In this form, Set slays stasis. Not always a welcome thing, sometimes Set is viewed as "disturber of the peace" (TeVelde). We get comfortable with stasis. We get 'used to' stasis. The known is comforting. But sometimes we are thrown, or throw our own selves into the Unknown. The unknown as an aspect of Darkness can be frightening. Yet it can be a powerful tool for growth. If we keep with the familiar, we do not grow.

So it is a useful thing to examine ourselves and see what has become a form of inertia. What old attitudes do we need to get rid of? The Djam scepter is "the scepter of the future"(Webb). As I read about Egyptian faience, I learn it is ceramic material composed of crushed quartz. In the article at touregypt.net on Egyptian Faience, Marie Parsons explains that SCEPTERS could be made of faience.

Quartz, in one of its many forms, was used for tools, as well. The Ancient Egypt magazine (Sept 2004), features an article on the use of flint in Dynastic Egypt. Flint tools had a religious purpose, in addition to their mundane uses. "Freshly knapped flint gives a cleaner, sharper cut than even iron." During this festival, one can imagine SET using a lightweight flint sickle blade on Osiris (who represents stasis).

Curious to learn what flint is, I discovered flint (and chert) are non-gem varieties of cryptocrystalline-granular quartz. It is because it chips so easily that it can be made to hold such a sharp edge. Flint also produces a spark when it is struck by steel (or when IT strikes a steel object), due to the kinetic energy (the energy of motion) that is created.

Getting rid of stasis creates some sparks!

As we get rid of what no longer works for us, may we give these aspects a good thrust of 'the sickle blade'.

(Note of 0ctober 19, 2004)
"So it is a useful thing to examine ourselves and see what has become a form of inertia." Here I wax quite philosophical. However, I've discovered that inertia can take surprisingly mundane forms, once I am honest with myself. After putting it off for months, I finally made a dental appointment.

(Note of September 23, 2006)
I am reading Egyptian Mystics by Moustafa Gadalla, which speaks of how the Ancient Egyptians lined up seasonal events with mythological events. He speaks of an event celebrated October 17th, "Babeh/Phaophi", the planting of seed. (Earlier Moustafa explains how Egyptian dating is confusing by Western terms for they mark the beginning of the day at sunset, which explains 17th/16th variance.) He quotes Plutarch:

"...the Egyptians say that Osirus is being buried at the time when the grain in sown and covered in the earth and that he comes to life and reappears when plants begin to sprout." (page 84)

Here it is showing that this burial is necessary. Those that demonize Set for his action are missing the point that the seed burial must occur before the plant resurrection can occur.

(Note of April 17, 2007)

I think this morning about the mysteries of Osirus. If there is the planting, then there is the sprouting. As the ancients celebrated the planting, they also celebrated this aspect. It comes down to us in the Easter celebrations, after the spring equinox. I think about the cycle of birth and rebirth. In some religious/mystical understandings, they speak of a spiritual rebirth, when some aspect of an individual has undergone such transformation that it is like a rebirth. Old characteristics have died and been replaced with new characteristics.

And so to me it is the face of Set who points out these aspects, who will not let the stasis paralysis. If some aspect is not fulfulling to my Xeper, I must face what it is, so that it can be transformed.

(Later Note of April 17, 2007)
I decided this piece needed a massive editing job, and did so.

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