Ammit

Ammit : The Eater; Devourer of the Dead; Eater of Hearts; Bone Eater; Devourer of Millions; Greatness of Death

The ancient Egyptians believed that after you died, your soul (or one of them) entered a divine hall of judgment, where your past deeds were examined and your heart was weighed. If you were found worthy, you entered the Western Paradise. If you failed the tests, Ammit ate you and your life was forever terminated: no eternal paradise for you.

Ammit sits beneath the Scales of Justice like a dog waiting for food to fall from the table. (Although usually depicted with a crocodile head, sometimes Ammit sports a canine head.) Those whom the infernal court finds lacking are promptly fed to Ammit. She is a neutral spirit: she does her job, eating, processing, and eliminating wickedness (or just lack of goodness) from the universe. She bears no grudge against anyone; she just wants to eat. There is no point in petitioning her or attempting to make deals (but the Egyptian Book of the Dead does contain spells that protect against her). She holds her position precisely because she is resistant to appeals.

ALSO KNOWN AS:

Amit; Ammut

ORIGIN:

Egypt

MANIFESTATION:

Ammit bears a striking physical resemblance to Taweret.

ANIMALS:

Hippopotamus; crocodile

SEE ALSO:

• Ma’at;
• Osiris;
• Taweret

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by :Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.