[Sample - Folktales / Mythology] The Creation Myth of Atum – The Story of Atum, Who Created the World by Bringing Forth Gods from Himself

In the beginning, before there was anything, the world was nothing but a vast, endless ocean. This endless ocean, known as the Nun, was chaotic and formless. The air was thick with the presence of raw potential, but nothing existed in the way we know it today. There was no sky, no earth, and no beings. But from the depths of this chaos, a great power began to stir—Atum, the first god.

Atum was not born in the traditional sense; rather, he arose from the waters of Nun as a solitary being, created not by any other, but by his own will. He was the one who existed before all things and, according to the myth, had no creator other than himself. Atum was both the beginning and the end of everything, a being so powerful that from his very essence, the world and all its gods would emerge.

Atum's first act of creation was to shape himself. He did not simply spring into being fully formed; rather, he took the first steps of creation by bringing forth his own form from the waters. This was a symbolic act, as it marked the birth of both the divine and the material world. Atum, standing alone in the void, began to realize that he was too lonely, even for a god. He needed others. And so, from his own being, Atum created the first two gods—Shu and Tefnut.

Shu, the god of air, and Tefnut, the goddess of moisture, were created in a rather unique manner. Atum, in a display of immense power, spat them into existence. Yes, you heard that right—Atum spat out these two deities, and as they emerged from his body, they carried with them the essence of life itself. The power of air and moisture now existed in the world, ready to begin the great work of creation.

Once they were born, Atum sent Shu and Tefnut into the vast emptiness. They wandered for some time, separated from their creator, until eventually, they returned to him, but not alone. In their travels, they had encountered another pair of divine beings: Geb, the god of the earth, and Nut, the goddess of the sky. Geb and Nut were soon united, and together, they began the work of separating the earth from the sky, bringing order to the universe.

With the addition of Geb and Nut to the world, Atum’s vision of creation had taken a significant step forward. But the work was not yet complete. The next phase of creation involved the birth of Osiris, Isis, Set, and Nephthys, who would become some of the most important deities in the Egyptian pantheon. These four gods were born to Geb and Nut, and they represented the forces that would drive the world forward: Osiris, the god of life; Isis, the goddess of magic; Set, the god of chaos; and Nephthys, the goddess of mourning.

These gods, born from the union of earth and sky, were crucial for maintaining the balance that Atum had set in motion. Their relationships, their struggles, and their triumphs would shape the stories that formed the foundation of Egyptian mythology.

But even as these gods emerged from his being, Atum remained the supreme creator. He had given birth to the forces of life, death, and everything in between, but he was also the eternal source of all things. The world was now balanced, and the gods and humans alike were bound by the order that Atum had established. This order, as the myth tells us, would last for eternity.

The creation myth of Atum reveals not only the power and responsibility of the creator but also the intimate connection between all things. Atum’s very existence gave rise to the forces of nature, the heavens, the earth, and even the divine beings who would govern over them. In this way, Atum did not simply create the world—he birthed the very fabric of existence, laying the foundation for everything that would follow.

Atum’s creation myth is a timeless story of creation and divine order, one that speaks to the inherent connection between all things. The myth also reflects a profound idea: that everything in the world, from the smallest creatures to the greatest gods, has its origins in a singular, divine source. Atum’s act of creation wasn’t just about making things—it was about shaping the universe into a place where life could thrive, where balance could be maintained, and where order would reign.

As you reflect on the story of Atum, think about how the world around you is a continuation of his great act of creation. Every living thing, every moment of life, is a part of the divine order that began with Atum’s first breath.

Sound Effect Recommendations:

• Part 1 (The Beginning of Chaos): Deep, resonating sounds of water swirling and a faint hum of cosmic energy.

• Part 2 (Atum’s Creation of Shu and Tefnut): The sound of water splashing followed by a breathy, ethereal sound, representing the creation of air and moisture.

• Part 3 (The Birth of Geb and Nut): A soft, distant rumble, as if the world is being shaped; the sounds of earth and sky forming.

• Part 4 (The Birth of Osiris, Isis, Set, and Nephthys): A rich, harmonious tone, representing the creation of life, chaos, and balance.

• Part 5 (The Legacy of Atum): Gentle, peaceful music with the sound of wind and the deep, calming hum of the universe’s harmony.