Nephthys

“I am the Sybil, the Slayer of Secrets, the Voice of Hidden Things.
I am blind until the moment I see through another soul's eyes.
I am the cup of the lotus opening.
I am the Sister of the Dark, speaking dreams clothed in flesh.
I am Siren and Friend and Sorrower.
I am Light, the White, the Infinite, the Veil of Brilliance. I shall lighten the valley.
I am the Sorceress, the Mother of Jackals, the Friend of Sparrows, the Weeper of Tears, and the Singer of Songs." - Hymn of Nephthys.

Nephthys was associated with twilight, while her sister Isis was associated with the dawn. She was the goddess who gave the pharaoh power to see “that which is hidden by moonlight.” According to myths, Nephthys was born with a caul over her face, which gave her the power of prophecy.

Nephthys protected coffins and appears as guide of the deceased through the underworld. The linen bandages that clothed mummies were known as the “Tresses of Nephthys." Amulets of this goddess are found on almost every mummy, and Nephthys was frequently represented on coffins and shrines for the dead.

In ancient Egypt, women were hired to accompany or greet the coffins of the decreased at funerals (professional mourners.) These women tore their hair, beat their breasts, covered themselves in dust, and wailed songs for the dead. They were referred to as the “Kites of Nephthys.” The particularly shrill, piercing cry of the kite is thought to have been suggestive of the cries of wailing women in mourning. The two chief women mourners at funerals – called the “Great Kite” and the “Little Kite” – represented Isis and Nephthys.

Nephthys is not exactly the personification of mourning and death, but she is the closest thing to it in ancient Egyptian belief. Nephthys was the one who was thought to comfort the deceased’s living relatives, as well as mourn the dead. She was linked to the owl, which was thought to be a bird of mourning.

Myths says that when she realized that her husband Set could give her no children, Nephthys disguised herself as her sister Isis and lay with Isis’ husband Osiris. From their union came Anubis. Isis adopted the child and raised Anubis as her own. When Set learned of Nephthys’ trick, he became enraged and plotted the death of Osiris.

Nephthys was thought to be the daughter of Nut and Geb, the sister of Osiris and Isis, the sister-wife of Set, and the mother of Anubis (by Osiris.)