papyrus thicket

Court of Amen 25

25 PAPYRUS THICKET
This vacant square is important as the final, 25th, square of Life
before the final 5 steps of Senet, which signify the Netherworld.

1. As for every kind of writing, their rapid approach means their becoming a craftsman quickly. Do not turn away!
2. The-one-who-loves-knowledge, he says: "What is its nature?
What is the shape of the papyrus plant, O excellent of love?"
3. He speaks, namely, The-one-of-Heseret, he says:
"They have named it the 't-plant, namely, the 't-plant of life,
which the land of mooring will touch it (the brush)."
4. The-one-who-loves-knowledge, he says:
"Let one command for me the word which gives birth to the prophets that I may cause that they become pregnant in my flesh.
5. Let one open for me the well which unites with the wise ones
that I may drink from its sweet water.

AE Book of Thoth,Jasnow & Zauchich 2005, p. 226
++B01, 1/12 to B01, 2/1 from the AE Book of
Thoth, pp. 172-3, Jasnow & Zauzich, 2005
They ... the field ... , while the lamp is before them, they being as a living image of the foremost one of the temple of Heseret ... the ... off-spring (or "offerings") being before them ... in the jar of the (or "spell of the") incense, the bread and beer ... before ... the sustenance entirely.

The one from whom they are, the heart of Rah is that which gives the wise ones [...] ... him ...

His sons of the wn-ima.w are the ones whom he will raise up in his (?)... the sons of Seshat {goddess mistress of writing and libraries]
bends his heart ... the praises of Isten, ruler (?) ... his ... in his limbs after him. ... Is his heart that which is upon them?

The collection of the reeds, which are gathered together (as) a teaching, they make a treasury in the house of books. They reveal another box of divine secrets. Their craftsman is the one who interprets (or "prophesizes") about them ... an old one from ... to a ... box of the papyrus-rolls entirely, at his side.

++
... words which cause a youth to learn and a son of (Thoth) to question.
1. "The words which cause a youth to learn and a son of Wn-imA to question."
2. "[....]... protection(?) of purity of Osiris Naneferhotep, the great god, the (?)... lord (?).
3.[...] unification of his body for (?) the lords of offerings ... before the goddess Shai (=Seshat) in the name [..].
4. [...] ... which is Sekhefabwy, ritual of (?) of the regulation of entering the Chamber of Darkness."

To continue:

Line 5. [...]... they lacking one and a half (?), they ... with the utterance of your mouth.
6. [...]... four .... upon their foundation (?), small, difficult
7. [...] ... as far as ... of the divine writing (?)
8. [...] they raising up ... very greatly (?) ... not [...] lifting...
9. [...] twice, lords of offering ... If you wish to hear them, set your ears to hear them.
10. [...] day in thoughts (?) ... to hasten (to) the place (?) ... May you experience their taste (?).
11. [...] I have [...] it concerning ... its ceremony concerning the teaching of the writing.

NOTES for lines so far:

1. Rubric or heading for section, and indeed possibly the beginning of the Book of Thoth! Hieratic form of seated child might indiccate schooling oir an initiation ceremony. Wn-imA is an epithet of Thoth. Son of Wn-imA could be the king, but here more likely non-royal priest.

2. The deity Naneferhotep appears in Greek magical texts as Nephotes. Associated perhaps with Neferhotep, one of Khonsu's titles, a divine child also used of Osiris. J&Z p. 242

5. Reading of fraction 1 1/2 is probable, significance uncertain but might be addressed to the disciple.

10. J & Z understand tpy (with tongue determinative, not the cobra) to be dp, "to taste."

11. Damaged nature of this line makes translation problematic, for 'tbty' J & Z translate "ceremony."

Academics and thinkers might be attracted to square 25, House of the
Papyrus Thicket. The Gods guarding the gates are uneasy and demand to
know not only the name of the intruder approaching the Hall of Two
Truths, but also issue a series of obscure passwords and and
difficult questions that can only be known to initiates. BD 125, c 6.

The Thothian priest associated with this square would be scribe & record-keeper, and knower of the initiatory passwords and so on that protected the approach to the Hall of Two Truths. An important square. Steve

The Transition, Amenemope Instruction 25 - 26

Do not jeer at a blind man nor tease a dwarf,
Nor make fun of the condition of a cripple;
Do not taunt a man who has mental illness,
Nor reprimand him for his errors.

Man is but clay and straw,
And Khnemu is his potter;
He throws new clay and he builds daily,
Khnemu impoverishes a thousand if he wishes.

He makes a thousand into Courtiers and Examiners,
When Khnemu is in his hour of life.

How fortunate is he who reaches the West,
Then he is safe in the hands of Osiris