Recordings will be made available for those unable to attend the live sessions!
Heka (magic) appeared in all parts of ancient Egyptian life. It was wielded by gods and priests, enhanced by prayers to deities and was central to medicine and justice. Magic was also crucial for securing a place in the afterlife. Heka was a fundamental power, but one which is often overlooked today, even by Egyptologists. After the ancient gods were abandoned, the beliefs and symbols associated with heka retained their power, leaving a legacy of Egyptian magic that continues across modern cultures.
This course will follow the use and evolution of the understanding of heka from the Pyramid Texts (c. 2400 BCE) through the history of ancient Egypt, and trace its remains through Europe and into the modern day. Participants will learn how heka was perceived by gods and humans, encounter both the real and imagined ‘magicians’ of the past, and unravel the rules and techniques for magical practice. Delving into mythology, texts, archaeology, and religion, we will explore heka through a number of ancient objects including books of magic, apotropaic wands, amulets, and healing statues.
Statue of Khaemwaset (Rob Koopman)
This course assumes some basic knowledge of pharaonic Egypt, including an understanding of ancient Egyptian history and geography. The course will be of interest to those who enjoy Egyptian history, art and material culture, looking to gain further knowledge on this particular topic.
Tutor
Dr Kelly Accetta Crowe
Course Outline
Please note that main content will be delivered between 18:00-19:30, though some optional participation (quizzes, Q&A, etc.) may continue beyond that time.
Thursday 27 February 2025, 18:00-19:30 (UK time)
Week One - What (and who) is heka?
What is the difference between heka and magic? Using the earliest ancient Egyptian religious texts, the Pyramid Texts, discover how heka was conceived and its role in the creation of the universe. Meet the first wielders of heka, the gods of the Egyptian pantheon, and learn how priests and kings persuaded the gods to use their heka for the benefit of Egypt.
Burial Chamber in the Pyramid of Unas, Saqqara, (Brooklyn Museum).
Thursday 6 March 2025, 18:00-19:30 (UK time)
Week Two - Hekau, magicians, and sorcerers (oh my!)
The men and women who wielded heka did so with secret, sacred knowledge. Delve into the world of Egyptian magicians, examining the adventures ascribed to great legendary figures as well as the tasks undertaken by priests and healers in the real world.
Thursday 13 March 2025, 18:00-19:30 (UK time)
Week Three - Making magic
How was magic wielded? Was it effective? With great debt to the late Robert Ritner, the mechanics of magical practice will be revealed. Working magic required three general steps: incantations, actions, and tools. Examples of all of these survive today, which helps to piece together the more practical side of heka.
Apotropaic Wand in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.
Thursday 20 March 2025, 18:00-19:30 (UK time)
Week Four - Heka for eternity
The dangers of the duat (underworld) required great protection, provided through spells, amulets, and rituals. From the preparation of the body to the final judgment, the role of heka was critical in the eternal regeneration of the soul of the deceased.
Thursday 27 March 2025, 18:00-19:30 (UK time)
Week Five - The magic lives on
Foreign influence in Egypt brought new ideas about magic which forever changed heka. Even before the ‘end’ of ancient Egypt, magical practices morphed and adapted. They were adopted and studied by scholars from ancient Greece, medieval Iraq, Renaissance Italy, and Enlightenment England, eventually exported around the world. The result? Pieces of heka surviving to the modern day.
The Tarot, in the form of leaves of the book of Thoth placed in the temple of Fire at Memphis, Egypt, (Wellcome Collection).
Booking and information
Register for your place in advance using the link below. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about your booking. If you do not receive your email, then please check your junk folders before contacting the Egypt Exploration Society. The course will be held on our Zoom platform and attendees will be able to interact by asking questions, using the chat and polls. It is not necessary to have a working webcam or microphone for this course. The online course will be complemented by Google Drive, where resources will be uploaded.
Please ensure that you have read our guide to attending EES online events before the course begins.
Weighing of the Heart scene in the Book of the Dead for the Chantress of Amun Nauny (The Met).
