THE RHYTHMS OF NATURE

WO’SE COMMUNITY: THE HOUSE OF AMEN RA

Course coordinator: Dr. Raymond Davis

Taught by: New Life Seminary Staff

Suggested student background: Graduation from high school or equivalent

Required texts: None

Length: 7 sessions

Time & dates: 9 – 10:30 AM, Sundays, 1/13/08 - 2/24/08

An introductory seminar on the cycles in nature and their influence on ancient ancestral ideas concerning the divine presence in our biosphere. The seminar will largely consist of pre-sentations by NLS teachers who will engage participants in lively conversations as to how this theme plays itself out in various facets of Earthlife. The course introduces students to some basic vocabulary in Blackland (Kemetic) Spirituality and lays a conceptual foundation for Spring Equinox activities which annually occur at Wo’se.

Syllabus

Week I: Nut (The Night Sky) [Jahi Awakoaiye]

· Where are we?

· Where are we headed?

· What is a galaxy?

· Composition of our solar system

· Is this ever going to end?

Reading: “Making the Transformation into the Goddess Who Sheds Light in the Darkness,” BCFD: 182-184.

Week II: Ra (The Solar Cycle) [Jahi Awakoaiye]

· Position, size and movement

· Solar Eclipse

· Solstice and equinox

· Solar calendar (time)

Reading: “Adoration of Ra When He Rises in the Eastern Horizon of Heaven,” BCFD: 1-5, 129-142.

Week III: Iah (The Lunar Cycle)

· Position, size and movement [Aaron Jones & Zerita Sharp]

· Phases

· Lunar eclipse

· Lunar calendar (time)

· Tides

Reading: “The Legend of Ptah Nefer-Hetep and The Princess of Bekhten,”

E.A. Wallis Budge, Legends of the Egyptian Gods: Hieroglyphic Texts and Translations: 106-119.

Week IV: Geb (Earth and Its Seasons) [Raymond Davis & Greg Hodge]

· Position, size and movement

· Composition of our planet

· The seasons

· Ancient seasonal celebrations

Reading: The Festival Calendar at Kom Ombo. (Handout)

Week V: Circadian Rhythms (Effect of Sunlight on Living Organisms) [Raymond Davis &

Aduni Luckett]

· Plants

· Insects

· Birds

· Reptiles

· Humans

Reading: “The Great Hymn to the Aten” (Handout)

Week VI. The Ascension of Per Aa (“king”) Tutankhamen [Raymond Davis]

A presentation on the sky, sun, star and animal symbolism depicted on a shrine enclosing the young king’s neb ankh (“sarcophagus”). Discussion of their possible relation to pineal activity and meditation.

Reading: “The Enigmatic Book of the Netherworld,” in Eric Hornung, The Ancient Egyptian Books of the Afterlife: 77-82.

Week VII: Ma’at (Balance in Nature) – Panel discussion [Staff]

· Earthlife as a system of interdependent ecological networks

· Industrial capitalism, the biosphere and the urge to consume

· Living in harmony with nature

Course Summary & Evaluation