Creation Story

My Interpretations and Commentary:

This commentary discusses the book’s explanation of the creation.  Below is a graphical interpretation I’ve drawn:

From the Heliopolis, Hermopolis, and Memphite Greek interpretations, I’ve consolidated my interpretations in summary: First there was the god Nun described as formless, without color (or darkness) and maybe even motionless.  My small mind considers this “deep space.” Nun consisted of everything, (all energy), needed for earth and it’s heavens, but nothing was happening (changing). My philosophy on this is…when everything or everyone is doing the same thing in the same direction (mindlessness), there is Nun (nothing). 

So an aspect of Nun called Atum-Ra decides to self-define his energy and is depicted as struggling to break free from doing nothing.  The illustration in the book shows Atum-Ra encircled by something that looks like a snake; but my interpretation is of Atum-Ra breaking out of a biological cell wall.  Since Atum-Ra was at total rest before this act on his potential energy, my take is the inertia of Atum-Ra (atoms) splits into two energies and they are named Shu and TefNut.

Shu is described as the god of space and TefNut the goddess of moisture.  So at this point in creation, I’m imaging the sun (Ra); space with sunshine (Shu); and ocean waters (TefNut).

The book specifies Shu as male and TefNut as female so they can procreate.  From their union is created Nut (the sky) and Geb (the land).  But Nut and Geb were born conjoined and loved each other so much they didn’t want to separate; so that our earth was not yet manifested because the sky was connected to the land.  So it is told that through surrender of Nut and Geb, Shu separated them and continue to hold them apart today so that there is space between the sky and land.  This act of sacrifice was also necessary so that Ra (the sun) could travel through Nut (the sky) to create time.  And likewise Geb (the land) was needed to give definition to TefNet (his mother the ocean).  Maybe this is why Geb is always shown looking downward…lovingly at his mother or paying attention to her?

Evidentially, Nut and Geb stayed together long enough to conceive four children, Osiris; Isis; Set; and Nephthys. 

Ø  Osiris has a star called Orion and represents the Moon;  the moon is known to bring order and balance through measurement and proportions including that of sound; and especially sound that creates energy.

Ø  Isis is the brightest star in the sky; and known as the principal of order, truth and justice.  She will be the partner of Osiris.

Ø  Set holds a constellation of stars in modern day called “Ursa Major”; and he thought to counter balance his brother Osiris by causing ciaos.

Ø  Nephthys is known as the space below the horizon; but not sure if this means in the ocean with her grandmother Tefnet or the earth’s core???  She will be the partner of Set.

The Divine Nine are Atum-Ra, Shu, TefNut, Nut, Geb, Osiris, Isis, Set, and Nephthys.  The number is explained to mean there is no going further without starting over.  Heru will be the child of Osiris and Isis and represent the “New Coming” because he is number Ten god.

It is mentioned the primeval gods are the “limbs” of the creator or even what we call in modern times “angels.” But we must keep in mind writing of these gods are thousands of years before the birth of Jesus and writing of the bible.

Of the three interpretations, the Memphite cosmology is more centered on materialism and seems to more intensely introduce the concept of sin, punishment and idol worship.