Death Spells
Death Spirits or Spirits of Death sound so threatening compared to a Healing Spirit or a Spirit of Love. This isn’t mere modern squeamishness but an attitude shared with the ancients. Death Spirits, although they play a necessary function, made our ancestors nervous, too. Death Spirits tend to fall into one of two categories:
Spirits who are involved in the dying process or who serve to ease the transition to the next life
Spirits who are guardians of the dead, who preside over the realms of the dead, or who rule cemeteries and cremation grounds
Many Spirit Guardians of Death’s Doors remain unnamed. As with Disease Spirits, there’s some reluctance to name many of them, just in case they actually come when called, thus epithets and euphemisms are frequently substituted. Often, a Death Spirit’s true name remains secret. Hades literally means “the unseen one.” Should that name become too familiar, other euphemisms may be substituted: Polydegmon means “the hospitable one” because, after all, everyone is welcome in his realm. Pluton means “wealth,” because ultimately he owns everyone and everything.
Despite the fear they instill, these spirits can be very needed, helpful, and welcome—at the right moment, of course. Their assistance is incorporated into many spells for a variety of reasons and purposes.
Guardians of the next world and of the cemetery gates include:
Baron Samedi, leader of the Vodoun Ghede spirits, and his consort, La Grande Brigitte
Dongyue Dadi, Lord of Tai Shan (China)
Erishkigal/Lamashtu (Mesopotamia)
Hades, Persephone (Greece)
Hella (Norse)
Kali, Shiva, Yama (Hindu)
Mictlantecutli and Mictecacuiuatl (Aztec Lord and Lady of the Dead)
Osiris (Egypt)
Oya (Yoruba)
Yambe Akka (Saami)
Appeal to these guardian spirits to protect the souls of the dead, and also to maintain control over the souls of the dead, keeping them in line, so to speak. Petition them also for access to the spirits of the dead, should this be desired.
(from The Element Encyclopedia of 5,000 Spells by Judika Illes)