the forms in which Tutu was depicted was that of
a walking lion. Standing or walking sphinxes were
often shown in confrontation with enemies of the
Egyptians. The son of the goddess Neith, Tutu
was known for his ability to keep enemies away.
In Karnak, the path to the temple of Amun is
lined with ram-headed sphinxes, also known as
criosphinxes. Another sphinx, that of Queen
Hatsheput, fifth ruler of the 18th dynasty, builder
and restorer of many temples throughout Egypt,
was erected in Deir el-Bahri. The connection
between lion gods and royalty fostered the belief
that sphinxes representing reigning rulers held the
power of the king or queen to protect and defend
ancient Egypt.
The Great Sphinx at Giza was built to honor
and accommodate the sun god Re, also known as
Ra or Horus. Re’s power on Earth was demon-
strated through his ability to provide light, heat,
and agricultural growth. The Great Sphinx is
thought to be a representation of King Khafre, the
third ruler of the 4th dynasty. Built facing the ris-
ing sun, the Great Sphinx was also referred to by
the ancient Egyptians asHoremakhet, “Horus in
the Horizon.”
DeBorah Gilbert WhiteSee alsoAnimals; God
Further Readings
Budge, E. A. W. (1969).The Gods of the Egyptians.
New York: Dover.
Pinch, G. (2002).Handbook of Egyptian Mythology.
Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.
Redford, D. B. (2002).The Ancient Gods Speak:A
Guide to Egyptian Religion. New York: Oxford
University Press.
SPIRITMEDIUM
Spirit mediums are people who have the gift or
ability to receive messages from the spirit/ancestor
world. In America, spirit mediums may prac-
tice African traditions. In Jamaica, spirit medi-
ums are referred to as Mother Women. Spirit
mediums are responsible for consulting the
ancestors of the spirit on behalf of clients who
have come for personal, relational, financial,
or health reasons. In ancient Africa, a spirit
medium was commonly referred to as a priestess
or priest. In present-day African society, it is
mostly those persons who have remained a part
of the traditional religions who would be referred
to as spirit mediums. Spirit mediums exist in
many different African religions, such as the Akan,
Yoruba, Santeria, and Kumina religions.
In most of the traditional African religions,
spirit mediums are the head of the religious cen-
ter or village. During times of enslavement in
America, spirit mediums were called witchdoc-
tors and Obeah workers in Jamaica. Spirit medi-
ums provide spiritual, health, and relationship
interventions to help restore balance. When our
lives become physically unbalanced, it is because
of the spiritual imbalances that we are experienc-
ing in the invisible realms. To be unbalanced
physically means that our invisible chi energy
fields have become disturbed and blocked. Spirit
mediums help to restore these balances by con-
sulting the ancestors on the other side for infor-
mation that will help them to restore the
imbalances and bring harmony and success into
our lives again.Communication Practices of Spirit Mediums
The communication patterns that occur between
the spirit medium and the ancestors take place
within the confines of the spirit medium’s mind
body. The ancestor usually overshadows the
indwelling spirit of the spirit medium. The spirit
medium may appear to be in a trancelike state
because her normal personality is no longer visible
and her verbal and nonverbal communication pat-
ters are distinctly different. Spirit mediums do not
become possessed by the spirits of ancestors; they
share their mental and physical body with these
spiritual entities. There are a number of indica-
tions to show that the spirit medium’s body is
being shared with the ancestors:- A slowing of the heart rate
- A slow deep and steady breathing pattern
- A lowering of the body temperature
- Greatly reduced reaction to touch or pain
- Various degrees of unconsciousness
Spirit Medium 633