I get a lot of questions from others about Anubis. The types of questions that I get vary, but one I get the most is from people who feel a pull or draw to Anubis and think they might be getting messages from him, but aren’t sure how to identify them, or they aren’t sure where to go from there. I try to answer them as best I can, but I should say that I am by no means an expert on Anubis. Knowing a deity is highly personal, and even after years of experience you can only begin to scratch the surface of what it means to know a deity. All I can do is speak from my own experiences over the last nearly 18 years.
Identifying Signs
Signs are highly personal. The signs that the gods and spirits send to me may or may not be the ones that they send you. That’s the first thing I should say before continuing, though, chances are, if you’re reading this, you may already know that.
Signs can be physical – coming across animals, symbols, words and phrases, objects, songs, or patterns that are relevant to you, your life, your question, or your situation. They can also be intangible – feelings and sensations, a song in your head, visions, dreams, intuitive feelings, or a thought that seems to randomly appear and perhaps not quite seeming to be your own.
There have been a number of articles written on identifying when something is a sign versus when it’s just the mundane thing it is. Separating them out from the mundane can be tricky, but all I’m going to say for the sake of this article is go with your gut! Trust your intuition. And don’t overthink it (easier said than done, I know).
Signs from Anubis
Keep in mind these are my experiences, and they may not necessarily be your or anyone else’s. Anubis is the Silent Guardian. He’s also the Master of Secrets and Mysteries. He often appears quietly and unannounced, sometimes when you’re not expecting him or looking for him. That can make it exceptionally difficult to determine what’s a sign and what’s not. Some of the physical signs I’ve either gotten or heard from others over the years include, but are not limited to:
- Symbols – the ankh, pyramids, bones, eye of Horus
- Animals – dogs, jackals, wolves, coyotes, foxes, leopard (there’s a story behind this one)
- Relevant colors – primarily black and gold, but even brown, white, or gray
It took me quite a while to actually realize that I rarely get physical signs from Anubis, though I sometimes do. Other deities I work with, such as Hekate, I’ve gotten a lot of physical signs. In my first article, Anubis, God of the Modern Age, I explained my first encounter with him, which involved a run-in with canines as a child. I think, for me, the signs that I receive are closely tied to being pushed to trust my intuition and letting it guide me rather than expecting to see a sign every time I turn the corner.
I do receive strong signs when I’m missing something in my relationship with Anubis. Perhaps I’ve been neglecting my commitment to him, or perhaps I forgot to honor him for something I’d asked for. On at least 4 occasions, I’ve had statues of him mysteriously break when no one was around. I can’t guarantee that it’s attributed to this specific situation, but to me it seemed to coincide with times when I needed to pay more attention to my practice and to my gods (in this case, Anubis).
So how does he communicate with me? I’ve learned that I can best communicate with him when I am quieted. Those moments when you are more relaxed and your brain isn’t full of thoughts buzzing around. For some, it’s during meditation, but for others, including myself, it can be as simple as walking, driving, or something else mundane. Often times, I get an inner voice or a relevant thought that pops up. Sometimes it’s a song while I’m on a walk, or a whisper of a word or phrase in the wind.
On rare occasions, I get visions of him during meditations. I also talked about one of these experiences at the beginning of my article, Anubis in the Darkness of Winter. One of the most startling times that he’s appeared to me was during an experience while I was showering. When I shower, it’s a very calming, relaxing experience for me where I can unwind and let loose the thoughts that permeate my busy mind. And when the mind is clearest, we are more open to receiving messages and visions.
But the biggest, number one way I know he’s near? It’s a feeling. Perhaps it’s a knowing, perhaps it’s an energy, or maybe it’s a little of both. I had two people ask me recently what Anubis’ energy feels like to me, and the only way I can explain it is that it feels like this strong, solid, grounded, protective energy that I feel in my core.
Answering
I can’t tell you what Anubis wants from you. That is a very personal experience between you and the Guardian of Souls. For me, he wanted to lead me through a life of challenges – turmoils, transitions, changes, and chaos – and come out on the other side with my head held high, using these experiences to make a difference in my life and, hopefully, in the lives of others. He also wanted to guide me down a spiritual path that would forever change my life.
What I would recommend is reaching out to him in return, if you feel comfortable doing so. The simplest method would be to find a quiet moment and just speak to him openly. Not sure what to say? Write it down or take notes. Perhaps light a black candle. You can keep it simple as you want.
Leave offerings. It’s impossible to list all of the things you could potentially offer to Anubis, but here are some ideas:
- Incenses such as frankincense, myrrh, cedarwood, sandalwood, etc.
- Stones such as obsidian, smoky quartz, hematite, tiger’s eye
- Darker breads, such as whole wheat or rye
- Dark ales, whiskey, rum, or cool/cold water
- Spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg
- Creative offerings – art, music, writing, etc.
- Volunteering or donating to help dogs or other canines
- Honor your ancestors and departed loved ones
- Leave flowers on the grave of a stranger
One key thing I would suggest is keeping a journal of the things you see, hear, feel, find, etc. Keep a record of the signs, the messages, the visions, the dreams, or even the feelings and sensations that you have. Explore these. Keep track of them over time and see what develops. Are there any patterns?
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