Vibing

The last few days we have been home, working on schoolwork, working with the kids and their schoolwork and trying to get back into the raw food thing.  Actually we have been into the raw food thing for a few days now.  The next trip we are planning is to see the area where Akhenaton (Amenhotep IV) built his romanticized city of old Armarna, or Tell al-Armana, which is said to be (from my understanding) the place where he moved the capital from Thebes (modern day Luxor) after he developed the first system of monotheism on record worldwide, to worship the one God in the form or Atun.

Now, personally, I think the ancient Egyptians had an understanding of God we can’t fathom now, and early on they understood that their was only one God and the various gods we see throughout Egypt are aspects of that unity and the pantheons symbolize far more than this.  But that is besides the point, I am just writing about what is said historically concerning Akhenaton.  Of course Akhenaton was married to Nefertiti, and had his stuff together for a minute, until he was removed abruptly from office and later labeled as a heretic.  Those priests of the day were apparently a powerful lot.

Akhenaton is also often attributed with being the originator of the psalms now given to David.  This also reminds me of the verse attributed to David concerning the ants.  Akhenaton appeals to my vegetarian side, because he was said to be such a peaceful brother.  He was said to have took things to the level of not even harming an insect.  Being a pharaoh, I imagine that might prove hard.  Whatever the case any look at the artwork from the period leaves no doubt that these were black folks, at least Akhenaton.  My man has some huge lips, but once again, that is besides the point.  He was one of the pharaohs that initially sparked my interest in visiting.  So we are planning a trek up there, to where his capital was in its heyday, which will be about a two hour drive from Luxor, from what I heard.  It should cost around 200LE I am estimating, but I will get back with exact numbers after I arrange transit.  Only thing, I have heard there isn’t much left there and it is a sprawling site.  On top of that, mainly, there are the tombs, which is a whole other story, for another time.

As an add on visit, I am going to stop at an ancient city said to be the site of where Jesus and the holy family stayed for a time when they fled from Herod into Egypt, Dier Al-Muharraq.  There is a monastery near a mountain, the first Christian church is said to be there, consecrated 60AD, and nearby a cave where they are said to have lived for six months, fulfilling the prophecy found in Isaiah 19, 19-21.  I will provide more details when I return.

Other info:

• Breakdown of the name Akhenaton via the web:
• Ya-Khu-n-Yat-Un meaning "(Ya) Oh (Khu) glorified/splendour (n) of the (Yat) Divine/Holy (Un) Spirit Light/Lord
• Thebes, the ancient city is pronounced as tibbs, as in they call me Mr. Tibbs.
• Another quote: The butcher relenteth not at the bleating of the lamb; neither is the heart of the cruel moved with distress. But the tears of the compassionate are sweeter than dew-drops, falling from roses on the bosom of spring.
  --Akhenaton? (c.BC 1375)