# The Occult and Ancient Egypt in Brood of the Witch-Queen

> Theme guide for Brood of the Witch-Queen by Sax Rohmer.

Ancient Egyptian magic, mummies, artifacts like the Ring of Thoth, and the 'Book of Thoth' are central to the plot, depicting sorcery as a revived ancient practice with real, terrifying power in the modern world.

## Where it surfaces

- [Prefatory Notice](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/prefatory-notice): Directly references sorcery practiced in Ancient Egypt as a basis for the narrative.
- [I: Antony Ferrara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/i-antony-ferrara): Ferrara's use of Kyphi incense and possession of an unwrapped mummy and ancient objects link him to Egyptian occultism.
- [III: The Ring of Thoth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/iii-the-ring-of-thoth): The ring of Thoth, the Harris Papyrus, and the Book of Thoth are central to the chapter, emphasizing the power of ancient Egyptian occult practices.
- [At Ferrara's Chambers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/iv-at-ferrara-s-chambers): Ferrara's beetles bred in a mummy's skull and his collection of amulets and statuettes evoke ancient Egyptian magic.
- [VI: The Beetles](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/vi-the-beetles): The beetles from a mummy's skull and the Egyptian characters on the linen highlight the use of ancient Egyptian practices in Ferrara's dark magic.
- [The Secret of Dhoon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/viii-the-secret-of-dhoon): Dr. Cairn's role as an occultist and the discussion of psychical ailments and secret chambers reflect occult themes, though Egypt is not directly mentioned.
- [IX: The Polish Jewess](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/ix-the-polish-jewess): Discussion of ancient ceremonial practices to control spirits, linking to broader occult themes.
- [XI: Cairo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xi-cairo): The Afreet legend and the fortune-teller's story evoke ancient Egyptian and Arabian occult traditions, linking to the broader supernatural narrative.
- [The Mask of Set](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xii-the-mask-of-set): The appearance of the crocodile-masked figure as the god Set, and the carnival's Ancient Egyptian costumes, evoke occult and supernatural elements tied to Egypt.
- [XIII: The Scorpion Wind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xiii-the-scorpion-wind): Ferrara's sorcery is linked to ancient Egyptian practices, and the crocodile mask evokes the god Set.
- [The Story of Ali Mohammed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xvii-the-story-of-ali-mohammed): The Pyramid of Méydûm is revealed as a stronghold of ancient Egyptian sorcery, linking the supernatural events to a dark, hidden history.
- [XVIII: The Bats](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xviii-the-bats): The pyramid is used for unholy purposes after 4,000 years, involving bat oil for incense and anthropomancy, linking ancient Egyptian practices to occult horror.
- [XIX: Anthropomancy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xix-anthropomancy): The ritual takes place in a hidden chamber of the Pyramid of Méydûm, using ancient Egyptian necromantic formulae.
- [XX: The Incense](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xx-the-incense): The incense is explicitly linked to the secret rites of Ancient Egyptian wizards, reinforcing the occult theme.
- [XXI: The Magician](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxi-the-magician): Ferrara's power derives from ancient Egyptian incense and rituals, specifically from the Pyramid of Méydûm, linking his sorcery to Egypt's occult heritage.
- [XXII: Myra](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxii-myra): Ferrara's request for a lock of hair hints at occult practices, possibly linked to ancient Egyptian magic or sympathetic sorcery.
- [Flowering of the Lotus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxiv-flowering-of-the-lotus): The orchid is linked to a forgotten Egyptian goddess and a magical ritual involving priestesses' hair.
- [Cairn Meets Ferrara](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxv-cairn-meets-ferrara): The ring of the Witch-Queen, Ferrara's claims of past lives, and the Egyptian setting highlight the occult connection to ancient Egypt.
- [The Ivory Hand](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxvi-the-ivory-hand): The vision of the Witch-Queen, the ring of Thoth, and the Book of Thoth ritual evoke ancient Egyptian occult practices.
- [XXVIII: The High Priest, Hortotef](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxviii-the-high-priest-hortotef): Dr. Cairn reveals Ferrara's true identity as the ancient high priest Hortotef, whose Khu possesses a modern body, wielding the Book of Thoth.
- [The Wizard's Den](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxix-the-wizard-s-den): Ferrara is linked to the 'Witch-Queen' and an 'unholy brood,' suggesting ancient Egyptian sorcery and hereditary occult powers.
- [The Elemental](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxx-the-elemental): Dr. Cairn uses Ancient Egyptian words and symbols (interlaced triangles) to combat the elemental, linking the threat to ancient occult traditions.
- [The Book of Thoth](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/xxxi-the-book-of-thoth): The Book of Thoth is a central artifact of ancient Egyptian occult power, and its destruction is a key plot point.
- [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/chapters/endnotes): The endnote directly references the mummy-case and the preservation of magical powers (Khu) of an Adept, tying the narrative to ancient Egyptian occult practices.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/themes/the_occult_and_ancient_egypt
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/brood_of_the_witch_queen_se/themes