Nergal
Mesopotamian god of war, plague, and underworld. Married Ereshkigal and became king of the dead. Represents destructive aspect of sun—summer heat that scorches and kills. War god who brings plague, death, necessary destruction.
Correspondences
- Planetary Correspondence
- Mars
Offerings
- Offerings
- Red wineBurnt offeringsActs of necessary destructionWarfare ritualsIronAcknowledging death and plague
Sacred timing
- Sacred Timing
Symbols and forms
- Alternate Names
- Lord of the UnderworldThe Scorched EarthGod of Plague
- Gender Expression
- Masculine
- Titles
- Lord of the UnderworldGod of War and PlagueThe Scorched EarthKing of the DeadThe Burning One
- Symbols
- LionMaceSwordScorpion
Practice
- Invocation Approach
- ToneWarrior respect for deadly forceAddressLord NergalKing of the DeadScorched EarthRelationshipUnderworld ally and war godWarningBrings death and destructionResonanceWarriors death workers plague acceptors
- Modern Practice
Patron of warriors, death workers, those working with plague/disease magic, destroyers. Invoked for war magic, necessary destruction, death work, accepting natural destruction. Teaches that some things must burn, that heat kills as well as nurtures, that destruction serves cycle.
Nature and meaning
- Domain
- UnderworldWarPlagueScorched earthDeathNecessary destructionSummer heat that kills
- Mythology Summary
Mesopotamian god of war, plague, and underworld. Married Ereshkigal and became king of the dead. Represents destructive aspect of sun—summer heat that scorches and kills. War god who brings plague, death, necessary destruction. Teaches that some destruction is natural, that heat can kill as well as nurture, that underworld needs king as well as queen.
- Related Deities
- EreshkigalMarsAresSekhmet
Details
- Correspondences
- ColorsRedBlackBurnt orangeAsh greyScentsDragon bloodSmokeCharred woodMetalsIronCopperAnimalsLionDogScorpionVulture
One of 3,120 entries in the Grimoire — the whole library, every cross-reference, is free to take. Take the whole thing Is it wrong somewhere?
Referenced by 6
Every entry that names Nergal, grouped by the system it comes from.
More in Deities
The entries either side of this one in the same catalogue.
All of Deities →New entries, when they land
Occasional notes when a section of the grimoire is added or revised. No account, no tracking across sites, and one line to leave.