Anubis

Origin and mythology

Anubis (Egyptian: Inpu or Anpu) was originally the most important god of the dead of the Egyptian pantheon, until being later partially supplanted by Osiris. Documented from the dynasty 1 (3000 BC), he was central to all Egyptian funerary practice. The choice of the jackal as iconographic animal probably comes from the empirical observation: jackals frequented the desert necropolis where the dead were buried; rather than fearing them, the Egyptians transformed the threat (animal that exhumes corpses) into protective guide.

Anubis fulfils several specific functions in the funerary process: 1) Embalmer: protector of the embalmers and patron of the embalming process; according to myth, he was who embalmed the body of Osiris with Isis. 2) Guide of the dead: psychopomp that guides the soul of the deceased through the dangers of the Duat (Egyptian underworld). 3) Guardian of weighing of the heart: in the central scene of the judgement of Osiris (Book of the Dead), Anubis weighs the heart of the deceased on a scale against the feather of Maat (justice and truth). If the heart weighs more (charged with sins) it is devoured by the monster Ammit; if it weighs equal or less, the soul is admitted to the eternal life.

Iconography and symbolism

The classical iconography of Anubis: head of a black jackal (the colour symbolises the regeneration — black is the colour of the fertile mud of the Nile, of birth from death) on a male human body. He often carries an ankh in one hand (life) and a was-sceptre in the other (sovereignty). His associated colour is black; his sacred animal, obviously the jackal, but also the dog (later adoptions). His sacred place: the city of Cynopolis ("city of dogs"), centre of his cult.

In the spiritual reading: Anubis is the ally of the spiritual journey through darkness. He does not represent fear of death — he represents conscious accompaniment in the transition. His function is to guide the soul, lead with skill through the dangers, ensure safe arrival. In modern esoteric tradition, he is invoked in: deep transformation work (where parts of the ego "die" to give way to the new), rituals of farewell to deceased loved ones, work with the unconscious shadow ("descent to the inner abyss" with Anubis as guide), funerary protection.

Working with Anubis today

Modern practitioners who connect with Anubis usually do so for: 1) Mourning and farewell processes (he is gentle and reverent guide of the soul of the deceased). 2) Periods of personal radical transformation (he accompanies the death of the old self and the birth of the new one). 3) Shadow work (he is faithful guide in the descent to the unconscious). 4) Funerary ceremonies (anniversaries of family deaths, dia de los muertos). 5) Protection in periods of vulnerability. Recommended offerings: black candles, myrrh incense, dog or jackal figurines, photographs of the deceased loved ones being honored.