Working with Death

[seekerofknwoledge]

As of late I've been contacted (if you could call it that), or maybe drawn to Thanatos. This in fact isn't actually just that recent, however the initial draw was done very mysteriously (as in I was being called, but didn't know by whom). I have gingerly answered this call as I am little worried about "inviting Death into my life." I tried to make it perfectly clear that while I was open to accepting His influence in my life, I was not inviting His gift down upon myself or those around me.

Does anyone else here work with Thanatos? And if so, what is it like? The calling I feel is too strong to be ignored, but as I said above, I don't want to hurt myself or those around me. Any information would be much appreciated. Many thanks.<3

[RavenMoonshadow]

It depends what exactly dose he want, and what gift do you speak of

[Agaliha]

I remember you asking and Thanatos...
As far as working with Thanatos, I'm not sure. I wouldn't ignore him just because he is death, but caution should be used when asking anything from him (I would imagine). Like if you ask him to make himself known or shown himself...it may invite death, and no one wants that. I don't know anything about how the Greeks honored him...maybe try to find some historical things about his cult (theoi.com has info about that) to see how the Greeks did it. Also meditate and try to connect with him that way. Maybe let him know your boundaries. Oh, Autumn is coming soon (YEAH!) and it is the season of death and dying-- maybe take time to reflect on that. I wish you luck. :)

[seekerofknwoledge]

It depends what exactly dose he want, and what gift do you speak of

I think he mostly wants my attention or interaction.

I was referring to His "gift of death," as in His power to kill.

[seekerofknwoledge]

I remember you asking and Thanatos...
As far as working with Thanatos, I'm not sure. I wouldn't ignore him just because he is death, but caution should be used when asking anything from him (I would imagine). Like if you ask him to make himself known or shown himself...it may invite death, and no one wants that. I don't know anything about how the Greeks honored him...maybe try to find some historical things about his cult (theoi.com has info about that) to see how the Greeks did it. Also meditate and try to connect with him that way. Maybe let him know your boundaries. Oh, Autumn is coming soon (YEAH!) and it is the season of death and dying-- maybe take time to reflect on that. I wish you luck. :)

Yes, that's what I'm most worried about (inviting death into my life). However, I believe he was quite present when I was a child (and even more so a few years ago), and nothing horrible happened to me then. Thanks for the ideas!

[Agaliha]

You're welcome...it I think of any more I'll let you know.

[Kendrah]

I don't work with Thanatos, but I do work with another Lord of the Dead, Papa Samdi. No one has dropped dead in front of me yet. ;)

[Khaelo]

I also have a death god in my life (not Thanatos). He hasn't caused massive death and destruction. Quite the contrary: his "pull" was enough to keep me away from suicide in time to get help. He made it very clear that his interest in me involved me being alive. I'd imagine a Greek god would take a similar stance -- it's difficult for the dead to offer sacrifice and/or honor. :hehehehe: My patron has been challenging, but that's part of his nature. I can't speak for Thanatos on that front.

One way to look at it is that any deity who can call mortals is not a mindless, impersonal phenomenon. A death deity's gift is under his/her control. You need to trust that s/he will know how to distribute it. Death gods don't just show up trailing a permanent cloud of death behind them, fortunately. :) They know what they're doing. I don't see a problem with responding to a call.

[Kendrah]

One way to look at it is that any deity who can call mortals is not a mindless, impersonal phenomenon. A death deity's gift is under his/her control. You need to trust that s/he will know how to distribute it. Death gods don't just show up trailing a permanent cloud of death behind them, fortunately. :) They know what they're doing. I don't see a problem with responding to a call.

Yes, this is quite true. I feel more secure now then I did before I met Papa Samdi. He protects his own and does rule over the dead. It's nice to have that slight advantage.

There's nothing to be afraid of a "death" diety. I've found it takes a certain kind of person to be able to deal with "death" dieties. Death is very insightful... and it's very hard for me to put into words. Needless to say, it's a rewarding road to go down, if a bit harder then the rest. I've found these Gods tend to be a bit more harsher or straight edged (as in, what they want, they get; no ifs-ands-or-buts) then others I've dealt with. That takes a little to get used to.

[dark witch]

Working with a death deity gives you some balance of light and dark in your Craft. While I enjoy working with Isis and Osiris, I also have a connection to the deities of the Underworld, especially Anubis. However, Anubis was also someone who was a guide of the dead, and oversaw the weighing of the hearts, to assure fairness. I will tend to seek guidance from him.

With Thanatos, who I just read up a bit on, I'm not sure what his contribution to you could be. That would be where I would go in your meditations. Why are you seeking me?

Give us an update if you receive an answer!

Dark Witch

[sari0009]

As of late I've been contacted (if you could call it that), or maybe drawn to Thanatos. This in fact isn't actually just that recent, however the initial draw was done very mysteriously (as in I was being called, but didn't know by whom). I have gingerly answered this call as I am little worried about "inviting Death into my life." I tried to make it perfectly clear that while I was open to accepting His influence in my life, I was not inviting His gift down upon myself or those around me.

Does anyone else here work with Thanatos? And if so, what is it like? The calling I feel is too strong to be ignored, but as I said above, I don't want to hurt myself or those around me. Any information would be much appreciated. Many thanks.<3

Been through a lot of changes in my life and when I made change after change for the better ... that's when I dealt with death (with the Goddess Kali, in my case) as part of the cycle of Nature/change. I do not see death as only physical death, though there is that, but also (and more so) as the death of old ways or habits that I've chosen to outgrow while I grow into new roles, habits and so on.

[~Anamorata~]

I work mainly with Anubis(Yinepu), as well, as with Osiris and Isis...I've never actually heard of the one you mentioned, as I don't deal in the Greek Trad. And, as someone said on here, no ones ever dropped dead in front of me.

[RavenMoonshadow]

well his power to kill eh, see you misunderstand death. death dose not kill time dose. all death dose is show up and shepard the spirit so if you ecept his "power" mostlikly you will be guded down a path to know when someones time is up and make there transition easier. I work with death in that respect usally though through my totem which is Raven

[seekerofknwoledge]

Thanks for all the replies, they've been quite helpful. I tried contacting Him several times this weekend, but (as all my Divine do) it seems that He has a sense of humor...(for example I was just about to get out of my car when a song with the lyrics "look for the reaper" came on ^_^;).

[Grey]

Death... is an interesting character. Yes it is the end of mortal existance... and depending on the nature of the afterlife this can be either a very good thing or a very bad thing. As a reincarnationist I dont fear it as much as I might, though I dont wish for it to be anytime for me but far off. Dont fear to have the presence of death in your life for of all the dieties he has the most human aspects

You think a god like that, one who has overseen the ending times of every life on the planet, doesnt understand that you wish to live? You will live and die as you will live and die. Thanatos' presence doesnt spead that up or slow it down unless you let it. When he calls you will come and until then you shouldnt worry about it.

Id reccommend communing with him. Find out why he calls you and what you can do for each other. Then make your decisions from there. If death was coming to claim you or your loved ones souls you know it from his voice. Live without fear, die with dignity.

[seekerofknwoledge]

Death... is an interesting character. Yes it is the end of mortal existance... and depending on the nature of the afterlife this can be either a very good thing or a very bad thing. As a reincarnationist I dont fear it as much as I might, though I dont wish for it to be anytime for me but far off. Dont fear to have the presence of death in your life for of all the dieties he has the most human aspects

You think a god like that, one who has overseen the ending times of every life on the planet, doesnt understand that you wish to live? You will live and die as you will live and die. Thanatos' presence doesnt spead that up or slow it down unless you let it. When he calls you will come and until then you shouldnt worry about it.

Id reccommend communing with him. Find out why he calls you and what you can do for each other. Then make your decisions from there. If death was coming to claim you or your loved ones souls you know it from his voice. Live without fear, die with dignity.

Wow, that was so poetic (and very beautiful).

It's not that I personally fear death for myself, but rather for those around me. I've actually "hung out" with Death before, so we're pretty comfortable in that respect. I am very interested in why He would contact me (I think it has something to do with a past life, but I'm not positive). Thanks for your insight.