The Wedjat is a powerful Ancient Egyptian Symbol. You might never have heard of it but I can almost guarantee that you have seen it. Maybe you know it by its more common name, The Eye of Horus. This iconic symbol is seen all around us; on clothing, on jewellery, on home decor and people have it tattooed on their bodies. I actually have it on my back.
What is the Wedjat?
The Wedjat is depicted as a stylised falcon eye with distinctive markings. It embodies the concepts of protection, healing, and insight. In Ancient Egypt, the Wedjat was revered not only for its role in the mythology surrounding Horus (we’ll get to that!) but also for its practical uses in everyday life, offering a shield against evil and a source of strength for those who wore it. Even today, the Wedjat continues to play a role in the practice of many practitioners of witchcraft, paganism, and other spiritual paths. Let’s take a closer look at the Wedjat, what it represents and how we can harness its energy in our spiritual practice.
What are the Wedjat’s origins?
Where did the Wedjat come from? The clue is in the more common name, The Eye of Horus. It literally represents of one of the eyes of the falcon God of the sky and kingship. Horus’ father Osiris was murdered by his brother (and Horus’ future uncle) Seth. After Osiris’s death, Seth claimed the throne of Egypt. However, Osiris’s wife, Isis, sought to avenge her husband and protect her son, Horus. She hid Horus in the Nile delta and raised him secretly to protect him from Seth.
As Horus grew, he became determined to reclaim the throne and avenge his father. This led to a series of fierce battles with his uncle Seth. Thus can be seen as a struggle between order and chaos. During one of these battles, Seth attacked Horus and plucked out his left eye, (which was said to be the Moon) causing severe injury.
Image from Tim Kane Books
Following the battle, the eye was magically restored by the goddess Hathor, Horus’ wife. The injury to Horus’s eye links to the phases of the moon. Just as the eye was wounded and then restored, the moon cycles through stages of fullness and darkness. The waning of the Moon from Full to New represents the eye’s injury while the waxing of the Moon from New to Full Moon represents it a healing and restoration. This also connects the eye to the themes of loss and regeneration, as well as the ebb and flow of life.
Horus finally overthrew Seth to become the rightful King if Egypt and protector of its people. His eye became a symbol of royal authority and protection. The eye also embodied Horus’ triumph over disorder and chaos and became linked with warding off evil spirits and dangers and with personal protection.
How did the Ancient Egyptians Use the Wedjat?
The Ancient Egyptians used the Wedjat in various ways to utilise its protective, healing and restorative powers. It was often crafted into amulets worn by people to protect them from harm and evil spirits. These amulets were also thought to bring good fortune to the person wearing it.Pharaohs often wore jewellery with the Eye of Horus to symbolise their divine protection and authority and to reinforce their connection to Horus.
The Wedjat was often painted or inscribed on tomb walls and sarcophagi to ensure the dead were protected in the afterlife. It was believed that the eye would guide and protect them during their journey through the underworld. The Eye of Horus was also included in burial artefacts, such as canonic jars; these contained a persons internal organs and the eye would protect them from harm.
The Eye of Horus was linked with healing and was referred to in medical papyrus texts. It symbolised the idea of restoring a person’s health and well-being. Healing rituals often invoked the Eye of Horus for protection from illness and to ask for healing and recovery.
What Mathematical Symbols are Hidden Within the Wedjat?
The Eye of Horus is linked to mathematical fractions and used in calculations, reflecting its link with the idea of completeness. The six parts of the eye are actually hieroglyphic symbols for different fractions that were used for weighing out grains and flour.
Image from Clinica London
When the fractions are added up, they make 63/64 rather than 1 whole. The missing 1/64 is often said to be the magic that was used to restore the eye after it was destroyed by Set.
In modern times, historians and some scientists believe that there is a link between the Wedjat fractions and the senses. They believe that perhaps the Egyptians were aware of the anatomy and functions of the brain are were able to incorporate this into a sacred symbol, but this is purely speculative and it does not appear in any ancient texts.its very interesting and intriguing nonetheless. Each fraction represents a different sense:
- 1/2 represents smell
- 1/4 represents sight
- 1/8 represents thought
- 1/16 represents hearing
- 1/32 represents taste
- 1/64 represents touch.
Interestingly, when we look at a cross section of the human brain, we can see something that resembles the Wedjat.
Image from National Library of Medicine
How Can We Harness the Power of the Wedjat?
One way to connect with the energy and power of the Wedjat is through meditation and visualisation. Sit comfortably in a quiet space and close your eyes. Try to picture the Eye of Horus in your mind and allow the image to wash over you, bringing protection and healing.
Or try to visualise the Wedjat as a glowing light surrounding your body. As you breathe in, imagine its protective energy filling your body with strength and clarity. With each exhale, release any fears or anxiety, allowing them to be absorbed by the light.
If you have a challenging situation or are trying to overcome a fear, picture yourself facing it, with the Wedjat hovering over you. Visualise it cascading it’s protection over you and transforming fear and negativity into positive energy.
You could also use materials such as clay, wood, or metal to create a small representation of the Eye of Horus. There are also lots of pre-made amulets that you can buy if you don’t feel creative.
When you cast a circle for magickal work, place an image or representation of the Wedjat. In the centre and call upon its energy to protect you.
On a full moon, light a candle, write down any fears or negative energies you wish to release. Draw the Wedjat on the paper and burn then burn paper to allow the eye to heal and protect you.
Incorporate the Eye of Horus into your jewellery or clothing.
Wearing it as a pendant, bracelet or even in a t-shirt to remind you of its protective energy.
You can also display images or artwork of the Wedjat at home to create a safe and protected space.
I actually painted it on my living room wall before wallpapering the room!
Whether or not you are an Egyptian practitioner, most of us will recognise the Wedjat and can do small things to incorporate it’s power into our daily life.
Blessed be,
Alan
Sources
The Eye of Horus By Jane Olver
Eye of Horus, Eye of Ra
The Eye of Horus: The Connection Between Art, Medicine, and Mythology in Ancient Egypt - PMC
Images with no source linked were made by me on Canva (no AI)
