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NARAKAS – THE 28 HELLS OF HINDU COSMOLOGY – REALMS OF SUFFERING AND REDEMPTION

Narakas - The 28 Hells of Hindu Cosmology - Realms of Suffering and Redemption

In the vast and intricate web of Hindu cosmology, beyond the material world and hidden in the depths of Patala, lie the 28 Narakas.

The hellish realms of suffering, which serve as places where the soul undergoes purification before its next birth. These are not eternal damnations rather temporary realms of retribution, where the consequences of one’s actions (Karma) are met with precise and fitting punishments.

These 28 Narakas are described in several Hindu scriptures, including the Bhagavata Purana, Agni Purana , Garuda Purana, Vishnu Purana, Vedas, Upanishads and Manusmriti among other texts and are not limited to only 28. Additional sources list multiple hells.

The 28 discussed here today can be found in the Srimad Bhagavatam.

Each realm is uniquely horrifying, designed to reflect the nature of the sins committed by the soul. Those who commit acts of violence, deceit, greed, or cruelty find themselves subjected to tortures that mirror their wrongdoings.

Whether it is drowning in rivers of blood, being devoured by demonic hounds, or impaled on flaming spears, each punishment is a direct consequence of one’s misdeeds.

But before we continue exploring the terrifying depths of Naraka, make sure to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss any deep dives into esoteric wisdom and ancient mysteries. Now, let’s descend into the underworld…

Hell can be found in between the three worlds, in the south below the earth and a little above the causal waters below Pâtâlaloka.

Presiding over these shadowy domains is Yama, the god of death and justice. He is also known as Dharma Raja (Lord of Righteousness). Yama is tasked with maintaining the cosmic balance by ensuring that every soul receives its due rewards and punishments. His kingdom, Yamaloka, is the gateway to the afterlife, where souls are judged based on their earthly deeds.

Assisting him in this divine judgment is Chitragupta, the celestial scribe and record-keeper of karma. Every thought, word, and action of a being is meticulously recorded in his Agrasandhanī (eternal register) When a soul arrives at Yama’s court, Chitragupta presents a detailed account of its past life, determining whether it will ascend to Svarga (the heavens), return to the earthly realm, or descend into Naraka (hells) for purification.

Unlike the Christian or Islamic concept of an eternal hell, Naraka is a transitory realm, where sinners suffer until their karmic debts are repaid, after which they are reborn into the cycle of samsara (reincarnation), sometimes even being reborn into a lower form of existence, to continue its karmic journey. Thus, these realms are not only about suffering but also about cosmic justice and moral realignment.

Some believe that Naraka exists in unseen astral planes, while others interpret it as the psychological suffering one undergoes due to guilt and unresolved karma.

Despite what we believe, These texts leave us with a mystery to unravel.

So lets have a look at The 28 Narakas and Their Descriptions

Each Naraka is associated with specific sins and punishments which is briefly described.

1. Tamisra (Darkness)

Sin: Anyone who steals someone else’s money, wife, or children

Punishment: They are thrown into blinding darkness and suffer extreme torment, being deprived of food and water and left starving, while being beaten with sticks and yelled at by the Yamadhutas , the agents of Yama . The pain and punishment can become so unbearable that they may even lose consciousness from sheer agony. After regaining consciousness, they are beaten again. This continues until the karmic debt is paid.

2. Andhatamisra (Blind Darkness)

Sin: Anyone who slyly cheats someone to gain their money, wife, children or possessions.

Punishment: The sinful living being is subjected to extreme miseries and pain so much that he loses intelligence and sight, becoming blind and becoming similar to a tree cut down by it’s roots.

3. Raurava (Torment of the Wicked)

Sin: Commiting violent or cruel acts against many living entities.

Punishment: These living entities are transformed into animals called rurus, that torture and inflict great pain on the sinful living being.

4. Maharaurava (Greater Torment)

Sin: A person who maintains his own body by hurting others

Punishment: He is put into this hell and is Devoured by 0:05:58.515 flesh eating animals called kravyādas 0:06:03.046

5. Kumbhipaka, The hell of the cooking pot (Boiling in Oil)

Sin: Killing or harming animals for pleasure and cooking poor land or sea animals alive.

Punishment: These living beings are thrown into a large pot and are boiled in hot oil.

6. Kalasutra (Hot Wire Hell)

Sin: Anyone who kills a Brahmin.

Punishment: The sinful living being is thrown into a hell which the surface is made of copper. Heated from below by fire and from above by the scorching sun, the copper surface of this planet is extremely hot. He is burned internally from hunger and thirst and externally from heat. He is sometimes sitting or lying down or having to run here and there for the duration of as many thousands of years as there are hairs on the body of an animal.

7. Asipatravana (Forest of Swords)

Sin: A person unnecessarily deviated from his path of self-realization and yielded to hypocrisy.

Punishment: He is beat him with whips and he runs all around trying to flee from the extreme pain, but on all sides he runs into two-edged razor sharp palm leaves and is body is cut to shreds.

8. Sukaramukha (Crushing Jaws)

Sin: anyone in this life who is a politician (king) or servant of the king or government representative inflicts punishment upon an innocent man or a Brahmin.

Punishment: Being crushed alive until he faints, as the most powerful assistants of Yamarāja crush him exactly as one crushes sugarcane to squeeze out the juice.

9. Andhakupa (Well of Darkness)

Sin: Harming animals, insects, birds or lower forms of life that are unaware that they do harm to humans.

Punishment: Therein will that person indeed fall down according the evil he did to them, the respective entities, the animals, wild beasts, birds, snakes, mosquitos, lice, worms and flies and whatever others; just as the ones with their inferior body will he in the darkness be persecuted, hurt and disturbed by them everywhere and wander around not being able to find a place to rest.

10. Krimibhojana (Worm Food)

Sin: Anyone who eats but does not share food or neglects offering some food as a sacrifice to the Gods, needy, animals, wise and ancestors.

Punishment: He is thrown into a lake of worms and becomes a worm himself, to eat and be eaten by other worms.

11. Sandaṁśa (tong’s hell)

    Sin: Anyone who steals gold, gems, or valuables from a Brahmin or others through theft or violence, without any justification, commits a grave offense of greed and dishonesty.

    Punishment: After death, they are sent to Sandamśa, the “tongs hell,” where Yamarâja’s enforcers force them to hold red-hot iron balls, and then tear off their skin with burning tongs, making them suffer for their greed and wrongdoing.

    12. Taptasurmi (Burning Pillars)

    Sin: Any man or woman who engages in illicit sexual relations, disregarding moral and legal boundaries, indulges in desires that lead to dishonor and wrongdoing.

    Punishment: After death, they are sent to Taptasûrmi, the hell of “the red-hot iron statue,” where they are whipped and forced to embrace a burning-hot iron figure—a man for women and a woman for men—suffering unbearable pain as a consequence of their actions.

    13. Vajrakantaka-salmali (Thorny Tree Torture)

    Sin: Anyone who engages in indiscriminate and immoral sexual relations, including acts against nature, violates fundamental ethical and spiritual principles.

    Punishment: After death, they are sent to Vajrakanthaka-Śālmali, the hell of “the thunderbolt-thorn cotton tree,” where they are hung on razor-sharp thorns and pulled down repeatedly, suffering excruciating pain as retribution for their actions.

    14. Vaitarani (River of Filth)

    Sin: Those who were born into royalty or government positions but abused their power, ignored their duties as rulers, and acted unjustly. They broke the rules of righteousness (dharma) and will, after death, end up in Vaitaraṇī, the river of torment.

    Punishment: As a result, they fall into a river filled with filth—stool, urine, pus, blood, hair, nails, bones, marrow, flesh, and fat—where ferocious animals attack and devour them. Their sins keep them from dying easily, forcing them to remain conscious and suffer endlessly while being reminded of their misdeeds.

    15. Puyodaka (Well of Putrid Water)

    Sin: People who abandoned cleanliness, self-discipline, and good behavior, living shamelessly like animals, and who have violated the principles of a regulated life.

    Punishment: After death, they are condemned to Pûyoda, the hell of “fetid waters,” where they are submerged in an ocean filled with pus, excrement, urine, mucus, and saliva, forced to survive only on the most disgusting substances.

    16. Pranarodha (Torture Chamber)

    Sin: Those who belong to the Brahminical order but keep dogs or donkeys and take pleasure in hunting animals, violating sacred rules, act against their dharma.

    Punishment: After death, they are sent to Prânarodha, the hell of “suppression of breath,” where Yamarâja’s men hunt them down and pierce them with arrows, making them suffer as they once made innocent animals suffer.

    17. Visasana (Slaughter House)

    Sin: Those who, driven by pride in their wealth and status, kill animals in sacrifices merely to showcase their prestige violate the principles of compassion and righteousness. .

    Punishment: After death, they are cast into Viśasana, the hell of “sleeplessness,” where Yamarâja’s helpers torment them relentlessly and cut them into pieces, forcing them to endure the suffering they inflicted on innocent creatures.

    18. Lalabhaksha (Molten Metal Feast)

    Sin: A man of the higher classes (dvija) who, overcome by lust, forces his wife of the same caste to drink his semen acts against moral and spiritual principles.

    Punishment: As a result of this sin, he will be condemned to Lâlâbhaksha, the hell of “semen for food,” where he will be thrown into a river of semen and forced to drink it himself.

    19. Sarameyadana (Hounds of Hell)

    Sin: Those who, as thieves, commit arson, use poison, or plunder villages, along with corrupt merchants, rulers, and officials who support such crimes, betray justice and morality.

    Punishment: After death, they are sent to Sârameyâdana, the hell of “the dog’s meal,” where they are torn apart and devoured by 720 ferocious, sharp-toothed dogs under the command of the Yamadûtas.

    20. Avicimat (No Escape)

    Sin: A person who lies or gives false testimony in business, charity, or other matters deceives others and acts dishonestly, breaks oaths, or betrays.

    Punishment: After death, they are cast into Avīcimat, the hell of “having no water,” where they are thrown headfirst from the top of a mountain 100 yojanas high. Upon hitting the arid, stone-covered ground, their body shatters, but they do not die—instead, they are dragged back to the top and thrown down again in an endless cycle of suffering.

    21. Ayahpana (Iron Drink)

    Sin: A Brahmin or his wife who drinks soma-rasa improperly, or a ruler or merchant who, despite taking a vow, consumes alcohol in delusion, violates sacred duties and self-discipline.

    Punishment: After death, they are condemned to Ayahpâna, the hell of “drinking iron,” where they are pinned down with a foot on their chest and have molten iron poured into their mouths as punishment for their transgression.

    22. Ksarakardama (Swamp of Slime)

    Sin: A person of low birth or degraded character who, out of false pride, fails to show respect to those of higher birth, wisdom, virtue, and discipline disregards the natural order and principles of humility.

    Punishment: After death, they are cast headfirst into Kshârakardama, the hell of “the pool of acrid mud,” where they endure excruciating torment in its burning, corrosive filth.

    23. Raktaksha (Blood Lake)

    Sin: Men who sacrifice other people in worship of Kālī and women who consume human flesh commit acts of extreme violence and cruelty, violating the fundamental laws of morality and compassion.

    Punishment: After death, they are condemned to Rakshogana-bhojana, the hell of “being the food of the devil,” where they are slaughtered like animals by fierce Rākshasas, who cut them to pieces, drink their blood, and celebrate their suffering just as the sinners once did themselves.

    24. Sulaprota (Impaled on Spikes)

    Sin: Those who deceive innocent animals by making them feel safe, only to harm them for entertainment—whether by piercing their bodies, restraining them, or tormenting them—inflict unnecessary cruelty on helpless creatures.

    Punishment: After death, they are sent to S’ûlaprota, the hell of “pierced by the pike,” where their own bodies are impaled and restrained in the same way. Starving and thirsty, they are relentlessly attacked by sharp-beaked birds like herons and vultures, suffering the same agony they once inflicted.

    25. Dandasuka (Serpent Torture)

    Sin: Men who, like venomous snakes, harm others without reason, acting out of sheer malice and cruelty, cause unnecessary suffering in the world.

    Punishment: After death, they are sent to Dandaśūka, the hell of “the cudgel in return,” where five- and seven-hooded serpents rise before them and devour them like mice, making them experience the same fear and pain they inflicted on others.

    26. Avatha nirodhana – (to be thrown in the dark)

    Sin: Someone who in this life confines living beings either in blind wells, in granaries or in caves.

    Punishment: will likewise in their next life be forced to enter the same places, to be locked up there with poisonous fumes, fire and smoke.

    27. Paryavartana (Turned to Ash)

    Sin: A householder who, instead of welcoming guests with kindness, greets them with anger and hostility, glaring at them as if to burn them with his eyes, fails in his duty of hospitality and compassion.

    Punishment: After death, they are sent to Paryâvartana, the hell of “the eyes plucked,” where herons, vultures, and crows mercilessly tear out their eyes with their powerful beaks, making them suffer the consequences of their sinful gaze. .

    28. Sucimukha (Needle Mouth)

    Sin: Those who, out of greed and selfishness, view others with suspicion, obsess over their wealth, and hoard money without joy—acting like evil spirits guarding treasure—live in constant fear of loss and refuse to share their fortune.

    Punishment: After death, they are condemned to Sûcîmukha, the hell of “the pin first,” where Yamarâja’s enforcers, like expert weavers, pierce and stitch their limbs together with needles and thread, tormenting them for their greed and miserliness.

    Key Scriptural Sources on Naraka:

    1. Bhagavata PuranaCanto 5, Chapter 26 (Most detailed descriptions of hells)
    2. Garuda PuranaChapters 3.3 to 3.15 (Karmic consequences & afterlife punishments)
    3. MahabharataAnusasana Parva, Section 129 (Mentions different realms of hell)
    4. ManusmritiChapter 4.87-90 (Moral conduct and Naraka)
    5. Vishnu Purana – Book 2, Chapter 6 (Hells as part of Yama’s judgment)

    Some believe these Narakas are literal, physical places where souls undergo punishment before rebirth. Others see them as symbolic realms, representing deep states of suffering experienced in the human mind due to karma. The debate continues, inviting spiritual seekers to explore their own truth.

    Are these realms real? Or are they metaphors for suffering? Could Naraka be closer than we think and would you survive Naraka?

    We’d love to hear about it in the comments below! Thanks and don’t forget to share this post!!!


    Video version here:

    Narakas – The 28 Hells of Hindu Cosmology – Realms of Suffering and Redemption


    Interesting sources, additional info, courses, images, credits, attributions and other points of views here:

    Balancing and Healing the Chakras through Yoga https://www.udemy.com/course/balancing-and-healing-the-chakras-through-yoga/?referralCode=12C81A148616B419AA06

    Mudras to Balance and Harmonize your Chakras and Energy Body https://www.udemy.com/course/mudras-to-balance-and-harmonize-your-energy-body/?referralCode=1A275C6E67E05E8C8130

    Elemental Energy for Success and Well Being https://www.udemy.com/course/elemental-energy-for-success-and-well-being/?referralCode=A680413E03BEAD96E744

    Book a Tarot reading here: https://www.suryaholistictarot.com/book-a-reading/

    Check our soundtrack here:
    https://lennyblandino.bandcamp.com/track/fire-meditation-1


    Websites:

    https://www.alkemystica.com

    https://www.lennyblandino.com

    https://www.staciebronson.com/


    Links and References:

    https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/soul-search/9-types-of-narakas-or-hells-as-per-hindu-religion/amp_etphotostory/104472173.cms

    https://bhagavanbhakthi.com/2013/12/names-of-hells-narakas-in-hinduism/

    https://slife.org/naraka-in-hinduism/

    https://www.srimadbhagavatam.org/canto5/chapter26.html

    https://sacred-texts.com/hin/vp/vp064.htm

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yama

    https://venupayyanur.com/crime-and-punishment-the-hindu-way/

    https://www.hinduwebsite.com/sacredscripts/puranas/gp/gp.asp#ch4

    https://www.hinduwebsite.com/sacredscripts/puranas/gp/gp.asp#ch3

    https://bhagavanbhakthi.com/2013/12/names-of-hells-narakas-in-hinduism/

    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/92/Hindu_hell.jpg

    https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/5/26/8/

    https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9b/The_Court_of_Yama%2C_God_of_Death%2C_circa_1800.jpg

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    5 ANIMALS AND THEIR OCCULT SYMBOLISM

    5 Animals and their Occult Symbolism

    Throughout history, animals have been imbued with mystical significance, serving as symbols, messengers, and spiritual allies in the realms of the occult and esoteric practices. Their connection to the unseen world has inspired countless myths, legends, and magical traditions, weaving them into the fabric of human belief systems. From ancient grimoires to modern pop culture, the symbolic power of animals is undeniable.

    In this exploration, we will delve into the occult connections of five everyday animals and uncover their esoteric meanings, tracing their appearances in literature, film, and spiritual traditions.

    Number One: The black cat is perhaps the most iconic animal tied to the occult, its reputation steeped in mystery and superstition.

    Black cats are known for being elusive, hiding in the shadows of dark alleys, moving with extreme precision, and being stealth hunters. These traits naturally connect them to what’s hidden, what’s unknown, what is secret and what is veiled.

    In alchemy, the cat’s dark fur mirrors the darkness of the nigredo, where the impurities of the soul are confronted and released.

    In tarot, we can see the black cat on the Queen of Wands, signifying the hidden and intuitive side of the Queen, but also implying that she has a more secretive and dark side to her.

    At one time in history, black cats were revered and worshipped. They brought luck and were praised for killing venomous snakes, rodents and birds that damaged crops, and protecting the Pharaoh since at least the First Dynasty of Egypt. The Goddess Bastet was very closely associated with cats, bringing protection to anyone worshipping her.

    It wasn’t until the Middle Ages that black cats were believed to be witches’ familiars, aiding their human counterparts in magical endeavors. Black cats were thought to be shapeshifters, moving between worlds unannounced and unseen.

    During the witch trials in Europe and America, their association with the devil and witchcraft led to their persecution alongside accused witches. Too many innocent black cats lost their lives.

    This symbolism endures today, with black cats often portrayed as either omens of bad luck or harbingers of supernatural events.

    In Edgar Allan Poe’s short story “The Black Cat,” the animal serves as a chilling symbol of guilt and darkness, underscoring its association with the uncanny. Additionally, black cats have found their way into popular culture as magical companions, such as Salem in the television series Sabrina the Teenage Witch or Thackery Binx in the film Hocus Pocus. These portrayals continue to highlight their enduring connection to the occult.

    Interesting fact – In cats, the gene for a black coat is dominant, which overrides the expression of the tabby gene, resulting in a black coat. This dominance means black is the most common coat color among cats, making black cats more prevalent than any other color. Also, due to genetic mutations, they seem to resist disease more than cats of other colors!

    Number Two: Crows and ravens. Firstly, crows are the smaller of the two birds and groups of them are called “murders” – this was given to them in the middle ages for their association with scavenging on dead and decaying matter and with being found around battlefields, cemeteries, gallows and hospitals waiting for any kind of food source.

    A group of ravens is called an “unkindness”, or sometimes “conspiracy” of ravens because they have an infamous history of being associated with bad omens, supersitions and other dark foretellings.

    Crows and ravens, often conflated, or combined together, in symbolism, are revered for their intelligence and eerie presence. In Norse mythology, the god Odin is accompanied by two ravens, Huginn and Muninn, who represent thought and memory and serve as his eyes and ears across the world.

    This connection to divine knowledge and prophecy is echoed in other traditions, where crows and ravens are viewed as psychopomps, or guiders of souls, escorting newly deceased souls to the afterlife. Their striking black feathers and keen intelligence make them natural symbols of mystery, transformation, and the unknown.

    In literature, Edgar Allan Poe’s poem “The Raven” immortalizes the bird as a symbol of grief and unrelenting mystery, with its haunting refrain, “Nevermore,” resonating with themes of loss and the supernatural. Similarly, films such as The Crow (1994) emphasize the bird’s association with death and resurrection, reinforcing its esoteric significance.

    In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, ravens are also given a mystical role, specifically in their flight patterns. At one point, a group of ravens is seen flying against the wind, a phenomenon that serves as an omen and a signal of deeper forces at play. This imagery ties into the ancient belief that crows and ravens could defy natural order to deliver messages from the spiritual realm. In the context of Tolkien’s work, their deliberate flight against the wind symbolizes resistance, determination, and the breaking of ordinary rules, aligning with their archetypal role as messengers and harbingers in both literature and occult traditions.

    Interesting fact: It is thought that Charles II was the first to insist there must be at least six Ravens at the Tower of London at all times, elsewise, the Monarchy would fall.

    Number 3: Owls have long been linked to wisdom and the occult, their nocturnal nature and ability to see in the dark making them symbols of hidden knowledge. In ancient Greek mythology, the owl was sacred to Athena, the goddess of wisdom and strategy, and was often depicted alongside her. This association persists in modern depictions of the owl as a figure of insight and mystery. In the occult, owls are believed to be messengers between worlds, capable of perceiving truths hidden to others.

    J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series leverages this symbolism, using owls as magical carriers of communication, further cementing their mystical reputation. Owls’ ghostly presence in the night sky and their eerie calls have also made them enduring figures in folklore, often viewed as omens of death or portents of significant change.

    In ancient Roman folklore, owls were believed to foretell death if they hooted while perched on a rooftop. Additionally, placing an owl’s feather near a sleeping person was thought to compel them to speak and reveal secrets.

    Interesting fact: In the western world the owl is associated with wisdom, but in Hinduism it is both auspicious and inauspicious. This is because the owl is the vehicle, or “vahana” of Laksmi, the Goddess of wealth and prosperity. There are some people in India that believe by taking away her “vehicle”, in other words, by sacrificing the owl in rituals, the Goddess will be unable to leave the home of that person and will have no choice but to bring them wealth and prosperity the entire year. Some also believe the owl to be Lakshmi’s sister Alaksmi, the Goddess of misery, poverty and strife. In either case, these animals should be held in high reverence, respected and left alone as symbols of wisdom, beauty and awe.

    If you’d like more information on how you can help and donate to owls in India, check this link.

    Number 4: The snake: The snake is another animal deeply entwined with esoteric practices, embodying duality and transformation and is used frequently in occult contexts. Its shedding of skin has long been interpreted as a symbol of renewal and rebirth, making it a powerful emblem in alchemy and spiritual transformation. It is seen in symbols like the Ouroboros, the snake that bites its own tail, symbolizing eternal cycles like life and death.

    In Hinduism, the snake (or serpent) is associated with Kundalini energy, a coiled force that lies dormant at the base of the spine and, when awakened, leads to spiritual enlightenment. Snakes also appear in the Bible as both tempters and symbols of wisdom, as seen in the Garden of Eden story.

    It is associated with healing and wisdom and linked to the ancient caduceus, a staff with two snakes, which represents balance, harmony, and the union of opposites.

    His symbol is often associated with Hermes (or Mercury) in Hermetic traditions, signifying wisdom and the path to spiritual enlightenment but also representing commerce and negotiation.

    In ancient Greek mythology, the snake is linked to Asclepius, the god of medicine and healing, who carries the rod of Asclepius – a classic symbol of medicine.

    This duality—of wisdom and danger—makes the snake a complex and multifaceted symbol. Films like The Serpent and the Rainbow (1988) draw on the snake’s association with magic and transformation, while classic texts like Aleister Crowley’s writings often feature serpentine imagery to describe spiritual ascent.

    In the Harry Potter series, Nagini is a snake that serves as a Horcrux for Voldemort. The word Nagini, is in fact, the name for a female member of the Naga, a class of semi-divine snakes in Indian religion and mythology.

    Interesting fact: Despite being so intertwined with occult practices and used as a powerful symbol since the dawn of man, the fear of snakes (ophiophobia or herpetophobia – fear of reptiles) is one of the most common phobias worldwide. It’s averaged that 1/3 of all adult humans have a fear of snakes.

    Number 5: The wolf occupies a prominent place in the esoteric imagination, embodying wildness, instinct, and transformation. In many shamanic traditions, wolves are seen as guides, teaching humans how to reconnect with their primal instincts and the natural world.

    This connection is particularly strong in Native American spirituality, where the wolf is often regarded as a symbol of loyalty, protection, courage and wisdom. They were guardians and messengers of the forest as well as teachers and guides. Many tribes had wolf clans, such as the Ojibwe (Oh JIB way): The word for “wolf” in Ojibwe is “ma’iingan” (my-IN-gan ). The Ojibwe tribe, found in the Great Lakes region referred to the wolves as a brother or sister along with the viewpoint that whatever happened to the wolves happened to one of the Ojibwe tribe. Killing a wolf is likened to killing a brother or sister.

    Wolves also feature prominently in Greek stories and in Norse, Scandinavian, Icelandic, Teutonic lore as shapeshifters, often linked to werewolves, blending human and animal nature in a single entity.

    In Norse mythology, the wolf Fenrir was commanded by Odin to be bound with magical fetters, symbolizing the struggle between primal forces and divine order. This myth reflects the wolf’s association with raw power and the untamed aspects of nature.

    This idea of transformation aligns with the wolf’s role in the occult as a totemic figure for personal growth and self-discovery. In literature, Jack London’s The Call of the Wild and its exploration of the untamed spirit mirrors this symbolism. Meanwhile, films like The Company of Wolves (1984) delve into the wolf’s connection to power and transformation, blending fairy tales with esoteric themes.

    Interesting fact: Some Arctic wolves are thought to synchronize their howls with the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis), letting their haunting calls blend with the celestial display in a phenomenon rarely witnessed by humans.

    These five animals—the black cat, crow or raven, owl, snake, and wolf—serve as bridges between the natural and supernatural, their symbolism rooted in ancient traditions and perpetuated through modern culture. Their recurring appearances in stories, myths, and films reflect humanity’s enduring fascination with the mysteries they embody. By exploring their roles in the occult and esoteric practices, we gain a deeper understanding of their magical significance and the ways they continue to captivate our imaginations.

    So what is your favorite occult animal on this list? Have you had a previous experience with it? We’d love to hear about it in the comments below and don’t forget to share this post!!!


    Video version here:

    5 Animals and their Occult Symbolism


    Interesting sources, additional info, courses, images, credits, attributions and other points of views here:

    Balancing and Healing the Chakras through Yoga https://www.udemy.com/course/balancing-and-healing-the-chakras-through-yoga/?referralCode=12C81A148616B419AA06

    Mudras to Balance and Harmonize your Chakras and Energy Body https://www.udemy.com/course/mudras-to-balance-and-harmonize-your-energy-body/?referralCode=1A275C6E67E05E8C8130

    Elemental Energy for Success and Well Being https://www.udemy.com/course/elemental-energy-for-success-and-well-being/?referralCode=A680413E03BEAD96E744

    Book a Tarot reading here: https://www.suryaholistictarot.com/book-a-reading/

    Check our soundtrack here:
    https://lennyblandino.bandcamp.com/track/nivuru-synthetic-waves


    Websites:

    https://www.alkemystica.com

    https://www.lennyblandino.com

    https://www.staciebronson.com/


    Links and References:

    https://www.catster.com/lifestyle/black-cat-facts/

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cats_in_ancient_Egypt

    https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-48308322

    https://www.birdzilla.com/learn/what-is-a-group-of-ravens-called/

    https://birdfact.com/articles/what-is-a-group-of-crows-called

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psychopomp

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Owl_of_Athena

    https://michpics.wordpress.com/2008/11/07/the-snowy-owl-on-the-roof/

    https://vedicfeed.com/alakshmi/

    https://mythologyworldwide.com/the-symbolism-of-snakes-in-mythology-more-than-just-reptiles/

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kundalini_yoga

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Serpentandtherainbow.png

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ophidiophobia#/media/File:The_Punishment_Of_Loki.jpg

    https://www.factretriever.com/snake-facts

    https://harrypotter.fandom.com/wiki/Horcrux

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nagini

    https://occult-world.com/werewolves/

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Call_of_the_Wild#/media/File:JackLondoncallwild.jpg

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Company_of_Wolves#/media/File:Companyofwolvesposter.jpg

    https://direwolfproject.com/dire-wolf/dire-wolf-mythology/

    https://wildwisconsinwolves.omeka.net/natives

    https://ojibwe.lib.umn.edu/main-entry/ma-iingan-na

    https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/20-fascinating-wolf-facts-for-kids/

    https://www.britannica.com/topic/familiar