Anubis: God of the Dead — Who He Is & How to Work With Him

Who Is Anubis?Anubis is one of the oldest and most recognizable deities in the Egyptian pantheon — the jackal-headed god of death, embalming, the afterlife, and the weighing of the soul. He is not a god of evil or destruction. He is a god of sacred transition — the one who guides souls through the most profound journey they will ever take.In ancient Egypt, Anubis was the protector of the dead and the guardian of the scales. He presided over the Hall of Two Truths, where the heart of the deceased was weighed against the feather of Ma'at (truth and justice). If the heart was lighter than the feather — unburdened by wrongdoing — the soul passed into the Field of Reeds, the Egyptian paradise. If not, it was consumed by Ammit, the devourer.He is precise, impartial, and deeply compassionate. He does not judge with cruelty — he judges with perfect accuracy. He sees the truth of who you are, stripped of pretense and performance, and he honors that truth completely.His Origins & MythologyIn early Egyptian mythology, Anubis was the son of Ra and Hesat, or in some traditions, the son of Set and Nephthys — born in secret and abandoned, only to be found and raised by Isis. This origin story speaks to his nature: he is the one who emerges from the shadows, who is claimed by the divine feminine, who becomes the guardian of what others fear to face.As the cult of Osiris grew in prominence, Anubis's role shifted. He became the son of Osiris and Nephthys, and his function evolved from supreme god of the dead to the embalmer and guide — the one who prepared Osiris's body after his murder by Set, and who taught the Egyptians the sacred art of mummification.He is the inventor of embalming — the one who first preserved a body so that the soul could return to it. This act of preservation is an act of profound love and respect for the dead, and it defines his character entirely.His Symbols & Sacred Correspondences Symbols: The jackal, the scales of Ma'at, the ankh, the flail, the was scepter, the imiut fetish (a headless animal skin on a pole) Animals: Jackals, dogs, black canines Crystals: Lapis lazuli, black obsidian, black tourmaline, onyx, jet, obsidian, smoky quartz, pyrite Colors: Black (representing the fertile Nile soil and rebirth), gold, deep blue Element: Earth and the underworld Direction: West — the direction of the setting sun and the land of the dead in Egyptian cosmology Sacred number: 42 — the number of the assessors of Ma'at in the Hall of Two Truths Sacred Herbs of AnubisThe herbs associated with Anubis are those of preservation, protection, the underworld, and the sacred rites of death and transition. Myrrh — one of the most sacred resins in Egyptian practice, used in embalming and temple ritual. Burn as incense to honor Anubis and create sacred space for death work. Frankincense — used extensively in Egyptian temple ritual, it purifies space and elevates the energy for sacred work. Combine with myrrh for a powerful offering blend. Cedarwood — cedar oil was used in the embalming process. Its scent is deeply connected to preservation, protection, and the sacred rites of the dead. Cypress — the tree of mourning and the underworld across many cultures. Sacred to death deities and used in funerary rites. Juniper — used in ancient Egyptian embalming and ritual purification. Burn to cleanse space before ancestral or death work. Kyphi — the sacred incense blend of ancient Egypt, burned in temples at sunset. A complex blend of resins, herbs, and wine. Honoring Anubis with kyphi is one of the most traditional offerings you can make. Wormwood — for crossing the veil and communicating with the dead. Use in ritual when doing ancestral work under Anubis's guidance. Mandrake — known in ancient Egypt as a plant of magic and the underworld. Used in protective and binding work. Black Pepper — found in the nostrils of Ramesses II during mummification. A protective herb with deep connections to Egyptian death rites. Anise — used in ancient Egyptian medicine and ritual. Its star shape connects it to the cosmos and the journey of the soul. Lotus — the sacred flower of Egypt, representing rebirth and the soul's journey. Offer lotus incense or flowers to honor the cycle of death and renewal that Anubis governs. What Anubis Rules Over Death, dying, and the transition of the soul Embalming, preservation, and the honoring of the dead Ancestral work and communication with those who have passed Justice, truth, and the weighing of the soul Protection of the dead and those who work with death energy Psychopomp work — guiding souls between worlds Shadow work — the honest examination of the self Grief, mourning, and the sacred process of loss Transformation through endings How to Work With AnubisAnubis is a deeply serious deity — not cold, but precise. He responds to honesty, to those willing to face themselves without flinching, and to those who approach death and transformation with respect rather than fear.Set Up an AltarCreate a space in the west of your home if possible — the direction of the setting sun and the land of the dead. Use black and gold colors, an image or statue of Anubis, a candle (black or gold), and crystals like lapis lazuli or black obsidian. Offerings include myrrh incense, dark bread, water, wine, and meat (he is a jackal, after all).Ancestral WorkAnubis is the ideal guide for ancestral practice. Set up a small ancestor altar with photos of those who have passed, light a candle, burn myrrh, and ask Anubis to open the way for communication. Speak to your ancestors as if they are present — because in his presence, they are.The Weighing of the HeartOne of the most powerful practices with Anubis is a personal version of the weighing of the heart. Sit quietly, hold a piece of lapis lazuli or black obsidian, and ask: What am I carrying that does not belong to me? What burdens have I accumulated that are not mine? What truth am I avoiding? Allow his precision to illuminate what needs to be released.Death Work & Grief RitualIf you are processing grief or sitting with someone who is dying, call on Anubis. He is the most compassionate guide through loss — not because he softens it, but because he honors it completely. Light a black candle, burn myrrh, and ask him to guide the soul safely and to hold you as you grieve.Shadow Work With AnubisAnubis sees everything. Working with him in shadow practice means being willing to be seen — fully, without hiding. Journaling, meditation with black obsidian, and honest self-examination are all ways to work with his energy. Ask him: What in me needs to die so that something new can be born?Crystals Sacred to Anubis Lapis Lazuli — the stone of truth, protection, and the afterlife in Egyptian tradition. Deeply sacred to Anubis and used extensively in Egyptian funerary art. Black Obsidian — volcanic and protective, it mirrors the soul and reveals what is hidden. A powerful tool for the honest self-examination Anubis demands. Black Tourmaline — for protection during death work, ancestral practice, and shadow work. Onyx — a stone of strength, grounding, and protection. Deeply connected to the underworld and the energy of Anubis. Jet — ancient fossilized wood, used in mourning jewelry for centuries. Carries the energy of grief, protection, and the sacred honoring of the dead. Smoky Quartz — for grounding, transmuting grief, and anchoring yourself during deep underworld work. Pyrite — gold in appearance, it connects to the golden scales of Ma'at and the precision of Anubis's judgment. Signs Anubis Is Reaching Out Jackals or dogs appearing in dreams or in waking life in unusual ways A sudden interest in death, dying, or Egyptian mythology Feeling called to ancestral work or grief processing Recurring dreams set in desert landscapes or ancient temples A sense of being watched or accompanied during times of loss Finding feathers — particularly black ones — in unexpected places Scales or weighing imagery appearing repeatedly A Note on DevotionAnubis asks for honesty above all else. He has weighed more hearts than can be counted — he cannot be deceived, and he does not respond well to performance. Come to him as you are, with your grief and your shadow and your questions about death and meaning, and he will meet you there with the precision and compassion of one who has guided every soul that has ever lived through the most sacred threshold of existence.He holds the scales steady. The only question is whether you are willing to place your heart upon them.

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Anubis: God of the Dead — Who He Is & How to Work With Him

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