UH,  WHAT'S  A  "KEYHOLDER"?
 
 

Ankh of Life

  
     
You are!  That's right -- each participant in the "Celebrate Life: Egypt 2003" tour is affectionately referred to as a "Keyholder."  This term was coined by myself, Melissa Applegate, as a reference to the "Key of Life," also known as an "ankh."  The ankh was revered by the ancient Egyptians and depicted on temples, tombs, jewelry, furniture and papyrus because it expresses the inherent nature of every animate and inanimate thing, the sum of which is Life.

On the material level, the ankh was a hand-held ritual instrument used by the neteroo ("the Egyptian gods and goddesses" or primordial archetypal forces) as well as priests and priestesses to invoke the "Breath of Life."  To the uninitiated, the ankh served as a spiritual and protective talisman to ensure a healthy and long life while in physical human form and secured the enlightened spiritual body (khu) after the passing away of the physical body (khat).  Ankhs commonly adorned the mummy and sarcophagus of the deceased and were carved and painted on tomb walls symbolizing "immortality."

To the initiated, the ankh had many purposes revealed only within the priesthood and royal family.  This knowledge was primarily utilized during special ceremonial, healing and initiatic rites although never fully hidden from the public.  Temples and tombs portray tantalizing images of the "Opening of the Mouth Ceremony" ritually performed with ankh or adze and advanced ankh technology that modern day engineers, scientists and physicists are only now beginning to understand and develop.  This information was purposely left accessible to the public like a key strategically placed before a locked door so that those with sincere interest could open secret chambers "within" to understand the intrinsic relationship between all things seen and unseen (the double hall of ma'at) and directly realize ultimate Truth (Ma'at).

Similarly, there is an intrinsic relationship between each and every Keyholder of our "Celebrate Life" tour.  We join together in this exciting journey for many reasons, known and unknown.   In the process, secret chambers will be unlocked "within" and "without" revealing wisdom and truth that benefits each of us as individuals and contributes to humanity as a whole.  In order for this to happen, you don't have to be especially religious, metaphysical or spiritually oriented; you don't have to believe in anything; there's nothing to do other than to be yourself and join the fun.

From my heart to your heart, Th'ankh you for re-membering (coming together in innate wisdom), precious Keyholders!

In Ma'at,
Melissa Littlefield Applegate
August 22, 2002

 
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