The Ankh serves as an ancient symbol representing eternal life and resurrection, which is why it is referred to as the “Key of Life.”
This symbol embodies the fusion of both the God and Goddess, alongside the boundless creative energy of the universe. The circular top signifies the rising sun, the horizontal bar conveys feminine energy, while the vertical bar signifies masculine energy.
The Ankh and the Egyptians
To the Egyptians, the Ankh stands as one of the most powerful symbols, clearly visible in their various artworks and hieroglyphs. Ankhs were crafted from a variety of materials such as wood and gemstones, but were predominantly made from gold and copper. Often, precious stones would be set within the loop of the Ankh to enhance its spiritual significance. For instance, an Ankh featuring an amethyst at its center transforms into a more potent instrument for divination.
The Ankh appears in numerous temple carvings and funerary art from ancient Egypt. One notable practice involved placing Ankhs in the tombs of the deceased, intended to accompany them into the afterlife. Furthermore, they would position the Ankh on the nostrils of the departed to assist in their resurrection. The prominence of the Ankh can be observed in various unearthed Egyptian artifacts.
The Key of Life Necklace from the Moonlight Shop
Additionally, the Ankh is commonly utilized as an amulet for protection, luck, and positive fortune. It holds the capability to guard against negative energies. Observing the scepters belonging to deities in Egyptian art, you will notice many are designed in the form of Ankhs.
The Ankh and Magick
While the Ankh is widely recognized for its ties to the Egyptians, it also holds notable connections to magick. The emblem of the House of Life is an Ankh positioned over the entrance. So, what is the House of Life? It functions as a consortium of libraries where temples maintained educational writings and magickal knowledge. All these educational resources were made available for everyone.
As a tool of magick, the Ankh is believed to possess healing capabilities. Egyptians would place Ankhs upon wounds to encourage regeneration and healing. The symbol also serves as a gateway to psychic communication with the divine. Some pieces of Egyptian art depict the Ankh placed above the forehead, correlating with the third eye, to enhance the bond with the Divine.
Christianity
In the 5th century, the Christian faith adopted the Ankh for their own purposes, preserving only the male aspect while discarding the female counterpart. Today, the form you recognize is the Christian cross.
How has the Ankh influenced your life?
I would love to hear your experiences. Share your stories in the comments section below.
The Ankh is in two parts.
The ‘handle’ represents the vulva.
The connective down-piece represents the testes and the phallus.
It does not just mean sexual activity but growth, life, the cosmos, etcetera..
Mine has a purple amethyst set at the junction of the male and female symbols.
I requested that the Winnall tree fell, due to storms and wood rot, be cut into eighteen inch logs and erected in a circle. It was completed in three days.
This year more deceased tree were felled and the grounds personnel erected an inner circle of logs, thus completing the Wiccan circle.
‘Blessed be’