Spandaramet as the Death card of the Armenian Tarot (2024) by Pambak Games

Spandaramet

Goddess of the Underworld

Keeper of the Dead, Mistress of the Vine

FESTIVALS

Unknown

 

MAGICAL & RITUAL ASSOCIATIONS*

Colors: Black, Deep Red

Animal: Serpent

Botanical: Datura

Mineral: Obsidian

Metal: Bronze

Spandaramet is an Underworld goddess whose mythology is first articulated during the Zoroastrian period of influence in Armenia. Her name may be derived from the Persian Spenta Armaiti, one of the seven Amesha Spentas or angelic guardians of the earth. In the Armenian pantheon, she is considered to be either the daughter or wife of chief god Aramazd, occupying the fertile chthonic realms in contrast to his solar and celestial realms. The Underworld is the land of the Dead, a place of shadow and mystery and transformation. Evil spirits or demons known as santarametakans populated this realm, along with the spirits of the dead. She is associated with the fertility of the soil, thus the ancient practice of growing grapes and winemaking was sacred to her.

 

Spandaramet shares characteristics with the Greek god Dionysos, whose worship is thought to have originally arisen in ancient Anatolia, along with that of Artemis and Apollo, Hekate, and others. Some early sources refer to Spandaramet's gender as male. As she did not have an Underworld consort in the Armenian pantheon, she was associated in neighboring Hellenic culture more closely with the masculine role Hades.

 

Interestingly Dionysos is sometimes described as androgynous, and occupies a similar role as an Underworld-adjacent god. His maenads, ecstatic female followers said to indulge in violent frenzies during his rituals may have a parallel in the Armenian santarametakans.

 

The Cathedral of Etchmiadzin (thought to be the oldest cathedral in the world) was built on the foundation of a pagan temple that was believed to be dedicated to either Anahit or Spandaramet. It's possible they were both worshipped there, as many pagan temples had altars or shrines to more than one deity.

 

*Magical and Ritual Associations are based on my own research and devotional practice.

I am a daughter of the Sun, a seeker of knowledge, and a priestess in devotion to the Mystery.