Mudras & Hand Symbolism: Mudras of the Egyptian Tradition

The ancient Egyptians possessed a fount of occultspiritual teachings channeled down from the
and mystic wisdom. In those days the Egyptianintelligences of Light, we are taught to give praise and
mystical brotherhoods or "Mystery Schools" at Luxor,thanks to higher powers. This is not for their sake but
Thebes, Memphis, and Heliopolis, collectivelyfor ours. The celestial beings are concerned over our
represented one of the several portals leading to thespiritual development. The act of praising with a sincere
Universal Great White Brotherhood whose existenceand selfless heart causes us to be energized with a
was established by cosmic beings for the purpose ofrenewed power and a zest for life and is a healthy
advancing the evolution of man through the applicationand a most essential spiritual discipline. Although praises
of spiritual disciplines and the apprehension of Cosmicmay be given in any bodily position, the Egyptian
laws. These teachings were given in secluded places,Masters have found that a particular pose with a
in subterranean temples, and at night under the canopycertain mudra offers a maximum effect. This is done
of the heavens. Many eminent Greek sages studied atby squatting with the right knee touching the ground
these Egyptian schools of metaphysics, among whomwhile the left knee is raised. The left hand closed in a
were Plato, Thales, Pythagoras, and Democritus. Infist, is placed on the chest The right arm is extended
these Mystery Schools, the goddess Isis wasupwards to the side of the head and the hand also is
especially venerated. She personified Nature andin a fist pointing upwards. A variation of this is to use
according to one Greek interpretation she signifiedthe right index finger to point upwards. Anubis, the god
occult knowledge. Isis also represented the Mysteryof the dead, has modeled this pose nicely for us.
Schools and those undergoing training therein laterMaintain this position for 5-10 minutes while giving silent
emerged out of her womb and became known as thethanks to God for the life within you. During which time
"twice-born," for they were newly born of the Holybreathe normally while chanting the mantra, "EMA-HA."
Spirit.Contrary to what is popularly believed, the GreatIn a little while you will feel regenerated. You will feel
Pyramid of Cheops was not built as a tomb, but as ajoy pervading your being.4) The Solar Plexus Energizer
"House of Initiation," a place where the teachings of theMudra. All felines are symbols of solar energies. So it is
gods were given by the "Master of the Secret Places"apt that Sekhmet, a feline goddess as depicted here,
to those who successfully passed the severe tests ofassumes a secret pose that strengthens the sun
earth, water, air, and fire. Spiritual disciplines werecenter of her physical being, or in other words, her
taught that ultimately transformed each spiritualsolar plexus. The solar plexus has nerves connecting
aspirant at the point of their graduation into anto almost every organ in the body. By channeling
embodiment of a god, or in our modern metaphysicalenergies or concentrating it in the solar plexus, we
vernacular, "a perfect human being," or a "Christ,"--ancause our organs to function optimally. But one must
anointed one. In these sacred temples of learning andbe careful, as over-polarization might cause problems.
wisdom were to be found countless statues, most ofAssume this mudra while standing or sitting. Breathe
which were considered and worshipped as gods bynormally. Close the left hand into a fist and place it
the ignorant masses, and as idols by the equallyover the solar plexus as shown by Sekhmet. The right
ignorant religious fanatics of succeeding generations.hand, should also be in a fist but placed to the side of
Those involved with the initiatory temples, however,the body. After 5-10 minutes of maintaining this position
regarded these statues as teaching devices and usedreverse the hand positions. The right hand in a fist over
them to portray certain aspects of the microcosm andthe solar plexus, while the left hand to the side of the
the laws or principles of Nature.Many metaphysicalbody. Do this for another 5-10 minutes while mentally
disciplines were given to the tyro to practice in theseasking your Higher Self to energize your solar plexus
Mystery Schools; among the spiritual exercises givenand also chanting slowly the mantra, "RA-MA" about 9
were the mudra disciplines. Some of the statues andtimes.5) The Magnetizer Mudra. This mudra has a
pictograms of the Egyptian gods are portrayed withtwofold purpose. It is used to absorb pranic energies
certain mudras. The neophyte was taught to assumefrom the environment or from some specific source; it
these mudras while conducting meditation, breathing,likewise is employed for the purpose of magnetizing
and visualization exercises.Below we present just aone's aura so as to strengthen it against invading
few of these Egyptian mudras that you maymetaphysical forces. This mudra confers various
incorporate in your daily spiritual routine. You maybenefits, it may improve one's health, augment one's
choose to do only one at a time in a single session.store of psychic energy, acquire charisma, etc. To
This is permissible; however, these Egyptian mudras,execute this mudra one may sit or stand, or assume
would confer the greatest effect when all are donethe asana as portrayed by the goddess Nephthys:
together successively in a single work-out.1) Theplace the left foot underneath the buttocks and sit on
Sun-Bearer Mudra. Place both hands outstretchedit. The right foot is placed on the ground with the knee
above the head holding an imaginary sun. Palmspointed upwards. Now put your two hands in front of
upward. Visualize the microcosmic sun as a divine fieryyou, palms outwards. If you are doing this mudra to
radiance--it is in fact the presence of your Higher Self.absorb energies then visualize and feel the energy
Imagine the rays of the Higher Self pouring into yourfrom infinite space streaming into the palms of your
upturned hands. Maintain this visualization and handhands as sparks of golden and silvery lights. Or if you
position for five to ten minutes. Chant the mantra, "HU"wish to attract energy from a specific source--from
over and over. This Egyptian mudra helps one tothe sun, for instance, then visualize and feel the "yod"
absorb higher energies. The hands being positionedor "rain" drops of power entering your palms from the
beyond the lower layers of the aura and above thesun. Do this for 5-10 minutes. Visualize the cosmic
head makes it easier for one to contact theforces entering your being as you inhale.To magnetize
magnetic-field of the superconscious Self and therebyyour aura with this mudra, simply imagine and visualize
empowering the lower aspects of the microcosm.a flow of golden energy flowing from your palms and
Unless otherwise indicated, let the breathing rhythm befilling your aura--a circumscribed space surrounding
natural in this and the following exercises.2) Theyou. See your aura being permeated with this effulgent
Cross-Chest Mudra. This is an Egyptian gesture ofenergy. This should be done for 5-10 minutes. Visualize
royalty. The left hand is placed on the right side of thepsychic energy flowing from you as you
chest, and the right hand on the left side-as may beexhale.Whether you are absorbing energies or
seen in the statuette of Osiris. As you will recall, this ismagnetizing your aura, chant the following mantra
the Sign of Resignation. If you are standing or sittingseveral times while visualizing: "EMA-BA." This mantra
upright with the spinal column erect instead of in thewill anchor the power to wherever you are directing
lotus position, keep your feet together. This will closethe energies. Chanting may be done verbally or
the circuit at the lower region and allow energies tomentally whichever is comfortable and appropriate.
circulate. Take a deep breath while in this position andThe mudra is also used to confer or empower others
hold it for as long as comfortable. Then release thewith energy. After generating the necessary energy,
breath slowly. Repeat three times. After three cyclesfocus your palms to the back of the recipient about an
of deep breathing maintain the mudra for five to teninch away from the physical form. Then, visualize
minutes more while breathing normally and chanting theenergy flowing from the palms of your hands and into
mantra, "AIM" several times. This mudra draws thethe body of the subject. You may visualize the energy
energies of the aura into the physical body, especiallyas a brilliant white, silver or golden light. While thus
in the chest region. It helps to strengthen and awakenchanneling energy from your palms, move them
psychic centers there such as the anahata chakra, orupwards and downwards along the right and left sides
heart center. The thymus gland being empowered viaof the spine where the ganglia of the nervous system
the heart chakra, the immunity level of the physicalare located. This operation will have a healing and
body would naturally be fortified. This is one of thestrengthening effect on the subject and if done in
mudras taught by the Rosicrucian Order, a mysticalconjunction with specific powers possessed by the
fraternity perpetuating the ancient occult wisdom.operator--these could also be transferred or
According to the Order's oral tradition it was foundedchanneled.6) The Pyramid Mudra. This mudra
in ancient Egypt by Thutmose III--one of the enlightenedstrengthens the negative polarity of the physical body
pharaohs that ruled the land of the Nile. This mudraand generates a strong magnetic force for attracting
integrates the positive/solar and negative/lunar forcescosmic energies of the positive polarity, thus balancing
in the body. Divine power in the physical system resultsthe "Yang" and "Yin" of the microcosm. This mudra is
with the use of this hand pose.3) The Praise Mudra.to be done prior to the magnetizer mudra above. The
The members of the Egyptian Mystery Schools wereanimated image shown is an excellent portrayal of this
well versed in the meaning and art of praising theirhand-mudra, though it is unnecessary to move your
gods. The temple hierophants knew that the secrethead as shown by the toon-image.To do this mudra,
effects of praises were upon the person giving thesimply place the palms of your hands together and
praise rather than the god receiving it. About twoabove the head. Place your two feet together while in
thousand years ago we were told to love our enemiesthe standing position. Now hold this position for 5-10
by an Initiate of the Egyptian Mystery School. Why?minutes while chanting and vibrating the word "Ma."
Because love ennobles us. It does not matter ifAfter several minutes of chanting, inhale deeply and
another deserves our love or not. The act of lovingthen exhale and hold your lungs empty for as long as
unfolds our divine nature and causes a greater forcecomfortable. When you need to breathe, do so, and
of our Higher Self to indwell in the physical form. Thethen as you exhale, repeat the above. Do this special
same principle applies to praising God, or any higherbreathing for several cycles, after which you may
being more advanced than humanity. Divine beings orcontinue with the other mudras.The above represent
the Source of all do not care if we praise or adorejust a few of the Egyptian mudras that have come
them in any way. They are egoless and thereforedown to us, the explanations of which are simply
unconcerned if we respect them or not. In religious andguidelines. Feel free to improvise and experiment.