Intention: Reclaiming and realigning the self. For when you’ve not been feeling entirely like yourself.
Before you start, Gather your materials.
- Ideally, you would work with three candles (black for protection, white for purity, and a third colour representing you). Here, I am working with Black, white and red.
- A mirror big enough to look into your own eyes.
- A small offering for Hekate, such as garlic, honey, or anything with a powerful taste or scent. Here I offer her fresh ginger and cloves.
- To represent Hekate, take the key to your home off your keychain and place it on the table.
- Anything that smells like lavender. This is part of the aftercare. Ideally, it’s a soap or oil to aid with anxiety relief.
- One piece of amethyst that fits in your hand. To improve serenity.
Step 1, Set Your Sacred Space Choose a quiet and comfortable space where you won’t be disturbed. Cleanse the area by sounding a ringing sound. This can be a singing bowl; it can also easily be a wineglass gently tapped with a spoon. Any sound that sings. Do this three times. One for past, present and future. To call these concepts and work with them.
Step 2, Calling Upon Hekate Light the candles. Then, holding your hand on the key, call upon her by saying:
Hekate, Mistress of the Three-Forked Road,
Lend me thine aid, lighten my load.
Guide me where identities cross,
In life’s labyrinth, I am at a loss.
Invest thy wisdom, make me aware,
With thy torch, my truth lay bare.
Empower me against the storm,
In thy shroud, I am reborn.
Step 3, Reflection & Affirmation Stand or sit in front of the mirror, gaze into your own eyes and reflect upon your identity, who you’ve been, who you are, and who you wish to be—again, past, present, future. Make a list of affirmations about your self-identity. Voice these affirmations aloud confidently while looking into your own eyes, truly feeling each statement in your mind and body. Repeat them if you need to. Take your time. This can take a while to settle in and connect with your spirit.
Step 4, Offering To Hekate Present your offering to Hekate by placing it in the shadows and ask her to guide you in maintaining your true identity:
Hekate, before thy effulgent glow,
I bend my knee in homage low,
An offering humble in soft twilight,
Guide my spirit through dark and light.
Sustain within me, my essence pure,
Amidst earth’s trials, may it endure,
In my core, authenticity interlace,
Let my true nature reveal its grace.
Thy lantern, the moon’s celestial dome,
Illuminate my soul’s path home,
In shadows deep, let clear sight loan,
Lead me through the unknown and the known.
Step 5, Closing The Ritual Extinguish the candles and thank Hekate for her presence and guidance:
Hekate, thy wisdom I revere,
Thy protection ends my fear,
Into myself, with courage I step,
Under thy watch, in safety kept.
Give thy blessing or retreat,
In either, life’s challenges I’ll meet,
Guided by thy astral light,
To tread the path of insight right.
Step 6, Self-Care Finally, take a shower in the dark. Close your eyes and imagine the weight and the stress of conflict and the search for that self washing off. Hold your amethyst and feel its weight. You are here. You always are. Be a friend to yourself.
Blessed be.
Lydia Vvinters 