Itafushi Movie Night

Catboy Chibikawa and Catboy Ushiwaka ( I sell these as stickers! )

Is it Goro day? I like to refer to this piece as “When Joker’s enraged, and you think you like it.”

MORTCATUS’S DEITY SERIES: THANATOS

Thanatos is a chthonic Hellenic deity – meaning he dwells beneath the earth, in the realm of the dead, or the Underworld. Thanatos was specifically viewed by the ancient Greeks as the god of peaceful death, or the personification of Death itself. He also acted as a psychopomp, touching the living who were to die to bring death to them, and then bring them back to the realm of the dead. His touch is gentle, likened to that of his twin brother Hypnos, the god of sleep. Violent death was the domain of Thanatos’ sisters, the Keres, spirits of slaughter and disease.

He does not have many worshipers in modern day, similarly to back then. He was feared more than he was honored, even today, most people are weary of or completely closed off to dealing with any entity that has such a direct connection to death. With this being said, it is common to hear that Thanatos does not care for offerings, I don’t find this to be true, and I don’t think that it is impossible or ill-advised to interact with Him, or that it is inappropriate to allot Him traditional offerings and bond with Him as you would any other deity. – However, Thanatos does not care to receive offerings with expectation of some sort of reciprocating action on His part. Thanatos does not respond well to those who try to bend his will, to silver tongues. Though giving Him offerings for the sake of thanks, honor, love, or respect are welcome. Building a shrine to share with Him as a gesture to show that you are open to His presence and willing to learn is welcome. Thanatos is not inaccessible at all. He has His own lessons to teach and stories to tell, if only you are willing to listen.

Below is a list of symbolism / offerings / devotional acts that I feel to be well-received, this is not an exhaustive list and is UPG. It is also worth noting that because Thanatos is a chthonic entity, there is a certain etiquette you should follow when you give Him your offerings. With chthonic deities, offerings are poured downwards rather than sent upwards, therefore incense is a less common offering, as you want to offer things that are poured down into the earth, where they reside. Pour the remains of your offering into the earth after you feel they’re done – just be sure that you are not harming any nature when you’re doing this. For edible offerings, it is unwise to take a sip / bite of your offering before you offer it, it is traditional to offer the entire food / drink to chthonic deities, and failing to do this may upset them. @death-witch-envy has a more inclusive post on tips for worshiping chthonic deities here.

SYMBOLISM

+ Snakes + Bones + Scythes + Poppies + Gravestones + Wreaths

OFFERINGS

+ Obsidian + Lapis lazuli + Bones / teeth / furs and other “leftovers” of once living things so long as they’re clean + Carved bone + Skulls + Lavender + Poppy seeds / flowers + Breads + Snake skins + Dead moths / butterflies, moth / butterfly wings + Dark wines + Oils + Tobacco + Dark chocolate + Myrrh, patchouli, frankincense, opium, and musk scents + Black, grey, and purple candles

DEVOTIONAL ACTS

+ Collect and honor dead moths / butterflies + Build a wreath + Ancestor veneration + Place flowers / offerings on unmarked graves + Spend time in graveyards, keep the spirits company + Eat foods or baked goods with poppy seeds – use more poppy seed dressing + Decorate using poppies + Plant poppies + Harvest and dry flowers or plants + Spend time enjoying a river or creek + Adopt an older animal, or be particularly kind and gentle to your older animal + Volunteer at a nursing home + Spent time outdoors at dawn or dusk + Burn a myrrh, patchouli, frankincense, opium, or musk scented candle before bed + Hunt for bones or fossils + Clean / dye / articulate bones. As a practicing member of the VC community I feel very connected to Him personally when I am working to give honor and beauty to the remains of a being forgotten, abandoned, or disgraced in death. + Wear dark, soothing colors + Go swimming in natural bodies of water + Have spaces where you can avoid time + Say thank you.

Compiled from my personal grimoire.

I know a lot of people were interested in these, they are NOW available as stickers! Click the "ko-fi" button on my home page > go to COMMISSIONS, and they should be there as an option!

Devilman Crybaby, anyone? I plan to make these stickers!

My sona redesign ★

King Akechi, from a dtiys challenge a friend hosted on instagram. I am super proud of how he came out! And feel like I had an artistic breakthrough with my rendering style~

Shoyo Hinata, traditionally drawn by Hitman Jonesy! ☆

#Thinking of getting into Diety work and have much respect for Thanatos

Thanatos Deity Guide

Who is Thanatos?

Thanatos is the personification or the spirit of death. In this way, Thanatos is considered a daimon in the original meaning, a spirit.

Thanatos was often depicted as a young male with wings, but occasionally he was depicted as an older man with a beard. He as well as his twin brother, Hypnos, are seen in ancient art holding torches turned upside down.

His role in mythology is a psychopomp—a being who carries the souls of the dead to the underworld. Though he was often referred to in myths, he rarely appeared physically.

Parents and Siblings

Nyx (mother)

Erebos (father in some myths)

with his being mother, Nyx, has many siblings. Most notibly:

Hypnos (twin brother)

The Keres (sisters)

Geras (brother)

Eris (sister)

Nemesis (sister)

The Moirai (sisters)

Apate (sister)

Charon (brother)

Lovers or Partners

Makaria according to some

Children

None

Epithets

Mors (Roman)

Letum (Roman)

Paian (Healer or Striker)

Acherontis (Woeful)

Leukokhrotos (White-Skin)

Notes

Though there are no ancient cults known to be dedicated to Thanatos, there have been traces of sacrifices left to him as well as a temple in Sparta.

In one myth, Zeus commands Hypnos and Thanatos to carry the dead body of the warrior Sarpedon off of the battlefield and to the country of Lykia so that he could be given a proper burial.

Other popular stories involving Thanatos are the story of Sisyphus and the story of Hercules wrestling Thanatos.

Thanatos has been depicted in art as a youth holding a butterfly or an inverted torch. The former represents a soul (the greek word for butterfly can also mean life or soul), and the ladder represents a life having been extinguished. He is also seen with a wreath of poppies or a sword.

In art and literature, Thanatos is also depicted as a cloud or mist that hangs above a person’s head who is soon to die.

He lives in the Underworld with his twin brother.

In some myths he is considered cruel, in others, he is considered sweet, as he is peaceful death. The descriptors chosen would likely depend on the writer’s outlook on death.

Modern Deity Work

Since there is very little record of historical record, this list has been compiled based on Thanatos' myths as well as what is known about him historically. In this list I have also compiled items from modern witches' posts about Thanatos, these posts will be in the References and Further Reading section.

Rocks/Stone/Crystals

Porphyry

Onyx

Obsidian

Iron

Bronze

Herbs/Plants

Poppy

Cypress

Animals

Butterfly

Snakes

Vultures

Crows

Symbols

Upside down torch

Sword

Butterfly

Wreath of poppies

Offerings

Any of the items or depictions of the items listed above.

Dead things that died naturally or peacefully. Or dead things that were ethically sourced.

It was common for Greeks to offer honey, olive oil, freshwater, and milk to their deities.

An altar or corner of your personal altar dedicated to him.

Jewelry dedicated to him.

Bones

Acts of Devotion

Learn about him, his brother, and his mother.

Learn about thanatology (study of death and dying)

Take care of those in hospice.

Show respect and appreciation for hospice workers.

References and Further Reading

Britannica

Theoi Project

Greek Mythology

World History

Mythus

The Underworld Oracle

Amino - Thana

Devotee of Thanatos - Tumblr

If you or anyone you know works with Thanatos and you welcome questions about him please feel free to reach out to me so that I can add you to this post!

Lord Satan Ryo Asuka