February’s Spotlight on Egyptian Gods and Goddesses

When it comes to ancient Egyptian lore, an assortment of gods and goddesses have shaped the way past individuals lived their lives and worshipped. Some gods and goddesses were known to possess infinite powers that were called upon to restore vitality in crops and accompany the recently dead to the Underworld. In this article, you are introduced to Heka, Horemakhet, and Hu , the highlighted gods and goddesses of February.

Heka

Magic, supernatural powers, and miracles are just some of the things associated with Heka, who was also viewed as the patron of wizards and doctors. It was Heka who aided Re in his everyday journey across the sky, as he kept the monsters from compromising this daily task. Residents of Egypt would pray to him if they encountered any issues that praying to other gods did not help fix. Anyone who practiced medicine in Egypt was considered under the spell of this god , often carrying about the name of “priest of Heka.”

When depicted in art, Heka was seen wearing two snakes, which also became a symbol for Egyptian wizards who resided at the courts of pharaohs. Nowadays, you can still view the association with Heka and snakes in today’s most popular medicinal symbols. As the son of the war goddess named Menhit and Jhnum , together, these three were known as the triad of Latopolis (also referred to as Esna), which was prominent throughout Upper Egypt. Today, a temple in what used to be known as Heliopolis is situated north of Cairo. This is believed the location where Heka gained the recognition as son of the local creator god Atum.

Horemakhet

The title of this god is known as “Horus at the Horizon,” which translates into the ‘sun.’ This god stood as a symbol of resurrection, which is often connected to the setting of the sun (signifying a rebirth of each morning). As the manifestation of the god Re-Horakhte, there is a depth to explore that traces back to older gods, such as Kheper and Atum. The first appearance that this god is noted as making in history is during the New Kingdom. When taking a look at the Great Sphinx at Giza, many believe that it is his identity that is uncovered. Some believe that a temple of his own was also erected at some time in Egypt. His image was quite popular during the dynasties 18 and 19. One of his nicknames is “the good father”.

Hu

While Hu is seen as a minor god, his existence was still important throughout Egyptian mythology, as this is the entity that assisted Re in fighting the evil spirits as he took his daily journey across the sky in his trusty ‘solar boat.’ Actually it is said that Hu was created out of blood that came from a specific part of Re’s body (which we won’t mention) and soon became the what was known as the “protector of divine utterance and voice of authority and command.” It was up to Hu to make sure that a king was granted royal command once he entered the afterlife. While no temples were dedicated to Hu, a cult gathered at Giza, where the Great Sphinx was seen as one of his images.