Ceremony
285
the sacred soil of the ancient burial ground. Statues in his image of grain, clay, and earth were assembled and mystically infused with his powers to ensure the fertility of the Two Lands in the next cycle of growing and harvest.
Observance According to a Ptolemaic papyrus of The Lamentations, the performance took place on the 25th of Choiach, a date that corresponds to the Sokar Festival in the Lower Kingdom (a few days before the winter solstice). In ancient Egypt, this was the time of year that Orion receded from the night sky and did not return to visibility for approximately three months. And while it was performed through out Egypt to coincide with the implantation of seed in the renewed land follow ing inundation, its premier observance took place in Abydos. Here at the seat of Asar's mysteries, priestesses resided in the temple precinct solely to perform this annual rite and retire for the remainder of the year. The ritual text specifies that The Lamentations are to be performed in the third and eighth hours of the day, which would be counted following dawn (the first hour).
Dramatis Personae Two priestesses assume the key roles of this observance: Auset and Nebt-Het. The ancient rubric specifies that they possess beautiful bodies, and have written on their arms the names of Auset and Nebt-Het (it is possible that the priestesses who performed these rites had the names permanently tattooed on their arms). The Ur Hekau, whose patron is Auset, invokes the ancient spells, and a Setem priest assumes the role of her son Heru by performing the offering. The Setem prepares a clay jar filled with water and a small loaf of bread for each priestess. It is said that the jar is to be held in the right hand, the bread in the left, and the priestesses' heads are bowed during the recitations. An image of Asar may be placed upon the altar to receive the offering. If it is performed for one who is absent, the name may be inscribed upon the image or an object belonging to that person may be substituted. In addition, the precious materials indicated in the concluding recitation-gold, silver, lapis lazuli, al abaster, turquoise, and myrrh incense-may be presented to the image. These should all be fabricated in uniform size and shape and placed upon the Hotep tray.
