Deity 101: Hades

Liz Ramos, under the supervision of Hades the cat’s spirit, talks about Hades, the Hellenic god of the Underworld.

One of the most recognizable Underworld deities in the world (and there are many recognizable ones), Hades is a deity I find people love or hate. And in this love/hate relationship, I find it is down to the pomegranate and Persephone story. Some claim Persephone was doomed to damnation and unhappy in her marriage, while others (myself included) see where out of many of the Olympians, Hades and Persephone had the most solid relationship out of all the Gods (and yes, while I know Hades is not considered an Olympian due to residing in the Underworld, I think my point comes through). I am aware that starting a marriage with a kidnapping is not the way to go about it, but their lore does show that over time Persephone did grow to truly love him as well, so I choose to accept the latter.

I would also like to take a moment to share this crucial detail about Hades: he was strictly the God and ruler of the Underworld and the dead, and was not a death deity/personification of death. That role was covered by Thanatos, who was the God of Peaceful Death (Notice I said Peaceful, as his sisters covered violent death), who was a minor deity and can be loosely equated to the Grim Reaper (but not scary).

Working with Hades is great for people who are gifted in ancestral and death magics, although anyone can call on Hades if they wish. He was historically called upon to assist in communications with the dead, and I find him to be a great deity to work with when grieving loss and wanting to make contact with the deceased. Honoring Hades is to honor the deceased and thanking him for guiding/keeping the dead safe and cared for in their new dwelling. Libations of wine or other drinks are usually poured into the ground for him, and candles lit. You can also honor him by donating time, resources, or money to a worthy cause in honor of a passed loved one. Polished stones and food can also be buried for him. Other offerings include apples, pomegranates, dark tea/coffee, dark chocolate, and honey. When using candles for worship with him, red, black, and gold are good ones – or anything dark in color (though referencing back to my Witchcraft on a Budget article, if you only have a bright pink Japanese Cherry Blossom candle, then use it! He will still appreciate the gesture.)

If you are looking to start a spiritual relationship with Hades, some great resources are Hades: Myth, Magic, and Modern Devotion by Jamie Waggoner or Hades: The History, Origins, and Evolution of the Greek God by Charles River. I currently do not have a recommended resource for Hades, but the Jamie Waggoner book is on my list of future purchases (or gifts for Yule from Hubs). If you do choose to work with Hades, know that he is a kind God and fair, but he will not accept nonsense and half-assery from you. He demands respect and rightfully deserves it.

Elizabeth Ramos is a magic practitioner who specializes in nature focused, healing, protective, and ancestral magics. She is a Reiki Master-Teacher and lives with her husband and their several Feline Leukemia Positive kitties in Upstate New York.

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