Ahpuc
Mayan god of death, associated with suicide, death by hanging, beheading, and human sacrifice.

Ahriman
Zoroastrian lord of darkness and death, the supreme evil spirit.

Alcyone
Greek goddess of the sea, the moon, calm, tranquility. She who brings life to death and death to life.

Amida-Nyorai
Japanese god of the paradise realm, the Japanese people turned to him at their moment of death.

Apollo
Greek god of the sun, light, music, song, medicine, and healing. Patron of herdsmen.

Apollo's mother Leto was forced to run from Hera, the jealous wife of Zeus. She went to the Island of Delos and delivered her two children- the twins, Apollo and Artemis.

Though the god of light, Apollo had a dark side. Under the name of Carneios, he is seen as a god of death. He and Artemis slew all of their mother Leto's children when Niobe, their grandmother, claimed all of Leto's children were more beautiful than the gods.

Apollo was worshipped at the oracle of Delphi, where a priestess who give forth his predictions. The Greeks believed that the egyptian God Heru and Apollo were the same deities. He is the twin brother of Artemis. Apollo's minor associations include black magic, blessing, justice, divination, oracles, prophecy, creativity, fertility, productivity, success.

Artemis
Greek goddess of the moon and the hunt. She is also one of the virgin goddesses, and she protects women in labor, small children and wild animals. She, Hestia, and Athena are not affected by Aphrodite's manipulations. Artemis may be thought of as the "silver goddess." She wore silver sandals, rode a silver chariot in the silver moonlight, and kills with silver arrows shot from a silver bow. In fact, many dying women, as well as women in childbirth, went to Artemis to ask for a quick, painless death from Her silver arrows.

Artemis was very beautiful and had many suitors, but would not marry until she found someone as wild and free and herself. Her nymphs, as well, vowed to not marry.

But one day, seven of the nymphs were in the woods when they saw the strong and handsome hunter Orion. Because of their promise to shun men, they fled. But he saw them and persued. Though swift and lithe, the nymphs grew weary. They called out to Artemis for help. Hearing their prayer, she turned them into pigeons, which flew up into the sky and because the stars called the Pleiades.

Orion turned away to hunt elsewhere, but soon met Artemis herself. Sharing a passion for hunting and the woodlands, they became good friends.

Apollo worried that she would marry Orion and break her vow. He knew that Orion received the ability to walk on water from his father Poseidon and was often out on the sea. So, he went to his sister and lef her to the sea. Provoking her with his great accomplishments, he dared her to try to hit a distant target at sea. Unaware that it was Orion, she shot an arrow precisely and hit the target.

The waves lifted Orion's body to the short. Artemis grieved her loss, then she placed him among the stars, with the Pleiades and his dog Sirius.

Artemis is the twin sister of Apollo, and the daughter of Leto and Zeus. Also symbolizes health, love, charms, shapeshifting. Sacred to Artemis are deer/stags, geese, wild dogs, fish, goats, bees, bears, trees.

Asrael
Islamic angel who takes the soul from the body at death.

Bran
Celtic (Irish) god of health. A beautiful woman appeared before Bran and told him to search for a group of islands where there was no sorrow, sickness, death, or evil. He voyaged until he found these islands, most importantly the Isle of Women. He eventually was lured away by a friend, but when he found he was unknown in his native Ireland, he left again. Brother of Branwen. Also known as Bran the Blessed.

Branwen
Celtic goddess of love and beauty. The sister of Bran the Blessed and Manannan mac Lir, daughter of Lir, and wife of the Irish king Matholwch. Died of a broken heart after Bran's death.

Cel
Italian god of death and the underworld.

Cerridwen
Celtic (Welsh) Moon, Grain and Nature Goddess. Cerridwen's symbol is a white sow. Patron of the poets, greatest of all the bards.

She prepared in a cauldron a magical brew which stewed for a year and would yield three precious drops. These would bestow on the receiver the wisdom of the past, the knowledge of the present, and the secrets of the future.

Cerridwen symbolizes luck, element of earthk, death, fertility, regeneration, inspiration, inspiration, the arts, science, poetry, astrology/zodiac.

Cerunnos
Celtic god of fertility, life, animals, wealth, and the underworld. The Horned God is born at the winter solstice, marries the Goddess at Beltane, and dies at the summer solstice. He alternates with the Goddess of the moon in ruling over life and death, continuing the cycle of death, rebirth and reincarnation. Symbolizes element of earthk, love, fertility, and luck.

Chu Jung
Chinese god of fire executions. Emodies justice, revenge, death, and the element of fire.

Cyhiraeth
Celtic goddess of streams, her scream fortells death.

Dagda
Celtic (Irish) God of the Earth and Father God, leader of the Tuatha de Danaan. He mates with his wife the raven Morrigan on New Years day. Also a god of death; the father of Brighid.

A formidable fighter, but a god of simple tastes who dresses in a brown tunic, hooded cape and leather boots. Dagda had a staff which could slew nine men with one end, but could bring back life with the other end. He possessed two swine, one of which was perpetually roasting, the other perpetually growing. His other symbols are the bottomless cauldron of plenty and a harp with which he controls the seasons.

Deert
Australian moon god who punished animals with death. He is the only one who can return to life from death.

Devi
The Hindu mother goddess. She can be portrayed as a mild and loving goddess, holding pleasure and pain in her right hand, and life and death in her left. She can also be portrayed as a frightening and vicious death goddess, with a sword in one of eight arms. Also the goddess of women and creativity. Also known as Mahadevi.

Diancecht
Celtic (Irish) god of healing and medicine. Once saved Ireland, married to Morrigan.

In the first battle of Moy Tura, Nuada lost his hand. Diancecht fashioned a new one of silver and joined it to Nuada's arm. One day, Diancecht's son Miach took what remained of Nuada's original flesh hand, placed it next to Nuada's arm, and spoke an incant. After three days and nights the hand was rejoined to the arm seamlessly.

Nuada rejoiced, but Diancecht was furious that his son was a better healer than he was. Diancecht struck Miach thrice on the head with his sword. Miach was able to heal each wound. Diancecht, more furious now, split Miach's head in two, killing him. From Miach's grave grew 365 herbs, each one with curative powers for one of the 365 nerves in the body. Miach's sister, Airmid, picked these herbs and arranged them according to their curative powers.

Diancecht became so enraged that his son rivaled him even after death that he scattered the herbs about, hoplessly confusing them. If Diancecht hadn't done this, man would be immortal.

Dis Pater
Celtic (Gaulish) god, originally of death and the underworld, eventually the chief of gods. It is said that Dis Pater is the ancestor of all the Gauls.

Emma-O
Japanese god of the underworld. Depicted wearing a judge's cap and holding a mace. He judged the souls of the males. If the sinner was "saved" through prayer, they would be allowed to pass on to paradise or be reincarnated on earth. Symbolizes destruction, death, and revenge.

Ereshkigal
Near Eastern (Babylonian, Sumerian) goddess of the underworld and death.

The god Nergal once gained access to the underworld after being outcase by his fellow gods. He seized the terrible mistress Ereshkigal by the hair and threatened to kill her. She begged him to spare her life, promising that she would marry him, give him sovereignty of the underworld, and would also give him the tablets of wisdom. He accepted and was considered the consort of Ereshkigal from then on.

Hachiman
A historical figure in Mayan history, was elevated to the status of god after death. A god of war, battle, honor, courage, bravery, personal success.

Hades
Greek god of death, keeper of the underworld. He was the brother of Zeus but was in the underworld instead of upon Olympus.

Haoma
Keeps death far away, the moon, love, health.

Hel
Norse (Scandinavian) goddess of death and the underworld. The Christian concept of "Hell" came from this goddess, however, her realm of the dead for those who were wicked was cold and dark, not fiery.

Hsi-Wang-Mu
"Royal Mother of the Western Paradise". Highest goddess of ancient China. Responsible for growing magical peaches which give the recipient eternal life. She may be invoked for matters involving immortality, healing, or death.

Huitzilopochtli
National god of the Aztecs, symbolizes storms, the sun, death, war, young men, warriors, soldiers, safe journeys.

Hypno
Greek god of sleep. Bother of Thanatos (death) and Dreams. Son of Nox (night) and Erebus.

Iduna
Norse (Scandinavian) goddess of eternal youth. She symbolizes youth, longetivity, fertility, and death.

Imana
African creator god who tried to save men from death. He was chasing after death one day, and a human woman let Death hide under her dress. Imana was so angry at this betrayal that he left Death to do what he would. Had this not happened, man would be immortal.

Itzpapalotl
Beautiful Aztec female demon with symbols of death on her face. Balance of sensuality and evil. Invoke for destiny, fate, agriculture, and cosmic matters, especially with the stars.

Ixchel
"Lady Rainbow". Mayan goddess of childbirth, pregnancy, domestic arts and matters, floods, spinning, and weaving. Generally portrayed as being destructive, deathly, and demonic.

Iyatiku
Pueblo corn goddess and ruler of her underground realm where the dead pass on to. Symbolizes good crops, agriculture, compassion, sympathy, death, and children.

Kalma
Finnish goddess of death.

Kuan Yin
One of the most loved Chinese goddesses. It is said that her name brings protection and relief when it is simply spoken.

Before she was a goddess, she was the daughter of a cruel father. When she refused to marry into wealth like her sisters, she was sent to a temple where she was made to perform the most difficult of tasks. Birds, snakes, and tigers had pity on her and came to her aid. But her father was angered that she had not given in and married, so he first tried to burn her to death. However, she put out the fire with her hands.

When he finally did kill her, she was sent to the underworld. But she recited the words out of holy books, and the god of the dead was upset because he could not make them suffer while she was there. Frustrated, he sent her back to earth, where the Buddha made her immortal and rewarded her with great insight. She became a goddess of mercy and compassion.

Loki
Norse (Scandinavian) trickster god. Loki is an important god in Norse (Scandinavian) legends. He is an impish, destructive god. He caused the death of Baldur by guiding Baldur's blind twin brother to unknowingly assassinate him. He is dangerous and should be avoided for invocations. He fathered Hel. He symbolizes destruction and trickery.

Macha
Celtic (Irish) goddess of war, life, and death.

Mertseger
Egyptian goddess of flowers and death. Shown with the head of a snake.

Moros
Greek god of doom; deification of an unfortunate destiny and the fate of a violent death.

Morrigan
"The Great Queen". Celtic goddess of war and death who could take the shape of a crow or raven. Supreme warrior goddess. She is associated with the sometimes frightening aspects of female energy. She symbolizes the power of fertility, the dark goddess' prowess, death, war, fate.

Nepthys
Egyptian goddess of death and mystery. A guardian of the corpse of Osiris along with Isis. Invoke for element of earthk. Also called Nebt Het, Nebet Het, Nebthet, or Neb-hut.

Niamh
Celtic (Irish) goddess of beauty and brightness. Helps heroes at their death.

Odin
"Father of the Gods". Norse (Scandinavian) god of death, poetry, wisdom, magic and war. With his brothers, Ve and Vili; he created heaven, earth, and the twelve realms. They also created the first humans, Ask and Embla.

Thor can often be considered his enemy because they are such opposites. Odin was known to be treacherous and deceitful to man. He would turn on man with or without reason. Odin symbolizes creativity, divination, oracles, prophecy, luck.

I know that I hung there
on the windy tree
swung there nights, all of nine gashed with a blade
bloodied by Odin
myself an offering to myself
knotted to that tree
no man knows whither the root of it runs

None gave me bread
None gave me drink
down to the depths I peered
to snatch up runes
with a roaring screech
and fall in a dizzying faint

Wellspring I won
and wisdom too
and grew and joyed in my growth from a word to a word
I was led to a word
from a deed to another deed.

-Lay of the High One (old Norse verse). 138, 139, 141.

Oenghos Mac In Og
"Lord Of Love And Death". Celtic (Irish).

Osiris
Egyptian god of life and death. Osiris ruled the world of men in the beginning, after Ra had abandoned the world to rule the skies, but he was murdered by his brother Set. Through the magic of Isis, he was made to live again. Being the first living thing to die, he subsequently became lord of the dead.

Homage to thee, Osiris, Lord of eternity, King of the Gods, whose names are manifold, whose forms are holy, thou being of hidden form in the temples, whose Ka is holy.

-"Hymn to Osiris", The Papyrus of Ani, 240 BCE. Translated by E.A. Wallis Burdge.

Oya
African (Yoruban) warrior orisha of the wind, symbolic of the winds of change. Every breath we take is a gift from Oya. She is tall and regal, strong, assertive, courageous and independent and is always willing to take risks. Oya is a great witch and the guardian of the gates of death. Women often ask her to give them the ability to choose their words so that they speak persuasively and powerfully. She symbolizes transformations, power, action, life, vivacity. Oya is invoked in case of illness. Wife of Chango.

Sekhmet
Egyptian goddess of sunset, destruction, death, and wisdom. Originally created by Ra from his fire to be a creature of vengeance who would punish humans for their wrongdoings. However, she became a loving goddess of peace and compassion, and a protectress of the righteous. Symbols are the lion and the desert. She symbolizes health, rebirth, fire, and wisdom.

O Lady, Mightier than the Gods,
Adoration rises unto Thee!
All beings hail Thee!
O Lady, Mightier than the Gods!
Preserved beyond Death
That Secret Name,
O Being Called Sekhmet.
At the Throne of Silence even,
shall no more be spoken than Encircling One!
I lose myself in Thee!

-"Hymn to Sekhmet"

Selket
Egyptian scorpion-goddess and helper of women in labor, often shown as a beautiful woman with a scorpion on her head. Her scorpions would strike death to the wicked, but she saved the lives of the innocent people who were stung by scorpions. she was also viewed as a helper of women in childbirth.

Shiva
"The Cosmic Dancer", "The Great Lord". Represents the aspect of the Supreme Being which continuously dissolves and recreated. Shiva is both a creator and a destroyer, he is associated with both the changes of the seasons and the balance and constant conflict of good and evil. This is the cycle of the universe; birth-death-rebirth. He is the third member of the Hindu Trinity, along with Brahma and Vishnu. He is also a god of mercy and compassion and protects man from evil. Elementally, he corresponds to air and fire.

Ti-Tsang Wang
Chinese god of mercy. Wandering in the caverns of Hell, a lost soul might encounter Ti-Tsang Wang, who will do all he can to help the soul escape hell and even to put an end to his eternal round of death and rebirth.

Long ago, Ti-Tsang Wang renounced Nirvana so that he could search the dark regions of Hell for souls to save from the kings of the ten underworlds. Once a priest of Brahma (Hinduism), he converted to Buddhism and himself became a Buddha with special authority over the souls of the dead.

Tuoni
Aztec god of death and the underworld.

Were
African creator god, give of life and cause of death. Like Zeus in the mythology of Greece, he punishes evildoers with lightning bolts.

White Lady
Celtic goddess of death.

Woden
Germanic war god, a version of the Norse (Scandinavian) Odin but much gentler. Human sacrifices, stabbed to death and then burned, were made in his honor. See also ODIN.

Zip
Mayan god of the hunt. Protector of the deer. According to legend, the deer created the vagina of the moon goddess by stepping on her abdomen. She was then she was able to bear the children of the sun god. Zip would deceive hunters to believe he was shooting a deer when in fact it was a iguana (a sacred animal of Itzam Na; to kill one is to incite the death penalty.). To gain Zip's favor through worship and sacrifice results in a good hunt.

Zurvan
Persian god of infinity. He symbolizes the four elements of water, earth, wind, and fire. He also has four faces. (Sex, birth, aging, death). He may be invoked for matters involving destiny.