Category:Deities

History

Deities or gods are powerful supernatural beings representing the dominant authority of a religion. The major deity featured in Supernatural is that of the Abrahamic religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam), who is referred to as God.

Kali shows disgust for Westerners and their belief that they have the right to leadership in their own God's name, accusing them of butchery. She also states that she and the other Gods' religions were practiced before his. Odin stated that the "real" Apocalypse will start when Midgard Serpent Jörmungandr rises up and Odin himself will be consumed by a big wolf, although he was killed by Lucifer, heavily suggesting that the gods may misinterpret their own roles and destinies.^[1]

Throughout the Supernatural series, there have been many Gods encountered including:

God (Judaism, Christianity, Islam)
The Vanir (Pagan)
Trickster aka Loki (Norse)
Anansi (West African)
Madge and Edward Carrigan (Pagan)
Leshii (Pagan)
Kali (Hindu)
Ganesh (Hindu)
Odin (Norse)
Baldur (Norse)
Mercury (Roman)
Zao Shen (Chinese)
Baron Samedi (Haitian Voodoo)
Veritas (Roman)
Atropos along with her Two Sisters known as The Fates (Greek)
Eve The Mother of all Monsters

Attributes

Gods have true forms of their own, but often appear in human form on Earth. For instance, Ganesh can turn into an elephant (which is his symbol in lore),^[1] Veritas seems to have a body of a cat but takes on human form,^[2] and Eve, the Mother of All monsters, appears hideous in her true form.^[3] The Pagan gods disguised as Madge and Edward Carrigan actually live as a suburban couple.^[4]

While their powers and abilities vary greatly depending on the type of deity, they all seem to possess some abilities that may be inherent in all gods like superhuman strength, speed, agility, and senses. Gods like Baldur, Ganesh, Odin, and Zao Shen seem to possess extraordinary strength.^[1]

In Supernatural, gods can live for long periods of time - centuries or more - without aging, making them immortal but not all powerful. Despite this, they all seem to be vulnerable in some way and can be killed by various weapons or by other beings. Tricksters, immortal demi-god like creatures, can be killed with a wooden stake dipped in the blood of one of it's victims. .^[5] Atropos, one of the three fates, can be killed by an angelic weapon.^[6] Eve can be killed when exposed to phoenix ashes.^[7] The only known immortal beings are the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, though this has yet to be confirmed. Death states that even God will someday meet his end:^[8]

Dean: Well I gotta ask: How old are you?

Death: As old as God. Maybe older. Neither of us can remember anymore. Life, death, chicken, egg – regardless, at the end, I’ll reap Him too.

Dean: God? You’ll reap God?

Death: Oh yes. God will die too, Dean.

Some gods possess unique powers: Tricksters can alter reality and make objects, people, and other average organisms appear out of thin air;^[5] Kali can produce fire and bind beings to her presence with a glare;^[1] Leshii can shapeshift, read human minds, and move at incredible speeds;^[9] and Mercury can also move at incredible speeds.^[1] God can teleport people anywhere on Earth without being physically present.^[10] God also is well known for creating the entire Universe and everything in it. Veritas possesses the agility and speed of a cat, and can cause any human to speak only the truth. However, Sam Winchester was able to withstand this power when he didn't have his soul.^[2]

File:Growth.jpg

Mercury's presence positively influencing a dead herb's growth.

Other pagan gods are able to influence the weather and vegetation positively and negatively as well, such as The Vanir,^[11] who could cause growth and health of the crops, or Madge and Edward Carrigan, who gave mild weather.^[4] Both types of gods seemed to be able to perform these in exchange for human sacrifices. Without their sacrifices, the power of the gods waned or failed.^[11]^[4]^[9] Mercury can also influence the growth of vegetation positively or negatively, as demonstrated when a dead herb sprouts in his presence.^[1] Leshii, the forest god, can plant Balkan seeds inside peoples' stomachs.^[9]

Death of Deities in Supernatural

In some traditions, particularly monotheistic religions, deities and gods are thought of as being immortal and all powerful. However, in Supernatural the Deities can be killed by humans, other deities, and Angels. Death claims that even God will one day die.^[8]