Afterlife and Reincarnation

The Afterlife and Reincarnation

It is generally believed that after death, the soul (bai) of the deceased passes on through the seven gates of Hades (Kur) and into the opaque and eternal night of the hells.

Here they must travel a long and ardourous path towards a place where they are judged. Depending on their actions they may be condemned to stay in the hells or be sent on to the heavens. Most, however, are spirited back to a new incarnation in the world of the living.

It is not unheard of for people to gain insight into one or more of their previous incarnations. Such knowledge is most often brought out by intense meditation, but some gain such insight when brought into contact with a place or object pertaining to their previous life. It is even said that some children have been born with such insight, struggling to speak with a soft and unformed palate.

Each and every religion, cult and spiritual leader offers a different path to ascencion in incarnations. This usually involves prayer, meditation, sacrifice and leading a virtuous life - depending on the religion, this may be many things. To the followers of Nergal, the six cardinal virtues are ambition, authority, conception, force, elegance and vengefulness, while Marduk's flock praise the virtues of love authority, dignity, gravity and piety.