ePub The Book of the Veil by Peter Paddon in History

Review

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful. The Not-So-Ancient Mysteries of EgyptBy Christina PaulI had bought this book more than ten years ago and I put it down in absolute frustration. I was recently moved to pick it back up again in order to really re-evaluate the 'why' of my irritation.The problem is; "The Book of the Veil"; though in keeping with the author's personal experiences and beliefs within the Fellowship of Isis as a Priest Hierophant; outright failed to not only get the history right. - but he has s rather limited understanding about how Ancient Egyptian religion worked in antiquity.On page 7; the author cites: "it was possible for an individual to rise through the classes on the merit of of their abilities. A good example of this was Horemheb; who began life as a peasant and ended as the Vizier of Queen Hatshepsut; a rank roughly equivalent to Prime Minister."Anyone who has studied Egyptian history at all; even gradeschool children; will know that it was not Horemheb; but rather Senmut; who was the Vizier; architect and later wet nurse to Pharaoh Hatshepsut's daughter; Neferura. How Paddon could confuse the two is beyond me. If he is talking about the Vizier to the High Priest of Amun who was in charge of the Luxor Temple in Thebes during the reign of Hatshepsut; Hapuseneb; that's different. But again; the information as it is presented is incorrect. Horemheb was born a commoner and later became a general during the rule of Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten); and then later; after the subsequent Kingships of Smenkare; Tutankhamun and Ay; Horemheb himself become Pharaoh. Descrepencies of over a century; even when talking about historical figures of Ancient Egyptian history; do matter.But let's not split hairs; just yet. I have a whole book worth of bones to pick with the author and I haven't even made it through the first chapter yet.It does not matter that Western occultists would have you believe; there is no extant proof anywhere in the whole of Egyptology (or anywhere else) that there ever has been an "Egyptian Qabalah". This particular mythological beast comes to us courtesy of the Theosophical Hermetic and Ceremonialist movements with the likes of H.P. Blavatsky; Aleister Crowley; Israel Regardie and others actually made it all up at the turn of the last century. Even the synbolist; R.A. Schwaller de Lubicz was one of their contemporaries; and much of what is written within his books comes from some of that very same era. In other words; it isn't anything that can be considered 'ancient'.My suggestion for anyone who honestly believes that the constructs such as this are real; then they need to avail themselves of the landmark work by Egyptologist; Erik Hornung; "The Secret Lore of Egypt: Its Impact on the West" This one book handily debunks so many of the books; such as this one; that attempt to pass themselves off as being based in history. In fact; Erik Hornung has devoted almost all of page 182 in the aforementioned book just to Peter Paddon and "The Book of the Veil". Most of the ideas that are contained within Paddon's book can only go back as far as the Hermeticists movement; the OTO and the Golden Dawn. Paddon's ideas about the levels of priesthood are interesting; and a tad innaccurate; too. Apparently he has the idea that most Wsetern occultists have about how the function of the 'W'ab' or purification priests were just a lowly position. The fact is it is this title that most priests; members of the upper nobility and even princes were proud of in their careers - the title of W'ab. To be pure; to be one whose hands were pure; was considered a great honour. No matter if that person were to eventually become High Priest of whatever deity; it is at that point; that 'Zep Tepi' or First time of Purity where it begins within the individual and their service to the Gods. Insuring that purity is the absolute cornerstone of what all the rest of Ancient Egyptian religious belief and practice stands upon. Without purity; there is no Ma'at and without Ma'at the Universe absolutely falls apart. Even the Gods offer purity to Ma'at. Western Occultists in their never ending pursuit of higher and bigger degrees and who are fascinated with the religion of Ancient Egypt need to be sorely reminded of this fact.The God and Goddess descriptions in the book are ok. However; they do leave a great deal to be desired. I will always check a book of this type to see how they handle the mythos surrounding the Goddess Sekhmet because She is the easiest to get wrong. Mr. Paddon got the very creation of this important deity wrong. It does not take much effort to lay one's hands on a copy of the Destruction of Mankind and how the Goddess Sekhmet was created out of the Goddess Hathor in Her rage against mankind who rebelled against Her father; Ra. Paddon also has the erroneous notion that the son of Sekhmet and Ptah; Nefertum; was later replaced by the worship of Imhotep. This is also horribly innacurate. Many Gods were synchretized but few ever were "replaced". The resultant ancient Egyptian culture boasted well over 4;000 different Names of Netjer or Gods. There was no reason to ever "replace" any of them. They were just simply absorbed or aspects throughout Egypt's long history. There was at no time in ancient Egypt's pantheon a concept of a Triple Goddess. That is a domain that is strictly only found within Western Occutism; mainly that which originated in Pagan Europe. I won't even discuss his ideas that the Goddess Sekhmet "takes her payment for favours in terms of energetic bouts of sex.". I clearly think Mr. Paddon missed the entire point about Sekhmet - which is about APPROPRIATENESS in all forms of behaviour - including those things which are a part of intimate behaviour. It underscores how little modern people; Pagans included; really understand about sex and sexuality and its connection with the Divine in Ancient Egypt More is the pity. The entire section just made me shake my head.Would I say that the book; its meditations and "pathworkings" have no value? No. I am however going to say both as a magician; and as someone who knows a fair bit about Ancient Egyptian history; to please be careful with the information found in this book. If it works for you; fine. If it fits your personal gnosis or UPG; that is also fine. However; the last thing anyone should think is that it has anything by way of any sort of historical scholarship or think that Mr. Paddon's definitions of the Gods are resemble the deities it professes to represent in antiquity. The exercises are ok; but should be taken with a grain or even an entire block of salt. This is about what works for Peter Paddon in his personal practices; and that's great - whatever lights your Roman Candle. However; it is by no means representative of everyone who worships the Deities of the Ancient World nor is it in any way a reflection of how the ancients themselves worshiped or interacted with the Gods in any way.Alas; this is one of those books that make the term "Pagan Scholarship" into more than just a bit of an oxymoron. I expect far better from Pagan authors or self-professed independant scholars because I've seen better. If we do not start demanding the same levels of scholarship out of our Pagan religious leaders that we expect out of more mainstream religious sects and scholars; then no one will ever take Paganism; or Indigenous religions such as the Indigenous African religion of Ancient Egypt and those who practice them seriously. It will end up being what it has all too sadly been up to date - a bunch of grown adults playing a little bit of dress-up in costumes and a great deal of hand-wavey goodness. Even though it is quite obvious that Peter Paddon is passionate about the subject matter; he obviously did not care enough to make sure he got the history and the spiritual mechanics of both Ancient Egyptian ritual; heka (magic) and the Deities themselves correct. I have a very strong feeling that Mr. Paddon probably cares enough to correct the glaring errors in a later version. One can only hope; at any rate. As respected as he is as an author and a member of the larger Pagan community; he can most assuredly rise to that expectation.Religion and Spirituality must be more than this. I now remember why I put it down in the first place and struggled to finish it a second time. Perhaps my years of experience with the subject matter has spoiled me for such books.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Not Worth ReadingBy Buol M. JokIf the reader is looking for a good book that they can gain even a little from reading; I suggest they look elsewhere. Much of what is written in this book can be found in in what other authors have written. What is written about the Egyptian deities in this book; is almost identical to what other author's have written before this book came out. There are much better books written on this subject matter. I would suggest the reader to spend their money on a different book; and not waste it on this one.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Too ShortBy A CustomerThis is esoteric interpretation of some of the Egyptian deities. Each deity is described; then the authors gives his personal experience of working with the deity. There is also a short meditation after each section. A good book but leaves the reader a little short handed.