pot,
and stir, stir, stir.
Today's dreams,
maybe tomorrows realities.

JAL, 10-9-06

(related articles)
The Not So Daily Xeper
The Present Understanding