Meet the Gods: Anubis

 

 

Anubis is the Egyptian god of the underworld, of the afterlife, and mummification. He helped judge souls after their death and guided lost souls into the afterlife.

While it is generally believed Anubis is the son of Osiris and Nephthys and the product of adultery, this is not confirmed. What is known is he had a daughter known as Kebechet (or Qebehet) with the head of a serpent.

 

 

A jackal-headed deity, and sometimes with the head of a dog, Anubis is the Greek name for “the guardian of the tombs.” He’s also known as the Lord of the Necropolis. For ancient Egyptians he was the god of death. They believed that in the afterlife he had power over their physical and spiritual being.

“Anubis has the role of guarding the judgment areas, transporting the dead to the entrance of the Duat and weighing the hearts of the deceased at the judgment. As master of the embalmers he is also in charge of the purification of the bodies, preservation and protection of their souls so that they can be ascended as ancestors,” according to cleopatraegypttours.com.

Anubis’ female counterpart was Anpu.

The Egyptians deeply respected their dead and cared about how they were treated, making Anubis a god they highly revered by those who communicated with and prayed for the dead. Anubis supervises the weighing to be sure the scales were set properly and the process handled correctly. He pronounced judgement, Thorth would record his decision. Anubis would give the guilty to Ammut to meet their final end while protecting the innocent.

I find peace in cemeteries, and think of him while there.

 

 

If you choose to work with him, honor your ancestors and the dead in general. He will appreciate you putting flowers on a stranger’s grave, guiding others in some manner, and supporting causes that help the homeless, orphans, and, I would add, refugees.

According to an article found at the “Temple of Athena the Savior: A Modern Polytheist’s Constantly-Evolving Spiritual Journey, “Anubis’ sacred plant is the cypress, a tree that Greeks as well as the Egyptians associated with death and mourning. Cypress oil is a great offering, and burning it during ritual is very effective. He prefers strong incense, especially myrrh, cedarwood, and the traditional frankincense. Beer and bread is the standard offering to pretty much any Egyptian God, and He will accept it, but I’ve discovered that He likes strong liqueur, especially rum, much better. Cool water, the traditional Egyptian drink of the dead, is also a good libation. More than one modern Kemetic says He seems to likes spicy food and dark, bitter chocolate.

 

 

“As a way-walker along the lines of Hekate and Hermes, He likes locks and keys. I’m told by a Kemetic that hematite, obsidian, and tiger’s eye are the stones He likes. His colors are black and gold, and in fact He is sometimes called The Black and Gold God. Since Sirius is His star, images of stars or other celestial phenomenon would be very appropriate.”

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About the Author:

Lynn Woike

thewitchonwheels.com

All my life I have known magic was real. As a child, I played with the fae, established relationships with trees and “just knew things.” In my maiden years I discovered witchcraft and dabbled in the black-candles-and-cemeteries-at-midnight-on-a-fullmoon magick just enough to realize I did not understand its power. I went on to explore many practices including Zen, astrology, color therapy, native traditions, tarot, herbs, candle magic, gems, and, as I moved into my mother years, Buddhism, the Kabbalah and Reiki. The first man I dated after my divorce was a witch who reintroduced me to the Craft, this time by way of the Goddess. For 11 years I was in a coven, but with retirement, I have returned to an eclectic solitary practice. When accepting the mantle of crone, I pledged to serve and teach. This is what I do from my skoolie – a 30-year-old school bus converted into a tiny house on wheels that I am driving around the country, following 72-degree weather, emerging myself into nature, and sharing magic with those I meet. Find me at thewitchonwheels.com, Facebook and Instagram.