The History & Use Of Magical Tools - The Ankh

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The Ankh, Crux Ansata in Latin meaning handle-shaped cross and is named the Key of Life. This iconic emblem is shaped like a cross with a loop at the top and was a potent symbol in Egyptian mythology and culture. Its origins trace back to the early dynastic period around 3150 BCE, and it remained prevalent throughout the Egyptian civilization.

In ancient Egyptian religion, the ankh symbolized eternal life and was often depicted in the hands of deities, who were bestowing the gift of life upon the pharaohs. It was frequently seen in art and hieroglyphs, where gods and goddesses like Osiris, Isis, and Ra were shown holding the ankh, further emphasizing its association with divine protection and immortality. The ankh was also a common amulet worn by both the living and the dead, believed to provide magical benefits and safeguard against evil forces.

 It is formed of the symbol of Venus, which is the only planet whose sigil touches all of the Sephiroth on the tree of life. The Venus wall of the vault of the Adepti is the door or entrance to the vault and the Ankh is the symbolical key into the temple of the Inner Order. In the Golden Dawn, the Ankh is painted to represent then, the ten sephiroth. The oval shape represents the first six and the Tau Cross represents the lower four that answer to the four elements. The Key of Life is a powerful tool to unlocking centres of energy in the Adept, allowing the influx of divine light to enter.