I think this is one of those situations where you have to understand the line between AE religion and KO. The two aren't necessarily always the same. Plus I think KO also has something called "aspected" deities, which is different from "syncretic" deities? I think the concept of "two sides of the same coin" might belong to aspected deities versus syncretic ones. And that aspecting is where the two deities are considered to be the same entity, but showing two different faces. I could be wrong, since I am not especially KO myself.

Here's a good quote though about syncretism in terms of AE religion though. It's a translation from 'Die Götter von Abydos' by Spiegel: "The combination of two or more divine names (as, e.g. Sobek-Re, Amun-Re, Re-Harakhte, Ptah-Sokar-Osiris, etc) becomes, on the contrary, much more comprehensible, if one considers them as an attempt to transfer entire conceptual complexes of the concept of the divine which were developed in one cultic sphere into another, in order thereby to broaden and deepen the definition of the nature of the divine in the latter cultic sphere. Moreover, it is not primarily a matter of heightening the power of the god in question, but of heightening and deepening the understanding of him by the faithful who are devoted to his cult. To be sure, the greater attractiveness of the broadened and deepened concept of the god could bring new adherents to the cult of the god in question and thus increase his influence in the religious life of Egypt. The motive of the combination, however, is always the desire for a progressive perception of the divine, which brings to the revered deity other divine names as bearers of already formed and developed representation and conceptual complexes - but not these gods as persons."

And that makes a lot of sense to me, because when I think about Wepwawet-Re, for instance, I don't feel that Re is actually present, but more that the extra shinyness and radiance is there.

While I see what you are saying, this has actually been brought up to Set in saq and my understanding is that He said exactly this. That He is too much for any one person all on His own. This wasn't necessarily in explanation for why Heru always comes with Him, but moreso to explain why His children are always dual parented.

But yeah, Set kids always have Heru-wer as a beloved and Heru-wer kids always have Set. Children of other Names can and do have one or the other of Them as a Beloved without needing to have both. But when I was divined a Beloved of Set (after my initial RPD), Heru did insist on coming along too. And I have to say that my own understanding based on my own experience is that for me, the balance is necessary and it does tie directly into the Bawy.

Senebty,

Taji

I can definitely understand this theory, and it's one I could say that I subscribe to myself. I understand (within my own practice) how gods intermingle and mix, and yet don't at the same time. It's when people start talking about how one is the other- as though they are the same deity with schitzophrenia, or a two headed being that I start to be put off a bit. That's all.

-Devo

Ah. So that's the bit of information I was missing. Now it makes more sense. Thanks, Taji.

*waves*

I ain't got no Set! No Set at all!

HAA! Devo, this is *precisely* how I feel as well...

I totally, 100% understand this. Relations. However I'm wondering at the leap from being relative to each other, and BEING each other, that throws me off...even aspecting I view differently in that the dieties in question kind of "come together" or merge briefly to work together in a certain way with someone, but are still seperate. That's my version anyways....I realized I am not the most orthodox person...
: o



I like this analogy....connected I can grasp, like ingredients, sure. Being each other is harder....

That's just the thing, I think. I don't think aspected deities literally are each other as much as they're made of the exact same stuff. Aset is Serqet in the same way that potatoes both are baked potatoes, potato chips, french fries, mashed potatoes... and so on. A french fry sure isn't a baked potato! But it's the same fundamental thing. It's why (in my experience) we can have such tight relationships between certain gods and yet they aren't aspects or syncretisms, and such brain-breaking aspected relationships as well (Seshat-Nit-Nebthet, anyone?). And again, it goes back to the idea that these relationships, while historically mediated, are also informed by modern interaction with and instruction from the gods. This isn't just a book club If God says "do this" and it passes enough validation to know that it's not just random space static sounding like a god, we'd better listen!

Now excuse me while I hide from Aset for a while after comparing Her to a potato...

Well isn't that the case with ALL the Names of Netjer...? They're all made of the same stuff, anyways!

Haa...nice...

Yeah, but there are salt & vinegar chips, BBQ chips, mashed potatoes with gravy, french fries a la poutine... they may all have the same base ingredient, but they sure as hell don't taste anywhere near the same.