Iris – Messenger Goddess

A few months ago I visited the Melbourne Hellenic Museum with a friend and got to revisit the permanent collection and attended a new exhibit called “The Messenger” by Sam Jinks.

This commissioned permanent art exhibit contains a hyper realistic sculpture which has been inspired by the Hellenic Goddess Iris from the west pediment of the Parthenon which is now housed in the British Museum.

I was struck by ethereal yet realistic nature of this sculpture and how beautifully her naked form is placed centrally yet set back within the darkened room so that when you enter you are dazzled by the glow of what you are witnessing whilst your eyes adjust to the sight before you.

The Hellenic museum describes Iris as “the swift messenger goddess with the ability to communicate between the gods and mortals; moving beyond the realm of the living and freely into the Underworld.” 

The museum goes on to describe Jenkins work and the meaning behind it “Iris, a goddess of liminal spaces, is for Jinks a metaphor for the way we can view the Parthenon sculptures. While we are separated by the creators of the Parthenon by over 2400 years, by focusing on the details- the contours of the marble, the subtle movements of the sculptor, the gentle care taken in forming the bodies, and the resistance of the tools over the marble surface, the divide between the contemporary and the ancient recedes. In this way we can attempt to decode the meaning and sentiment left behind by ancient sculptors for whom the works were a testament to the power and magnificence of the gods. By creating a work with its roots in classical sculpture and mythology Jinks seeks to connect with an ancient tradition while guided by contemporary sensibilities and using the tools available to a sculptor today.”

This is a beautiful piece of art which honours a Greek Goddess often looked over. If you have a chance to visit this exhibition I would implore you to do so as for a very reasonable price you can enter the museum and tour all the exhibits including “The Messenger”.

Oinochoe depicting Iris (and Apollo)

Who is Iris?

Iris whose name means “the speaker/the messenger” is a Goddess of the Sea and Sky and a messenger of the Olympian Gods therefore she was known as a Liminal Goddess.  She was also known as the Goddess of the Rainbow, the Handmaiden of the Goddess Hera and a cup bearer of the Gods.  

Iris was depicted in Ancient Greece as an ethereal young beautiful woman with golden wings a kerykeion (Herald’s Key) and an oinochoe (water pitcher).

Iris’s parentage was that her mother was Elektra “the amber” a cloud nymph and her father was Thaumas “the wondrous” a sea god.  This is apt as Ancient Greeks who lived on the coast would view the rainbow (the symbol of Iris) as spanning the distance between cloud and sea.  Iris is also known to be the sister of the Harpies (half human half bird who personifies the storm winds).

Iris was known as a virgin goddess yet later on became wife of Zephyrus (Wind God) and was the mother of Eros.

Iris sculpture on the west pediment of Parthenon in Athens

What does Iris do?

Iris is the replenisher of the rain clouds in which she gathers the water from the sea. 

Iris is also a messenger who runs errands “with the speed of wind” for the Gods and can traverse one side of the world to another as well as one world to the other due to her being able to delve into the depths of the sea, the underworld as well as have access to Olympus.

Due to her abilities she is closely associated with communication, messages, new endeavours and the rainbow.  She is also known as the joiner, conciliator and the messenger of heaven who restores peace in nature.

Kerykeion

Some Myths of Iris

Altough Iris never had any myths of her own she appears as a messenger who runs errands (for the likes of Hera, Zeus and Achiles).

The Iris flower is named after Iris due to its multitudes of variety colours.

Iris’s Symbols

Rainbows, water pitcher and the heralds key.

Iris’s Sacred Places

Psamite aka “Hekate’s Island” near Delos.

Some of Iris Epithets

Golden-Winged (Khrusos Pteron)

Storm Footed (Aella Pous)

Thaumas Daugher

Wondrous One

Hymns to Iris

Hymn #6  To Hekate, Iris and Hermes

“Begin my song, oh Muses, to three who traverse the boundaries,
walking always between the world of the gods on Olympus, man on Earth and the souls dwelling beyond the River Styx, sing of three who travel far and carry messages of gods and mortal man.

Sing first, sweet-voiced Muses of delicate Hekate, whom Asteria bore, bright-coiffed maiden, favored of Zeus who accompanies Persephone. Generous are you, torch-bearing goddess, when men offer rich sacrifices in your name!

And sing, oh Muse of Iris the storm-footed who treads along the rainbow, carrier of the waters of the Styx upon which the gods swear their oaths, mother of desire who fetched Eiliythia to Delos, Great-Winged wondrous one who replenishes the rain clouds from the waters of the sea, privileged are those in your presence to behold a vision of beauty!

And Muses, sing now of the son of Zeus who bears the golden staff, swift and boundless Hermes who hears and carries messages, clever one who stole away the Far-Shooter’s cattle, luck-bringing god of chance who speeds between all realms. Keeper of herds, sweet is the song that sounds from the lyre, your invention and too, from the pipes which you play!

To you, Hekate, Iris and Hermes, hail! Heed our prayers and grant your blessings to this rite!”

(via painandlight) https://hymnstothetheoi.tumblr.com/post/146008157546/hymn-6-to-hekate-iris-and-hermes-begin-my-song

Offerings to Iris

Ancient: Basyniae (cheesecake)which is made from wheat, suet and honey boiled together.

Modern: Rainbow agate, rainbow moonstone, rainbow obsidian, labradorite, sunstone, Iris flowers, feathers, myrrh, frankincense, pure water, wine, honey, olive oil, fruit and milk, kaleidoscopes, prisms, postcards and stamps.

Iris Anointing Oil
by Setjataset © 2023

Recently I have started anointing my snail mail with Iris oil which I make myself from Orris root and olive oil and I say a prayer to Iris to enable the mail to reach its destination swiftly and safely.

To make your own Iris oil simply steep 3 parts extra virgin olive oil and 1 part dried Orris root in a glass jar for up to 3 weeks and succuss the jar daily. After this time it is ready to use by straining the Orris root out and decanting the oil into an essential oil glass drop bottle.  Remember to label the oil with the name, date and the list of ingredients used.

Senebty

Setjataset

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(C) T. Georgitsis 2023

Hekate Devotion: Beltane

Beltane also known as Cetshamhain (and May Day in the Northern Hemisphere) is the halfway point between spring and summer and is celebrated as a fertility and/or fire festival.  Traditionally it is a Gaelic festival which is part of the four seasonal festivals celebrated in Ireland and Scotland. Historically Beltane dew was collected in the morning to promote beauty and youthfulness, as well collecting water from holy wells for the same purpose.  Rites which includes the building of communal bonfires were held to protect and encourage growth of people’s harvest and livestock by going around or over said bonfires whilst being bedecked in flowers, ribbons and shells as representations to invoke protection.  Offerings were made to the sprits and fairies and embers were taken from communal bonfires and taken home where their hearths were ignited, to bring the protection home where feasting would then follow.  These days the focus of this fertility festival by neo pagans and witches is placed upon honouring the union of the God and the Goddess as well as making offerings to the spirits of the land which can involve maypole dancing, bonfire and feasting.

This year in the Southern Hemisphere calendar,  it falls on Wednesday the 8^th of November at 2.18am. Gods such as Artemis, Apollo, Flora, Bacchus, Bes, Kokopelli, Pan, Hera, Herne, Sheela-na-Gig, Eros, Venus, Xochiquetzal, Vesta, Odin, Priapus, Cernunnos, Orien and Mbaba Mwana Waresa can be honoured during this time of year.

I have celebrated Beltane with groups of people in various settings and the one thing which I found linked them, was the coming together to celebrate the quickening of the land with dancing and feasting.  Something which I have experienced often during this festival day, is the acknowledgement of the polarities of the earth and the union of these polarities. 

One of the fondest memories I have during this time of year is celebrating Beltane with bonfires whilst wearing wreaths upon my head which has been handmade from my garden’s flowers, trees and herbs.    In my coven and magickal groups we would always have fires usually in the form of a firepit or fireplace where we performed rites to celebrate the significance of the day, as well as perform various forms of divination using fire such as scrying in the flames of said fire.

As an avid herbalist, during this time of year, I notice that my garden is bursting with new life.  A lot of my herbs are flowering which allows me to take cuttings and transplant them, make pressings for my herb grimoire and also for drying or preserving to be used in magickal workings later.  The flowers are blooming in my garden, most predominately the heirloom roses and lavender which were planted by now deceased family members which makes them even more special. I tend to take the rose petals and lavender flowers and make water essences for beauty products I hand make as well ritual and magical use such as incense blends or candles.  My sultana grape vine is absolutely flourishing and I collect the excess of leaves for rice stuffed vine leaves as well as for garlands I wear whilst conducting my rites.  

I like to acknowledge and thank the traditional owners of the land as well my garden and the Devas of the land and its blessings by leaving tokens and offerings throughout my garden.   I ensure the bird bath and feeders are functioning, as well as encourage any insects or bees which pollinate my garden by leaving them appropriate food such as organic honey water.

During this time of year I also tend to cook and bake as a way to infuse my personal energies with the offerings I make to my Gods, Ancestors and land spirits.  I use what is in season and make a lamb roast, Greek style, but in recent years rosemary infused from my garden and serve it with Greek pine wine and rice stuffed vine leaves which I then offer upon Hekate’s, Dionysus and my ancestors shrines during my seasonal devotionals.  I also bake things like fruit pies and apple tea cakes and leave these offerings on the base of my favourite trees in my garden some of which I have been practising magick with for many years.  

Since Beltane ends up being around Samhain in the Northern Hemisphere I also ensure I have lots of sweets on hand to give out to trick-or-treaters.   Along with this I like to visit my blessed dead at the cemetery where I clean their tombstones and refresh their offerings which consists of various things including flowers, olive oil, water and incense.  I recite prayers to them and also the land devas where the cemetery is located ensuring to always acknowledge the original indigenous custodians.

I personally feel that Hekate resonates with this time of the year.  The light is growing as is the potential within us to take up her torches and flame the fertile energies we want to manifest.  The time is full of possibility as the sun waxes and strengthens towards summer, so now is the time to fully ignite our personal fires.  As our days lengthen use the flames of Hekate to propel and push you towards attaining that which you want to grow.

Hekate can be a guiding force which moves us away from that which is stagnant and decayed and helps us turn our attention towards that which needs fertilising and can bring great growth and future bounty.  She does this by assisting us to burn away the old to make way for the new by clearing and regenerating.  

I personally like to honour Hekate during this time and make offerings of  eggs, apples, meat (lamb/goat), flowering herbs (including lavender, sage, thyme, oregano, lemon balm, mint) pomegranates, mead, wine, grape juice, brandy, puffed wheat, fruit pies or cakes, oat cakes and bread, dandelion tea and fruit punch. 

I also like to throw any old herbs, plants and tree branches which I can’t upcycle into my Hellenic firepit before my chthonic shrine to Hekate in my garden.

Seasonal Planting Guide:

Vegetables such as capsicum, celery, chilli, beetroot, carrot, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, potato, pumpkins, leeks, silver beet, squash, beans, beetroot, corn and zucchini.

Herbs such as basil, coriander, dill, chamomile, parsley, oregano, rosemary, rue, thyme, mint, lemon balm and sage.

Flowers such as petunias, snapdragons, daisies, carnations, lavender, pansies, foxglove, dahlia and marigold.

Some things you can do to honour and mark Beltane in your personal practice (or with a group of likeminded individuals) can be:

1. Make food usually consumed during this time and partake or share with loved ones, as well as leave as offerings to your gods or gods of the season, land spirits and ancestors: meat (lamb), wine, ale, cakes made from oat and fruit and anything which can be shared and is seasonal.
2. Make floral or herbal wreaths or bouquets to adorn yourself with, decorate your altars, shrines or doorways with, leave as offerings for the spirits, devas and elementals of the earth, seasonal God/dess or your patron/matron.
3. Rituals, spells and magick for fertility and endeavours which you want to see growth in (especially at dawn and dusk).
4. Acknowledge the four cardinal points and make offerings to them consisting of the four elements they encompass – earth, air, fire and water.  You can also recite evocations to them whilst doing this starting from the east.
5. Leave food and drink on your home’s doorstep to appease the fairies and spirits who might be mischievous or wish you harm. Milk, bread or biscuits made from seasonal grains will be well received.
6. Get up at sunrise and visit a holy well and walk the path of the sun (east to west) whilst praying for good health.  
7. Collect the morning dew in a glass jar, leave it out in the full sun of the day, then strain/filter it and wash your face with it before going to bed, to be able to imbue yourself with beauty, health and vitality.
8. Take the day off if you can and spend the time in nature ie a picnic or hike.
9. Light a fire (bonfire, firepit or fireplace) or candles to celebrate and honour the light of the sun during this time.  If it’s a fire as part of a bonfire or firepit, walk around it or jump over it three times.
10. Take a torch, taper or candle and from the flames of the bonfire,  firepit or fire place  you have created, walk around your house whilst invoking protection for all those who live within its boundaries.
11. Craft some items which resonate with the season for you.
12. Revamp your shrine or altar with the colours of Beltane (Green, Red, White and Silver).
13. Make protection talismans for the home such as oak crosses and hanging eggs.

So work your magick this Beltane, honour the land and its spirits, and ask for protection and what you want to make fertile in your life.

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(c) T. Georgitsis 2021, Updated 2023

Magic of the Lunar Eclipse: 29th October 2023

What, When and Why of the Lunar Eclipse

A Partial Lunar Eclipse is happening during the Full Moon on the 29th October at 7.24am EST (Southern Hemisphere) and 1.23pm PT 28th October (Northern Hemisphere).

A partial lunar eclipse happens during a full moon when the earth’s placement falls between the sun and the moon – which casts a shadow across the moon.

This eclipse will be safely visible with the naked eye from everywhere in the night if the sky is clear.  To see when you can view the eclipse from your area, go here for more information:

https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/map/2023-october-28

Magick of the Eclipse

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.

This eclipse is in Taurus therefore the energies heightened during this time is the Taurus star sign.

The kind of magick you can perform during the Lunar Eclipse:

• Liminal – magick worked between the darkness and the light.
• Releasing – let go and relinquish excesses which hold you down.
• 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).

Sorcery of the Full Moon Eclipse

This full moon falls in the star sign of Taurus which symbolises stability.  This moon would be ideal for creating and manifesting financial stability as well as solid connections in friendships and romantic relationships,

Below is a Hekate Eclipse ritual I personally created which I have reenacted successfully and which I would like to share with you:

Hekate Eclipse Magic by Setjataset

Preparation:

Chose a liminal time and place for the ritual to be set, preferably around the time of the eclipse.

Purify body by showering.

Your working space and offering should be placed on a shrine or working altar and should include: black candle, white candle, purified water, salt, a token or offering you have for Hekate, incense and an image/statue 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 water mixed with salt over sacred space.

Magical Working

Write or carve on a black candle what you want to get rid of.

Write or carve on a white candle what you want to bring in.

Light both candles.

Push the black candle away from you and the white 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” 

Let the candles burn down completely in a safe manner.

Thanks and Closing

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

 

In her name

Sejtataset

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© T. Georgitis 2023

Magick of the Solar Eclipse: 14th/15th October

What, When and Why

We are having a solar eclipse on the new moon which falls on the 14th of October in the Northern Hemisphere and the 15th October in the Southern Hemisphere.

The solar eclipse occurs when the moon falls between the earth and the sun which casts a shadow over the earth. A solar eclipse can only occur during the new moon phase.

An annular eclipse is when the moon and the sun is exactly aligned with the earth but the moon being smaller than the sun enables the sun to surround the moon as a bring ring.

Please Note: A solar eclipse should ONLY be viewed through solar filters like a pair of solar eclipse glasses for safety reasons, as you don’t want to damage your eyes. PLEASE NEVER look at the sun without adequate protection. For more information on what you need to see the eclipse safely which includes what equipment you need please go here for more information:

https://www.space.com/sun-observing-safety-guide

This solar eclipse where the Sun forms a ‘ring of fire’ around the Moon will be visible along a path that crosses the USA, Mexico, Central America, Colombia, and Brazil.

To see if you can view the eclipse from your area, go here for more information:

https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/map/2023-october-14

Magick of the Solar Eclipse

Solar eclipse magick is when the energy is amplified due to the moon energies intermingling with the sun energies.  The sun and the moon are in the same star sign and the energies co-mingling this way, emphasises the energies of that particular sign.  This solar eclipse is in Libra* therefore the energies heightened during this time is the Libra star sign.

The kind of magick you can perform during the solar eclipse:

• Liminal – magick worked between the darkness and the light.
• Transition – use the sun and moon moving through this time to highlight or work with important transitions in your life.
• Transformation – deep within and also that which surrounds us.
• Change – harness this quick moving energy to bring about purposeful change in your life.
• Rebirth – moving from one cycle to the other in the form of a death of the old and and bringing in and welcoming of the new.
• Breaking – down barriers before you which have caused blockages in your life can now be removed.
• Movement – cleanse the stagnant decayed and no longer necessary and embrace the fresh new and potential within problem areas of your life.
• Rituals/Spells – in dedication to Gods who embrace this time and can assist you in manifesting the energies of the liminal, transitional, rebirth, movement, breaking away and change such as Hekate.

Sorcery of the Solar Eclipse

*Libra moon is a good time for rebalancing and rejuvenating your life. It’s also an ideal time to bring in new experiences, connections and things which can facilitate this.

Since Libra is an air sign it’s a great time to work with this element.

This is a good time to rebalance with Hekate’s words of power and bring in manifestation of divine justice within and outside of yourself.

The element of air resonates with sacred speech. I feel the chant below would be particularly useful to intone during this time which can be used to manifest the magick of this moon in the form of protection, desire and manifestation of wishes:

“Askei Kataskei Eron Oreon Ior Mega Samnyer Baui Phobantia Semne” (1)

Intone it 3 times after you have made offerings at a crossroads or her shrine or altar.

*Libra is an air sign which is ruled by Venus. It is a sign which can appear intelligent, persuasive, charming, honest and thrives on connectivity. It is also quite outgoing and resonates with attaining balance though peace and justice.

In her name

Setjataset

1 More info on this magical incantation.

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(C) T. Georgitsis 2023

Athenian/Attic Calendar 2023/24

The best time to honour Hekate is on the Deipnon and Noumenia.  Therefore, every year I create an Athenian Calendar to calculate the Deipnon and Noumenia using the Southern Hemisphere New Moons, to ensure my devotions are on the right evenings for my location.  This is calculated by the start off point of the Summer Solstice in Greece of that particular year.

The Athenian Calendar also known as the Attic Calendar was a lunisolar calendar used during the classical period of Ancient Greece during the 4^th and 5^th Centuries BC.  It was exclusively used in Athens at the time and each month starts at the first sighting of the new moon, with the year beginning just after mid-summer.  It’s become a modern go to for practicing Hellenics and as such, what we use and have today is a reconstruction of what they used around 300-500 BC.  I have superimposed this Athenian Calendar over our modern Gregorian one, to loosely create a festival calendar of 12 months based on the cycle of the moon which starts at the beginning of the Athenian year – on the summer solstice in Athens. The names of the months reflect the gods and festivals honoured at that time and have agricultural links to the planting or harvesting of food in the northern hemisphere.

Here is what the yearly Athenian Calendar basically looks like:

Summer (Θέρος)

1 Hekatombaion (Ἑκατομβαιών) July/August

2 Metageitnion (Μεταγειτνιών) August/September (named after Apollo)

3 Boedromion (Βοηδρομιών) September/October

Autumn (Φθινόπωρον)

4 Pyanepsion (Πυανεψιών) October/November

5 Maimakterion (Μαιμακτηριών) November/December (named after Zeus)

6 Poseideon (Ποσειδεών) December/January

Winter (Χεῖμα)

7 Gamelion (Γαμηλιών) January/February

8 Anthesterion (Ἀνθεστηριών) February/March (named after the festival of Anthesteria)

9 Elaphebolion (Ἑλαφηβολιών) March/April

Spring (Ἔαρ)

10 Mounichion (Μουνιχιών) April/May

11  Thargelion (Θαργηλιών) May/June

12 Skirophorion (Σκιροφοριών) June/July

Every month lasts for approximately 29-30 days in total.  Each month is broken up into 10 days of three which reflect the moon phases in the following order: Waxing, Full and Waning Moons.

Days 1 to 8 were all sacred to gods or spirit entities and the last day of the month, known as “hene kai nea” translated as “the old and the new”, is dedicate to Hekate as it’s her Deipnon along with the first day of the month, Noumenia which is also dedicated to Hekate.

Here are the details of those 8 sacred days in the Athenian Calendar month:

Day 1: Noumenia (New Moon)

Day 2: Agathos Daimon

Day 3: Athena’s Birthday

Day 4: Heracles, Hermes, Aphrodite and Eros

Day 6: Artemis’ Birthday

Day 7: Apollo’s Birthday

Day 8: Poseidon and Theseus (Mikalson 1975: 24)

Day 29-30: Deipnon

To help you with adapting the Athenian Calendar to the Gregorian one, here is the Athenian Calendar I created for 2022/2023, calculated for Southern Hemisphere practitioners:

21 June 2021 (5.57pm), = Summer Solstice in Greece
(Winter Solstice in Australia 22nd June 12.57am AEST)

Summer (Θέρος)

1 Hekatombaion (Ἑκατομβαιών)

18th July – Day 1: Noumenia (New Moon) 4.31am AEST

19th July – Day 2: Agathos Daimon

20th July – Day 3: Athena’s Birthday

21st July – Day 4: Heracles, Hermes, Aphrodite and Eros

23rd July – Day 6: Artemis’ Birthday

24th July – Day 7: Apollo’s Birthday

25th July – Day 8: Poseidon and Theseus (Mikalson 1975: 24)

14th August – 15th August – Day 29-30: Deipnon

2 Metageitnion (Μεταγειτνιών) (named after Apollo)

16th August – Day 1: Noumenia (New Moon) 7.38pm AEST

17th August – Day 2: Agathos Daimon

18th August – Day 3: Athena’s Birthday

19th August – Day 4: Heracles, Hermes, Aphrodite and Eros

21st August – Day 6: Artemis’ Birthday

22nd August – Day 7: Apollo’s Birthday

23rd August – Day 8: Poseidon and Theseus (Mikalson 1975: 24)

13th – 14th September – Day 29-30: Deipnon

3 Boedromion (Βοηδρομιών)

15th September – Day 1: Noumenia (New Moon) 11.39am AEST

16th September – Day 2: Agathos Daimon

17th September – Day 3: Athena’s Birthday

18th September – Day 4: Heracles, Hermes, Aphrodite and Eros

20th September – Day 6: Artemis’ Birthday

21st September – Day 7: Apollo’s Birthday

22nd September – Day 8: Poseidon and Theseus (Mikalson 1975: 24)

13th – 14th October – Day 29-30: Deipnon

Autumn (Φθινόπωρον)

4 Pyanepsion (Πυανεψιών)

15th October – Day 1: Noumenia (New Moon) 4.55am AEST

16th October – Day 2: Agathos Daimon

17th October – Day 3: Athena’s Birthday

18th October – Day 4: Heracles, Hermes, Aphrodite and Eros

20th October – Day 6: Artemis’ Birthday

21st October – Day 7: Apollo’s Birthday

22nd October – Day 8: Poseidon and Theseus (Mikalson 1975: 24)

11th – 12th November – Day 29-30: Deipnon

5 Maimakterion (Μαιμακτηριών) (named after Zeus)

13th November – Day 1: Noumenia (New Moon) 8.27pm AEST

14th November – Day 2: Agathos Daimon

15th November – Day 3: Athena’s Birthday

15th November – Day 4: Heracles, Hermes, Aphrodite and Eros

17th November – Day 6: Artemis’ Birthday

18th November – Day 7: Apollo’s Birthday

19th November – Day 8: Poseidon and Theseus (Mikalson 1975: 24)

11th – 12th December – Day 29-30: Deipnon

6 Poseideon (Ποσειδεών)

13th December – Day 1: Noumenia (New Moon) 10.32am AEST

14th December – Day 2: Agathos Daimon

15th December – Day 3: Athena’s Birthday

16th December – Day 4: Heracles, Hermes, Aphrodite and Eros

18th December – Day 6: Artemis’ Birthday

19th December – Day 7: Apollo’s Birthday

20th December – Day 8: Poseidon and Theseus (Mikalson 1975: 24)

20th – 21st January – Day 29-30: Deipnon

Winter (Χεῖμα)

7 Gamelion (Γαμηλιών)

22nd January – Day 1: Noumenia (New Moon) 7.53am AEST

23rd January – Day 2: Agathos Daimon

24th January- Day 3: Athena’s Birthday

25th January – Day 4: Heracles, Hermes, Aphrodite and Eros

27th January – Day 6: Artemis’ Birthday

28th January – Day 7: Apollo’s Birthday

29th January – Day 8: Poseidon and Theseus (Mikalson 1975: 24)

19th – 20th February – Day 29-30: Deipnon

8 Anthesterion (Ἀνθεστηριών) (named after the festival of Anthesteria)

20th February – Day 1: Noumenia (New Moon) 6.05pm AEST

21st February – Day 2: Agathos Daimon

22nd February – Day 3: Athena’s Birthday

23rd February – Day 4: Heracles, Hermes, Aphrodite and Erosc

25th February – Day 6: Artemis’ Birthday

26th February– Day 7: Apollo’s Birthday

27th February – Day 8: Poseidon and Theseus (Mikalson 1975: 24)

20th – 21st February – Day 29-30: Deipnon

9 Elaphebolion (Ἑλαφηβολιών)

22nd March – Day 1: Noumenia (New Moon) 4.23am AEST

23rd March – Day 2: Agathos Daimon

24th March – Day 3: Athena’s Birthday

25th March – Day 4: Heracles, Hermes, Aphrodite and Erosc

27th March – Day 6: Artemis’ Birthday

28th March – Day 7: Apollo’s Birthday

29th March – Day 8: Poseidon and Theseus (Mikalson 1975: 24)

18th – 19th April – Day 29-30: Deipnon

Spring (Ἔαρ)

10 Mounichion (Μουνιχιών)

20th April – Day 1: Noumenia (New Moon) 2.12pm AEST

21st April- Day 2: Agathos Daimon

22nd April – Day 3: Athena’s Birthday

23rd April – Day 4: Heracles, Hermes, Aphrodite and Erosc

25th April – Day 6: Artemis’ Birthday

26th April – Day 7: Apollo’s Birthday

27th April – Day 8: Poseidon and Theseus (Mikalson 1975: 24)

18th – 19th May – Day 29-30: Deipnon

11 Thargelion (Θαργηλιών) 

20th May – Day 1: Noumenia (New Moon) 1.53am AEST

21st May – Day 2: Agathos Daimon

22nd May – Day 3: Athena’s Birthday

23rd May – Day 4: Heracles, Hermes, Aphrodite and Erosc

25th May – Day 6: Artemis’ Birthday

26th May – Day 7: Apollo’s Birthday

27th May – Day 8: Poseidon and Theseus (Mikalson 1975: 24)

16th – 17th June – Day 29-30: Deipnon

12 Skirophorion (Σκιροφοριών)   

18th June – Day 1: Noumenia (New Moon) 2.37pm AEST

19th June – Day 2: Agathos Daimon

20th June – Day 3: Athena’s Birthday

21st June– Day 4: Heracles, Hermes, Aphrodite and Erosc

23rd June – Day 6: Artemis’ Birthday

24th June – Day 7: Apollo’s Birthday

25th June – Day 8: Poseidon and Theseus (Mikalson 1975: 24)

16th – 17th July – Day 29-30: Deipnon

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(C) T. Georgitsis 2023

Hekate Devotion: Spring Equinox/Ostara

The Spring Equinox also known as Ostara or the Vernal Equinox is the day which symbolically marks the first day of spring.  The day and night are of equal length and from this point onwards the days get longer as we head towards Beltane.  The Spring Equinox happens when the sun crosses the celestial equator moving – south in the southern hemisphere and north in the northern hemisphere, which causes the days to lengthen and the temperatures to go up.  Vernal itself means fresh or new like the spring and this time officially marks the time of spring. Ostara is derived from the German goddess Eostre who represents new beginnings in conjunction with spring.

This year in the Southern Hemisphere calendar it falls on Saturday the 23rd^st of September at 2.50pm. Gods such as Ostara/Eostre, The Green Man, Mother Earth/Gaia, Hekate, Persephone, Demeter, Osiris, Geb, Ver, Flora, Freya, Brigid, Jarylo/Yarylo/Iarilo/Gerovit, Eiar, Ba Jia Jiang, Ashanti, Saraswati, Cybele and Morityema all can be honoured during this time of year.

I have celebrated Spring with groups of people in various magickal settings and the one thing which I found linked them, was the coming together to celebrate the flourishing of the land.  Something which I have experienced often during this festival day is the acknowledgement of the bounty of the earth. 

One of the fondest memories I have during this time of year is celebrating the Spring Equinox through colouring eggs.  It’s something I learned from my mother who would prepare them for Greek Orthodox easter.  When I started observing the Spring Equinox I would make them in September to correlate with the southern hemisphere and would make them exactly like my mother did.  I did this by taking chicken eggs which had been wrapped in panty hose, keeping leaves or flowers in place to make a stencil of them appear on the eggs and using red Greek egg dye and vinegar to boil them. When they had cooled I would buff them with some olive oil to give them a nice shine.  Soon after my first few attempts I started to make eggs in elemental colours for the elemental quarters.  

In my coven and magickal groups thereafter we would occasionally make painted eggs which had been blown out from raw eggs and could be used as magickal symbols of spring.  We would also occasionally make floral or herbal wreaths to adorn ourselves with. 

As an avid herbalist during this time of year I notice that my garden is coming to life.  Plants, herbs and trees which have been dormant over the fallow period of the winter are blossoming, new shoots are being birthed or are regenerating. I like to acknowledge and thank my garden and the Devas of the land and its blessings by leaving herbs, trees or plants, offerings especially those who are decades old or have personal significance.  Such as a fennel plant which was planted by my mother and which is now decades old, plum trees which were part of the original farm which existed way before houses were built in the area, an aloe vera plant which was gifted to me by a coven sister in our youth, succulents gifted by an old friend who is no longer living in the country, a lemon/lime tree which my father created and planted which had stopped fruiting until recent years and a lemon tree I planted which was dying and which has regenerated recently.  Of course I adore and respect all the trees, plants and herbs I haven’t mentioned especially since they bring in local birds, insects and bugs which help pollinate and sustain them due to my garden being biodynamic.

During this time of year I also tend to cook a lot especially with the locally sourced organic produce available and gift items such as bread and biscuits to loved ones.  I also tend to food craft for my patrons (specifically Hekate, A’set and Sekhmet) which I then offer upon their shrines and altars during their devotionals.  

I personally feel that Hekate resonates with this time of the year.  Persephone has come back to her mother Demeter with the guidance and aid of Hekate, after being trapped with Hades during the dark part of the year when the earth lay dormant.  The earth is waking up due to Demeter’s great joy in being reunited with her daughter Persephone.  What this signifies from my perspective is that Hekate can be the enabling force for us to come out of and move on from of the dark and fallow experiences we have endured.  Now we can move onto new beginnings, opportunities and illuminate that which we should focus on to bring the blessings we want and need in our lives. 

Hekate can be a guiding force for change and movement.  Hekate can help us tap into the potential of this time as she lights up way which allows us to take a more beneficial path on the crossroads we might find ourselves at.  She encourages us to take the first step towards renewal and rebirth and the promise of new beginnings.  Hekate encourages us to engage in this movement onwards and upwards and use it for the power it contains – the promise of shedding the old and embracing the new and the power (internal and external) it contains.

I personally like to honour Hekate during this time and make offerings of eggs, herbs (mint, sage, iron wort, lavender, wormwood etc – herbs of hers which are growing now), seeds (for planting), lavender flowers, sage flowers, saffron, corn flowers, edible flowers (violet, chive, clover, lilac etc) bread, apples, pomegranates, dandelions, wine, grape juice, honey infused tea/milk and substitutes such as oat or almond milk, onions, black garlic, grains such as barley, wheat husks, pomegranate cakes, cheese, legumes, beans and meat (lamb, rabbit and goat).

Vegetables such as beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, capsicum, carrot, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, eggplant, endive, leek, lettuce, onion, parsnip, pak choi, peas, radish, rocket, silverbeet, snow peas, spring onion, strawberry, corn and tomato.

Herbs such as chives, dill, mint, oregano, parsley, sage and thyme.

Flowers such as alyssum, asters, begonias, celostias, chrysanthemums, cinerarias, corn flowers, geraniums, petunias, daisies, carnations, lavender, marigolds, snapdragons, pansies, foxglove, sunflowers, gazanias, impatients and dahlias.

Some things you can do to honour and mark the Spring Equinox in your personal practice (or with a group of likeminded individuals) can be:

1. Make food usually consumed during this time and partake or share with loved ones, as well as leave as offerings to your gods or gods of the season: meat (lamb/rabbit/goat) or legume and bean stews, egg dishes such as quiches or boiled coloured eggs, cheesecake, yogurt, cakes and anything which can be shared and is seasonal.
   
2. Make coloured eggs or decorate wooden/ceramic eggs and leave them as offerings to the earth, seasonal God/dess or your patron/matron.
   
3. Rituals, spells and magick for new beginnings, fertility, rebirth, renewal, new opportunities and endeavours (especially at dawn).
   
4. Plant seeds for the future whether they be physical or metaphoric.
   
5. Clean and refresh your home or ritual/magickal space ie spring clean through cleaning, decluttering and revamping.
   
6. Rebirth rituals which can include taking devotional vows for a specific tradition or God/dess.
   
7. Get up at sunrise and bask in the first light of the day in nature, whether you do so in your own backyard, local park or nature reserve.
   
8. Feed your local wildlife appropriate offerings such as bird specific feed for your local natives.
   
9. Take the day off if you can and spend the time in nature ie a picnic or hike.
   
10. Light a fire (bonfire or fireplace) or candles to celebrate and honour the light of the sun during this time.
    
11. Make wreaths from seasonal herbs and flowers to adorn yourself with.
    
12. Craft some items which resonate with the season for you.
    
13. Prick some flowers or treat yourself to some from a favourite florist to bring spring into your living area.
    
14. Start a new hobby or lifestyle change (such as exercise) you have been wanting to or reconnect to.
    
15. At dawn light candles to mark the passage of time from winter to spring and also to honour the Gods of this season (in gold, green, pink, yellow, blue and purple).

So work your magick this Spring Equinox, honour the dawn, nature and new beginnings and opportunities which are available to you and ask for what you want to blossom in your life.

In her name

Setjataset

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(c) T. Georgitsis 2021, Updated 2023

Super Full Blue Moon Magick: 31st August 2023

What, When and Why of the Super Full Blue Moon

We have a Super Full Blue Moon coming up on the 31st of August 2023 at 11.35am EST.

A Supermoon is a New or a Full moon which coincides with the closest distance to the earth in its orbit.  This means the moon appears larger than usual from the perspective from earth.

A Blue moon is a full moon which happens to be the second full moon in a calendar month. This is a rare occurrence and thus known as a blue moon as it has nothing to do with the colour of the moon.

This Super Full Blue Moon will be the brightest and biggest moon of the year and the best time to view it will be at sunset.

Magick of the Super Full Blue Moon

This Super Full Blue Moon falls in the astrological sign of Pisces therefore the energies heightened during this time is the Pisces star sign.

Pisces is a Water sign which is ruled by Neptune. Pisces is gentle, spiritual, trusting, loving and diverse. This is a negative mutable sign which thrives on music and art. It is a sign connected to the energies of compassion, intuition, wisdom and solitude.

Sorcery of the Super Full Blue Moon

This Super Full Blue Moon in Pisces is all about honouring your inner self. It is an ideal time to open your mind and connect to your higher self whilst acknowledging your deep emotions.

The kind of magick you can perform during the Super Full Blue Moon:

1. Boost all magic and spellworkings.
2. Super charge commitments or oaths made.
3. Conduct rituals which require a lot of mental and or physical effort.
4. Heighten magick which focuses on crossroads or apex’s in one’s life or journey. Best time to do this is at liminal times such as sunrise, midday, sunset and midnight.
5. Ideal time to peacefully clear the slate for new beginnings and allow for innovative change to occur.
6. Focus on intent which is of a positive and productive nature whilst acknowledging your emotional needs.
7. Request what you need to fulfil your needs and let go of what doesn’t.
8. With acceptance and empathy declutter your surroundings, move on from outdated beliefs and fears, remove bad habits or that which no longer aids or serves you to allow space for that which does and brings you self power and happiness.
9. Request for clarity in one’s life through divination such as water scrying, crystal ball gazing, tarot etc.
10. Engage in mindfulness and metitation which connecs you to your inner self for balanced introspection.
11. Create a water based ritual such as a drawing down the moon (I have detailed this in a previous post Hellenic Drawing Down the Moon).
12. Hold a rite or devotional in honour of a Moon God/dess such as Hekate.

In her name

Setjataset

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(C) T. Georgitsis 2023

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.

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. 

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 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 2023

Hekate Devotion: Imbolc

Imbolc, which means “in the belly” or “ewe’s milk”, is the day that marks the incoming Spring.   Symbolically it marks the halfway point between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox and celebrates the rebirth of the sun as the days get longer.  Traditionally it is a Northern Hemisphere Gaelic festival which falls on the 1^st of February and celebrates the Feast Day of Brigid. It marks the time of the year when spring flowers start to emerge in nature and can be a date to celebrate women.

This year in the Southern Hemisphere calendar it falls on Tuesday the 8th of August at 4.21am. Gods such as Brigit, Aenghus Og, Cerridwen, Hekate, Persephone, Demeter, Gaia, Hestia, Aphrodite, Eros, Pan, Bast, Aradia, Ceres, Faunus, Venus and Vesta can all be honoured during this time of year.

I have celebrated Imbolc with groups of people in various magickal settings and the one thing which I found linked them, was the coming together to celebrate the planting of seeds and sharing of food in a communal setting.  Something which I have experienced time and time again during this festival day is the ritualistic act of planting physical and metaphorical seeds which symbolises set intentions for the coming season of Spring and Summer.  Also feasting is highlighted during this time as so many religious festivals tend to celebrate this way.

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One of the fondest memories I have during this time of year is celebrating Imbolc through planting seeds or seedling when I was starting out in my first coven.  It’s something I never did before on my own and being able to watch something I planted with my own hands, grow and prosper developed my love of gardening.  When I started studying herbalism a few years later I became obsessed with growing all the medicinal and magickal herbs I could.  I spent years transferring my garden into a large organic one and creating special herb garden spaces dedicated to Hekate and A’set respectfully.

As an avid herbalist who likes to grow my own plants, herbs and trees I can use in my practice, I tend to always focus energy during this time planting organic heirloom seeds or seedlings for the coming season’s use.  I also like to plant my intentions for what I want to grow in my life as I feel this is the perfect time to do so, to align with nature.  Along with this, I also love to spend a lot of time in nature and honouring nature.   From the seas to the mountains, I tend to go on a Imbolc hike coupled with a picnic/bbq if the weather permits.

I also tend to make a lot of candles as I am an avid candle maker and use various methods from set tapers and pillars, rolled wax to poured soy.  I make them for my patrons (specifically Hekate, A’set and Sekhmet) which I then burn regularly on their shrines and altars during their devotionals.  I also make a lot of incense for the same patrons as I find when I blend and grind up all the materials its quite easy to set intention for them as I find it an incredibly meditative and magical act.

Brigit represents the light and so does Hekate and I personally feel Hekate can guide us out of the darkness and into the light, like she did for Persephone.  

I feel that Hekate resonates with this time of the year for various reasons.  Hekate can illuminate what has been hiding in the darkness and ignite the flame within us.   In this time  she encourages and enables us to turn our attention to the presence of the promise of new opportunities to come.  As the time of growth and movement is happening all around us Hekate encourages us to engage in this and use it for the power it contains – the promise of a light at the end of a dark tunnel and the promise of growth after a fallow period.

I personally like to honour Hekate during this time and make offerings of seeds, bread, apples, pomegranates, dandelions, primroses, grape juice, honey infused milk, onions, grains such as barley, wine, honey cake, seed cake and preserve cake.

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In the garden now is the time to plant:

Vegetables such as  lettuce, spinach, kale, collards, Asian greens, beetroot, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, leek, onions, sweeds, parsnip, turnip, peas, radish, rocket, garlic, potatoes, cucumber, eggplant and silver beet.

Herbs such as mustard, horseradish, curry plant, licorice, dandelions, parsley, feverfew, dill, mint, marjoram, oregano, lovage, and chervil.

Flowers such as, primroses, cornflowers, calendula, Siberian wallflower, nasturtiums and cyclamen.

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Some things you can do to honour and mark Imbolc in your practice can be:

1. Make food usually consumed during this time: colcannon, sowans, dumplings, barmbrack or bannocks.
2. Make oak crosses.
3. Make corn husk or straw dolls.
4. Visit local wells, rives or streams and collect the water for magick and ritual work.  Use water to bless home, family and garden.
5. Take a walk sunwise (clockwise) around a well and pray for good health or an ailment ensuring to leave an offering such as a coin.
6. Hold feasts with loved ones.
7. Divination such as candle (flame or wax), water and weather divination (cloud, sunset/sunrise).
8. Sew seeds for the coming spring and plant what you want to grow into your life.
9. Spring clean (such as home and altar/shrine) as it’s the time of purification which can be used to remove the stagnant energies and bring in cleansing new energies.
10. Make offerings to the earth and sea.
11. At sunset light candles to mark the passage of time from winter to spring and also to honour the Gods of this season (in gold, white, yellow and red colours).
12. Light torches in your Gods names.
13. Go for a walk in nature and take stock of what is growing and coming in for you.
14. Initiation and self-initiation rituals can be worked during this time due to apt timing.
15. A good time for fertilising things such as ideas, projects and even yourself with what you want to grow

So work your magick this Imbolc, honour the light and ask for what you want to manifest in your life.

In her name

Setjataset

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(c) T. Georgitsis 2021, Updated 2023

Super Full Moon Magick: 2nd August 2023

What, When and Why of the Super Full Moon

We have a Super Full Moon coming up on the 2nd August 2023 at 4.31am.

A Supermoon is a New or a Full moon which coincides with the closest distance to the earth in its orbit.  This means the moon appears larger than usual from the perspective from earth.

Magick of the Super Full Moon

This Super Full Moon falls in the astrological sign of Aquarius therefore the energies heightened during this time is the Aquarius star sign.

Aquarius is a Air sign which is ruled by Uranus. It is a sign which is unique and independent. This sign thrives on change, momentum and movement forward. Aquarius is connected to the energies of justice, compassion and connection.

Sorcery of the Super Full Moon

This Super Full Moon in Aquarius is all about letting go and moving on.  It is an ideal time to remove and detox that which no longer is required in your life whilst using the space created to plan for the future.

The kind of magick you can perform during the Super Full Moon:

1. Cast spells for supercharged effects.

2. Create some magickal crafts.

3. Charge your magickal items.

4. Clean and cleanse your shrine/altar.

5. Leave new offerings on your shrine/altar.

6. Perform healing rituals or spells.

7. Write a letter of release for any heartbreak and grief you hold.

8. Focus on things you want to remove from your life and create a plan to let them go.

9. Divination featuring the element of water such as scrying.

10. Cleansing rituals to banish and remove stagnant energies.

11. Honour the rising of Sirius.

12. Plant the seeds for the future and what you want to achieve.

13. Hold a rite in honour of a Moon God/dess such as Hekate.

In her name

Setjataset

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(C) T. Georgitsis 2023