Unfortunately, as we finished the rough draft for this book our beloved dog, Thor, who we have been talking about, passed away at the venerable age of seventeen. We are grateful for his long life but also, sadly, prepared for his transition. Nothing can really prepare a devoted dog owner for this letting go, but in our research and discussions we have found comfort in the fact that since the beginning of history, dogs have been associated with the positive aspects of passing on, even to helping us humans make the transition to the “other side.” These things comfort us and, we hope, will comfort you as well.
Dogs & Death
Dogs have always been connected with death. Even today it is quite common to see wild dogs roaming smoking “smashan” or human cremation grounds in India and Nepal. We saw this firsthand. Early dogs likely feasted upon corpses, and still do today. Long ago, dogs were seen unearthing buried bones as humanity was developing its funerary practices, and this created an impression. The sight of roaming dogs in the aftermath of battlefields has always been a common one. These ancient associations likely gave us myths of dog gods or spirits of death and as underworld guides and protectors of people in transition.
In Celtic myths, a sacred dog guarded the moon gate leading to the afterlife. The dog’s name was Dormarth or “Death’s Door.” This is almost exactly the same myth described in Hindu tales, where the lunar goddess Sarama is mistress of the death dogs guarding the moon portal to death’s realm. Maybe this is the origin of the Moon tarot trump.
We all know the Greek myth of Cerberus, the monstrous three-headed dog belonging to Hades, that guarded the gates to the underworld. Like all dogs, Cerberus can be charmed, and Orpheus used his lyre to sing the dog to sleep when rescuing his beloved Eurydice from the underworld.
Less well known is that Cerberus may be an aspect of the goddess Hecate, who is sometimes shown as dog-headed, thus connecting with the three dogs she is often shown with. Being the ancient mistress of the cosmic crossroads, she is both protector and guardian of the path to the underworld. It was Hecate who led the goddess Demeter to find her daughter Persephone locked away in Hades. Some tarot decks show Hekate on the Moon trump card as well.
The Norse also tell of a giant dog guardian of the underworld called Garm (or Garmr). He guards Helheim. Hel, the Norse queen goddess of the underworld, was said to give birth to “Hell Dogs,” which carried souls to paradise. The leader of this death dog pack is a fearsome beast named Managarm, or “moon dog.”
There are many dog spirits in the Celtic world that seemingly pass between our world and the next. The Cu Sith, giant green faerie wolf dogs, are an omen or magical warning (sometimes of death) if seen or encountered in the deep wilds of Ireland. In the same part of the world exist legends of the infamous giant black Dog Spirit, whose appearance is always a harbinger of dark tidings. We personally attest to the widespread belief in the big black Dog Spirit because we have seen that almost every town in England has a Black Dog Pub.
Dog “death” spirits appear frightening, but they seem to mythically exist to help us deal with crossing over. Dogs and dog spirits have been guiding human souls carefully into the other world since the dawn of time, according to many faiths.
In the Zoroastrian religion, even today among modern Parsee worshippers, dogs are sacred and help people pass over.
This is a personal story and we hesitate to share it, but it is so germane to this part of the book that we feel we must. After our dog’s passing, while performing a funerary ceremony and installing his ashes in a special place in our yard, we were shocked to discover that a young man we were very close to who lived nearby had also suddenly passed away. As we chanted for peace for this young man’s transition, both of us received the same vision, which we later shared much to our shock. It was this: our dog, who loved the neighbor boy very much, was guiding the boy’s spirit to the afterlife. Due to this young man’s sudden and traumatic death, he was a confused soul. We both saw this young man and our Thor leaving this world together. While we previously felt Thor’s presence after his passing, suddenly we both knew that he was gone. He waited for our ceremony and then accomplished his final duty, to help guide this young man’s soul over to the other side. At least, this is our belief.
We mention this story because as we began doing research on this book, we discovered that this is exactly what dogs and dog spirits are said to do, going back thousands of years, across many very different cultures.
In ancient Greece, the god Hermes, and in Roman myth, Mercury, sent dogs as psychopomps (spirit guides) to assist the spirits of the dead to enter the afterlife safely. Even his caduceus wand could calm Cerberus into letting him and the souls he escorted pass by.
In Egypt, it was the dog-headed Anubis or Anpu (“opener of the way”) who did the same. In Japanese, Inuit, and Siberian magic, it is dogs or dog spirits that help a soul find its way through the chaos of the otherworld to paradise or rebirth. The Ainu living in Northern Japan believe the mazelike path through the underworld is filled with helper dog spirits holding torches, waiting to help people make it safely through. Dogs also were said to guide the soul of the deceased to the afterlife in Aztec and Mayan cultures. The Aztec dog-headed god Xolotl sent dog spirits to guide the deceased to the “nine-fold river,” through the “jaws of earth” to safety in the blessed afterlife. Even today Parsee worshippers see dogs as guides for and communicators with the dead.
In many ancient cultures, dogs were buried with their owners to help lead them to the otherworld. We know this tradition continues because we have family members buried with the ashes of their beloved dog. In many places, dogs were sacrificed to perform this task, buried with their beloved humans to guide them in the next realm. In Egyptian, Mayan, and Etruscan tombs, where dogs were found buried with people, images of this last journey are depicted with the dog spirit guiding.
Dog gods or spirits also guard the dead, as they did in ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Dogs are honored in many places for doing so. Divine dogs and dog charms magically protect the living from angry ghosts and other evil spirits as they do in China and Japan. Yet mostly dog spirits protect the deceased. In Hindu mythology, it is Sarama the Dog Goddess who guards the gateway between the living and the dead and is said to attend the death god Yama.
Sometimes small images of helper dog spirits are left at a grave to help people pass over peacefully. We ourselves saw dog charms used in Japan during Obon (the festival to honor the dead), and we also saw small clay dog “spirit helpers” put on graves in Oaxaca during the Day of the Dead. In Guatemala, four guardian dogs are often still left on graves to protect the deceased.
Our dogs protect, comfort, and help guide us during our lives. Many cultures have held the belief that they do the same after we pass on to another world. That is true devotion. It is our greatest hope that when we pass on, our beloved Thor will be waiting for us, tail wagging, ready to help lead us to the Summerland.
Spells, Meditations & Charms
Dog Help in Passing Charm
Losing a beloved family member who happens to be a dog is very difficult; sometimes it is almost more than we can bear. Dog owners know that there is a special bond between a dog and its human, a devotion and dedication unmatched in other pet relationships. This is a charm to help you work through the loss of your dog pal with love.
You will need:
• A photo of your deceased dog
• Incense or a candle
• A lock of your deceased dog’s hair or something small worn or loved by your dog
• A small bead or piece of rose quartz that fits in a locket
• A sprig of fresh rosemary
• A plate to hold the items above
• A small generic locket you can wear on a chain or cord
On the night of a new moon, sit with a photo of your deceased dog friend, maybe burn some incense or light a candle. Think fondly of your loved one; feel your loss. Place the items before you on a clean plate. Shed a few tears of sorrow, then place some of your tears on the fur, rose quartz, and rosemary, saying:
By the tears of the great dark sea,
Spirit of (deceased dog’s name) come to me
With joy and love and comfort.
So may it be.
Place all the items in the locket, saying:
By sun of life, moon of death, and fire of love,
By the light from the spirit above,
(deceased dog’s name) may you be free.
But may our bond of love and comfort
Bring us both joy and peace for eternity.
By the lady of night of sweet Hekate,
So may it be.
Place the charm around your neck, say:
Pain and sorrow
Fade away.
In peace and love
We both shall stay.
So may it be.
Wear this charm whenever you wish to feel the eternal soul connection you and your dog will always have. Know that your beloved loyal dog awaits you on the other side. Know that love is eternal and therefore you may let go of the pain but never the memory.
Dog Guiding a Soul Meditation
Dogs are our loyal guides and guardians in life and they can continue to be so in death, or so many cultures and belief systems tell us. This meditation is helping a human friend or relative attain a successful transition to the other side by offering them the help of a guardian guide dog spirit. This dog spirit guide may be the spirit of a beloved deceased dog that has preceded its owner or it may simply be the divine in the form of dog spirit that acts as psychopomp (guide of the dead). This should be done soon after your human loved one has passed and should be done at their grave or at a place where their presence is felt.
You will need:
• A small container of salt
• Materials to make a small handmade dog image (from one to three inches tall). It can be made of clay, sticks, paper, or palm leaf. It need not be ornate or fancy.
• A pen or other writing tool, red ink is best
Sit before the grave of your loved one or in a place where they feel present. You should be alone and have the materials before you. Sprinkle a pinch of salt about you while seeing a purifying light surrounding you. Close your eyes, breathe slowly and deeply, and relax. Let all thoughts flow through you until the image of the departed loved one naturally appears in your mind.
Hold this image and address it with love and compassion. Let your loved one know that if they need assistance, your love will help guide them in the form of dog spirit to the bliss awaiting. Ask if this is okay, the vision will let you know if it is. If so, open your eyes and carefully make the small dog image. While doing so, chant the simple word Iao. This great word of power means both “light” and “to heal.” Singing it, chanting it, or whispering it are all wonderful ways to enter the right trance.
As you create the dog spirit image, see the light of spirit filling it, see the mission you have assigned it fill it, see your love and will fill it with the goal of guiding the deceased. If you can call forth the energy of the spirit dog, add the name of this dog to your chant. See this spirit dog energy infusing the image and bringing it to life.
When done, write the word Iao on the small dog figurine. Breathe on it three times, saying each time:
Iao. By the light of love, help guide (name of deceased) to spirit.
Place the figurine on the grave of the deceased, facing north.
Meditate in silence, seeing the dog spirit running up with joy to the deceased and guiding them along a path of light to the other side.
Sit in meditation, open your heart, breathe deeply, and relax. When done, place your hands on your heart and say Iao again, filling yourself with love and healing as well.
Sprinkle a bit of salt around you and leave when you will.
Spirit Dog Spell: Working with Your Deceased Pal
If you have a strong magical relationship with your dog or if your dog was your familiar, then death cannot end that relationship. Your magical partner can still aid you and, being a dog, will want to continue to help, guard, and guide you even though they are now of spirit. Dogs, it is said in many traditions, can cross back and forth through the liminal world between life and death, and your familiar can be of great help to you in your spiritual work as a helping spirit if you enter into this relationship with love, respect, and equality. This is not dark magic or necromancy. This is part of an on-going magical relationship entered into with love and trust.
For this spell, you will need a small shrine or a sacred space dedicated to your deceased dog friend. If you plan on working with your dog’s spirit, it is likely you already set up a simple altar with items your dog loved, a small photo, and so on. If not, see the Honoring Your Deceased Familiar Charm later in this section.
You will need:
• Some salt
• Myrrh incense, in any form
• A black candle
• Matches
• A black mirror or a black ceramic bowl with some water in it
• Love offerings to your dog; a treat, fresh water, or whatever you like
Begin by tossing a bit of salt to the four directions and tasting a bit, saying:
Out, out, throughout and about,
All good come in; all evil stay out.
Sit in silence for a time. In your mind’s eye, see your dog, feel its presence, feel the closeness and love you share. Light the black candle, saying:
By the Queens of Night and Sea,
Hekate, Sarama, Hel, and Belit-ili,
By the gate and way of death,
By faithful Dormarth, Chinvat, and Naraka’s breath,
By death dogs Garm, Cerberus, and Calu,
You are with me and I am with you.
Come now forth and work with me.
As I give you love, now let me see.
I with you, you with me.
Wave the black mirror or small black bowl with water carefully over the flame and incense smoke three times saying each time:
Epistston!*
Now, scry (stare deeply with the sight) into the black mirror or bowl. Whisper the name of your beloved dog three times, projecting love and need. At this point, thank your beloved familiar, offer love and blessings, end the spell, and repeat the simple salt banishing.
If your dog’s image appears, then you may work with them. Begin by greeting, honoring, loving, and thanking your dog spirit for help and contact. Then ask what you will. Maybe you would like help with divination, finding something, or protection. Once you are in contact, this relation may be built upon. When you are done with the work you need to do, say goodbye to the spirit of your loved one by saying:
Thank you, Queens of Night and Sea,
Hekate, Sarama, Hel, and Belit-ili.
I close the gate and way of death
By Dormarth, Chinvat, and Naraka’s breath.
Thanks to death dogs Garm, Cerberus, and Calu.
You are gone from me and I depart from you.
Go now forth and with joy be free,
As I give you love, remember me.
Do the simple salt clearing you began with and blow out the candle. Leave the black mirror or brown water (after pouring out the water on the earth) at your dog’s shrine. You now have a deep relationship with your spirit dog, as many shamans have before you.
* Translation (Greek): Epistston = Cry to urge on a dog.
Easing Your Dog’s Passing Charm
Few things are harder than losing your canine best friend. If your loyal dog passes suddenly, this spell can help the soul of your loved one pass on to the next realm. If you have to facilitate the passing, a hard thing to do, it is best to perform this spell just after the time of passing.
You will need:
• “Dark” incense of some kind or even a spray scent, if natural
• A single white candle
• Matches
• A cup of pure water
• A dog bone or favorite treat of your dog
• A small token of your beloved dog: Something worn by your dog or a lock of hair
• Everything should be on a small white plate or cloth
This is to be done as soon as possible after the dog has passed or it can be done if the dog is passing at home just as they pass. Have tissues handy and a glass of pure water for yourself. You should be clean and wear clean clothes, white if possible.
When ready, breathe deeply and rhythmically until you are calm. Visualize light about you and (if present) your dog’s body. If your dog is not present, visualize them with you.
Chant om three times. Light the candle. See the vibration and the light banish all fear, sorrow, and negativity. Light the incense, saying:
Great mother of the gate of death,
I invoke you by these and all your many names
Artemis, Inanna, Hekate.
Be kind, be helpful, bring peace,
Great opener of the way of death.
I invoke you by these and all your many names
Anubis, Hermes, Yama.
Be kind, be helpful, bring peace.
Open the gates of the unseen.
Guide the soul of this great being to rest.
Open the way, light the way,
This I pray.
Wave some incense smoke about, saying:
By the breath of spirit.
Wave your hand over the candle, saying:
By the light of the divine.
Pour out a little water and say:
May (dog’s name) never thirst.
Touch the treat:
May (dog’s name) never hunger.
Take up the token and say:
May my love forever embrace (dog’s name)
And this love surround me.
So may it be.
Open your arms and, with eyes closed, release your loving dog’s spirit—see them follow the path of light to the gate of light and pass on to the other side. You may want to say special words of encouragement, love, and parting. When done, say:
By the light of peace,
Through the light of peace,
I extend the light of peace
With focused will and great love.
Om.
When finished, spend some time breathing until you feel peace.
Let the candle and incense burn out, pour the water out onto the earth, and bury the treat. Know that love is eternal and you and your dog will always share a special bond, no matter what. It is recommended that you keep the token of your beloved pet in a special or sacred place, maybe with a photo of him or her. In this way you can continue to send love and peace as your dog transitions to spirit. Peace.
Letting Go of a Dog Who Has Passed Meditation
Sometimes the grief we feel for a dog that has passed is so deep and persistent it affects our lives in a serious manner. If such grief causes depression or a withdrawal from life, it is a problem and not something our dog would ever want us to endure. This meditation will help you accept the loss of your dear dog friend and, though you will always remember them, allow you to move on with your life.
Go to a place where you often walked your dog. The spot you choose should be in a park, in the woods, or on a hiking trail, someplace with trees and grass and a place to sit. If this location is by a body of water, that is even better. Sit in this place and feel the familiar grief and sorrow of your loss flow through you.
Close your eyes. Before you is your beloved dog, sitting, smiling at you, maybe wagging its tail. It is fine to cry at this point as well. When you are calmed down, eyes still closed, do some rhythmic breathing. Breathe in for three seconds, hold your breath for three seconds, breathe out for three seconds, hold for three seconds. Continue in this manner until you are calm and quiet.
In the earth, draw a trefoil: 
Say:
By the three
Crone, Maiden, Mother,
Our love is eternal
One for the other.
Now, eyes still closed, visualize your departed dog sitting there, loving you, not wanting to leave you because of your pain. Begin the rhythmic breathing again, and silently chant as you do so:
I love you, I love you, I love you.
Do this for a few minutes. Then, do the same thing, but this time silently say:
I release you, I release you, I release you.
After a time, visualize your dog getting up, smiling goodbye, and scampering off into the wonderful, exciting, sunlit woods to play and explore.
Finally, when they have moved on, do the same deep counting breathing, this time with your eyes open, internally saying:
I will remember you, I will remember you, I will remember you.
End by simply breathing slowly and deeply and leaving when you wish. You may leave behind an old token of your dog, a worn leash or chew toy.
When done, erase the trefoil, but keep it in your mind and heart always. You will always feel loss, but you can now move on. Repeat this meditation as often as you need. Peace.
Honoring Your Deceased Familiar Charm
The charm in this simple rite is actually a shrine or special place to honor your dog and continue to send positive spiritual support, healing love, and energy to your deceased pet. We owe so very much to our dogs, it is only fitting that we continue to honor and support them after they have passed on. Death is a veil, not a door. Love and support can pass through this veil. When a beloved dog passes, they may be confused or in pain or debilitated. As they pass over, the love, support, and spirit we offer can help guide them to the other side and help them find peace and joy and remember us with love.
You will need:
• Salt
• A special place outside or in your home. It can be a shelf, a small cabinet, or a box or even a niche in your garden. Some people keep the actual urn of ashes in the shrine, but that is up to you.
• A framed photo of your beloved dog
• A small bowl or cup for water and another for dog treats or food
• A symbol of your faith
• A token from your dog; some dog hair, the collar, dog tags, or something similar
• Flowers, incense, and a candle are needed for the initial installation of the shrine; afterward it is up to you
• Anything else you feel is appropriate
Before you create your shrine, sprinkle a little salt in a circle around the area saying:
Avert, Avert, Avert.
Above and below
And all around,
All that is bad
Sink into the ground!
Thus cleansing the area of all negative vibrations. Then vibrate the sacred vowels power word:
Aeiou (ayyy eeeee iiiii ooooh ewwww)
And so bless the space while visualizing light filling the area.
Create your shrine. It is best to install the shrine just after your beloved dog’s passing; in many traditions twilight is the most auspicious time. As you do so, sing a song or hum something you associate with your departed dog, maybe something that they loved. Visualize your dog with you, helping you, and loving you. When you are finished, say:
I call the primal Wolf Spirit,
Ancestor of all dogs,
You who formed the first bond with us
To witness and bless this shrine.
I call forth the eternal bond of loyalty,
Love, light, laughter, and life
Between man and dog:
By my love and the love of (name of dog)
Ab initio canem.*
Amor est vitae essentia.*
Light the candle and incense, and pray silently from your heart to your beloved dog. Then say:
This candle is the first and eternal fire that protects you.
This incense is the spirit and power of love that enfolds you.
This water is the love and blood that we share.
This food is the sustenance and support I give you.
These tokens of love and faith
Reflect the love and faith I have in you,
(Name of deceased dog). Here is your shelter.
Here is your place at my hearth.
Here is the place between the worlds
Where I can continue to feed you,
Protect you,
Love you, and pray for you.
Next, pray to god, goddess, or holy person of your choosing—if you have no preference, simply chant om to represent the divine spirit. When done, say:
A caelo usque ad terra*
A caelo usque ad terra
A caelo usque ad terra
Fiat lux.*
The shrine is now consecrated and is a sacred charm for you to use to give love and energy to your departed dog. It is a place to remember and feel its presence when you need it.
Memoratus in aeternum.*
* Translation (Latin): Ab initio canem = From the very first dog; Amor est vitae essentia = Love is the essence of life; A caelo usque ad terra = From heaven centered on the earth; Fiat lux = Let there (always) be light; Memoratus in aeternum = Remembered forever.