Here is how to make your own set of divining scarabs for use with the "Scarab Divination" article(included).
Divining Scarabs
by
DeTraci Regula in the 1996 Magickal Almanac
submitted
and adapted in parts by Aredahne
In ancient Egypt, scarab beetles were often carved of stone or molded from faience, a kind of clay with a high quartz content. Scarabs are still made in Egypt in large quantities today, sometimes mixed with the feed of turkeys or other fowl to give them an appropriately "ancient" appearance when retrieved after the birds have digested them. This is one reason why you may want to make your own scarabs!
If you prefer, you can use flour mixed with water and a little salt to form a clay-like paste. Do not use self-rising flour, or your scarabs will turn out unexpectedly large.
To form a scarab, take a piece of dough or clay about the size of your thumb tip. Form this into an oval or egg shape and gently press it down on a flat surface, so that the the bottom is flattened, but the top of the scarab is still rounded.
Using a pen, knife, or toothpick, inscribe the back of the scarabe with a "T" to indcate the separation of the head and the wingcase. You can make them hightly stylized with more detail, or leave them simple. Turning the scarab over, inscribe the flat bottom with a symbol or heiroglyphs or draw it on after baking with a permanent marker. You can also draw the symbols on paper and then cut them out and glue them to the flat side of the scarabs.
To house your divination scarabs, you can make a round, two-piece clay bowl to contain them. Depending on the size of your scarabs, make a small bowl. Set your scarabs inside, to make sure the bowl is big enough to contain them. Adjust the size if necessary. Make a second bowl to match the size of the first one. Set this bowl, inverted, on top of the first one and smoothe the the edges for a good match between the halves. Seperate the halves, remove your scarabs, and bake or dry the clay according to the type of material you are using. When the bowl is hard, it can be decorated or painted.
Okay, now for the symbols. I'll try to make the descriptions as clear as possible.
The
Crocodile (you know what that is)
Dangerous or difficult-to-control
forces. Unexpected mishaps or
accidents. Sudden change.
The
Palm Tree:
The sacred palm oasis of
Osiris offered sanctuary, rest, and cool water
to inhabitants and travellers
in the desert. Denotes travel, free time,
and prosperity.
Isis:
(it's a crown, modify as you like)
The throne headdress of
Isis indicates that positive situations are
likely to continue; negative
situations are likely to improve and
stabilize.
Osiris:
(the two crossed scepters)
This scarab speaks of initiation
and of non-physical concerns. Issues
are still unresolved, unknowable,
or not yet appropriate to be revealed.
Seshat:
(seven-pointed star)
Seshat is the goddess of
writing and measuring. Take action before an
opportuity is lost, and
be certain that an new endeavour rests on a
solid foundation.
The
Ibis: (bird)
The ibis-headed god Tahuti
represents wisdom and discernment. The reader
should seek more information,
strive to act wisely, and find imaginative
answers to problems.
The
Cat: (meow)
Cat goddess of joy, the
Baset scarab indicates pleasure, romance, and
increased self-confidence
will manifest soon.
The
Ankh:
The ankh is the foremost
symbol of life. In addition, the ankh is also
a transmitter of force and
power. Its presence is positive in virtually
all cicumstances.
The
Temple: (looks like this: ^)
The high pylon gates leading
to the temples of Egypt announced the
beginning of sacred space.
The reader may be in a period of "temple
service", where spiritual
duties must be performed.
The
Nile: (two squiggle lines like the river)
The river Nile is the guiding
thread of Egyptian culture, bringing life
in all its forms to what
would otherwise be barren. Look for less active
solutions to problems. Wait
for events to unfold.
Nepthys:
(this
one is confusing~ a half circle on top of a rectangle, in
the
bottom of the rectangle is drawn another rectangle, like a door.)
The scarab of Nepthys indicates
darker sexuality, desperate actions, and
strife in marriage and other
relationships. Nepthys can also indicate a
person whose motives are
unclear or potentially harmful.
The
starry sky of Nut: (stars)
Nut is a primal goddess,
whose body is the star-flecked sky. Her nature
is cosmic and her presence
in a reading indicates that there are great
matters at hand, possibly
out of ordinary human control.
The
Sistrum: (rattle or hand-held drum)
The sistrum is a symbol
of Isis-Hathor, goddess of love and pleasure.
The presence of this scarab
exhorts you to take action, break free and
embrace joy.
Anpu:
(dog's head)
Anpu, or Anubis, the great
Guide, not only of the dead, but also of the
astrally projecting, dreaming,
and those on the threshold of initiation.
The jackal indicates new
knowledge, and a strong protective force.
Horus:
(hawk's head)
Horus is a complex, hawk-headed
godform embracing many aspects. His
scarab indicates eventual,
but hard-won, triumph. As Horus the child, he
represents concerns relating
to children.
The
Solar Barque of Ra: (circle on crescent moon)
The solar barque symboizes
the powerful, usually benevolent energy of
the sun. As a vessel, the
barque indicates travel.
The
Ushabti: (looks like a mummy sleeping bag)
The Ushabti figures were
small images placed in tombs to "answer" for
the dead if they were called
upon to work. The Ushabti scarab indicaes
unexpected, or unwarranted
help.
The
Pyramids:
The pyramids represent aspiration
and the slow passsage of time. This
scarab can indicate the
need to look at the past for answers.
The
Union of Isis & Osiris: (the crown crossed by the two scepters)
This scarab is sacred love
in all its' forms and creative power at its
most primal. It indicates
a positive resolution of two opposites.
