About the Thet Knot

The Thet Knot

copyright by deTraci Regula 2002
The Thet Knot

"I walk in harmony, heaven in one hand, earth in the other. I am the knot where two worlds meet. Red magic courses through me like the blood of Isis, magic of magic, spirit of spirit. I am proof of the power of the gods. I am water and dust walking." The Knot of Isis from Awakening Osiris by Normandi Ellis

The thet "knot" is a symbol of the Egyptian goddess Isis, Lady of Magic, Goddess of Motherhood, among many other names and titles. Scholars debate exactly what is represented by this symbol, but most believe it is either a stylized representation of the female reproductive system, or that it is a menstrual bandage. It definitely represents the Blood of Isis, as a spell of consecration for this amulet states it.

Thet knots were made of many materials in Ancient Egypt. Most of the time, they were of red stone, such as carnelian or jasper, but yellow examples are also found. In metal, thets might be of gold, but the original spell expects that the Thet will be made of wood from a sycamore tree, long sacred to Nut, Isis, and, later, to Hathor. The symbol was also used to decorate funerary and ritual objects, and is often found in conjunction with the djed pillar, another mysterious object which may represent the spine of Osiris, a tree, or something else entirely. While the djed represented the masculine forces, the thet was specifically feminine.

The spell mentions "water of ankham flowers". This flower has not been specifically identified, but some researchers believe that this was the flower of the henna plant, the same plant which provides a dye for body art. Other candidates include the lotus and the white, blue, or pink waterlilly.

Alternate spellings include tet, tit, tyet, tiet and, unexpectedly, set, perhaps a contraction of Isis' name in Egyptian, Auset. The name of the pharaoh Seti can be "spelled" using the thet or set hieroglyph.

"You have your blood, O Isis; you have your power, O Isis; you have your magic, 0 Isis. This amulet is a protection for this Great one which will drive away whoever would commit a crime against this one. " Faulkner, The Book of the Dead

Additional text copyright by deTraci Regula 2002

About Essential Oils:
Some magical associations with essential oils, from Scott Cunningham's book "Magical Aromatherapy" and Isiscraft's own observations:

Cedarwood - Elevating and clearing of negativity. One of the sacred oils of Egypt.
Planet: Sun
Element: Fire

Clary Sage - Cheering and soothing. Used in the Middle Ages as an inhalant for women's disorders and depression.
Planet: Mercury
Element: Air.

Jasmine - Sacred to Isis, uplifting, romantic.
Planet: Moon
Element: Water.
Cunningham classifies it as a "yin" scent, while most other aromatherapy authorities class it as a "yang" scent.

Lavendar - Good for all purposes, soothing, purifying.
Planet: Mercury
Element: Air

Myrtle - Sacred to Aphrodite.
Planet: Venus
Element: Earth

Palmarosa - Love and rejuvenation.
Planet: Venus
Element: Water

Rose Geranium -Calming and protective.
Planet: Venus
Element: Water

Sandalwood - Soothing and elevating, good for meditation. Can be offered to Ganesha, Hindu divinity of prosperity.
Planet: Moon
Element: Water

Tea Tree - Clearing, refreshing.
Planet: Jupiter
Element: Fire

Ylang-ylang - deTraci Regula, author of the "Mysteries of Isis" uses a mixture of ylang-ylang and light or Egyptian musk as a general purpose Isis oil. Soothing and cheering.
Planet: Venus
Element: Water

Essential oils can be very potent. Pregnant women or persons suffering from medical conditions should consult a trained medical aromatherapist before using essential oils. None of the folklore and subjective information listed above is intended as a substitute for medical advice.