Why did the scarab represent the soul for the ancient Egyptians?

Answer from the V.M. Samael Aun Weor.

Cancer is the sign of the Sacred Scarab.

Cancer is the sign of reproduction. The fetal conception is verified with the Rays of the sign of Cancer, and for this reason it is the sign of the Sacred Beetle.

In Egypt, the Sacred Scarab symbolizes the Soul. The Reincarnating Souls pass through the Sphere of Cancer before taking a body.

Samael Aun Weor. Book: Zodiacal Course.

Q.- What did THE BEETLE represent for the Egyptians?

THE BEETLE, among the Egyptian Initiates, had the meaning of SOUL.

Samael Aun Weor. Book: The answers that a Lama gave.

Answer from the Magazine "The Wisdom of the Being".

In its symbolic aspect, we find the image of the beetle among the Egyptians, a culture in which it represents the soul, a set of virtues, attributes and laws, as well as gifts that the human being must crystallize within. The Egyptians also call it Jepera, she is the creator Deity of the gods, she is the sacred scarab, she is RA in us, she is the Deity.

They supposed that this beetle (also called Ḫpr or Jeper) rose from the ball of dung it made; the truth is that they gave it a symbolic character, since the beetle, called dung beetle, deposits its eggs in that ball and they hatch there, for this reason the ancient Egyptians placed an image of Jepri, the beetle, on the heart of the mummies.

So, we see that the scarab was the symbol of Ra, the Sun god and, as such, could stimulate the heart of the deceased to life. The beetle was the symbol of transformations, so the deceased could make any change in everything his heart desired.

The Wisdom of Being Magazine 95, Chapter: "The Scarab."