The Egyptian Shen Ring, Cartouche, and The Circumpolar Stars ( Symbolism and Mythology ):

 

                          The Circumpolar Stars - Image via Wikipedia

"The sight of the stars makes me dream."

- Vincent Van Gogh

All of us have probably seen a time-lapse photo of the night 

sky which shows the stars circling around the polar center. 

This phenomenon is caused by the earth rotating on its axis 

and the center of this stellar rotation is the point in the 

heavens to which the earth's axis is aligned.

These stars which rotate around the polar center are called 

the Circumpolar Stars. The Circumpolar Stars which are 

nearest to the polar center never set below the horizon of 

the earth. As the distance from the polar center increases, 

the outermost stars do disappear below the horizon for a 

period of time only to reappear at some later time.

The Circumpolar Stars which do not disappear below the 

horizon were referred to by the ancients as the Eternal 

Ones or the Imperishable Ones. It is these stars which 

were considered to be the heavenly domain of all souls 

which returned to the cosmic spiritual realm once their 

incarnation on earth was completed.

Furthermore, it is these Circumpolar Stars, which never 

disappeared below the earth's horizon, which Symbolized 

the branches of the World Tree in the various mythologies 

of our planet. And it is these Circumpolar Stars that are the 

subject of this article, and, the basis of the Symbolism of 

the Egyptian Shen Ring.

 

Egyptian Shen Ring and Cartouche - Image via Wikipedia

The Shen Ring is a Circle tied to a horizontal bar; a Circle 

tied to a straight line. The Circle Symbolizes the eternal, 

"The All", the cyclical, and the Source of all physical 

manifestation. The horizontal bar Symbolizes the horizon, 

the earthly, the linear, the temporary, and the manifested.

Therefore, the Shen Ring is a Symbolic reminder that 

temporal linear Time ( the horizontal bar ) is tied to, and is 

only a temporary manifestation of, the ever-repeating 

Cycles of Eternity ( the Circle ).

Furthermore, the horizontal bar represents the earth's horizon

while the Circle represents the Circumpolar Stars which never

set below the earth's horizon. This again reminds us that the

temporary manifestations which appear on the earthly realm 

are only a small part of the vast and eternal Cycles of the 

heavens.

It is also a reminder that we are all tied to, and thereby are a 

part of, eternity. Furthermore, it is also a Symbolic reminder 

that all personal, societal, and worldly achievements and 

failures are nothing more than a temporary linear "moment" 

occurring in the unknowable vastness of eternity.

The Horizon tied to the heavens Symbolizes the finite 

( temporary ) tied to the infinite ( timeless ); "as above, 

so below".

The Shen ring can also be equated to the upper portion of 

the Egyptian Ankh

In ancient Egypt, in order to insure that the Pharaoh's 

precise  name and memory would endure for all eternity, 

and that he, or she, would become one with the 

"Imperishable Ones" mentioned at the beginning of this article, 

the hieroglyphs which spelled out his (or her) name were to 

be inscribed within the protective Circle of the Shen Ring.

However, since the hieroglyphs required to properly spell 

out the Pharaohs name took up more space than was

available within the Shen Ring, an adjustment to the Shen 

Ring became necessary. This was resolved by elongating 

the Shen Ring into what is today the familiar cartouche.

Cartouche is a fairly modern French word which means 

"cartridge". During Napoleon's expedition to Egypt, his soldier's 

noticed how similar this elongated Symbol was to the 

cartridges they used in their own rifles. Therefore they named 

this Symbol a "cartouche"; a term which has since become 

the commonplace expression of this ancient Symbol.

The important thing to remember about the cartouche is that 

it contains the title of the person being referred to. It does not 

contain the birth-name of that person; only the title name.

A great many Lessons are handed down to us from ancient

Egypt; and they mostly refer to the Pharaoh. However, Keep 

in mind that, although the lessons handed down to us from 

ancient Egypt pertain to the Pharaoh of the kingdom, we too 

are the Pharaoh of our own personal kingdom. Therefore, the 

lessons which are addressed to the Pharaoh pertain to us just 

as well. And it is in our own best interest that we understand 

and adhere to these most ancient Lessons; so that, when our

Incarnation on this plane of existence in finished, we too can

join our Spiritual Ancestors - The Imperishable Ones - who 

occupy the Circumpolar Region in the heavens.

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My Email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2021

Magical Artifacts, Talismans, Words, Incantations and Spells ( Symbolism and Mythology ):

                                                          Image via Wikipedia

"Never trust anything that can think for itself."

   

    -Mr. Weasley to Ginny, in J.K. Rowling's 

     Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Who has not dreamed of being in possession of a magical object or

magical spell?

Literature and mythology are full of stories about someone who has

uncovered a magical artifact or talisman; or someone who has 

stumbled upon a magical word, incantation, or spell. The desire to 

possess something of this nature is very alluring; it is the stuff that

daydreams and fantasies are made of.

However, as literature and mythology further tell us, being in possession

of one of these items does not always end very well for the person who

stumbles upon them. Therefore, before wishing to be in possession of 

any of these objects or Words we may want to look deeper into what 

these items really are, and ask ourself, "Do I really want to come 

into possession of something of this nature"?

Because, as the stories further tell us, the person who stumbles upon

these devices very seldom controls them. The very opposite happens:

the object or spell winds up controlling, and even taking possession

of, its discoverer.

With these thoughts in mind, let us now delve deeply into the

questions and consequences that are an integral part of Magical Artifacts, 

Talismans, Words, Incantations, and Spells.

Magical Artifacts and Talismans ( Physical Powers ):

                                                               Image via Wikipedia

With any physical, magical Item of Power it is crucial that we consider

the following:

Someone created it! 

To create a Magical Artifact or Talisman requires great magical power.

Therefore we need to be able to answer and be Aware of the following:

1. Who created the object: 

    It is important to know who created the object and what was the 

    character of that person. This can give us an insight to the powers 

    contained within the object. However, this is almost always a certain 

    unknown.

2. When was it created: 

    Without knowing the time in history when the object was created, 

    we have no insight into the historical thoughts, energies and moods 

    that may be associated with the object. Here, again, we have an 

    almost certain unknown.

3. What were the intentions of the person who created the 

    object:

    This would enable us to understand the motive behind its creation 

    and what powers we will be confronting not only by merely 

    possessing the object, but also what unexpected results we can 

    anticipate should we ultimately choose to use this object. And, here 

    we have another unknown.

4. What powers were fused into the object by the person who 

    created it. In other words, what are its latent powers:

    As there is no way to know all the powers infused into the object,

    we are again faced with a certain unknown.

5. Exactly how powerful is this object:

    The object can be supremely powerful. And, herein lies its immense 

    danger. For, while the user is under the illusion that he or she is 

    manipulating the object for their sole benefit, the object is actually,

    in most cases very discretely, manipulating and binding its user.

    Here is where the magical object, in a great many instances, 

    can possess a very diabolical unknown.

6. Does this object have the ability to function and act 

    completely of its own accord:

    Anything infused with extremely powerful magical intentions and

    spells will always, simply by its created nature, have a Free Will.

    And, this Free Will, will have the power, and desire, to completely act 

    of its own accord. And, without the possessor being more powerful 

    than the object, which is nearly impossible, the user most seriously 

    risks magical bondage.

Magical Words, Incantations and Spells ( Verbal Powers ):

                                                         Image via Wikipedia

In addition to the above mentioned concerns and warnings, the 

following should also be taken into consideration in regard to the use 

of Magical Words, Incantations, and Spells:

1. Were the original Words and Symbols part of a secret 

    language:

    If so, then the exact words and intent of the Spell or Incantation 

    are almost certainly indecipherable. A great example of a secret

    language is the Voynich Manuscript.

2. Were the original Words and Symbols part of an ancient 

    or lost language:

    Again: If so, then the exact words and intent of the Spell or Incantation 

    are almost certainly indecipherable. 

3. The original meanings of Words can change dramatically 

    over time, or even vanish from use:

    At best, Words are a very clumsy way of communicating. Even in our

    own lifetimes, we see how the usage and meanings of Words change 

    over time, and how they have different meanings throughout various 

    individuals, races, and nationalities.

       In addition, Words that addressed very specific ideas, objects,

    feelings and intentions can absolutely disappear throughout the march

    of long historical periods.

        Also, objects referred to in ancient texts fall into dis-use, are 

    discarded, and are never used again. There are many such items 

    referred to in ancient texts of which we have no idea as to what they

    actually were. If such an item is referred to in an ancient Spell or

    Incantation, we are at a total loss as to what this item in fact was.

       These problems alone render the attempted translation of an

    ancient Spell or Incantation absolutely useless. 

4. Were the Words and Symbols copied correctly from the 

    original text:

    Errors abound in even the simplest copying of Words and Symbols.

    The slightest error can, and most likely will, change the meaning and 

    essence of the original text.

5. Were these Words and Symbols accurately interpreted when

    translated into another language in another time:

    It is nearly impossible, if not absolutely impossible, to translate one

    language into another without losing the True meaning of the 

    original language.

       Not only can Words have a different meaning in different languages; 

    but also the context of sentences, paragraphs and ideas can have

    radical variations in interpretation when being translated from one

    language to another.

       AND, this does not even take into account the various metaphors,

    allegories and other unique meanings contained in the original text

    which can, in no way, be translated into the new language.

6. Are we absolutely sure of the correct ancient pronunciation 

    of not only the Words of the Incantations and Spells, but also 

    their appropriate phonetics:

    Even today we see the the differences in the various dialects and

    phonetics which abound on this planet. Sounds that can easily be

    pronounced by one group of people, or by one nationality, are 

    very difficult for another nationality, or even another part of the 

    same country, to pronounce.

       Therefore, it is almost impossible for us to attempt to correctly

    pronounce not only the Words of an ancient Spell or Incantation

    correctly; but this difficulty is compounded when we do not even

    know the proper phonetics used by the original makers of the 

    Spell or Incantation.

7. Considering our present personal dialect, are we able to  

    pronounce these Words correctly:

    Refer to item #6 above.

8. Are we able to summon up within ourself the proper mood 

    that is meant to accompany the Incantation or Spell:

    Without fully understanding the proper mood, and proper mindset,

    required in the use of the Spell or Incantation, it is impossible for

    us to properly summon up this mood or mindset within ourself.

        Not being in the proper mood, or frame of mind, when conjuring 

    up the Incantation or Spell, can either invalidate the Incantation or 

    Spell, or have it work completely against the conjuror. 

9. Improperly speaking the Words, even minutely, can alter 

    the Spell or Incantation: often with dire consequences:

    Improper use of Words and phonetics can alter the Spell or

    Incantation dramatically; often with severe and dire consequences.

So, the question now arises: "OK. I will not fool around with anyone 

else's magical objects or words. I will crate my own spell and create

a magical object of my own. What personal harm can that do"?

The powers, words, incantations and spells infused into an object or

spell enables it to automatically assume a life and power of its own. 

And here is where many magicians fall prey to the objects and

spells they conjure up. A good example of this is Mickey Mouse in 

The Sorcerer's Apprentice.

Life of any kind, by its very nature, has free-will inherent within it. But,

a magical object, having a powerful life-force infused into it, contains

an enormous free-will which can, and will, act as a powerful driving 

force  And herein lies the danger in either working with, or creating,

magical artifacts, talismans, spells and incantations.

Whenever we place our hopes, dreams  and beliefs in external 

forces, we are opening ourselves up to danger and frustration. These

external forces are inclusive of people, objects, organizations, factions,

and dogmas; dogmas being the un-questionable and authoritarian 

belief systems that are forced upon us, by means of guilt, shame,

or fear, by self-serving individuals, factions and organizations.

In conclusion:

Relying on any external object, power, or entity is never a good idea. 

For, as ancient teachings inform us, the only powers we should be 

relying upon are the latent spiritual powers contained within ourself. 

In other words, our prime focus should be focusing on, and 

communicating with, our Atman by the proper use of Prayer and 

Meditation. The ancient teachings repeatedly inform us that the

answers and guidance we seek lie within us.

Comments and Emails: I welcome comments and emails from
people with similar thoughts and feelings. My Email address is
located in the upper-left area of this page. Comments can be
posted by using the "Comment" link located below each article.
Also: If you found value in this article please feel free to forward
it to other like-minded individuals, organizations and sites.

Disclaimer: None of my articles should be considered to be
either advice or expertise. They are simply personal opinions
and no more. Everyone is encouraged to seek competent
advice from a licensed, registered, or certified professional
should such advice or service be required.

© copyright Joseph Panek 2021