Shetaut Hemu The Priests and Priestesses of Ancient Egypt

264 Pages·2009·38.01 MB·English

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Ancient Egyptian Religion, African Mysticism h
$24.95 U.S.
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Egyptian Mysteries Vol. 3 y

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Volume 3

The Priests and Priestesses of Ancient Egypt E
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THE PRIESTS AND PRIESTESSES
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M And the Living Tradition of Neterian Culture and Mystical Spirituality
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Who were the Ancient Egyptian Priests and Priestesses? What was the sacred s
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science of life that they practiced, which became the foundation for the millennia s

old civilization that came to be called Ancient Egypt? These questions are &
most important to humanity because they signal the recognition of a culture and
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civilization that seemed to pass away into the mists of time but which left its mark
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on all succeeding civilizations of the ancient world, coming down to our times. i
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The Sacred Science, the Shetaut Neter which was developed and sustained by the s
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priests and priestesses for thousands of years even while other civilizations were e
only emerging from the stone age. This volume details the philosophy and disciplines s
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of the priests and priestesses and serves as a beacon of light for all who wish to adopt e
the sacred life of those who want to promote peace and harmony in the world and s

serve the Divine and attain self-knowledge, self-mastery, immortality and enlightenment. o
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ISBN: 1-884564-53-4 c
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Sebai Muata Ashby
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The Priests and Priestesses of Ancient Egypt
EGYPTIAN MYSTERIES Vol. 3:
Shetaut Hemu
The Priests and Priestesses of
Ancient Egypt

“House of God (Temple) Priests and Priestesses”
A Guidebook for Priests and Priestesses of Shetaut Neter
and the Organization of the Modern Neterian Temple
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The Priests and Priestesses of Ancient Egypt

Cruzian Mystic Books
P.O. Box 570459
Miami, Florida, 33257
[phone] Fax: [phone]

Ä2004 By Reginald Muata Ashby

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without
written permission (address above) except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and
reviews. All inquiries may be addressed to the address above.

The author is available for group lectures and individual counseling. For further information contact the
publisher.

Ashby, Muata
EGYPTIAN MYSTERIES Vol. 3: Shetaut Hemu, The Priests and Priestesses of Ancient Egypt.
ISBN: 1-884564-53-4

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data

1- Ancient Egyptian Religion, 2- African Philosophy, 3- Mysticism .

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Sema Institute of Yoga
Cruzian Mystic Books and Music

www.Egyptianyoga.com
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The Priests and Priestesses of Ancient Egypt
Table of Contents
DEDICATION....................................................................................................................................8
Preface: Where is Ancient Egypt, When did it Exist and
Who Were the Ancient Egyptians?
................................................................9
Where is Egypt?................................................................................................................................9
The Term Kamit and the Origins of the Ancient Egyptians.....................................................10
When Was Neterian Religion Practiced in Ancient Times?.........................................................11
Early Beginnings: The First Religion in Human History.........................................................11
The Far Reaching Implications of the New Evidence Concerning the Sphinx and Other New
Archeological Evidence in Egypt and the Rest of Africa....................................................................12
Foreword: The Importance of Ancient Egyptian Religion and Philosophy
to the World
................................................................................................................................18
Impact of Ancient Egyptian Religion on present day religions, philosophies and world culture.............20
Originators of Culture and Civilization abroad and the Study of the Stars..............................23
Overture: Who Was the Founder of Neterianism and What is the Lineage of the Neterian
Teaching?..........................................................................................................................................28
Khepri and the Creation Myth..................................................................................................29
Introduction: Who is Qualified to be an Initiate of Shetaut Neter and be taught the Spiritual
Philosophy of Shetaut Neter and Who is Qualified to Become a Priest or Priestess of Shetaut
Neter?................................................................................................................................................33
What does it mean to live by truth? What does it mean to face the truth?...............................35
Fitness to Join the Neterian Clergy...........................................................................................39
Chapter 1: The Power of the Priesthood in the Old Kingdom Era and the
Downfall of Ancient Egyptian Culture due to the Deterioration of the
Clergy, Caused by Attacks from Asiatic and European Countries and
Western Religions
................................................................................................................45
Respect and Support of the Priests and Priestesses in the Ancient Period.............................................46
Egypt in the Early Late Period: A Nation in Decline...............................................................48
The Government Organizational Structure in Kamit During The New Kingdom Period........50
The Sixth Century B.C.E. Social and Political Upheaval in Ancient Egypt..........................................51
Minimization of the clergy and the Decline of Society: A Nation in Decline..........................53
The Neterian clergy and the control over the Pharaoh (King or Queen) and the Governance of
society.......................................................................................................................................57
Early Christian and Roman-Christian Conquest Periods and the Closing of Egyptian Temples63
The Muslim Movement and the Closing of the Ancient Egyptian Temples............................67
Islamic Views on the Polytheists Including the Ancient Egyptian and Hindu religions..........69
Chapter 2: The Fundamental Principles of Ancient Egyptian Religion for the Hemu Neter (Clergy
of Shetaut Neter)...............................................................................................................................74
Neterianism (Ancient Egyptian Religion) may be condensed into four teachings...................74
Neterian Great Truths...............................................................................................................74
The Spiritual Culture and the Purpose of Life: Shetaut Neter..................................................76
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The Priests and Priestesses of Ancient Egypt
Who is Neter in Kamitan Religion?..................................................................................................77
Neter and the Neteru........................................................................................................................77
The Neteru......................................................................................................................................77
The Neteru and Their Temples.................................................................................................78
The Anunian Tradition..............................................................................................................80
The Memphite Tradition...........................................................................................................81
The Memphite Tradition...........................................................................................................82
The Theban Tradition...............................................................................................................83
The Goddess Tradition..............................................................................................................84
The Aton Tradition...................................................................................................................86
The General Principles of Shetaut Neter............................................................................................87
Introduction to Egyptian Yoga
.....................................................88
Choosing a Sema Spiritual discipline as a Support for the Spiritual Tradition and Culture....................92
Tjef Neteru Sema Paut Ritual Postures of Enlightenment........................................................95
Summary of The Great Truths and the Shedy Paths to their Realization.................................95
Summary of The Great Truths and the Shedy Paths to their Realization.................................96
Chapter 3- The Ancient Neterian Temple.........................................................................................97
The Purpose of the Neterian Temple.................................................................................................97
The Stages of African Religion.................................................................................................99
The Tutelary Deity..................................................................................................................101
Ancient Egyptian (Neterian Temple) Flag..............................................................................101
Chapter 4: The Benefits and Immeasurable Joys of Being the Priests and Priestesses..................104
Chapter 5: The Designations of the Clergy of Shetaut Neter, Their Functions and Spiritual
Disciplines.......................................................................................................................................109
The Specialized Disciplines and Education of the Hm and Hmt............................................110
Specialization of the Hm and Hmt in Ancient times..............................................................111
Choosing a Spiritual Tradition................................................................................................112
Clergy Choosing an Area for Selfless Service as a Support for the Spiritual Tradition and Society, and
Choosing a Tutelary Divinity.........................................................................................................112
The Organizational Structure of a Typical Ancient Egyptian Temple Clergy.......................114
The Hmt Neter - High Priestess – Tends to the needs of the Divinity – Oversees Temple....122
Male and Female Service in the Temple.................................................................................123
The Sma - Takes care of the Clothing, ornaments and offerings at the Altar.........................126
The Urshy – Watches over the Image and those who Meditate upon it.................................126
Shmai Neter - Divine Musicians - The Music Discipline.......................................................126
Dua Neter – Divine Adorers...................................................................................................126
Above: a priest offers Incense and Libations The Sbai – Spiritual Preceptor and the Unra...127
Chapter 6: Duties of the Servants of God.......................................................................................130
Left: Egyptian man and woman-(tomb of Papyri) 18th Dynasty displaying the naturalistic
style (as people really appeared) in ancient times..................................................................130
What Does a Servant of God Actually Do?................................................................................131
Mysteries of the Gods and Goddesses and the Work of the Neterian Clergy.........................134
Myth and Dreams and the Work of the Neterian Clergy........................................................135
Basic Duties of the Priests and Priestesses.............................................................................136
Opening the Mouth.................................................................................................................136
Daily, Monthly and Annual Disciplines, Festivals, Rituals of Shetaut Neter.........................141
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The Priests and Priestesses of Ancient Egypt
The Main Temple Mystery Rituals.........................................................................................142
The Main Temple Mystery Rituals.........................................................................................143
Opening the Temple and the Daily Worship Program............................................................143
Ritual of the Carrying of The Divine Boat.............................................................................147
Ritual of the Dawn of the New Year at the Temple of Hetheru.............................................149
The Wisdom Discipline....................................................................................................151
Maintaining The Neterian Library..........................................................................................152
Below: Relief of an Ancient Egyptian Scribe Sacred Scriptures of Ancient Egypt and the
Duty of the Clergy..................................................................................................................152
Sacred Scriptures of Ancient Egypt and the Duty of the Clergy............................................153
The Medu Neter Of Neterian Culture.....................................................................................154
Hekau, Medu Neter and Shetitu..............................................................................................156
Ancient Egyptian Theater and Music.....................................................................................160
What do the Priests and Priestesses Teach and How do They Teach It?...............................167
What do the Priests and Priestesses Teach and How do They Teach It?................................168
The Glorious Duty..................................................................................................................170
Special Meditation Discipline of the Priests and Priestesses of Shetaut Neter.......................171
Admonition to Priests and
Chapter 7: Qualifications of the Clergy and
Priestesses for Righteous Conduct
...........................................175
Admonition to Priests and
Chapter 7: Qualifications of the Clergy and
Priestesses for Righteous Conduct
...........................................176
Admonition to Priests and Priestesses from the Ptolemaic Period.........................................177
Admonition to part-time Priests and Priestesses (Unut) from the Ptolemaic Period..............178
Guarding Against Impatience, Self Willed Nature and Irreverent Attitude...........................179
What is the Role of the King or Queen?.................................................................................183
The Concept of Maat as the Foundation of the Neterian Priesthood......................................183
The Lifestyle of Priests and Priestesses and their Service to God and Society......................188
Shaved Hair, Baldness and the Philosophy of Nothingness of the Ancient Egyptian Priests and
Priestesses.....................................................................................................................................188
Marriage, Sexuality and Celibacy for Neterian Priests and Priestesses..................................191
Neterianism and Sexual Misconduct......................................................................................194
Vegetarianism, Celibacy and Self-Control of the Neterian Clergy........................................196
Faithfulness to the Tradition...................................................................................................200
Chapter 8: The Sebait Curriculum- Education For the Clergy in Ancient Egypt..........................204
Mentoring System...................................................................................................................205
The Higher and the Lower Mysteries.....................................................................................206
Levels of Initiation of the Neterian Priests and Priestesses....................................................212
Chapter 9: Cultural, Historical, Political and Social Concerns for the Neterian Clergy in the 21st
Century............................................................................................................................................214
Shetaut Neter and other Spiritual Traditions..........................................................................215
Identity, Race, and the Neterian Clergy..................................................................................216
The Struggle for Survival........................................................................................................217
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The Priests and Priestesses of Ancient Egypt
Culture, the Spiritual Practice and the Name..........................................................................218
Interactions Between Neterians and Orthodox Religions Practitioners..................................219
Forced Conversion..................................................................................................................222
Social and Political Perspectives for the 21st Century............................................................224
Challenges for Neterian Priests and Priestesses in the 21st Century.......................................226
CONCLUSION.......................................................................................................................227
Chapter 10: Pledging One’s Life to The Temple............................................................................230
Pledging One’s Life to The Temple: The Creed of the Rekhyt..............................................231
The Concept of Guru and The Concept of Seba.....................................................................233
Priestess is Mother, Priest is Father........................................................................................235
The Ritual of Initiation............................................................................................................236
INDEX............................................................................................................................................243
Other Books by Sebai Muata Ashby...............................................................................................252
Other Books Sebai Muata Ashby....................................................................................................253
Music Based on the Prt M Hru and other Kemetic Texts...............................................................260

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The Priests and Priestesses of Ancient Egypt
Who is Sebai Muata Abhaya Ashby D.D. Ph. D.?

Priest, Author, lecturer, poet, philosopher, musician, publisher, counselor and
spiritual preceptor and founder of the Sema Institute-Temple of Aset, Muata Ashby
was born in Brooklyn, New York City, and grew up in the Caribbean. His family is
from Puerto Rico and Barbados. Displaying an interest in ancient civilizations and the
Humanities, Sebai Maa began studies in the area of religion and philosophy and
achieved doctorates in these areas while at the same time he began to collect his
research into what would later become several books on the subject of the origins of
Yoga Philosophy and practice in ancient Africa (Ancient Egypt) and also the origins of
Christian Mysticism in Ancient Egypt.
Sebai Maa (Muata Abhaya Ashby) holds a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in
Religion, and a Doctor of Divinity Degree in Holistic Health. He is also a Pastoral
Counselor and Teacher of Yoga Philosophy and Discipline. Dr. Ashby received his Doctor of Divinity
Degree from and is an adjunct faculty member of the American Institute of Holistic Theology. Dr. Ashby is
a certified as a PREP Relationship Counselor. Dr. Ashby has been an independent researcher and
practitioner of Egyptian Yoga, Indian Yoga, Chinese Yoga, Buddhism and mystical psychology as well as
Christian Mysticism. Dr. Ashby has engaged in Post Graduate research in advanced Jnana, Bhakti and
Kundalini Yogas at the Yoga Research Foundation. He has extensively studied mystical religious traditions
from around the world and is an accomplished lecturer, musician, artist, poet, screenwriter, playwright and
author of over 25 books on Kamitan yoga and spiritual philosophy. He is an Ordained Minister and
Spiritual Counselor and also the founder the Sema Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to
spreading the wisdom of Yoga and the Ancient Egyptian mystical traditions. Further, he is the spiritual
leader and head priest of the Per Aset or Temple of Aset, based in Miami, Florida. Thus, as a scholar, Dr.
Muata Ashby is a teacher, lecturer and researcher. However, as a spiritual leader, his title is Sebai, which
means Spiritual Preceptor. Sebai Dr. Ashby began his research into the spiritual philosophy of Ancient
Africa (Egypt) and India and noticed correlations in the culture and arts of the two countries. This was the
catalyst for a successful book series on the subject called "Egyptian Yoga". Now he has created a series of
musical compositions which explore this unique area of music from ancient Egypt and its connection to
world music.

Who is Hemt Neter Dr. Karen Vijaya Clarke-Ashby(Dja)?

Karen Clarke-Ashby (Seba Dja) is a Kamitan (Kamitan) priestess, and an independent researcher,
practitioner and teacher of Sema (Smai) Tawi (Kamitan) and Indian Integral Yoga Systems, a Doctor of
Veterinary Medicine, a Pastoral Spiritual Counselor, a Pastoral Health and Nutrition Counselor, and a Sema
(Smai) Tawi Life-style Consultant.” Dr. Ashby has engaged in post-graduate research in advanced Jnana,
Bhakti, Karma, Raja and Kundalini Yogas at the Sema Institute of Yoga and Yoga Research Foundation,
and has also worked extensively with her husband and spiritual partner, Dr.
Muata Ashby, author of the Egyptian Yoga Book Series, editing many of these
books, as well as studying, writing and lecturing in the area of Kamitan Yoga
and Spirituality. She is a certified Tjef Neteru Sema Paut (Kamitan Yoga
Exercise system) and Indian Hatha Yoga Exercise instructor, the Coordinator
and Instructor for the Level 1 Teacher Certification Tjef Neteru Sema Training
programs, and a teacher of health and stress management applications of the
Yoga / Sema Tawi systems for modern society, based on the Kamitan and/or
Indian yogic principles. Also, she is the co-author of “The Egyptian Yoga
Exercise Workout Book,” a contributing author for “The Kamitan Diet, Food
for Body, Mind and Soul,” author of the soon to be released, “Yoga Mystic
Metaphors for Enlightenment.”

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The Priests and Priestesses of Ancient Egypt
Hotep -Peace be with you! Seba Muata Ashby & Karen Ashby

DEDICATION
To the Hemu of Kamit

“How happy are they {priests & priestesses} who celebrate Your Majesty, oh great God,
and who do not cease serving Your Temple! Those {priests & priestesses} who elevate
Your power, exalt Your grandeur, and fill their heart with You.... Those {priests &
priestesses} who go on Your path, and come on Your water, and are concerned with Your
Majesty's plans! Those {priests & priestesses} who adore Your spirit with paeans1
intended for deities, and who pronounce Your ritual.... Those {priests & priestesses} who
conduct the regular service and the festival service, free of ignorance.... You who tread
the path of Ra in his Temple; who keep watch in His home, conducting His festivals and
presenting offerings, without cease: enter in peace, leave in peace, go happily! For life
is in His hand, health is in His grip, and all goodly things are there where He is: there
are the dishes that lie on His table, there is the food of those who eat His offerings!
There is no ill or misfortune for those {priests & priestesses} who live on His goods;
there is no damnation for those {priests & priestesses} who serve Him, for His care
extends to the sky and His security to the earth: His protection is greater than that of all
(other) deities.”

-Inscription at the Temple of Edfu

1 pae·an also pe·an (p¶“…n) n. 1. Music. A song of joyful praise or exultation. 2. A fervent expression of joy or praise 3. An ancient
Greek hymn of thanksgiving or invocation, especially to Apollo (Heru)
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The Priests and Priestesses of Ancient Egypt
Preface: Where is Ancient Egypt, When did it
Exist and Who Were the Ancient Egyptians?
Where is Egypt?
Below: Egypt is located in the northeastern corner of the African Continent.

Below left: A map of North East Africa showing the location of the land of Ta-Meri or Kamit, also known
as Ancient Egypt and South of it is located the land which in modern times is called Sudan.

Figure: right- The Land
of Ancient Egypt-Nile
Valley
The main ancient cities
wherein the theology of the
Ancient Egyptian Religion
was developed were: A-
Sais (Temple of Net), B- Anu (Heliopolis- Temple of Ra), C-Men-
nefer or Hetkaptah (Memphis, Temple of Ptah), and D- Sakkara
(Pyramid Texts), E- Akhet-Aton (City of Akhnaton, Temple of
Aton), F- Abdu (Temple of Asar), G- Iunet (Denderah) (Temple of
Hetheru), H- Waset (Thebes, Temple of Amun), I- Djebu (Edfu)
(Temple of Heru), J- Pilak (Philae) (Temple of Aset). The cities
wherein the theology of the Trinity of Asar-Aset-Heru was
developed were Anu, Abydos, Pilak (Philae), Iunet (Denderah) and
Djebu (Edfu).
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