Topic: Egyptian Afterlife

The symbolism of Atlas as the "Axis Mundi" who holds up the heavens is explored alongside the significance of the Orichalcum pillar in the center of Atlantis. Quitt connects these Greek myths to Egyptian concepts, such as the Jed Pillar and the weaver goddess Neith. He reflects on how his search for the secrets of out-of-body experiences unexpectedly led him to discover that ancient allegories were primarily concerned with the great turning of cosmic cycles.

During the First Intermediate Period of Egypt, social and economic collapse led to a transformation of religious beliefs. The Middle Kingdom saw the "democratization" of the afterlife, where non-royal citizens began using sarcophagi and rituals previously reserved for the elite. This era marked a shift from the shamanic mystery traditions of the Old Kingdom to a more standardized, bureaucratic religion centered on the mummified version of Osiris.