(^264) A Wiccan Bible
can we find a system in which everyone who dies goes to a pleasant place. Nowhere in
all of Pagan lore is everything forgiven. Yes, the Wiccan version of Summerland re-
sembles the Greek Elysian fields, but not all were welcome there. In all the modern
Pagan community’s declarations that they do not believe in the existence of Heaven
and Hell, what they have effectively done is to rewrite Pagan lore. Yes, the ancient
Pagans believed in Heaven (Summerland) but they also believed in Hell (Winterland).
In fact, the very name hell comes from Pagan lore.
Traditional Pagan Winterlands
Norse Winterland
The Norse Underworld is called Helheim. It is ruled by the goddess Hell and also
called by that name. The entrance to Helheim is guarded by a horrific flesh-eating
hound called Garm, who stands aside to let all in but prevents anyone from leaving.
Greek Winterland
The Greek Underworld is ruled by Hades and his wife Persephone. Hades is judge
and ruler of the dead. His name is also the name of the Underworld itself. The en-
trance to Hades is guarded by Cerberus, a monstrous three-headed dog who allows all
to enter but none to leave.
Roman Winterland
The Roman Underworld is ruled by Pluto and his wife Proserpina, described as a
place from where none return. Of course, there have been a few exceptions. Pluto’s
wife Proserpina comes to mind. The name of the Roman Winterland is Avernus, but
they also called it by the Greek name Hades after the cultures merged. Avernus is also
the name of a large opening in the Earth in Campania, which was thought to be the
entrance to the Underworld. The entrance to Avernus is guarded by the goddess Ma-
nia, a goddess of horrific insanity. In the Roman Underworld is found the personifica-
tion of hunger as Fames, poverty as Egestes, death as Letum, and many other similarly
gods and personifications, the collective of which are called the Inferi Dii
Similarities in German, Roman, and Greek Winterlands
Culture Name Guard Lord Lady
Norse Hell or Helheim Garm Ganglati* Hel/Hell
Roman Avernus Mania Pluto Proserpina
Greek Hades Cerberus Hades Persephone
- Ganglati is Hel’s servant.
Mayan Winterland
Mayan lore speaks of an Underworld with nine levels. Exactly which level a person
would be sent to upon his or her death was determined by the actions of one’s life. The
y WB Chap 16.p65 264 7/11/2003, 6:04 PM