Khetti Satha Shemsu is taken from The Papyrus of the
Undying. Within that text it is known as Chapter 17 "Hymn of Servitude to
the Serpent Seta." According to many references in the Rollo Ahmed
translations, Khetti-Satha is a composite deity composed of two older
deities. Khetti is a giant 50-ft underworld snake whose duty is to breathe
fire in the face of the damned. Satha is a huge serpent worshipped for its
regenerative and reincarnative properties. "Homage to the Servitude of the
Serpent Seta" is a chanting type hymn in praise of the serpent deity, to be
recited en-masse by the assembled sacrificial throng of followers. The
word "Shemsu" is typically interpreted as "follower" or "worshipper" or
"member of the divine bodyguard." The words of the hymn are declaring
homage, praise and eternal servitude to the deity. Of note are final
recited words of "Sekhem". According to Lexa in his 5-volume La Magic
dans I'Egypte Antique (Paris 1925), in this context the word Sekhem is not
necessarily used in its ritual strictly violent moaning. It is debatable whether
or not any violence is inherent in the ideas put forth by the priests of the
Cult of Seta, although what is reasonable certain is that the word Sekhem
is used principally for its meanings of a mindless state of unconsciousness
achieved through repetitive chanting. When the state of emptiness is realized, the worshipper is "open" or "ready" to accept the control of the spirit
of the deity. The chanting lyrics are left in their original state on this
recording, to preserve their rhythmic power and mind-numbing
hypnotic essence. Nile are awesome! I totally disagree with Crujebsul this is not their worst song.
Khetti Satha Shemsu is taken from The Papyrus of the Undying. Within that text it is known as Chapter 17 "Hymn of Servitude to the Serpent Seta." According to many references in the Rollo Ahmed translations, Khetti-Satha is a composite deity composed of two older deities. Khetti is a giant 50-ft underworld snake whose duty is to breathe fire in the face of the damned. Satha is a huge serpent worshipped for its regenerative and reincarnative properties. "Homage to the Servitude of the Serpent Seta" is a chanting type hymn in praise of the serpent deity, to be recited en-masse by the assembled sacrificial throng of followers. The word "Shemsu" is typically interpreted as "follower" or "worshipper" or "member of the divine bodyguard." The words of the hymn are declaring homage, praise and eternal servitude to the deity. Of note are final recited words of "Sekhem". According to Lexa in his 5-volume La Magic dans I'Egypte Antique (Paris 1925), in this context the word Sekhem is not necessarily used in its ritual strictly violent moaning. It is debatable whether or not any violence is inherent in the ideas put forth by the priests of the Cult of Seta, although what is reasonable certain is that the word Sekhem is used principally for its meanings of a mindless state of unconsciousness achieved through repetitive chanting. When the state of emptiness is realized, the worshipper is "open" or "ready" to accept the control of the spirit of the deity. The chanting lyrics are left in their original state on this recording, to preserve their rhythmic power and mind-numbing hypnotic essence. Nile are awesome! I totally disagree with Crujebsul this is not their worst song.