Abstract
November. SEED-TIME m ANCIENT EGYPT.—The sowing of the corn in ancient Egypt, which took place in November, was observed by the farmer, according to Plutarch, as a period of mourning and solemn observance. It was also at this time of the year that a feast of lights was held at night, and the death of Osiris was displayed as a mystery at the grave of the god at Sais. Frazer suggests that the ‘Feast of Lights’ may have been an ‘All Souls’ festival. The people mourned and beat their breasts in their sorrow for the death of the god, and an image of a cow made of gilt wood, with a golden sun between its horns, was carried out of its chamber. In Plutarch's day it was carried seven times around the temple. This was held to symbolise the search of Isis for the body of the god Osiris.
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Calendar of Customs and Festivals. Nature 122, 792 (1928). https://doi.org/10.1038/122792a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/122792a0