(also my long-ass I'M BACK! post)

Okay so what are Familiars & Allies??

Also a person may have as many familiars and/or allies as needed!!

(this spell uses Eve Oil as it assists and enhances communication with animals)

🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋

(for cementing and/or formalising the psychic bond between you and your familiar)

🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋

Your response may still occur during your dreams so have paper and pen by your bedside to record any significant dreams.

🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋

— The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love by bell hooks (2004)

Devotional Masterlist

Agathos Daimon:

Ancestors:

Aphrodite:

Apollo:

Ares:

Artemis:

Athena:

Demeter:

Dionysus:

Gaia:

Hades:

Hekate:

Helios:

Hephaestus:

Hera:

Hermes:

Hestia:

Hypnos:

Mousai:

Nyx:

Orpheus:

Persephone:

Phobos & Deimos: 

Poseidon:

Thanatos:

Zeus:

Miscellaneous:

UPDATED: 19 JUNE 2022

Love Magick Masterpost

Love Magick is something we have all heard about either from fantastical stories, romantic movies and fairy tales galore. It is also often spoken down to or mocked by certain branches of the craft seen as magick that is irresponsible or unchecked. Though this is a common place thought, love magick in itself is not dangerous or nefarious, though it can be that if so chosen to be by those casting it. But before we get into the ethics of the craft why don’t we touch base on what exactly is love magick how it is used.

(warning this post will speak about adult content pertained to sex and sexual organs though not in detail or with images, be warned if you do not wish to read about this. You can skip this content by skipping the section on Lust Magick and Sexual Magick/Fertility.)

What is Love Magick?

Generally speaking love magick is the craft and art of using the emotions of love, lust and sexual energies to get certain results from oneself, others or bonds you have. Often in media love magick is depicted as the craft of making a certain someone fall madly in love with the user, often with comedic or horrific results. This is generally rarely the case, unless the user themselves have very strong energies during their casting though this will be touched upon in more detail later.

There are several types of love magick, each a unique branch of it has different results and desires for the ones casting. In general the types of love magick that tend to be used are: romantic, lust, sexual, desire, captivation, family, friends, bonding, self love and anti-love. These will each be touched upon later on, but each have their own unique purposes. The most popularly used type of love magick tends to be self love magick. Despite what media depicts, rarely are experienced users of the craft seeking to brainwash and capture the minds of others in the sake of being in a relationship.

Romantic 

This is likely the most commonly thought of type of love magick. Sometimes it is referred to as Passion Magick as well though other witches will use the term of “passion” for Lust based Magick as well. This category covers everything from opening up oneself to love, to attracting romantic love into your life, to improving a relationship you are currently in to the much more taboo trying to have another fall in love with you. Though the later is taboo due to the fact many see this as breaking the person’s free will which is highly frowned upon in our community. Very few witches who practice love magick regularly are willing to help people with such deeds and will most likely turn down anyone who does ask for such. 

Keep reading

Sweetness in cursive, magic in your words, to love and to poison the ivy that covers our temples of stone

Voices of the maenads that came before us held by the winds To be all and more Everything all at once but be soothed

by non existence all the same, Crows cawing, dawn breaking, life re-emerging, guide me oh merciful one guide me kind giver and loving one, progenitor of ecstasy, protector of the mad

We bleed as libation to you, we your devoted

Incense in Ancient Greece

I looove incense so I really wanted to have a look at what the ancients used.  Incense comes in a wide variety of resins, woods and dried herbs so here is an overview of what one may have encountered knowing that this list is not exhaustive.

The same way that meat was burnt so that the aroma could be offered to the divine, good smelling substances in the form of incense were offered to please the gods and were part of the rituals. 

It is complicated to trace the scents that were used due to them not being recorded or not being able to be archaeologically found (unlike votive offerings or animal sacrifices), especially in the case of more ordinary rituals. Very often they only call it ‘‘incense’‘ or simply refer to the act of burning, but we don’t know exactly what product they refer to.

I showed when a specific substance was indicated for a specific deity (such as in the Orphic hymns or with sacred plants), but that does not mean that you can’t offer them to other deities ! People of that time were likely to use whatever they had readily available, as long as it smelled good and seemed pleasing to the gods, so don’t feel constrained by that. Try out different things and see what feels logical to your practice or what you like to use. 

Dried plants

Laurel Leaves - Famously used at Delphi in relation to the oracle of Apollon. The leaves were chewed and burnt as an offering and to facilitate visions. Sacred to Apollo, as seen in the myth of Daphne (the greek name of laurel is daphnai), but also as a sign of victory as the god received a wreath after killing Python. The laurel is also seen as having purifying properties. In Thessalia it is also connected to Dionysos and menadism as they were said to chew on the leaves. Also connected to Asclepios. Ovid also tells us that they were burnt on altar even before resins such as myrrh were used.

Saffron - Called krokos, it wasn’t only used to dye clothes, as a pharmaceutical substance or as a fragrance but also as a burnt offering, dating back to the Minoan/Mycenaean period. It was a very pricey item due to the complexity of obtaining it. Seems particularly good to offer to Hecate as seen in the Orphic Hymn and because of the color of her robe described as saffron. Also the crocus is said to be sacred to Hermes, and there is a connection to Demeter (mentioned in her Homeric hymn) and Apollo (solar). On top of that it is connected in the Orphic Hymns to Aither. 

Barley - The seeds were thrown in fire in an act of purification and probably for the sensorial experience as well. Example of such act can be found in the Odyssey, when Nestor sacrifices a cow to Athena and burns barley as part of the ritual. 

Oak Leaves - Again in the Odyssey, Odysseus crew burns oak leaves on Helios Island when sacrificing his cows, showing us that those were ritually burnt and could be part of an offering. Oak tree is sacred to Zeus 

Myrtle - From the plant Myrtus communis. Associated mainly with Aphrodite, but also with Artemis, Dionysos and Hades and even Demeter. Garlands and wreaths were made of this and used in rituals. The leaves can be burnt as an incense. 

Pine Needles - Similar idea than with oak leaves, pine needles can be burnt for their pleasant smell. 

Mugwort - Called Artemisia vulgaris, it takes its name from the goddess Artemis and would thus make a particularly fitting offering for the goddess. 

Sage - Called elelisphakos, it was seen as a universal remedy, seen as a tonic and a cure, and used in funerary and magical rites, as well as offered to deities. In a myth, it is said that Zeus was raised by the goat Amalthea near a sage bush. 

Rosemary - Associated with funerary rites, its ever green color making it a symbol of immortality, it was also used for wreaths. Purifying properties when burnt. 

Olive - Very important plant for the ancients, a cornerstone of their diets, statues of divinities were also made from its wood. The leaves were also burnt ritually. Sacred to Athena. 

Flowers 

Rose Petals - Closely associated with Aphrodite, it appears in the story of Adonis as well as in the Iliad when the goddess protects the body of Hector with rose oil. Its petal can be burnt to release a fragrant scent. 

Lavender - Its association to sleep makes it a good choice for Hermes and Hypnos. 

Chamomile - From the greek khamaimēlon, meaning earth apple, it was widely used as a tea but makes for a good incense. It has a connection to solar entities. 

Violet - It appears many times in myths, sacred to Aphrodite for its sensual scent and who is connected to the birth of the flower, but also to Priapus, Iamus (son of Apollo), Orpheus, Persephone who was plucking flowers before being captured by Hades, and a symbol of the city of Athens (violet-crowned city). 

Myrtle - Sacred to Aphrodite and Demeter but also to Iacchos. 

Resins

Storax/Styrax - quoted multiple times in the Orphic Hymns, it’s a resin that comes from the plant Styrax Officinalis. It seems though that this resin is no longer available as the tree doesn’t produce it. Nowadays what we find as storax is a black bark often reduced in a powder. 

Indicating that burning storax as an offering while reading the hymn is suitable. Also recommended for Kronos, Zeus, Proteus, Dinoysos, Demeter, Misa, Ippa, Hermes and the Graces. 

Benzoin - decided to make it separated from the Styrax category for more clarity but it is indeed the same incense ! Benzoin is the name of a wide variety of resins such as  Styrax Benzoin or Styrax Tonkinonsis, and as you can tell from the name, it comes from the same variety of the plant,  Styrax Officinalis just being the Mediterranean version, and since the later is not available you can use any type of benzoin as a good alternative. 

Frankincense - Coming from the Boswellia family, also called olibanum, this is one of the most widely used incense, often used in rituals and sacrifices, and one that is said to be suitable for all the gods. It appears many times in many instances. For example, Pytthagoras is said to have offered it Apollo. There is also the myth of Ovid where Helios turned into the body of his dead lover into the frankincense tree. 

In the Orphic Hymns, it also appears numerous times and is recommended for Ouranos, Herakles, Zeus, Thethys, Hermes, the Titans, Kouretes, Dionysos, Dike, Dikaiosune, Ares, Hephaistos, Tykhe, the Daimones, the Muses, Mnemosyne, Themis, Boreas, Zephyros and Notos.

And if one assumes that Manna is frankincense, then the hymns connect it to: the Furies, Apollo, Artemis, Asclepios, Helio, Ios, Hephaistos, Dionysos, Nike, Silenos, Thalassa, Thanatos, Hygeia and Zeus. It might not be the same though, but it is hard to know what they referred to. 

Myyrh -  From the desert plant Commiphora myrrha. Another very widely used incense in ancient Greece that appealed for its beautiful scent. 

It is mentioned multiple times in the Orphic Hymns, to Protogonos, Poseidon, Nephelai, Leto and Nereus. 

Ladanum/Laudanum/Labdanum - Extracted from Cistus Ladanifer shrubs, dating as far as the Minoan period.  

Opium - Harvested from the poppy pods, the Orphic Hymn links it to the veneration of Hypnos. The poppy is also sacred to Demeter. 

Woods

Sandalwood - with the conquests of Alexander the Great, sandalwood made its way into the panoply of substances the Greeks used to diffuse precious scents. 

Cedarwood - Sacred to Artemis, this wood produces a wonderful scent and one I like to use often. 

Cinnamon - from this plant, the bark is most commonly used and it was used as an offering. A mention of this is found when Seleucus I sends various offerings to the sanctuary to Apollon Philesios in Didymes. It doesn’t exactly says wheter cinnamon should be burnt or not but either way, you can offer its scent. 

Also I already mentioned them earlier but oak wood and olive wood are also common. 

Resources: theoi.com (Orphic Hymns); Of Incense and Beans elusive plants in the Greek religion; Books of Dante (french, I used different posts as he has one for many many plants);  Olfactive and festive atmosphere of the Greek sanctuary: the smell of the divine (french).

Correspondences for Death (Necrobotany)

FLOWERS

HERBS

TREES

FRUITS

INCENSE

LIQUIDS

OTHER

DEATH DEITIES

WHAT TO DO WITH OFFERINGS

Scents associated with Hecate?

I love to incorporate scents into my practice, and I’ve been wondering what scents you generally associate with Hecate? I’ve been using a lavender scented candle for quite some time, and it worked quite well, but I’m mainly looking for inspiration to perhaps chamge things up a bit. Incense is unfortunately not an option for me in my current living situation, so I’m looking more for scented candle (or even perfume/fragrance!) recommendations. I do have a Yankee Candle shop nearby, so if there are any scents to be found there that could be useful for me? That would be amazing.

Thank you so much!

Cinnamon, myhrr, mugwart, lime, lemon (and lemon verbena), honey, “Queen of the Night” fragrance which smells kind of delicate and flowery, anything earthy/woodsy, things that have “night” or “twilight” in the name, musky things, stuff like that. Although technically all candles are associated with Hekate, so there’s that. Probably more scents out there associated with her, add em if you know em! Hope I helped!

!!! Almost forgot about the cinnaon candle I still have. You helped indeed wonderfully; thank you so much! ♥

Hellenic Gods Fact Sheets and Hymns: Apollo

Apollo

Other Names: Phoebus Epithets: Phoibos (the bright), Argyrotoxos (of the silver bow), Thearius (of the oracle), Loimios (deliverer from plague), Hekatos (worker from afar, i.e. sniper), Lukeios (either “wolf-slayer” or “giver of light”), Paean (healer), Akesios (healing), Iatros (doctor), Agraeus (the hunter), Boedromios (rescuer), Alexikakos (averter of evil), Agyieus (protector of streets/public places), Khrysaor (he of the golden sword), Kitharodos (singer to the lyre), Delios (of Delos), Daphnaeus (of the laurel), Intonsus (of long hair, used for Dionysus as well, indicating their youth), Delphinios (of the dolphins), Musagetes (leader of the Muses), Epicurious (helping, ally), Nomios (pastoral), Lykios (of the wolves), Leukatas (of the light), Aigletes (radiant), Iatromantis (prophet), Manticus (prophetic), Loxias (~speaker [for Zeus]). Domains: Light, music and song, poetry, prophecy and divination, logic and reason, truth, healing and disease, medicine, averting evil, punishing the wicked, archery, herding, civilization, building cities and fortification, ritual purification, young men, youth, the sun. Appearance: A tall and strong young man with a beautiful and youthful face, tanned skin, long golden hair, and shining eyes. He is literally bright, glowing with a golden aura. In a word, Apollo is splendid. Sacred Days and Festivals: Pyanopsia (7 Pynopsion). Thargelia (Apollo and Artemis’ shared birthday, 6-7 Thargelion). Karneia (1 Boedromion). Boedromia (7 Boedromion). Delphinia (6 Mounuchion). Skira (5 Skirophorion). Pythian/Delphic Games (celebrating Apollo’s slaying of Python, held in August every four years, alternating with the Olympics). The seventh day of each month (his birthday). Symbols/Attributes: Lyre, bow and arrows, tripod, laurel wreath. Sacred Animals: Raven, swan, dolphin, wolf, mouse. Sacred Plants: Laurel, larkspur, cypress, poplar, hyacinth, rush, anise, palm, sunflower, aloe, citrus. Elemental Affinity: Light Planet: Sun Colors: Gold, yellow, orange, white. Crystals: Sunstone, citrine, amber, carnelian, yellow topaz, yellow sapphire, clear quartz, tiger’s eye, calcite. Incense: Frankincense and myrrh, cypress, clove, cinnamon, bay. Tarot Cards: The Sun, The Star, Judgement, Knight of Wands. Retinue: The Muses, Asklepios, Aristaios, Orpheus. Associated People: Poets, musicians, oracles, doctors and medics of all kinds, architects, young men. Offerings: Sun water, olive oil, milk, honey, gold, songs and poems, feathers, bay leaves, donations to disease research and hospitals. Syncretized With: Helios, Belenus, Lugh, Maponos, Horus, Mithras.

Hymns to Apollo

Homeric Hymn 21 to Apollo

Phoebus, of you even the swan sings With clear voice to the beating of his wings, As he alights upon the bank by the eddying river Peneus; And of you the sweet-tongued minstrel, Holding his high-pitched lyre, Always sings both first and last. And so hail to you, lord! I seek your favor with my song.

Homeric Hymn to the Muses and Apollo

I will begin with the Muses and Apollo and Zeus For it is through the Muses and Apollo That there are singers upon the earth And players upon the lyre; But kings are from Zeus. Happy is he whom the Muses love: Sweet flows speech from his lips. Hail, children of Zeus! Give honour to my song! And now I will remember you in another song also.

Second Delphic Hymn to Apollo

Oh, come now, Muses, And go to the craggy place Upon the far-seen, twin-peaked Parnassus, Celebrated and dear to us, Pierian maidens. Repose on the snow-clad mountain top; Celebrate the Pythian Lord With the golden sword, Phoebus, Whom Leto bore unassisted. On the Delian rock surrounded by silvery olives, The luxuriant plant Which the Goddess Pallas Long ago brought forth.

(Translation by Richard Hooker)

Orphic Hymn to Apollo

Blest Healer [Paean], come, propitious to my pray’r, Illustrious pow’r, whom Memphian tribes revere, Slayer of Tityus, and the god of health, Lycorian Phoebus, fruitful source of wealth. Spermatic, golden-lyr’d, the field from thee Receives its constant, rich fertility. Titanic, Grunian, Smynthian, thee I sing, Python-destroying, hallow’d, Delphian king. Wild, light-bearer, and the Muses’ head, Noble and lovely, arm’d with arrows dread Far-darting, Bacchian, holy and divine, Pow’r far diffused, and course oblique is thine. O, Delian King, whose light-producing eye Views all within, and all beneath the sky: Whose locks are gold, whose oracles are sure, Who, omens good reveal’st, and precepts pure: Hear me entreating for the human kind, Hear, and be present with benignant mind; For thous survey’st this boundless aether all, And ev’ry part of this terrestrial ball Abundant, blessed; and thy piercing sight, Extends beneath the gloomy, silent night; Beyond the darkness, starry-ey’d, profound, The stable roots, deep fix’d by thee are found. The world’s wide bounds, all-flourishing are thine, Thyself all the source and end divine: ‘Tis thine all Nature’s music to inspire, With various-sounding, harmonizing lyre; Now the last string thou turn’st to sweet accord, Divinely warbling now the highest chord; The immortal golden lyre, now touched by thee, Responsive yields a Dorian melody. All Nature’s tribes to thee their diff’rence owe, And changing seasons from thy music flow. Hence, mix’d by thee in equal parts, advance Summer and Winter in alternate dance; This claims the highest, that the lowest string, The Dorian measure tunes the lovely spring. Hear me, blest pow’r, and in these rites rejoice, And save thy mystics with a suppliant voice.

Callimachus’ Hymn to Apollo (first two stanzas)

How Apollo’s laurel sapling shakes! How the whole temple shakes! Away, away with the wicked! It must be Phoebus kicking at the door with his fair foot Do you not see? The Delian palm nods gently, All of a sudden; the swan sings beautifully in the air. Bolts of the doors, thrust yourselves back. Keys–open the doors! For the god is no longer far away.

So, young men, prepare yourselves for singing and dancing. Apollo appears not to all, only to the good. He who sees him is great; who does not is lowly. We will see you, Worker from Afar, and we will never be lowly. Let the cithara not be silent. Nor your step noiseless with Apollo approaching, you children, If you intend to complete the marriage vows and to cut your hair, And if the wall is to stand on its aging foundations. Well done the youths; the strings are no longer at rest.

(Translation from neosalexandria.org)

Hymn from PGM III 167-262

I sing of you, O blessed one, O healer, Giver of oracles, / O all-wise one, O Delian [lord and Python-]slaying [youth], Dodona’s [king, fortell,] O Pythian Paian; I call you, [god who rule the tuneful lyre], Which you [alone] of gods [do hold and strike] [With sturdy hands] … [lord of the silver bow]. [O well]-named Phoibos

Disclaimers: Descriptions of the gods’ appearances are purely a record of how I personally see them. Gods are shapeshifters that can appear however they wish, and will be perceived differently by different people. My own perceptions of them may or may not match ancient artwork. Correspondences listed are mostly modern. Festival dates are based on the Attic calendar. Offerings listed are all specific to the deity in addition to standard ones. Translations of hymns are from Theoi unless otherwise specified. PGM translations are from Hans Betz.

Sources: THEOI GREEK MYTHOLOGY, neosalexandria, HellenicGods.org, κοράκι/crow’s grimoire

Theoi Summary - Thanatos

Θανατος (tha-na-tos) - Thanatos God of non-violent death Chthonic Daimon

Symbols: Sword, inverted torch, theta (θ), wreath Animals: Butterfly Colors: Black Plants/Herbs: Poppy, cypress Stones/Crystals: Black stones

Retinue: N/A Relations: Nyx (mother), Erebos (sometimes father), Hypnos (twin brother), Keres (sisters) Identified with: Mors (Roman), Letum (Roman)

Festivals: N/A

Epithets: Paeon (Healer/Striker)

Hekatean Witchcraft Master List

Hekate Posts

Informational Posts

Recommended Reading List

Common Misconceptions of Hekate

What is Hekatean Witchcraft?

Hekate as the Cosmic World Soul

Crowned with Snakes and Branches of Oak: Hekate Brimo

Hekate as a Witch Goddess

Hekate’s Plants/Herbs

Offerings for Hekate

Signs From Hekate

Crossroads and Hekate

Hekate Oil Recipe

Small Ways to Incorporate Hekate Worship/Devotion into Your Everyday Life

Zeus and Hekate

Hekatean Home Protection

Hekate Prayers

Prayer to the Many Faces of Hekate

Hymn to Hekate Pharmakeia

Prayer of Devotion to Hekate

Prayer to Hekate on the Dark Moon

Prayer to Hekate for Vengeance and Justice

Medea’s Invocation of Hekate

Prayer to Hekate for Guidance

Nightly Prayer to Hekate

Prayer to Hekate Soteira

Prayer to Hekate of the Foxes for Guidance

Prayer to Hekate When Crossing Thresholds

Prayer to Hekate to Avert Evil Spirits

Spells and Rituals

Hekatean Circle Casting

Full Moon Ritual

Hekate’s Deipnon and Dark Moon Ritual

Rite of Dedication to Hekate

Invocation of Hekate for Rites of the Dead

Invocation of Hekate and Helios for Aid in Witchcraft

To Prevent an Enemy’s Progress and Success

Hekate’s Open Pathways Spell

Hekatean Witchcraft Curse

Ritual to Banish a Malignant Spirit

Medeia Posts

Introduction to Worshipping Medeia

Medeia Epithets

Prayer to Medeia for Women’s Empowerment

Prayer to Medeia for Aid in Witchcraft

Prayer to Medeia for Vengeance

Prayer to Medeia for Guidance

Pan Posts

Offerings for Pan

Invocation of Pan for Aid in Witchcraft

To Pan in the Fall

To Pan in the Winter

Prayer to Pan for Easing Depression

Pan’s Love and Sex Charm

General Posts

Shrines: A Moderately In-Depth Look

Witchcraft History Book Recommendations

Deities, Worship, and Magic

Prayer Candle Divination

On Substitutions

A Note on Priesthood

Witchcraft and Hellenic Polytheism

A Cunning Man Who Liked Men: A Bit About James Thomas

Spells and Rituals

Kirke’s True Colors Spell

Rite of Blood

To Curse a Bigot

Halloween Ritual

To Strengthen a Distant Relationship

Stop Gossip Spell

For Protection Against Witchcraft

Gay Love Spell: To Conjure Love from Another Man

(To be continuously updated)

Hekatean Circle Casting

Many rituals may require casting a circle to bless the space and protect it from harmful entities. This is particularly apt for rituals that contain sensitive materials or energies. This version of casting a circle is for Hekatean witches and magicians, so that the space may be used for communing with Hekate and working rituals with Her aid. 

To begin, place a candle at each cardinal direction point to outline your circle. Place three other candles in the circle to represent Hekate. Light one of the candles and some incense; frankincense, myrrh, or dragon’s blood works best.

Walk around the circle four times, once with a wand or stick, once with incense, once with the lit candle, and once sprinkling khernips. Each time around, say

“Hekate Apotropaia, averter of evil, I trace this circle and call upon thee. Protect this space and those inside it from ill and bane and harmful magic.”

Then, face the north, light the northern candle and say:

“Hekate Chthonia, Underworld Goddess and Mistress of the Dead, She who was given a share of the earth, be with me here in this circle, strong and firm like the ground below.”

Face the east, light the eastern candle, and say:

“Hekate Ourania, Heavenly One, She who was given a share of the skies, be with me here in this circle, bringing transformative and shifting power like the air around me.”

Face the south, light the southern candle, and say:

“Hekate Pyrphoros, Holy Fire and Bringer of Light, She who carries the twin torches, be with me here in this circle, powerful and generative like the fires I light in your name.”

Face the west, light the western candle, and say:

“Hekate Einalia, watery goddess, She who was given a share of the ocean, be with me here in this circle, nourishing and endless like the seas”

Face the north again and light another of the Hekate candles, then say:

“I call on Hekate Tetraoditis, She who looks four ways, Mistress of the Crossroads, I ask that you protect this space with your four-fold protection and make this circle a crossroads, a space of transformation and power.”

Light the last Hekate candle and say:

“I call on Hekate Pharmakeia, Queen of Witches, Mistress of all things magical, please bless this space so that magic may be worked within it. I ask that you grant your aid to all the spells and rites that I perform here.”

Continue:

“Goddess Hekate, Fiery One, She of the Earth, Sea and Sky, please consecrate this space and protect this circle. Bring to it positive energies, and banish all that would wish me harm. Commune with me here and be present in my workings, for in your name do I work these rites!”

Invocation of Hekate for Rites of the Dead

Hekate Chthonia, Goddess of the Dead, I call upon you now!

Gate-Keeper, She who holds the Infernal Key, I ask that you unlock the doors of the Underworld

Call forth the dead from their resting place so that they may commune with me

I ask for your blessings and protection in these rites which I am about to perform

Shielding me from harm and impostrous spirits

Great Hekate, the link between the land of the living and the land of the dead, lend to me your aid

May the dead wake and attend my rites, to aid me in my work and recieve these offerings which I place before them

And may you, Hekate, Queen of those Below be a guide and mediator upon this night, so that the dead return to the Underworld and do not follow me home

Goddess Hekate, Mistress of Souls, come to me on this night and look upon your devoted follower with favor as I perform these rituals in your name!

Deities, Worship, and Magic

Let me try to see if I can explain some things, because there’s a lot of people on TikTok, and by extension other apps, claiming a lot of things about deities, and I wanna clear some stuff up.

First of all, deities are gods. That’s apparently a thing people aren’t communicating or are saying isn’t true, but they are. They are gods with a history of worship and religious practices that honored them.

Interacting with gods is not some advanced form of magic that only experienced practicioners can do. They’re gods, and worshipping them isn’t really magic. They were worshipped for centuries by entire nations of people. Children, families, priests, everybody engaged with these gods. They didn’t need some special training to worship them. Praying to and worshipping a deity is very much a safe practice as long as you maintain a relationship of exchange and don’t make promises you won’t keep. Deities may get angry and punish on occasion, but they are also gods and aren’t some evil being intent on destroying you. I tend to think of it as reminders to get your ass in gear. This is with exception to closed traditions or deliberate disprespect. If you try calling on deities from a tradition you are not a part of or have no heritage in, that’s gonna be a bad time. If you also are not showing the respect that deities expect that might not be a great time either.

Deities are also not inherently aligned with magic. Some gods want nothing to do with it. But I feel pretty safe in saying that most deities are good with being given worship. A lot of the time I see people saying they have bad experiences with deities when calling on them for magic. I usually tell them that it’s because that god wants nothing to do with your magical practice. That doesn’t mean you can’t still honor and worship that god. I had this experience with Apollon, who I would call on for help in magic and none of it would ever work. But when I prayed to Him and gave Him offerings things were fine. It’s simply a case of Him wanting nothing to do with the magic I practice. Apollon isn’t a god of magic, so that makes total sense. So if something is going wrong when trying to invoke a god for magic, it might just be that and not that they don’t want anything to do with you. Try honoring that deity in a religious sense. Neo-paganism and Wicca have kind of produced this assumption (which doesn’t even really have real basis in those movements) that magic and deities go hand in hand. This isn’t really the case. Religion and magic can be very separate for people and that person can still be pagan or polytheist. (Also there are lots of pagans and polytheists who don’t do or even believe in Magic). So my advice there is to just worship that god or goddess and connect with them or ask for their help that way.

Another issue with this magic thing is that asking deities for help takes time. Building a relationship with a god or goddess is important, especially if you’re trying to invoke them and ask them to do something for you. In my tradition this is called kharis, but I’m sure there are words like this in others. Try instead of invoking a deity for help, giving them an offering without asking for anything in exchange except maybe their favor. After doing that for awhile, try again. If it still isn’t working out, refer to the previous paragraph.

Another thing that might be “going wrong” is that you may be honoring that god in a way they don’t really respond to. My advice when starting to worship a deity or invoke them for aid in magic is to look at history and see how they were worshipped in their time. Providing them with traditional offerings is usually the safest bet, and then as your relationship grows, non-traditional things may start to become part of your practice once you learn what they like.

A different way to kind of figure out what to do without that sort of trial and error is to ask for signs. If you want to be sure, ask a deity to show you a sign before proceeding. Look for their traditional symbols, animals, or try using divination if that’s something you do. If you think you’re already receiving signs, ask for them anyway to be sure they’re from that deity and not coincidental.

To sum up, don’t listen to people who tell you the gods are scary and to avoid them until you’re really advanced. Worshipping the gods can be very low stakes and isn’t a no-beginners kind of thing. Children would pray to the gods in their respective cultures and time periods, so it’s not as scary as people are making it sound. Invoking then in magic is different, but when approached respectfully and with reverence, it’s not too big of a deal (unless that god doesn’t really want to be a part of your magic. Then refer to the above again). All in all, the gods aren’t as scary as people on TikTok are making them sound, these people are also as young and inexperienced as the rest of us in the grand scheme of things and are speaking from their own trial and error. Don’t be afraid to approach a god or goddess because someone said they had a bad experience or that they’re scary. As long as they’re approached with reverence, things are gonna go a lot better than some people are making it sound.

Kirke’s True Colors Spell

Kirke is a goddess and powerful enchantress whose power has been written about to this day. One of Her abilities was to transform men into the beasts their personalities most closely resembled, revealing their true nature. This spell petitions Kirke to do the same to a deceitful enemy, revealing them in all their lies and manipulations for all to see. This is not necessarily a curse of ill will, but a spell for your enemy to bring about their own downfall. For this spell you will need:

-A seven color novena candle

-A taper or chime candle of each color of the rainbow (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple) and one of black

-A dark arts and/or commanding oil

-Calamus root, licorice root, devil’s claw root, poppy seeds, slippery elm, and, if possible, snake skin

-A photograph of your target with their name written on the back

-Offerings for Kirke

Place the photograph onto a dish and drop some of the oil onto it. Place the seven color candle on top of it and surround that with the taper candles. Dress each of the candles in the oils and sprinkle them with the ingredients. Give some offerings to Kirke, then light the seven day candle. Say, then, the following:

“Great Kirke, Ancient Witch and Aeaen Queen, make what is hidden now be seen.

Bring (name of target)’s true colors to light, by all your herbs and all your might.

Wave your wand, strike them down, and with these words, this spell be bound.”

Light then the red candle and say:

“With this flame may Kirke reveal all that my enemy has tried to conceal”

Once the red candle has burned out and the first color on the seven day candle has burned through, snuff the flame on the seven day candle. The next day repeat the process, lighting both the seven day candle and the next taper candle and saying their respective incantations. Do this until you reach the last color and the black candle. This time, repeat the first candle’s ritual as usual, but when you light the black candle say:

“May Kirke bring truth to that which is concealed, and with this flame (name of target)’s fate is now sealed.”

Leave another offering to Kirke, and the spell is done.

(Art by John William Waterhouse)

Rite of Blood

When other magic fails us, when we are in dire straits, or we need something badly, as witches we may turn to blood magic. Blood magic works on several levels. On one hand, it is a physical manifestation of a witch’s will, on another it is an exchange, an offering for that which a witch desires, and finally, the gods and spirits will see a witch’s willingness to suffer and are more inclined to pay attention.

All that being said, blood magic can be dangerous and isn’t recommended for people who may struggle with self-harm, are new to the Craft, or who may have conditions which make bleeding an issue. So there are some serious caveats and warnings with this ritual.

Begin by cleansing the space and putting up protective barriers. You don’t want spirits who might wish you harm gaining access to your blood, so don’t skip that step. Set up a circle of red candles to set a boundary, then, continue by drawing this seal upon the ground. This seal is made to protect the ritual from unfriendly spirits and to channel the energy of the spell.

Onto each of the three symbols within the circle place a red candle with the symbol it is placed on carved into the wax. In the middle, place a chalice or bowl and a receptacle to burn incense in. Light a charcoal disk and burn a mixture of dragon’s blood, echinacea, dandelion root, calamus, bay leaves, mayapple, and grains of paradise. Light the candles around the circle and say:

“I call the spirits one by one, of family, and witches, and guardians,

The gods I call now to my side, all others must now turn and hide,

Within this circle I work my rites, to work my will upon this night,

All those who guide and guard me, into the circle so it may be!”

Light the three candles, and say the following each time:

“Ancient powers of blood and life, hear my prayers upon this night,

By blood and flame and magic art, hear my wishes, fulfill my heart,

Oldest magics, oldest powers, hear me in this sacred hour,

Take the sacrifice I give to thee, grant my wishes, so may it be!”

Spill your blood into the bowl or chalice and onto the three red candles and say:

“I give my blood, I give my pain, grant me fortune, grant me gain,

Deliver to me what I seek, may my will now come to be!”

Once you’ve lit all three candles, speak your petition for the spirits, then say:

“Work my will by blood and flame, hear my call, know my name,

Deliver this petition I’ve expressed, my will now be made manifest!”

Leave the candles in the seal to burn completely. After the candles have burned out completely, keep the bowl or chalice on your altar until your desires have manifested.

Halloween Ritual

This ritual is meant to be performed just when the sky becomes black and before dinner. Set up the altar with black, white, and red candles. Adorn it with the photos, possessions, or art of the dead you wish to honor. Light the candles and prepare for the ritual. Begin by making offerings to Haides and Persephone. These can include pomegranates, wine, honey, and milk. These can either be left on the altar, buried, or poured onto the ground. Then say:

“Haides, Lord of the Underworld, and Persephone, Queen of the Dead, on this night your kingdom below has sway on Earth. I give unto you these offerings and ask for your favor. May those dead which I do not call to me leave me, and those I love, untouched. I also ask that those dead which I honor upon this night be permitted to come and receive the offerings I place before them. Please also bring blessings and peace to those whom I have lost and make their afterlife one of joy.”

Make an offering for Hekate as well. Pour offerings of wine, honey, and milk out for Her, leave offerings of garlic and raw eggs, and light for Her some incense of frankincense, myrrh, and benzoin. Then say:

“Goddess Hekate, Mistress of Souls, Gate-Keeper of the Underworld, She who carries souls between this plane and the next, I supplicate you. I place these offerings before you to honor you on this night which is sacred to you as goddess of the dead. Please accept these offerings and grant to me your blessings and favor. I come before you and ask you to open the gates of the Underworld and bring forth the spirits of those I have lost and those which I honor. I call them forth from the other side, in your name, to be with me here on this night, this night when the dead are closest to the living.”

Light an incense mixture of yew, wormwood, frankincense, cypress, and mullein (yew is poisonous do not burn this inside) and pour out libations of milk, honey, and wine for the dead which you have called to you. Then say:

“Beloved and Mighty Dead, those passed on whom I honor, blood of my blood, spirit of my spirit, and heart of my heart, I call to you. I place these offerings before you and feed your spirits. As the veil between our worlds is thinnest on this night, I ask you to be close to me and grant to me your presence and guidance. Come forth from the Underworld and commune with me, bringing blessings and good fortune with you. As I honor you in death and place these gifts before you, bestow upon me your favor and your company on this holy night.”

Light a black or white taper or pillar candle dressed in olive oil and sprinkled with wormwood, frankincense, cypress, yew, and mullein. Then say:

“I light this candle in the names of those below, so that as long as this flame burns may those dead which I have called forth be with me, returning to the other side upon its finish. To feast and be merry with me and to give me their blessings and guidance before resting once more.”

After this ritual, it is a nice idea to leave a plate of food from the meal had at dinner for the dead so that they may feast with you. It is also a good idea to perform spells and divinations on this night while the candle still burns for added power. Leave any offerings from the altar at a cemetery or crossroads the next day. 

Ancestral Powder

This ancestral powder is a blend of dried and ground flowers and foliage from the graveside or funerary service of deceased relatives. 

Having a blend of dried materials linked to the your now deceased family member or relative is an easy way to add some ancestral power to your magic that works only and specifically for you and your purposes. 

Think of this powder like dragon’s blood or any herb used specifically to enhance the powers of a specific ingredient or boost the workings or a spell. 

These powders are especially great for protection spells, difficult divination or necromancy.   

If you gather plants or flowers from or around a grave or memorial garden, be sure to leave an offering! It’s good to keep in mind that flora is often dedicated to certain souls, so offerings are polite practices in necromancy!