Ramblings and ruminations on working with Anubis in the New Year:
In the past year, I've become quite a fan of Anubis, the Egyptian god of death. Okay, as you can see I own a "Story God" of him (see my post on my "Word of the Year" goddess for info on where you can get your own-just keep in mind that they're closed for a few weeks currently)-and a plushie as well, because I'm a sucker.
I'm sure most people reading this know a least a bit about Anubis-he is, after all, one of the most popular Egyptian gods there is-but anyway, Anubis is an anthromorphic jackal who lords over death. He was also strongly associated with the embalming and mummification process as well.
I'm glad Anubis has wanted to come into my life and work with me. Some might think he's a frightening, intimidating god-but I don't see him as that way. Rather, he's a strong protector-and as a death god, he also lords over new beginnings. "Death" isn't always physical death-it's an endless cycle. When something old passes away, the way is paved for the new. I see Anubis as, actually, the metaphor for the end of my negative old habits and letting go of what no longer serves me in the New Year. I believe that he also resonates perfectly with my Morrigan!
As a canine god, Anubis also symbolizes loyalty and protection. Loyalty is somewhat of an issue for me-I'm not naturally a hugely loyal person. But he teaches me: what do I have to be more loyal to? My answer is, myself-who I REALLY am, not who society wants me to be. And while I no longer have to play the role of the "dog to kick," which is how I felt in the Giggles days, I should forgive my abusers. Indeed, I have heard His voice saying to me, "You are your own worst enemy." And also-am I pushing away people who could end up being really terrific allies for myself?
I'm going to say this-the Egyptian gods also love working with Gaels-it was, after all, Scotia, the daughter of the Pharaoh that was the founding mother of the Irish Gaels! (If you want to see another one I like, look up Sekhmet! Basically the Egyptian Morrigan!)
As you can see, Jenna got her picture taken with Anubis! It's not every day that one gets a photo opportunity with the god of death and embalming, but she is still unimpressed. (It can't help that Anubis is close friends with that horrible lady Bastet, who has the NERVE to say that she is the Goddess of Cats, when we all KNOW that that title actually goes to Jenna!)