Hekate is Alive!

Womyn may wonder at times whether one can really commune with Goddess, or if it is merely a convention of self examination and connection to a deeper part of ourselves. I have had experiences which tell me that the Goddess is very much alive and makes Herself known personally and definitively. Such an experience I had two nights ago on the Dark of the Moon.

As I am a Daughter of Hekate, a journey I began almost a year ago now, and I do believe I will be on the rest of my life, I sought to honor Her on one of Her ancient feast days, the 13th of August. (Her next is the 16th of November.) I prepared a Supper for Her – the traditional offering to be placed at a crossroads, ideally where three roads converge. Hekate’s Supper traditionally consists of meat (often lamb), cheese, loaf of bread, an onion, and 3 eggs. I had hollowed out the center of the small round loaf of bread and filled it with honey – for sweetness. I blessed the offering, placed it all in a small basket, and set out for where I had left this offering for Hekate before. It is a place down in the woods near a river, which also happens to be a city park. I took my dog, as dogs are sacred to Hekate and I wanted his protection as well. It was well after dark, around 10:30. When I reached the turn off to trek back into the woods, there was a park patrol car sitting right at the turn off. I drove on past it and kept driving a while, turned around and came back, only to find the patrol car still sitting there. The park closes at 11:00, and it was getting close, additionally, I didn’t think the patrolman would let me past him – there seemed to be a purpose for him being right there. So I took my offering back home and put it in the refrigerator.

I was disappointed, but I determined that just a few days later, the 19th was the Dark of the Moon. Since I know that time is also sacred to Hekate, I planned to take the offering back then.

I enlisted the company of one of my Circle Sisters and we set off for the site again about 10:00 p.m. It had started to rain. There was a total cloud cover. I realized that the other two times I had left Hekate’s Supper it was raining! Hekate is the Mother of Storms!

We parked the car, opened the doors to get out and were immediately greeted by the sounds of millions of summer insects singing away at the top of their lungs! Frogs, too. I got my dog out, and we set off in the darkness with my flashlight to keep us from falling into any holes or tripping. Along with the offering, this time I brought 3 votive candles and some incense to place on the ground around the offering. We made it back to the crossroads over a small stone bridge and the very rocky path. There was a clearing in the tree cover right over the spot where I set down the basket and the cloud covered sky was a bit more visible. We heard the river gurgling to the south. I arranged the votives and stuck the stick of incense in the ground, lighting them all in succession. It made the offering look even more beautiful and special. Then my Sister and I stepped back and raised our arms in worship. I prayed aloud to Hekate, “Great Hekate, we hail You and we bless You! We leave this offering for You and ask Your blessing on us. I am your Daughter, Hekate. Thank you for calling me and teaching me. May I continue to learn through the years all that You wish me to know.  Thank you for all your blessings of abundance! I love You!”

I had extinguished the flashlight when I lit the candles. We were standing there drinking in the beauty – the offering in the middle of the crossroads surround by the glow of candles, the bright chorus of the insects and amphibians, the rain had reduced to a sprinkle. Then, my friend said to me, “Do you notice it’s lighter?” I looked around. It had been very dark. Now, indeed, it was lighter. I felt goosebumps form all over me. I remembered the phrase carved above the door to Hekate’s Temple: “EN EREBOS PHOS” – “IN DARKNESS, LIGHT”.   The Goddess had answered me by bringing more light – the Great Hekate, Queeen of Earth, Sky and Sea, had heard me and was communicating with us!  It was an incredibly magickal moment for my Sister and I to stand there and realize what had just happened.   I felt so blessed and so enlivened.  We turned and walked back toward my car, without the need of the flashlight,  just once glancing back to see the candles still glowing in the night.   The Goddess is Alive and Magick is Afoot!  Blessed Be.

Tags: Crone, dark moon, full moon, goddess, hag, Hecate, Hekate, Queeen of Earth