Hecate // Hekate Devotional Ritual Oil // Goddess of Witchcraft // Shadow work

Hecate, One of the Many Names for the Original Feminine Trinity Ruling Heaven, Earth and the Underworld
Ækáti - (Hecate or Hekate; Gr. Ἑκάτη, ΕΚΑΤΗ) Pronounced: æ-KAH-tee. or eh-KAH-tee.

Hecate was one of the many names for the original feminine trinity, ruling Heaven, Earth, and the Underworld. Or as sometimes stated the Earth, Sky and Sea. Hecate was called "Most lovely one", a title of the Moon. She was associated with the Moon in all three of her aspects. Some said she was Hecate Selene, the Moon in Heaven; Artemis the Huntress on Earth and Persephone the Destroyer in the Underworld. Sometimes she was part of the Queen of Heaven Trinity: Hebe the Virgin, Hera the Mother and Hecate the Crone.

For centuries she has guarded thresholds and liminal spaces. Those skilled in her ways have invoked her many names and many forms for their magical workings. Her names are spoken in the night when no light from the Moon shines upon flesh. Mistress of all magic. Goddess of the crossroads. Moon Goddess, Queen of the Night, Torch Bearer, Mistress of the Cosmos, Keeper of the Keys, Shape Shifter, Divine messenger between the mortal and divine spheres. She is the governess of all things Witchcraft and magic related. Whichever name you speak to summon her presence, do so with reverence. And wherever your path may lead you, may her torch always be your guiding light.

When we approach our own crossroad, Hecate is present with her torches and symbolism of transformation leading the way to inner self discovery. She lights the darkest caverns within our hearts, giving us the strength and will to transmute and transform anything that hinders our growth. Her wisdom rich underworld medicine can be seen, heard, and felt in as many forms as She, and once she knows that we have regained our strength, her torch goes out and she leaves you in the shadows to reignite the way with your own inner flame.

When working with her devotional oil, one can employ it for trance magic, death and rebirth rituals, Underworld travels, prophecy, protection, and path guidance and more. As you anoint your body with her devotional oil, as you speak the words from your own tongue to invoke her, allow your intuition to guide you. Anoint the crown of your head 3 times or the center of your chest 3 times. Simply apply your finger to the opening of the botte and tip towards the ground to moisten your finger, 3 times. Listen for her call and witness her presence however she reveals herself to you. She speaks to you in many forms and sounds that you will no doubt recognize as her. As you recite her traditional hymns, or your own, you will sense Her.

This rite of self-anointing can be done every New Moon to connect to Her, before divination and other liminal space rituals, for dream prophecy, and all shadow work.
When seeking her protection or favor, offerings should be made. Those material offerings might include, garlic, poisonous plants, honey laced red wine, honey cakes, figs, leeks, honey, pomegranates. She also accepts offerings of poetry in her honor. Offerings can be placed upon her Altar any time you choose to pay homage, but more traditionally they are left on the New Moon and her other days of worship. Her Altars can be elaborate or simple, internal or external. How ever you honor Her, is entirely your own.

Hecate has several altar spaces within my home, guarding entrances, and one outdoor altar where regular New Moon offerings are made. This space does not see the Sun and stays in a constant state of shade facing the South. Hecate’s Devotional oil has been created in ritual in the deep stillness of the midnight hour in torch light on the New Moon, Three New Moons. Hymns recited with bare feet upon the ground. Offerings of Aconite, Belladonna, Pomegranates, Figs, Honey, Garlic and Leeks. Each New Moon worked with were as follows: The first New Moon in Taurus on April 22nd 2020, the second in Cancer on June 20th 2020, the third in Leo on Aug 18th 2020. Completing a trinity of New Moon in signs that I felt called to infuse into Her oil. This oil is rare and precious. I am often sold out due to the process which is repeated when the timing is right with the New Moons. Batches are roughly made once, to sometimes twice per year.

Other days of importance for honoring Hecate are Nov 16th, Nov 30th, Jan 31st, and August 13th. I am sure that there are others you can find throughout antiquity.

Here are some examples of her Hymns and invocations that might aid you.

~Orphic Hymn to Hecate~
"Hecate, Einodia, Trioditis, lovely dame, of earthly, watery, and celestial frame, sepulchral, in a saffron veil arrayed, pleased with dark ghosts that wander through the shade; Perseis , solitary goddess, hail! The world's key-bearer, never doomed to fail; in stags rejoicing, huntress, nightly seen, and drawn by bulls, unconquerable queen; Leader, Nymphe, nurse, on mountains wandering, hear the suppliants who with holy rites thy power revere, and to the herdsman with a favouring mind draw near."

A hymn that I wrote to Hecate:

Dark Mother Moon come with your gift of release,
Come, so that I may surrender to thee.
Into the darkness of thy soul, I shall find peace,
In the beauty of thy shadow I shall be free.
Mother of the Dark Moon hear these Sacred Rites,
They dance upon my lips on this Dark Starry Night.

I call Ækáti of the Crossroads, worshipped at the meeting of three paths, oh lovely one.
In the sky, earth, and sea, you are venerated in your saffron-colored robes.
Funereal Daimohn, celebrating among the souls of those who have passed.
Persian, fond of deserted places, you delight in deer.
Goddess of night, protectress of dogs, invincible Queen.
Drawn by a yoke of bulls, you are the queen who holds the keys to all the Kózmos.
Commander, Nýmphi, nurturer of children, you who haunt the mountains.
Pray, Maiden, attend our hallowed rituals;
Be forever gracious to your mystic herdsman and rejoice in our gifts of incense.
-An Orphic Hymn Translation