The first thing to learn from a “pyramid” is the significance of the word itself. The word “pyramid” originates from Ancient Greek, coined by Herodotus (484 – 425 B.C.) using the words pyr-, meaning “fire” and -miden, meaning “in the middle.”
Herodotus spent time in Egypt, where he was initiated into the oral traditions of the mystery schools at Memphis, the capital of the Old Kingdom. Wisdom and knowledge of the pyramids was kept under the jurisdiction of the priesthood of Ptah, god of speech and stone-based crafts. Ptah was patron deity of Memphis, which was referred to as ht-ka-ptah or the “Sanctuary for the Spirit of Ptah.” This phrase was transliterated into Greek as the word Aegyptos, the origin of the modern English name “Eygpt.”
However, the indigenous name of Ancient Egypt in the Old Kingdom was actually km.t, meaning “km land.” The word “alchemy” originates from the old Arabic al-khem, a reference to Lower Egypt (the Nile Delta). Interestingly, the word km means “black, image, unknown, alien, fiery, cast.” If we take the meaning to be “black,” the reference is to the land of black peoples, the black soil of the Nile, or perhaps esoterically to the land of black magic.
Etymology is a useful tool to open one’s imagination and prepare for understanding. Lets take the Greek verb legō, meaning “to count, tell, say, speak.” Its origin is the noun logos, meaning “word, reason or logic.” In English, a “logo” is a graphic or symbol, such as the image of a number, letter or entire word. An important language to learn in the study of the Hermetic tradition is Egyptian hieroglyphics. Although hieroglyphs are not present within the Great Pyramid of Giza, we can still learn from this ancient language that an image – like a pyramid – can be a word.
The pyramid glyph is used independently or as a determinative placed at the end of a word, such as mr. The word mr means “pyramid”, “mountain”, “love”, “ocean” and a multitude of other things. But, when the word mr is constructed using the owl (‘m’) – representing wisdom, the mouth (‘r’) – representing speech, and ends with a pyramid determinative it literally refers to a “pyramid.”
The Great Pyramid of Giza was given the special title of pr.ntr, or “House of ntr.” The ntr, a flag or axe, is a hieroglyph of great controversy. In context, it describes the power of a “god” or “divinity.” However, its phonetic similarities to the English word “nature” reveals an aspect of cause-and-effect, necessary in understanding the role of the gods and their influence over the natural world. Therefore, the Great Pyramid is literally a “House of Nature.”
So, the first thing a pyramid can teach us is the value of a single image, symbol or word. It can teach us that interpretation and imagination are inherent qualities of mankind that should be exercised alongside the pursuit of knowledge. From the perspective of the Ancient Egyptians, an image spoke a thousand words.
Herodotus spent time in Egypt, where he was initiated into the oral traditions of the mystery schools at Memphis, the capital of the Old Kingdom. Wisdom and knowledge of the pyramids was kept under the jurisdiction of the priesthood of Ptah, god of speech and stone-based crafts. Ptah was patron deity of Memphis, which was referred to as ht-ka-ptah or the “Sanctuary for the Spirit of Ptah.” This phrase was transliterated into Greek as the word Aegyptos, the origin of the modern English name “Eygpt.”
However, the indigenous name of Ancient Egypt in the Old Kingdom was actually km.t, meaning “km land.” The word “alchemy” originates from the old Arabic al-khem, a reference to Lower Egypt (the Nile Delta). Interestingly, the word km means “black, image, unknown, alien, fiery, cast.” If we take the meaning to be “black,” the reference is to the land of black peoples, the black soil of the Nile, or perhaps esoterically to the land of black magic.
Etymology is a useful tool to open one’s imagination and prepare for understanding. Lets take the Greek verb legō, meaning “to count, tell, say, speak.” Its origin is the noun logos, meaning “word, reason or logic.” In English, a “logo” is a graphic or symbol, such as the image of a number, letter or entire word. An important language to learn in the study of the Hermetic tradition is Egyptian hieroglyphics. Although hieroglyphs are not present within the Great Pyramid of Giza, we can still learn from this ancient language that an image – like a pyramid – can be a word.
So, the first thing a pyramid can teach us is the value of a single image, symbol or word. It can teach us that interpretation and imagination are inherent qualities of mankind that should be exercised alongside the pursuit of knowledge. From the perspective of the Ancient Egyptians, an image spoke a thousand words.
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