Atum
Atum is the Heliopolitan creator, the first god, who emerged self-made on the benben mound out of the waters of Nun. He produced Shu and Tefnut - sneezed or spat out in the Pyramid Texts, masturbated in other accounts - and so began the Ennead.
Atum's solar identity is Egyptian; the planetary-correspondence system, the zodiacal and tarot values, and the Wiccan sabbat timing are later Western overlays and are not part of the Egyptian account. Ra-Atum is an Old Kingdom syncretism recorded here as such. The Heliopolitan accounts disagree on how Shu and Tefnut were made - sneeze, spittle, or masturbation - and all are given rather than one being chosen.
Correspondences
- Planetary Correspondence
- Sun
Offerings
- Offerings
- BreadBeerCool waterWineIncenseNatron
Sacred timing
- Sacred Timing
Symbols and forms
- Alternate Names
- TemAtum-RaAtum-ReThe Complete One
- Gender Expression
- Masculine
- Titles
- The Self-CreatedLord of HeliopolisThe Complete OneFather of the GodsThe Great GodLord of All
- Symbols
- Benben stonePrimeval moundSolar diskDouble crownSerpentWas sceptreAnkh
Practice
- Invocation Approach
- ToneElder sovereignAddressAtumLord of HeliopolisThe Complete OneRelationshipThe first that completed itselfWarningHe is the evening sun and what he makes he endsResonanceThose finishing a work and those who must begin alone
- Modern Practice
Atum is worked with at the close of a thing - a project, a year, a life - and at the solitary beginning that has no precedent. Modern practice keeps the Egyptian frame: a clean surface, cool water, and speech rather than symbol.
Nature and meaning
- Domain
- CreationSelf generationThe setting sunThe primeval moundCompletionKingshipThe end of the cycleThe benben
- Mythology Summary
Atum is the Heliopolitan creator, the first god, who emerged self-made on the benben mound out of the waters of Nun. He produced Shu and Tefnut - sneezed or spat out in the Pyramid Texts, masturbated in other accounts - and so began the Ennead. He is the evening sun, the 'Complete One' who receives the dead king and returns to the waters at the end of the cycle, and in the Book of the Dead he rises from chaos in serpent form.
Details
- Secondary Planets
- Saturn
- Correspondences
- ColorsGoldBlackWhiteBlueScentsFrankincenseMyrrhCedarMetalsGoldElectrumAnimalsSerpentBullLionIchneumonBenu bird
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Every entry that names Atum, grouped by the system it comes from.
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