He is the light in the Darkness, Guardian and Guide. He is the silence of the tomb and soft assurance. He stands at the place of twilight, between day and night, life and death. He is a gatekeeper, someone who will show you the way to your own heart and teach you of the things beyond. He is the twin of Wepwawet, the opener of the way. Anubis is the black jackal, a scavenger who became a god. He is the Lord of the Dead and the judge of the soul. He also has a good sense of humor. He is warm and compassionate. Anubis is at once the son of Ra: king of the gods, the sun, the self-created--and the son of Nepthys, mysterious wife of Set. Anpu is also the son of Osiris--new god of the dead, of fertility and life, the dead and reserected king. He was adopted by Isis and taught some of her magic to become the embalmer, the mummifier.
I am drawn to him because he is a jackal, a canine, not a human form like many other gods. He interests me because he is mysterious and Egyptian and complicated. He started me on a search that has led me to become a harder polytheist, to believe that the gods are more than archetypes, more than the personification of natural phenomina and human emotions. Through his "tap" I have been led to dip my feet in the waters of darkness and to think a little on what that means. I have made offerings and done simple rituals. My proud head has been bowed low. Anpu has made me wonder if I can speak to the gods and have them answer, if we could converse and become friends.
Anubis has opened the way. I have found a new path to follow. |