Two "amuletic formulas" against demons: The Hr wAD sxm.t and sA HA sA formulas

The formulas 1r sp-sn wAD 4xm.t HA iwf NN tm n anx and sA HA sA ii sA are two recognizable parts of several ancient Egyptian magical texts, mainly spells against demons and ghosts. They usually recur at the end of the spell, almost like a ritual refrain. Their existence spans from the Middle Kingdom to the Graeco-Roman Period, with minimal changes. The formula 1r wAD 4xm.t aims to protect the person specifically from demons related to the goddess Sekhmet, while the formula sA HA sA is the evolution of an expression of protection already present in the Middle Kingdom Apotropaia. The two formulas present several common aspects that help identify them as “amuletic formulas”, that is to say, written formulas that stand for amulets through the emblematic value of hieroglyphic writing. The present paper aims at analysing the multi-layered nature of these formulas, whose words refer to complex religious and symbolic meanings that are conveyed and objectified by the written word.