Tag Archives: Shamash

I also source ancient magical texts from a miscellaneous variety of places. The following – a solar invocation – I discovered from reading a novel called Master of the Temple by Eric Ericson. Despite being a work of fiction, the author had obviously done his homework, as it contains a lot of authentic background information on Aleister Crowley, Sex Magick, contemporary occult orders – and ancient Babylonian invocations.

The following dates (according to Ericson) to around 2000BC. This was inscribed on a ceremonial pillar which depicts King Hammurabai receiving his authority from the Babylonian Sun-god, Shamash. Incidentally – note this – the name of the Babylonian Sun-god is the same word as the Hebrew word for the Sun – “Shemesh.” This leads me to suspect that prior to their return from captivity – if indeed they had ever been away in the first place – the Hebrew people were a lot more “pagan” than the Bible likes to admit.

Sol

I who am a perfect King
To the people entrusted to me by God;
I who am by God’s command their shepherd
Have never tarried, never rested.
I was called by the Great Gods,
Wherefore I became the good shepherd
Whose staff is straight and strong.
My shadow has stretched out across this city;
I have gathered my people into my arms
That they may thrive under my protection.
I shield them in my peace
And protect them in my wisdom.
Here in this city I have spoken my word
And have erected my image as King.