The Myth of Nu: The Primordial Embrace
The Waters of Creation
In the time before time, when the world was but a dream in the minds of the gods, there existed only the infinite, swirling waters of Nu. These primordial waters were boundless and chaotic, embodying both the potential for creation and the terror of the unknown. Nu, both a god and a goddess, was the essence of these waters, a being of profound power and mystery. Within Nu’s depths, the seeds of all that would ever be lay dormant, waiting for the moment of their awakening.
The Birth of Order
One fateful day, a ripple of consciousness stirred within Nu. The formless deity began to dream of structure, of light piercing the darkness. From this dream, Atum, the first god, emerged from the watery abyss, standing upon the primordial mound that rose from Nu’s depths. Atum gazed upon the boundless waters and felt both awe and a profound loneliness. In his solitude, he longed for companionship and purpose.
With a mighty breath, Atum exhaled Shu, the god of air, and Tefnut, the goddess of moisture. These twin deities, born of Nu’s essence and Atum’s will, brought the first breath of life and the first tears of sorrow and joy into the universe. Shu and Tefnut, siblings and lovers, united to give birth to Geb, the god of the earth, and Nut, the goddess of the sky. Thus, the primordial waters of Nu gave rise to the foundations of the world.
The Rise of Discord
As the gods grew in number and power, they began to shape the world from the chaos of Nu. The interplay of their wills brought forth mountains, rivers, and the first living creatures. However, with creation came conflict. The gods, though divine, were not immune to jealousy, pride, and desire.
Seth, the god of storms and disorder, envied his brother Osiris, who had become the revered lord of the living and the dead. In a fit of rage and jealousy, Seth devised a plan to usurp Osiris and claim his throne. He crafted a magnificent chest, tailored perfectly to Osiris’s measurements, and during a grand feast, he offered it as a gift to anyone who could fit inside.
The Betrayal and the Grief
When Osiris lay down in the chest, Seth slammed the lid shut and sealed it with molten lead, casting it into the Nile. The waters of Nu, ever-changing and unpredictable, carried Osiris’s coffin far from his loved ones. Isis, Osiris’s devoted wife and the goddess of magic, wept and searched tirelessly for her lost husband. Her tears mingled with the waters of Nu, creating the life-giving floods of the Nile.
Isis’s journey was long and arduous. She scoured the earth, guided by whispers carried on the wind and the light of the stars reflected in Nu’s depths. After many trials, she found Osiris’s coffin embedded in the roots of a great tree in Byblos. With the help of her sister Nephthys and the god Anubis, she resurrected Osiris, though he could no longer remain among the living.
The Wrath of Nu
The resurrection of Osiris angered Seth, and his wrath knew no bounds. He challenged Horus, the son of Osiris and Isis, to a series of brutal battles for the throne. The earth shook, and the skies wept as the gods clashed, each battle more devastating than the last. Nu, watching from the depths, felt the pain of her children and the destruction wrought by their conflict.
In her sorrow, Nu’s waters surged, threatening to engulf the world. The gods, realizing the peril they faced, sought to quell her anger. Thoth, the wise scribe of the gods, proposed a council to bring peace. The gods convened, and with eloquent words and heartfelt pleas, they reached a resolution. Horus would rule the living, and Osiris the dead, maintaining the balance between life and death.
The Renewal and Peace
With the conflict resolved, Nu’s waters calmed. The gods worked together to heal the wounds of the earth. Ra, the sun god, sailed his barque across the sky, bringing light and warmth to the world. Ma’at, the goddess of truth and justice, restored harmony, ensuring that balance prevailed.
Nu, though often unseen and unfathomable, remained the foundation of all. Her waters continued to nourish the land, bringing fertility and life. The gods and mortals alike came to understand that from chaos came creation, and from sorrow came renewal.
