Kemetic Term Dictionary: A Guide to Understanding the Terms Kebs Uses
I thought it might be of use to people if I were to make a Kemetic Terms Dictionary, as I often use these in my threads, comments, and chat discussions. I simply think it would be helpful to give a full terms list (to which I will add) rather than constantly repeat myself. I'll try to make them as easily understandable as possible, but if you have any questions or need any clarification, feel free to mail me or to comment.
Terms:
Netjer (big n): This is the concept of the Creator, and is often refered to as Atem/Tem.
Netjer (little n): This is any god of Kemet, male or female.
Netjeru: This is any number of gods of Kemet, masculine or feminine.
Netjeret: This is any goddess of Kemet.
Neteri: This is any non-human spirit, whether they be of Kemet or not. It describes everything from the spirits of pets to the "demons" or more accurately lesser gods of the Duat.
Duat: The netherworld/underworld.
Muuet: Twisted human spirits which have been trapped on earth whether through their own choice or through the interference of others (men or netjeru). These are highly dangerous, bringing anything from bad luck to death to their families or anyone else they align against. They can (but do not always) result from spirits who have not been given proper offerings or taken care of properly when buried.
Akhu: "Blessed dead". These are those who have gone before us, who have moved on in their afterlife to be a part of it and be one with or nearer to the netjeru. They are not relagated to only the Duat and the places the netjeru reside; they tend to be quite present at their tombs, places they loved, or with the people they loved.
Heka: "Activing the ka". Heka literally means the activation of the ka. The ka is one of the many bodies that are what makes up the physical experience as well as our experience after we die. Heka is often equated with magic, and in a certain sense, it is, but it is the deeper, more natural, direct, and indirect brother of what modern magic is considered. Heka includes both the medicinal aspects of magic, the spiritual aspects of it, as well as the religion of ancient Kemet and mixes them all together. Much like making a soup, without each part, you don't get the whole. Heka is not only doing a ritual, but also speaking a kind (or unkind) word, having kind thoughts (or unkind ones). Heka is living life in a more delibrate way, essuring you don't step outside what you really desire.
Hekau: "One who does heka". Literally, someone who practices heka. In ancient times this is usually is in reference to someone who is not a member of the state religion, and rather is one who practices heka outside of the temple teachings and the knowledge contained within the Per Ankh.
Hekaet:
Per Ankh: "House of Life". These were places that contained the secret magical, religious, spiritual, and medicinal knowledge of the particular temple and/or netjer who's temple or temple grounds contained the Per Ankh. Each Per Ankh was attached to a temple, such as the Per Ankh em Heru-sa-Aset (the House of Life of Heru, son of Aset).
W'ab: "Purity". This is a term used to describe purity, which is active and is something both given to you and given by you.
W'ab priest: "Purity priest". This is a term used in the Kemetic Orthodoxy for the lay clery.
Qematet: This is a title for a priestess, usually a member of the nobility, and one of those members of the state temples. These women would hold other titles that described their offices.
Isfet: "Injustice, violence, disorder". Isfet is the concept of wrong, as opposite to ma'at. Isfet encompasses all which is within and a part of the Uncreated world, as well as all those who align or move towards isfet. The only being known to be a true ally to isfet is Ap-p (please add an e). One cannot truly be aligned with isfet, as it is so random and violent and unreachable by those who are a part of Creation.
Ma'at (the concept): "Truth, justice, order". Ma'at is the concept of right, as opposite to isfet. Ma'at encompasses all which is within the Created world, as long as it works within and with Creation, rather than against it. This is working within you, within yourself, within being who you are. You are always within Ma'at, but you can move further away from her.
Kemet: "The Black Land, the Black Soil". This is one of many of the traditional Kemetic names for Egypt (as Egypt is Greek based), and is the origin of the use of Kemetic and Kemeticism. It describes the area immediately around the Nile, as this land is black from the rich deposits of the soil. This was the area that the ancient Kemets lived.
Deshret: "The Red Land, the Red Soil". This is the name for the desert (and is the reason for the name desert) and those lands immediately outside of the black land. The deshert, while not suitable for life, was a perfect place for the dead to be buried. The deshert also provided many of the natural barriers against invasion that ancient Kemet enjoyed.
Werethekau: "Mistress of heka". This is both a title and a netjer in her own right. Werethekau is a lioness-headed netjer, who is also sometimes a snake with a human head.
Em hotep: "In peace". This is a greeting that is sometimes used among Kemetic groups, most notably within the Kemetic Orthodoxy where it is used by nearly every member. This can also be used as a closing statement.
Senebty: "May you be healthy". This is used as a closing goodbye, as it is well wishes for the person you are speaking to.
Ankh Udja Seneb: "Life, prosperity, health." This can either be a closing statement, or it can be something applied specifically to the Nisut or someone else of the royal house (or to the royal house itself!).
Sa: "To protect". This is often used to refer to amulets which are intended to protect a person or a person's body.
Sau: "Those who protect". This is used to refer to magicians sometimes, though more specifically those men and women who practice both heka and medicine.
Rekhu: "Knowing one(s)". This is used to refer to men or women, plural or singular, that know how to contact the dead, diagnose and treat the ill, and to work as seers.
Rekhet: "Knowing one". This is used to refer to women who know how to contact the dead, diagnose and treat the ill, and to work as seers.
Saq: "Possession, appearance". This is used to refer to the possession or appearance of a netjer in a priest.
Nebt: "Lady". A nebt is a lady or mistress of some sort or another, like Lady of Flame, and is usually a title rather than a name.
Neb: "Lord". A neb is a lord of some sort or another, like Lord of the Reeds, and is usually a title rather than a name.
