Fist to understand the basics of what a hekau is one most understand the history of magic in Egypt.
Egypt is known as the “Mother of Magic”. There are many reasons why but one of the reasons is due to the god Thoth (god of writing, speech, wisdom and magic) and the goddess Isis. This god and goddess send influence over not only Egypt but to some cults in northern Europe.
Why Thoth is so grand, is due to him inviting writing and speech for mankind. All of Egypt revolved around things being written down and kept in documents. This includes their spells, how spirits work (Ka), and even what happened after death. Those three subjects were very important in Egypt so for there to be a way to keep them documented and safe was amazing. Thoth gave writing to man, so many believe he invited magic. They believe this because Egyptian spells were written down and re-sighted by speech. Thoth may have invited heka. (The magic the gods used to make the world.)
Hekau are blessed beings able to use heka with blessing from the gods and goddesses. In order for one to be a hekau they must be blessed. Only a hekau can be bestowed or withheld with heka. The gods and goddesses make sure to pick their hekau very carefully because even after death the hekau’s ka is blessed to help the gods or given a blessed next life. Hekau must also be willing to study night and day. They would stay up late at night reading and re-sighting spell after spell. They were the true book worms of Egypt.
Even with a hekau’s many spell books, a hekau was nothing without their wand. This wand was made out of hippopotamus ivory. Carved into the wand, are strict spells and instructions on what one does after death when they travel through the underworld. The wand is very powerful and often associated with goddess Tawaret (goddess of childbirth and fertility) and the god Bes (a fat dwarf god of dance, music, and pleasure). A hekau can not do magic with out their wand.
There is of course more information on hekau and heka but i won’t get into that today. Thank you reading.