Next on our journey was the Red Pyramid, also known as the Perfect Pyramid. As Egypt’s first true smooth-sided pyramid, it stands as a testament to architectural perfection. Its reddish limestone, from which it derives its name, symbolizes strength, energy, and protection in Egyptian mythology.
Standing 104 meters tall, the pyramid’s symmetrical form and consistent angle of 43 degrees reflect stability and divine order. It represents the achievement of balance and alignment, both physically and spiritually.
To enter, we descended a long, 100-meter tunnel that evoked a profound sense of initiation, journeying deep into its core. The first chamber greeted us with the unmistakable presence of ammonium, a substance traditionally used in alchemy for purification. The second chamber intensified the experience—the strongest scent I had encountered in any pyramid during our travels. For me, it underscored themes of spiritual cleansing and transformation.
In alchemical practice, purification is vital, both as a physical and metaphorical process. It’s the essential step toward creating something perfect, mirroring the pyramid’s own embodiment of perfection.
From there, we moved on to the Bent Pyramid, named for its unique change in angle midway up its structure. This transition from a steep 54 degrees to 43 degrees reflects a process of correction, a symbolic shift toward alignment.
Inside, I tuned into the profound sensation of an axis—a central line running through my body, from the crown of my head to the higher planes above. It was a reminder of the direction my spirit must follow, a rediscovery of the vector that aligns energy and effort. Without this axis, I felt that our intentions can drift aimlessly, lacking power and purpose.
In many traditions, including Daoist practices, the axis is a foundation for balance and harmony. It underpins structures in our universe, from the double helix of DNA to the spiraling arms of galaxies. Creating and aligning effort with the axis creates focused energy, like a laser beam. In the Bent Pyramid, I deeply felt this alignment, a call to embody the axis and practice this state of harmonious direction in my life.
Together, these pyramids offered profound lessons. The Bent Pyramid reminds me of the importance of self-awareness and recalibration, while the Red Pyramid exemplifies the attainment of perfection and stability in the spiritual journey.