Of all ancient Egyptian iconography, I've always found the most uncanny
to be Anubis leaning over a mummy (with the winged soul of the deceased
hovering above). I get chills every time I see that image — not
chills of fear, exactly, but of profound mystery. Come to think
of it, I suppose the image
should
make one's blood run cold, as that's what it's all about. While I
was looking online for statues of Anubis standing over the sarcophagus
(alas, the statues never include the winged soul), I discovered the
following intriguing explanation and invitation:
As every school child knows, Anubis –
most often portrayed as a human figure with the head of a jackal or
black dog – is a guardian of the Otherworld, who watches over tombs and
mummies and guides souls of the departed to the Hall of Osiris.
But Anubis’ significance goes much deeper. As psychopomp, or
guide of souls, he is the patron of journeys beyond the body (which is
why he is invoked to guard those who have left their bodies under
trauma or anesthesia) and everyone journeys beyond the body in death
and dreaming, with or without instruction.
[...]
If you want to dream like an Egyptian, in the best way, look for the
black dog in your sleep tonight, when your eyes are opened in a dream.
—Shamanic counselor
Robert Moss, "Dreaming Like an Egyptian,"
Soul Travel Magazine
