Talk: Horus and the Crocodiles: Ancient Egyptian Magic in Action with Dr Christina Geisen
Date: Sunday 10 May 15.00
Location: In person at Spring Lodge Community Centre, Powers Hall End, Witham, CM8 2HE
Tickets
Members: Free for full and in-person members. No booking necessary.
Guests: £7. Please book in advance via Eventbrite [link coming soon].
Event information
The ancient Egyptian concept of Heka—often translated for the lack of a better word as “magic”—played a vital role in how the Egyptians understood the creation and workings of the world. According to their beliefs, Heka was not just superstition or ritual; it was a powerful force that made life, health, and protection possible. For modern scholars, this force is perhaps most clearly seen in magical and healing spells. In these practices, Heka was essential for transforming dangerous situation—such as curing illnesses or protecting against deadly animals—into safe ones.
The effectiveness of Heka relied on more than just the spoken word. It involved a combination of spells, using physical objects during rituals, and performing these rites in sacred or meaningful spaces.
After a general introduction in ancient Egyptian magic, this talk will explore a previously unpublished Horus-on-the-Crocodiles stela housed in the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Cambridge. This object is particularly striking because of its unique images and inscriptions. Of special interest are the magical texts carved not only on the front, but also on the back, sides, and even the bottom.
The talk focuses on the power of the object itself. It examines how the combination of images, texts, and physical form works together to create a protective force for the owner. By drawing on different ways of interpreting objects—including ideas about how objects can have agency, the importance of materials, and how images were seen as living or active—we get a closer understanding how ancient Egyptians experienced and influenced their world.
In this case, the stela reveals strategies used to face dangers of the Nile and other waters, and the ritual performed to stay safe in these threatening environments.