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As a deeper study into the complex themes of the Egyptian Neteru, or divinities, the book and cards provide
an excellent synthesis. Alison Davidson brings to this work her skills as an author and teacher of esoteric traditions.
The authors’ research in itself is a remarkable effort because, as they detail in their book, some of these Neteru
spanned several Egyptian Dynasties and underwent multiple transformations of identity. One example of this is shown
in the god Atum. In predynastic Egypt he was known as Tem and was the local god of Heliopolis.
Eventually he was united with Ra to become Ra-Tem, sharing in aspects of Ra’s solar characteristics. Atum is depicted
as black because he represents the power of the Sun at night, or the primordial energies of potential birth. Atum
united with his own shadow and gave birth to the gods Shu and Tefnut (shown above). These two Neteru are
considered the primeval couple, the first ‘created’ gods from which all other gods were born.
The mythologies of the Neteru actually go back thousands of years, some predate the more familiar historical
dynasties. The first group of cards in the deck, for example, consist of the Eight Primordials (not shown here).
These are formative cosmic principles which are so ancient that they are usually depicted with the heads of frogs,
snakes, and other creatures which live in the darkness of primal mud and water.
In addition to the wonderful art and the mythological synthesis, this deck is additionally structured upon Hermetic
philosophy. These traditions consist of two primary sources: the Emerald Tablet of Hermes and Pythagorean
Number Symbolism.
The Emerald Tablet is a mere few stanzas of text, but is considered the encapsulation of Hermetic philosophy.
It describes, according to the authors, “the occult process of transmutation of the elements from prime matter
to the purity of gold, representing the solar spirit of Ra.” The science of alchemy is generally believed to have
originated in Egypt, and according to legend is attributed to the god Tehuti (shown above), also known as Thoth,
the Neter of sacred writing, art, and science. The alchemical transformation of the elements underlies this entire
set of images, from the Eight Primordials of 'base matter' to the work’s completion in card 64, Coming Forth
by Day. For example, the god Heru (shown above) represents the creative fire which is liberated from its earthbound
prison epitomized by Seth.
The Emerald Tablet gives the framework for grouping the Neteru into families based on four alchemical principles
and the four elements. The resulting eight groups, whose names are shown on the bottom-left of each card, are Primordials
(Tepi-Aui-Un), Heaven (Pet), Fire (Aakhut), Moon (Aah), Sun (Ra), Wind (Nef),
Earth (Ta), Duat (Duat). Each of these famlies contains eight Neteru which represent the successive
phases through the medium of that element. The result is a system of 64 cards with the additional 65th card, Neter
Neteru, representing the totallity of the Absolute.
Also part of this deck’s Hermetic framework is the number symbolism of Pythagorus, who is believed to have spent
time studying in Egypt. His numeric teachings form the basis for arranging each group of Neters into their particular
sequence within each family, noted by the number which appears at the bottom of each card. This creates an 8x8
Pythagorean Table, or magic square. The meaning of this square, the number symbolism, and the Tetractys are all
covered in several chapters of the book.
The chapters devoted to the cards are beautiful tributes to each of the Neteru. Historical as well as symbolical
and alchemical information is included here. The appendix is essentially an additional chapter to the book, entitled
A Comparison of the Doors with the Traditional Tarot, which details the symbolic connections between the
two systems. Its insights into the Trumps themselves are so interesting that it could be considered the capstone
to this work.
This is a beautiful set which faithfully conveys the proportions and spirit of the ancient gods. As its name implies,
it honors the functionary role of the Neteru as spiritual doorways.
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