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Home Preface 5 Planes of Existence Introduction Five Planes of Manifestation A to Z Contact Related Information BIBLE VERSES |
TET-PILLAR, OR BACKBONE OF OSIRISA symbol of the tree of the Divine Life transpiercing the four lower planes, and signifying aspiration and the ultimate attainment of perfection above the quaternary. "The four cross bars of the Tet are intended to indicate the four branches of the roof-tree of a house, which were turned to the four cardinal points." - BUDGE, Gods of the Egyptians, Vol. II. p. 125. The four quarters of the compass signify the four lower planes, as do the four winds, the four children of Horus, and the four supports of heaven. "As a religious emblem, the Tet symbolises Osiris the Lord of Tettu, great god of the underworld. The meaning of the word tet is firmness, stability, preservation,' etc. The Tet had on it sometimes the plumes, disk and horns, and was painted on mummies and tombs." - BUDGE, The Mummy, p. 259. "On a post on which is graven a human countenance, and which is covered with gay clothing, stands the so-called Tât-pillar, entirely made up of super-imposed capitals, one of which has a rude face scratched upon it, intended no doubt to represent the shining sun. On the top of the pillar is placed the complete head-dress of Osiris, the ram's horns, the sun, the ureus adder, the double feather, all emblems of light and sovereignty, which in my judgment must have been intended to represent the highest heaven." - C. P. TIELE, Hist. of Egyptian Religion, p. 46. "Like the Buckle, the Tet had to be dipped in water in which ankham flowers had been steeped, and laid upon the neck of the deceased, to whom it gave the power to reconstitute the body and to become a perfect Khu (i.e. spirit). -BUDGE, Egyptian Magic, p. 46. The Tet symbolises the indwelling Higher Self (Osiris) striving to manifest in the lower nature (the underworld of four planes) by means of aspiration (the pillar). The plumes of victory crown achievement. Truth (water) and virtue (flowers), through the higher mind (neck), cause the transmutation (reconstitution) of the qualities, so that the soul rises in its buddhic vesture (Khu), the "purple robe." “Rise up thou, O Osiris! Thou hast thy backbone, O Still Heart! Thou hast the fastenings of thy neck and back, O Still Heart! Place thou thyself upon thy base, I put water beneath thee, and I bring unto thee a Tet of gold that thou mayest rejoice therein." - BUDGE, Book of the Dead, Ch. CLV. The "Still Heart" is the Divine Love latent within the soul awaiting the aspiration (backbone) which should arouse the soul into activity. The lower nature is attached to the higher mind (neck) and to the passive aspect of Spirit (the back), i.e. Buddhi, in order that purification should come about. Truth (water) shall raise the aspiring lower Self, and the treasures of the Spirit (the tet of gold) are laid up in heaven for the glorified soul. "Scene from the Papyrus of Ani. Tho Tet, or tree-trunk which held the body of Osiris, standing between Isis and Nephthys, who kneel in adoration, one on each side of it. From the Tet proceeds the emblem of life, which has arms that support the disk of the Sun. The six apes represent the spirits of the dawn." "Text: A Hymn of praise to Râ when he riseth in the eastern part of heaven." - BUDGE, Book of the Dead, p. 73. This picture is a very clear and full symbolical diagram of the Resurrection. The ankh cross stands upon the Tet, signifying the crucifixion in the lower nature (four planes) from which the Soul now rises. The raised arms symbolise the purified personality transmuted to become one with the Higher Self (Sun). The spiritual (Isis) and the natural (Nephthys) have finished their work in developing the Soul. The six adoring apes represent the multitude of egos (saints) which rise with their Saviour to the heaven world. |
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