Post by Senbecc on Jan 27, 2007 8:55:32 GMT -5
Yinepu (Anpu; G/R Anubis) "The Royal Child" A Name of predynastic origins, depicted either as a full jackal or as a jackal-headed man, Yinepu originally, as Khenty-amenti or "Foremost of Westerners," was both embalmer and caretaker of the deceased, and the guardian of tomb and necropolis. Over time Wesir's popularity would absorb much of Yinepu's nature, causing Him to be written into the myths as Wesir's son by Nebt-het (alternately Set's son or Aset's son) and relegating Him to the role merely of embalmer and overseer of the funerary processes. Masks of Yinepu were routinely worn by the Sem-priest officiating at the funeral and the 70-day mummification process; images of Yinepu wrapping bandages, pouring oils or embracing the coffin are generally not actually images of the Netjer Himself, but of His servants doing His work. In later times Yinepu would be syncretised with Greek Hermes and seen as a "psychopompos"or messenger/guide of the deceased soul; in Kemetic iconography, Yinepu can be seen leading the deceased person into the Hall of Double Truth, where He then weighs the deceased's heart against the feather of Ma'at.
www.kemet.org/glossary/yinepu.html
When I got to Anpu, it was like a shockwave of recognition as I read information on the Jackal and the experiences various individuals had with him. I described my reaction in my LiveJournal:
Holy crap. It's Anpu. At least one of them is. Yinepu/ Anpu/ Wepwawet, whatever name, but... holy crap. I'm reading the descriptions people are giving and on a lot of them, I'm sitting there going "That's what I've been feeling, that's one of the presences I've been sensing!" And the feeling just kept getting more intense and clear as I was reading peoples' stories and thoughts on Anpu, to the point where I had tears in my eyes and a fullness in my chest coming out of nowhere.
It was like being embraced, almost; warm sleek jackal-body curling around my back; a canine sigh. And then, in my typical fashion: "...All right. Back up. Go through procedure. Nothing hasty."
I tried going through a systematic process and tried looking at everything logically, dispassionately, objectively. But the decision wasn't mine, and I had to admit that in the end. The recognition described above settled the matter in my heart; my mind was slower to realize the truth. There came a point where I had to do away with the pretense of method; had to admit that it was nothing more than pretense, and bow to the conclusion my deeper self came to long before.
A friend remarked on my usual logic, and said it seemed odd that I let intuition and instinct guide me in this matter. After all, I usually followed my head. Why was I now letting my heart lead?
I replied that logic does not solve everything, and too much reliance on logic alone can cause problems, as I'd learned the hard way. I had to listen to intuition as well as logic. Logic tempered with instinct; intuition tempered with reason. It's a fine line.
Yes, I used feelings a lot in my narrowing down of things. I did my research and learned about each deity in consideration so that I knew precisely who I was looking at, and so I had more information to react to. But in the end the matter fell to gut reactions - because I believe that the gods choose their own. How will using solely logic help me discover which god has chosen me? There's no real way; it takes paying attention to symbols and feelings and intuition.
If I used solely logic, I'd be reduced to picking names out of a book. Going "Hey, so-and-so sounds like someone who I could work with, and I like these various domains of this god better than these others, so I think I'll go with this one" is... well, it doesn't make sense to me that it would work too well. Going up to a deity and saying "Hi! I've chosen you to follow/ worship/ work with!" just doesn't make much sense to me. If I believed that the gods are all just archetypes and thoughtforms, psychological tools - then yes, that would make perfect sense. Then I'd definitely pick and choose the archetype I'd work with for a while to improve myself. But that's not what I believe.
So my path led me to the Jackal. Since accepting his call, I've experienced much of him, grown much, learned much - and still have a long way to go. I've experienced his love, his challenge, his disappointment and his approval. He guides but does not coddle. He guards his own when they are in danger that they cannot survive by themselves - but he also challenges them, allowing them to face alone those challenges they can overcome, so that they will be strong enough to someday overcome those trials they cannot currently win. He is a guide, and protects those he guides, but does not shield them from all challenges. That would be no protection at all.
My God is velvet shadow and sleek black fur; my God is alertness and silent knowing in the Hall of Two Truths; my God is jackal-laughter and child-wisdom and father-wisdom; He is ancient and proud and honor and truth, He is sternness and playfulness and innocence and understanding. So many things all at once, sometimes seeming paradoxes but never truly so.
Anpu, Wepwawet-Yinepu, Lord of the Hallowed Land...
I accept.
www.dreamofhorn.com/nest/wings3.html
Also found on:
voidinvortex.proboards74.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=egyptiangods&thread=1169959954
www.kemet.org/glossary/yinepu.html
When I got to Anpu, it was like a shockwave of recognition as I read information on the Jackal and the experiences various individuals had with him. I described my reaction in my LiveJournal:
Holy crap. It's Anpu. At least one of them is. Yinepu/ Anpu/ Wepwawet, whatever name, but... holy crap. I'm reading the descriptions people are giving and on a lot of them, I'm sitting there going "That's what I've been feeling, that's one of the presences I've been sensing!" And the feeling just kept getting more intense and clear as I was reading peoples' stories and thoughts on Anpu, to the point where I had tears in my eyes and a fullness in my chest coming out of nowhere.
It was like being embraced, almost; warm sleek jackal-body curling around my back; a canine sigh. And then, in my typical fashion: "...All right. Back up. Go through procedure. Nothing hasty."
I tried going through a systematic process and tried looking at everything logically, dispassionately, objectively. But the decision wasn't mine, and I had to admit that in the end. The recognition described above settled the matter in my heart; my mind was slower to realize the truth. There came a point where I had to do away with the pretense of method; had to admit that it was nothing more than pretense, and bow to the conclusion my deeper self came to long before.
A friend remarked on my usual logic, and said it seemed odd that I let intuition and instinct guide me in this matter. After all, I usually followed my head. Why was I now letting my heart lead?
I replied that logic does not solve everything, and too much reliance on logic alone can cause problems, as I'd learned the hard way. I had to listen to intuition as well as logic. Logic tempered with instinct; intuition tempered with reason. It's a fine line.
Yes, I used feelings a lot in my narrowing down of things. I did my research and learned about each deity in consideration so that I knew precisely who I was looking at, and so I had more information to react to. But in the end the matter fell to gut reactions - because I believe that the gods choose their own. How will using solely logic help me discover which god has chosen me? There's no real way; it takes paying attention to symbols and feelings and intuition.
If I used solely logic, I'd be reduced to picking names out of a book. Going "Hey, so-and-so sounds like someone who I could work with, and I like these various domains of this god better than these others, so I think I'll go with this one" is... well, it doesn't make sense to me that it would work too well. Going up to a deity and saying "Hi! I've chosen you to follow/ worship/ work with!" just doesn't make much sense to me. If I believed that the gods are all just archetypes and thoughtforms, psychological tools - then yes, that would make perfect sense. Then I'd definitely pick and choose the archetype I'd work with for a while to improve myself. But that's not what I believe.
So my path led me to the Jackal. Since accepting his call, I've experienced much of him, grown much, learned much - and still have a long way to go. I've experienced his love, his challenge, his disappointment and his approval. He guides but does not coddle. He guards his own when they are in danger that they cannot survive by themselves - but he also challenges them, allowing them to face alone those challenges they can overcome, so that they will be strong enough to someday overcome those trials they cannot currently win. He is a guide, and protects those he guides, but does not shield them from all challenges. That would be no protection at all.
My God is velvet shadow and sleek black fur; my God is alertness and silent knowing in the Hall of Two Truths; my God is jackal-laughter and child-wisdom and father-wisdom; He is ancient and proud and honor and truth, He is sternness and playfulness and innocence and understanding. So many things all at once, sometimes seeming paradoxes but never truly so.
Anpu, Wepwawet-Yinepu, Lord of the Hallowed Land...
I accept.
www.dreamofhorn.com/nest/wings3.html
Also found on:
voidinvortex.proboards74.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=egyptiangods&thread=1169959954