Amun-Ari: A Journey of Transformation

The Cleansing Ritual: Embracing Change

The following is a short story of Amun-Ari, an Ancient Egyptian Princess, who participates in the first of many rituals and ceremonies as part of her Coming of Age. This day marks her transition into a new role beside her father, the Pharaoh.

Amun-Ari woke long before the sun broke. It was her 13th birthday, a very special day. Today, she stepped into the beginning of a new life, signified by the magical number 13—change and new beginnings. This was the thirteenth step of her soul’s journey. Today was the day she officially ascended to her royal role, ready to sit beside her father, the Pharaoh.

Excitement and nervousness danced within her. The grand public event would start at midday and last for three days. Amun-Ari needed to prepare for the rituals with Amenut, the High Priestess of Luxor. The gods would be in attendance, represented by their attendants—high priests and priestesses adorned in their finest ceremonial robes.

Amun-Ari opened the giant wooden doors from her bed chamber and scampered silently into the hall. Only one guard stood outside her door, but soon the hall would be filled with servants and royal attendants, all there to assist Amun-Ari in preparing for her special day. She leaned across the stone wall to look down onto the cobblestone road below. A procession was growing. Hundreds of priests and priestesses arrived from across the country, holding flags and ceremonial banners, dressed in their best robes. Today was a day of sacred ritual and great celebration. “And it is all about me,” she thought, feeling both anxiety and anticipation.

The Arrival of Nahkena

Within moments, Nahkena, Amun-Ari’s personal attendant, hustled quickly down the hall, clapping her hands as if to signal Amun-Ari to move quickly into her room. She needed to disrobe and step into her bathing robe for the first ritual of her celebration day. Nahkena lifted Amun-Ari’s sleeping gown over her head, allowing her to slip into a silken white robe scented with rose water. Amun-Ari then slipped each foot into the gold-beaded sandals as Nahkena began to pin up her hair.

“Are you going to be there with me when the parade starts?” Amun-Ari asked. “I know I will be surrounded by hundreds of people today, but I want you to stay close. I don’t want anyone touching me or telling me what to do other than you. Do you understand?” Her anxiety was building.

Nahkena nodded silently, adding clips to Amun-Ari’s long dark hair.

“Don’t just smile and nod, Nahkena. I need to know that you will stay close to me.”

“Yes, yes, Dear One. I will be close. Of course, I will. I am your personal attendant. I will not let anyone else bother you,” Nahkena assured her.

Amun-Ari visibly relaxed with Nahkena’s confirmation. “I also want to make sure that I am close to Father throughout the ceremony. You know many others will be pushing their way in, wanting to sit in his section during the ritual and hoping to hold his attention.”

Nahkena placed her hands on Amun-Ari’s shoulders, bending down to look directly into her eyes. “You don’t need to worry about being next to your father, Amun-Ari! This is your ceremony—remember? He will be there for you. You will follow the steps you have been practicing for weeks. Relax, my darling one. I want you to be fully present for each stage so you can enjoy the festivities and have something to remember for the rest of your life.”

“Thank you. I want to be fully present too. I don’t want to be so anxious that I don’t remember anything later. I will try to relax,” Amun-Ari replied.

“You are going to relax. We start with the Cleansing Ritual—to clear out the toxins, both physical and emotional. It will center you. You will relax in the hot, scented bath water and come into your own sense of self.”

The Cleansing Ritual Begins

Nahkena stepped back, pride and devotion shining in her eyes as she looked upon her ward. She was proud of the young woman Amun-Ari was becoming. She wanted to savor each step of the ceremonies, and the first one was about to begin.

“It’s time for the Cleansing Ritual. Are you ready?” Nahkena asked.

Amun-Ari looked at Nahkena and nodded silently. Together, they left the room and walked down the long stone hallway to the bath chamber.

The bath chamber was a large room filled with flickering candles. In the center was a sunken tub filled with steaming water and floating rose petals. The rose symbolizes beauty, love, and the feminine divine. For this occasion, the scent was used for its benefits of boosting self-esteem and confidence, helping to alleviate Amun-Ari’s anxiety.

Nahkena directed Amun-Ari to sit and began brushing her feet with a soft bristle brush. Each stroke brought color to her pale skin. Amun-Ari smiled as the soft bristles stimulated her circulation, moving from her foot up her leg, across her torso, and down each arm. The sensation was invigorating.

Next, Amun-Ari was led to the tub, stepping down each step into the water until she was completely submerged. Nahkena lifted a small black vase, removed the cork, and poured rose-scented bath oil into the water, citing a prayer as she poured. Amun-Ari sank deeper into the water and closed her eyes. Soft music began to play, and Nahkena spoke ever so softly, guiding Amun-Ari into a deep state of relaxation as she reviewed each of the events of the upcoming days. Nahkena reminded her that she was amazing, beautiful, adored, and loved. Her words, along with the aroma that filled the room, guided Amun-Ari out of her anxiety, reminding her of her role as the daughter of the Pharaoh, entering a new phase as the Pharaoh’s chosen one, ready to take her seat beside him.

Embracing the Nourishing Ritual

Nahkena then opened a black jar filled with a honey-based body scrub and placed a small dollop on Amun-Ari’s left arm, slowly rubbing it in small circular motions, moving up to her shoulder and down to the back of her hand. This same procedure was done on the right arm, then on each leg, across her chest and belly, and finally across her back. Nahkena reminded Amun-Ari that just as the scrub was removing old skin cells, sloughing them off and rinsing them away, Amun-Ari was letting go of what was and opening herself to a new role and a new life beside the Pharaoh.

Nahkena handed Amun-Ari a soft, natural sea sponge to rinse away the scrub and any dirt or toxins. The sponge was lathered with a body wash infused with calendula and hemp seed oil. Amun-Ari took the soapy sponge and gently washed her whole body as Nahkena reminded her of who she was and who she was becoming.

Amun-Ari rinsed her body with fresh water, listening to Nahkena as she walked her through each stage of the ceremonies and rituals of the days ahead, imagining herself participating in each without a hitch.

Amun-Ari remained silent as she soaked in the comforting warm water, contemplating the days ahead. She was now relaxed but also feeling rejuvenated and fresh. The room was silent for what seemed like the longest time, but soon Amun-Ari would be busy with the festivities and multiple events of the upcoming days. She opened her eyes and smiled. Nahkena was pleased. Amun-Ari’s role was changing. She was no longer the wispy child that played in the royal chambers and halls. She was now coming of age and stepping into a new role as Princess Amun-Ari, one day to become Queen.

With a slight nod of her head, all in the room knew that Amun-Ari was ready to end the Cleansing Ritual and move forward into the other ceremonies and rituals of the days ahead. She lifted her hand to have it gently grasped by Nahkena, who pulled her up to stand and then wrapped her in the large white towel that she had brought into the room.

Amun-Ari sat on the tiled bench near the tub and was handed another black jar with a wooden lid. She gently lifted the lid and smelled the fragrant rose-scented cream. This was the final touch—the Nourishing that was both physical and symbolic. Amun-Ari gently rubbed the rose-scented lotion all over her body, reminding herself that she was deserving of this nourishment and to always remember to take care of herself, no matter how busy or challenging her days may be.

Preparing for the Celebration

Amun-Ari was now ready to be dressed in the beautiful white floor-length gown that she would wear for the first day of celebration. The gown fit her perfectly. She was first fitted with a wide gold belt, then a heavy necklace of gold and lapis was placed around her neck. It elegantly draped across the top of her chest from shoulder to shoulder. Large gold dangle earrings were added to each ear, along with an upper arm bracelet in the shape of a cobra. The last step was to step into the gold-strapped slippers adorned with diamonds, lapis lazuli, and rubies. Later, she would be crowned with a gold Uraeus, a rearing cobra crown made of solid gold with black eyes of granite, a snake head of deep ultramarine lapis, the flared cobra hood of dark carnelian, and inlays of turquoise. The crown embodies both danger and protection.

Amun-Ari stood up, feeling different—more than just a child. She no longer felt anxious. She felt a renewed confidence. After the ceremonies and festivities of the next three days, Amun-Ari would have a new role and a new job—one that was solemn yet regal and significant. The Cleansing Ritual had served as a transition for her from the exuberant little girl who woke at 4 AM to the woman who was now standing at the doorway of the bathing chamber.

Amun-Ari felt beautiful, renewed, and confident. The Cleansing Ritual had done exactly what Nahkena had promised. Amun-Ari was now confident, relaxed, and ready to take on her new role. Just before Amun-Ari left the bathing chamber, Nahkena leaned over and whispered into her ear:

Beauty Remembered. Radiance Reclaimed.

As I reflect on Amun-Ari's journey, I am reminded of the importance of self-care rituals. They can transform our daily routines into sacred ceremonies, fostering a sense of radiance and longevity. Embracing these moments allows us to connect with our inner selves and the world around us.