Editorial............................................................................................................................

3
What is the Covenant of Hekate?..............................................................................4
Enchantments from the Keybearer...........................................................................5
Hekate by Larry Phillips................................................................................................7
A Hymn to Her who Lights my Way by Shullie H Porter.......................................8
Interview with Jade sol Luna ...................................................................................10
Ensouling a Statue of Hekate by Florian Schlie...............................................13
Tribute to Hekate by John Birkel.............................................................................22
Crescent Moon Biscuits by Robert Podmore......................................................23
Oceanic Hekate Wordsearch by Robert Podmore.............................................24
Ink-credible! Hekatean Tattoos...............................................................................25
Psalm to Hekate by Rick Derks.................................................................................28
Hekate Her Sacred Fires 2013 by Tina Georgitsis.............................................29
Sorita d’Este & the CoH on Youtube......................................................................31
Hekate & Childbirth by Vicky Newton.....................................................................32
Call for Submissions..................................................................................................36
Hekate by Zachary Zimmerman...................................................................................37
Reader’s Shrines...........................................................................................................38
Contributors this Issue.............................................................................................39
Submissions Guidelines...............................................................................................40

Cover image: courtesy of John McGuire Jr.

 ell here we are again... and where to begin! So much
W has happened since the last issue including this year’s
Rite of Her Sacred Fires event, the second Hekate
Symposium in Glastonbury not to mention yours truly taking his
Oath to become a Torchbearer within the Covenant. Exciting
times!

Taking my Oath as a Torchbearer has given me a lot to think

about in regards to my future to Hekate. I have always been
extremely humble when it comes to my involvement within the
community, to the point where I resisted the “call” to become
a Torchbearer, despite much support and encouragement from
those around me. Now that I have taken the mantle of
Torchbearer upon myself, I have found myself wondering what
I will do to help fulfil my oath and commitment; what does it
mean to be a Torchbearer?

For me, finding a way to unify us by our similarities rather than focusing on our differences is of great importance.
All along my path I have seen people who try to pull themselves and their respective communities apart due to
the clouding of ego or misinformation and a general absent mindedness that we are all equal in the eyes of the
Goddess.

And I now see and feel an ember of Her fiery brands, kindled within me so that I may help shine Her light into
the lives of those who require it; to help those lost on their paths, to illuminate fresh minds with knowledge,
to help illustrate that our unifying similarities far outstrip anything that could try to set us apart from one another.

To be a Torchbearer is to be a guide. I will stand at the Crossroads with my brothers and sisters and smile.
Together we can become a strong, loving and tolerant community filled with vibrancy and uniqueness, unified
together for the glory of Hekate.

And so, this issue (as always) there is a superb array of content. We showcase some excellent artwork created
in devotion to Our Lady. Jade sol Luna takes some time out of his busy schedule to be our interviewee this issue
(p.10)! Our feature article (p.13), researched and written by Florian Schlie, is on the topic of ensouled statues
in relation to Hekate and gives a ritual that can be performed by those wishing to explore this aspect of their
devotion.

Readers have shared their awesome devotional tattoos in our “Ink-credible!” feature, so be sure to check that
one out (p.25). There is also a “Call for Submissions” (p.36) for an exciting project to create a book of Hekatean
prayer and ritual. Like with all these worthwhile projects, the more we contribute as a community the better
able we are to share and develop; celebrating our diversity as well as the commonalities that bind us in the
worship of the Key-bearing Queen of the Whole Cosmos, so be sure to check that one out and consider putting
something forward.

As always, remember that this is your publication - keeping it En Erebos Phos

Kenn
vibrant and alive is the responsibility of us all. I always look
forward to receiving contributions, be that a full article, poem,
drawing or shrine photo. There’s always a place within AK to
share your devotion!
T
he Covenant of Hekate (CoH) was born out of the desire to create a community
and centre of study for those who share a passion for the history, mysteries and
magic of the Goddess Hekate. This desire was dramatically demonstrated on
27th May 2010 when thousands of people worldwide performed the Rite of Her Sacred
Fires ritual created by Sorita d’Este in a unique act of devotion to the goddess Hekate.

Within the CoH we view the Goddess Hekate as the Cosmic World Soul. Hekate is a
liminal goddess who often expresses herself through Triplicities of form and power,
such as her three bodies facing three ways, her control over land/sea/sky,
birth/initiation/death and divination/dreams/oracles. We believe that she is a natural
force whose power extends through all realms and whose formless fire illuminates the
path of the universal mysteries, where she is both our guide and initiator.

Within the CoH we explore the Mysticism and Magic of the goddess Hekate through
the practice of theurgy (‘divine-working’) to achieve henosis (union with the divine),
through contemplation, experience, intuition, divination, meditation and ritual within
the realms of the Western Esoteric Traditions.

The CoH is rooted in firm foundations of knowledge and practice from the traditions
of the ancient world which honoured Hekate. This knowledge and practices form the
basis of the modern manifestation of Hekate’s worship in ways relevant to this age
and accessible to all who seek her mysteries. The torchbearers of the CoH are
individuals from around the world who through their actions and studies are shining
the light of Hekate’s torches and expressing the spirit of the ancient mysteries.
C
rossroads are magical places. Whenever I find myself with quiet time at a natural
crossroads in nature, where three animal tracks meet, I ponder the mystery of the
chance intersection of three different pathways. Such a pathway presents the new
arrival with a fork in the road, go to the left or go to the right – or return to where you
came from. Of course there is a lot of Hekate related symbolism tied in with crossroads
too, as she is the Goddess of both the roads which take us, inevitably to a crossroad, and
the Goddess of the three-way crossroads itself.

But today I am pondering another choice which is often overlooked – that of hoofing a
new path. Seeing a way towards reaching a goal and going straight towards it, ignoring
the boundaries set by those who have gone before. Why are so many of us frightened
to stand outside the confines of tradition and cultural custom, even within our spiritual
lives? For many years I myself treaded a path within the confines of the traditions I
encountered, staying within the boundaries and feeling frustrated – and sometimes even
polluted- with some of what I encountered. But for me exploring the mysteries of
Phosphorus has brought with it systematic shattering of illusion, with each experience
something new being unveiled and revealed. Sometimes subtle, sometimes life changing
and indisputably spectacular.

In June the Hekate Symposium here in Glastonbury presented me with a lot of interesting
food for thought as each speaker and performer presented a different perspective on
their work with the Goddess. It was so incredibly diverse that it reminded me of the
months I spent in the Brecon Beacons in the winter of 2009 and 2010 working on the book
project Hekate Her Sacred Fires. Reading the contributions of the dozens of contributors,
and corresponding with many of them via email and Skype, opened up an entirely new
world to me. Hekate devotees all around the world, many of whom had no previous
contact with one another, came from different cultures and traditions, but were somehow
having very similar experiences of Hekate. Thank you again to all the contributors who
gave their time, knowledge and experiences to the project - not only did it change my
understanding of both the Goddess Hekate and the Mysteries, it continues to do the same
for the readers who continue to benefit from your work; and it contributed to the forging
of new friendships and new communities, including the Covenant of Hekate.
As our community grows and evolves we have to change and adapt to meet the needs of
members. My friend, the CoH Torchbearer Lezley Cunningham-Wood has recently joined
me in helping with the administration of the CoH, which allows me to focus a little more
on other neglected community projects. As a community we are now experimenting with
ways in which to facilitate monthly social meetings using video streaming technology, as
well as introducing monthly teaching circles and, in due course, other learning facilities.
If you are a member who have not recently checked in with the private Facebook group
have a look on there for details, or otherwise email [email protected] and we
will forward details to you of future events. After the first last minute and ad hoc
experimental meeting it is clear that being able to interact in this way, using technology,
will lead to a lot of interesting connections and sharing between members - which in turn
will open up new pathways for the CoH and its members too!

As my own spiritual work has slowly evolved from a focus around the philosophies and
teachings of the Neo-Platonist and Gnostic schools towards the teachings of Buddhism,
my relationship with and understanding of the Goddess Hekate continues to evolve and
change. Another new path to tread, new landscapes to explore, new knowledge to be
experienced, each opening up beautiful and exciting new vistas and deeper
understandings on the way.

May you all be blessed on your journeys

Blessings...
Sorita d’Este
 By Larry Phillips
I began working on this painting right before the Rite of Her Sacred Fires in 2012
and I used the canvas in that ritual. This painting began with my sketches of Hekate
based on various classical representations, but I had not planned any other aspect.
To fill in the rest of this painting and give the image life, I began a regular cycle of
theurgic work with Hekate, following the tradition of the Ordo Aurum Solis of which
I am an initiate. Through this theurgic work Hekate gradually revealed herself to
me on this canvas. I plan to create many more images of Hekate and many other
Immortal Divinities. This painting is done in oil on a 5 ft. by 4 ft. canvas.
I
sing Hymns to Ekate every day while I walk the dog- in the morning and in the evening. Though I
seem to never write them down, and have always forgotten them by the time I get home. So this is
one of few I have actually written down. But first a little background.

My daughter and I decided to treat ourselves to an Indian head Massage. The lady we found to give us
the Indian head massage works above a rather lovely Boho coffee shop which is not too far from us.
Neither of us has had an Indian Head Massage before and was unaware of what to expect. I being the
brave one went first, leaving said daughter drinking coffee and eating cake!

So the massage begins, and was not what I expected. As the masseur began to work on me, releasing
tension I didn’t know I had, her hands became warmer and warmer and that’s when it started. My eyes
were closed and as I relaxed, I started to hear a bell ringing. The sound was subtle to start with, but I
could hear it getting closer and more intense. For a moment I thought it was part of the music the
masseur was playing, but as I was about to bring myself back and open my eyes to focus I became quickly
assured it was not and to listen by a voice I knew well. The sound of the bell became louder and louder…
a single bell, an old ancient bell, heavy and deep.

Then I started to see lights, hundreds of them flickering, like candle lights, placed on what I thought looked
like a simple wooden altar. As I tried to look around I appeared to be in what I thought was a large bell
shaped cave. Yet it was white… and I knew if I looked to the right I would see a window, through which
I knew there was the deepest, and the darkest blue sky and a thousand stars. I could feel the breeze on
my face and smell the wild thyme in the air.

As the bell continued to sound, I felt myself floating on the constant sound of the bell and I heard the
chanting of ‘IO Ekate IO Ekate.’ As the chanting continued I started to see more and more colours – flashes
of light – green, turquoise, purple, red, and gold, each colour darkening and deepening before filling my
consciousness and then fading away.

Then down what appeared to be a staircase, hewed into the rock, down deeper into the cave I went, the
sound of the bell coming from deep within that space. There were more lights, torches, candles burning
softly, a yellow glow, which led me down in a spiral pathway. And there were spirits all around me, ancient
and new, some not passed for centuries, and some not yet born. I knew that family were close by,
ancestors, and those I have not yet met, each with memories they wanted to share with me, and a voice,
initially my voice, singing, echoing around the walls of what now appeared to be a very deep and [echoing]
cave. Then before me was Her Voice again, and a shadow of Her before me, instructing me, telling me
that when I return I have to write for her. That I was to go straight away and write it all down, not to
‘forget’ this time, not to hide it, but to make it ‘real’ on paper.

She bade me farewell, I knew I had tears streaming down my face, as I could taste the salt on my lips.

As the masseur started to end, I slowly come back to reality, up the stairs, though not to the white cave,
but back into the small room. The masseur gave me water, and asked if I am okay and laughs when she
says she thought that I was ‘away with the fairies’.

I smiled, it was all I could do as I knew I needed to go back to the coffee shop, order a tea and a slice of
almond cake and get my note book out. So tea and cake by my side - I began writing down what had
happened. The first thoughts were Practice + Dedication + Discipline = Balance, so I made a note of it
and then followed by the Hymn I sang and she asked me to write for her.

Hail Ekate
Who is, and Was and Will Always Be.
Hail Ekate
Mother, Sister, Friend, Goddess and Queen.
Hail Ekate

Hail Ekate
Torchbrearer, who lights my path.
Who walk before, behind, beside and within me.
Hail Ekate

Hail Ekate
World Soul, Saviour, who holds me in her arms, who leads me, cares for me, loves me and who
prepares me for her work.
Hail Ekate
Who pushes me to take steps I fear to tread, yet who does not promises to catch me if and when I
fall, but does promise to be there to pick me up.
Hail Ekate

Hail Ekate
Who holds the Keys to my life, my heart and my soul.
Hail Ekate
Who takes me down to my deepest fear, and who holds me there and helps me face those regrets,
and self-created demons that haunt me.
Hail Ekate
Who shines her light on my face; who shines her light into the parts of me that I do not wish to
acknowledge so that I may confront them and so heal.
Hail Ekate
Who once I have faced that which tries to destroy me from within, leads me by the hand, guides me
with her illumination, and who brings me back from my darkest despair.
Hail Ekate
Who leads me through my trials and tribulations; through the waxing and waning
Who brings balance and honour.
Hail Ekate

Hail Ekate
Alpha and Omega. Who Is and Was and Who Will Ever Be.
Hail.
Hail Ekate.
Askei Kataskei: When did you first start working with Hekate
and how has your life on your Path evolved since then?

Jade sol Luna: I just had my 10 year anniversary worshiping

Hecate as my solo patron Goddess, yet it is my 18th year of being
a devotee of the Dark Mother. I finished an 8 year training course
of worshiping Kali with an Aghoric (without terror) tribe in
Kajuraho India. When I was finished, Kal Babaji asked me to
create a Westernized version of my journey in India. Worshiping
Kali opened the door to Hecate and Hecate has been peeling my
layers off like an onion ever since. My goal is to merge into the
consciousness of this divine force and only she knows how close
I am to finishing that job.

AK: Where do the motivations and inspirations for your music

and books come from?

JsL: Every inspiration in me comes from my love for her. My

projects are just various ways to stay as linked into her as
possible. My books in the future will be more about Astrology and my music is going to be more about my
experiences with Hecate, although there will be a Hecate III at one point. In my personal creative side, I
see my books as my intellectual connection to Hecate and my music is my emotional connection. Even
though my music has evolved more into a worldly sound
(Dubstep, Electronica) and I am working with people now, I
will not embrace a song or an idea unless I can find the
substance of Hecate inside of it.

AK: Do you have any current, upcoming projects that you

are working on?

JsL: I have a CD coming out August 13 on Morbit Records

called Resurrection In Black and that will be followed by a EP
release in December that will more then likely be the biggest
thing that I have ever done in the music realm because of the
caliber of artists that I am working with on it. In Astrology, I
have Asterian Astrology book II coming out by the end of this
year and I will be on Bite Size TV pressing the change of the
Zodiac all of 2014.

Images courtesy of Jade sol Luna

AK: How do you feel about your work being viewed as “dark” by
some?

JsL: Considering that I worship the "Dark Goddess, " I view that as
a compliment. As long as people have fear, I believe that the subject
of Darkness should stay on the table. Fear is the opposite of Love,
I observe people and their fears to see how advanced they are.
Fear keeps a person stuck without an ability to advance. A real
mystic, who desires spiritual advancement has to remove all fear
in order to have long lasting experiences. Example, Astral Travel:
In order to leave the body and travel to higher realms, fear of dying
has to be removed. If a person has a fear of dying they will never
have the capacity to experience higher realms because they will
stay as close to their body as possible, hence no divine experience
ensues. A spiritual teacher with alot of fear can only be best as an
intellectual, with almost no experience of the "Other Side." I
believe these "Types" are solely responsible for keeping spirituality
in an intellectual place with little to no experience behind what
they preach. There are only two real forces in the Universe, unity
(Love) and separation (Fear), we have to remove all fears in order
to unify with our true spiritual self. Hecate is the Dark Mother that scoops out the fears of the subconscious
mind out so we can unify with out true nature. No goddess in the universe has the ability to open the door
to real experience like Hecate as the Dark Mothers job is unifying a person with their true nature, which
can only happen to a fearless person. Remember, fear is the opposite of love!

AK: Where and how do you see your work progressing

in the next five to ten years?

JsL: I hope that I am further in merging into this

mysterious Goddess. Once a devotee of the Mother taps
into her infinite ocean of bliss, nothing else really matters
other than staying connected to it. My guru in India told
me to stay focused on entering Lucifer Caelum, although
I hope to surpass that.

AK: Your book “Asterian Astrology”, named after

Hekate’s mother, has turned astrology on its head for
those who have looked into it. Do you think this
reclaiming of ancient astrological ways is a good avenue
to approach Hekate from?

JsL: Hecate is the great Heimarmene (cosmic imprint)

which is the governing force of Astrology. My goal with
Hecate as an Astrologer is to make this form of her more
known, as it widens the work of this great Dark Mother.
This makes her truly the "Mother of the Cosmos." So I do
intend for her to be recognized as the Mother of Astrology.

Images courtesy of Jade sol Luna

 AK: “Asterian Astrology” is titled as “Vol I”, are you working on
Vol II or is it in the pipeline?

JsL: I am indeed and it will be out by the end of this year!

AK: How would you describe your perfect day?

JsL: My Fiancé Gianna is my Earthly “Italian” Hecate . Spending

my days with her, my nights worshipping Hecate and creating
music around Hecate is my idea of full life. I try to recreate this as
much as possible. My idea of a perfect day is when this all pans
out.

AK: Are there any of your projects that you have enjoyed the
most?

JsL: My favorite projects are happening right now! Bite Size TV is

getting ready to launch Asterian Astrology worldwide and I LOVE
working with this up and coming network. Musically I am working
with some incredible musicians and producers who are helping
me realize the potential I have to create great music and
potentially a whole new sound.

AK: Are there any of your projects that didn’t turn out the way you had hoped or planned?

JsL: The CD Feeling Like My Old Sunny Self Again by Luna 13 has some amazing songs but I am such a better
writer and producer now, I wish that I would have waited a little longer to release it! Hecate: Death,
Transition and Spiritual Mastery (First Edition) was also released to soon, it was short and sloppy, the
second edition should have been the first book I released.

Images courtesy of Jade sol Luna (top) and Sara Neheti Croft (bottom)
I
n this article I will explore the role of cult statues in it
different forms and give some instructions and
inspirations to create an ensouled statue of the
Goddess Hekate. Statues, depictions and imagery of the
Gods are an important feature in the different paths of
modern Paganism. And as well was an very important
expression of religion and mysticism of the ancient pagan
world.

The monotheistic religions blamed the devotees of the

ancient Gods as idol worshippers and even blame modern
pagans that they practice idolatry. From their point of view
the devotees of the different ancient Gods worshipped the
statues as Gods, or that the sacred symbols of a God or
Goddess (like stone cubes or sacred trees) were seen as
Gods themselves. From their view the people worshipped
these statues and symbols and didn't noticed that these are
just stone, wood or ivory- but “false Gods”.

But this view of the cult practices in antiquity- or the use of

statues in modern Paganism is very wrong and misleading. The statues and imageries of the Gods are
symbols. They were (and are) not seen as the Gods themselves. The depictions of the deities create a
point of focus for the devotees- similar like statues/pictures of saints are used in Catholicism.

Pagans today- and pagans in the ancient world didn't worshipped the statues as Gods, but worshipped
the Gods through these statues. The statues are symbols to get in touch with the God or Goddess who
is depicted in form of an image. The Christians also don't worship the cross, but the cross is a symbol
for their faith and their God.

But not all statues in the ancient world were cult statues (who were used in religious rites). Most
statues and imagery were just an representation of the Gods or artworks. In the antiquity statues and
pictures of gods where everywhere around- but the cult statues in the temples, shrines or in household
religion were treated different than the common statues of the Gods.

Common statues and representations:

I think the majority of the statues from the ancient world were from this category. On the one hand
they were seen as artwork and as a kind of offering to the God or Goddess. They were made in a way
like the people imagined the Gods or like the myths described them. But not all of these statues were
actual cult statues (they were not all used in the religious practice), many of them were artworks and

Images courtesy of Florian Schlie

stood on special places. Many depictions of Gods and
Goddesses were used in a decorative way in mosaics and wall
paintings. And for the people of the ancient world it was very
clear that the statue or imagery of a God was not the God
himself but a depiction of him. And the statues that were
used in an cultic way- were treated different than the
common statues.

Cult statues: These are the statues that were used in an

religious way in the ancient world. They stood in the temples
or in shrines on special places or on/in the household shrines
of the private cults.
These statues were treated in a special way. They were used
as the symbol of a God or Goddess. The people prayed before
these statues, brought offerings to their feet or altars, lighted
flames on their shrines, decorated them with flowers and
jewellery, gave libations to them. They were used to focus on
the God or Goddess that they depicted. But the people were
aware of the fact- that this cult image is not the Goddess
itself- but a focus point to connect more with her. And the
Gods could use these statues as vessels to interact with the
mortals. The early cult statues were made from wood and
were just small. Later on also bigger more impressive statues
were used as cult statues made from marble, gold or ivory.
But the cult statues of the household cults stayed small and simple (and most of Hekates surviving statues
are small cult statues- I think from the household worship). The cult images were also created to show the
Gods like the worshippers imagined them (or like the people experienced them through a more mystical
way- like through trance experiences or epiphanies of the Gods in dreams). The cult statues were treated
very well and from the worship and treating of these statues in the rites- the monotheistic people who
watched this use of the statues in the cults, got the wrong picture. They believed that the Pagans
worshipped the statues as Gods- and not that they worshipped the Gods throug the statues.

Ensouled Statues: A special kind of cult images were the ensouled statues. These were used in the same
way as the usual cult statues. But the people believed (or experienced) that these statues were connect
with the soul/spirit of the God or Goddess. Like the temple was the house of a God/Goddess the ensouled
statue was its living and breathing embodiment. But the people were aware of the fact that the
God/Goddess who is depicted through the image- is weaved with the spirit/soul of the God/Goddess and
is not the God/Goddess like the monotheistic people blamed them.

The ensouled statues were treated like they were alive, the were washed and fed, the priests spoke with
them (and you can see this in Hinduism even today), made regular devotional acts with the statue for the
Gods. And not all people (or not even all priests) were allowed to interact with them. These statues were
closed away in the temples in special areas that only few people were allowed to enter. And some of them
were just shown to the public eye in special festivals- or processions.
These statues were also used in Theurgy- and it is said that these statues came alive during the rites, that
bright light came out of them, that they begin to smile, to speak and even moved and danced.

Images courtesy of Kenn Payne

Theurgy and special statues of Hekate: Hekate is the main focus of Askei Kataskei- so now I will focus more
on her. Hekate had an important role in Theurgy of late antiquity and the source material gives some
informations about her ensouled cult statues.

In Theurgy the world of divine (empyrean world) was connected to the material world through a mediating
world- the etheric world (ruled by the Worldsoul, it is the world of daimons, souls and spirits). The
theurgists believed that the daimons of the etheric world acted as intermediaries between the gods and
humans. Every God or Goddess had his/her own daimons that interacted on their behalf with the material
world. And Hekate was the mistress of all these daimons and acted as Worldsoul in the same way as an
intermediary between the world of divine and the material world- like the daimons did. The theurgists
believed that the ensouled statues had an daimon attached to them- and that this daimon connected the
ensouled statue with the God or Goddess (this will get important again in the practical part of this article).
The theurgists used the sacred symbols of the Gods to connect the statues with their energies- the statues
were filled with special herbs, symbols, metals, animal parts, stones and jewels to bind the energy of a God
to the statue. The spirit/essence of the God was brought
“down” from the empyrean world (divine world) through
his/her daimons in the etheric world and his/her symbols in the
material world into the statue.

Hekates ensouled statues: Here I will give some examples for

special Statues of Hekate. The theurgist Maximos showed other
people how he brought the statue of Hekate alive. He burned
incense (olibanum) on a theurgic (ensouled) statue of Hekate
and spoke a hymn to praise her. The statue of the Goddess
began to smile and then even to laugh. After this the torches
that the statue hold in her hands began to burn.

The theurgist Proclos had visions of Hekate when he praised her

(his statue) and she appeared as bright light that also other
people were able to see.

And Hekate even gave instructions (through trance mediums) to

create statues of her:

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

And she also gives instructions how her statue should look like in a oracular fragment that is quoted by

Images courtesy of Florien Schlie

Porphyry:

My statue/appearance resembles to that of Ceres crowned witch splendorous fruits, wearing a white dress
and golden sandals on my feet. snakes curl around my girdle and crawl on my pure footprints. other snakes
hang from my head in ordered ranks down to my feet, contorted around me in ordered ranks.

And the ancient author Strabon mentioned a cult image of Hekate in Ephesus and that this statue created
such a bright light that the people who visit the temple should cover their eyes when they look at it. He
does not tell that the statue is an ensouled statue but the emanation of light is a sign of this. And the

theurgist Maximos also made his rite to animate the statue of Hekate in an temple in Ephesus.
Conclusion: Not all statues in antiquity were used as cult images. The cult images were treated in a special
way- but the people knew that they were not worshipping the statues as Gods, but the Gods through the
statues. And even the more mysterious ensouled statues were a living link to the God or Goddess. But they
were not worshipped as a God in their own.

Most Pagans today use statues and imagery in their rites- and they too are aware that the statues are a
focus point. Ensouled statues are rare today I think. But some Pagans invoke the spirit/soul/presence of a
God or Goddess for the time of the rite into his or her statue. To end this article I will give some inspirations
and instructions to create an ensouled statue for the worship of Hekate.

A Rite to ensoul a statue of Hekate

This rite will ensoul a statue with the energy and essence of Hekate. Like a “voodoo doll” is connected to
the essence of a person- the statue will be connected to the Goddess afterwards. This rite will also “bind”
a daimon of Hekate to the box on which the statue will stand, so that this entity will be a living intermediary
to the Goddess. This rite is just one of many ways to make an ensouled statue. You can also find other rites

Images courtesy of Florian Schlie

in these books: Temple of Hekate by Tara Sanchez and Reclaim the Power of the Witch by Monte
Plaisance. This rite is the way how I have done it myself.

Timing: The best night for this ritual is the last night of the dark moon. Just look into a moon calender
when the first crescent will be visible again and do this rite in the night before this date (this was the
timing of Hekates Deipnon in antiquity).

You will need:

~A shrine for Hekate, with candles and symbols of her.
~A statue of the Goddess.
~Blessed water.
~An offering bowl.
~A box on which the statue will stand after the rite.
~Offerings to the Goddess (like honey, milk, bread, cakes, wine etc...) and a plate to put them on, before
you give them into the offering bowl during the rite.
~A blessed oil (for example a mixture of a sweet almond oil and a few drops of essential jasmine oil-
jasmine has a strong scent at night and Hekate seems to love the smell from my experience).
~And symbolic things to put them into the box (see below).
~Hekate related incense (for example storax, myrrh or olibanum).

The box and the symbols: The box filled with symbolic items will be a helper to connect the statue with
Hekates energy and essence. Fill the box with things that are sacred to Hekate or are connected to her.
This is something personal here I will just give some inspirations:

Snakeskin, earth from three graveyards, earth from three crossroads, a stone from a crossroad or a
graveyard, a lapis-lazuli (this comes from a dream where Hekate told me she wants this stone on her
statue- but lapis-lazuli was also used in Hekates “wheel” in late antiquity), dog hair, hair of a black cat (in
late antiquity Hekate was also connected to cats- and for me personal she is strongly connected to black
cats), poppy seeds, wolfsbane (poisonous) and other herbs and blossoms that are connected to Hekate,
oak leaves, the Ephesian Letters* written on a piece of paper, copper or bronze (sacred metals of her in
antiquity), a small key or a key drawn on paper, symbols for Hekates three domains (earth, sea and sky).

Preparation: Fill the symbolic items into the box. The most important item is the stone from the crossroad
or graveyard (it will be connected to the daimon as kind of spirit vessel).

Build the shrine and light the candles.

Cleanse yourself, the shrine and the room in which you will make the rite.
Go into a light trance.
Create a protected and sacred space around you and the shrine in your own tradition/way.
Ask the powers and Elements to be around you during the rite.
Ask the powers of the Etheric Spheres** to be there during your rite.
Ask the powers of the Empyrean Spheres** to be there during your rite.

Call on Hekate in your own way, ask her to be in your sacred space. Ask her to fill this space with her
energy. Do this until you can feel and sense the energy of the Goddess in and around you. Tell her in your
own words that you want to ensoul a statue in her name. Giver her your offerings into the offering bowl
(but leave a little bit of the offerings for later).

Blessing of the Box: Take the filled box in both hands. Ask Hekate to bless the herbs, stones ans symbols
with her power, essence and energy. Imagine and feel how Hekates power flows into the box, imagine and
feel that the box begins to glow in a radiant golden light.

Speak words like these:

Mighty Hekate, Mistress of the Material, Etheric and Empyrean Spheres, great queen powerful in
underworld and heaven, ruler over earth, sea and sky charge these symbols with your powers. May these
symbols connect me with your radiant might, with your divine love, with your protection and your
blessings. May these symbols be a living link to you and your might. I pray to you, great Hekate, mistress
of spirits and daimons, send me a bright daimon from the realms of the Etheric Spheres- send me a bright
daimon that will inhabit this box, that inhabit this sacred stone, send me a daimon that will be a
messenger between you and the mortals. May he interact with you and bridge the worlds. May he protect
and guide me in your name- and bring me your blessings, so mote it be in this world, between the worlds
in all worlds!

Hold the box above your head, feel and imagine that the stone in your box begins to glow, that a shining
and fiery snake comes to your box and moves into the stone. The daimon begins to live and breath in your
box. Then begin to chant the Ephesian Letters* over and over again- until you feel that the daimon is filling
the box with its powers.

Then put the box on the shrine- sprinkle it with some blessed water, and give the last offerings into the
offering bowl and say: I give this offerings to Hekates shining daimon- from now on you will have your
share on all offerings that I will bring to Hekate may them nourish you.

The Ensouling of the Statue: Take the statue from the shrine sprinkle it with sacred water to bless and
cleanse it. Put it over the smoke of your incense to bless and cleanse it. Hold it over the flames of the
candles that burn on your shrine and imagine that the light of the candles flows into the statue, until it
begins to shine and glow in your hands.

Call on Hekate with your own words ask her again to be present in your circle and around you so that you
feel her energy and presence again strongly. Chant her epithets Phosphoros, Kourotrophos, Propylaia
until you feel her energy streaming through you and your sacred space. Ask her to fill the statue with her
essence and energy. Imagine and feel that her energy flows into the statue and begins to fill her out. The
statue begins to glow and shine more and more in your imagination (for me her energy is dark violet and
the statue begins to glow in the same colour when I do this).

Speak words like this:

This sacred image of the Goddess Hekate is from now on connected with her divine power. This sacred
image is connected from now on with Hekates energy, this sacred image is from now on connected with
Hekates essence. May her spirit be weaved with this statue. In this world, between the worlds, in all the
worlds. May Hekates light shine through this statue, may her love flow through this statue, may her
blessings emerge from this statue.

Imagine and feel that the connection between Hekate and her sacred image is completed and imagine
that the statue opens her eyes and that the light and power of the Goddess flows through her eyes into
your sacred space. Put the statue to the box and imagine that the power in the box and the power of the
Goddess begins to be connected with each other. Imagine that the serpentine daimon coils from the
stone in the box around the statue in sacred union.

Sprinkle blessed water over the statue. Offer the smoke of new incense towards the statue. And then put
one drop of jasmine oil to the brow of Hekates image. Then just feel the presence of the Goddess, enjoy
to just sit and watch her sacred image. Feel into your sacred space and just be open what you will notice
and experience. You can now make the empowering of the statue (explained below) or close your ritual.

Thank Hekate for her blessings and imagine that the eyes of the statue close. And that the daimon moves
again into its stone. Thank the powers of the Empyrean and Etheric Spheres. Thank the elements and end
the rite in your usual way.

Notes:
* The Ephesian letters are sacred words: askion kataskion lix tetrax damnameneus aisia
** In the Chaldean Oracles there are three worlds- the Material Sphere (our world) the Etheric Sphere
(the world of soul and spirits, like the modern term of the astral world or the underworld in classical
religion of Greece and Rome) and the Empyrean Sphere (the world of divine).

Inspirations for further workings with the ensouled statue

Waking the statue: When you want to connect yourself with Hekate knee or stand before her statue. Say:
“Shining serpent daimon wake up and rise, coil around your mistress” and feel and imagine that the snake
daimon comes out of the stone and coils around the statue in sacred union. Ask her to be with you. Ask
her to see you and hearing your words/prayers. Imagine and feel that the eyes of the statue open and
that her love and blessing begin to flow into your being through the statue.

To end the connection: Thank her and imagine that she clothes her eyes, Thank the daimon and feel and

Images courtesy of Florian Schlie

imagine that he leaves the statue and rests into its stone. After some time this will come natural when you
come near the statue. He and the statue will awake when someone comes near and will rest when no one
needs the connection to Hekate.

General things: Do small daily devotional acts on/with the statue. Sprinkle it with blessed water, bring the
smoke of incense towards the statue, decorate or surround it with flowers, blossoms or herbs, put
jewellery around the statue, put scented oils on the statue or around it. Bring it out into the light of the
sun, moon and stars and imagine that their light flows into the statue.

Tread the statue well- she is connected to the Goddess. Keep the statue intact and clean. Recolour it if the
colour fades away with time (or through water and oils). The statue is a living connection to Hekate in your
life and home. Protect it from the influence and touch of strangers (through a shrine cabinet that you can
close or a blanket that you put over the statue when it is not in use).

It is possible that the statue feels at times very alive- that you have the impression that she moves or her
facial traits will change. I even have seen the chains of the statue to swing back and forth without physical
manipulation of it.

Make devotional rites to/with the statue in a regular way. Give offerings to the feed of the statue, pour
libations in front of it. Make your trance works, meditations, rites and spells in front of the statue. If you
will have phases in your life where you don't can maintain your devotional acts and rites- it is possible that
the statue falls in a kind of sleep- or that the connection to Hekate fades away through time. You can do
the ensouling rite again or try out the empowering of the statue (below).

Empowering of the statue: This working empowers the statue with the might of the Empyrean and Etheric
Spheres and with the power of the elements. Also with the power of Hekates different aspects. Do this
from time to time to keep the connection between Hekate and her sacred image breathing, living and
powerful.

Timing: Any time possible.

You will need: Just your statue, the box and your shrine.

Preparation: You can do this working in the context of a ritual that you use in your tradition/way or just
as an devotional act in its own right.

When you do it: Be in a light trance. And have some kind of protection on your body or around you.
Light the candles on your shrine, ask Hekate to be with you in her sacred image, give her some offerings.

Working: Hold your hands up to the sky. Chant again and again the name Phosphoros and imagine a pure
white light that flows from the heaven and fills out the statue. The statue begins to glow in a white light.
When you feel it is enough begin to chant the name Kourotrophos. And imagine a red light that fills the
statue and that it glows red. When you feel it is enough begin to chant the name Propylaia and imagine a
black light that fills out the statue and that it begins to glow black.
Then touch the ground.

Imagine a golden light that flows out of the underworld through the earth beneath you. The golden light
begins to fill out the statue. Imagine that golden snakes coil around the statue. Speak words like these: “I
draw up the etheric snake power, I draw it up from the depths of the underworld. Chtonic snakes bring life
to the sacred image of Hekate!”

Raise your hands towards the sky. Imagine a pure white light that flows down from the heavenly spheres,
through the physical sky above you, down into the statue. The statue begins to glow in a white light. And
white shining snakes coil around the statue. Speak words like these: “I draw down the empyrean snake
power, down from the heavenly spheres, ouranic snakes bring divine grace into the sacred image of Hekate.”

Now imagine and feel that the power of the underworld and the heaven flows together into the statue.
Melting in the middle of it and that there a sacred star begins to glow.

Imagine that from the north a green light flows into this sacred star. Speak: May earth empower the
statue, earth that is her living mantle.

Imagine a blue light that flows from the west into the sacred star. Speak: May water empower the statue,
water that is her living blood.

Imagine a red light that flow from the south into the sacred star. Speak: May fire empower the statue, fire
that is her living soul.

Imagine a yellow light that flows from the east into the sacred star. Speak: May air empower the statue,
air that is her living breath of life.

Imagine and feel that the power of the elements flows from all four directions into the sacred star and
that from above and below flows the power of the heaven and the underworld into the statue. The statue
is the Axis Mundi. Imagine and feel that the sacred star gets bigger and brighter, it gets to a sphere of light
that surrounds the statue, it gets bigger and brighter, bigger and brighter until the light flows into all
directions, holy and shining, the light flows into all directions the whole room is filled by the radiant light
of the statue. Begin to chant the Ephesian Letters over and over again until you feel it is enough.

Thank the elements and the powers of above and below (the statue stays connected to this powers after
the working- so you don't have to banish them). And ground the energies in your body in your usual
way/tradition.

Images courtesy of Robert Podmore

 In trembling reverence, Do I dedicate this tribute to you oh Dread
Goddess...
Serpent haired slayer of wicked men
Sickle-bearer, torch bearer
Horned one who delights in the spilling of fresh blood
Lady of the blackened moon
Knower of herbs and poisons
She of the wayside
Infernal one
Empyrean one
death-bringer
Soul of all nature.
You bear the still dripping heads of all who oppose you
Key-bearer, great of Sorcery
thread of the fates.
Thou canst be found in the screaming of men, the baying of hounds
and winds
Soteira, savior of the world. Creator and destroyer.
Pale of face, in triplicate form arriving, torches blazing, sickle
gleaming, head dripping
Glory to you dark mother. Praised by the hosts of heaven, and hailed
by the denizens of Hell!
Terrible Titaness, she who haunts the corpse-yard.
Who feasts upon the flesh of the dead.
Mother of Daemons. Queen of Gorgons.
Traveller of midnight.
Chthonic Empress of the Abyss
White of face, clad in black, dripping red.

Images courtesy of John Birkel

Pomegranate & Honey 6 for 10-12 minutes. Then leave to
cool on a rack
100g Butter
75g Caster sugar
1 Egg (separated) For Citrus crescents:
200g Plain flour Replace Pomegranate powder and
15g Anardana powder (dried pomegranate Honey with grated rind of 1 lemon
powder) and 1 lime and add 2-3 tablespoons of
1 teaspoon of Honey juice (enough to bind) after you have
mixed in the flour.
∙   Line 2 baking tray’s with parchment.

∙   In a mixing bowl, cream together but‐
ter & sugar until light and fluffy grad-
ually beat in the egg yolk and honey.

∙   Sieve in flour and add anardana pow‐
der.

∙   Roll  out  dough  on  a  lightly  floured

surface, stamp out rounds using a
7.5cm/3 inch cutter, make crescent
shapes by cutting away a quarter of
each round. Re-roll the cutting and
use again, should make 25.

∙   Place  each  crescent  on  the  baking

sheet prick all over and brush over
with lightly whisked egg white and *The above recipe will work for vegan or
dust with extra caster sugar, bake in a Coeliac by substituting butter and flour and
pre heated oven 200C/400F gas mark also the egg.

Images courtesy of Robert Podmore

F G P H O C Y H B Y S R I X I L E F S E
D N J C O B R A L Q O U D K V U C P E H
WI D A B O T E M H F P T O B E L H V H
M L A E WH E A L U Y O H N WM V O A J
T A A B I Z A E V A Y S S T O C H R WX
X E Q N A E I R G R T E I E WP Q K L U
E H G T WN V G M T U I F F S J U Y U L
L N Y J A D U Z A L B D O O V R Q S F O
O U T L O H A Z E L N O X N M M E D R V
I WI A L L Y C S Q J N T R S H L P E E
Y A L H E U R Y B I A C E B M H G Y WD
N A I Z X V Q B E C N A M O R L I N O W
Z Y T I L A U S N E S WO J F T E P P R
H Q R Y M E C U B D O N S E S R O H S J
D S E U N D E R WA T E R C A V E S V G
L H F K U Y A D I A M R E M P E H V M O
WA Y T I L A U X E S N O I T O M E P C
U D D F O C T E L L U M K V J I L R B E
S O L Q F S T L I M I N A L T R A E H A
J WD WQ Q G E D E R X C M Q WX K D N
BATHING HEART POSEIDON
BEACH HORSES POWERFULWAVES
EINALIAN LIMINAL RED
ELIXIR LOVE RELATIONSHIPS
EMOTIONS MERMAID MOON ROMANCE
EURYBIA MULLET SCYLLA
FERTILITY OCEAN SENSUALITY
FISH PERSES SEXUALITY
HAZEL PHORKYS SHADOW
HEALING PONTUS UNDERWATERCAVES
A look at the extraordinary devotional body art of Hekateans today

Julie Praus
“The torches are on each arm, to remind me of Hekate's torches, and to remind me that I am Hers,
to keep Her presence within me, and to be aware and open to Her working through me. The Greek
is the first line of the Orphic Hymn to Hekate, to remind me of Her many attributes, and that I can
be one of the ways She works in this world. The back image has been in my dreams for many years,
before I knew Her, and represents Her as part humanoid, part serpent/dragon, and part
angelic/demonic, surrounded by an aura of fire. It also represents me, in an idealized form. This
image is quite dear to me. All of the images reflect somewhat of a merging of Hekate and myself,
that I feel Her within my mind, often inspiring me, and sometimes Her healing work goes through
me to someone in need. The first image was done over the past year, during multiple sessions. The
others were done in one session each. All by Tom Alvarado, currently at High Bridge Tattoo in St
Paul, MN, USA. I recommend him highly!”
 Bobbie James

Adrian Barlow
“On June 6th of 2006 I traveled to Arizona to
see my mentors house for the first time. I was
new to worshiping Hecate and had never been
in the presence of her altar before. My mentor
was in the middle of handling business and told
me to go ahead and go into the altar room to
wait for him. The first time I laid eyes on his
Hecate statue I feel in love and she claimed me.
A vision of a crescent moon to represent her
Adrian Barlow
with three underlying dots to represent the
gross,subtle and mental planes came to my
mind. I knew I had to get this ink as a sign of my
devotion to her. We proceeded to have my first
dedicated ritual to Hecate.That night after a
huge wind and sand storm I got the crescent
moon with the triple dots underlying it tattooed
on my forehead. I chose this spot because it
was over my third eye and I wanted to see the
world through Hecate. After seven years of
being dedicated to Hecate I had out grown the
simple crescent moon now that I am a full
devotee and priestess. Last year I upgraded my “Attached is a
tattoo to a full Hecate wheel with crescent picture of my
moons on each side. The tattoo represents the tattoo for
three inner worlds we must over come and the Hekate. I got it
six shadows to move beyond to be the best April 16, 2013. It
servant for Hecate. Having a tattoo on your is a key with the
forehead is a challenge the responses I get strophalos inside.
Mikki McCoy

range from disgust and fear to curiosity. I see Not many realize
it as a means of educating those who ask and I it, but the end of
do get asked allot what it represents, I tell them the key is an M,
it's for my Goddess Hecate and I explain who which is the first
she is. I have overcome many challenges having letter of my first
Hecate literally tattooed on my forehead and and last name. It
she couldn't be more proud of me.” is on my left arm.”
 Marco Aurélio Mendonça

Sosanna
“The tattoo is the Hekate's wheel or Strophalus and
it is placed on the upper part of my right arm a little
bit under the shoulder as you can see in the picture.
Well, the snakes are colored in red; a color that
could represent Hekate. besides, it is one of my Kenn Payne
favorite colours once it represents fire, desire, heat,
energy. n the center I draw the spiral representing
a fire spiral, that's why it is yellow to red. I'm very
in to the element fire so I wanted to join my
devotion to Hekate with my devotion to fire.”
Rick Derks
 Hekate is my Sotiera, I shall not want.

She maketh me to face my fears,

She teaches me the ancient magics,

She invigorates my soul.

She leadeth me down the path to the crossroads

For her names sake.

And yea though I walk through the boneyard, and seek to cross the Abyss

I will fear not the Gorgo, the Mormo, or the Empusa,

For thou art with me.

Your rattling keys and chains,

They comfort me.

Your blades and ropes,

they protect me.

Your torches and Iunges,

They leadeth the way before me.

You prepare my soul for ascension,

In the presence of my allies.

You anoint my brow with Aconite, Belladonna, and Mandrake,

Abundance and joy overflows.

Surely gnosis and henosis shall follow me all the days of my life,

And I shall bask in thy noctilucent radiance

Forever.
 by Tina Georgitsis, Torchbearer

H
ekate: Her Sacred Fires public rite was facilitated by me as
Torchbearer for The Sanctuary of Hekate’s Crossroads within the
Covenant of Hekate on Sandringham beach (SE Melbourne,
Australia), Saturday 25th of May at 2.25pm when the moon was precisely
full in the southern hemisphere.

There was a great turnout of just under two dozen attendees who came
from all over Melbourne and across the state. We gathered on a liminal
outcrop of rock upon the ocean shore on a crisp day, placing the shrine of
Hekate on the furthermost point of the crag facing the ocean. Throughout
the rite the sea waves crashed upon the rock outcrop without disturbing
the shrine. This gave not only a beautiful vista view of the oceans cleansing
waves as a backdrop to our ritual but the sound had a blessed rhythmic
sound which centered yet energised us.

All attendees left various offerings upon the shrine which included food,
drink, herbs, incense, native plants, working/magickal tools, candles,
incense, sacred oils and waters, Hekate symbols such as keys and other
personal items such as their jewelry.

My man in black, P`Wolverine cleared the space working with the LBRP in Hebrew and with some assistance
from my maiden Nicki Blyth I created sacred space by casting circle. The circle was cast and as part of that
process I used my personal athame to separate the mundane from sacred, along with the calling of the
elements to assist us through candles, incense and rose petal/lavender/orange water mixed with salt.
Each Hekate devotee in attendance was then purified and blessed by bathing their hands in orange water
before entering the circle.

All respectfully gathered in a circle facing inwards

with Hekate’s shrine as the focal point at the top
of the circle (direction of SW) I introduced myself
and briefly shared how Hekate came into my life.
Everyone in the circle followed suit with their
personal stories with respects to how they came
to Hekate which was wonderfully inspiring.

I then recited the Orphic Hymn to Hekate and I felt

Her presence in the heat rushing through and out
me and in all the space within the circle

Images courtesy of Tina Georgitsis

surrounding us. Then as one collective we all related
the sacred words through the Hekate: Her Sacred Fires
ritual with appropriate ritualised gestures enacted.

The sacred flame was lit and all devotees lit their
personal candle which they had brought with them from
the sacred flame before Hekate’s shrine . These candles
were extinguished at the end of the rite but the
attendees took them home, to be able to relight them
in the future with the energy of the rite and in Her name.
After this took place, I personally went around to every
individual in the circle and gave them a Hekate charm
which I had spent 3 months hand crafting. I gave this
charm to each participant within the circle along with the blessings “May this always fan the flames of
Hekate’s fires”.

All then came before the shrine and consecrated their personal items with my assistance using all the
elements upon the shrine for balance. One attendee had her athame which was charged in the tradition
of Wicca I was ordained in which utilises the electric and magnetic polarities of the masculine and feminine
energies.

Next came the sacred Agape to assist the Hekate devotees ground and I personally took around cookies
and alcohol free wine (we were in a public place after all and had to adhere to council bilaws) to each
individual with the accompanying blessing “May you never hunger” and “May you never thirst” respectfully.

We finished off the ritual by giving environmentally friendly offerings into the ocean (which was consumed
by the seagulls), and giving our appreciation and farewelling Hekate before the sacred space was closed.
Afterwards I thanked those who attended and many of us grounded on the sea shore by planting our feet
in the sand where the sea lapped the beach and reaching up into the heavens in witch pose, then bringing
out hands down into the water and through the sand with our palms down.

Afterwards the attendees and I went across the road for a moot at the local pub and it was humbling to
see everyone wearing their Hekate charm, getting along so wonderfully with each other and watching new
friendships form which filled me with happiness and
gratitude.

It was a fabulous day and I am honoured to have held

this ritual in Hekate’s name and I am deeply
appreciative of those who attended, assisted and
participated and of course Hekate herself for
bestowing her presence and her blessings.

Tina Georgitsis, Torchbearer

https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesanctuaryo
fhekatescrossroads/

Images courtesy of Tina Georgitsis

 Covenant of Hekate Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/CovenantofHekate

“Within the CoH we view the Goddess Hekate as the Cosmic World Soul. Hekate is a liminal goddess
who often expresses herself through Triplicities of form and power, such as her three bodies facing
three ways, her control over land/sea/sky, birth/initiation/death and divination/dreams/oracles. We
believe that she is a natural force whose power extends through all realms and whose formless fire
illuminates the path of the universal mysteries, where she is both our guide and initiator.Within the
CoH we explore the Mysticism and Magic of the goddess Hekate through the practice of theurgy
('divine-working') to achieve henosis (union with the divine), through contemplation, experience,
intuition, divination, meditation and ritual within the realms of the Western Esoteric Traditions. See
www.hekatecovenant.com and www.sacredfires.co.uk for more info.”

Sorita d’Este Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/hersacredfires

“I am an author, publisher & researcher, as well as a campaigner for a free-thinking more spiritual
world in which delusion & illusion is cracked to let the light in more often. I question everything,
practice meditation and ritual, and most of all believe in human potential. www.sorita.co.uk”

Images courtesy of Sorita d’Este

 Hekate & Childbirth
H
ekate is often associated with childbirth and this
association is supported by examples in
mythology, archaeology and history. She is
invoked by the living to protect both mother and child
during the dangerous rite of passage that childbirth
represented in classical Greece and in the name of the
deceased to honour both the Goddess and the
departed woman. There are many reasons for this and
some can be see within Her titles and mythologies.
Hekate is a liminal Goddess and this role is brought into
focus when considering the nature of childbirth in
Ancient Greece. Not only is it a time of creation and
birth it is a time when the veil between life and death
is thinned. The possibility of the death of not only the
child but the mother as well was real and very high.

It is not possible to extract exact mortality rates for

either mother or child because of the social standards
of the time. Many infant deaths were either not
recorded clearly or recorded at all. Similarly the death
of women often went unmarked, at the discretion of
the husband and or father. However, from the
anecdotal evidence it is possible to infer that rates
would be much higher when compared to modern
mortality rates. Standards of sanitation, hygiene and
medical care were much lower than modern standards
and caused major risks to the health of both mother
and child.

There is evidence in the play Hippolytus Crowned by Euripides of the pressures exerted on women of
the time, firstly to provide heirs to their husbands and secondly to face the medical dangers of childbirth.
The symptoms of pre and post-natal depression are described as affecting Phaedra, wife of King Theseus
and are acknowledged by other women in the play as being something that was common amongst
breeding women. Later commentators infer that her symptoms were initially due to social pressures
and then later post-partum infections.

The dangers of childbirth can be further illustrated in Hippocrates Epidemics I, Case ix which described
the illness and eventual death of the unnamed wife of Dromeades. The case outlines how, six days after
giving birth to a presumably live daughter, this woman experienced fever, delirium and rigours,
eventually dying as a result of her illness. Her symptoms mirror some types of post partum infection.
Images courtesy of Kenn Payne
From the fact that of the 32% of females represented in Epidemics one third were recorded as having
suffered from birthing complications it is possible to infer that such complications were common.

Hekate’s associations with the restless dead include her association with women who died before
fulfilling their socially acceptable roles of marriage and motherhood. It was believed that those women
who failed in these social functions would roam the underworld and were accepted into Hekate’s
entourage during her time in the Underworld. It might be to this end that she was the subject of this
grave marker from Rome “I lie here Hecate as you see me, formally I was mortal; now I am immortal
and ageless, Julia, daughter of Nikias a great hearted man”.

In mythology Hekate plays the role of midwife for Rhea and plays a part in hiding the newborn Zeus
from his father by handing Him a rock wrapped in swaddling bands. In another myth she took refuge
in the house of a woman giving birth, using the associated impurities to hide from the wrath of Hera,
after stealing her cosmetics for Zeus and his lover Europa. In this tale Hekate was immersed in the river
Acheron to cleanse her of the impurities of childbirth.

Many of Hekate’s epitaphs can be related to her role as a Childbirth Goddess, the most obvious being
Kourotrophos, meaning “nurse of the young” and sometimes “midwife.” She is the force that brings
new life into the world, nurturing and protecting. When taken as meaning “midwife” Hekate can be
seen as wielding one of her symbols, the knife, in order to cut the cord binding mother and child, as
well as the soul to the Intelligible World.

Statues of Hekate are often associated with the entrances of homes but in the case of childbirth she
was invoked in order to protect the home and guard those within it during the impure time of childbirth.
Her title Hekate Apotropaious (evil averter) reflects the fact that Hekate was called upon to turn the
impurities and dangers of childbirth away from the household within.

As Hekate Prothyraia (of the doorways), Hekate Propylaia (before the gates) and Hekate Kleidouchos
(key-bearer) her role as guarding the transition from the state of childhood to womanhood, from the
time before to birth and equally from life to death, is recognised.

Hekate Enodia (of the ways), Hekate Phosphorous (light bearer) and Hekate Propolos (guide) all
acknowledge that Hekate acts as a guide at this time. In this instance her guiding role is mainly directed
towards the transition of the child to the world, leading the way from the darkness of the womb to the
light of day, although she can also be seen as leading the soul of the departed woman and or child into
the Underworld.

Hekate Soteira, as the Cosmic World Soul and Creatrix of the human souls, is one of the most appropriate
titles associating Hekate with childbirth. In middle Platonic doctrines and commentaries the
responsibility of the creations and translation of the soul is placed with Hekate. She is even directly
named the “ensouler of all things”. Hekate becomes the means of translating the very materials and
ideas that constitute the soul between the Sensible World and the Intelligible World. She straddles
the boundary between mortals and gods and imports the soul into the inanimate body.

Her role as the ensouler of the cosmos is established in fragments 32 and 96 of the Chaldean Oracles
and with commentators such as Proclus and Porphyry. Porphyry quotes Hekate as proclaiming “I am
such a one as is able to ensoul the highest world” whilst
Proclus states that the goddess is “right and true” when
she says that she ensouls the cosmos and all within it.

In this role Hekate not only establishes the soul within

the body but ensures that the cord connecting it to the
Intelligible World is severed. Just as Hekate
Kourotrophos severs the physical cord that binds mother
and child, Hekate Soteria severs the cord that binds the
souls to the Sensible World so that the soul may fully
reside in the body it has been born into.

Hekate’s association with childbirth and the cutting of

the natal cord, both spiritual and physical, is one reason
that parallels are drawn between Hekate and the
Ancient Egyptian Frog Goddess, Heket. This Goddess is
often depicted as wielding knives and is present only at
the birth of mortals, in the form of frog amulets. She is
described as participating in the births of three
pharaohs, the daily rebirth of Ra and the rebirth of Osiris.

Parallels between the two Goddesses can also be drawn

when considering Hekate’s role as the Cosmic World
Soul. Heket, in her role as the wife of the Potter God
Khnum; creator of each mortal body on his wheel before placing it within the body of the mother, was
believed to imbue the inanimate body with both soul and life in advance of birth.

Equally, both Goddesses act in the role of psychopomp to the dead and in the case of Heket this can
be seen in the inclusion of frog amulets in the funerary rites of the Ancient Egyptians and her association
with the mummification and the return of Osiris.

Whilst no direct link between Hekate and Heket can be stated, the similarities are compelling. Both are
closely associated with the birth and re-birth of major gods and mythological figures within their
respective pantheons, they are the means by which the spirit is placed within the body and translated
from the world of spirit to the material realm and as the vehicle by which it returns, the act facilitated
by their common symbol the knife.

Hekate has many titles which are associated not only with motherhood; nurse, midwife, protector,
guide, but serves a liminal role which reflects the dangers of motherhood and the base nature of
childbirth, the creation of a new life and soul. These titles and roles made her association with
childbirth not only understandable but undeniable. Her Devotees and followers know her as a
nurturing goddess, who values life as much as death, but historical Hekate has a long association
with the transitional events of childbirth.
References
Hekate Soteira – Sarah Iles Johnston

Hekate Liminal Rites – Sorita d’Este and David Rankine

Hekate Keys to the Crossroads – Ed. Sorita d’Este

Who is Hecate? Insight into the Goddess of the Witches – by Helena Domenic
http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=uspa&c=words&id=13119

Hecate, Goddess of Transition – by Vivianne

http://www.goddessschool.com/projects/vivianne/l1fpvivianne.html

Sons and Daughters of Hecate: Symbols and Aspects –

http://sons-daughtershecate.tripod.com/id14.html

Hecate’s History and Origin –

http://www.hecatescauldron.org/Hecate's%20History%20&%20Origins.htm

Hecate Supreme In Heaven Earth And Tartarus –by Mer-Amun

http://dreaminghades.com/articles/hekate-articles/hecate-supreme-in-heaven-earth-and-tartarus

Hekate the Greek Goddess - http://www.goddess-guide.com/hekate.html

Hekate - http://www.bookrags.com/research/hekate-eorl-06/

Postnatal Depression in Ancient Greece – Alan Greaves Midwives magazine 2009 - www.rcm.org.uk

Childbirth and obstetrics in antiquity -

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childbirth_and_obstetrics_in_antiquity

Women and Childbirth in Ancient Greece -

http://www1.hollins.edu/faculty/saloweyca/Athenian%20Woman/degra/website.htm

Epidemics, Book I, case xi, written by Hippocrates – author unknown http://www1.hollins.edu/

Heqet, Frog Headed Goddess of Childbirth - by Caroline Seawright

http://www.thekeep.org/~kunoichi/kunoichi/themestream/heqet.html

Tales of Magic in Ancient Egypt - by Caroline Seawright

http://www.thekeep.org/~kunoichi/kunoichi/themestream/egypt_magic.html

Heqet - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heqet

Transitions: The Syncretism of Hekate and Heket – Lykeia

http://neosalexandria.org/syncretism/transitions-the-syncretism-of-hekate-and-heket/
I
am currently opening up submissions! The deadline for submission is November
30th, 2013, with the possibility of extension until the Winter Solstice if I haven’t
gotten many submissions. This will be self published by me through Lulu. I cannot
offer royalties or free physical copies of the book, but each person who submits will get
a free electronic copy. The details are below:

Call for Submissions for the Hekatean Prayer Book

I am currently accepting all submissions for the Hekatean prayer book. I am looking for
original Prayers, rituals, and devotional artwork.

Prayers, Chants, and Invocations: Prayers may be of any length and style, so long as it
is original, and directed to the goddess Hekate. Poetry will not be accepted! I realize this
is a fine line as prayers can be poetic, but poetry for literary purposes is not in the scope
of this book. The submission must be clearly a prayer directed to Hekate (which can be
as poetic as you like) that is designed to be spoken aloud. Chants will also be accepted,
as well as mantras. Devotional songs and music are acceptable.

Rituals: I am also looking for rituals of a devotional manner. Not spells, but devotional
rituals of all sorts, energy work, etc. Be creative! These can be as long or short as you
want. If you have a personal devotional ritual that you used, or even meditation, that
would be perfect for this work.

Artwork: I’d like to artwork of Hekate throughout the book to meditate on. These can
be pictures, shrines, paintings, photo manipulations, etc. Also accepted will be abstract
Hekatean concepts such as keys, snakes, dogs, skulls, etc. Also, we’ll need a cover image!

Please send all submissions to [email protected]

Again the deadline is November 30th, 2013. I will be the final judge on all submissions.
You must also be willing to sign an agreement to have your work included, which will
be sent to you by email.

Reblogs, retweets & signal boosts would be appreciated. Lets make this thing a reality.

For further info, please check out the full blog post on the topic:
http://bloodandbone.wordpress.com/2013/05/15/the-hekatean-prayer-and-ritual-
book-call-for-submissions/
 Image courtesy of Sosanna
Image courtesy of Shay Skepevski

Image courtesy of Sara Neheti Croft

 Contributors this Issue...

For further details on contributors past

and present go to:
https://www.facebook.com/AskeiKataskei
A
will be a quarterly publication centering on the Goddess
Hekate and the goings on of the CoH. Readership will be made up by –
but not limited to – Covenant members, including individuals from a
variety of religious faiths and spiritualties the world over. What our
readers have in common is a shared passion for the history, mysteries and
magic of the Goddess Hekate, viewed within the Covenant as the Cosmic
World Soul.

Submissions can include, but are by no means limited to:

1. Historic articles (at least 500 words long, and no more than 3000)
2. Poetry (between 125 and 600 words long, ideally)
3. Recipes for incense, food, oils etc (between 250 and 600 words, ideally)
4. Experiential essays - especially in relation to CoH Ritual experiences (at
least 500 words long, and no more than 3000)
5. Reviews of books, gatherings, events etc (at least 300 words long, and
no more than 850)
6. Photography (shrines, ritual gatherings, creative offerings) and artwork
(drawings, paintings, prints)

Full, in-depth guidelines for submissions and contributions can be found

on the CoH website.

All members are encouraged to contribute material; representing in so

doing their different spiritual paths and their different cultural flavours
to the Zine. Contributions should ideally help towards achieving the goals
of the CoH, which can be found on www.hekatecovenant.com

All submissions should be the original work of the author/artist. We

prefer receiving submissions via email sent to: