translated by Normandi Ellis

Normandi Ellis teaches writing at university level. She has studied Egyptian language and literature for many years

This is a beautiful prose version of the Egyptian Book of the Dead the words of which inspire and uplift. I never fail to be astounded and moved every time I open it. I first came across this work when taking part in a ritual where we used some of the words. Most of us were moved to tears (not a natural state for a group of tough old witches and magicians) and it was one of the most powerful rituals that I've ever taken part in

As a taster, the first paragraph reads "Stars fade like memory the instant before dawn. Low in the east, the sun appears golden as an opening eye. That which can be named must exist. That which is named can be written. That which is written shall be remembered. That which is remembered lives. In the land of Egypt Osiris breathes. The sun rises and mists disperse. As I am, I was, and I shall be a thing of matter and heaven"

If you love words and the way that they go together and have an interest in things Egyptian then it's worth hunting down a copy of this book for the way that these particular words are put together