Editing Amduat (section)

== The hours ==
'''Hour 1:''' The sun god enters from the western horizon ([[Akhet (hieroglyph and season)|akhet]]) which is a transition between day and night. Just below the image of Ra in his solar barque is the alternate depiction of the sun god as a [[scarab (artifact)|scarab]] in a smaller barque. This is the god Khepri, who Ra turns into once the sun rises once more and is likely depicted in hour 1 as the sun begins to set for the night. The upper and lower registers contain a labeled list of the common and/or important creatures and beings found within the underworld.<ref name=":12" /> Two depictions of the goddess Maat are present leading Ra's barque, possibly showing how her order is still present even in the chaos of the underworld.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Abt |first1=Theodor |title=Knowledge for the afterlife: the Egyptian Amduat - a quest for immortality |last2=Hornung |first2=Erik |date=2003 |publisher=Living Human Heritage Publications |isbn=978-3-9522608-0-7 |edition=First |location=Zurich |pages=25 |language=en}}</ref> 

'''Hour 2:''' This is when Ra officially enters the underworld on his barque along with four other boats beside him, leaving the transition between life & death or between day & night. This region of the underworld is categorized by its representation of the primeval waters of Nun as a body of water called 'Wernes'.<ref name=":3" /><ref name=":22" /> Maat is once more depicted, though now only as her symbol of a curved feather on one of the boats, and is supported by an unnamed being. This hour stresses fertility, represented both by the waters of Nun and the unnamed gods of the lower register who are all associated with images of agriculture and farming.<ref name=":3" />

'''Hour 3:''' In this region, the waters of Nun are now transformed into the 'Waters of Osiris,' and is marked by Osiris being visually represented on the lower register. Ancient Egyptians believed that the Nile was sourced from the underworld, and so Osiris's inclusion at this point of the journey makes sense when considering he is the god of the afterlife, as well as fertility and agriculture.<ref name=":42">{{Cite book |last1=Abt |first1=Theodor |title=Knowledge for the afterlife: the Egyptian Amduat - a quest for immortality |last2=Hornung |first2=Erik |date=2003 |publisher=Living Human Heritage Publications |isbn=978-3-9522608-0-7 |edition=First |location=Zurich |pages=49 |language=en}}</ref> There are still four boats just as there were in the second hour, but there is no clear depiction of the god Ra on any of them, with the text of the ''Amduat'' stating that Ra was split between them.<ref name=":42" />
[[File:KV17,_the_tomb_of_Pharaoh_Seti_I_of_the_Nineteenth_Dynasty,_Corridor_D_decorated_with_the_fourth_hour_of_the_Amduat,_Valley_of_the_Kings,_Egypt_(49849708608).jpg|thumb|404x404px|Image of the ''Amduat'' from the tomb of Seti I showing the 4th hour. Note the multi-headed snake, as well as the 'zig-zag' that breaks through all 3 registers. (KV17, Tomb of Seti I, Valley of the Kings)]]
'''Hour 4:''' Ra reaches [[Sokar|Imhet]], the barren desert land of [[Sokar]], the underworld hawk deity. At this point, the sungod has reached deep enough into the underworld and away from his own light that he cannot see, having to rely on his own voice as a way to guide himself and his crew out of the darkness.<ref name=":52">{{Cite book |last1=Abt |first1=Theodor |title=Knowledge for the afterlife: the Egyptian Amduat - a quest for immortality |last2=Hornung |first2=Erik |date=2003 |publisher=Living Human Heritage Publications |isbn=978-3-9522608-0-7 |edition=First |location=Zurich |pages=58–61 |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":22" /> Without any water to traverse, the solar barque turns into a double-headed, fire-breathing serpent as Ra's only means to traverse this pitch-black and sandy region. This hour is particularly notable for the visual break it takes from the other hours in that it has a giant sand path 'zig-zag' through all three registers, uniting them all, but making it hard for Ra to traverse on account of the various doors in the way.<ref name=":52" />

'''Hour 5:''' The land of Sokar continues into this hour, as does the serpent-barque. This is the region of opposites, seen in the waters of Nun uniting with the desert lands of Sokar. Osiris's burial mound is seen on the top register with Khepri crawling out, representing the eventual rebirth of Ra that begins with recovering the body of Osiris.<ref name=":62">{{Cite book |last1=Abt |first1=Theodor |title=Knowledge for the afterlife: the Egyptian Amduat - a quest for immortality |last2=Hornung |first2=Erik |date=2003 |publisher=Living Human Heritage Publications |isbn=978-3-9522608-0-7 |edition=First |location=Zurich |pages=68–73 |language=en}}</ref> There is a narrow passage-way that it is attempting to get through, resulting in all of the friendly beings of this regions (including the scarab representation of Khepri) helping to pull the boat. An oval representing the 'Cavern of Sokar' is present on the bottom register with the god himself being contained by a lake of fire surrounding the cavern.<ref name=":62" />

'''Hour 6''': This is when the most significant event in the underworld occurs. The body of the sungod (or possibly the body of Osiris no longer [[Mummy|mummiform]]) is seen with Khepri's scarab form, being protected by the serpent of [[Mehen]] as he regenerates. The Mehen serpent at this point joins the journey, staying with him through the rest of the hours.<ref name=":72">{{Cite book |last1=Abt |first1=Theodor |title=Knowledge for the afterlife: the Egyptian Amduat - a quest for immortality |last2=Hornung |first2=Erik |date=2003 |publisher=Living Human Heritage Publications |isbn=978-3-9522608-0-7 |edition=First |location=Zurich |pages=80–85 |language=en}}</ref> Once again, Ra's solar barque travels the waters of Nun as regenerative power flows, helping to revitalize the Ba of Ra as it is reunited with his body in the form of Osiris.<ref name=":22" /> This renews the light of the sun in this hour, represented as a sun-disc crown appearing on Ra's head. Additionally, representations of the kings of lower and upper Egypt are found here as the recently deceased king must face his predecessors before being reborn himself.<ref name=":72" />

'''Hour 7:''' Regenerating the light of Ra is a very dangerous moment in the journey, as it attracts the forces of evil present in the underworld. In this hour, [[Apep]] swallows all of the waters of Nun in an attempt to stop the barque and kill Osiris through Ra once more, preventing the daily cycle of the sun.<ref name=":8">{{Cite book |last1=Abt |first1=Theodor |title=Knowledge for the afterlife: the Egyptian Amduat - a quest for immortality |last2=Hornung |first2=Erik |date=2003 |publisher=Living Human Heritage Publications |isbn=978-3-9522608-0-7 |edition=First |location=Zurich |pages=90–95 |language=en}}</ref> The goddess Isis places a magic spell upon the barque in order to allow it to continue traveling through the regions without the need for water. On the upper register, the enemies of Osiris are punished for their intent to cause him harm, and the lower register contains humanized depictions of the stars following Ra's path to the end of the underworld.<ref name=":8" />

'''Hour 8:''' Ra has been fully regenerated and the powers of evil have been avoided through the help of the gods. Now, Ra comes across 5 doors that he must command open with his voice, adding to the hardships on this journey.<ref name=":9">{{Cite book |last1=Abt |first1=Theodor |title=Knowledge for the afterlife: the Egyptian Amduat - a quest for immortality |last2=Hornung |first2=Erik |date=2003 |publisher=Living Human Heritage Publications |isbn=978-3-9522608-0-7 |edition=First |location=Zurich |pages=102–105 |language=en}}</ref> The unnamed gods on the upper and lower registers are seen creating new clothing, again associated with ideas of rebirth and renewal. The solar barque is pulled along by 8 unnamed gods to help Ra reach the surface once more. <ref name=":9" />

'''Hour 9:''' Ra's solar barque is pulled by 12 oarsmen in this hour, helping to pull him towards the light of the living world. The three idols present in front of the men are there to help the gods carrying stalks of grain disperse bread and beer to the dead in the underworld. No further explanation is offered in the text as to why this is done, but is likely tied to the ideas of the deceased 'living' in the underworld, and therefore still require sustenance.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Abt |first1=Theodor |title=Knowledge for the afterlife: the Egyptian Amduat - a quest for immortality |last2=Hornung |first2=Erik |date=2003 |publisher=Living Human Heritage Publications |isbn=978-3-9522608-0-7 |edition=First |location=Zurich |pages=112–113 |language=en}}</ref>

'''Hour 10:''' Ra continues his journey, being protected by his 12 oarsmen who now carry weapons to protect against any enemies, but especially against Apep. On the lower register is an image of those who drowned in water being pulled to shore by [[Horus]], the god of the sky (in addition to many other things).<ref name=":10">{{Cite book |last1=Abt |first1=Theodor |title=Knowledge for the afterlife: the Egyptian Amduat - a quest for immortality |last2=Hornung |first2=Erik |date=2003 |publisher=Living Human Heritage Publications |isbn=978-3-9522608-0-7 |edition=First |location=Zurich |pages=120–123 |language=en}}</ref> This is a comforting image as it was believed in Ancient Egypt that those who did not receive a proper burial could never reach the underworld or eternal life, and so this hour of the ''Amduat'' shows that this isn't the case however, and not all hope is lost for these lost souls.<ref name=":10" />

'''Hour 11:''' The eyes of Ra are fully healed as a symbol of his health and rejuvenation. On the lower register, a giant serpent known as the 'World-Encircler" is brought in by a row of 12 unnamed deities. A bright red sun-disk protected by a serpent (similar to how Mehen protects Ra) has appeared on the prow of the boat at this point, showing that the time of Ra's journey through the underworld is coming to an end.<ref name=":11">{{Cite book |last1=Abt |first1=Theodor |title=Knowledge for the afterlife: the Egyptian Amduat - a quest for immortality |last2=Hornung |first2=Erik |date=2003 |publisher=Living Human Heritage Publications |isbn=978-3-9522608-0-7 |edition=First |location=Zurich |pages=130–132 |language=en}}</ref> Horus calls upon a monstrous serpent with the unquenchable fire to destroy the enemies of his father, Osiris, by burning their corpses and cooking their souls.<ref name=":11" />

'''Hour 12:''' Finally, the sungod is at the end of the underworld and the end of his journey, having been reborn once again. He takes on the form of Khepri as the morning sun crests on the horizon. He is led out of the underworld by many deities and gods, the giant serpent 'World-Encircler' joining the parade as well.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Abt |first1=Theodor |title=Knowledge for the afterlife: the Egyptian Amduat - a quest for immortality |last2=Hornung |first2=Erik |date=2003 |publisher=Living Human Heritage Publications |isbn=978-3-9522608-0-7 |edition=First |location=Zurich |pages=140–143 |language=en}}</ref>

Once the deceased finished their journey through the underworld, they arrived at the Hall of Maat. Here they would undergo the [[Ancient Egyptian afterlife beliefs#Judgment of the dead|Weighing of the Heart ceremony]] where their purity would be the determining factor in whether they would be allowed to enter the Kingdom of Osiris.