Land of the Lost Souls
Embark on a poignant journey with Judy Hall as she delves into the mystical history and enduring spirit of the Nubian people. This narrative takes you through the heart-wrenching displacement of over 130,000 Nubians due to the Aswan High Dam, uncovering the remnants of a once-thriving civilization that flourished for over three thousand years. Join Judy and her companion Terrie as they walk through the Nubian Museum in Aswan, where ancient mummies and artifacts tell a story of beauty, resilience, and profound loss. Through their unique perspective as ‘psychopomp’ priestesses, they connect with the souls of the past, offering them peace and closure. This journey is a testament to the strength and grace of the Nubian people and their lasting legacy.
The Nubian people are beautiful, shining souls. They hold the last remnants of ancient Egyptian magic. Nubian history is nevertheless a dire and tragic one. The original inhabitants of the land of Egypt, inscribed on tombs and temples, they flourished as a civilization for over three thousand years and were then overwhelmed by three waves of invaders. First, Coptic Christianity that followed the Romans, then the Arabs with their alien cultures into which, to some extent, they were assimilated. But they were powerless before the next invader: water.
Over 130,000 people were displaced by the Aswan High Dam, their ancient villages and burial places flooded, and temples engulfed, although some still lie empty and forlorn on what was once fertile land but is now desolate sand. I had made that journey a few years earlier and was aware of what had been lost.
When Terrie and I walked into the Nubian Museum at Aswan, the whole weight of the displacement overwhelmed us. It began with two mummy cases and their priestly occupants. But it quickly became apparent that the museum, which photographically recorded what had been before, had become a focus for all those numberless lost souls whose ancient land had been submerged or ravaged. Outwardly, we were just two tourists paying particular attention to the exhibits. But inwardly, we were ‘psychopomp’ priestesses, conducting souls to the Other World. We spoke to the souls of the mummies, trapped under the glare of a spotlight. We thanked them for the wisdom they had brought us and helped them move into the Light, opening a portal for them to leave by and calling on the ancient gods to assist. Walking around the corner, we found the physical embodiment of the portal in stone – a large Kepera scarab in an open-sided, roofed box. Kepera was the scarab beetle who propelled the sun around the sky each day.
The name means ‘Light Becoming.’ Then we found an ancient Egyptian ‘psychopomp’ to lead the way. She was an exquisitely carved ‘small head of an unknown woman,’ according to the museum label. Imbued with spirit, Mer’aber, beloved of Khnum, was clearly a wise-woman, priestess of her tribe. The most clear and beautiful soul waiting quietly to assist her people, just needing intention to set off the soul retrievals and clearings. It is a good thing that time has no meaning on the Other Side. We were able to leave the displaced souls streaming through the portal, safe in her hands.
The Nubile Nubians
‘Coincidentally’ (there is no such thing; synchronicity was at work!) while we were at the High Dam sending healing down the Nile and prior to going to the museum, Terrie’s husband had texted her John Romer’s description of the women of ancient Nubia:
‘If you look South from Aswan and let your mind fly over the backwaters of the Nile, you will come to the ancient land of the Nubians, famed in ancient times (and still, I believe) for its beautiful and graceful young women who selected their mate from the young men of the village by performing ritual dances as a group – naked – and at the end of several hours of dancing and rituals, in a grand finale, chose their man – who was sitting by now probably exhausted through erotic anticipation – by standing in front of him and resting one thigh on his shoulder. The ancient Pharaohs and aristocracy thought very highly of Nubian women, as you can see in many of their artifacts and paintings of slim, naked black women dancing in a group. The Nubile Nubians.”
All very reminiscent of a last-night-of-the-cruise party on the Nile – except for the wearing of ghalebias. But it was an excellent description of our wonderful new friend. Our ‘psychopomp’ was a very nubile Nubian indeed, but full of dignity and so soulful.
I trust that those lost Nubian souls have now reached an Afterlife full of joy, pleasure, and dancing after their displacement. In helping them find peace, it brought back some lost and displaced parts of my own soul.
Just as one person making a shift helps the many, so too do the many assist the one. As above, so below. As without, so within. The maxim of the great Egyptian magician Hermes Trismegistus.
If you enjoyed the blog you may like to see :-
Nubian Temple Stones / Nubian Temple Quartz
(Collected and charged by Judy Hall in Egypt on one of her travels)
"Nubian Temple Stones are Quartz that has been imbued with the rich golden-red colour of the land of Upper Egypt.
They have travelled for thousands of miles along a river that is still known as the mother of life, and they hold Kundalini power.
These incredible healing stones transport you back through the past to re-access knowledge and skills that were gained in the temples and which can be applied to the present moment.