The Weight of a Heavy Heart
- Renee Olson
- Sep 20
- 4 min read
In ancient Egyptian belief, every soul faced the Hall of Ma’at after death. There, Anubis weighed the heart of the deceased against the feather of truth. Thoth, the scribe of the gods, recorded the outcome faithfully. A heart heavy with lies, cruelty, or neglect tipped the scales — while a heart light with truth, compassion, and balance earned eternal life.
This image still resonates today: the weight of the heart tells the story of how we lived, not what we owned or claimed.
The Weighing of the Heart is one of the most iconic rituals from the Book of the Dead. Archaeologists have uncovered painted papyri and carved tomb scenes showing this moment: Anubis guiding the soul forward, the heart on one side of the scales, and the feather of Ma’at — representing truth and cosmic balance — on the other. Thoth stands nearby, writing the results with precision.
To the Egyptians, this wasn’t allegory. The heart was the seat of the soul, holding memory, morality, and character. Every deed was inscribed there.
A Light Heart: When the heart balanced with or was lighter than the feather, the soul was found pure and in harmony with Ma’at. Such a soul passed peacefully into the blessed afterlife.
A Heavy Heart: When the heart weighed heavier, burdened by falsehood or cruelty, the soul was destroyed by Ammit, the devourer. For them, this was a second death — the loss of existence itself.
The Papyrus of Ani and the Tomb of Hunefer are among the clearest examples of this ritual preserved across millennia. In both, Anubis adjusts the scales, Thoth records, and Ma’at witnesses. These scenes remind us how deeply the Egyptians understood that truth is the foundation of eternity.
Though this ritual belongs to Egyptian tradition, Hecate’s role as torchbearer of the crossroads echoes the same truth. She does not weigh or record, but she guides — illuminating the threshold and amplifying the prayers of the soul so they are heard. Compassion, one of the virtues associated with her, also makes her presence here feel natural, reminding us that guidance is not only about direction but about care. Though these are completely separate belief systems, in our humanity we cross over boundaries and allow our lives to be shaped by what is just, fair, and right.
Together, the triad embodies a cycle of truth and passage:
Hecate amplifies and carries the soul’s voice.
Anubis weighs the heart, ensuring fairness in judgment.
Thoth records the outcome, preserving truth and wisdom for eternity.
For the living, their message is just as vital: how we live shapes the weight of our hearts.
Card Pull: Justice (Crossroads Oracle)
The Justice card appears as a reminder that the heart is always weighed — in myth, in ritual, and in life. To walk with a lighter heart, we must be willing to live fairly, to release bias, and to remain open to truth even when it is uncomfortable.
When your actions are impartial, when you treat others with fairness, and when you hold yourself open to growth, your heart becomes lighter. Not because you are perfect, but because you are honest. This is the balance that the scales of Ma’at demand, and it is the balance we seek.
Ask yourself:
Where in my life am I refusing to see the truth because it would demand change?
Where do I need to soften my judgments — of myself or others — to find balance?
How can I act with more fairness and openness today?
Justice teaches that the weight of the heart is not fixed. Every choice lightens or burdens it. Today you are invited to choose truth, fairness, and openness — so that when your heart is weighed, it will not be heavy with what you refused to face.
If you're interested in daily affirmations based on the Crossroads Oracle cards you can find an e-Book download linked below.
Guided Reflection: What Would Your Heart Weigh?
Take a quiet moment. Close your eyes and picture the Hall of Ma’at. See Anubis steadying the scales, Thoth holding his pen, and Hecate lighting the hall with her torches.
Ask yourself:
What am I proud to carry in my heart right now?
What weighs me down? What truths or regrets have I avoided?
If my heart were weighed today, what story would it tell?
Journal your reflections. Keep them safe as a reminder, or release them — burn or bury them as a ritual act of renewal. This is not about punishment. It is about clarity, honesty, and choosing what you want your heart to hold.
A Gift for You
To support this reflection, I’ve created a Protection Visualization that helps you ground, release fear, and face your truth with courage. Use it before journaling or altar work.
Download the Protection Visualization below.
The weight of a heavy heart is not just a story for the dead. It is a mirror for the living. Each day we decide what to carry, what to release, and what legacy we will leave behind.
Our conscious reminds us that truth matters, that our choices are recorded, and that wisdom endures beyond time.
If you’d like to go deeper, my oracle decks, eBooks, and classes offer ways to bring these lessons into your own practice. And every purchase supports the Blessing Box of Goldsboro, providing food and care at the crossroads of our community.
May the weight of our actions be guided by fairness, compassion, and truth, so that when the scales of judgment are balanced, they reflect a world moving toward justice and peace.
Have a glorious day. 🔥
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