Hathorian Ritual

Following on form my previous post I find that the subject of gender and the cult of Hathor is definitely something that interests me a great deal. I have been speaking to Lesley Kinney regarding this topic and I adore the tools of Hathor's cult and their singificance to women, both in Temples and for everyday people. The only trouble is finding a gap in the research, for Hathor appears to be equally popular with Egyptologists as with the Ancient Egyptians!

Kinney, L. (2008) Dance, Dancers and the Performance Cohort in the Old Kingdom. Archaeopress: Oxford.

18th Dynasty Menat necklace, from Malqata, Birket Habu Mound B 1, Private House B, MMA excavations, 1911–12.
Metropolitan Museum of Art, no. 11.215.450.

Idea Development (1)

Snakes...

Identifying the differences between power OVER and power OF serpents in Old and Middle Kingdom magical tools and iconography... 

For example, looking at birth wands, figurines, stelae etc. Currently just pondering the difference between trying to dominate and control animal (and its associations, master/mistress of animals pose?) and trying to harness or invoke its power (like appealing to deities or using the clay cobras).

'Demonstrating power-over verses harnessing the power-of snakes in Middle and New Kingdom Religious and Magical practice.'

- 16/1/18

General Research Interests

Intital topics mind-mapping:

 

2/1/18