Crystals for Hekate by Setjataset

To say I have a love of crystals is an understatement.  So it goes without saying that I have created and charged many devotional items utilising specific crystals in Hekate’s name.  I have used polished and raw  pieces which included caves, slabs, points, tumbled stones, beads, set jewellery, pendulums and sun/moon catchers.  First and foremost when you buy, inherit, borrow or are gifted crystals it is wise to cleanse and purify them.  This ensures the previous energies which could potentially be stagnant, negative or malevolent can be removed and return the crystal to its original vibration.

How to Cleanse and Purify 

You can clean and purify your crystals by:

1. Immersing them in salt water for 24 hours under the *sun or moon light or by wiping them with a damp cloth soaked in salt water.
2. Immersing them in a bowl of brown rice for 3 days on an altar or in the NW corner of a room, home or business.
3. Immersing them in a bowl of purified water with fresh flower petals such as marigolds, sage blossoms, sun flowers, iris, honeysuckle, daisies, roses, rosemary blossoms, lemon blossoms, carnations, cherry blossoms and apple blossoms.
4. Smudge using herbs such as lavender, sage, cedar and bay.
5. Crystal programming. This is the most difficult and requires focused concentration and experience in meditation and working with crystal energies.  I have detailed this more thoroughly under the heading “How to Charge a Crystal”.
6. Reiki/Sekhem/Seichim which utilities specific symbols channeled through the breath and hands.
7. By burying in the earth (garden, pot plant, sand) for 24 hours.
8. By sound intoning using crystal bowls, chanting, Tibetan singing bowls, sistras, bellydance cymbals, bells, tuning forks and singing.
9. By placing them on or within a clear quartz or amethyst quartz: cluster, slab or cave. You can also place a smokey quartz single terminator crystal on top of them.
10. By holding the crystal in the hand which isn’t dominant (ie left hand if you are right handed) and visualise a blue light flowing from your hand and enveloping the crystal.

I like to make my own crystal cleanser which I put into a spray bottle and then spray over my crystal jewellery, caves, slabs, balls, and other shaped crystals due to convenience. This same cleanser can be added to a bowl or tub of purified water which you can wash your crystals in.

Setjataset’s Crystal Cleanser (© T. Georgitsis 2001)

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoons of Rock Salt
• 250 mils Orange Blossom Water
• A pinch of Fresh Rose Petals (omit if you will not or cannot refrigerate)
• 3 Drops of Essential Oil of Clove
• Small Amethyst Crystal (Pebble Sized) 300 mil Capacity Spray Bottle

Method

1. Place crystal in bottom of spray bottle.
2. Crush rock salt into fine powder and pour into spray bottle.
3. Pour orange blossom water and clove oil into spray bottle and shake vigorously.
4. Add Rose petals and refrigerate until needed (refrigeration isn’t needed if rosepetals are not added).

*= Do not place amethyst, lavender quartz, rose quartz, smokey quartz, ametrine, beryl, fluorite, danburite, citrine, aquamarine, celestite and kunzite in direct sunlight as it fades.

** = Do not use on soft porous crystals such as: malachite, selenite, angelite, howlite, aragonite, azurite, dolomite, as it will deteriorate the crystals.

 

How to Charge a Crystal in Hekate’s Name

All crystals take in the various energies they are surrounded by, but you can also tap into them and give them a purpose.  This is done via crystal programming. In its essence, crystal programming is a way you can charge your crystal with specific intent and purpose as well as it activating the true capabilities of the crystal.  Crystals can absorb, hold and release information, visions and feelings and can be programmed for happiness, abundance, success, healing and whatever else you can think of which you want to manifest in your life. The way crystals are programmed is through projecting your thought form into the crystal in a clear and conscious way.

Method

1. Clean crystal of all previous programming (whether it was intentional or not) using the tips of “How to Cleanse and Purify” section above.
2. Formulate what you want your crystal to be programmed with, ensuring you think about it carefully as the crystal will only amplify what potential you store within it.
3. Enter a place of calm meditative contemplation in a safe space where you wont be disturbed.
4. Take the crystal and place it in the middle of your hand which isn’t the dominant one and place the other hand over it in a cupping motion touching the crystal with both hands.
5. Place the intent in the crystal now by visualising what you want it to do ie. if you want it to help it heal you, visualise the sickness vanishing away.
6. Once you feel that your thoughts have successfully flowed through (you can usually feel this as a circuit running through your body and into the crystal) you have successfully programmed your crystal.
7. Repeat the steps 4-6 several times to ensure your crystal has been programmed securely.

Simple Use for Programmed Crystals

Carry it around with you to trigger the properties you programmed it for by rubbing it or holding it between your palms for some extra energy and inspiration.

 

I have created a list of crystals which resonate with Hekate’s nature.  You can use these crystals in Hekate’s magickal workings and devotions whilst bringing in the energies and qualities they omit.

A List of crystals for Hekate by *Setjataset (in alphabetical order by name)

1. Amber
2. Amethyst
3. Ametrine
4. Aquamarine
5. Basalt
6. Black Kyanite
7. Black Tourmaline
8. Blood Stone
9. Blue Kyanite
10. Carnelian
11. Charoite
12. Citrine
13. Coral
14. Fire Agate
15. Fire Opal
16. Fire Quartz
17. Garnet
18. Green Kyanite
19. Hag Stone
20. Hemetite
21. Jet
22. Labradorite
23. Lapis Lazuli
24. Lodestone
25. Meteorite
26. Moonstone
27. Obsidian
28. Onyx
29. Opal
30. Pearl
31. Petrified Bone
32. Quartz – predominately Key Quartz, Phantom Quartz, Activation Quartz, Beta Quartz , Brige Quartz, Celestial Quartz, Channeling Quartz, Deva Quartz, Merlin Quartz (please note that these are quartz formations found within clear quartz).
33. Red Jasper
34. Routilated Quartz
35. Ruby
36. Selenite
37. Selenite
38. Smokey Quartz
39. Smokey Quartz
40. Snowflake Obsidian
41. Tektite
42. Tourmelated Quartz
43. Travellers Stone

Whatever stone or crystal you use in her name ensure it resonates with the purpose of its use for Hekate and that it’s been cleansed, purified and charged in her name.

---

(C) *T Georgitsis 2020

Books on Hekate by Setjataset

Some (if not most) devotees, priests, witches, magicians and practitioners of Hekate love to find out more about her from a historical, modern, personal, religious and magical point of view.  They love to read and research Hekate, and therefore tend to devour everything they can find, which is written and discussed on Her.

For me personally, I like to collect books on Hekate for my personal library.  I do this so I can understand academic’s research and study on Hekate as well as individual’s personal experience and interpretation on her. I love to read how Hekate manifests for others who have a deep interest, love and respect for Hekate.  Although I don’t necessarily agree or resonate with everything I read, I find it expands my perspective and knowledge about her in a more well rounded way.

Over the last few years I have noticed more books being written on Hekate which can be attributed to her surge in popularity in our culture as well as in magical, spiritual and faith driven circles.  This means we have more resources available to us about Hekate, as well as the types of resources available.

I have personally compiled a list of Hekate books available as of writing this post.  Please note that some might be out of print, or a limited print run and therefore hard to obtain unless its second hand.  With the exception of a few books I have italicised, I have read all these books and found them useful even if I didn’t necessarily agree or like the information and style, presented.  I love being able to have the ability to be able to discern for myself what works for me and what doesn’t, when it comes to Hekate, and the fact I have access to books which share things about her from varying interpretations enriches my devotions to her personally.

So I implore you to diversify your knowledge on Hekate and pick up a book you wouldn’t necessarily, if you walked into a book shop or perused online.  Give an unknown or unfamiliar author a chance to challenge your preconceived notions of who Hekate is and what she can offer, or alternatively get that book you have had on your wish list, as knowledge is power and Hekate is all about self-empowerment.

A List of Hekate Books by Setjataset (in alphabetical order by title)

1. A Paean of Hekate by Shani Oates
2. Bearing Torches: A Devotional Anthology by various authors, edited Bibliotheca Alexandrina
3. Circle for Hekate – Volume 1: History & Mytholgy by Sorita d’Este
4. Crossroads, the Path of Hekate by Greg Crowfoot
5. Evensongs for Hekate: Poetry, Hymns and Prayers by Sara Croft
6. Hecatean Magick by B. Morlan
7. Hekate (Monsters of Mythology) by Bernard Evslin
8. Hekate 1: Death, Transition and Spiritual Mastery by Jade Sol Luna
9. Hekate 2: Awakening of Hydra by Jade Sol Luna
10. Hekate Her Sacred Fires by various authors, edited by Sorita d’Este
11. Hekate in Ancient Greeck Religion by R.Von Rudloff
12. Hekate Keys to the Crossroads by various authors, edited by Sorita d’Este
13. Hekate Liminal Rites by Sorita d’Este and David Rankine
14. Hekate Soteria by Sarah lles Johnston
15. Hekate The Witches’ Goddess by Gary R. Varner
16. Hekate: A Devotional by Vivienne Moss
17. Hekate: The Crossroads Dark Goddess by Idlu Lili Regulus
18. Keeping Her Keys: An Introduction to Hekate’s Modern Witchcraft by Cyndi Brannen
19. Knowing Hekate: A Spiritual Colouring Experience by Sara Croft
20. Lunatik Witchcraft by Shay Skepevski Book
21. Queen of Hell by Mark Alan Smith
22. Shards of a Broken Mystery: Restoring Hekate and our Divine Feminine Soul by Shira Marin
23. The Dance of the Mystai by Tinnekke Bebout
24. The Goddess Hekate by Stephen Ronan
25. The Hekataeon by Jack Grayle
26. The Temple of Hekate by Tara Sanchez

A List of Hekate Related Books by Setjataset (in alphabetical order by title)

1. Arcana Mundi: Magic and the Occult in the Greek and Roman Worlds by Georg Luck
2. Dark Goddess Craft by Stephanie Woodfield 
3. Daughters of Hecate: Women and Magic in the Ancient World by Kimberly B. Stratton and Dayna S. Kalleres
4. Magic in the Ancient World by Fritz Graf
5. Magic, Witchcraft and Ghosts in the Greek and Roman Worlds by Daniel Ogden
6. Magika Hiera: Ancient Greek Magic and Religion by Christopher Faraone and Dirk Obbink (eds)
7. Restless Dead: Encounters between the Living and the Dead in Ancient Greece by Sarah lles Johnston
8. Rotting Goddess: The Origins of the Witch in Classical Antiquity by Jacob Rabinowitz
9. The Chaldean Oracles, (text, translation and commentary) by Ruth Majercik
10. The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation by Hans Dieter Betz (ed)
11. Thracian Magic: Past & Present by Georgi Mishev
12. Witchcraft Medicine by Muller-Ebeling, Ratsch and Dieter Storl

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(C) T Georgitsis 2020

Mystic Tribe Magazine: June 2020, Issue #31

In my regular column on crystals, in the latest issue of Mystic Tribe Magazine, I have written an article called “Hecate’s Crystals”  in which I describe who Hekate is and a list of her crystals which can be used for devotional, spiritual and magical purposes. For your FREE copy follow this link:

Mystic Tribe – June 2020, Issue 301

 

 

 

Hellenic Hekate Ritual: Dedication of a Home Shrine to Hekate

Like the Ancient Greeks, Anatolians and Romans, Hekate has always had a place in my home.  In times gone by, shrines to Hekate were placed above doorways to people’s homes, at the entries to cities, villages and towns as well as the roads traveled in between (predominately at a three way crossroads).  This was done as a way to supplicate Hekate’s connection as Queen of the Dead and Sorcery and to ensure the dwellers and travelers were protected from the restless dead and evil magick.  Offerings were made in these liminal places during the new moon to show devotion and request protection.

In modern times many Hellenic practitioners, witches, magicians and the like continue this tradition and create a shrine in her name.  The most ideal place to create a shrine in Hekate’s name is within the home, in a place of high volume of traffic, like the lounge room or near the front or back door of the home.  To create a basic shrine to Hekate ensure it contains an image representing her, a flame of some kind, sacred water, incense and offerings.  An example can be seen below which is my Sanctuary of Hekate’s Crossroads shrine in my home:

It’s prudent to dedicate your shrine when creating it in honour of Hekate as is ensuring the shrine is kept in a state of clean and good repair. Making fresh offerings on Noumenia and cleaning shrines during the Deipnon is traditional and ensures it’s done on a regular basis. Here are some simple steps of how to dedicate a home shrine to Hekate:

Hellenic Hekate Dedication of a Shrine © Setjataset 2020

Preparation:

Chose a liminal time and place for the ritual to be set.

Purify body by showering or washing head, hands and feet.

Clean and purify your shrine and all items which will be placed on the shrine.

Your shrine items should include: purified water/khernips, barley seeds, asperging herbs (small bundle purifying herbs such as bay leaves), oil lamp/candle, resin incense and incense holder (such as heatproof bowl) and an image of Hekate.

Your offering items which can include perishable and non perishable items.

Create a Dedication of Purpose of Shrine.  This dedication should include the reason for setting up the shrine to Hekate and what you will be doing on it ie Honour Hekate and perform magick and ritual, to have a special space specifically dedicated to Hekate only.

Ritual:

Wash your hands in khernips/purified water before standing before your shrine, whilst saying:

Αφήστε όλα αυτά που είναι βλαβερά να φύγουν! (Let all that is profane be gone!)

Present the offerings to Hekate by holding them up in a gesture of oblation and place them on the shrine. You do not need to speak to do this but may say a few words as a statement of purpose if you are inspired.

Take your asperging herbs and dip into khernips/purified water and flick water onto the shrine.

Take a handful of barley and throw them onto the shrine.

When complete say:

Xerniptosai! (Be Purified!)

Light the oil lamp/candle.

Light the incense.

Invocation

Evoke Hekate with the following:

Hekate your devotee calls to you

Inhabit and bless this shrine created in your name

Hekate your practitioner calls to you

Charge and concentrate this shrine in your honour

Hekate your child calls to you

May you dwell here in your sanctuary 

Touch your forehead, lips, heart and tap the shrine – repeat 3 times.

Praxis (Working Proper)

Read out your Dedication of Purpose of Shrine.

Thanks and Closing

Thank Hekate by saying:

Hekate, in your name I created this shrine.  In your name, may it remain consecrated. 

Blow out candles and put out incense.

Step away from the shrine by backing away, turning to the right and leaving without looking back.

Ritual is now complete and any feasting can take place.

---

(C) T. Georgitsis 2020

Pledge of Privilege

This is a beautiful piece I completely resonate with by the always eloquent Vicky Newton…

Knot Magick

O Blessed Goddess; I humbly adore thy glorious majesty, for having given me the capacity of love in my contemplentation and adoration of you. Give me, I implore, the power to exercise my privilege in a most perfect manner and for the benifit of those who are without it. May thy infinite bounty enable and grant me that the remainder of my life may be spent in the most exact performance of every part of my duty to thee and my fellow human beings.
© Vicky Newton

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Hekate Magick: Lunar Eclipse

The Magick of the Eclipse

The full moon lunar eclipse is happening this June full moon on the 6th (3.45am – 5.12am EST).

Eclipse magick is when the energy is amplified due to the moon energies intermingling.  The Lunar Eclipse energies transition through the new and full moon phases during the eclipse, which enables the moon to cycle through the various stages of the moon and its magick.

There are various types of magick you can perform during the Lunar Eclipse:

• Liminal – magick worked between the darkness and the light.
• Manifestation – setting goals, intentions and affirmations.
• Breaking – curses, bad habits, bad relationships and connections.
• Transformation – self/surroundings, spellwork and health encompassing all aspects of oneself (body/mind/spirit and emotion).
• Devotion – to lunar or liminal Gods and Goddess.
• Focus – personal and spiritual development along with illumination and psychic work (divination and magickal goals).

Right now our world is suffering through much turmoil whether it be the pandemic or race riots and as such our energies are scattered and stagnant.

This lunar eclipse is a good time to clear the energies which no longer aid you in preparation for the next phase in your life.

Now is the time to work on breaking the bonds which drag you down and transform it into manifesting that which raises you up.

Since the full moon is in Sagittarius it will be an intense full eclipse, therefore I suggest working on the self and releasing the frustration and anger in a proactive way. Below I have outlined an easy rite you can perform in any tradition you resonate to, with the guidance of Hekate:

Hekate Eclipse Magick by Setjataset

Preparation:

Chose a liminal time and place for the ritual to be set, preferably outside if you can manage it under the full moon or alternatively where the moon beams can shine upon your workings.

Purify body by showering or washing head, hands and feet.

Your shrine and offering items should be placed on a shrine or working altar and should include: black candle, red candle (or white/neutral coloured candles if you don’t have red/black), purified water/khernips mixed with salt, a token or offering you have for Hekate, incense and an image of Hekate.

Welcoming and Opening

Open sacred space or the shrine/altar and welcome Hekate by simply calling to her or reciting a hymn, poem, evocation in her name.

Light your incense and waft over sacred space.

Sprinkle purified salted water over sacred space.

 

Magical Working

Write (with a sharpie) or carve (with a blade, wand, knife, pin, fingernail) on a black candle what you want to get rid of.

If you don’t have a black candle use a white or neutral colour and write on the candle a word representing what you want to get rid of ie procrastination.  Think about it carefully and don’t be rash in what it is you are wanting to get rid of and make sure its what you really want.

Write (with a sharpie) or carve (with a blade, wand, knife, pin, fingernail) on a red candle what you want to bring in.

If you don’t have a red candle use a white or neutral colour and write on the candle a word representing what you want to bring in ie self-love.  Think about it carefully and don’t be rash in what it is you are wanting to bring in and make sure its what you really want.

If so desired, anoint candles.  Use an oil such as Abramelin oil or something simple such as olive or lavender oil.  If you have no oil, use your own saliva.

Light both candles.

Push the black candle away from you and the red candle towards you and then say:

“Hekate Queen of Earth, Sky and Sea

Assist me to straddle this liminal time

Guide me through the Darkness and into the Light

With the power of the moon I bless and release my intentions”  © T. Georgitsis 2020

Let the candles burn down completely in a safe manner.

Thanks and Closing

Thank Hekate and close sacred space or the shrine/altar.

Ritual is now complete and any feasting and/or grounding work can take place.

Do not speak about your working until it has manifested and even then be cautious with how you share it.

---

© T. Georgitsis 2020

Hellenic Hekate Ritual: Element of Fire

Fire is one of the classical elements in Hellenic philosophy and practice.  Fire is a fundamental element in creating the world and gave birth to the other elements.  Fire was very valuable for the Hellenics and today that element is still a focus in modern Hellenic ritual.  Fire in the witches pyramid symbolises To Will – to manifest magick through application which is done through ritual, which in and of itself is very magickal.

Rituals in Hellenic practice have always had an element of fire whether it be the hearth, lamp, candle or offerings being lit. In Hellenic philosophy, fire was associated with passion, assertiveness and energy – something which Hekate embodies completely.  Hekate also has her own strong connection to fire, both in her mythology and in her rites.

Hekate used fire as a tool of power during the war against the titans, as quoted here by the Greek mythographer Pseudo-Apollodorus in Bibliotheca 1.34-38:

“When the Gigantes made war on the gods of heaven. In the course of the battle….Hekate got [the Gigante] Klytios with fire-brands.“

Fire-brands are pieces of burning wood like torches and continuing with this mythology, Hekate appears in a number of ancient vase paintings battling a giant with her twin torches.

 

(Hekate & Cerberus
Antikensammlungen, Munich) 

 

In the abduction of Persephone by Hades, Hekate goes to Demeter to tell her what she has seen. Hekate does this with flaming torches in hand through the night.  In this instance, Hekate is using the flame to guide and illuminate the path she takes between realms she has dominion over.  This myth highlighting Hekate’s fire lit accompaniment is highlighted in the Homeric Hymn to Demeter (19):

“Then for nine days queenly Deo [Demeter] wandered over the earth with flaming torches in her hands, so grieved that she never tasted ambrosia and the sweet draught of nektaros, nor sprinkled her body with water. But when the tenth enlightening dawn had come, Hekate, with a torch in her hands, met her, and spoke to her and told her news: `Queenly Demeter, bringer of seasons and giver of good gifts, what god of heaven or what mortal man has rapt away Persephone and pierced with sorrow your dear heart? For I heard her voice, yet saw not with my eyes who it was. But I tell you truly and shortly all I know.’

So, then, said Hekate. And the daughter of rich-haired Rheia answered her not, but sped swiftly with her, holding flaming torches in her hands. So they came to Helios (the Sun), who is watchman of both gods and men, and stood in front of his horses: and the bright goddess enquired of him.”

(Translated by Evelyn-White)

 

(C) T. Georgitsis 2010

 

The element of fire is creative and it is the element of action just like Hekate.  Fire is at the hearth of the home, a place where Hekate’s shrine is placed.  Fire illuminates and brightens the darkness allowing us to see which way we need to go and Hekate’s role as psychopomp can help us with that.  Here is a ritual I would like to share with you which you can use to honour Hekate in a Hellenic way and which utilises the element of fire:

 

Hellenic Hekate Fire Ritual © Setjataset 2015

Preparation:

Chose a liminal time and place for the ritual to be set, preferably outside if you can manage it.

Purify body by showering or washing head, hands and feet.

Your shrine and offering items should be placed in a basket or bag which are easily carried which should include purified water/khernips, asperging herbs (small bundle purifying herbs such as bay leaves), any offerings you have for Hekate which should include something for a libation – olive oil/wine/honey’d milk, a red pen, white paper, a fireproof bowl and an fire pit/oil lamp/brazier/candle, resin incense and an image of Hekate.

Ritual:

Procession

Form a formal procession and walk towards the shrine from the east, carrying the offerings and shrine items with you.

Wash your hands in khernips/purified water before assembling before your shrine, whilst saying:

Αφήστε όλα αυτά που είναι βλαβερά να φύγουν! (Let all that is profane be gone!)

Present the offerings to Hekate by holding them up in a gesture of oblation and place them on the shrine. You do not need to speak to do this but may say a few words as a statement of purpose if you are inspired.

Take your asperging herbs and dip into khernips/purified water and flick water onto the shrine whilst saying:

Xerniptosai! (Be Purified!)

Light the oil lamp/candle.

Invocation

Light a fire pit, oil lamp, brazier or candle for Hekate.

Throw or sprinkle incense into the fire.

Read out loud or sing a hymn in Hekate’s name.

Preces (Prayer Proper)

Write a petition of something you want to ignite/bring into your life to Hekate using the pen and paper.

Pour a libation of oil, wine or honey’d milk to Hekate upon the ground.

Praxis (Working Proper)

Read your petition out loud three times.

Blow on your petition three times.

                   Tap your petition on the ground three times.

Set fire to your petition and watch it burn visualising your desire manifesting.

Thanks and Closing

Thank Hekate by saying:

Hekate, in your name we gathered, in your name we depart.  Thank you for your eternal illumination and blessings.

Step away from the ritual space by backing away, turning to the right and leaving without looking back.

Ritual is now complete and any feasting can take place.

Do not speak about your petition until it has manifested and even then be cautious with how you share it.

---

Orphic Hymn Translated by Evelyn-White

(C) T. Georgitsis 2015, Updated 2020

Hekate’s Noumenia by Setjataset

 

Noumenia also known as the New Moon is the first day of the lunar month in the Athenian Calender* and a time when the first sliver of the moon appears in the night sky, right after the Deipnon (Dark of the Moon).

Noumenia is the second day in a three day household celebration, which is held each month in the Hellenic tradition. Historically it was considered a time when religious observance occured at home, the temples and in public. This sacred day was celebrated with much frivolity and feasting and acknowledged the household gods. Even though technically Hekate’s day fell on the Deipnon she was also viewed as a deity whose domain covered the home.

Hekate’s Noumenia is a time to:

1. Clean your home and decorate your shrine/altars with fresh flowers and herbs.
2. Leave fresh food and drinks offerings on shrines/altars.
3. Feasting in Her name. 

When it comes to the devotional practice of Hekate, Noumenia is the time to leave fresh offerings after the old ones have been cleared away during the Deipnon rites – as a form of inviting her blessings.

 

2014 (C) T. Georgitsis

 

Some traditional offerings to leave out for Hekate’s Noumenia are:

Fresh meat, incense, barley, wine and cakes.

Some modern offerings to leave out for Hekate’s Noumenia are:

Incense, wine, cakes, bread, honey, barley, olive oil, cheese, salt, items from nature (shells, flowers, herbs, fruit, rocks/stones/crystals water from the ocean/river/lake) or magically created crafts such as art in her name.

Light follows darkness and so Noumenia comes after the Deipnon which is the darkest night of the month. This shows us that there is an ongoing dual nature of the universe and that one can’t survive without the other. As The Gods children, we celebrate our triumphant progression through life’s cycles of death and rebirth which we see emphasized through nature all around us and which we revel in during sacred days like the Noumenia. 

 

Noumenia Shrine 2012 (C) T. Georgitsis

 

Traditional practice of Noumenia in Ancient Greece found in academia shows us that there was a public ritual on the Acropolis, whilst in Sparta food and drink were freely given to the populace by the King. In the common man’s home a family meal gathering was the focus and it included cleaning and decorating the household shrines with garlands of herbs and flowers. No other events or celebrations were held in Ancient Greece on this day, such was its significance that it needed to be focused on completely.

Current modern devotees practice similar to their counterparts in Ancient Greece. They make offerings upon their home shrine which can be in the same form as the ancients and include modern favourites such as cheese cake and honey bread. The Noumenia is also the perfect time to embark on new projects, trips, partnerships, work on goals and set new tasks.

I personally recommend you write your own Noumenia ritual ensuring it consists of the following basics: 

1. Procession to home or Hekate shrine.
   
2. Purification through the use of khernips** on self, sacred/temple space and shrine and throwing pearl barley upon the sacred/temple space and shrine.
3. Light the sacred flame (candle or oil lamp).
4. Libation of purified water or wine with simple blessing or invitation to Hekate (traditionally and in modern practice Hestia is always offered water or wine first and last with an accompanying blessing/invocation in ritual).
5. Offerings which include barley, wine, honey, olive oil, salt, bread, cheese, frankincense, myrrh, bay laurel and round cakes. The kathiskos can be placed upon the shrine at this time.
6. Sing or read out hymns in honour of Hekate which you have written yourself or you resonate with.
7. Libation of purified water or wine with thanks and farewell to Hekate and the same with Hestia which is done as a conclusion/ending of the rite.

Noumenia Shrine 2011 (C) T. Georgitsis

 

Noumenia is the perfect time to create or replenish a kathiskos*** with purified water, barley, olive oil and food remnants from the day’s meal. Here is a simple way to make one for your own practice. 

How to make a Kathiskos for Hekate © T. Georgitsis 2014 

Ingredients: 

1. • Glass jar with tight lid
   • Offerings: purified water, pearl barley, salt, olive oil, wine and leftovers.
   • Red, black or white ribbon, cord or embroidery thread.
   • Key or coin which represents Hekate to you. 

Method: 

1. Ensure the glass jar is clean and dry. 

2. Place the offerings in the jar in the following order: pearl barley, salt, olive oil, leftovers and then top up the rest of the jar with purified water. 

3. Seal tightly with the lid – just as a heads up the contents of the kathiskos might spoil and rot before its thrown out during the Deipnon and replaced during the Noumenia, so be warned to ensure that you have sealed it tightly. 

4. Tie a ribbon, cord or thread looped with a key or coin around the lid of the jar. 

5. Place upon Hekate’s shrine. 

Whatever you decide to do for Hekate during the Noumenia, ensure it is pure of heart and effort and that you do your best with what you have or can acquire.

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* Also known as the Attic Calendar. 

** Sacred water which is pure like from a sacred spring. 

***Was traditionally made for Zeus and means “small bucket” in Greek. It’s a small sealed jar which is used to contain a portion of your home’s food prosperity to Deity. 

(C) T. Georgitsis 2014 – Updated 2020

 

 

 

Mystic Tribe Magazine: May 2020, Issue #30

In my regular column on crystals, in the latest issue of Mystic Tribe Magazine, I have written an article called “Ancient Egyptian Crystal Shapes and their Influences” in which I describe a few crystal shapes predominant in Ancient Egypt and how you can use them int he modern time. For your FREE copy follow this link:

Mystic Tribe – May 2020, Issue 30

 

 

 

Hekate Magick: Hymns for Hekate

“Sorceress” by John William Waterhouse 

One of the things I always do whilst honouring Hekate during my regular devotionals, is the use of hymns – in and with her name. I find it connects me to Her within seconds of reciting a hymn and I can feel Her flames of power coursing through the words.

Hymns can be used to evoke or invoke a specific Divinity in a ritual setting, during magickal work like spellcraft or when wanting to connect to the energies of a particular God (or multitude of Gods) for any other specific purpose. A hymn is a praising, adoring and devotional prayer to a Divinity which can be recited internally, out loud and even sung, written on various mediums and buried, tied to a tree, burned or thrown into a body of water or to the wind.

When I use hymns, I either employ them in the form of evocation or invocation. Evocation is when you summon, call forth or request a Deity in the form of askance or demand to be present. Invocation is when you call on Deity to take possession of you or another object like a statue image of that Deity.

Hymns can be as elaborate and complicated or simple and basic and it all depends on the devotees main goal and objective of the task at hand.  I advise that it comes from the heart and that the words truly resonate with you as words have power.  Ensure the hymn covers what you want to achieve and that could mean using a hymn written in ancient times or one which is more modern – the choice is yours.

When it comes to hymns written by another, I personally like to use The Orphic Hymn of Hekate. Here is a translation I use which I find quite beautiful:

The Orphic Hymns – Hymn I: To Hekate

(text: w. Quant Orphei hymni Berlin 1962)

I invoke you, beloved Hekate of the Crossroads and the Three Ways

Saffron-cloaked Goddess of the Heavens, the Underworld and the Sea

Tomb-frequenter, mystery-raving with the souls of the dead

Daughter of Perses, Lover of the Wilderness who exults among the deer

Nightgoing One, Protectress of dogs, Unconquerable Queen

Beast-roarer, Dishevelled One of compelling countenance

Tauropolos, Keyholding Mistress of the whole world

Ruler, Nymph, Mountain-wandering Nurturer of youth.

Maiden, I beg you to be present at these sacred rites

Ever with a gladsome heart and ever gracious to the Oxherd.

 

I have personally written several hymns in Hekate’s name, for various uses and reasons which are scattered all throughout my public writings and private workings. I urge you all to give your hand at writing a hymn to Hekate as I have found its one of the most profound offerings you can give this mighty Goddess.

Something I hear often is how do I write a hymn to Hekate?  I have developed some steps for you which can help:

1. First of all you need to work out WHY?  Why do you feel the need to write Hekate a hymn?  You need to have an objective to be able to write with clarity and purpose.
2. Next is what STYLE do you want to use? Do you want it to rhyme?  Do you want it to be a sing-song?  Do you           want it to be a freeform poem?
3. What do you want to SAY?  What do you want to declare, invoke or proclaim?

Next I have come up with some tips which can hone your skills when it comes to writing hymns, they are:

• TITLES: To start off use titles or characteristics (of Hekate) you want to manifest.
• DESCRIPTIVE: Use descriptive imagery you want to evoke in your words.
• MEANING: Use words which have meaning to you and don’t go throwing about thou and thee if you don’t use it in your everyday vocabulary.  It might sound flowery or pretty but the meaning is lost (and in my personal opinion can sound quite pompous or silly).  Also Use words which naturally express your true feelings and thoughts.  Put in what you want to get out and remember to be specific pay attention to details as words have power.
• PARAPHRASING: Paraphrasing is a tried and tested way of creating hymns.  You can do this with an ancient hymn you are drawn to but please do not plagorise that is just bad form.
• KISS: Use the Keep It Simple Stupid principle.  I’d suggest you start writing a hymn with something you are well versed in and comfortable.  Your ultimate goal is to honour her so remember to start with the basics and then work in more complicated ideas as you progress.
• PRACTISE: I encourage you to try writing a hymn and use it.  If it works great if it doesn’t then edit and/or start again and rewrite.

Remember its all about the God/dess you are honouring so focus on that and give it a go.

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(C) T. Georgitisis 2013 , Updated 2020