Lesson 5: Deities of Death

Lesson 5: Deities of Death

I am not referring to those aspects of the Deities who “cause” death or dying through destructive means. I am referring to those Gods & Goddesses who are involved in the rite of Passing Over, including the psychopomp (*).

Arabic:

Azrael

Australian:

Barnumbirr

Aztec:

Mictlantecuhtli

Babylonian:

Ereshkigal

Nergal

Book Religions:

Archangel Michael*

Archangel Gabriel*

Angel Azrael*

Unnamed Angel of Death*

Brittannia:

Ankou

Epona

Celtic:

Cyhiraeth

Gwyn Ap Nudd

Lludd

Manannan

Morgan LeFay

Morrighan*

Oghma 

Vivionn

Chinese:

Dongyue Dadi

Jizo

Lord of Tai Shan

Meng Po

Yan Luo

Egyptian:

Anubis*

Hathor*

Osiris

Wepwawet*

Etruscan:

Culso*

European:

Grim Reaper

German:

Mother Holle*

Greek:

Charon

Hades

Hathor

Hecate*

Hermes*

Persephone

Thanatos

Hindu:

Kali

Shiva

Yama

Yami

Inuit:

Aurora Boralis

Japanese:

Izanami

Jizo*

Lithuanian:

Giltine*

Mayan:

Chamer

Cizin

Cum Hau

Hunhau

Ikal Ahau

Yum Cimil

Mexican:

Santa Muerte

Norse:

Freya*

Hel

Odin

Valkyries*

Phoenician:

Mot

Polynesian:

Fe’e

Roman:

Dis Pater

Epona

Mercury

Mors

Orcus

Pluto

Tellus

Semetic:

Shem-El

Sioux:

Tate

Slavic:

Morana

Vodun:

Baron Cimitiere*

Baron La Croix*

Baron Samedi*

Ghede

La Grande Brigitte

Yoruban:

Babalu Aye

Oya

Zoroastrian:

Daena

Animals:*

Bees

Butterflies

Crows

Dogs

Dolphins

Foxes

Frigates

Hornbills

Horses

Jackals

Ravens

Snakes

Wolves

********************

Psychopomps

In Greek, the word “Psychopomp” means conductor of souls. These are the spirit guides who lead the soul of those who have Passed Over from the Land of the Living to the Land of the Dead. They are also protectors of Shamans and other Walkers Between the Worlds.

Animals quite often are the psychopomp. Many times they are the animal form of a God or Goddess, such as Anubis and Kali as jackals, Hecate as a dog, the Morrigan as a crow, and Wepawet as a wolf. 

If one of these creatures makes an appearance at a funeral or memorial service for one who has Passed Over, it is a powerful sign that the Escort for the one who has passed has arrived to take their Soul and guide them across.