Let's face it. We all have to die one day. This is no dystopian, depressing prophecy I am speaking, it's a simple fact. All life ends. But what happens with us after we die? And I am not talking about our body. What happens to our spirit, our soul, our consciousness?

​

Over the centuries, various concepts have been developed, various theories what happens after our death. As an example, let's take a look at ancient Egypt.

​

According to Egyptian believes, a human was comprised of various magical facets. The belief of these facets being magical goes back to the god Atum, who created the world out of chaos using his own magic. And because magic was used in the creation of the world, magic can be found everywhere.

​

These facets are: the physical form or body (Khet), which is mummified after the death to preserve it; the spiritual body (Sah), which joins the the spiritual bodies of other deceased in the afterlife upon successful entering; the heart (Ib), the most vital part in the journey to the afterlife; the vital essence (Ka), which leaves the body upon death, but stays close to the body in its grave; the personality (Ba, the part that makes every individual unique. This is the part that goes on the journey to the afterlife, facing trials and tribulations on the way; the shadow (Shut), which is always present and is said to contain something of the person it represents; the form or power (Sekhem). The exact meaning of this is unknown to this day, all we know is that it exists; the name (Ren), a person's identity and everything they have experienced and seen in their life; and finally the intellect (Akh), a magical union of Ka and Ba that can happen after death and passing judgement of the gods.

​

The trials and tribulations the Ba has to face all happen in the Duat, the realm of the dead, ruled by the god Osiris. The Duat itself is described to have geographical features similar to the overworld, but also featuring structures like walls entirely made out of iron or lakes filled with fire. Should the Ba manage to cross through this part of the Duat, they reach the Hall of Maat, named after the goddess of truth and justice. Here, the main trial takes place. 

​

After addressing the forty-two Assessors of Maat by name, the Weighing of the Heart takes place. The Assessors from Maat are a group of minor deities, each representing one sin, and by addressing them the deceased confirms that they did not commit these sins in their lifetime.

​

As can be expected from that name "Weighing of the Heart", the Ib plays a major part in it. It is put on a scale and weighted against the Feather of Maat, representing the concepts of truth and justice. If the deceased lived a virtuous life, free of sin, the heart would end of equal weight or lighter than the feather, and they are allowed to move on to Aaru, the Fields of Reed, basically the Egyptian idea of a paradise. However, should the heart be heavier than the feather, then the goddess Ammit, the devourer of the dead, would devour the heart, dooming the deceased to stay in the Duat.

Assignment: