The Myths of Aset;

Already in the 5th Dynasty there are different versions of these stories. Spells for snake bites are found in the Pyramid Texts from this time, and two large fragments have been preserved during the Late Period, written on various supports for statues of Heru as curative spells against poisonous bites. Obviously they stem from earlier sources, and they are also to be found on medical papyrii.

Heru is Bitten!

Aset was pregnant with the son of Osiris and gave birth to him in the marshes of Chemmis in Lower Egypt, where Djehuty had told her to hide. She hid Heru in the papyri and lotus thickets to stop Set from finding them. There she had to leave him to go begging for food. But for the third time Set found out about them, and as he could not pass unseen through the brushes, he transformed himself into a snake. That way he could reach the child, sting it and then get quickly away.

One day, when Aset returned to their hidingplace, she found her child lying lifeless on his back and she could hardly hear his heartbeat. She did not know what kind of illness had struck her son, and when she began working her magic, she found that her power had deserted her. She was alone, her husband was dead, none of the gods were there to help her and she despaired. She took Heru in her arms and ran to the village nearby. The fishermen who lived there took pity on her and tried everything they could to heal the child, but nothing helped. Then someone brought a wise woman who examined Heru closely, consoled Aset and said that it must be Set who had disguised himself as a snake or a scorpion and poisoned the child. Aset understood that the woman was right and that this must somehow be the doings of Set and her anger rose within her.

Shaking Heaven and Earth

She let out a great wail:

Her sister Nebt-Het came crying and was heard all over the marshes. Serqet cried:

Aset raised her voice and cried to the boat of 'millions of years' so loud that the earth shook and the sunboat stopped its course, for Aset knew the secret name of Ra, the King of the Gods. When he heard Aset cry and noticed that his sunboat had stopped so that there was no more light on the lands, he sent Djehuty to find out what had happened. Aset told Djehuty that Heru had been poisoned by Set and that she wished she had died together with Osiris. She had lived only to see Heru grow up and take revenge on Seth for Wesir´s death, but now there was no reason for her to live any longer.

Djehuty consoled her:

Then he began to utter his powerful words:

And the poison was driven out from Heru´s body and he was brought back to life again.

But Aset and her child had to stay hidden in the marshlands until Heru was grown enough to revenge his father and take the throne back from Set. To make sure they were safe, Djehuty ordered the people of the marshes and all birds and animals who lived there to keep watch over them. And while Aset rejoiced, Djehuty returned to the heavens and to the sunboat: