Deity Work - Blog Posts
After some realizations last night, I’ve realized that some deities have been with me longer than I can remember. I need to start a better routine for meditation and astral projection. However the warmth and love I’m feeling with all three of their candles lit is indescribable.
The Great Goddess Hecate (Hekate)
Who is Hecate? She is the Goddess of Witchcraft, Necromancy, Ghosts, Magic, and, in some instances, the Night, Darkness, The Mist, and Moon. For some She is also the goddess of motherhood, protection, and the sea. She is a Hellenic deity, born of the Titans Asteria and Perses. There’s a few beliefs circling around Her being a crone goddess or a Triple Goddess, but those are modern and neopagan beliefs—which She predates. I also consider Her to be a part of the Chthonic deities.
Symbology: Black dogs, Wolves, Keys, Torches, Flames, Torches, Crossroads, Serpents, Daggers, Birds of Prey (crows, ravens, owls), the Moon, witchcraft tools (such as cauldrons, tarot, athames)
Offerings & Devotional Acts for Her:
Figurines of any of Her symbols
keys, skeleton keys, lockets
fire witchcraft and candles, flames, matchsticks
dedicating any lunar or symbolic jewelry to Her
black/dark crystals such as obsidian and onyx
nocturnal animal imagery
black/cool colored glitter
baneful/poisonous herbs and plants
pomegranates/berries (She seems to really like blackberries)
dark blend wines
honey, cinnamon, poppy seeds, chocolates (dark)
mugwort, lavender, roses, jasmine, dragon’s blood
bones and feathers from birds of prey (please check your local laws about obtaining these)
pinpricks of blood (please DO NOT attempt this if you struggle with self harm/etc, blood magic is particularly strong and isn’t for everyone. She will understand if you cannot offer that to her).
Taking midnight walks, setting up altars and rituals at crossroads, paying respects to the dead and practicing your craft in a cemetery
Any playlists, poems, literature, whether it be your own or just a piece you associate with Her, also make wonderful offerings.
Lunar Influences & Connections: Reaching out to Hecate tends to work best at night, and really any time the moon is at it’s peak. The Witching Hours, midnight to 3A.M., during strong lunar influences (blue moons, blood moons, eclipses, new moons, etc) all hold strong bonds with Hecate. Also, any time it is particularly foggy or your surroundings are covered in a mist is a good time to try to connect with Her.
Disclaimer: These are correspondences that have been gathered through my personal experiences working through my craft with Her. If you find She responds better to different offerings/during different times, by all means, stick to it! Your bond with Her is your own and should be cultivated in whichever way works best for you and Her. Thank You!
"Small" Ways to Incorporate/honor Lady Artemis in everyday life
Say a prayer to her when you enter nature/ the woods
If you have pets, care for them as a devotional act
Talk to the moon, she will hear you
Defend those who cannot/struggle to defend themselves
Promote individuality
Wear clothes that you feel confident in
Volunteer at women's or animal shelters
Dance around to your favorite songs (especially if it's putside or under the moon)
Watch wildlife/nature/animal documentaries
Stick stars to your bedroom ceiling
Practice self care (DO YOUR SHADOW WORK)
Donate to those who are vulnerable
Create a devotional playlist to her
Go hiking
Veil
Learn to respect the animals around you
Research how to respectfully give offerings back to nature
Track constillations
Wear silver jewelry
Keep moonstone, Amethyst, tree/moss agate around you or wear them as jewelry
Write her poems/prayers
Do your meditations outside (especially under the moon)
Read poems/literature about "wild women"
Wear levender/woodsy perfumes
Take time to thank her for what she does for you
Artemis offerings
For large altars:
Bows
Arrows
Moon shaped food (cookies, cakes, etc.)
Animal shaped food
Honey
Round honey cakes
Fruits
Wine
Cooked natural meat/fish
Incense such as jasmine or lemon
White, green, and red candles
Animal bones*
Tusks*
Animal hides*
Deer antlers*
Moon shaped objects
Moon water
Pictures of wild animals
Images or statues of Artemis
Clothing (either your favorite garment or clothes bought specifically for Her)
For small/hidden altars:
Almonds
Walnuts
Mugwort
Wormwood
Tarragon
Cedar leaves or bark
Oak leaves or bark
Willow leaves or bark
Fir leaves or bark
Moonstone
Amethyst
Quartz
Owl or quail feathers*
Animal claws/nails/teeth*
Wildflowers
Amaranth
Pearls
Silver
Art or figurines of wild animals
Art or figurines of bows and arrows
Your own hair (collect by getting a haircut or collect some from your hairbrush)
Arrowheads
Actions:
Dancing
Herbalism
Donating to wildlife programs in Her name
Donating to women's programs/shelters in Her name
Donating girl's and women's clothing
Cleaning up nature trails or parks
Taking nature walks and enjoying the wildlife
Giving Her offerings at midnight
Including Her brother, Apollo, in your work and offerings
Making arrows
Practicing with a bow and arrow
If you hunt, invoke Her at the start of your hunt and give thanks to Her when you finish your hunt. Never take the creature you hunted for granted and try to use the whole animal or donate what you dont use
Having a feast in Her name that includes all her favorite food and drink
*Artemis will not accept nor like these items if they are gotten in unethical ways. Please, either buy them from a reliable source or find them yourself in nature.
Sources:
https://sacredwicca.com/goddess-artemis
https://otherworldlyoracle.com/goddess-of-the-hunt/
And the rest are what I offer Her!
I think a deity is trying to reach out to me and I am a bit nervous.