Nut

Nut, the Egyptian Goddess of the Heavens, Sky, Stars, and Mothers

Nut is perhaps best known as the mother of some of the most important deities in the Egyptian pantheon, including Osiris, Isis, Set, and Nephthys. According to one version of the myth, Nut and Geb’s union produced these four children, who would go on to play central roles in Egyptian mythology. However, Nut’s pregnancy was not without difficulties, as it was prophesied that her children would overthrow Ra.

Clash with Ra

Aware of the prophecy, Ra, in his anger, forbade Nut from giving birth on any day of the year. However, Nut’s ally, the god Thoth, intervened. He played a game of chance with the moon and won enough light to create five additional days, called the epagomenal days. These five days, added to the 360-day Egyptian calendar, allowed Nut to give birth to her children outside of Ra’s prohibition. Thus, Nut gave birth to Osiris, Isis, Set, Nephthys on these five extra days.

Her role as the mother of Osiris is particularly significant, as it connects Nut to the Osirian myth cycle, one of the most important stories in Egyptian religion. Osiris’s death and resurrection, and his role as the god of the afterlife, reflect Nut’s own associations with the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

Nut & Geb

Nut’s relationship with Ged and Shu is central to her mythology. Ged, the Earth god, is her brother or consort depending on the myth. Together, they were believed to form the two essential parts of the world: Nut as the sky and Ged as the Earth. Together, their power was formidable, enough that Ra feared their potential in no small part due to a prophecy that he would be overthrown by his children. Yet neither could Ra be seen as acting against them, so he ordered his servant Shu to carry out the act. Their separation by Shu, the god of air, not only created the physical space for life but also established the fundamental forces of the universe. Shu, by holding Nut above Ged, maintained the cosmic balance and order, preventing the potential chaos from taking hold.

In some versions of the mythology, Nut and Ged’s separation was painful, and their desire to reunite represents a tension between the sky and the Earth. This tension, however, was necessary for maintaining Ma’at, the concept of divine order and balance that was central to Egyptian religion.

The cyclical nature of time

Nut’s swallowing and rebirthing of the sun represents the cyclical nature of time, reinforcing the eternal continuity of life and the universe. Each night, Ra would pass through the twelve hours of the underworld, battling chaos and ensuring the sun’s rebirth the following morning. Nut’s role as the rebirther of the sun aligns her with themes of resurrection and renewal.

Role among the gods

Nut was instrumental in the maintenance of balance and order in the early Egyptian pantheon. Along with her brother, Ged, she was recruited by Ra to oversee the people, but she herself never ruled as queen. Despite this deference to Ra, she was beloved by the people. Temples of worship were dedicated to Nut long after the fall of the gods.

Rebirths

1st Age – Aurora Durante