Before Osiris, the god of the underworld and the afterlife, the soul of the deceased would come to the Hall of Judgement. There, their heart was compared to the feather of Ma'at, the goddess of truth and justice, on a large and sensitive scale.
The following occurred during the Trial of Soul:
Anubis, the Embalming God: Anubis, the god responsible for embalming and protecting the dead, would take the soul to the location of the scales.
Confession: The deceased person was required to pronounce a "negative confession," in which they would deny having engaged in any negative deeds or behaviors during their lifetime. This declaration included forty-two various sins or shortcomings.
Heart Examination: Thoth, the god of wisdom and writing, would record the deceased's declaration while Horus, the son of Osiris, would lay their heart on one side of the scales.
Feather's Weighing: The feather of Ma'at would be placed on the other side of the scale, symbolizing truth and perfect balance. The soul would be deemed justified if the heart's weight was equal to or lighter than the feather.
Soul's Vindication: If the heart was equal in weight to or lighter than the feather, the soul was considered pure and would be allowed passage into the realm of the gods, often referred to as the Field of Reeds. This symbolized a virtuous life and a favorable decision by the jury.
Ammit, the Devourer: However, if the heart weighed heavier than the feather, it was considered guilty of harboring negative deeds or sins. Ammit, a fearsome creature with a lion's front, a hippopotamus's body, and a crocodile's back, would devour the heart.
The results of the Trial of Soul determined the fate of the deceased in the afterlife. Those whose hearts were deemed light and pure could access eternal happiness and enjoy the blessings of the gods, while those whose hearts were heavy faced destruction, oblivion, or further punishments.
To increase their chances of a positive outcome during the Trial of Soul, ancient Egyptians emphasized living righteously, ethically, and in harmony with Ma'at's principles. They conducted rituals, prayers, and offerings to the gods, seeking their favor and protection in their journey to the Hall of Judgement, with the ultimate goal of attaining everlasting life and happiness in the afterlife.
