d "corners" of the earth; the triangular sides the four divisions of the
sky, which converge to a single Middle, associated with Polaris, the
sacred pole or ak of the Cosmos.

Returning to the subject of the measurement of time by means of the
circumpolar constellations, it is instructive to find that the Egyptian
determinative sign for "time" consists of a central dot with a circle
drawn around it and to note that the only celestial body that could be
accurately figured as occupying the centre of a circle described around it
is the primitive sun, Polaris.

The Egyptian for "time" is rek, an inversion of ker=the night, the common
sign for which is a band, figuring the sky, from the centre of which a
star is suspended by a thread. As the star is usually formed by two lines,
diagonally crossed, at the end of the thread, there is a strong temptation
to see in the hanging single star an actual representation of a cross
symbol. It is particularly striking to find in Brugsch's work, that the
determinative for time is actually represented, in numerous cases, as
close to the single hanging star (fig. 62, 9). I leave it to the reader to
form his own conclusions whether this group represents Polaris and the
circuit of time measured by the circumpolar constellations, or whether it
merely represents, as Brugsch states, the winter solstice, _i. e._ the day
sun in the nocturnal sky.

There exists a remarkable variant of the determinative of time, which I
shall discuss more fully further on. Instead of a mere dot, a five-pointed
star is distinctly figured in the centre of the circle (fig. 62, 12). This
variant furnishes, in my opinion, convincing proof of the meaning of the
determinative for time, which also constituted the well-known sign for
Ra=god, and forms a part of the name of the supreme divinity of Egypt,
Amen, or Amon or Amun Ra, the "hidden or secret god," whose name
contradicts the current assumption that Ra signifies the diurnal sun
merely, and that Amen-Ra was a "solar" deity.

The following texts relating to the "supreme true but hidden god" amply
demonstrate that the chief characteristic of his cult was that it was
shrouded in secrecy and mystification. Others, which I shall quote farther
on, allow us clearly to perceive that individuals were obliged to pass
through a series of initiations into the meanings of cabalistic signs and
symbols of the divinity before they attained the pure knowledge of the
nature of the my