The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick's topics - tribe.net

Merhaba..Greetings from Istanbul!!

Henrik — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:40:40 GMT

Hi all!! Im currently in Istanbul. Wrote about it in my picture album and will keep writing. If i can get myself to Lagina i will upload some new pictures here and try to find some new ones too. Its not easy to get there tought.. non have even heard about it! Neither how to get there. Im taking some help form a specialist agency but im not sure it will do. I keep investigating. Any help would do. Will go to the museum where the things from the excavation is displayed. Also was in the basilica sisterns where there are an eye column and heads of medusa on display.
Also.. outside aya sofia are some greek columns on display. On one of them are pentagrams in stone!! I find that really interesting. Pictures will come later or when i get home again.

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 1 reply

Where is the Doorway?

Vincent — Sun, 12 Feb 2006 18:36:29 GMT

Abstracting and defining liminal magic is a much-neglected and needed topic--addressed very well here!! I'm taking notes as fast as I can. But I as inspired as I was by Saeth's visit to the Witching Walnut Tree in Italy (At the bottom of the 'But then Jane said, is it it Liminal' topic') I was disappointed that it was cut down.

What about applying that? How to open more local or regional doorways? I am thinking of the sacred groves. Even my desert hometown had a nearby grove in my father's childhood (cut down : ( ). There is an oak park in another town I lived in just across the street I used to walk about in in the middle of the night. Does is work to just designate an oak grove or such place or does powerful magick have to be worked there first? Is there a public festival people here like?

Finding the door was a question that obsessed me for some time. I used to dream of tunnels, passageways, doors full of wild sky; and I think I blithely passed many more humble-looking doorways. Another question is, are such doorways personal, and should they be kept secret? In general, I keep mine secret from the Christians and Muggles (how can you not?) but I am also often in favor of the maxim, 'Guard the Mysteries: reveal them always' where other pagans are concerned.

(I am not going to reveal any locations here, in a public forum and I think general descriptions are in order, not specific locations.)

Yet how are there going to be more Witching Walnut Trees that everyone (who needs to) knows how to visit if we don't at least describe how to find them at need or for those new to magical traditions?

What was keeping me from finding the doorways was that I did not believe that this world had them. I would tramp for days--what came closest was a deep river valley high in the mountains, full of unmapped Native American village sites and totally free from roads. But that was a place I could only spend two weeks a year at. And I did no magick there. Then and now I think of Europe as the place of my deities, another reason perhaps places of power are elusive. I did begin to dream of my European ancestors, and they encouraged me in a general but important way to think of myself as magical.

I ended up taking hallucinagens--and my own humble and sparse bedroom turned into a cathedral, my kitchen floor tile a mosaic of stories I spent hours reading! This made me realize the gate could be anywhere, and it really galvanized me to circle magic with simple, easy-to-use symbols. The important thing was to know when and where the gate was open.

After that I simply went to places in dreams. But its become important to find waking reality sacred spaces. Since then, the canyons and mesas of the Southwest has been a place of Magick--but also my home area in rural Oregon. I find that places familiar to me since childhhood are very important--even factories and offices still in use by muggles. My brain knows them well and shifts back to them when I am otherwise dislocated. Wanting something at my house I finally built a stone circle in my front yard (but I am reluctant to work there since it is open to the street). Do these areas have to be private?

I am committed to a more natural way now, because I don't want to ruin my health. Candles do the trick, and if my own bedroom is fit for communing and magick, its not the place, its the attention. Now, finding the time is harder than finding the place. I have to be ready and wanting (needing!) to go there, and it has to be a specific time (Full Moons, Midnight, etc). Am I trapped in the time idiom, rather than the place idiom (Still most often outdoors for me.)? And I have to alone, or with like-minded pagans I've known for a while (usually means a trip--usually to the Seattle area--I've found a spot there where circle takes me places).

I'm working on finding closer local spots (the Columbia River did the trick in the past two years.

And the second question is, how do pagans share and keep these sites without endangering them to vandalism, prying eyes, etc? Regular festivals by Witchvox or word of mouth? It seems to me that the pagans in WA state have achieved critical mass and property ownership to keep their own shrines; I'm envious; also near Eugene and quite a bit of Southern Oregon. I haven't been to SF but it seems very securely pagan there.

Thought appreciated, can keep specific locals general.

Bye for Now,

Vincent

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 13 replies

Manhood and the masculine divine

Wanderingwolf — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:16:57 GMT

Thoughts?
What are some good masculine deities? and what makes them good and why?
which MAle God best represents, ( to you) all the best qualities of Manhood?Why? and what are HIs qualities that make Him this way?

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 5 replies

How to grow a Moon garden - in hommage to Hekate

ENIAD — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 22:49:36 GMT

In the height of summertime's heat, we drift outdoors at dusk to refresh ourselves in the temperate air of evening. Cricket song and the glow of fireflies come together with ever-lengthening shadows to create a natural symphony of overlapping sensations that invigorate the body and gladden the soul. As the sun sets, the vivid colors of most flowers and leaves fade, becoming a dull grey, but moon gardens provide us with a space to appreciate Mother Nature's bounty long after the light of day has retreated. Designed to be enjoyed from dusk until the coming of the darkness, these gardens serve as a perfect complement to silvery moonlight, mild summer nights, and the spirit of rejuvenation.

Most plant life worships the sun, but a select few shrubs and flowers come into their own in luna's glow. The silvery leaves of lamb's ears and artemisia reflect the radiance of the moon, while the bright-white flowers adorning yucca and evening primrose seem to shimmer brilliantly in dusk's gloom. Certain blossoms such as the moonflower and four o'clocks open only at night, releasing their sweet fragrances in spectacular displays of scent and beauty. While creating a moon garden, remember to take each human sense into account. We appreciate the ghostly beauty of nighttime nature best when we can sit comfortably until our eyes have adjusted to the surrounding darkness. Bamboo and thick grasses make a comforting sound when bandied about by gentle nighttime breezes.

Transforming a portion of your existing yard or patio into a moon garden is simple, and the pleasure you will derive from your nighttime retreat will become worth it once you start to enjoy it. Green spaces come alive at night when nocturnal blossoms release their perfume into the air and ethereally lovely and luminous foliage dances in the breeze. In a moon garden, relaxation is a simple matter of attuning yourself to the stillness of evening and seeing, for the first time, the myriad shades of beauty that can be found in the darkness.

August 24, 2007 The Daily OM

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 1 reply

The Wheel of Hekate

David — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 09:40:49 GMT

Greetings.

I am a bit curious about this Wheel of Hekate you sometimes hear about. Where does it come from and what is it representing?

b*b

*******

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 9 replies

Hekate - Diana - Would apriciate reflections of this.

Henrik — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 15:53:11 GMT

I just finished reading Raven Grimassi - Ways of the strega. I couldent help noticing the striking similarity between Hekate and Diana.
I will leave it there and let the discussion develop.

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 4 replies

hekate fragments by porphyry/porphyrios

dawn medos — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 12:24:01 GMT

hi,
i like the descriptions of hekate by porphyrios/porphyry.

the triple hekate:
But, again, the moon is Hecate, the symbol of her varying phases and
of her power dependent on the phases. Wherefore her power appears in
three forms, having as symbol of the new moon the figure in the white
robe and golden sandals, and torches lighted: the basket, which she
bears when she has mounted high, is the symbol of the cultivation of
the crops, which she makes to grow up according to the increase of her
light: and again the symbol of the full moon is the goddess of the
brazen sandals. Or even from she branch of olive one might infer her
fiery nature, and from the poppy her productiveness, and the multitude
of the souls who find an abode in her as in a city, for the poppy is
an emblem of a city. She bears a bow, like Artemis, because of the
sharpness of the pangs of labour. And, again, the Fates are referred
to her powers, Clotho to the generative, and Lachesis to the
nutritive, and Atropos to the inexorable will of the deity.
Also, the productive power of the corn-crops, which is Demeter, they
associate with her, as the producing power in her. The moon is also a
supporter of Kore. They set Dionysus also beside her, both on account
of their growth of horns, and because of the region of clouds lying
beneath the lower world.

-from on images

(why deos he not tell about the third aspect? is the fragment missing?
or does he just not mention her third aspect? interesting is that
hekate is described as the productive power in demeter and that
dionysos is put with her together. i also like that the souls dwell
within her.)

hekate and hermes:
Further, reason is composite: in the sun it is called Hermes; in the
moon Hecate; and that which is in the All Hermopan, for the generative
and creative reason extends over all things.- from on images

the dark hekate (the missing aspect from the discriptions above???):
hekate speaks: "Build a shrine and deck it with wild laurel boughs,
set there in my image which adore with fervent orison, and in thy
sleep I will stand before you. Form a statue of well-planed wood by
mystic formula. Smear the figure with rue, and then with a paste of
myrrh, storax, frankincense and lizard's tail, connected when the moon
is but a sickle. When the moon is full, vow your solemn vows in the
words: Come, infernal, terrestrial, and heavenly Proserpina, goddess
of the broad roadways, of crossroads, you who quest to and fro at
night, torch in your left hand, a sword in your right hand, enemy of
day, friend and lover of darkness, you who does rejoice when the
bitches howl and warm blood is spilled, you who are walking amid the
phantoms and in the place of tombs, Queen of the Manes and of the
Summanes, you whose thirst is blood, you who does strike chill fear
into mortal heart, Gorgo, Mormo, Bombo, Moon of a thousand forms, cast
a propitious eye upon our sacrifice." (Hippolytus "Philosophumena)

hekate speaks about jesus:
But to some who asked Hecate whether Christ were a God, she replied:
"You know the condition of the disembodied immortal soul, and that if
it has been severed from wisdom it always errs. The soul you refer to
is that of a man foremost in piety: they worship it because they
mistake the truth." To this so-called oracular response he adds the
following words of his own: "Of this very pious man, then, Hecate said
that the soul, like the souls of other good men, was after death
dowered with immortality, and that the Christians through ignorance
worship it. And to those who ask why he was condemned to die, the
oracle of the goddess replied, The body, indeed, is always exposed to
torments, but the souls of the pious abide in heaven. And the soul you
inquire about has been the fatal cause of error to other souls which
were not fated to receive the gifts of the gods, and to have the
knowledge of immortal Jove. Such souls are therefore hated by the
gods; for they who were fated not to receive the gifts of the gods,
and not to know God, were fated to be involved in error by means of
him you speak of. He himself, however, was good, and heaven has been
opened to him as to other good men. You are not, then, to speak evil
of him, but to pity the folly of men: and through him men's danger is
imminent.

hekate speaks in an oracel about herself:
My statue/appearance resambles to that of ceres
crowned witch splendorous fruits,
wearing a white dress and golden sandals on my feet.
snakes curl around my girdle and crawl on my pure footprints.
other snakes hang from my head in ordered ranks down to my feet,
contorted around me in ordered ranks.

i read that there are more fragments about hekate by
porphyrios/porphyry. does someone know them?

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 0 replies

Recipe Books---Ancient Egyptian Papyrus

Metis — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 15:57:26 GMT

I thought some of you might find this interesting. It is, though, of rather recent date. The third century A.D. was a time of Gnostics, the Alexandrian library, and when the adoption of Greek Mystery cults was quite prominent. What I find most interesting is what the one ‘initiated’ claims. That they have gone down into the chamber of the Daktyls, that they saw other things, virgin, dog etc. The Daktyls are the Cretan Kouretes, they were metallurgists, warrior priests. Metallurgy was tightly associated with magic at the time of the Kouretes, the time of the Titans, it was a sacred craft. The Cave of the Daktyls is said to be on Mount Ida on Crete. I have gone down into it and it is quite deep and rather spectacular, I don’t think I have the words to articulate what I felt in there. At any rate, the Daktyls, or Kouretes were also the guards of the baby Zagreus. Though these texts are of rather late date, they must have some core of more ancient reality within them and so, again, I find another connection between Hekate, the Daktyls, and so by extension Zagreus. Have any of you come across any such connections? I would be grateful for anything of the sort.

Other than that, I’d be interested to know what your thoughts on the ‘spells’ might be. I realise that this magic is rather ‘mechanical’ and not the inclination of this tribe, but I’m just wondering what you all might think about it.

I’ve supplied the link to the initial brief intro to give you an idea of these ‘recipe books’ then click the link ‘recipe books’ at the bottom left.

http://www.lib.umich.edu/pap/magic/recipe-books.html

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 10 replies

Peculiar connection

Henrik — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 11:06:06 GMT

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Lucy%27s_Day

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 14 replies

Total Lunar Eclipse ~ Feb 20/21 2008

sirenmagick — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:32:15 GMT

The Moon will be in Virgo within 4 degrees of Saturn.
The Sun will be in Pisces.

Time of exact full eclipse is 7:31:07 pm PST (adjust for your time zone)

Visible to North and South America at first, the Moon will be rising at the
exact time in the 12th house, with the Sun opposite in the 6th House.

There is a double emphasis on the Virgo - Pisces / 12th House - 6th House
continuum of energy alignment of the Sun, Earth and Moon along this axis.
Themes of healing or uncovering and recovering emotional and unconscious
wounds which affect the body/material plane (Saturn con. Moon in Virgo in the 12th).
A time of rest, or quiet, non-turbulent spell work in order to transition and heal naturally,
and let a new cycle emerge without resistance or striving.

Deep trance or even the dream plane is a potent place for activity during the eclipse.

A good dream enhancer is "bee fat" - eating the wax of honey comb and the raw honey in it
before sleeping (not too much).

Dream, heal, emerge with a new body....

Hekate watch and keep us :)

Saeth

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 3 replies

Biblio Hekate

sirenmagick — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 04:59:19 GMT

Thanks to all for you ongoing contributions - Please continue to add book, article, website links, art resources, travel guides, etc., as replies to this post. To keep it current and compact the new information will be added, then the entire topic will be reposted as a new topic. This is how we can get around the 'deleted posts' place-holders for the time being.

Hekate's Blessings,
Saeth
_________________________
_________________________
_________________________
Books About Hekate:
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

(+) Hekate Soteira: a study of Hekate's role in the Chaldean
Oracles and Related Literature / 1990
Sarah Iles Johnston / American clasical Studies; no. 21
ISBN 1-55540-427-8 (pbk,: alk. paper)

(+) Hekate in Ancient Greek Religion / 1999
Ilmo Robert Rudloff, M.Sc., M.A.
ISBN 0-9696066-8-0 (pbk.)

(+) Rotting Goddess: The Origins of the Witch in Classical Antiquity
Jacob Rabinowitz
(Paperback)

(+) The Goddess Hekate: Studies in Ancient Pagan and Christian
Religion & Philosophy, Volume 1 / 1992

Edited by Stephen Ronan
Chthonios Books, 1992. 166 pp.,
7 Tamarisk Steps, Hastings TN34 3DN, England,
Tel. 0424 433302,
International + 44 424 433302,

(+) Crossroads
Greg Crowfoot

______________________
Works Referencing Hekate:
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
<><><>
Books:
<><><>

(+) The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation
Including the Demotic Spells Second Edition, Volume One: Texts
1986,1992
Hans Dieter Betz
ISBN 0-226-04447-5

(+) Greek and Roman Necromancy / 2001
Daniel Ogden
ISBN 0-691-11968--6

(+) Ancient Philosophy, Mystery, and Magic
Empedocles and the Pythagorean Tradition / 1995
Peter Kingsley
ISBN 0-19-815081-4

(+) Magika Hiera: Ancient Greek Magic and Religion / 1991
Chirstopher A. Faraone & Dirk Obbink
ISBN 0-19-504450-9
ISBN 0-19-511140-0 (pbk.)

(+) Magic and Magicians in the Greco-Roman World / 2001
Matthew W. Dicke
ISBN 0-415-31129-2

<><><><><>
Articles:
<><><><><>

(+) Timbre of the Spheres: The Bull Roarer and the Magic Wheel
Beth Hagens
www.oicm.umontreal.ca/cim05/c...IM05.pdf

_________________________
Articles and Essays:
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

(+) THE ‘HER’ STORY OF THE GREAT WITCH-GODDESS : ANALYZING THE
NARRATIVES OF HEKATE.
Jacob Rabinowitz
cf.hum.uva.nl/narratology...witz_01.html

(+) Hecate - the Invisible Queen of the Night
Author?
www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A593471

(+) Heket: Exceed Your Prosthesis
Scott Fray and Pythia (Marybeth Witt)
www.scottfray.com/clientdem.../Heket.htm

(+) Goddesses and Priestesses Connected With Hera: HEKATE
C.Osbourne
www.moonspeaker.ca/Hera/hekate.html

(+) Bronze Sandal
www.cs.utk.edu/~mclennan/...re.html#EBS
_________________________
Poems/Plays/Lyrics:
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

(+) Homeric HYMN TO DEMETER
Translated by Hugh G.Evelyn-White
published 1914, Loeb Classical Library
www.sacred-texts.com/cla/demeter.htm

Translated by Gregory Nagy
www.uh.edu/~cldue/texts/demeter.html

_________________________
Artifact/Image Sources:
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

(+) Temple of Hekate at Lagina
Here are some wonderful photos of the ruins of the Temple of Hekate at Lagina in the Mugla region of Turkey: (posted by Phileremon)
www.fotografcilar.com/classic...ndex.htm
www.archaeology-classic.com/turk....html

_________________________
Personal Hekate Websites:
* * * * * * * * * * * * *

(+) Coming Soon

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 5 replies

Hekate in music and popular culture

Sun, 18 Jun 2006 13:49:39 GMT

My idea with this tread is to sugest music songs and other subjects connected to Hekate.

Inkubus sukkubus - Hecate cerridwyn. It,s a chanting. Most pleasing! Sirenia - Sister nightfall. Barathrum - Magic in atmosphere.
Necromantia - The Arcane Light Of Hecate.

Music band - Hecate enthroned

That,s all i can come up with today.

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 3 replies

lagina.org

Phileremon — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 23:01:56 GMT

http://www.lagina.org/

"Sacred precinct of the Goddess Hekate."

There is a gallery section of 363 photos in flash format. The photos show the recent excavation and restoration work that was done there.

However, if you want to browse the photos themselves, here are direct links:

http://www.lagina.org/gallery/photos/rsz_0.jpg - http://www.lagina.org/gallery/photos/rsz_362.jpg

The photos are stunning- a must see!

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 9 replies

A Sorcerers Book of Art - new book by Greg Crowfoot

Phileremon — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 00:55:33 GMT

Greg Crowfoot, author of Crossroads - The Path of Hecate, has recently written a new book:

A Sorcerers Book of Art

http://www.amazon.com/Sorcerers-Book-Art-Greg-Crowfoot/dp/1593304897

Chapter 1: The Sight
Chapter 2: Inner Fire
Chapter 3: Tools of Art
Chapter 4: Dreaming True and Faring Forth
Chapter 5: Past, Present, and Future Lives
Chapter 6: Familiars
Chapter 7: The Magic Mirror
Chapter 8: Going into the Field
Chapter 9: The Elementals
Chapter 10: Ghosts and Exorcisms
Chapter 11: Magic, Initiation and The Great Work

I'd best sum it up a practical guide for the new practitioner of the magical arts.
Crowfoot includes lots of personal examples in the book. Of particular interest are the exorcisms in Hekate's name.

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 2 replies

Evocation of spirits.

Henrik — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 20:57:06 GMT

I recently dug into Daniel Ogdens book Greek and roman necromancy. I got a whole pile of ideas deriving from this book. I want to deepen my knowlege about the paractice of the psuchagögoi ( evocator/ghostlayer) and goes( mage/sorcerer) Both from the hellenic perspective but also in other religions. The thread could also move into such subjects as spiritual mediums, since i do believe these has taken over the role of the ancient psuchagögoi,s and oracles of the past.

I have broken the subjects up in different topics. Evocation and spirits. The other one is ghostlaying and exorcism. More to come and i will add to this as time goes.

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 3 replies

the rotting goddess

dawn medos — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 13:08:02 GMT

here is a link to the pdf of the book- the rotting goddess.
http://www.invisiblebooks.com/Junk12.27.06.pdf

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 1 reply

Divine Comedy of Neophyte Corax and Goddess Morrigan.

Nabarz — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 11:11:08 GMT

Hi,

Just joined the tribe! I have been working with goddess Morrigan for several years and recently published a short book (see below) with some of the knowledge gained from working with Her.

As I am new here I have included a short intro too.

Divine Comedy of Neophyte Corax and Goddess Morrigan.

A dialectic play

New book launched, now available at:
www.lulu.com/content/1728442

In this short collection of dialectic plays, Payam Nabarz uses the Greek teaching method of ‘Socratic Dialogue’ or the Irish Druids ‘Colloquy’ to take a down–to-earth look at contemporary spirituality. In an easy to read and no-nonsense fashion he explores multi-faceted mystical paths with references to popular cultural icons, making this an accessible read for all seekers.

This is a divine comedy that both enlightens you and has you rolling on floor with laughter. If you enjoy the works of Terry Pratchett, The Mighty Boosh or Mulla Nasreddin, this dialectic play will be an enjoyable addition to your collection. This is the tale of the magical journeys and adventures of a neophyte called Corax, and his initiator the Goddess Morrigan. The Celtic Goddess Morrigan is the Goddess of war, death, rebirth, change and justice - this is far more than Corax expected at his initiation!

Content:
Act I: Lammas.
Act II: The Autumnal Equinox.
Act III: Samhain.
Act IV: The Winter Solstice- Alban Arthan: the birth of the sun.
Act V: A Kali Puja: a magickal workshop.
Act VI: Imbolc.
Act VII: The Dance of Death.
Act VIII: Beltane 4play.
Act IX: An eclectic pagan’s near-death experience.
Act X: Beltane.
Act XI: Justice for Rollright Stones.
Act XII: Living like the pagan ancestors.
Act XIII: The Towers of Silence.
Act XIV: The Magi’s gifts.

Review comments so far:
-Creative genius!
-Brilliant!
-This is hilarious…
-This is a great piece of writing; I loved it! Thanks so much for sharing.
-This is made of extreme win. I must see the rest of this!!
-ROTFLMAO!!!! I think I pissed myself from laughing.
-Great story idea.
-It's refreshing to read a "Divine Comedy" that's actually a comedy. It's hilarious

Payam Nabarz is author of ‘The Mysteries of Mithras: The Pagan Belief That Shaped the Christian World’ (Inner Traditions, 2005), and ‘The Persian Mar Nameh: The Zoroastrian Book of the Snake Omens & Calendar’ (Twin Serpents, 2006). He is the editor of the ‘Mithras Reader: an academic and religious journal of Greek, Roman and Persian Studies’ (Twin Serpents, 2006). FFI www.myspace.com/nabarz

Divine Comedy of Neophyte Corax and Goddess Morrigan is available from:
www.lulu.com/content/1728442

Paperback book Price: £8.88.
or Download Price : £6.66.

Printed: 53 pages, 6" x 9", perfect binding, cream interior paper (60# weight), black and white interior ink, white exterior paper (100# weight), full-colour exterior ink.

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 0 replies

Something in the sky to be amazed about.

Henrik — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 15:37:45 GMT

I was looking trought the topics to find the article about Turkeys flag, but i couldent find it, so i put the topic here. On monday morning going to work i noticed something very bright in the sky. I then saw the morning star, polestar just next to the cresent moon. Unfortunately i had no time to take a picture. I found it amazing because it connects so good to our tribe.

Im not sure if these constellations looks different in the US ( or have changed now) but the phenomenen was observable here in sweden. So have a look in the morning or evening sky and you may see it too. It feels like a magickal event.

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 5 replies

Some new stuff.

Henrik — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 08:40:09 GMT

*Updates** and toughts in general..

A link to something i found on youtube. It,s the Langsett fox dance. Torches, dark clothes, a chant to virgin Mary focused on the Venus - illuminating aspect. A fox head, not a dog,s head but cloose enought. Mysterious concept, interesting, a bit loose but still.. enjoy :-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4t3Di77W4A

Here is a webpage i found yesterday, unfortunately it,s in Italian. Tought i still think it,s worth posting because it has many pictures and it sums some interesting things up.
I believe that Hecate is still popular it Italy and Greece. Would be most gratefull if anyone knows more details on the festivals held there. I know for example there is one on the 13,th of August outside Rome to Diana. If anyone knows any European Hekate covens that keep themself open i would apriciate to know.

http://www.deaecate.it/

Found a new Hekate picture from a tourist photo album. I will post it here. It,s from the
Ephesian library in Anatolia - Turkey ( surprise?) I strongly believe that there is a whole lot more to be found indeed. Both on the internet aswell as the real world.

Also finished reading Greek and roman necromancy by Daniel Ogden. Hekate was mentioned in several places, tought i was a bit dissapointed that there wasent more on her.. Conclusion: There might very well be possible to read between the lines and put Hekate in as a not to often mentioned, but could still the main deity behind many of the practises, especially concearning ghost laying. Ghosts trapt `` in between places´´ as well as binding ghosts to graves, warding them of from home e.t.c

I believe from reading the book, that the Thessalian witches in Italy would have had her as their chief deity. Reading into this field would be lucrative indeed. I believe by studying Thessalian witchcraft and the charachters there it,s also possible to re create to practises revolving Hekate better. I can also see a diversion between different practises where Hekate is more specifically connected to witchcraft and female practitioners per grande. Black magick aswell.

There isent much mentioned around the necromanteions eccept Avernus. Tought Acheron had 3 black dogs - it,s mainly intercepted as a symbol of cerberos but could as well represent Hekate. It,s an question of interpretation i belive, tought cerberos is more likely.

I also read an interesting notion with cerberos as an child of Hekate, ( adding to Skylla)
Makes sence dog - the symbolism of the number 3, guarding a treshold. Food for the tought..

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 5 replies

A topic about theology and questions that dosent fit in anywhere else.

Henrik — Fri, 25 May 2007 15:40:25 GMT

Here is a question. It,s often described that the god,s and godesses sit,s ontop mount olympos and that they feed on nectar and ambrosia. What is ambrosia more exactly?

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 15 replies

NAmes and Days question

Wanderingwolf — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 01:34:26 GMT

i need a name of a god/goddess that protects from injustice, and a description and what to offer for sacrifice and what day and what way. ANyone got any ideas? im really needing this , dealin with a lot of injustice and blockheadedness from comanders that refuse to listen and only see black and white and discount any reasons that dont fit their viewpoint. I need a mothers defense of her child againstinjustice, someone that will FIGHT and MAKE things change. i need a kind loving goddess that will take up the defense of a man defending his wife-to-be and his child.

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 3 replies

Crossroads to Humanity - PEACE CANDLE IV

libramoon — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 02:01:39 GMT

to read whole article:

http://www.gather.com/viewArticle.jsp?articleId=281474977178692

On this evening beginning at sunset, 11/16 it has been traditionally celebrated throughout the ages as the “Night of Hecate”, the Greek goddess of the three paths, guardian of the household, protector of everything newly born, and the goddess of healing, once a widely revered and influential goddess, the reputation of Hecate has been tarnished over the centuries. Today, she would be depicted as a ‘hag’ or old witch stirring the cauldron.

A beautiful and powerful goddess in her own right, she was the only one of the ancient Titans who Zeus allowed to retain their authority once the Olympians seized control. Zeus shared with Hecate, and only her, the awesome power of giving humanity anything she wished (or withholding it if she pleased).

Usually classified as a ‘moon goddess’, her kingdoms were actually three-fold… the Earth, the Sky and Sea. Having the ability to create or withhold storms undoubtedly played a role in making her the goddess who was the protector of shepherds and sailors.

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 1 reply

Greek Gematria

Phileremon — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 01:02:04 GMT

http://www.horusset.com/greek/

Hekate

Greek Ekath = 334

300+30+3
+1

Or, as I look at it: 3+3+3+1

Hmmm...

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 0 replies

hekate triformis

dawn medos — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 13:04:30 GMT

hi,
how do you see hekate in her triple form?
for me she is a single goddess, but has three great aspects,
phosphoros (lightbringer), kourotrophos (nurse) and propylaia (gatekeeper). and all her other aspects can be connected with one of this great aspects.
in her first aspect she is the lightbringer, she holds two torches and is the guide (propolos), she bring fresh energy and insight, her torches lights the way and she is connected with cleansing and blessing, i evoke her in this aspect on new monn (when the moon can been seen the first time after darkmoon).
her second aspect is the mother, the caring one, the nurse. she holds two snakes and a bowl. for me she is the ruler over birth, life and death and i am honouring her in this aspect during the full moon.
and in her third aspect she is the gatekeeper, her symbols are the dagger and the rope (because in old times the doors of houses get bound with ropes, so that they are closed, and with the dagger they can get opened) and the whip (because she protects the door) and in later times the key. i honouring her in this aspect during the waning moon.

how do you see hekate triformis?

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 9 replies

New Moon in Libra ~ Oct. 10 & 11

sirenmagick — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 03:54:11 GMT

New Moon in Libra
Oct 10/11 2007
Exact and Midnight Times
calculated for West Coast, (US Pacific Time)
**Please Adjust for your time zone**

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Exact Times and Themes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*Cross Roads Magick*
~~~~~~~~~~
At Exact Time:
Oct 10, 2007
10:00:58 pm PDT

**Moon con. Sun in Libra in the 5th house

East-(Rising) Asc.& Fortuna in Gemini
South (Above) M.C., N.Node, Uranus in Pisces, Neptune in Aquarius
West (Setting) Desc. con. Pluto and Jupiter in Sag
North (Below) I.C., Moon & Sun in Libra
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Witching Hour!
At Midnight
Oct 11, 2007
12:00:00 AM PDT

*Moon con. Sun in Libra in the 4th house*

East-(Rising) Asc.& Fortuna in Cancer
South (Above) M.C. in Aries
West (Setting) Desc. in Capricorn
North (Below) I.C., Moon & Sun in Libra

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 0 replies

Ghostlaying and exorcism.

Henrik — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 21:13:23 GMT

In this topic i would like to cover ideas where Hekate has the role of ``warding of ´´ spirits, demons, decease as well as other malicious forces. She is also a guardian of places in between, such as doors and gates for example. She also has the ability to employ chtonic spirits to come to aid. I find Jason Millers book, protection and reversal magick - a witch defence manual beyond 101 to be of particular interest. He developed most of the protective spell,s and gadgets during his work with Hekate. For more information look in the Evocation thread.

The topic could also bee about how ghost laying and exorcism has been practised in Hellenic religion as well as in others. Let,s also get into the deep about the how,s and why these practises do work.

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 10 replies

Hekate T-shirt

nocturnalgoddess — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 05:57:14 GMT

http://www.angelfire.com/magic/wiccanpagan/t-shirts.html

Here is where you'll find the Hekate t-shirt I spoke of.....other designs too. The artist is a dear friend of mine.

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 3 replies

Full Moon in Aries ~ Sept 26/27

sirenmagick — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 03:46:08 GMT

Full Moon in Aries
Sept 26/27, 2007
Exact and Midnight Times
calculated for West Coast, (US Pacific Time)
**Please Adjust for your time zone**

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Exact Times and Themes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*Cross Roads Magick*
~~~~~~~~~~
At Exact Time:
Sept 26, 2007
12:46 pm PDT

**Moon in Aries in the 4th house

East-(Rising) Asc., Jupiter, Pluto in Sagittarius
South (Above) M.C. in Virgo, Sun in Libra
West (Setting) Desc. con. Fortuna, and Mars in Gemini
North (Below) I.C. in Pisces
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Witching Hour!
At Midnight
August 27, 2007
12:00:00 AM PDT

South (Above): M.C. and Moon in Aries
West (Setting): Desc. and Fortuna in Capricorn
North (Below): I.c. Virgo, Sun in Libra (4th house)
East (Rising) Asc. in Cancer, Mars in Gemini (12th house)

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 0 replies

Full Moon in Pisces August 28/29 (+Lunar Eclipse)

sirenmagick — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 01:15:23 GMT

Full Moon in Pisces
(And Lunar Eclipse)
August 28/29, 2007
Exact and Midnight Times
calculated for West Coast, PDT
**Please Adjust for your time zone**

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Exact Times and Themes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*Cross Roads Magick*
~~~~~~~~~~
At Exact Time:
March 28, 2007
3:35:19 AM PDT

**Moon in Pisces con. North Node (dragon's head) in the 8th house (also loosely conjuct Uranus and Neptune) - Opposite Sun con. Saturn and S.Node in Virgo in the 2nd house

East-(Rising) Asc. in Cancer
South (Above) M.C. in Aries
West (Setting) Desc. con Fortuna in Capricorn
North (Below) I.C. in Libra
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Witching Hour!
At Midnight
August 29, 2007
12:00:00 AM PDT

South (Above): M.C. and Moon in Pisces con. North Node (dragon's head) in the 10th house (also loosely conjuct Uranus and Neptune) - Opposite Sun con. Saturn and S.Node in Virgo in the 4th house
West (Setting): Desc. con Jupiter, and Pluto con. Fortuna in Scorpio
North (Below): I.c. con. Venus in Leo, Saturn in Leo, con. Sun, S.Node and Mercury in Virgo (4th house)
East (Rising) Asc. con. Mars in Gemini

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 0 replies

lunar eclipse aug 27

Annell — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 00:46:16 GMT

http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/LEmono/TLE2007Aug28/TLE2007Aug28.html

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 1 reply

new

William — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:16:28 GMT

reading and enjoying the topics very much.

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 2 replies

Hekate and similar godesses in dreams

Henrik — Fri, 25 May 2007 14:23:09 GMT

How do you fellow worshippers relate to different appearences of the godess? Here is some of my story.. in most of my dreams the setting takes place in modern enviroment. Dog,s always appear just before. In some dreams hekate has the form of a dog and then transform.

In more recent dreams the setting has taken place in a factory of some sort. In there is a large open water tank, and in the water are different animals. Water is murky and the animals very colourfull. This dream keept comming back 3 times. In many dreams hekate is accompanied with the god hermes, most often at the same time.

I also meet a similar deity that presented ``it´´ self as ceridwen. In the dream she had the shape of a group of bats hanging in a roof talking throught telepathy. This deity always appears in a nature setting. Question: Is ceridwen yet another form of the same godess or a different deity? To me it felt like the same but still different. I made a painting about this event that i can post.

I have also met with a godess that has the appearance of an African black woman. Her eye,s is a very prominent feature. Is this yet another apearence or another godess? To my belief hekate takes on different shapes, but im curious about your perception to this. Do you fellow worshippers also have dreams like this or does it take other forms as well?

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 6 replies

New Moon in Leo - August 12/13 - Important Date!

sirenmagick — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 06:23:31 GMT

New Moon in Leo
August 12/13, 2007
Exact and Midnight Times
calculated for West Coast, PDT
**Please Adjust for your time zone**

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Exact Times and Themes
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*Cross Roads Magick*
~~~~~~~~~~
At Exact Time:
March 12, 2007
4:03:26 PM PDT

**Moon con. Sun, Mercury, Saturn and Venus in Leo in the 8th house

East-(Rising) Asc., Fortuna, Pluto, Jupiter in Sagittarius
South (Above) M.C. in Libra
West (Setting) Desc. in Gemini
North (Below) I.C. in Aries
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Witching Hour! (Traditional date to honor Hekate)
At Midnight
August 13, 2007
12:00:00 AM PDT

South (Above): M.C., Chiron, Neptune in Aquarius
West (Setting): Desc. in Scorpio
North (Below): I.c, Moon, Sun, Mercury, Saturn and Venus con. in Leo
East (Rising) Asc. in Taurus con. Fortuna

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 12 replies

spiders

Annell — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 15:50:17 GMT

here's a thought that i'd love some comments on. I've been thinking about spiders and their presence in the garden. I know this got discussed in another topic, but this is a slightly different bend.

As a few people have said, ever since I began learning from Hecate more, I've noticed more spiders in and around my house, especially the garden. My thought it this is there actually More Spiders in the garden, or are there still the same numbers as there always has been and I'm just more aware of them?

What do you think?

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 4 replies

Hekates supper part 2

Henrik — Fri, 25 May 2007 14:51:48 GMT

Here is something i found on the web a long time ago. The webpage is now gone as far as i know. If the author see,s this article please dont sue my ass off for posting it.

Hekaté's Supper
By Luna Sea

First Performed on August 14, 1985

First published in Circle Network News, 1986
a version by another group, incorporating much of my text, was worked August 13, 1988, at the MoonStone Circle of the Aquarian Tabernacle, in Washington state and published in Panegyria, the journal of the Aquarian Tabernacle Church
Rewritten by me for use on August 14, 1992
Rewritten by me for the Web, June 1997

This version incorporates actual Greek material, elements from two of the traditions in which i have been trained (NROOGD & Feri), and bits from the Aquarian Tabernacle ritual (in the san serif typeface)

This ritual is best performed on August 14, Hekaté's sacred day. It is especially wonderful if it is a dark moon.
DRAMATIS PERSONAE

One person, well familiar with this ritual, could lead it, but it would be easier with at least two. If there are two, split up the parts marked Leader between you. It is also good if there is a Priestess into whom Hekaté will be invoked.
THE ALTAR

At Center: 5 candles arranged in this order: silver, black, sapphire or indigo, black, silver

At each Quarter:
North - Earth: "graveyard dirt" - a blend of the herbs: vetiver, patchouli, and mullein
West - Water: willow water (willow bark soaked in water)
South - Fire: Hekaté incense (see recipe); incense burner; matches
East - Air: bell; Dream Pillows (see instructions)

No votives in quarters; No figures on the altar, unless it is a statue of Hekaté or her symbol.
OTHER TOOLS:

Aspergillum: lavender flower stalks; flowering allium stalks; fresh mint, rosemary & myrtle
Dish of Sweet Water Drum
hand-sized round, black stone medium-size bowl of salt water hand-towel
Staff or wand Dish of Salt Pentacle Sword or athamé
FEAST:

hard cooked eggs, halved, on a plate & salt water in a large bowl
honey & pollen in separate dishes
pomegranate wine and/ or blended berries
crescent dark moon cookies (see recipe, below)
garlic - garlicy sesame seed butter spread on flat bread would be good
almonds; pine nuts; sesame seeds
dates & figs
Libation Bowl

OFFERING:

honey
The Ritual
1. Process in

All participants form a line - if only one Leader, s/he asperses them, then leads the group into the ritual space and forms a circle.
If two leaders, then Leader1 at the head of the line leads the group into the ritual space, where Leader2 is waiting - as participants pass Leader2, s/he asperses them.

Leader:

Now is the ending before the beginning, the time of death before new life.
As ebbtide reveals the secrets of the shoreline,
so now is the depth of the night sky revealed.
Now we may read the fates and know the mysteries in the vast and silent stillness.
All is possible. This is the time when we may touch the deep power of the dark.

(adapted from Nor Hall, The Moon and the Virgin)

2. Cast the Circle

Purify the space counterclockwise - moonwise, womanwise - using the four elements from the altar, "graveyard dirt," willow water, incense, and bell, going round the circle one time with each, if one leader. If two, they each take one element around the circle, thus going around twice.

The worshippers chant softly to a low drumbeat, repeating it over & over until Leader completes the casting: Heh-kah-tay, Heh-kah-tay, Heh-kah-tay.

Leader:

The circle is cast by air and fire,
The circle is charged with water and earth.
What is within the circle is between the worlds,
what is between the worlds affects all worlds.

Leader:

O Night, faithful preserver of mysteries,
and bright stars whose golden beams with the Moon succeed after the fires of day;
Thou, three-formed Hekaté, who knows our undertakings and comes to our aid,
whose spells and arts that wise ones use, to Thee we dedicate this rite!

3. Invoke of the Quarters
North

Hekaté! Come! with your ravening wolves,
your hounds of hell, eyes glowing red,
hurdling out of the cavern of earth.
we hear your howl deep in our bones,
within the marrow of our souls.
Teach us to listen to your deep silences
so we may learn the secrets of our bodies
and the ever-changing cycles of life and nature.
share with us your focus and patience.
Unleash the foundation of our instincts to grow this night.
Join our circle and guard our northern gate.
O, Come and be our altar.

West

Hekaté! Come! on your great slithering serpent,
your dragon rising from the watery abyss,
Pouring out visions and prophetic dreams
We feel your damp spray in our blood,
in the waves that roar within our hearts.
Teach us to understand that joys & sorrows
ebb and flow like the rhythmically turning tides,
So our emotions may deepen like the oceans.
Share with us your intuition and inspiration this night.
Join our circle and guard our western gate.
O, Come and be our Cauldron.

South

Hekaté! Come! with your pride of passionate lions,
your blazing wild cats of intensity and desire,
Burning in a whirlpool of liquid fire.
We hear your roaring along our nerves,
dancing in flames that leap in our will.
Teach us to move with justice and courage
So we may accomplish our goals.
Ignite us with the spark of creativity,
Share with us your power and transforming energy this night.
Join our circle and guard our Southern gate.
O, Come and be our sword.

East

Hekaté! Come! on your mysterious owl,
with your ravens of spirit-speech,
Flying on the wind that whirls between the worlds,
We Hear your whispering with each breath,
in the Murmuring magic in our minds,
Blow clear our thought patterns.
Teach us to gather and use our knowledge
so we may be inspired by truth.
Share with us your wisdom and clarity this night.
Join our circle and guard our Eastern gate.
O, Come and be our staff.

Center

Hekaté! Guide to the secrets of the soul,
Keeper of the invisible mysteries of the spirit.
Nine-fold lady who whirls without motion,
Ebbs and flood of the inward ocean,
Burns untouched in flower flames,
Star-born light about the circle spin,
The night without, the bright within.
Join us in our circle,
In the center of the widening gyre.

Invocation of the Mighty Dead

Said in the center of the circle:

Ancient and Mighty Dead
who once lived in the Lady's name,
Who once worked what we continue here,
Come dance and feast with us again,
We who are kin in spirit and in heart. Leader then lights the candles on the altar, and says:

I do bless and consecrate this altar
in the name of Hekaté the ancient one,
venerated even before the ancient Greek civilization arose.

4. Cleansing of Negative Energy

Leader asks all to be seated, and then will give out a hand-sized round, black stone; a bowl of salt water; and a towel (for a larger group, use 2, 3, or 4 of each and them distribute equidistantly around the circle).

Leader then says:

We will pass the stone counterclockwise. As you hold it, fill it with your pain, your anger, your negative energies, voicing them if you wish, while everyone is chanting: "Heh-kah-tay, Heh-kah-tay." When you have poured it all into the stone, bathe it in the cleansing and purifying salt water, and dry the stone with the towel, then pass it on. When each of you has done this, place the stone in the water, cover the container with the cloth and place it near the altar.

The items are passed around the circle. When they are returned to the center, Leader makes a gateway in the Northwest and says:

Let all negativity be cast out of this circle, and from each of our lives as it has been washed out of these stones. I banish it into the earth, to be carried away from here and away from our lives, to be transformed and purified by the cycles of nature, just as this salt water will be made again fresh.

Leader takes bowl, exits circle, and if outdoors, pours water into the earth. If indoors, take bowl and pour water either into sink or toilet.
5. Visualization: A Trip to Tartaros

Leader:
Now we will journey to the Underworld to ask a boon of the chthonic Hekaté. Sit comfortably, breathing in and out slowly and at ease. Close your eyes and feel your center.

Three faced one, patroness of the 9 wild muses, Torch Bearer, Star-crown wearer,
Mother of ghosts who prophesize in the form of bee, serpent, mouse, or bat.
She of 3 heads: mare, dog, serpent; or lioness, mare, dog;
or lioness, dog, serpent; or yet, heifer, lioness, serpent.
Dog-star of summer. Brazen sandled one, Whose Magic mists are raised by willow spells.
Thessalian witches, followers of Hekaté, Cerdo the weasel, shapeshifters & spellspinners.

Turn west. There lies the opening to Tartaros, the Underworld, in a grove of black poplars, sacred to Her whom we honor. The purpose of the visit is to learn something, perhaps of the future. Often this was done through mantiké, inspired prophecy through possession by the deity, enthusiasmos, the deity within us. Don't forget to give a coin to Charon, the ferryman over the River Styx. [pause]

We've reached the other shore. Beware Cerberus, the three-headed dog; his job is to prevent hapless ghosts from fleeing and the living from entering. But tonight we are under the protection of Hekaté Chthonia, Hekaté Ourania, and he, her servant, lets us pass. Do not tarry in the cheerless Asphodel Meadows where weary shades wander, purposelessly, twittering like bats.

Look ahead: there lies Erebus, the palace of Hades and Persephoné, She who was tutored by Hekaté; now She is in the world above for it is summer.

Perhaps we will catch a glimpse of the three Erinnyes, the Furies, who live in Erebus. There is no mistaking them, who punish those who break those of deservedly guilty conscience. They are aged, with snakes for hair, dogs' heads, coal black bodies, bats' wings, and bloodshot eyes. In their hands they carry brass-studded scourges.

To the left is Lethé, shaded by Hekaté's white cypress - do not drink of its waters, for it is the Spring of Forgetfulness, for common souls of the dead awaiting rebirth, and we yet live.

Instead, approach Mnemosyné, the Pool of Memory, shaded by white poplars of Persephoné. This pool is for initiates. Kneel down and sip its cool waters and see a vision there. [pause]
6. Invoke the Goddess

Leader continues:
Tonight the Moon has darkened, just as silver turns black with age, we honor the Goddess in Her Dark forms:

HEKATÉ, the Distant One, Lady of the Underworld, Dea Triformis,
with 3 heads - serpent, horse, & dog - carrying a torch & wearing a glittering crown of stars;
TRIVIA, guardian of the 3 paths, standing at the crossroad;
LEUKIPPÉ, the nightmare; CIRCE, sorceress, death bird, bird of wisdom, the owl;
LILITH, the yoni-lily, seducer in the night;
black-faced KALI MA, Dark Mother, dancer in the sea of blood;
VEILED ISIS; BLACK MADONNA;
MANIA, mother of ghosts; MACHA with her twin-headed ax;
ERESHKIGAL, black-haired & naked in her lapis lazuli palace
surrounded by rainbow gardens in the wilderness at the world's end;
MAYAHUEL, patroness of hallucinations & intoxications, on a throne of tortoises & snakes;
the Egyptian HEQIT, whose head is a frog's, symbol of the foetus,
midwife to the birth of the Sun,
mistress of the magic power of the Word,
holder of the reins of the ancient sacred spell.

She is the Crone; the Grandmother; spinner, teacher, prophetess, gossip, midwife, healer, avenger, shapeshifter; the guardian of the unconscious; deathbringer; mistress of subterranean spirits; she who stands between the pillars of the gateway to another world; ruler of the untamed forests of the human psyche, of poetry & lunacy, sleep & transformation; Giver of Visions. Within each of us lie her mysteries - at the still center to which all must return as a prelude to rebirth. This is the most secret face of the Goddess.

Many mortals fear her, for Her wrath can be destructive. But some long to learn from Her. On the night of the Dark Moon, She appears before them, Her hair a nest of writhing snakes, constantly transforming. And among the lessons She teaches is:

Without Birth there is no Life;
Without Life there is no Death;
Without Death there is no Rebirth;
As Darkness gives birth to Light,
And Light to Darkness,
Each needing the other.

Oh, Dark Goddess!
Bring us the Knowledge of the Silver Wheel of Death & Rebirth!
Grant us the Power and the Wisdom to use it rightly!
7. Offering of Honey:

Leader:

Lady of mystery, shrouded in time, lady of earth and heaven and sea,
who makes the earth bring forth abundantly.
At whose word bitches whelp, and mares foal.
Thou, honored of Zeus, holder of the torch of light, bearer of the scourge.
Pale Queen of ghosts whose suppers are laid where three ways meet,
lunar goddess light and dark, mistress of magic, of wisdom,
watcher over secret meetings and wild places. Silent one.
Hekate! Queen of night, I call thee into the body of this, thy priestess!
Speak to us, O Hekaté!

Priestess seats herself in Hekaté's throne, and speaks. She declaims, slowly and deliberately:

I am the old one who is maid, mother, and all, the threefold goddess.
I will teach you to read pebbles cast, the black pool, and the human hand.
I will teach you the stars, and how to make the smoke that brings dreams.
I will send visions.
Remember, anything is possible
after you find the courage to admit that nothing is certain.

She rises from the throne, takes a step forward and gestures:

Ye who call me here, your feet treading the ancient round, hear me:
the spiral dance is danced over the abyss, always.
So dance and form your vision of the boon you dare ask of me!

Hekaté Chant

Done antiphonally (that is, Leader says a line, then ALL repeat it), best if outside where three roads meet:

Come, infernal, terrestial, and celestial Bombo,
Goddess of the broad roadways, of the cross-road,
Thou who goest to and fro at night, torch in hand,
Enemy of the day, friend and lover of darkness,
Thou who dost rejoice when the hounds howl and warm blood is spilled,
Thou who wanderest amid the phantoms in the place of tombs,
Thou whose thirst is blood, Thou who dost strike chill fear into mortal heart,
Gorgo, Mormo, Moon of a thousand forms,
Look favorably upon our sacrifices!

The worshippers then are led in the spiral dance, twice inward and twice outward to the starting point. ALL chant: "Heh-kah-tay, Heh-kah-tay" during the dance.

After the dance is concluded, the Leader says:

Now we may ask of Glorious Hekaté a boon, for the ancient power which she has ever enjoyed is that of bestowing on mortals, or withholding from them, any desired gift. As we make our offering of honey, we must cast our eyes downward, and leave the place of offering without looking back.

One at a time, each participant goes to the appointed place, offers honey, asks boon silently, then returns to circle space without looking back, to await the others. While one is offering, the rest may dance freely while awaiting their return.

In the 1992 performance of this ritual, we poured honey into the holes of a "manhole" cover over an underground stream, which was in a crossroads of two streets over which an electric commuter train ran - three roads, and in 3-dimensions, subterranean, terrestrial, and aerial!

If you don't have a safe outdoor space to perform this, each participant may pour a drop honey into a fire in a fireplace or a "fire-cauldron" - see instructions. This makes the "don't look back" warning a bit more difficult to accomplish. If possible, have the offering place set up in another near-by room.
8. Feast of Hekaté

Pass the food around one plate at a time, reading the section for each as it begins around. Different worshippers can read the descriptions if they have been written out ahead of time on index-cards.
a. Hard-Cooked Eggs, halved, and a bowl of Salt Water into which to dip them

The egg, unbroken, is the perfect form, symbol of unity. It is both seed and womb. It is the world, the universe. Within are the white and yolk, silver and gold, moon and sun. The Feminine Essence was often represented as containers and jars in bird and egg forms in the most ancient days. By dipping the egg in salt water, we purify it in the liquid of our tears, the amniotic fluid, the oceans, the source of life and wisdom. Eating the egg, we give birth to ourselves.
b. Honey & Pollen

This is the food of the Thriae, the most ancient Delphic prophetesses, who wove golden tissues of words of truth or madness. They sang the thriambos, a honey-intoxicated bee song, in honor of the flowering pollen-producing rod, the magic wand of the phallic God, reunifying nature and spirit. Honey is the substance of resurrection, used in Asia Minor in embalming fluid, the sacred essence of the Great Goddess. It was sometimes mixed with menstrual blood, which it also represented, and drunk as a sacred elixir. Souls were seen as bees. It was believed that bees were begotten of bulls, which were also sacred to several Eastern Mediterranean Goddesses, and a bull was sometimes sacrificed so that bees would come and nest in its head.
c. Pomegranate Wine -or- Pureed Mixed Berries

(strawberries, raspberries, & boysenberries) in the first version of this ritual, which was alcohol-free)

This is the blood of the Mother Goddess, of all women, of life. As babes in blood we are born; as maidens with blood women flow; as mothers in blood women birth; with age comes the ending of blood and the shadow of Death we know. (paraphrased from Shekinah Mountainwater)
d. Homemade Crescent Cookies with Black Poppy Seeds (see recipe)

These are the horns of the Moon, as waxing it reappears in the sky. This is the shape of the fallopian tubes above the uterus, and the shape of the horns on the bull's head, over which devotees of the Serpent Goddess leaped with joy in ancient Crete.
e. Other Foods

garlic spread & sesame seed butter on flat bread; almonds; pine nuts; dates & figs (dried is fine); honey-sesame candies
f. The Cross-Road Offering

Be sure to set aside a small packet containing a bit of each ritual food to be left in a crossroad tonight for Hekaté. We wrapped the food in black paper napkins.
9. Farewell to Hekaté

Priestess:

I am the spirit of eternity. I was before manifestation.
To question beyond my origin is not to understand me. I am the moving center.
Out of me all things come into being, it is in my spell that everything remains,
and unto me all must return.

Leader:

Hekaté, Dark Mother!
We thank you for your presence here tonight
in this circle cast in your name, here at your shrine,
and as you depart, we bid you hail and farewell.
Forget us not, and in this coming year grant each their boon. Go in peace.

10. Grounding and Dismissal of the Quarters
North:

Farewell, Guardians of the North, place of security,
Altar of deep structures, the Earth which is Her fertile Body
We thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
May there be harmony between us now and forever.

West:

Farewell, Guardians of the West, place of deepening,
Cauldron of visionary dreams, the Water which is Her living Blood
We thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
May there be harmony between us now and forever.

South:

Farewell, Guardians of the South, place of movement and energy,
Shining Sword of flaming light, the Fire which is Her quickening Spirit
We thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
May there be harmony between us now and forever.

East:

Farewell, Guardians of the East, place of new beginnnings,
Magic Staff and sacred word, the Air which is Her vital Breath
We thank you for your presence in our circle tonight.
May there be harmony between us now and forever.

Center:

Star-spun Center! Essence of the Mysteries,
Our rite is over, it's time to leave.
What was woven, now unweave!

Leader, carrying salt on pentacle, sprinkles salt around circle widdershins:

Around, around,
it shall go to ground,
and not rebound.

ALL grasp staff and say:

Let the power pass from me
to end where it was begun;
As I will so mote it be;
chant the spell and be it done.

Leader takes sword and says:

All from air, into air, let the misty curtain part

Leader cuts circle and says:

and moonlight shall not turn against us.

Leader goes to East with staff and says, holding staff horizontal:

It shall end in the beginning: The circle is open.

...then turns staff vertical and draws line across circle and says:

Merry meet, merry part.

ALL: Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again.

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 9 replies

prayer

libramoon — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 09:01:45 GMT

Black dog, black dog
take me to your master
take me to your leader
take me to the depths of
the land where I must meet her
Sorrow, horror,
can't go farther
Have to see my master
Have to see my leader
Have to know there's someone
to give it all a reason
Tell me, tell me
shake me to the core
'til I have no more
reason, rationale
'til I know I've gone to Hell
Know, you, all, I wish you well
I wish, I wish, a wishing well
that I might drown.
I wish I may, I wish I might
I wish it all turns out alright
I find my will is burning bright
I find my shining inner sight
stunned by the profound delight
I find I am allowed.

(c) August 13, 2007

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 0 replies

My Love to Thee Hecate, many thanks

Annell — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 05:42:25 GMT

I can't give details on the spell casting I did this evening (never cast and tell), but I am incomplete awe of the wisdom and power of Hecate tonight. Though I never doubted, but faith is so much stronger tonight. I can however share some of the written works i spoke tonight. The authors are various, cited where I know them, and none of them me.

Blessings to you all who walk the path.

In Honor of Most Lovely One, Goddess Hecate:

Quiet is the night
Dark is the Moon
I ask Hecate, the Crone
To take Her throne.
Sleep, sister, sleep
Be not alarmed,
For the Great Goddess
Keeps you from harm.
Quiet is the night
Dark is the Moon
I ask Hecate, the Crone
To take Her throne.
Sleep, brother sleep,
Be not alarmed,
For the Great Goddess
Holds you in her arms.
Quiet is the night
Dark is the Moon.
We honor Hecate the Crone
Who has taken Her throne.

Wisdom Chant:
Hecate, Crone Goddess, Keep me whole
Let thy wisdom fill my soul.

May the circle never be broken
May the earth always be whole
May the rattle ever be shaken
May Hecate live in my soul.

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 1 reply

the black dog Hekate's servant

libramoon — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 02:21:05 GMT

I've read of the psycho-social condition of depression being referred to as the "black dog." In a liminal musing it occurred to me that the black dog is a true and loyal servant to Hekate. Depression, if interpreted well, can be a process to bring us to our dark goddess sacred sister who we may learn from, infuse with, to find our true self and purpose. Depression is often seen to be a reaction to deep, often irrational, guilt and shame imbued in a cognitive cycle of belief that one deserves no better is not good enough is in some sense socially unacceptable, which bleeds off the energy that might have been used to good purpose. The lesson is that society as we know it is unacceptable to us, does not recognize our off the main path way. It is not that we are not living up to some social norm or goal, but that that way lies madness. An affiliation with Hekate helps us to understand our perhaps solitary, but none the less vital path, to reclaim our selves and our energy/lifeforce and engage with our most vitalizing passions.

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 3 replies

Hi there I am new here

David — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 22:23:48 GMT

Hi. I just wanted to say that. I am new to this, but not so new to Hekate. But I wish to intensify my relationship with her. You all seem very nice. I hope to talk more to all of you later

*******

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 4 replies

I'm new again

Phileremon — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 22:38:15 GMT

I'm back...

I was Phileremon, but I forgot my password and am unable to get it sent to my email address, so I had to rejoin.

Anyway, hi again.

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 1 reply

Hekate in the physical world and animal messengers. signs in general. Spiders in particular.

Henrik — Fri, 25 May 2007 14:45:08 GMT

Last week my spider came back! It might sound a bit strange but here is the story.
Last autumn i asked for a sign from the godess, and what happened next was that a large spider came running across my floor. After that spiders keept appearing all over the place more then usuall. It was basically spiders everywhere. It went so far so i could say.. are you there? Next thing happening, spider appear. Surprise! Then it suddently stoped for a while.
Anyways.. that,s when the magical spider came to my room. It made it,s home behind one of my posters on the wall. At night it came watching over me across the room. When winter was cloose on i decided to trapp the spider and let it loose to find a hybernation spot.

Last week when i was sitting in my room together with a friend. I lit some incense for the first time in a long time now. Then suddently the same speciment of spider as last year came moving across the wall. It has now taken it,s home above my hekate altar :/ normally i have a severe spider phobia but it,s appearence makes me very happy because they have become something of a magickal animal to me.

I also has a strange story to reveal that happened last autumn. It might sound like a pretty lame thing to interpretate as spiritual but still.. Here goes. I was looking for yet more signs ( dont know why i am so keen on them) Anyways i was walking home from the store and where the stairs upwards cross a road a woman appeared, heading down the stairs. She looked very similar to the woman in the pictures depicting hecate and she had two dogs in a leash with her. It was probably an ordinary person but it makes me think. In mythology it was believed that the god,s and godesses could walk amoung people in descuise or even participate in battles. After all, perhaps it,s not just tales but a real thing happening! It hurts to tell you beeing a sinister rational and all.. Sometimes the world is just upside down.

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 17 replies

Conversations with Hecate-- and hi, i'm new.

Annell — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 23:08:48 GMT

Hi all, I'm new to the group, but not new to Hecate. As I said in another post (spiders) I spell her name with a C and can't change it after a number of years writing it that way. As I said I'm not new to my Relationship with Hecate, I've been working with and learning from her for a number of years now. It's really great to find a group of people who also are connected to Her.

I don't know if this is topic that's been discussed before, if i might potentially be stepping on toes in anyway by posting this question. But I'll take the risk. In the spider topic people are talking about Hecate's messengers as animals etc... and i was wondering if anyone else speaks directly to her- in journey's, meditations, visions... etc? and if so, (and feel comfortable doing so) sharing they're relationship with her, and what she's like when they see her.

I will say first off that I do see her, very regularly in journey's and that we've had made conversations. I know that my relationship with her is going to be different from others and I'm curious how different people perceive her. This is a very, very personal question to ask, especially when I'm brand new to the group. So I will understand if people decide that they don't want to share their personal journey's.

My own own perception of her is of a wise, formidable, but also very comforting Crone, or Grandmother. Though she pushed me to examine my Darkness and work with the strength found within ones dark places. She is always there to comfort after the work is done. She challenges me and supports me as I work out the challenges.

That's just me though. Any one else willing to share?

Anne

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 4 replies

Monsters within us (VwV)

sirenmagick — Fri, 25 May 2007 08:18:22 GMT

Hekate is closely linked in a variety of myths and texts with certain underworld 'monsters' and I find this
fascinating -- particularly in the context of why She calls who She does.

To name just a few well-known 'monsters' associated with Hekate (feel free to add!) there's Kerberus, Medusa,
and Skylla, her daughter. There are many others; maybe they'll come up in this thread?

It's interesting to me that Hekate has a positive relationship with many monsters. In otherwords, they have power and right of
place in Her. They serve important functions, Perhaps they are even beautiful.

What are your favorite monsters in Hekataen lore, or in mythology generally? Have any of these fascinated you or been present in your dreams and visions or artwork?

What about your own 'monsters' inside? Have you seen their core and original beauty and power? What powers are locked and hidden away inside your inner monsters?

Happy witches love their monsters!!! ;)

Saeth

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 43 replies

makes you wonder...

Ixxy — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 23:47:28 GMT

A few things that I noticed last week have stuck in my mind like a burr. I figured I'd share them here, maybe in hopes of insite or a bit of advise.

Firstly, this tribe keeps sticking out to me every time I sign in!

Secondly, a (stray?) black dog showed up in the neighborhood about a week ago. It is a young black lab, probably under a year...all gangly and full of play:) He doesn't have a collar, I'm not sure he belongs to anyone nearby. Our complex isn't really by any other homes, so I'm not sure where he came from. The first night he was here, we saw him playing with a kid outside in the yard. Once it was dark outside, he started scratching furiously on our door (scared the CRAP right out of us! thought someone was coming in the door!). My man went out and shoed him away. I've seen the dog hanging out behind the building a few times this week, playing with the neighbor's dog. The lab has come up to me. He seems a bit timid, but pretty friendly! I began to wonder, seeing as one of Hecate's animals is a black dog, if it could be a sign...a bit of heads up...

Just as I was filling my watering can the other morning, the black lab romping around the black yard, I wondered about Hecate. As soon as I turned around, a tiny toad hopped across my path! She was SO little! Now this made me wonder even more, because toad is another of Hecate's creatures...

As I finished up watering my herbs, I noticed a small pale thing jump in the grass. The toad? No, she was dark...it was a tiny tree frog, the same size as the toad! By now, I'm quite convinced that coincidence is absolutely out the window! These three (but wait, isn't Hecate's number three??) can't have just shown up one morning by chance...

Rambling story aside, perhaps there's something here quite obvious to someone else, something I'm missing?

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 4 replies

Awesome Pictures of Medusa

sirenmagick — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 02:32:42 GMT

Mary Ellen, thanks so much for posting the Medusa art - some is just stunning and it's all great!

Those of you who haven't looked, I recommend it ;)

Saeth

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 1 reply

Hekate's Altar Stories

sirenmagick — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 00:26:55 GMT

Thanks to Tamara for inspiring this post

How did you create your altar to Hekate? Did you follow the instructions in a book, or rely on other sources such as visions, dreams, Her inner voice, or serendipity to piece it together?

If your altar was "guided", what is the most outstanding feature about it? Does this theme correspond with what Hekate has to teach you personally? Is it surprising and magickal in and of itself?

About 6 months ago I had to put a new altar to Hekate together. Whereas I had all of the elements to place on the altar itself, I had no altar. I needed two altars, in fact, one small and one large.

Instead of going out and buying furniture or altar-building elements, I went on walks in the city and asked the Goddess to provide these altars along my walking route so I would "cross paths" with them and be able to take them home with me.

The first to appear was the small one. It was simple, as I imagined, and low to the ground, which I'd also imagined. It was a simple wooden box with, solidly built, with only four sides - no top or bottom. The wood was unpainted and unvarnished. It appeared just a few steps form the stairwell leading up to my apartment. So I gathered it up and placed it in my room, feeling unsure about it. After all, it wasn't black, witchy, spooky, or otherwise spectacular.

I went out again on another day - the day of the Full Moon, I believe, and once again asked the Goddess to provide an altar (the main one) for that evening’s ritual. I knew that I needed something small and mobile, because of how tiny my SF room is. I visualized something that would fold up, unsure exactly how it would work. It appeared after I had finished shopping for the evening ritual. I was about to return home from my walk, feeling disappointed because the altar hadn't appeared on my path, when I felt an inner nudge which caused me to turn and walk one block in the opposite direction. What should I find at the next intersection, but a folding cedar-wood stand that someone had placed on the corner, free to whomever wanted it? When I got home, there was a triangle-shaped marble slab in the living room that my roomie wanted to move elsewhere. So, Voila, I had the elements of my altar.

And it occurred to me.....

That the elements Hekate had provided herself (including some of the objects on my altar)were all naked wood, unvarnished, or natural, and/or transparent material. This, of course, brought to mind the theme of raw, unvarnished truth - but a truth possessing a natural strength and beauty. I think this is part of Hekate's power as a Revealer of things hidden. She unmasks things, and teaches us how to stand solid and powerful as we are, unhidden and unmasked. And further, that unmasked truth and vision is the key to magickal power.

I needn't say more to this lot :)

So, what's your Hekate Altar story?

Her magnificent blessings,
Saeth

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 1 reply

I go where Hekate goes (call for topics)

sirenmagick — Thu, 24 May 2007 19:57:23 GMT

Dear Priestesses/Priests, Witches, Darklings, Divinities Incarnate ~

Hekate is such an amazing Goddess! Where she is there is liminality - She
moves the liminal 'point'...and where She goes and with whom She deals, and
what She does is beyond merely fascinating, it's life and consciousness altering.

There are many themes related to Hekate which I think about constantly, as I'm sure
most of here do. And it's quite clear that some of us have different experiences of Hekate,
and no doubt exactly the ones we need to have. Personally I don't see Her realms as separate -
no difference between dark/light , good/evil, etc. However some do and I think it's all interesting
and all very welcome!

This is a call for new threads related to Hekate. If any of these topics are of particular
interest to members of the tribe, Please start a new thread with a heading that makes
the top clear in some way :)

Here are some suggestions for Threads:

Death (Necromancy, Dying, dealing with death, communion with the dead - etc)
Dreams
Magika
Physical Spellwork (Related to Hekate that involve objects, herbs, motions, etc - much more)
Birthing and Rebirthing
Insanity
Truth (Got light?)
Things that lurk in the dark (real monsters, the monsters we hide inside, the monsters in others)
Journeys
Deliverance/Assisting
Transitions (
Dogs
Snakes
Wheels
Theurgy
Geo. Locations (Sicily, Thessaly, Anatolia, Caria...etc.)
Underworld
Persephone
Skylla
ETC...

These are just a few suggestions - Please post what is of interest to you in relation to Hekataen themes!

In Her Torchlight!
Saeth

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 2 replies

Ancient cites worth visiting.

Henrik — Fri, 25 May 2007 15:34:06 GMT

I know from an earlier thread about the temple at lagina, turkey. I would like to develop the topic and perhaps find more places. Also how did these temples look like when they vere in use. As far as i know there seems to be a cultivation of red poppy around these temples.
I noticed the co relation when i read about an Hekate temple in athens ( i think) what struck me was that that temple had red poppy,s too. Was it common around temples or is it specific to hekate?

This far i have been to one place connected to the underworld and the god pluton. the city is a part of the ancient city of hierapolis ( in turkey) the city is located cloose to the pamukkale springs. I felt emediatly drawn to the plutoninan shrine. It has this lovely mystery to it, and you can hear this tiny hiss sound comming from it because it releases poisonous gas.

Strabo Narrates - There is a very deep opening as high as a man, under a hill that allows an easy climb. One finds here a square enclosure of 15sq meters, in which there is so much heavy vapour that one cannot see the ground. Any living beeing who enters inside is found dead. We occasionaly allow a small bird to fly in and it immediatly falls down lifeless.

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 4 replies

some stuff to do for the crafty person - Dream pillows

Henrik — Fri, 25 May 2007 14:56:08 GMT

Dream Pillows

Makes about 9 pillows

In connection with the Dark Moon Feast of Hekate, I made these Dream Pillows for stimulating the intuitive and psychic centers. I mixed the following herbs in a wooden bowl and left them on my altar overnight. The next day, I stuffed the pillows. I found cotton cloth of dark blue scattered with colored stars, but another dark rich color, such as maroon, purple, indigo or even black, would be suitable. Velveteen would be lovely, if you can find a large enough remnant on sale.

Ingredients and what they're good for:
2 oz Mugwort - Prophetic Dreams
1/4 oz. whole Cloves - keep away hostile forces, add energy

1/2 oz. each of the following:

Bay Leaves - Dreams , visions, clairvoyance, healing, purification, protection
Chamomile Flowers - Induce restful sleep
Hyssop - Blessings, purge of negativity
Lavender Flowers - Peace of mind
Marigold Flowers/Calendula - Clairvoyant dreams, protection while sleeping
Orange Blossoms - Calm, peace of mind
Peppermint Leaves - Relaxation, healing, help falling asleep
Rose Buds, Pink - Calm, clairvoyance, love
Vervain - Freedom from nightmares, purification, protection

Directions:
I cut the cloth in long rectangles, twice the length of the finished pillows; mine were approximately 8" X 16". Fold in half, inside out, so measures 8" X 8", and sew around 2 and 1/2 of the open sides - i left 1/2" hem allowance. Turn right side out, pushing cloth through unsewn half-side opening. Using a wide neck funnel, a wooden spoon, and your fingers, pour the herbal blend into the pillows; i filled each one with about 1/2 cup of herbs, then went back and evenly divided the remainder among the pillows. Top-stitch the openings, folding the raw edges to the inside.

The pillow were placed under the altar table during the ritual to charge them and then were distributed afterwards during the discussion period. For more pillows, just multiply ingredients as necessary.
Hekate Incense

Place in a small blender jar (used only for non-edible processing), a bowl, or a pestle, several tablespoons of each of the following 5 ingredients:
Bay Leaves Dittany of Crete Dried Mint Dried Thyme
And a tiny teeny weeny pinch of Asafoetida Powder (also called Hing in Indian Markets)

Mix until almost powdered (or crumble by hand or with mortar & pestle).

Stir in one tablespoon of each of the following 4 ingredients:
Dragon's Blood Resin Frankincense Resin/Tears
Myrrh Resin/Tears Black Poppy Seeds

Moisten with:
Cypress Oil - 5-10 drops Camphor Oil - 2-3 drops

Mix well. Let age at least one week before using, storing in a tightly sealed container in a dark place (under your altar?) and shaking occasionally. Burn on self-lighting charcoal. This is NOT at all sweet-smelling, but it is a powerful visionary incense, to help take you through the gateway.
Dark Moon Crescent Cookies

The Nine Ingredients:
1-1/2 cups unbleached wheat flour 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup softened butter 1/2 cup honey 1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract 1/2 tsp. almond extract
2 Tbs. black poppy seeds 1 tsp. anise seeds

Directions:
Sift together the first three dry ingredients, flour, salt, and soda. Cream together butter, honey, and egg. Blend dry and wet mixtures. Stir in extracts, then seeds. Shape in very thin crescent moons. The dough is quite soft and will spread in baking. Place at least 2" apart on cool oiled baking sheet. Bake at 350 F. for about 12 minutes, until lightly golden at the edges.

NOTE: the honey, almonds (in extract), black poppy seeds, and anise seeds are sacred to Hekate. Personally i'n not fond of anise, so i leave out the anise seeds.
Making an Indoor Cauldron-Fire

To make a fire in a cauldron for magical and ritual work, you will need the following ingredients:

* Cast-Iron Cauldron - mine is quite small, about 4" in diameter
* Epsom Salts - easy to find at the supermarket or pharmacy
* Rubbing Alcohol - 70% isopropyl (safer) or 90% isopropyl (hotter)
* Fire-Proof surface, preferably not heat conductive
* Long Wooden Matches

Directions:
It is best to use a cast-iron cauldron, since one won't be too hard to get and it can withstand the heat. Don't use aluminum, since it sometimes melts or can even catch on fire. Never make an indoor fire in a cauldron that is painted, since burning or even very hot paint will produce dangerous fumes.

Some practitioners recommend half Epsom salts and half rubbing alcohol by volume (not by weight), for example, 1 cup of each. 70% isopropyl alcohol will burn, and it doesn't burn as hot as 90% isopropyl, which can be a very important consideration indoors for both safety and comfort. I just cover the bottom of my cauldron with a layer of epsom salts about 1-1/2 knuckles deep, then pour in the alcohol so that it's a little deeper than the salt. To ignite, light a long match, and hold it just above the surface of the alcohol. The fire will burn birghtly at first, then the flames will seem to skim the surface of the liquid.

This fire is safer for indoor use than one made of charcoal. Its by-products are carbon dioxide and water vapor, whereas charcoal will produce smoke and dangerous carbon monoxide. Nonetheless, it is important to make sure the room is adequately ventilated - crack open a door or window.

Always put the cauldron on a fireproof surface (such as a hearth, other tile surface, hot-plate, trivet, etc.). Make sure that there are no flammable items nearby (like floaty cloth) and that the only nearby objects are reasonably heat-resistant. Taper candles will bend or even melt, if too close. Votives and other kinds of candles in glass holders are o.k.

You can burn small pieces of paper in the cauldron, if you toss them in one at a time. Larger pieces or several at once often won't burn, or won't burn completely. If the fire is really hot, however, you might get pieces of glowing ash floating around the room, so use caution.

Be sure to keep a large box of baking soda handy, as well as a lid large enough to cover the cauldron completely. If the fire should get too hot or flare dangerously, dump in the baking soade and slap down the lid. Don't touch the cauldron with your bare hands. Leather all-purpose work gloves might be good to have, too. It's also a good idea to keep a bucket of water nearby in case things get out of hand.

Let the cauldron burn out by itself. How long this will take depends on the size of the cauldron and how much fuel you have put into it. Wait until it's cool, and then fill the inside with water to loosen the grayish mass of salts that've been fused together by the fire. If you put the water in soon after it is cool enough to handle, and let it soak overnight, it won't be too hard to clean.

posted in The Goddess Hekate: Liminal Magick - 1 reply