I think it is important to dedicate a part of this page to the world of the afterlife in Spain. A great part of the Spanish myths and superstitions are born from death and primitive cults. Since prehistoric times there have been cults related to the spiritual plane. The story of heaven and hell occupies a great deal of space in most cultures on all continents. Over time, the belief that the world of the living and the dead were connected under certain circumstances became widespread. There is a certain tradition with special roots in popular and literary culture that has survived to our time, and that is the belief that the souls of the dead can remain trapped in the world of the living. In the ancient world and Greek or Roman mythology, it was something that had to be carried out with a careful rite with the dead to give them a proper journey to the afterlife. For example, it was customary among the Greeks to place a coin over the eyes or under the tongue of the deceased to pay Charon. One of the causes for the souls of the dead to wander in the world of the living could be the violent death of the deceased or that they had not been given the proper burial. That is why the duty of burying the dead was of such importance that it was given inexcusable priority.

In Spain we have our traditions regarding death. The most popular are the stories of the souls in sorrow or apparitions of death. In general, the stories of vampires and werewolves, although they exist, are scarce.

Perhaps the most famous myth in Spain about death is that of the La Santa Compaña. It is a nocturnal procession of souls or deceased carrying luminous lights and carrying the iron rod of a neighbor whose death they announce in this way. It is said that if by misfortune you cross with them you should not cross your eyes or accept anything they offer you. Although not all humans can see them, but only those who have been born with the power to see the dead. It is said that these people could see the burials that were going to occur prematurely and put this information in knowledge of the people. In addition to those who were born with this power, some acquired it by being baptized with oils extracted from a walnut tree. These seers were in charge of interpreting the designs of the dead. They could help the souls in pain or inform the community if there was any curse. The dead are shown to humans in mythology as a fateful warning, a bad omen or even as a protective spirit. All these visions are called under the name of omens of death.

Omens of death do not only correspond to ghosts but the presence of different smells or animals in certain circumstances can be interpreted as a sign of death. For example, the sight of certain animals such as the wolf, the raven or the owl was taken as a dire omen. According to Spanish mythology, omens of death are listened to with special attention on All Saints’ Day. The church bells helped to contain the bad omens with the magic of their sound. The cemeteries are filled with offerings such as flowers and candles. The whole community, especially in rural Spain, was mobilized and prepared for the encounter with deceased relatives and ancestors. Today on November 1st all over Spain people go to the cemeteries to place flowers on the graves of their ancestors and to reunite with their families.

Sources: