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The University of Philosophical Research
A Contemporary Wisdom Academy | Public Lecture Series
A Ten-Lecture Series on
Ancient Egyptian My thology
Lydia E. Ringwald
B.A. Scripps College - Comparative Literature. M.A.
University of California Irvine - Comparative Literature.
Ph.D. (candidate), University of Connecticut University of Philosophical Research Professor
Lydia E. Ringwald shares insights into Ancient
Egyptian mythology in a series of 10 lectures that
explore a spiritual belief system with a pantheon
of gods and goddesses that inspired some of the
most astounding art, artifacts and architecture in
the history of humankind.
In Ancient Egyptian culture, art was a magical conduit to eternity. The act of making art was a magical act. Art
treasures exhumed by archeologists from pyramids, temples and tombs: paintings, sculpture, bas relief and
emblematic artifacts; jewelry, mirrors and palettes had magical meaning that represented mythological concepts and
stories. In a visually vivid powerpoint presentation of world renown and recently discovered art treasures, we explore
the mythological consciousness of this ancient culture that continues to inspire us today.
$10/Lecture or $15/Day. Space is limited, please RSVP via e-mail at inquiries@uprs.edu or phone 323.663.2167.
or visit www.uprs.edu to purchase tickets online.
LecTure 1: A Pantheon of Gods and Goddesses – Emblems for Eternity
Saturday, March 14th, 10:30am-11:30am / Q&A 11:30-11:45am
In this lecture, Professor Lydia Ringwald shares insights into the cult meanings
of the Ankh, Eye of Horus, Eye of Ra, Scarab, Was and the Djed Pillar and the
pantheon of Ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses: Nun and Nunet, Atem and
Mut, Geb and Nut, Osiris, Isis, Set and Nepthys, Anubis, Thoth, Hathor, Baset,
Sekhmet.
LecTure 2: The Myth of Osiris and Isis – Sacred Recycling - Resurrection
Saturday, March 14th, 1:00pm-2:00pm / Q&A 2:00-2:15pm
Professor Lydia E. Ringwald explores in depth the myth of Osiris and Isis, concepts
of resurrection and sacred recycling as the basis of the mythological belief systems
of the Ancient Egyptians.
The Universit y of Philosophical Research | www.uprs.edu
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LecTure 3: Sacred Sites – History of Ancient Egypt
Saturday, April 11th, 10:30am-11:30am / Q&A 11:30-11:45am
The archeological sites in Upper and Lower Egypt tell the 3000 year history
of Ancient Egypt, a magical civilization that glimmers in the desert and along
the shimmering banks of the Nile as a model for the future. In a vivid slide
presentation, Professor Lydia E. Ringwald shares insights into history and
mystery of the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx, the temples in Luxor and
Karnak, tombs in the Valley of the Kings and Queens, as well as prominent cult
sites in Saqaara, Memphis, Dashur, Philae and Aswan.
LecTure 4: Journey through the Underworld – The Book of the Dead, The
Book of Gates. Saturday, April 11th, 1:00pm-2:00pm / Q&A 2:00-2:15pm
The papyrus scrolls of the Book of the Dead, the sculpted and painted bas-relief
on tomb walls of the Book of Gates, are a code to the passage through death to
eternal life. Explore mythological concepts of the Afterlife with Lydia E. Ringwald
in this fascinating lecture that includes insights into the sacred Pyramid Texts, coffin
paintings, Shabti, amulets inscribed with powerful incantations and spells.
LecTure 5: Pharaohs and Queens
Saturday, April 25th, 10:30am-11:30am / Q&A 11:30-11:45am
There are pivotal points in any culture, times of rapid progress, where innovation
and the evolution of ideas hurl consciousness forward. Great leaders have the vision
to develop the culture and move its mythology to a new level.
In this lecture, we will explore the artistic accomplishments, architectural
feats and mythological innovations during the reign of some of Ancient
Egypt’s greatest Pharaohs and Queens. The practices of Priests and Priestesses,
who honored both gods and goddesses, have a message for us today.
LecTure 6: The Amarna Period
Saturday, April 25th, 1:00pm-2:00pm / Q&A 2:00-2:15pm
Akhenaten, a Pharaoh of the Amarna period is an anomaly, a unique aberration
in Ancient Egypt’s mythological tradition. This lecture explores an experiment
in monotheism, worship of the sun god Aten that disrupted the traditions of the
past but was a harbinger for the future. Conflict with monotheism during the
reign of Akhenaten and his wife Queen Nefertiti resulted in a reverse back to
traditional values. However, the art, architecture and literary achievement of
the Amarna period, represent a high point civilization of Ancient Egypt.
The Universit y of Philosophical Research | www.uprs.edu
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LecTure 7: T he History of Archeology in Egypt
Saturday, May 9th, 10:30am-11:30am / Q&A 11:30-11:45pm
Scholars and visitors to Egypt; from the Greek historian Herodotus to
Napoleon's savants, from the expeditions of the Egypt Exploration Society to the
research of archeologists from major universities today, have uncovered treasures
of art and architecture, revealing insights into the wisdom of the Ancient
Egyptian civilization. In this lecture, we will explore the intriguing history of
archeology in Egypt and learn more about the astounding discoveries of Egypt's
most prominent archeologists.
LecTure 8: T he Ptolemaic Era
Saturday, May 9th, 1:00pm-2:00pm / Q&A 2:00-2:15pm
The Ptolemaic Era represents the final phase of the 3000-year history Ancient Egypt.
Alexander the Great conquered a civilization that he admired so much that a city,
Alexandria, was named in his honor, and he became an honorary Egyptian Pharaoh. The
Ptolemy’s, Greeks by origin, ruled Egypt for another 300 years after Alexander’s conquest,
continuing and contributing to Ancient Egypt’s architecture and art, its sacred deities and
traditions. In a grand finale, Cleopatra, Egypt’s last Queen and Pharaoh attempted a truce
with the leaders of Roman Empire, only to succumb to their power in the end.
LecTure 9: Influence of Ancient Egyptian Mythology, Occultism
Saturday, May 23rd, 10:30am-11:30am / Q&A 11:30-11:45am
The pattern of resurrection and rebirth, inherent in the myth of Isis and Osiris,
infliltrated later belief systems with interesting parallels to early Christianity. Occult
philosophers preserved the mysteries of Ancient Egyptian mythology and cultivated
new systems of thinking in early Hermeticism. In this lecture, we explore the
transition from the ancient Osirian mythological belief patterns in early Christianity.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, occult thinkers, Aleister Crowley and Madame
Blavatsky traveled to Egypt, to explore mysteries of the ancient past and develop occult
knowledge integrating ideas from the mythology of the ancients into new ideas and
belief systems that would influence the future.
LecTure 10: Egyptomania
Saturday, May 23rd, 1:00pm-2:00pm / Q&A 2:00-2:15pm
Fascination with Ancient Egyptian culture and mythology has inspired artistry and
creativity in later periods of time. In this lecture, we explore the creative art spawned by
Ancient Egyptian mythology and civilization. The image of the Sphinx and the Obelisk
inspired new art masterpieces. The historical artworks of the Pre-Raphaelites and explorer
artists David Roberts, Orientalist painter Jean-Leon Gerome reveal insights into
the astounding past. Motifs of Ancient Egyptian mythology appear in dance
choreographies of Ruth St. Denis and early silent films from the 1920's up to the
technologically advanced film making of our time.
The Universit y of Philosophical Research | www.uprs.edu
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