Akhuy

Akhuy is the 24th decan of the main decanal stars of Egyptian astrology. The decan has its heliacal rise during the week of IV Peret 21-30 in the Egyptian calendar. Its name is translated as "the two spirits."

Akhuy as depicted on the Esna B Zodiac

Divination meaning

The Egyptian Star Oracle connects this decan with harvesting rewards. The Akhuy card symbolizes getting what you want, but only because of the work you have done to obtain it. These aren't so much divine blessings, pennies from heaven, but receiving due reward for your efforts.

Characteristics

Spell 443 from the Middle Kingdom Period coffin of Mesehti celebrates Akhuy, proclaiming, “I am this unique Akh-spirit. There is nothing I do not know in heaven, on earth, or in the water. There is nothing I do not know about Hapi and Thoth because I am the God of the Morning.” This marks the earliest association of Akhuy with the planet Venus, the morning star. Nearly 1,700 years later, the Egyptian astronomer Harkhebi was described as “purifying himself in the days when Akhuy rose heliacally beside Venus.” This same astronomer was a renown observer of the night sky, who claimed to know everything Sopdet (decan #36) predicted.

The Esna B zodiac ceiling depicts this decan as seated mummiform goddess with no arms. The Dendera D ceiling gives its mineral as gold.

Testament of Solomon

An early grimoire titled Testament of Solomon describes a demon with similar features to this decan. Among the spirits summoned by King Solomon is one described as "a spirit in woman's form that had a head without any limbs, and her hair was disheveled," calling itself Obizuth. This demon has disheveled hair, a phrase predominantly used in Egyptian texts to describe the decans. It is also a woman without any arms. This perfectly matches the appearance of decan #24 on the Esna B zodiac, which depicts Akhuy as a seated mummiform goddess without any arms.

When asked what its task is, Obizuth states: “By night I sleep not, but go my rounds all over the world and visit women in childbirth.” This matches the epithet given to Akhuy in the Naos of the Decades, “the searcher.” The Akkadian name for this demon is Abyzou (ap.bi.zu). Despite the difference in names, there is enough in common between this demon and Akhuy to suggest they may be the same entity.

The Decans of Egyptian Astrology
Previous Decan	This Decan	Next Decan
Tepy-a Akhuy	Akhuy	Bawy