[283] See, for example, Moret's "Mystères Égyptiens," pp. 77-80.
[284] "Psyche," p. 244.
[285] See, for example, Jung, op. cit., p. 268.
[286] Nekhebit, the Egyptian Vulture goddess, was identified by the Greeks with Eileithyia, the goddess of birth (Wiedemann, "Religion of the Ancient Egyptians," p. 141). She was usually represented as a vulture hovering over the king. Her place can be taken by the falcon of Horus or in the Babylonian story of Etana by the eagle. In the Indian Mahábhárata the Garuda is described as "the bird of life ... destroyer of all, creator of all".
[287] Quoted by Jung, op. cit., p. 530.
[288] See Rendel Harris (op. cit.) and Sir James Frazer (op. cit.).
[289] Jackson, op. cit.
[290] An interesting rationalization (of which Mr. T. H. Pear has kindly reminded me) of this ancient Oriental belief is still alive amongst British women. It is maintained that pearls "lose their lustre" unless they are worn in contact with the skin. This of course is a pure myth, but also an illuminating survival.
[291] See Frazer, op. cit., p. 16, especially the references to the "devil's candle" and "the lamp of the elves".
[292] Rendel Harris, op. cit., p. 113: Other factors played a part in the development of this legend of opening up treasure-houses. Both Artemis and Hecate are associated with a magical plant capable of opening locks and helping the process of birth. Artemis is a goddess of the portal and her life-giving symbol in a multitude of varied forms is found appropriately placed above the lintel of doors.