🕯️ Occult Philosophy

Sacred Sexuality in Ancient Egypt: The Erotic Secrets of the Forbidden Papyrus (Original)

✍️ Ruth Schumann Antelme, Stéphane Rossini
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4.6
(1 review)
$34.99
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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

This groundbreaking work by Egyptologist Ruth Schumann-Antelme delves into the previously obscured sexual philosophies and practices of ancient Egypt. It's the inaugural comprehensive study to reveal how deeply intertwined sacred sexuality was with the cosmic symbolism of this ancient civilization. Richly adorned with illustrations from long-hidden papyri and temple carvings, the book deciphers the profound erotic art that was once deemed too explicit for public eyes, offering an unparalleled look into Egyptian attitudes toward love, religion, and human intimacy, including specific practices and medical insights.

🕯️
Occult Philosophy

Praise for this book

“. . . clearly and in great detail shows a part of the human side of ancient Egyptian civilization; that sexual intercourse was something that was seen as physically gratifying, spiritually gratifying and necessary not only for species survival, but also for spiritual and cosmic well-being.”
— Cristina Rizen, Cup of Wonder, Issue #7
🏛 Inner Traditions International 📅 2001 📖 264 pages 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780892818631
Fun Fact
This volume is a crucial addition to any serious occult or esoteric library, brilliantly illuminating a long-obscured facet of ancient Egyptian life. It excels in marrying rigorous scholarship with captivating imagery, offering a truly fresh perspective. While it might disappoint readers seeking merely sensational content, it will richly reward those genuinely interested in the profound spiritual and cultural significance of sexuality. It reshapes our understanding of Egypt, cementing its place as a groundbreaking work in historical and sexuality studies.

📝 Description: Sacred Sexuality in Ancient Egypt: The Erotic Secrets of the Forbidden Papyrus (Original)

- The first book to fully explore the sexual philosophy and practices of the ancient Egyptians - Lavishly illustrated with erotic scenes from papyri that have long been hidden from the public - Clarifies the connection of sacred sexuality to Egyptian cosmic symbolism Until recently the forbidden papyri, whose explicit illustrations of Egyptian sexual practices were judged too shocking, were off limits to all but a few scholars. In this book, the first to fully explore Egyptian sexual philosophy and practices, Egyptologist Ruth Schumann-Antelme provides us a new view of the provocative sexual life of the ancient Egyptians. Richly illustrated throughout, Sacred Sexuality in Ancient Egypt explains the symbolism of the erotic images found on the inner walls of the temples and tombs as well as those carved into pieces of limestone and sketched on papyri. The authors cover in detail the astonishing erotic scenes illustrating the Turin Papyrus, which have long been kept from public view. These papyri reveal in great detail Egyptian attitudes about love, religion, and even medicine, as well as specific sexual practices. Sacred Sexuality in Ancient Egypt reveals the intimate details of a society in which sexuality was the dynamic principle of the divine world, and the cosmic symbolism of religion imbued every level of Egyptian society with sexual significance.

📑 What's inside

  1. AcknowledgmentsIntroduction
  2. Chapter One: Sexuality, Engine of the Divine World
  3. The Heliopolitan and Hermopolitan Creation Myths
  4. The Cosmic Children of the Demiurge
  5. The Time Space Dimension: The Cursed Gods
  6. The Osirian Cycle
  7. The Memphis Triad
  8. The Eye of Ra: The Myth of the Distant One
  9. Amun the Theban
  10. Hathor
  11. Chapter Two: The Sexuality of the Human World
  12. The Socio-Legal Framework
  13. Sexuality and Ritual Purity
  14. The Earthly Harem of the Demiurge
  15. Prostitution
  16. Chapter Three: Love, Eroticism, and Sexuality in Literature
  17. Sarcasm, Insults, and Blasphemy
  18. The Moral Literature
  19. Love Poetry and Erotic Literature
  20. Chapter Four: The Code of Love
  21. The Code of Love in Figurative Art
  22. Components of the Code of Love
  23. Chapter Five: Medicine and Sexuality
  24. The Primary Sources
  25. Gynecology and Obstetrics
  26. Venereal Diseases
  27. Sexual Mutilations
  28. Chapter Six: Uncommon Sexual PracticesMale and Female Homosexuality
  29. Other Practices
  30. Chapter Seven: The Erotic Papyrus of Turin
  31. Conclusion Appendix One: A Simplified Chronology
  32. Appendix Two: Egyptian Deities
  33. Appendix Three: Egyptian Place-Names
  34. Appendix Four: Egyptian Hieroglyphics
  35. NotesGlossaryBibliography Index

💎 Expert review

“
💎
Esoterica Books editorial team
Occult literature desk
While this volume offers a fascinating glimpse into the erotic undercurrents of ancient Egyptian culture, it may not suit readers seeking strictly secular historical accounts or those uncomfortable with explicit material. The authors’ approach is decidedly esoteric, framing sexual acts as divine rituals rather than mere biological functions. Critics might find the interpretation of medical insights as purely spiritual practices to be a stretch. However, for those within the occult community who appreciate the synthesis of Egyptology and magical theory, this book serves as a valuable resource. It is not for the faint of heart or the purely academic historian; it demands an openness to the 'forbidden' aspects of ancient wisdom traditions.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers deeply interested in the hidden dimensions of ancient spirituality will find this book a revelatory guide. It is ideal for those who feel that conventional religious narratives often strip away the sensual and vital aspects of divine connection. By decoding explicit papyri and temple carvings, the authors offer a unique window into how love and intimacy were viewed as cosmic forces in Egypt. This text provides not just historical facts, but a philosophical framework for understanding sexuality as a sacred path. It appeals to seekers looking to reconcile their spiritual lives with their physical desires, offering insights that are both intellectually rigorous and spiritually resonant for those open to esoteric interpretations of history.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Esoterica Books —
⭐ Esoterica editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5
★★★★★
If you're fascinated by the intimate lives of ancient civilizations, curious about the spiritual dimensions of human sexuality, or eager to explore previously suppressed historical narratives, this book is essential. It offers a unique window into Egyptian culture, challenging modern preconceptions.

Reader rating

4.6
Based on 1 reviews
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Esoterica Books editorial team

While this volume offers a fascinating glimpse into the erotic undercurrents of ancient Egyptian culture, it may not suit readers seeking strictly secular historical accounts or those uncomfortable with explicit material. The authors’ approach is decidedly esoteric, framing sexual acts as divine rituals rather than mere biological functions. Critics might find the interpretation of medical insights as purely spiritual practices to be a stretch. However, for those within the occult community who appreciate the synthesis of Egyptology and magical theory, this book serves as a valuable resource. It is not for the faint of heart or the purely academic historian; it demands an openness to the 'forbidden' aspects of ancient wisdom traditions.

❓ Frequently asked questions

While scholarly in its foundation, this book is highly accessible. The authors' compelling narrative and the extensive illustrations make it engaging for anyone interested in ancient cultures or the history of sexuality, not just academics.
The explicit nature of their illustrations, depicting various sexual acts and attitudes, led to their being deemed inappropriate for public viewing or study by past generations of scholars and institutions, who considered them too shocking or lewd.

📖 Who should read this

If you're fascinated by the intimate lives of ancient civilizations, curious about the spiritual dimensions of human sexuality, or eager to explore previously suppressed historical narratives, this book is essential. It offers a unique window into Egyptian culture, challenging modern preconceptions.

🎯 Key themes and symbolism

Divine Erotic Symbolism

This book meticulously unpacks how ancient Egyptians viewed sexual acts not merely as physical pleasure but as a profound expression of cosmic and religious principles. It explores the symbolic connections between human intimacy and the divine order, revealing a spiritual dimension to their erotic practices that permeates their art and texts.

Unveiling Forbidden Art

For centuries, explicit illustrations depicting Egyptian sexual practices were kept from public view. This volume brings these "forbidden papyri," including the famous Turin Papyrus, to light, alongside temple carvings and limestone sketches. It deciphers their meanings, demonstrating their significance beyond mere pornography to cultural and religious understanding.

Ancient Erotic Insights

Go beyond simplistic notions to understand the intricate sexual philosophy of the ancient Egyptians. The authors illuminate their nuanced perspectives on love, procreation, pleasure, and the role of sexuality within their society, including medical aspects. It's a window into a culture far more open and complex than often imagined.

📜 Historical context

This work stands as a pivotal contribution to Egyptology, shifting the academic focus from purely religious or funerary texts to the often-overlooked realm of daily and sacred sexual life. It follows a tradition of scholarship that aims to reclaim and reinterpret marginalized historical sources, particularly those deemed too explicit for earlier eras, thereby enriching our understanding of ancient societal norms and beliefs.

📚 Glossary

Turin Papyrus
Cosmic Symbolism
Sacred Sexuality

📔 Questions to reflect on

  1. How does the ancient Egyptian concept of sacred sexuality challenge or affirm your own understanding of intimacy and spirituality?
  2. Consider how the suppression of historical erotic art, like the forbidden papyri, has shaped our collective understanding of past cultures. What might we still be missing?
  3. If sexuality was considered a reflection of cosmic order, how might this perspective have influenced daily life, art, and religious practices in ancient Egypt?

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