Feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Help

 Feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Help

June 27th marks the Catholic feast day of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. Mother Mary, revered by many Christians as the Mother of Jesus Christ, is seen by feminist goddess devotees as an incarnation of the Great Mother and a goddess in Her own right.

As a child, growing up surrounded by my Catholic family, attending Catholic School, Mother Mary was very much a part of my life. Despite attempts to cut Catholicism from my life, it has maintained a background presence.

My spiritual practice these days is feminist oriented, heavily influenced by Paganism, my Jewish husband and my own conversion to Judaism, and the absolute wisdom that eclectic spiritual practice works best for me. There are many paths that ultimately lead to that place of peace, love, and wisdom. Each of us finds our own way.

So a reminder shows up on my calendar each year on this day, the Feast of Our Mother of Perpetual Help. I light a candle, some rose incense, and make an invocation, adding prayers for assistance with whatever life is throwing my way, but most importantly, as a votary offering and acknowledgment that I remember Her, in all Her presences.

“Oh Mother of Perpetual Help, I invoke Your most powerful and beloved name, in remembrance of Your guiding hand and the assistance You unconditionally offer. Accept this candle and the lovely scent of Your roses as my offering of thanks and honor. You are always in my heart. Amen.”

May the Great Mother’s blessings be ever upon us all.

Blessings dark and light!

The Charge of Hekate

THE CHARGE OF HEKATE

Hear the words of Soteira, Most Manifest Goddess, from whom we all came and to whom we will one day return; She who is Above and Below, Within and Without...

Come, my children, to my moonlit temple and bathe in the healing light of my torches, I call your soul to order...and to action.

I will hold to me all those who cannot protect themselves. I will instil in the few, the power to stand against the many. My fire is both pure and fierce; let those who would harm those in my care, feel the soul-burn of their actions and come to realise they are no more or less than mortal.

Celebrate my names and forms in the phases of the moon and the turning of the seasons. Look for me not in the world around you, but instead look deep within yourself

You were born of my Great Fire. I gave you the spark of your soul and have always been with you...

Hail Hekate, Anima Mundi.

Hail Hekate, Anima Mundi.

Hail Hekate, Anima Mundi.

She who is the very soul of the world,

Within me lives the same spark,

That fuels all of creation, And birthed the universe.

Hail Hekate, Anima Mundi.

Hail Hekate, Anima Mundi.

Hail Hekate, Anima Mundi.

- Keeping Her Keys

- artist unknown 

Imbolc & Full Moon Blessings

 Imbolc and Full Moon Blessings. 

As the seeds stir, may you find renewal, regeneration, and restoration, 

Yes, despite the snow and cold, the seeds are stirring and the blood is warming. We are still in the mode of rest, but renewal is coming. Taking time to care for ourselves is part of our devotional and magickal work. Warming, nourishing foods, soothing , healing meditations, spells for renewal and restoration are all part of taking care. The energy of the full moon will enhance all of that, so get busy, my dears.

Blessings dark and light!

Thanksgiving & Gratitude

 Thanksgiving has become a political bone of contention. Not for me. I honor this day by being grateful for all blessings in my life. It isn’t anything to do with history, it’s about my gratitude. 

I have very fond memories of Thanksgiving through my life. I realize that is not the case for everyone. However, if someone had a bad mother, should all of us not celebrate Mother’s Day?

I do not celebrate the Pilgrims, I celebrate joy, family, friendship, good food, laughter. I acknowledge the good in my life even in these times of chaos. 

The Goddesses have given us so much, some more than others. Okay. I am still grateful for what I have, the beauty I see everyday, friendships, my own harvests and those of friends.

If you choose not to celebrate as I do or many others, I honor that. I am grateful for the freedom to do so. And that is a very good point. Freedom of spiritual belief, freedom of religion, freedom to be grateful in our own ways.

So with that said, I share here a prayer I was inspired to write as a blessing before meals. And whatever and however you choose to celebrate on Thursday, May it bring you the blessings of that which you need.

Prayer Before Meals

Great Mother, Mistress, 

Governess of all the Elements, 

Queen of the Universe, Creatress Divine,

To You we give our gratitude 

for all blessings and lessons 

You bestow upon us.

Our honor and love is Yours.

For this meal we now partake of, 

receive our unending thanks.

May we never hunger, 

May we never thirst, 

May we always thrive with 

Your blessings upon us.

So mote it be.

Copyright EA Kaufman 2021

An Oath to Mother Earth

 Despite having Sun and moon fire signs, I am so deeply of the Earth. The feel of soil in my hands or beneath my feet is comforting. All plant life, animals, stones, rivers, lakes, the seas, I find beauty and connection to all. Mountains call me, plants talk to me as does the land itself. And… I do what I am able to help this world.

So… I saw a prayer today that started out With a Wiccan heart and a witch’s might. I am not Wiccan so it wasn’t right for me, but the prayer was to honor and protect Mother Earth, an oath. It inspired the following which made my heart and soul feel so good. I share it here with you.

Oath to Mother Earth

With a Witch’s heart

And a Witch’s might,

I swear an oath 

Of magick bright,

To honor and protect

Our Mother Earth.

To believe in Her magick

With all my worth.

To love and protect

Her children of all kinds,

To Plants, animals, 

To Her’s I am entwined.

From air, fire, water, earth,

I bind myself to all She births.

For I am Her’s and She is mine,

This oath i make,

In blood I sign.

EA Kaufman c 2022

Homecoming

This poem/prayer is so dear to me. It embodies all the Goddess is to me and gives great comfort.

"Homecoming" 

~ Linda Reuther, 

“And the Great Mother said:

Come my child and give me all that you are.

I am not afraid of your strength and darkness, of your fear and pain.

Give me your tears. They will be my rushing rivers and roaring oceans.
Give me your rage. It will

erupt into my molten volcanoes and rolling thunder.
Give me your tired spirit. I will lay it to rest in my soft meadows.
Give me your hopes and dreams. I will plant a field of sunflowers and arch rainbows in the sky.
You are not too much for me. My arms and heart welcome your true fullness.
There is room in my world for all of you, all that you are.
I will cradle you in the boughs of my ancient redwoods and the valleys of my gentle rolling hills.
My soft winds will sing you lullabies and soothe your burdened heart.
Release your deep pain.
You are not alone and you have never been alone.”

Blessings Dark & Deep

Thinking of the Crone

Good morning! I am awake early this morning and thinking about being a crone and the Divine Crone. When did this happen, that I have reached this age… and with so much to do still? Aging can be frightening, but more than that it is glorious. Personally, I have been able to let go of things that made me miserable but now I know were really not important. So I embrace my age and love this body and mind and soul - ah, there’s the one, my soul! I am aware of my inner self, my deep heart, my divine essence. I strongly feel and know them. That feels good and right so I better get busy with all those things I still have to do! First, some prayers, a candle and incense to light, my morning devotions, at this time of the year, honoring the Divine Crone.

Blessings dark and deep! 

Calling the Crone

Midnight Mother, Queen of Dreams,

Who in the dark of the moon beseems

The Lady of Phantoms and the Dead,

Dispenser of visions of love and dread.

Mistress of magic and arts arcane,

Lady of Karma who justice ordains,

Come to me now! Come to my call!

Queen of Darkness and Spirits all.

Weaver of the celestial web

and author of fortunes flow and ebb,

Bless me with magical power bright,

grant me the knowledge of spiritual things

and power that spiritual knowledge brings.

To work my will and make manifest,

all the things that my heart loves the best.

Great Crone, Grandmother of All That Is,

Now bless me moreover in more than this.

Share the wisdom of Your sacred heart

as well as the skill of Your magical art,

That I may be mindful in all that I do

and be wise in magical workings too.

(source unknown)

Owl Crone by Bernadette Wulf 

A Daily Prayer

 Good Sunday morning and many blessings. I am struggling a bit with shingles - gotta love the Crone years. However, I am doing well for the most part, but this morning I am having a bit of a flare up. 

To take my mind off it, I went browsing the internet and found a little prayer to the Universe. This inspired a daily short prayer to the Mother Goddesses. I am a firm believer in daily devotions, even just little ones. So I share it here.

Light a candle, perhaps a stick of incense, and recite three times.

A Daily Prayer

Oh Blessed Mothers I come to You,

With honor and love, blessings too.

Give me strength to face my day

Whatever it is that comes my way.

With love I open to what may be,

I light this flame’s power times three.

As Your loving blessings always assist me,

So I shall be the best I can be.

With honor and love, blessings too,

With strength from the Great Mothers,

It is made true.

E A Kaufman C 9/18/2022

Blessings dark and deep.

21 Days of the Winter Solstice 19

Edmund Dulac

On aching limbs,
She stumbles out upon the snow,
And in the east,
She sees the first
Faint gleamings
Of the new born sun,
Balanced on the world edge.
Which tells the end
Of winters hold

from "Winter Journey" by Martin Pallot

Second night of the Nine Nights ritual last night, lit my bayberry candle and made my devotions to the Winter goddesses.

Blessings dark and deep!

21 Days of the Winter Solstice 18

Last night my coven celebrated the Winter Solstice, honoring and making offerings to the Winter goddesses and the Golden Maiden. The bayberry candle spell, beautiful invocations, some interesting divination, feasting and gift giving, all made a lovely night.

It was also the first night of the Nine Nights of the Winter Solstice, so the bayberry candles were blessed and lit in circle, then we all took our candles home to finish burning with a coin beneath. We will continue the ritual each night for nine nights, making invocations, offering prayers and other things, as well as trance and meditation, and divination. A wonderful start to this sabbath.

Blessings dark and deep!

21 Days of the Winter Solstice 16

For your Winter Solstice ritual place a large red candle in your cauldron, better it have three wicks if you can find one. During the ritual, in darkness with the exception of the altar candles, sit or stand at the cauldron. Peer into its dark depths while contemplating the past year and your dedication to your Arte and the goddesses. When you have finished your contemplations, say these words:

I sorrow not, though the world is wrapped in sleep.

I sorrow not, though the icy winds blast.

I sorrow not, though the snow falls hard and deep.

I sorrow not, this too shall soon be past.

Now light the candle and some Winter Pine or Pinon incense. Gaze briefly into the flames and then above at the night sky. Say these words:

I light this fire in Your honor, Great Crone,

You who watch over all who rest in the Winter's depths.

You welcome the dead and then

You fill the Mother's womb with life.

Warmth to cold to warmth again,

Around and round the cycle of life flows.

We welcome now life and light,

The gifts of the Goddesses.

Hail the Maiden, born this night.

Hail the Mother, who births the light.

Hail to the Great Crone, 

She who guides all through the cycles of life. 

So mote it be!

Now dance, drum, shake rattles, and sing as you circle the cauldron and pay homage to all of the

Goddesses. Chant this while circling until exhausted:

The wheel turns, power burns!

Continue your ritual, feast and make merry!

Adapted from a Yule ritual by Scott Cunningham,

in Wicca, A Guide For the Solitary Practitioner

Blessings dark and deep!

21 Days of the Winter Solstice 14

from elephantjournal.com

Blessings dark and deep!

21 Days of the Winter Solstice 6

Saule by Lisa Hunt

There are many sun goddesses to call upon, Saule is a Latvian goddess of the sun and fertility and is one who speaks to me. Her name translates to "sun." 

A devotional practice that I maintain through December is to invoke a sun goddess once a week, beginning in early December. I like this invocation which I adapted for the Winter Solstice. The original is from Stephanie Woodfield's book, Drawing Down the Sun.

I begin by lighting a yellow, orange, or gold candle.

Hail O Mother Sun! (or deity's name)

Help my inner light to burn in these days

of the waning Sun.

In the Underworld, Your golden rays 

bring warmth to the dead.

Shine upon me in the darkest hours of Winter.

Instill me, Mother Sun, with Your wisdom

And fill me with Your radiant healing.

Let me shine as does Your light.

I now burn incense as an offering. Use whatever you think is suitable. I like this recipe from "Pagan Christmas, The Plants, Spirits, and Rituals at the Origins of Yuletide" by Christian Ratsch and Claudia Muller-Ebeling, it smells divine!

Sun Incense

3 parts Frankincense

1 part cinnamon bark or cassia

1 part cardamon seed

Grind ingredients in a mortar and pestle. Place by spoonfuls on a hot charcoal disk.

(Based on a recipe from Seidir - the pseudonym of Yvon de Loup, 1871-1926, a French occultist of the Martinist Order.. The recipe comes from his studies of occult botany (Belledame 1990, 117).

If you are invoking Saule, pronounced Sow-lay, this incense adapted from Drawing Down the Moon is lovely.

Saule Incense

2 tbsp amber resin

1 tbsp myrrh

1 tbsp dried apple bits, finely minced

1 tbsp rose petals

This incense can be mixed together and placed onto the hot coal.

Beginning on the day after the Winter Solstice, I recite this invocation, also from Drawing Down the Sun:

Hail to the dawning sun,

Sun Maiden of new life and healing.

Hail to the noon day sun,

Mother of all life,

All seeing immortal eye.

Hail to the setting sun,

Lady who journeys through

the realm of shades and spirits.

You who overcome every darkness,

Radiant goddess of rebirth.

During the recitation of this prayer, you can anoint yourself with an appropriate solar oil, beginning with the forehead for the Maiden, the heart for the Mother, and the feet for the Dark Goddess. Oils that I like to use: pomegranate, frankincense, and Dragon's Blood.*

Blessings dark and deep!

* Do a patch test after diluting oils for use on the skin.

Follow proper safety precautions when using candles, fire, and charcoal. Open a window to insure that there is proper ventilation. 

21 Days of the Winter Solstice 4

An Appeal For Protection

Through Winter's Long Nights

As you prepare for bed, turn off all the lights in your home

except the one in your bedroom. Alternatively, you can light 

a white candle, then proceed with extinguishing the other 

lights. Relax and release all cares of the day, then say:

As we approach the year's longest night,

I ask you, Great Mother Goddesses,

to be with me and my loved ones

and safeguard us through the hours

from dusk until dawn.

May you bless us with an abundance

of all good things: love and happiness,

loving family and good friends,

good heath and prosperity,

as we welcome the return of the light.

So mote it be!

Extinguish your candle or shut off the light.

Sweet dreams and restoring rest.

adapted from

"Yule, Rituals, Recipes, and Lore for

the Winter Solstice"

by Susan Pesznicker, Llewellyn Publications 

Blessings dark and deep!

Hallows Everyday - 27

Hearth - Happiness in our hearts and homes

The Halloween Oracle by Stacey DeMarco

There is no place like home... for most of us... or at least the home in our hearts, that place we long to have as our sanctuary, our place of comfort. No matter how large or small, no matter how rich or poor we are, we can certainly make that place, because that sweet home is not made with money and possessions, it is made with love. 

With this card we are nudged to look at what makes our sanctuary. It tells us to look to our relationships with family and friends. We build that place of love - our hearth, our heart of the home - by bringing in the loving fires. We need to make our relationships the priority in our lives, not to the exclusion of all else, but healthy relationships are maintained by being nourished. We nourish with love, freely given and received, compassionate and unconditional.

Now some may think that they will lose when relationships become the priority, one person cares more and most no longer want to risk being the person who cares more, who struggles to keep the heart of the home, the loving fire, burning. The truth is that without love, there is nothing to hold the home together and there is nothing to hold us together. Even if one lives alone, or a couple has no children, love is still what holds it all together, it is that which creates the sanctuary. And that sanctuary, that loving home, is just the best place to be. We must begin by loving ourselves, warts and all; that is unconditional love. Next, accepting who our families are, again unconditionally. This does not mean accepting abuse of any kind, it means filling the home with love that will heal.

We have come to a time where family and friends mean less than money and possessions. Conflicts are not dealt with to resolve them, relationships are discarded because there is no sense that they are more important, necessary to creating and nourishing a healthy environment in which to live. It seems today it is easier to walk away than work to nourish that home fire.

At this time of year, it is the perfect time to build that merry home fire, to make our homes the sanctuary they ought to be. We need to take stock of our relationships and give them love. As fluffy as it sounds, the fire in the heart and our lives, is love. When one has love, wherever it comes from, and that includes the self, one has everything. The love of self is where it all begins, creating the initial loving flame that spreads throughout our lives and making the hearth fire burn strongly, overcoming all.

A few times a week, or every night if you can, light a special candle designated as your home fire. As it burns merrily recite this little prayer, perhaps three times if you feel so inclined, with real feeling and visualizing loving energies flowing and filling your home. Allow the candle to burn for an hour or so, then extinguish.

I ask my Ancestors, those who love me,

Come and fill my home and family

with all that is loving and good.

May we be surrounded and filled with

 that which is nourishing to us in all ways.

May we know love and kindness and happiness, 

good health and prosperity.

May the flame of our home burn brightly always

bringing all we ever need.

So mote it be!

(c 2016 E A Kaufman)

Blessings dark and deep!

Hallows Everyday - 22

Prayers For the Autumn Evening

(light a candle)

Candle brightening, flame's own flower,

harbinger of daylight's ebb;

Light the pathway to the bower - 

find the way to spirit's web.

(after your evening ablutions)

I cast off the garments of today

and ask my Goddesses to bless me

with healing, nourishing, restorative rest

as I sleep this night. *

 (before going to bed)

I quieten my soul with the chimes of the silver branch:

great gladness in my heart, no sadness in my mind,

rich rest within my soul.

May these three clear notes, gifts of the Goddesses, *

resound through all beings,

bringing peace and rest at this Autumn day's end.* 

(extinguish your candle)

Vessel of Healing, Cup of Transformation,

I am but a drop of your draught

as I sink down to sweet sleep.*

prayers from

Celtic Devotional, Daily Prayers and Blessings

by Caitlin Matthews

Blessings dark and deep!

* a few adaptions were made to these prayers to reflect my own practice.

Hallows Everyday - 21

Prayers For the Autumn Morning 

Upon Rising

I kindle my soul from the Autumn sunlight,

(light a candle)

glow of life, glow of light, glow of love,

be upon my being, my heart, and my soul

this Autumn day,

from break of light, till fall of night.

(choose a small pocket stone from your collection to carry on this day)

From the treasury of  my soul I draw forth,

gem of light, gem of life, gem of love

to preserve my soul from to darkness,

On this Autumn day.

Before Leaving You Home In the Morning

I mantle myself in the covering of creatures:

stillness of owl, perception of eagle,

humility of wren, speed of horse,

strength of bear, courtesy of deer, repose of serpent,

silence of mouse, courage of salmon.

Nine creatures about me to clothe and protect me, 

on the ways that I walk.

(extinguish the candle, place the stone in a pouch 

and tuck into your bra, over your heart)

prayers from 

Celtic Devotional, Daily Prayers and Blessings

by Caitlin Matthews

Blessings dark and deep!

Hallows Everyday - 10

Cauldron, Synergy and Healing

The Halloween Oracle by Stacey DeMarco

The cauldron, the womb of the goddess, the vessel of transformation, the symbol of the witch. There is something about a cauldron that draws us close, inspiring us to peer within. What brews there? What magick is in the making?

Just as we add a variety of ingredients into the cauldron to make a potion or brew, different techniques combined in a way that blends well, will assist us in celebrating Hallows/Samhain, developing a fulfilling practice for our devotional, magickal, and healing work. There is no need to choose just one way. Try all sorts of workings, keeping those that resonate, discarding those that don't. If your practice has become stale, this is a clear indication to add something new. Go ahead, try whatever calls. All of this blending and working with new or different energies will bring the best result.

At this season, we are heading into the deeper realms, into our darker selves. We are also choosing the seeds to bless and bury so they may open and come into being later on. Those seeds need a soft, rich healing medium that doesn't restrain, but allows movement, flow, spreading of roots and sprouts.

There is nothing you cannot try, no path you shouldn't walk down to see what is there. Let go, release anything that binds you, follow your spirit, your curiosity. Go freely where you are inspired to go, because you can always return. When you return you will be wiser and free.

Blessings dark and deep!

30 Days of Devotion - 30

Day 30 - Any suggestions for others just starting to learn about Hekate?

For anyone who Hekate calls or who finds themselves drawn to Her, read all you can find, even the stuff that may seem too rigid; best to know all you can. Work with Her, call upon Her, be respectful. Allow yourself to learn what She expects from you and follow through. Don't make promises to Her that you will not or cannot keep. This will be a devotional practice in itself. You are the best judge of your own experiences, so don't doubt what you truly experience, but be honest and examine what you experience. 

Go to the crossroads, honor Her at Her Deipnon and any other days you feel are Hers.  Just make the time for Hekate, open yourself to Her. She will come.

Blessings nine!

30 Days of Devotion - 29

Day 29 - Any unusual or interesting UPG to share?

(Love this, but don't know the artist's name, if anyone does, please let me know.)

Yes, I have had interesting experiences with Hekate. The first time I encountered Her, which I shared previously, was so strong, She stood behind and just to the side of me. There was no doubt that "someone" was there with Her hand on my shoulder, there was no doubt who it was. And I remember longing for that feeling, that experience, again. It was a great ache.

Many times, during rituals or intense magickal workings, during meditative work with others who have a great deal of experience, those with me will see someone/something, a shadow, standing behind me. More recently, a couple of my apprentices have noticed something.

I have received thoughts, insights, wisdom, from Hekate during trance work and ritual. That is where my experiences which I have written about come from. The time that I felt I had lost Her, left me empty. It also validated, for me, those experiences I have had. I knew what I had to do to connect once again with Her... I assume She was letting me know. Although this was a few years ago, I am still more careful about who I share my workings and devotional times with.

Blessings Nine!