Ma'at
Ma'at, Goddess of Truth, Balance, Order...
Ma'at, unlike Hathor and Nephthys, seemed to be more of a concept than an actual goddess. Her name, literally, meant 'truth' in Egyptian. She was truth, order, balance and justice personified. She was harmony, she was what was right, she was what things should be. It was thought that if Ma'at didn't exist, the universe would become chaos, once again!
Ma'at was reality, the solid grounding of reality that made the Sun rise, the stars shine, the river flood and mankind think. The universe itself, all the world around them, was sacred in the ancient view.
"Ethics" is an issue of human will and human permission. It is a function of the human world of duality. What is "ethical" for one group is sin for another. But Ma'at, the reality that made all groups what they are is transcendent of ethics, just as a rock or a flower is amoral, a-ethical, without "truth or falsehood." How can a flower be "false" or "ethical." It just is. How can the universe be "ethical or moral, right or wrong"? It simply is. That is Ma'at.
-- Walk Like An Egyptian: A Modern Guide To The Religion and Philosophy Of Ancient Egypt, Ramona Louise Wheeler
posted by Indigobusiness @ Monday, August 10, 2009
9 Comments
9 Comments:
These issues arise unanamously from different sources in antiquity. I am interested in how theories of luck fate and destiny arose from early egyptian society but not just there I guess. Can we say loosely that Ma'at = Tao? And the tarot cards somehow arose from the term, 'rota' of a rotating series of celestial patterns being mirrored in our lives? (I didn't explain before that I read tarot.)
Evidently, other, much older world views must lie elsewhere in the making of the world. Were I to get a verticle 'plug' or 'core' of inherent culture and nature of civilisaton, how quickly are the links to the mayans or incas or egyptians getting 'composted'? 'You can take the man out of the civilisation, but you can't take the civiliation out of the man.'
Z.
Civilization is a misnomer, I reckon.
Regardless, I'd say these issues arise from our need to be reminded from time to time we aren't apart from the fundamental fabric, but part of the weave.
Reflections all around.
I just came to, I'm not sure what I'm saying.
I have lived unquantifiable adventures while half the world is tucked up in bed - verrily I caught the worm. Just put the kettle back on the stove and fumble for the corn flakes.
Z.
You're a legend in your own mind.
I believe that is mildly offensive albeit clever and unnervingly accurate.
Z
Much like yourself.
it's also a Dirty Harry line.
Not the 'ole hairy Clit himself?
Z.
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