Hallows Everyday 30

Prayer to Hekate for the Dead

Hail Hekate, Mighty Eternal Queen,

Divine Mediator,

She who walks between the worlds,  

Torch-bearer who shines Her light

Upon our path.

Hear me now,

Mistress of Death,

Welcome this departed soul.

I call upon You,

Great Light,

Embrace this soul as they pass through

The gates of death.

Guide my beloved safely

To the other side, 

Offer them comfort,

As they cross the threshold

From this life to the next.

Be with us now in our time of grief.

May we know the peace of eternity.

Let the light of their memory burn bright,

Give us the faith to know that all

That dies shall be reborn.

Credit: Keepingherkeys.com

30 Days of Devotion - 9

Day 9 - Common Mistakes and Worst Misconceptions 

Let's start with the worst misconception about Hekate: She is a evil. Even in Greco-Roman mythology, Hekate has gotten a bad rap. Her association with witchcraft, the Underworld, the waning and dark moons, the dark hounds, darkness in general, has lead to this negative view.

From Hesiod: Hesiod describes the wide-ranging divine powers of the goddess Hekate in the following passage. Hekate was usually regarded as the goddess of witchcraft, though it is unclear whether Hesiod is describing her benefits as being derived from the use of magical incantations or merely general prayers to her divinity. The poet clearly understood that she was a night-time goddess of witchcraft through the naming of her parents. The name of her father Perses (the destroyer) was connected with both Persephone, goddess of the underworld, and Perseis, the mother of the witches Aeetes and Kirke; and her mother Asteria (the starry one) was a goddess of the night.

From the Orphic Hymns:  "Hekate Einodia, Trioditis [Trivia], lovely dame, of earthly, watery, and celestial frame, sepulchral, in a saffron veil arrayed, pleased with dark ghosts that wander through the shade...

"Hekate ... pleased with dark ghosts that wander through the shade ... nightly seen." - Orphic Hymn 1 to Hecate

And yet, She is Kourotrophos, nurse of children. Hekate lead Persephone from the Underworld back to her grieving mother. She lights our way through this spiritual path.  Most of this "goodness" is lost in the pure enjoyment of those who perpetuate and prefer to believe that anything not of Judeo-Christian belief is evil.

In addition to the torches, which give Her an association with "light", there is this fragment:
"[Hekate] the golden-shining attendant of Aphrodite." - Greek Lyric I Sappho or Alcaeus, Frag 23

Here, Hekate offers assistance to those who honor Her:  For to this day, whenever any one of men on earth offers rich sacrifices and prays for favour according to custom, he calls upon Hekate. Great honour comes full easily to him whose prayers the goddess receives favourably, and she bestows wealth upon him; for the power surely is with her. - Hesiod, Theogony

Sorita d'Este describes her thus: "Hekate’s magic was that of death, the underworld, love, oracles, herbs, poisons, protection and guidance", which, in my own experience is a valid and accurate description. Some of these seem negative, but if you consider this statement closely, all of this is a more positive than the fictitious evil goddess.

Another, and probably the most common misconception, about Hekate is that She is a Crone goddess. I wrote about this on the first day of this challenge, how my own introduction to Her was as a crone. I have also written many times that the goddesses and gods present Themselves to us in whatever way They see fit, however we can connect with Them. This, however, does not justify disregarding the myths. When stating that you believe or encounter Hekate as a crone goddess, you should also state that this is not based on historical evidence. Hekate, in Greek mythology, is a maiden. She is clearly described as such in the many depictions and descriptions. 

Ultimately, I never tell anyone how they should see a goddess or god, unless it is so far off the mark. But that mark is really none of my business. And although I know there are plenty of people out there who relish correcting others when that person has a different view of a goddess or god, who is to say what another encounters? Those are the Mysteries.

Blessings Nine!

Hallows Everyday 22

Death, The eternal cycle begins here.

from The Halloween Oracle by Stacy DeMarco

The Death card; people are generally very uncomfortable with this card and the Death card in the tarot. In fact, it terrifies them. While death frightens most people, it also fascinates them; they want to know what happens, not just on a spiritual level, but physically - it disgusts and fascinates.

Death truly is what this card says - the eternal cycle. Without it there would be no life. I feel death feeds life - think of compost - it nourishes all life. We eat dead things; don't let the vegetarians, vegans, and raw food enthusiasts fool you, once you cut that plant, pick that fruit or nut, it is dead. Our meat comes from slaughtered animals, dead animals. I don't know of anyone who eats live animals, but I suppose they could be out there. My point is, the dead feed us so we can live.

And so the cycle begins with death. Hallows/Samhain is a celebration of death. We honor the dead, hope for messages from them. This is very much a time of release and renewal. The leaves that fall, the plants that die, the Earth Herself stills and quiets. All life returns to the womb - the beginning.

While celebrating and honoring your beloved Dead, do not forget to let go, release whatever is no longer valid in your life. Quiet yourself, let your inner self begin again, growing outward over the Winter. The real message of this card is to let go, clear away, just as our planet does. Clearing is a process that has great power, it brings us to the place where we can begin again.

Winter is the womb time, curl up and  let the initiation of new things happen.

Blessings dark and deep.

Hallows Everyday - 30

Well, here we are on the 30th. The month has gone by quickly, just too fast for me. Even so, I have this tremendous feeling of wonderful things to come. All this energy of releasing that has reared up throughout the month, there was a reason for that, I feel it very strongly. I am tossing off the feelings and issues that have held me back, I truly feel that I am beginning an important new cycle. And it feels very good this morning, a real shift.

Over the past few days, I have felt like I've been getting my butt kicked energetically with all the devotional practices, the divination. So much thought and contemplation this year about Hallows Everyday, it was a real spiritual work-out, so to speak. But today, I've awakened with a sense of joy, an excitement, and a very strong feeling, as mentioned, that something new and wonderful is beginning.

Now... onto the oracle for today.

Lady De Los Muertos, Acceptance and Equality

The Halloween Oracle, by Stacey DeMarco

In a way, this card was a surprise and yet not so much. This lady is known also as Santisima Muerte, (Most Holy Death), Santa Muerte (Holy Death), and the Holy Queen, among other epithets. She is a blend of Catholic and older Mexican origins, coming to be more known when she appeared in the nineteenth century to a healer in Veracruz, or so the story goes. Since then, there have been, according to those who are dedicated to Her, many miracles. Her origins date back to pre-Spanish Mexico, but some claim She comes to us through the Yoruba tradition, Voudon, Santeria, and Palo Mayombe. Whatever Her origins, Her practitioners are generally not concerned with them, but more with Santa Muerte Herself and the gifts She brings into the devotee's life. 

Late last year, Santisima Muerte began to call to me. I began some studies, and here She is again. Another call? For me? For some of you?

This card's appearance continues the theme of releasing that which doesn't serve us. It also tells us that those issues in our lives which are based in fear need to be rethought. Death is inevitable, but we don't have to dwell on it - you'll go out of your mind. Instead, take a different approach, one based in the positive, and consider that all will be well. Fluffy? OK, maybe, but a little fluff really never does hurt, although too much may choke you! ; )

Taking a more positive approach, can assist us in changing what we want changed more easily, and keeps fear in its place. Exploring Santisima Muerte and the gifts and wisdom She can bestow, while certainly not everyone's cup of tea, is one example of learning to deal with death with acceptance. Bring death into its place in life, an equal partner, inevitable, and a next step. I think of it, or try to, as the new adventure after this one.

For me, this card is a call, one I won't ignore; for others... you will choose from what I've said here and your own contemplations. That being said, the card could just be a call from the Underworld, the Ancestors, Santa Muerte, Herself. It is the time of year when that happens. Sometimes it is just a simple hello and those passed saying, "we're here on the other side, but still with you, we're watching over you, remember us."

Blessings dark and deep!