Anubis—Ancient Egypt’s Lord of Death and Protection

Anubis is Egypt’s original Lord of the Dead. That title was eventually transferred to Osiris, but even then, Anubis continued to be the most active participant in the after-death process, supervising rituals that determined what would befall the dead soul. He is credited as the inventor of mummification. A shrine to Anubis, one of the most significant gods of ancient Egypt, was discovered within Tutankhamun’s tomb. The image of Anubis has evolved into a veritable symbol of ancient Egypt.
 
Usually identified as a jackal or as a jackal-headed man, Anubis’s domain extends beyond death—he is a guardian of children and travelers and a finder of lost things. Anubis’s adopted mother, the goddess Isis, became popular outside Egypt, with temples in Rome and as far as the British Isles. As her guardian, Anubis traveled with her. He is as modern as he is ancient, appearing in comic books, video games, and in the book American Gods and its television adaptation. In modern times, Anubis has emerged as a sacred patron of mediums and occultists.
 
In this practical guide to working with Anubis, author Charlie Larson focuses the spotlight squarely on the jackal-headed god. Steeped in history and mythology, Anubis—Ancient Egypt’s Lord of Death and Protection features devotional practices and modern worship that includes rituals, prayers, invocations, correspondences, altars, and epithets. The book leads the reader on a journey of exploration into all things Anubis, delving into his various facets—death deity, psychopomp, and protector.