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Anubis―Ancient Egypt’s Lord of Death and Protection
“A poignant, powerful, inclusive, and deeply personal journey to meet the Great God Anubis. Filled with solid historical information, as well as practical contemporary rituals, magick, healing practices, and prayers, this book drew me in, opened my heart, and made me love dear Anubis even more.”
—Michael Butler Smith, author of Embracing Isis
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.
—Michael Butler Smith, author of Embracing Isis
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.
224 pages, Paperback
Published November 4, 2024
22 people are currently reading
3300 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
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December 18, 2024DNF @ 50%
No rating.
This one was on me. I didn't read the whole blurb and thought this was a scientific book about Anubis.
Turns out it's a guide to worshipping Anubis.... which you know I'm not interested in. Lol.
I did enjoy the factual aspect of what I read and the history of it all but the *advice* of how to worship Anubis as a God and how he gives you signs and converses with you made me uncomfortable.
Totally not my thing but it's my faukt that I went into this partially blind.
No rating.
This one was on me. I didn't read the whole blurb and thought this was a scientific book about Anubis.
Turns out it's a guide to worshipping Anubis.... which you know I'm not interested in. Lol.
I did enjoy the factual aspect of what I read and the history of it all but the *advice* of how to worship Anubis as a God and how he gives you signs and converses with you made me uncomfortable.
Totally not my thing but it's my faukt that I went into this partially blind.
April 13, 2025
Possibly the most interesting book I've stumbled across this year. Because I didn't read the summary, I expected an historic deep dive on this Egyptian god, ancient death rituals, and maybe a pinch of mythology. What I got was a workbook of sorts from a modern man teaching others how to strengthen their relationship with this ancient god. The overlap between this and the many supplemental texts I've encountered in my own hypereligious upbringing were fascinating.
To over simplify, who's to say that Anubis, Jesus, and (higher power of choice here) aren't all the same being? Apparently they all prefer to be asked for help, can help you change your life to reach optimal potential, and appreciate gratitude and effort from supplicants. Strengthening faith in your preferred flavor of deity all follows the same pattern: search, ponder, pray. Study, meditate, commune. Bonus points for analyzing your spiritual journey in writing.
To over simplify, who's to say that Anubis, Jesus, and (higher power of choice here) aren't all the same being? Apparently they all prefer to be asked for help, can help you change your life to reach optimal potential, and appreciate gratitude and effort from supplicants. Strengthening faith in your preferred flavor of deity all follows the same pattern: search, ponder, pray. Study, meditate, commune. Bonus points for analyzing your spiritual journey in writing.
January 11, 2025
This wasn’t really for me. I was anticipating something more occult. It’s very much in the new age/wiccan territory, with all of the cliches that come with that genre. I wasn’t offended really, but came away feeling like I could have written most of it myself. The practices suggested are all pretty standard. It might be interesting as an introduction to Wicca if the reader is new to the subject, but wasn’t for me.
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January 15, 2025Always loved Anubis
And I had high hopes for this book hoping it will be an interesting addition to the mystery that is Anubis. The author presents some interesting views and myths. But what got to meat chapter 3 was that there are quite a few moments in the book where author suggests spiritual connections to Anubis and how the readers should try that, or try this. Appreciate the author has his views but with a book like this, when you go into mostly looking for facts, the suggestive spiritual notes just makes a reader like me roll eyes and get annoyed. Which is then an unfair assessment to what seems like a well research, presented and narrated book.. unfortunately not for me.
And I had high hopes for this book hoping it will be an interesting addition to the mystery that is Anubis. The author presents some interesting views and myths. But what got to meat chapter 3 was that there are quite a few moments in the book where author suggests spiritual connections to Anubis and how the readers should try that, or try this. Appreciate the author has his views but with a book like this, when you go into mostly looking for facts, the suggestive spiritual notes just makes a reader like me roll eyes and get annoyed. Which is then an unfair assessment to what seems like a well research, presented and narrated book.. unfortunately not for me.
February 25, 2025
A Fascinating Exploration of Anubis and Ancient Egyptian Beliefs
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Charlie Larson’s Anubis: Ancient Egypt’s Lord of Death and Protection is an insightful and well-researched deep dive into one of Ancient Egypt’s most iconic deities. Larson does an excellent job of presenting Anubis, the god of the afterlife, mummification, and protection, within the rich context of Egyptian mythology and religious practices. The book offers a thorough examination of Anubis’s role in the ancient world, from his significance in burial rituals to his evolving status in Egyptian culture.
Larson’s writing is both accessible and informative, striking a balance between scholarly detail and readability. He expertly navigates the complex history of Ancient Egypt, making it easy for readers, whether they’re history enthusiasts or newcomers to the subject, to follow along. The book is not only a biography of Anubis but also an exploration of the broader Egyptian worldview, covering topics like the afterlife, the mummification process, and the symbolism behind Anubis’s imagery.
The inclusion of fascinating anecdotes, archaeological discoveries, and mythological stories enriches the narrative and gives readers a well-rounded understanding of Anubis’s significance. Larson also delves into the symbolism behind Anubis’s jackal form, offering a thoughtful interpretation of how the god’s image ties into Egyptian beliefs about death and protection.
The only reason I’m not giving this book a full 5-star rating is that, at times, the pace can feel a bit slow, especially for readers who are looking for a more action-driven narrative. Some sections, particularly those that delve into theological and historical details, may be dense for casual readers. However, for those with a strong interest in deities, Egyptian mythology and religion, these sections will be highly rewarding.
Overall, Anubis: Ancient Egypt’s Lord of Death and Protection is an engaging and informative read that provides a captivating look into one of Egypt’s most intriguing gods. It’s a must-read for anyone fascinated by Egyptian mythology or ancient religious practices.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Charlie Larson’s Anubis: Ancient Egypt’s Lord of Death and Protection is an insightful and well-researched deep dive into one of Ancient Egypt’s most iconic deities. Larson does an excellent job of presenting Anubis, the god of the afterlife, mummification, and protection, within the rich context of Egyptian mythology and religious practices. The book offers a thorough examination of Anubis’s role in the ancient world, from his significance in burial rituals to his evolving status in Egyptian culture.
Larson’s writing is both accessible and informative, striking a balance between scholarly detail and readability. He expertly navigates the complex history of Ancient Egypt, making it easy for readers, whether they’re history enthusiasts or newcomers to the subject, to follow along. The book is not only a biography of Anubis but also an exploration of the broader Egyptian worldview, covering topics like the afterlife, the mummification process, and the symbolism behind Anubis’s imagery.
The inclusion of fascinating anecdotes, archaeological discoveries, and mythological stories enriches the narrative and gives readers a well-rounded understanding of Anubis’s significance. Larson also delves into the symbolism behind Anubis’s jackal form, offering a thoughtful interpretation of how the god’s image ties into Egyptian beliefs about death and protection.
The only reason I’m not giving this book a full 5-star rating is that, at times, the pace can feel a bit slow, especially for readers who are looking for a more action-driven narrative. Some sections, particularly those that delve into theological and historical details, may be dense for casual readers. However, for those with a strong interest in deities, Egyptian mythology and religion, these sections will be highly rewarding.
Overall, Anubis: Ancient Egypt’s Lord of Death and Protection is an engaging and informative read that provides a captivating look into one of Egypt’s most intriguing gods. It’s a must-read for anyone fascinated by Egyptian mythology or ancient religious practices.
March 11, 2025
Not a bad book by any means but this is very much a new age/metaphysical book with all that implies. I was looking more for a historical scholarly approach to the subject.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews