Beginning of Time ~ End of Eternity – Calendar of Ancient Egypt: First Month of Inundation – Drunkenness
The document provides an extensive overview of the ancient Egyptian calendar, focusing on the first month of the inundation season, Axt, known as txy. This month is dedicated to the deity Thoth (DHwty), the god of wisdom, writing, and reckoning time. It outlines various festivals, rituals, and mythological events associated with each day of the month and the offerings made to deities.
Key highlights include:
Season of Axt (Inundation): Marked by the flooding of the Nile, depositing nutrient-rich silt on farmlands. Mythologically, it represents the “first occasion” when the black land (kmt) emerged.
Patron Deity: Thoth, depicted as an ibis-headed man or baboon, associated with wisdom, writing, and the moon. He plays a significant role in creation myths and the weighing of the heart in the afterlife.
Major Festivals:
Wpt Rnpt (Opening of the Year): Celebrates the start of the year and eternity.
Wag Festival: Honoring Osiris and ancestors, marking the cycle of death and rebirth.
Festival of Drunkenness: Linked to Hathor, involving red-dyed beer and revelry.
Other Festivals: Include celebrations for Horus, Hathor, Khnum, and other deities.
Daily Rituals and Events: Each day is marked by specific activities, offerings, and omens, as recorded in papyri and temple calendars. These include processions, libations, and symbolic acts tied to mythological narratives.
Offerings: Bread, beer, incense, flowers, animals, and other items were presented to deities during festivals and rituals.
The episode also references various ancient texts, such as the British Museum Papyrus, Cairo Calendar, and temple inscriptions, providing detailed accounts of the month’s religious and agricultural significance.
