The enigmatic Egyptian pyramids have fascinated humanity for millennia. These colossal structures, rising from the desert sands near Cairo, hold secrets that transcend time. But did the ancient architects intentionally align these monuments with celestial objects? Let’s delve into the mysteries surrounding the Giza Pyramid Complex and explore the cosmic connections that shaped these architectural marvels.
But first, in order to understand the alignments, we will review some important ancient Egyptian stories and travel back in time to when Egypt was a savannah.
Tefnut’s Return: A Story of Cosmic Balance
The legend goes that in ancient Egypt, Tefnut, the Neter (goddess) of moisture and water, grew upset with humanity in Egypt. Fleeing to Nubia, she took all water with her, leaving Egypt parched and chaotic. In her anger, Tefnut transformed into a lioness, wreaking havoc.
Ra, missing his daughter, sent Thoth and Shu to retrieve her. They found her and Thoth skillfully persuaded her to return. Tefnut, accompanied by Nubian musicians, dancers, and baboons, journeyed back to Egypt, restoring moisture and balance. Reunited with Ra, she regained her rightful place as his Eye.
This tale reminds us of the delicate equilibrium between land and sky, water and desert—a dance woven into Egypt’s ancient fabric. When we visit the Great Sphinx, we tell the tale of Tefnut's return to our guests because we believe that it is a representation of the Neter on earth. We believe that she left the city of On (the ancient city of Heliopolis or "city of the Sun"), the epicenter of the worship of Ra, and went to Nubia.
In antiquity, Nubia extended into Sudan to the bifurcation of the Nile. The arid deserts that now encircle Egypt were not always so barren. According to archaeologists, around 10,000 to 8,000 years ago, this region was a thriving savannah teeming with diverse animal life. Around 7,300 to 5,500 years ago, the Egyptian Sahara experienced a decline in monsoonal rains, leading to desertification. As a result, people migrated to the remaining habitable areas in the Sudanese Sahara. The archeological evidence seems to support this ancient story and astronomical events seem to highlight the importance of the Sphinx on the Giza Plateau as detailed below.
Spring Equinox and Solar Alignments on the Giza Plateau
We believe that the Sphinx looks to the east to keep track of all of the celestial stars, including our closest star, the sun. We know that every spring and fall equinox the Sphinx is in direct alignment with the rising sun in the East and the setting sun in the West. This is a phenomena that has been occurring for as long as the Sphinx has existed. In the picture to the left, we see the setting sun at the southeast corner of Khafre's pyramid (the middle pyramid). Why is this? This is because we are capturing the setting sun several minutes before actual sunset. The time of this picture is 5:51 PM and the sun sets at 6:07 PM, however, we would not be able to see the area of the setting sun because the middle pyramid obscures its view. The sun on this day, the spring equinox (3/20/24), sets directly behind the Great Sphinx just as it rose, directly in front of it. Did you know, that in modern times, Catholic churches, since the recommendations of Charles Borromeo, have often chosen the equinox as their reference point for the orientation of churches?
Summer Solstice: The Horizon (Akhet) and the Great Sphinx
Examining the rise and fall of the sun at the Giza plateau on specific dates reveals patterns that align with ancient hieroglyphs, yet diverge slightly from our current interpretations. The hieroglyph Akhet (Ꜣḫt), depicting a sun between two mountains, is part of the Egyptian name for the Great Pyramid of Giza (Akhet Khufu). During the New Kingdom, the Sphinx was venerated as the solar deity Hor-em-akhet (“Horus of the Horizon”).
Traditionally, the Akhet symbol has been seen as representing the rising sun. However, on the Giza plateau, it is more accurately understood as depicting the setting sun, as the two pyramids it is positioned between—the Great Pyramid and Khafre’s Pyramid—are located in the northwest. This alignment is particularly evident during the summer solstice, when the sun sets between these two pyramids, mirroring the Akhet hieroglyph.
Further supporting this interpretation is the association of the Akhet symbol with the deity Aker, who is believed to guard the horizons. In various inscriptions, wall paintings, and reliefs, Aker is depicted as bridging the northern and western horizons with his body, symbolizing a connection between these two points. The chart below illustrates how, on the summer solstice in June, the sun sets between the Great Pyramid and Khafre’s Pyramid, reinforcing the idea that the Akhet symbol represents the setting sun of the northwest sky.
A common question we encounter is: if the Akhet symbol associated with the deity Aker represents the Sphinx, the sun, and the first two pyramids of Giza, where is the other lion? The answer lies in the heavens, embodied by the constellation of the Divine Lion, symbolizing the lion of tomorrow.
As spring progresses into summer the modern day constellation of Leo drifts progressively to the west, and by June, you’ll find Leo descending in the west in the evening. Because the ancient Egyptian constellation of the Divine Lion has some of the same stars as the modern day Leo, we can predict where the constellation may have set. From historical records we know that Chaldean astronomers in ancient Mesopotamia charted the position of the sun with remarkable accuracy. But, did you know that the astronomers noted that the stars Regulus and Algieba, in the constellation of Leo, appeared to coincide with the sun's position at the summer solstice?
Engineers of the Old Kingdom (around 2500 BCE) demonstrated a mastery of the sky, using the Sun’s motion to achieve remarkable precision. Whether or not the sun, stars and planets directly influenced their design, the pyramids and Great Sphinx stand as celestial markers—a testament to ancient Egypt’s profound connection to the cosmos.
Join the Cosmic Conversation with Mohammad Awyan!
Uncover the cosmic connections of the Giza Pyramid Complex and the Sphinx in our exclusive online Q&A on Solar Alignments on the Giza Plateau.
What: An exclusive online Q&A session with Mohammad Awyan, guardian of ancient wisdom and cosmic insights.
When: Based on your availability.
Why: Explore the solar alignments, celestial mysteries, and vibrational energies that shaped the pyramids and the Sphinx.
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About the Author
Dr. Amanda, a seasoned double board-certified physician, combines medicine, meditation, and entrepreneurial spirit. With over 15 years of experience, she champions non-pharmacologic lifestyle changes for wellness. As a traveling physician, she’s faced hurricanes, pandemics, and challenging times, and has also made house calls to diverse communities. Her book, “The Disciple’s Guidebook,” deciphers biblical wisdom, while her passion for yoga and meditation equipment extends globally. Now, Egypt is her canvas for healing and exploration.
I love this article and explanation. You have a lot to offer the world with your knowledge and insight. A big hug to your beautiful wife as well. A great team indeed.
I highly recommend Mohammad for Q and A. I have personally had the honour to do this face to face .