The Spell of the Twelve Caves

ELEMENT II: INTRODUCTORY TEXTS SPECIFYING NAMES OF THE CAVERNS

p. 48 Cavern 8: She who protects the Souls; She who judges, distinguishing truth from falsehood.

Cavern 9: She of mysterious forms, who cuts off the [vital] air.

p. 49 Cavern 10: the Clamorous One whose mysteries are sacred.

Cavern 11: She who covers the Tired One, who conceals that which is hidden.

Cavern 11: She who unites the gods and embraces [their] manifestations.

ELEMENT III: VARIOUS GROUPS OF GODS WHO INHABIT EACH CAVERN

p. 49 Cavern 1 to 7: triads of deities standing, a female between two males

Caverns (odd #) 1, 3, 5, 7: mummies

Caverns (even #) 2, 4, 6: animate living beings

Cavern groups

8 7

9 20

10 8

11 18

12 9

p. 51 8:1 4 striding gods carrying female figures seated on their shoulders. Those (m.) who carry the ones (f.) who are [seated] upon them. They grant that NN may see R< at his rising.

p. 54 8:2 4 striding gods carrying male personages seated on their shoulders. Those (m.) who carry the ones (m.) who are [seated] upon them to heaven before the barge of R<. They grant that NN may be behind (?) R< in the Evening Barge.

p. 55 8:3 4 recumbent figures (2 gods & 2 goddesses) face downwards, with locks of hair hanging before their faces and hands raised, palms inward. Those who mourn for R<. They grant that offerings come to NN as [they come to] the followers of R< at his setting.

p. 56 8:4 4 recumbent figures (three gods and a goddess), face downwards, each holding out in front a loaf of bread. Those who carry gifts, who present offerings to the gods the fathers (or, p. 57: to the father of the gods). Mayest thou grant offerings and food to NN.

p. 57 8:5 4 recumbent goddesses (as :3). The Tired Ones (f.) with high-pitched voices. They grant that NN be justified as a possessor of dignity, in peace together with those in the Netherworld.

p. 58 8:6 4 bowing gods (or goddesses). Those (f.) who render homage. They grant that NN move about in the Necropolis, a justified one in the Wide Hall of the Two Truths.

p. 59 8:7 4 striding gods each holding an object shaped like a high stela (or, the hieroglyph depicting a wall). Household, Chief of the very mysterious Chapel of the Double Shrine. They grant a seat to NN in the Necropolis in the West, [to] the truly justified one in the Castle of the Prince.

p. 61 9:1 12 (or, 14) mummies wearing Upper Egyptian crowns, standing in 12 shrines, with 2 (or, 3) serpents before him and 2 (or, 3) behind him standing upright on their tails. The gods who are in their shrines above the Watery Abyss. They grant that NN may drink from the middle of the stream.

p. 62 9:2 24 striding gods & 24 striding goddesses; the gods hold scepters. The gods and goddesses who are in the following of Osiris. They grant that NN may be in the Necropolis forever together with the mummies.

9:3 a striding god holding a scepter. The Standing One. He grants adoration [to] NN.

p. 63 9:4 a bull on a standard with an uraeus in front of him. imn-wsir with sharp horns, with cutting horns. He grants that NN be powerful in the Wide Hall of Gb.

9:5 a standing mummiform god. Km (?): The Black One. The Mysterious One of the earth, he who rests upon his seat. He grants that the body of NN be enduring and hale upon earth and pass (?) his years of life.

p. 64 9:6 a bull (as in :4), on a standard carried on the head of a standing mummiform god. (bull:) sdg-wsir; (god:) h.lp He grants bread and beer to NN in the house of Osiris.

p. 65 9:7 a bull (as in :4). ss^tl-wsir He grants that NN may be master of steps in the Holy Place.

9:8 a standing mummiform god. s^rm silw , who relates what he has seen. He does not allow evil to come near to NN.

p. 66 9:9 a bull (as in :4). stl-wsir The One Who Tows. Skr , he who comes out of the Horizon.

9:10 a standing mummiform god. snk: the Dark One. He grants that NN be glorious upon earth.

p. 67 9:11 a crocodile-headed god holding a scepter. mh^nty-irty He grants that NN be with those who are over the braziers.

9:12 4 standing mummiform goddesses with arms bent and hands hidden under their robes. The wtlw of the Great God. He grants that the water which is in the two eyes of H.r be beneficial to NN.

p. 68 9:13 4 standing mummiform gods, arms bent and hidden under their robes. s^tlw-< (fn. 52): Those with hidden arm.

9:14 4 standing mummiform goddesses with arms bent and hidden under their robes. Those with hidden arm.

p. 69 9:15 a striding god (as :3). He who hides the limbs. He grants truth to NN before R<, he who is in [the midst] of his Ennead.

9:16 4 hoopoes perched on 4 palm (?) trees. The Souls who come forth. They open the mouth of NN with [the help] of the gods who are with them.

9:17 4 standing mummiform gods. Those of the sycamore trees.

p. 70 9:18 4 gods bending far forwards and looking behind them at a star. s^spyw[-<]

9:19 4 goddesses squatting on beds. innyt She grants that NN remain before the Great God as possessor of a phallus (?).

p. 71 9:20 Anubis holding two staves surmounted by hawks' heads. imy-wt, who presides in the place of embalmment (imy-wt, an epithet of Anubis). He grants that NN be in possession of a seat in the Sacred Land.

10:1 8 striding gods. Those who belong to the light. p. 73: They grant light to NN in the midst of darkness.

p. 73 10:2 8 goddesses pouring water from vases topped with Anubis-heads. Those (f.) who seize. She grants that NN be a possessor of jubilation.

10:3 9 mummified gods lying on beds. The Enneads who guard those who are in the earth. p. 74: They grant the breath of life to NN upon earth.

p. 74 10:4 8 (9) standing mummiform gods spitting. The Ennead of those whose arm is hidden. They grant the strength of my two arms.

10:5 a standing goddess with a wdl-eye in front of her. The Mysterious One (f.). She causes the soul of NN to endure and his body to prosper.

p. 75 10:6 31 recumbent gods in long robes. The souls of the gods who came into being from the limbs of Osiris. They grant peace to NN.

10:7 4 striding gods. The Adorers of R<. You are not opposed at the Pylon of the Netherworld.

p. 77 10:8 4 striding gods. Those with repulsive faces. They grant refreshment in the place of heat for NN.

11:1 a goddess standing in a shrine holding a serpent erect in front of her. The Swallower (f.). She grants that prosperity, life, stability and wealth be [the lot] of NN.

11:2 a striding god (as 9:3). The Soul of the West. p. 78: He grants an invocation offering to NN on earth.

p. 78 11:3 4 striding gods. The Souls of the Earth. They grant justification to NN against his enemies in heaven and on earth.

11:4 4 striding gods with arms upraised. Those who exclaim. They grant that NN be like the crew of those who are in heaven.

p. 79 11:5 9 mummified gods face downwards, raising themselves up on their beds (or, lying on a serpent on a bed). The Ennead of the Ruler of the West. They grant admittance to the mysterious pylons of the House of Osiris to NN.

11:5-bis a sphinx couched on a bed. The Mysterious Ones who conceal. He grants that NN be powerful in pursuing enemies.

p. 80 11:6 9 mummified gods with arms bent and hidden under their robes, lying on serpents on beds. The Ennead which is the following of R<. They grant that NN be beside R< when in heaven.

p. 81 11:7 a striding god (as :2). ih^ p. 81: he grants that NN be at the side of R< and that he traverse the sky eternally.

11:8 4 standing mummified gods. Wtlw Wsir He grants that the soul of NN may live and may not die again forever.

11:9 9 jackals on standards. The Ennead of Watchers. They grant an awakening to NN so that he shall not be annihilated forever.

p. 82 11:10 9 recumbent goddesses, face downwards, a lock of hair hanging down before their faces, hands upraised, palms inward. The Ennead of Mourners. They grant mourning to NN as it is done for Osiris.

11:11 a striding god with one hand upraised. The Summoner [of R<]. He summons NN before R< and before his Ennead.

11:12 a striding god (as :2, :7). iqqh.w (?) P. 83: iqh.rn (?) He drives away all evil from NN forever.

p. 83 11:13 a coiled cobra with a woman's head [, on a pylon]. Sacred-Head (f.). They grant that NN may have power over the flood.

11:14 4 standing mummiform gods. Those (m.) who are in Sacred-Head (f.). She grants that NN may enter and come out, that he may go about freely like the Lords of threNetherworld.

p. 84 11:15 a coiled cobra [on a pylon]. The Enveloper (f.). She grants that NN may be sacred in the Netherworld forever.

11:16 4 striding gods. Those (m.) [attached to the water of the pool] who are in the Enveloper (f.). She grants that NN may walk unhindered in the sacred place.

11:17 9 kneeling gods looking back over their shoulders. The Ennead of those who conceal Osiris. They grant that NN be happy in the place which he desires.

11:18 a standing mummiform god. Ferocious-Face. p. 85: Open the eyes (lit. the face) of NN that he may see R<'s light.

p. 85 12:1 a striding god (as in 9:3). He who controls the Shore. He grants that NN may be Lord of the Island of the Just.

12:2 13 striding gods holding scepters. The gods who are on the Shore of the Netherworld. They grant truth to NN in the Wide Hall of the Two Truths.

12:3 14 recumbent gods[, face downwards,] in the coils of 14 serpents. The gods who are in [the following of] the Enveloper (m.). p.87: They grant that NN may be in any place in which his Kl desires to be.

p. 87 12:4 4 standing mummiform gods. The gods who belong to the Shore. The give an island to NN in the fields of Iaru.

12:5 a striding god (as in :1). The Chief of the Shore. He grants to NN an endowment in the Field of Offerings.

12:6 8 striding gods[, arms akimbo]. The gods who are on the Shore. They grant a great quantity of meat to NN.

p. 88 12:7 11 rams' heads [with an uraeus on the brow] on poles. The Mysterious Heads on the Shore[, Heads above the earth]. They grant protection (?) to NN as it is done for Tired-Heart.

12:8 14 recumbent gods in the coils of 14 serpents. The gods who are in the coils of the Enveloper (m.). He grants the sight of the Solar Disk to NN.

12:9 4 bowing gods. iwwtyw (iww-bl) He grants that NN may rest in the beautiful West.

ELEMENT IV: OFFERING TEXTS

p. 92 8:4 NN is a possessor of gifts in the [Beautiful] West.

p. 93 8:5 those who cross over with souls standing at the Holy Pylon.

8:6 one who moves freely with the gods.

8:7 a follower of the Great God at the pylon with mysterious properties (?).

p. 94 9:1 NN is one who propers on earth and whose body lives in the Necropolis.

9:2 a spirit in the Mysterious Region, which approaches the One Presiding over the Netherworld.

p. 95 9:3 NN will be an overseer of their 2 braziers.

9:4 NN knows all the mysteries of the Netherworld.

p. 96 9:5 NN is master of [his] steps in the Necropolis and (?) in Rostau.

9:6 one who has the use of his legs in the West; or, NN enters into all the mysteries of the Netherworld.

9:7 NN --divine offerings of Amon in The West and in the Necropolis -- thou art justified as the master of coming up in the Necropolis; or, p. 97: powerful as master of a place in the beautiful West.

p. 97 9:8 NN is one who has the use of his legs and is master of a place in the West; or, NN is a soul (or, will be a spirit) who hears the words of the gods.

9:9 NN is one whose flesh lives and whose members are healthy forever; or, one who possesses his arms and has power over his heart in the Necropolis.

p. 98 9:10 NN is one who has the use of his legs as master of a place in the West.

9:11 NN is a companion of the Standing One who is in the Netherworld forever.

9:12 NN becomes one who possesses his two arms and has power over his heart in the Necropolis.

9:13 a member of families in the Necropolis; or, NN attains the seat of Osiris.

p. 99 9:14 the two banks, hearing the words of the gods.

9:15 NN is possessor of a phallus, he who ravishes women eternally.

9:16 one who hears the words of those upon earth; or, NN will be one who has a phallus, a ravisher of women forever.

9:17 food in the Necropolis is profitable for me.

p. 100 9:18 NN possesses offerings on earth and is a Lord of Spirits.

9:19 onewho has power over his offerings on earth and is a possessor of semina at the head of the Spirits; or, one who commands those who are in the Mysterious Region in darkness (or, or one commands offerings in darkness).

9:20 NN passes and opens the pylon of Osiris.

p. 101 10:1 a brilliant one in the Mysterious Region.

10:2 He does not descent into their cauldrons; or, NN on [this] day repulses the rebel with his great conjurations; or, to an enlightened spirit.

10:3 one who repulses the rebel from R<; or, NN extends his arm to repulse him who comes.

p. 102 10:4 a great soul on its shadow when it comes forth on earth; or, on the day of repulsing the Rebel with his great conjurations.

10:5 NN is one whose soul reposes in the place which he desires.

10:6 one whose members are assembled in the Netherworld.

10:7Those who are among the worshipper of R<. They are on earth among those who enchant Apophis ...

p. 103 10:8 one [whose] forms came into being in the West; or, NN sits in front, beside the Great God.

11:1 NN is one who comes into being as forms in the West; or, [those who are members of] families in the Netherworld.

11:2 in possession of a seat, his heart being at peace, on the Mountain of the Necropolis.

11:3 one whose body is concealed from every one; or, one who sits in front of the two shrines.

p. 104 11:4 one whose soul reposes [on] the seat which she desires.

11:5 NN moves freely in the midst of the Lords of the Netherworld.

11:5-bis The possessor of a high (?) seat in the Necropolis is NN.

11:6 a well-provided spirit which comes forth by day.

p. 105 11:7 NN is in the following of Imy-wt (Anubis), Lord of the Sacred Land.

11:8 Mourning is decreed by NN by his god.

11:9 King NN creates forms as one to whom his heart is given in the Necropolis.

11:10 The soul of NN comes forth with the spirits.

1:11 The soul of NN goes in to the mysteries and comes out of the earth.

p. 106 11:12 NN comes, in peace and justified.

11:13 NN enters and comes forth through the Pylon of the Night (?)

11:14 one who goes freely to the great staircase.

11:15 one who is associated with water in the pool of Osiris; or, NN is like a perfect soul in his cavern.

11:16 NN will be beside the followers of Horus.

11:17 NN will be with the Lords of Truth.

p. 107 11:18 NN is a follower of the Enveloper (the serpent Mehen) of the West.

12:1 one who rests on the shore and who comes forth on earth; or one who comes forth and goes to the West, to the gate of the Lords of Things; or NN is a possessor of offerings in the Yaru-lields.

12:2 NN ploughs in the Field of Offerings.

12:3 him who goes forth and enters into the Western Region, at the Gates of the Lords of Things; or, NN comes into being at the words [pronounced] in the West.

12:4 NN is happy in the place in which he loves to be.

p. 108 12:5 a spirit who is in possession of his refreshment; or, The protection of NN is thy protection like that of the Lords of the Netherworld.

12:6 NN satisfies R< [when] on the Western Mountain.

12:7 NN comes forth and enters into the Necropolis.

12:8 He enters into the West at the gates of the Lords of Things.

12:9 NN comes forth and enters into the West toward all who are there.

Alexandre Piankoff (translator): The Wandering of the Soul. Completed by Helen Jacquet-Gordon. BOLLINGEN SERIES XL.6. Princeton U. Press, 1974.