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.