Initiation as a Gateway
The Ancient Egyptian Mysteries
In this article, I speak about Initiation into what the ancient Egyptians called the Path of HEKA. HEKA is seen as the Divine power of creation. They ancient ones said that this power sustains and regulates all life, it rules all, meaning that nothing happens by accident. The Initiate of HEKA entered the temple and spoke the words:
“O grant to me a path, so I may pass in peace for I am just and true….”
It is this invocation from the book of the dead that the initiates memorised their whole life, so that when the time came to transition through the door of death, they remembered the words. These words were also spoken in many initiations throughout their life. Initiation was a door towards a rebirth. It was a rite of passage, that signalled a change that was much more inner than outer. The Initiation was a way to align with the higher self, the infinite spirit, called the Ba – which exists outside the human physical realm.
The initiations were carried out in secret within the priesthood community and were not spoken about. They were not recorded in any way, apart from what we find in the ancient Egyptian book of the dead called, “Coming Forth by Day,” and in the Pyramid Texts. The texts that describe the experiences of the deceased in their afterlife, are also the theo-dramas of initiation: they are like theatre plays where the initiate appeared before the high priestesses and priests. These priestesses and priests channelled the enlightened ones, what we now call the gods and goddesses of Egypt, representing them in their attire, wearing their headdress, and carrying their ceremonial staff indicative of each Being of Lght’s characteristics and power.
The initiate entered the initiation chamber carrying a papyrus with a drawing of their heart, showing that they were coming from their heart and not their ego. This is why none of this was spoken outside the mysteries.
In our modern times some people can wear the mantle of the initiate, priestess, or priest as part of their egoic identity, perhaps they wish to be seen as special in some way. When that happens, the person can lose connection to their innate essence and the spiritual gifts they attained. This is because they no longer come to the temple of Light with humility and an open heart. Instead they push through its threshold with a sense of entitlement. It is at those times that the temple of light closes its doors and life directs the person onto a different road, where they can no longer infringe on the sacred.
In order to protect the initiates from the huge ego traps of the conditioning, the mysteries remained secret. This was not because anything untoward was happening. Indeed if we could travel back to those times of Zep Tepi, the Golden Times of Egypt, we would be in awe of the energy, connection, and light that permeated the sacred spaces and the ceremonies undertaken. This was the time when human beings were in their heart and in deep connection with their spirit, the cosmos, and the enlightened ones. They could see the enlightened beings with their physical eyes, standing next to them and walking beside them. And they could see that they too were equally as radiant a being.
Through the ancient Egyptian mysteries, the initiate took part in many initiations, continually raising their vibration and bringing into being the radiance of their spirit, to become the living temple, the sacred space. And to get to that point, they had to do a tremendous amount of deep inner work to heal the inner self and remember who they were beyond physical life. Each initiation took place in high vibrational energy fields built specifically around the temple complexes, which were activated everyday, multiple times. Even today, these temples are still cared for and radiate light.
Each temple complex held part of the puzzle in the story of creation and the journey of awakening. Although all the temple complexes practiced the totality of the teachings, they also had their specialities, ceremonies that they were particularly known for. And these ceremonies were drawn on the temple walls, with all the symbology, themes, and liturgy. We can still see the depictions of these ceremonies today, painted and inscribed on the ancient temple walls.
For the ancient initiates, these drawings were not mere representations of the ceremonies. They were mystical symbols that were constantly imbued with light to ensure that the ceremonies remained alive and continued to take place. And in our times these depictions still emanate light. What we see on the walls are not just static images, the images are active. Consequently, the ceremonies keeps repeating in a realm of energy that knows no time.
Channelling the Voice of the Goddess Isis
These are the words of my helping spirit, the ancient Egyptian Goddess Isis, or ISET in her Egyptian name, speaking about Initiation in the ancient Egyptian mysteries:
“What you see as the dramas and plays inscribed on the walls, are not just fantastical tales or myths, they are layered truths about the human journey towards awakening and enlightenment that the ancient priests and priestesses preserved for humanity. For these people knew that the human realm would fall into a darkness so deep that each of you would forget that you are a being of light. Distracted by the outside world, you have lost the most significant and important memory, the awareness of your divinity as Divine love, and a connection beyond what you can perceive through your mind. To have this experience now would be like lightening in your body and for most of you, your body could not sustain such power. Even in ancient times, the initiates had to gradually increase their vibration and strengthen their etheric body to be able to access safely and wholly the incredible energies that create permanent shifts in awareness. It was understood that awakening had to be done with so much care to avoid causing the disintegration of the etheric bodies, and illness in the physical body. It is something that you can only do step by step.
And so, the ancients created these places of power and peace, where the energies flowed, where the ceremonies continue to take place in an etheric realm, to remind you that the path of the Living Light is open, inviting you to step through the temple of Light and engage in the mysteries of awakening. And as you walk this path, the doors become narrower and narrower, asking you to continually surrender the ego and pride that will stop you from moving forward. I invite you to leave behind all the attachments so you can pass through these doors into the light.
As you come to the door of initiation, come empty, with no attachment, no ego, no expectation, and no desire. Come empty, so you can be filled with the light of awareness that awaits you. Come open, carrying your heart as an offering to be placed on the altar. Come in service, offering yourself as a vessel of light. No matter how much you know, have read or studied, come as if you know nothing. Then the Gates will open for you.”
In future articles, I will share more about these sacred plays in which the priests and priestesses merged with the enlightened ones, as well as my past life experiences from these ancient times.
When teaching the ancient Egyptian Mystery School and the Path of Isis courses, ISET asked me more than twelve years ago, to re-enact these ancient plays. We worked with the texts, even though we did not know what they all meant. We had no idea why we were doing this but we followed the guidance and trusted. After the first few times the energy that was coming through was incredible. Now we so look forward to coming together in our community and re-enacting these texts.
I will be sharing these teachings on the HEKA initiation in my new book, “Sacred Mysticism of Egypt,” coming out in July 2025. It is currently available for pre-order, and if you wish to pre-order the book is a great support for me as a spiritual author. Also please feel free to comment, send questions and share these articles with like-minded people.
If you wish to study with us, we share these teachings in a practical experiential way through The Isis School of Holistic Health Ltd. Please visit our website for details. The first course is the Spiritual Path of ISET, Part 1, is taught in person in March and online in April: https://www.theisisschoolofholistichealth.com/mystery-school-of-ancient-egypt-courses
Fotoula’s bio
Foteini Fotoula Adrimi, BA(Hons), MSc, is the director of the ISIS School of Holistic Health, an international school of healing arts, spiritual development, and inner transformation through vibrational energy work and enlightened teachings. Fotoula shares teachings on the ancient Egyptian Mystery School, core Shamanism, The Rays of Divine Consciousness, the Priestess of the Moon women’s Celtic path and Past Life Regression therapy. She works through direct revelation, experiential teachings, ceremony and meditation. She is a member of the global network of Shamanic Teachers under Sandra Ingerman. Fotoula lives and works in Glasgow, Scotland, has taught in Germany and the Netherlands, and has led many spiritual pilgrimages to Egypt. Her first book published in 2018, The Golden Book of Wisdom: Ancient Spirituality and Shamanism for Modern Times, is an Amazon UK bestseller. Her second book Sacred Mysticism of Egypt is being published by O-Books and currently available for pre-order worldwide.
Website: https://www.theisisschoolofholistichealth.com/
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Disclaimer:
The author does not offer medical advice or advocate the use of any techniques as a form of medical treatment for physical or mental illness without the advice of a physician. The intent of the author is to offer information of a general nature to help people in their spiritual journey. In the event you use any of the information or exercises in this substack, which is your right, the author and publisher assume no responsibility for any outcomes.
None of these concepts have been scientifically proven, and no claims are made as to their effectiveness and authenticity. In line with current UK legislation, all channellings are for demonstration purposes only.