Editorial............................................................................................................................

3
What is the Covenant of Hekate?..............................................................................4
Enchantments from the Keybearer...........................................................................5
When...You...by Kenn Payne...........................................................................................8
Consecration & Opening of the Sanctuary of Hekate Pasikrateia by
Florian Schlie..................................................................................................................9
The Long Term Effects of the Rite of Her Sacred Fires by Katerina
Dogiama-Azeri.................................................................................................................10
Threshold Shrine by Sosanna..................................................................................12
The Five Virtues of Hekate in Tarot by Susa Morgan black............................15
The Hekate Sympoisum (ad).........................................................................................18
Sacred Water for Hekate by Tina Georgitsis......................................................19
Hecate’s Cave Meditation by Susan Morgan black............................................21
Hekate by Carmen Pérez Hurtado............................................................................23
Serpent-haired Goddesses: Medousa, Erynies & Hekate by Florian Schlie 24
Hekate as Cosmic World Soul by David Gonzales.............................................30
Hymn to Hekate Soteria by David Gonzales..........................................................31
Astral Doorways.........................................................................................................32
Hekatean Crossword..................................................................................................37
Reader’s Shrines...........................................................................................................38
Contributors this Issue.............................................................................................39
Submissions Guidelines...............................................................................................40

Cover image: courtesy of Tina Georgitsis

H
ere in the UK, it is - for the most part - a summery and sunny time. Yet as the days
turn and the sun beats down, I’ve found myself struggling with my own, personal
darkness. In this time I have been feeling quite isolated and lost in my devotion to Hekate.
Yet it still never ceases to amaze me the love, reverence and pure devotion out there that I
get to encounter through the contributions to this publication! At times when I’ve felt so low
and so alone, it has been a lifeline to be able to turn to those hymns, articles or artwork
reflecting back at me the illuminating radiance that I myself was struggling to find within
myself. The true sense of a community that gives so that others may benefit from their
offerings.
And so, as we start out on a new lunar month, just after the turning point of the solar season,
we continue to bring you that sense of connectedness and variety from Hekaten devotees
the world over.
I myself open this issue’s content by sharing with you a short poem written at the cusp of a
very low ebb. We have some interesting pieces about personal shrines and working spaces,
deovtional lustral water, The Five Virtues of Hekate, a guided meditation, Astral Doorways
and of course much much more - as always!
With the excitment of the Rite of Her Sacred Fires behind us, we still have lots of things to
look forward to with Torchbearers and Devotees organising events throughout the year and
of course the hotly awaited Hekate Symposium happening in September.
So my apologies for this edition being a tad overdue than planned, but I hope you enjoy its
content and as always - WE LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!!! Never think that your idea or
contribution isn’t good enough to be featured
here; hopefully in seven issues we have shown
that it’s not about how eloquent you are, whether
or not you’re artistic - or even if English is your
first language - we here to share our ideas,
creations and experiences in conjunction with the
Covenant of Hekate, and of course the Lady
Herself!
So what are you waiting for...? ;)

En Erebos Phos
Kenn
T
he Covenant of Hekate (CoH) was born out of the desire to create a community
and centre of study for those who share a passion for the history, mysteries and
magic of the Goddess Hekate. This desire was dramatically demonstrated on
27th May 2010 when thousands of people worldwide performed the Rite of Her Sacred
Fires ritual created by Sorita d’Este in a unique act of devotion to the goddess Hekate.

Within the CoH we view the Goddess Hekate as the Cosmic World Soul. Hekate is a
liminal goddess who often expresses herself through Triplicities of form and power,
such as her three bodies facing three ways, her control over land/sea/sky,
birth/initiation/death and divination/dreams/oracles. We believe that she is a natural
force whose power extends through all realms and whose formless fire illuminates the
path of the universal mysteries, where she is both our guide and initiator.

Within the CoH we explore the Mysticism and Magic of the goddess Hekate through
the practice of theurgy (‘divine-working’) to achieve henosis (union with the divine),
through contemplation, experience, intuition, divination, meditation and ritual within
the realms of the Western Esoteric Traditions.

The CoH is rooted in firm foundations of knowledge and practice from the traditions
of the ancient world which honoured Hekate. This knowledge and practices form the
basis of the modern manifestation of Hekate’s worship in ways relevant to this age
and accessible to all who seek her mysteries. The torchbearers of the CoH are
individuals from around the world who through their actions and studies are shining
the light of Hekate’s torches and expressing the spirit of the ancient mysteries.

© Sorita d’Este
G
reetings Hekateans!Midsummer hailed the Sun at is zenith, Helios rising from the horizon for his
highest and longest journey this year. Lokabandhu and I hosted an all-night vigil through the shortest
night with friends (including several members of the Covenant of Hekate) to wait for the Sun to rise
on Solstice morning in our grove on the slopes of the famous Glastonbury Tor. We filled the night with
storytelling, meditation and chanting – to see us through the darkness into the pre-dawn, we then
proceeded to a vantage point looking out over the mysterious Somerset Levels and waited for Helios and

his chariot to rise for his longest, brightest journey of the year. It was a memorable night!

The Covenant of Hekate continues to evolve and take shape around its members. It is a wonderful thing
to see a community develop, grow and shape itself around the ideals, practices and visions which are most
important to its members, and there has never been a more positive and creative time for members to
step forward and contribute their ideas and work towards completing the foundations we have been
laying for the community in recent years, and to help build a strong, positive and forward thinking

© Sorita d’Este
community for all of us to flourish and grow our spiritual and magical practices within, by learning from
one another.
The Pillars of the Noas is the recently formed daily practice and devotional group set up within the
Covenant of Hekate. I am delighted with the progress of members who are all doing daily practices based
on guidelines provided and through that growing their own experience and knowledge of both the Goddess
Hekate and the Mysteries as a whole – with the inner circle focussing their work on magical and spiritual
practices associated with the Four Elements (Air, Fire, Water and Earth). Noteworthy too is the wonderful
support and encouragement members are giving one another, and the honest feedback being shared –
all of which adds to the depth of the experience for members, many of whom rarely get to practice with
others.

Later this month I will be travelling to Brazil, to present a lecture and workshop at the Conferência de
Wicca in Sao Paulo on the first weekend of August. My workshop will explore Hekate as the Goddess of
the Mysteries, looking at her role as a psychopomp, torchbearer and as initiatrix with both historical and
contemporary significance – and will include the creation of a devotional ceremony with those present
during which we will invoke the Goddess of the Crossroads. My lecture is entitled the Secrets of the Art,
and will bring together some of the extensive research I have done into the origins of the practices found
in modern initiatory Wicca (published in Wicca Magickal Beginnings, 2008) and my own personal views
as a magical practitioner and initiate.

You can view the program at http://www.conferenciadewicca.com.br/programas.html

The Hekate Symposium 2014 has been confirmed for Saturday 6th of September 2014, and will once again
take place in the Assembly Rooms, Glastonbury (Somerset, UK). This year we will be bringing together a
greater emphasis on practice, the day will consist of Opening Ceremony lead by a Priest of the Goddess,
a short film, talks by experienced magical practitioners, meditations and guided visualisation journeys,
devotional rite with chanting, performances of dance and music, as well as an ecstatic oracular rite with
trance priestesses facilitated by members of the Covenant of Hekate. Confirmed speakers and performers

© Sorita d’Este
include: David Rankine, Vikki Bramshaw, Melissa Harrington and Carrie Kirkpatrick, Orryelle Defenestrate-
Bascule, Mima Cornish and Lyza Cthonia. Tickets are available at www.theurgia.co.uk
Then to conclude, I would like to thank Kenn Payne for his continued work towards making Askei Kataskei
happen, it is a wonderful community project! Thank you also to all the contributors, past and present.
Thank you to Melissa McNair for her work with the CoH YouTube channel, especially her wonderful collages
for the Rite of Her Sacred Fires – and of course to everyone who made their work available for us to use
on the channel – www.youtube.com/covenantofhekate.

Thank you to the team who gave their time to facilitate the various forums and information points for the
Rite of Her Sacred Fires 2014 – there are so many of you, that if I tried to named you all I would be worried
about forgetting someone – but especially Lezley for updating the CoH website, and all the torchbearers
and members who facilitated community celebrations, helped to answer questions and emails. May the
Goddess’ lamp shine brightly for you during this year, illuminating your hearts and minds and guiding you
towards Truth and Wisdom.

Sorita d’Este
© Sorita d’Este
 When I couldn’t cope – You helped me through.
When I cried – You dried my tears.
When I crumbled – You built me back up again.
When I despaired – You were the light at the end of the tunnel.
When I felt alone – You held my hand.
When I failed – You encouraged me to try again.
When I doubted – You reassured me.
When I was scared – You helped me confront my fears.
When I was about to give up – You gave me a reason to try.
When I am in darkness – You are the torchbearer.
When I am against myself – You help me win.
When I have a lesson to learn – You are the teacher.
When I was cold inside – You were the warmth in my heart.
When I was uncertain – You had sage advice.
When I was wanting – You provided.
When I was lost – You showed me the way.
 I
n the last weeks it was quite silent here on my blog. This was
because i was quite busy in the last weeks. I prepared to
consecrate a Covenant of Hekate Sanctuary and had a lot of other
spiritual and every-day life stuff to handle too.

I consecrated the Sanctuary of Hekate Pasikrateia on the 21st March.

With the CoH instructions for this consecration rite. On the pictures
you can see the altar from the CoH Rite. On the first picture the statue
of Hekate is still veiled, when the rite began. The second picture
shows the altar after the rite.

On the 22nd March some friends and guests were invited into our
home and we celebrated the opening of the Sanctuary with a small
feast. In the evening we had a rite in the temple room to honour
Hekate and to connect us with her during the rite. We honoured
Demeter and
Persephone too and celebrated the journey of
Persephone back from the underworld to the earth.

We did some trance work in which i re-told the story of

Persephone’s abduction through the God Hades and
about the roles of Hekate in this myths- i guided the
guests of the ritual through a trance journey to
experience the returning of Persephone back from the
realms of Hades. And to experience Hekate as guide on
this journey.

At the same time the trance experience was weaved to

the symbolism to bring each guest now back from their
personal underworld- to be renewed, cleansed from the
past, healed and to be reborn into all things new. We did
some knot magic and put the cords that we used for this
into a small Philadelphus coronarius tree (these trees get
flowers that smell like jasmine- and more so during the
night) and i will plant this tree on the crossroad near the
crossroad shrine.

I think all guests enjoyed the feast and the ritual. I look
forward to more events like this in the near future.
© Florian Schlie
 By Katerina Dogiama-Azeri

I
t is this time of the year again, the May full moon.
The rite of Her Sacred Fires is now gloriously, in its
5th year.

Yet it seems only yesterday that I performed the very

first one, back in 2010. At the time, I was deeply
disappointed by online depictions of Hekate devoid
of any historical or even spiritual basis.

I did not know anyone else that was remotely similar

in practice or in views. In fact, I was walking Hekate’s
path for almost ten years but it was a very private
affair. It was by the hand of the Goddess, that I
accidentally stumbled online upon the Rite just two
days before the full moon in 2010. I was electrified.

Reading on the ritual gestures, the words and the

intention behind it, I recognised the same intensity
and honesty as Proclus’ prayers and Iamblichus’
invocations.

Finally, other human beings who had similar views and practices on Hekate! It was a huge
illumination for me that others were moved by the Goddess in the same ways I was.
I performed the Rite for the first time, using only a candle and a Trimorphis statue. Nothing else,
yet it felt rich and direct.

I have performed the Rite every May full moon since. Some years I performed it in my altar
indoors and other years I am moved to perform it in my garden. Some years I have used luscious
incense recipes and elaborated with the Orphic Hymn and offerings of snakeskin, fruit and flowers
in a fire pit ά lά PGM. Other years, it is simply performing the Rite with one candle flame lit for
Her on the night of the May full moon.

On all occasions, at the heart of the Rite is the ritual lighting of a sacred flame for the Goddess
Hekate and the act of performing the Rite for Her with its ritual gestures, invocation and prayers
and purpose as an offering to Goddess.
© Katerina Dogiama-Azeri
Some years, dogs are howling in the street, Triphormis statue smiling broadly at me and I see Her:
The saffron‐cloaked Goddess, most lovely Queen, Εκάτη Εραννήν descending to enjoy and take
pleasure in Her Sacred Fires Rite, called on by the love of Her devotees and invited by the smell
of burning flames.

Other years, there is an eerie stillness in the air, no dogs howling or even leaves moving as if
someone turned off the sound. Times like that, I can feel the gears of the world turning to a halt,
as my desire for Her guidance and greater understanding of Her mysteries is expressed. One single
act of devotion in one single moment in time across worlds, pierces through past, present and
future. It punctuates time and space. United with the Goddess and through Her with other
devotees everywhere.

The gears turning again fuelled by Hekate Soteira, Εκάτη Σωτήρια, the path nameless but I can
see the currents of energy moving around me according to my logos. Words are not just symbols
but create realities, according to Empedokles. Speaking the voces magicae and the words of the
Rite of Her Sacred Fires each year, created a ripple effect on reality. As spoken, it set me on a path
of greater understanding and of finding torchbearers and keybearers along the way.

Looking back on my journal, I can trace back some definitive life turns, set in motion as a result
of the Rite. When seeking unity with the Goddess, new connections are made and old ones are
revealed unexpectedly and we become connected with each other. It is a very powerful feeling
to belong with others. It warms your heart, sharpens your perceptions of the world and fills you
with energy.
Seeking Hekate’s guidance through pathways of understanding also means having new experiences
that require understanding in the first place. New experiences that may delight or push you out
of the comfort zone and into unchartered territory. Every step of the way is a choice.

Greater understanding brings greater knowledge which in turn begets greater power and so on,
greater responsibility. Responsibility for, in terms of the two Delphic Maxims engraved at the gates
of the Naos regarding the mystai, to Know Thyself (Γνώθι σαυτόν) and to Be Thyself (‘Ισχθε εαυτόν).
The Rite can lift the clouds so the path appears but it is nameless and serpentine and created at
every step and every turn of the way through own choice.

The Rite of Her Sacred Fires will keep growing with every year and already has acquired a life of
its own almost, so it is all the more important to respect its character and purpose and also
acknowledge its dynamic potency. It brings change to our Selves and the World as sure as night
follows day.

I am grateful for the Rite and its effects. I am no longer alone, I belong with others who celebrate
Her in their lives and I am not lost as I walk my path in Her mysteries.

I feel so blessed to live in a time where I can express my devotion to Hekate with other kindred
spirits and say: I am a student of Your mysteries!
I
’ve been doing quite a bit of reading lately completing several book,
the most recent Hekate Soteira by Sarah Iles Johnston. In chapter five,
Hekate is described as a deity who aids us at times of transition, be it
physical transitions or magical ones. Other writing references her as the
guardian of doors and portals.

This led me to begin work on small

entry way shrine I created to
Hecate. I found a small end table
at a second hand shop. It fit
perfectly in my doorway between
the entrance and the laundry
room. On the altar I keep a quartz
crystal, keys, a dish for incense
and a representation of Hecate.

I decided to create a top piece for

my altar. I used a shadow box, the
outside burned with a wood
burning tool, the inside decorated
with assorted symbols and
imagery for Hecate.

I found several publically available

images and printed them on a
parchment colored paper. I found
© Sosanna
 images of bulls and serpents
and printed them out. I
created a prayer chain
finished with a key. I then
mounted each of these at
different levels inside the box
to give the illusion of depth.
Earlier in the year, I won a
pendant in a giveaway by
Saga’s Cottage Story Book
Art, which had an amazing
owl on it. As another animal
of the night associated with
Hecate, I wanted to include it
in my altar. I contacted the
artist who sent me a full size
image and which I printed out
and put in the upper right of
the shadow box.

The box was completely bare

when I started. As I placed
each element to the box, I
found a new sense of dedication. I research each piece and added them as
they spoke to me. Each one finding telling me where it belongs. I reshaped
my lower altar to include a recent sculpture of Hecate that I completed as
well as a bird shaped skull. My next step when it warms up a bit is to take
the standing cabinet and paint it dark brown or black.

I am seeing this threshold shrine as my own personal transition. I’m moving

more into the spiritual goals I’ve laid out for myself. I’m looking forward to
what is coming in the New Year and adding much more to my understanding
of the mysteries of Hecate.
© Sosanna
 We would love to hear all about how
you celebrated the 4th annual Rite of
Her Sacred Fires. Send all your write-
ups, experiences, inspired prose, photos
and artwork to the submissions e-mail:
editor_coh@mail.com - thank you.
I
was intrigued by the Five Virtues of Hecate chosen by the members of the
Covenant of Hecate. As a Tarot reader, I endeavored to find those virtues
reflected in the Tarot (Smith-Waite deck). It is interesting to look into the Tarot
and find reflections of Hecate in the Major Arcana. This is what I came up with:

Compassion – III The Empress

“Compassion includes love – it is the agape of the Greeks, a fullsome,

non-sexual love.” Sorita d'Este

Hecate rules three realms, Sky, Earth and Sea. Here, we see Her as a queen
of the Earthly realm, with compassion for all living things. The Empress is
the Queen of Queens, and thus, rules all four realms – Air, Fire, Water and
Earth.

Courage – VIII Strength

“Courage (which used to be called Fortitude)” Sorita d'Este

Hecate is sometimes depicted with lions, or in lion form.

Here, She displays Her courage by fearlessly, and lovingly,
opening the lion’s mouth.
 Temperance – XIV Temperance

“Temperance is what we call self-control and self-discipline today. It

includes commitment, as a necessary element of self-discipline.” Sorita
d'Este

Here we see the Archangel Michael, pouring the waters of life. And yet I
can see Hecate, too, the ultimate alchemist, teaching her Devotees the
elements of magic.

Justice – XI Justice

“Justice includes Truth, Integrity and Cosmic balance, as well as the

narrower meaning of what is just and fair.” Sorita d'Este

One of Hecate’s tools is the dagger (which can be a sword), used to cut
through to the truth of the situation and bring integrity and balance. This is
very much Her card.

Wisdom – V Hierophant

“Wisdom – this is the core of our work with Hekate. Its alternative name
was Prudence (Prudentia) – the neo-platonists saw Wisdom as the highest
virtue, the essence of all the others.” Sorita d'Este

I had difficulty choosing between the Hierophant and the High Priestess, but
the crossed keys won me over. Here we see a figure who knows the secrets
of the universe, and is willing to teach those who are dedicated to the truth.
Tarot readers can use the cards as icons when meditating on the Five Virtues. We can
also note the association with Hecate when these cards appear randomly in readings. I
think She appears in many of other Tarot cards as well, and fervently hope that a talented
and inspired artist from CoH comes up with a specific Tarot deck related to Hecate,
creating an oracle that we can all use.

© Sorita d’Este
K
hernips which is also known as lustral water is blessed or sacred water which is employed in
Hellenic rites and can be used in the devotional workings of Hekate.

Khernips is primarily used for libations, offerings and to purge oneself of miasma (environmental and
energetic pollutants believed to cause illness by the Ancient Greeks and modern Hellenes). It can also be
used to heal body/mind/spirit/emotion and can be consumed for internal use or applied externally
(depending on the properties). Khernips can be employed to bless or consecrate anything from shrine/altar
tools, jewellery and places of practice to plants, people and pets. Washing one’s hands with blessed water
before entering into ritual was common practice for the Ancient Greeks as it was believed to keep miasma
at bay. Khernips can be also used to put out a ritual fire, to wash ritual clothing and for use in practical
and ceremonial magic, such as where one creates objects for specific purposes like a talisman from clay
and water.

The Ancient Greeks made their khernips simply by collecting it from a sacred spring or well and storing it
in a jug or similar vessel for devotional use. The same technique can be employed now but if you are
collecting from a spring, be sure to leave an appropriate offerings like coins, flowers or herbs. Another way
to make this sanctified water is as easy as colleting rain water and purifying it. My favourite technique of
making khernips is collecting sea water. This can be ritualistically done by placing the vessel just on the
shore line and collecting the water through a wave as it comes towards you. Several other methods of
khernips I have successfully used over the years includes: mixing kosher rock salt and purified water,
herbal/flower water (orange blossom, lavender, rose and angelica for Hekate), aromatherapy water utilising
cold pressed essential oil and purified water mixed with wine (sweet pine wine or anything robust).

The way you can use khernips is by placing it in a glass lidded container for storage and then pouring it into
a bowl or jug for ritual use. You can then dip your hands into the bowl or alternatively pour the khernips
over your hands from a jug to purify yourself before rites. Use a bundle of tied up herbs to asperge with
or alternatively use your hands to sprinkle it over things like offerings, tools and sacred space. Also putting
khernips in a spray bottle to be able to diffuse it within an area works very well, as does using a water
bottle or a bottle with a dripper. Some khernips, especially those having plant materials, need to be
refrigerated or alternatively a preservative needs to be added such as a dash of wheat germ oil, olive oil
or pure alcohol to keep it from going rancid.

This is a simple khernips blessings I created as part of my regular devotional use for Hekate which I would
like to share:
 Tina’s Khernips Blessing (© Tina Georgitsis 2013)

Light the end of a dried bay laurel leaf and say “I banish all that is unclean, corrupt and profane with the
aid of Hekate” then plunge the lit end into the water and say “It is purified, upright and sanctified in
Hekate’s name”. You can employ the same method by holding some rock salt over a bowl of water,
sprinkling the rock salt over the water and finishing off by swivelling around the mixture in the bowl with
both hands.

In her sacred name,

Tina
All her life, Tina Georgitsis has always maintained a deep love and appreciation for the occult, whilst also
being deeply respectful to the Ancient Greek and Ancient Egyptian spiritual/magickal paths that she is
devoted to. She is a Priestess Hierophant within the FOI (Lyceum of Heka), Hereditary Folk/Hermetic
Witch, Initiated Wiccan Priestess and Torchbearer for the Covenant of Hekate (Sanctuary of Hekate’s
Crossroads). Qualified as a Reiki, Seichim and Sekhem Master and Tarot Councillor with the ATA, Tina
has also studied various modalities within natural/alternative medicine and she operates a spiritually
based business (Madam Magick) which includes readings, healings, magickal items and workshops in
various metaphysical and occult subjects.

Madam Magick:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Madam-Magick/237516373002840

Sanctuary of Hekate’s Crossroads:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesanctuaryofhekatescrossroads/
 We are going on an inner journey to the realm of Hecate.

R
elax and let your concerns of the day float away. Close your eyes and count down from ten to one,
feeling your body relax and yet vibrate with a subtle energy starting with your toes and rising to your
crown. Ten . . . nine . . . eight . . . seven . . . six . . . five . . . four . . . three . . . two . . . one . . .

The journey begins by opening your own front door. In your mind’s eye - open your door and see what is
outside, before you – whether it is your front steps leading to a sidewalk, your front yard, a hallway leading
to the building’s exit. Take a step into the world outside your front door.

Things are starting to change as you step outside. The images before you are morphing from the familiar
to the fantastic. It is a moonless night, but so bright with stars that you can see clearly by their light.

You may now notice that you are in a small boat. See yourself approaching a distant shore. The coracle
beaches on that shore, and you step down, feeling sand beneath your sandals. Looking up, you see a
woodland, and beyond that, wooded hills, and in the far distance, high purple mountains.

A path opens up to you, and you enter the woods. You note that it is dense with cypress and yew, the
traditional trees of death. The smell is sharp and clear, the needles crunch under your feet. The path
inclines gently, and you cross logs over small streams winding through the forest.

You come to an opening in the woods, and the path leads upwards. You spot two magnificent yew trees,
whose canopies bend toward each other, like two arched pillars. The trees are at the base of a hill, and
between the trunks, you spot the entrance to a cavern.

You travel between the trees, and note that it is colder, and darker, even before you enter the cave. The
mouth of the cave is wide and tall, and you step through.

There are flaming torches ensconced on the walls leading through the cavern and down a rock hallway with
rough stone steps. You travel down the steps, and just when it turns pitch black, you see the faint light of
the next torch on the wall. The path declines ever downward. As you pass each torch, it goes out, but you
can dimly see the next one further down the corridor.

Darkness engulfs the passageway once again. You feel your way along the rough rock walls until the passage
leads to a portal. Beyond the portal, you can feel the wall widen, opening up to a huge underground cavern.

Two lights suddenly flare and you see a large figure cloaked in black holding up two torches. She beckons
you closer. You note that she has several dogs curled close to her ankles. As you move closer, they lift
their heads and snarl. Then they stand up, and you realize with shock that the three heads are attached
to one huge canine body. You look at the torch bearer and realize that it is Hecate Herself.
She turns and places the torches in a large dark basalt throne. The arms have two holders, which the
sconces fit in. She sits down on the throne, claps her hands once and flames erupt from the walls around
the cavern, a circle of torches attached to the walls. There is now enough light to see clearly.

The giant three-headed dog moves closer to you. How do they make you feel? The central dog’s head
sniffs you and seems satisfied, moving back to the throne, sitting at their mistress’s feet. The six alert
canine eyes continue to stare at you.

From another door, two priestesses come in, one bearing a large wide dark bowl, and the other a round
wooden table. They place these items before their Queen. A third priestess enters with a large pitcher,
and pours water into the bowl. Then she places a floating black candle. Hecate snaps her fingers, and the
candle lights. The three priestesses return through their door.

“Look into the bowl.” She orders you, and you tear your eyes away from Her dark, mysterious face, and
stare into Her scrying bowl. “What do you see?”

Take your time with Hecate’s Oracle. Note everything you see, hear, smell, feel, or even taste. Everything
is significant. This is your vision, a gift from Hecate. You may hear Her speak, She may give you a message
or advice. Pay heed.

The dark candle goes out, and in its place is a silver coin, with the symbol of Hecate.

“This is yours. Use it as a key to find your way back here when you are in need of my guidance.”

The torch lights around the wall go out. You thank Hekate for Her guidance, and offer Her a gift of gratitude.
What do you offer Her? If it is a promise, you must keep it.

She accepts your offer, and the two torches on Her throne go out. You turn and see the torches dimly on
the other side of the cavern, and realize they are coming from the passageway. You follow the light out.
As you pass each torch, it goes out, and you can barely make out the next one, until finally you emerge
from the cavern and walk back out between the yew trees. You follow the pathway through the woods,
back to the beach and your coracle.

Get into the boat. It detaches from the shore and rocks back into the water. You will now begin to wake,
the scene will morph back from the fantastic to the familiar. When I count backwards from ten to one,
you will be relaxed, refreshed, and alert. Ten . . . nine . . . eight . . . seven . . . six . . . five . . . four . . . three
. . . two . . . one . . . You may open your eyes.
 “O master Helios and sacred fire- spear of Hekate Enodia, which she bears when leading in Olympos
and while she dwells on the sacred three-ways on earth, crowned with oak leaves and twisting coils of
wild serpents”
- Sophokles Fragment from the Rootcutters

hen Hekate came into my life many years ago, she sometimes appeared in my inner view during
W meditations or rituals with serpent hair- similar to the popular depiction of Medousa. For me this
image was not scary but very powerful. But first it was a riddle. It seemed that it had not fit well
to the descriptions of Hekate that i knew about in that time. But it popped up time and time again in my
inner view. Later when i learned more about about her from scholarly books and ancient sources the riddle
cleared. In the ancient texts Hekate is often described with serpent hair- like Medousa. And i began to
research about the meaning and symbolism of the snake hair. Serpent- haired Hekate was very important
for me in my personal work- especially in her roles as mistress of witchcraft, magic, spirits and guardian.
When i asked Jeff Cullen/Hellfurian Liontari some years ago to create a statue of Hekate for me- it was
very important for me that he sculpt her with snakes in her hair and i think my statue was the first of his
Hekate statues that had the serpent-hair. When people see this beautiful artwork in my temple room they
usually ask me if this statue depict Medousa. And i often have to explain the serpent-haired symbolism to
them- even if they are witches, pagans or devotees of Hekate themselves.

This article has the goal to bring some light into the symbolism of serpent-haired Hekate. But before i can
speak about the symbolism of the snake hair of Hekate i have to say some words about the symbolism of
snakes in the greco-roman world in general and about other Goddesses who shared this symbolism- the
well known Medousa and the lesser known Erynies.

The symbolism of the snakes in the greco-roman world

In the greco-roman world the snake was a very ambivalent creature. It was connected to the sun and to
solar gods- a good example is Apollon in the Hellenic time.

Snakes were connected to healing and renewal- and the great healing deities of antiquity were strongly
connected to serpents- Hygeia, Asklepios and Apollon (and i think they all draw this serpent symbolism
from the solar connection of the snakes). Snakes were very connected to the house, hearth and the
household cults and deities of these cults. Like Zeus Ktesios who even appeared in the form of a snake.
The good spirits of the home were envisioned to appear as snakes, too. Serpents were connected to many
chtonic deities and cults- a good example is Dionysos. They were symbols of the earth and of the earthly
forces.
On the other hand the snakes were connected to the underworld, Kerberos the guardian of the Underworld
was halve snake halve dog. And the spirits of the underworld were able to appear as snakes. Snakes were
in the myths often connected to primordial Gods, monsters and creatures. Beings that were older than the
Olympian Gods and their world order. Many of the promordial earthly Goddesses were connected to snakes
or appeared as serpents- Echidna or Python the oracular dragon that was slain by Apollon. And many heroes
of the greek myths had to overcome snake Goddesses, snake monsters or dragons (dragons were very huge
snakes in antiquity). Maybe this is a mythical expression of the fact that older cults were destroyed by the
newer religions (like the myths about the war between the Olympians and Titans- or later between the
Olympians and Giants).

Snakes were also connected to the sea- as you will see later on in the passage about Medousa- and many
sea creatures and monsters had snake-like features for example Skylla. Often the snakes are guardians of
treasures like Ladon the great serpent that guarded the golden apples in the garden of the Hesperides. Or
the dragon (great snake) that guarded the golden fleece in the myths about Jason and Medea.

As you can see there are several meanings and symbolism attached to serpents in the greco-roman world.
Serpents could be symbols of the sun, the earth, the underworld and spirits, the sea, of the home or of
primal powers and for primordial times. And Hekate herself was a Goddess who was as ambivalent as the
snkae herself in her roles and symbolism and linked to all these domains above.

Medousa

Medousa is one of the Gorgones. The Gorgones were Goddesses, daughters of the sea God Phorkys and
the sea monster Keto. Medousa means mistress, queen or guardian. She was the only one of the three
Gorgones who was not immortal. Her sisters were named Stheno (the strong one) and Euryale (she of the
wide sea). They had serpents as hair, golden wings and swine tusks.

© Florian Schlie
In classical time it was believed that Medousa was first a beautiful girl. But after the God Poseidon raped
her in the temple of Athena, Athena transformed her into the fearful form as punishment. In earlier myths
there was no mention of this transformation. There Medousa had sex with Poseidon on a meadow full of
flowers.

The Gorgons were very powerful beings, they were able to turn men into stone by their eyes. They were
strongly connected to the sea and were able to create storms that threatened the sailors. Medousa was so
strongly connected to the sea that the sea God Phorkys had male versions of her name as Epithets: halos
medon, pontomedon, eurymedon. The hero Perseus slaughtered Medousa and brought her cut off head
to Athena. And athena used this head on her shield to ward of enemies.

In antiquity masks of the Gorgones hang over entrances of homes and some temples (especially in temples
of Artemis). These maskes were used to ward off evil- they had a apotropaic function. Some scholars believe
that similar masks were used for Hekate and hung on the crossroads on a pillar of wood. It is possible that
Medousa and the Gorgones were apotropaic deities before the archaic time period. And that their cult
vanished with time. But the use of their apotropaic masked stayed intact. Her snake hair was a fearful but
apotropaic symbol. If she was a guardian of entrances, as the fact that her masked were used for that goal
too- her snake hair should ward off evil from the entrances.

I personal see the myths of Medousa and Perseus as a rememberance that Medousa was a primordial
Goddess. And that her cult was destroyed by the invading new cults that later were known as the Olympians.
But she was remembered in the myths and in folk customs like the use of the masks, even long after her
actual cult was forgotten.

The serpents of the Gorgones are connected to the sea and to the earth- they link both areas with each
other. They are chtonic and oceanic- like Poseidon. And like Hekate the Gorgones are connected ot all three
realms- earth, sea and sky (through their golden wings and their power to create storms).

The Erynies

Like the Gorgones the Erynies are older than the Olympian Gods, they are three sisters, too. They were
Goddesses of vengeance and retribution. It is possible that their names means the dark ones. They were
born when Kronos castrated his father Ouranos- they sprung from the blood of Ouranos. They were called
when people needed retribution or vengeance. But more important was their role to punish the crimes
against the Gods or the crimes that were done by children agains their parents. They punished crimes against
the natural order.

They had serpent hair and held whips in their hands. They were able to send madness or illness to their
victims. They dwelled int he underworld were strongly connected to Hades and Persephone. They were
strongly connected to Hekate too. In the PGM Hekate is even called Erynia herself. The Erynies were also
strongly connected to the Charites (and to me it seems that the Charites were their bright counterparts)
and to the Moires (Goddesses of fate). Hekate was strongly connected to the Charites too in antiquity. To
me it seems that Hekate was connected to the Charites in her bright aspects and to the Erynies in her darker
aspects.
The serpent hair of the Erynies has a similar symbolism like the serpent hair of Medousa. Their serpent hair
is fearful, it is apotropaic (for the people who petitioned them for their help against their enemies) and
frightful and deadly against the victims of the Erynies. The serpents of the Erynies are more chtonic than
the serpents of the Gorgones. They are more earthly and underworldly. If you petitioned them you called
them the Eumenides- the benevolent ones- to get on their good side (just as side note if you play with the
thought to call on them).

Serpent-haired Hekate

In ancient texts Hekate is often depicted with snakes and with snake in her hair. In many statues and on
depictions she holds serpents in her hands- but the focus of this text will be more about the snakes in her
hair.

The first source that links Hekate to snakes in her hair is the Sophokles fragment that i quoted in the
beginning of the article. There she is a quite solar and earthly Goddess. She holds a burning spear (like a
torch) that is connected to Helios (the sun God). And he is adressed as her spear. She holds the Fire of the
sun god in her hands. She is at the same ime earthly and heavenly- because she holds this flame while she
is in Olympos and while she dwells on the crossroads of earth. She leads the burning spear/Helios sacred
fire from heaven/Olympos to the earth. She connects the heaven with the earth. She wears a crown of oak
leaves- again this symbol is linked to earth and sky. The oak grows on the earth, its roots buried deep in
the ground and the branches high in the sky. But the oak is the sacred tree of the great Olympian ruler Zeus.
The oak crown on her head again links her to earth and heaven at the same time. I think the same is true
for the serpents that coil around this crown.

They are solar symbols (like the serpents of Apollon) and are connected to her early solar symbolism. At
the same time they are earthly symbols, creatures of the earth. The Goddess leads the fire of Helios through
Olympos (heaven) and throuh the crossroads of the earth, she is crowned with earthly-heavenly oak leaves
and earthly-heavenly serpents. The fragment comes from the Rootcutters- a play by Sophokles about
© Florian Schlie
Medea- so it is very possible that this depiction of Hekate is connected to witchcraft. And that she is depicted
as the Goddess of the Rootcutters (witches). Medea herself was a descandent of Helios (and until the roman
time period witchcraft was connected with the sun*- not the moon). And to understand Hekate in this
fragment (and her serpent-oak crown) is to see her as chtonic-solar Goddess. Here her serpents have not
evolved into the fearful serpent hair of Medousa or of the Erynies- and quite literal the serpents coil around
her oak-crown or maybe IN her her- but she has here not the full snake hair of Medousa or of the Erynies.

Later on her depictions in literature gets more fearful. And now the snakes in her hair evolve more to the
serpents of Medousa or of the Erynies. The serpents get fearful- like the Goddess herself. In the PGM her
snake hair is often adressed- for example her dreadfull scales of poisonous serpents. She is even called
Tartaros-Maiden with Gorgon head. In an invocation of the late antiquity she is even called Gorgon herself.
On the magical table of Pergamon she was even addressed with the Epithet Pasimedousa (queen of all).
Her serpent-hair is than strongly connected to her fearful form, to her darker sides, to the Tartaros and
her underworldly emanations.

I personal think in its original symbolism the serpents coiling in her hair/ or around her oak leave crown
were more a solar and earthly symbol. But with time it changed more and more to the fearful serpent hair
(or more literal serpents as hair) with the symbolism of Medousa and the Erynies.

But how did this change of symbolism evolved over time? I think the key to understand this lies in the
shared symmbolism of Hekate and Medousa as guardian of gates. And in the connection to Hekate and
the Erynies in curses.

The masks of Medousa hung on doors and thresholds- they were apotropaic (averting of evil) and were
used to protect this liminal space. The Hekateia had a very similar role- her depictions were on thresholds,
doors and crossroads to protect these liminal spaces. Both Hekate and Medousa were guardians. Both
were primeval figures who had already power before the Olympian Gods came to rule the world. Both
were connected to the snake symbolism. Hekate maybe original in a more solar-earthly symbolism and
Medousa in an earthly-oceanic symbolism.

As a guardian of thresholds both Goddesses had to be fearful at times- to scare intruders and harmful
influences away. This shared symbolism fused maybe with each other. More so maybe thorugh the shared
serpent symbolism. First Hekates crown with oak leaves and serpents was something unique (and i know
of no other deity that is depicted with something like this) and changed with time more into snakes in her
hair and than to the full serpent hair of Medousa and the naming of Hekate as Gorgon in some texts. If it
is true that on some archaic Hekateia masks hung from a central pillar (instead of a threeformed statue
around a central pillar as from classical times onwards) the fusion of the Gorgon mask and the masks of
Hekate and the evolution to Hekate with full serpent-hair and Gorgon head gets more clear.

Hekate and the Erynies were both adressed in many curse tablets (like other chtonic Gods like Hermes,
too). Hekate and the Erynies were both addressed in necromantic workings (in one text Hekate brings the
souls from Elysium and the Erynia Tisiphone brings the souls from the Tartaros). Both Hekate and the
Erynies were able to bring illness and madness and later on Hekate herself was even called Erynia in the
PGM. I can imagine that the underworldly symbolism of the serpent-hair of the Erynies fused with the
symbolism of the serpent-hair of Medousa as well- and with the snake-oak crown of Hekate.
From roman times onwards until late antiquity Hekate got more and more connected to the moon and her
solar symbolism moved more into the background. And the same happened to the symbolism of the
Gorgoneion- in Orphism of late antiquity the head of the Gorgon was envisioned in the moon.

Personal Gnosis

I personal see Hekate strongly connected to all the serpent symbolisms that i brought together in the first
part of the article. The connection to the serpent highlights for me that she is a primordial Titaness. She
comes from a time before the Olympian Gods bagan to rule.

When she appears to me (in my inner view) with snakes coiling in her hair, these snake are docile and tame.
They are not fearful but are more symbols of her power and her primordial being. For me they bring together
her power over earth, sky and sea. The serpents in her hair, or around her body or around her arms can
be the earthly snakes of fertility, snakes that links me to the good spirits of the home and the ancestors.
But they can be the solar heavenly snakes, too- the serpents that bring solar influences, healing and renewal.
Or the oceanic watery snakes that connects Hekate to her influence over the oceans. If these tame and
docile serpents appear to me in my meditations or rites in my inner view- they are quite positive.

But sometimes when Hekate appears in her more fearful forms- the serpents in her hair are wilder, darker,
scary. Than she comes as the mistress of Tartaros, as the queen of the restless dead. She is scary but not
evil- the same goes for her serpents. This darker emanation of Hekate is very protective- she is the great
guardian. And as guardian she has to be fearful at times, so fearful that even the terrbile and harmful things
and beings are scared of her. In this role the serpent-hair of Medousa and the Erynies fits very well to her.

*Witchcraft was original more linked to the sun in ancient Greece. Medea, Circe and other witches were
descendants of Helios- the sun God. In pre-greek times there was no pairing of a moon Goddess and the
sun God, but a pairing of a male sun God and a nightly female sun Goddess. The female sun Goddess was
connected to the earth (and underworld) and the night and the male sun God was connected to the sky and
the day. The connection between Hekate and Helios was from this symbolism. From roman times onwards
witchcraft and Hekate got both more and more connected to the moon. But even in late antiquity the solar
symbolism of Hekate stayed intact- but got more overshadowed through her lunar symbolism.

Sources for this Article

Hekate die dunkle Göttin by Thomas Lautwein (he has a lot of informations about the solar Hekate and the
symbolism of serpents in antiquity).
Hekate in ancient greek religion by Robert von Rudloff
Die Mythologie der Griechen by Karl Kerenyi

To read more about the snake symbolism and Hekate from a different perspective- there is a great article
about Hekate and snakes by Vikky Bramshaw in the book “Hekate: Her Sacred Fires” published by Avalonia
Books.
H
ekate is the Cosmic Soul, the Divine Oneness. She is at once, the Source and the Subject of
the entire Universe; the all-pervading Being, seemingly divided into the many.

Through the act of manifestation into the physical, our loving Cosmic Soul divides parts of Herself
equally among Her creations. By doing so She risks losing Her consciousness to a degree and for a
time in the unknowing of Her creations of what they are. So in Her perfect wisdom, she gave us
the ability to love. Because by loving we are able to bypass the mistake of believing we are
completely separate. She gave us love to teach us of our Wholeness and Oneness with each other
and with Her. Love is a gateway for our minds and spirits to unite, it is the way to heal the illusionary
rift in our collective consciousness and Being.
Through love we have Hekate Soteira, the World Soul, the Saviour from illusion and ignorance. For
in the Heavens She is Cosmic Soul, and on earth She is World Soul; saving us from division and
reincorporating us into Her Wholeness.
This is why love is the natural state, leading us to sharing and celebration. This is the establishment
of true peace in the soul.
Hekate as World Soul Brings All Power:
When we act with Love towards all and with all, we are fulfilling our purpose to bring Hekate to
earth. We are working for our Cosmic Soul to establish the World Soul. This is perfect co-creation
along with Hekate.
If we will do our part of sharing love, we open a channel for Hekate's power to flow into us and
our lives, as well as everyone else's. And whenever a group of people come together in love and
share an intent, we can create anything, just as powerfully as the Cosmic Soul.
Division brings all weakness, but Union brings all power. We are each a flame meant to be joined
in a great Fire that consumes our planet and fills it with the World Soul. This is the Truth and
Wisdom our Creatrix offers, to be the consciousness and loving soul of the Earth..
Again, this is why love is the natural state. Love increases the life experience of all it touches, indeed
it increases life itself. In contrast, hate is the denial of love, it prevents growth and expansion of
life.
So we see our purpose is to make Hekate, the World Soul, whole on earth, as She is in the Heavens.
A task that She is more than willing to help with once we open the door.
 "Hekate Soteira, our great World Soul,
Give us the Love which makes us Whole.
Lift all Veils that obscure our sight,
As the rising Sun dispels the Night.

Queen of Heaven, Queen of Earth,

Ruling heart, home, and hearth;
Guide us into your one desire,
To join us all as flames in fire.

Gracious Lady, grant us release,

One to another, our union in peace.
Move within us towards your goal,
Oh Hekate Soteira, our great World Soul."

© Florian Schlie
 What is an Astral Doorway?
An astral doorway is a creative visualisation technique where you open a
doorway into your inner mental landscape, using a symbol or image as the
gateway which frames your exploration of that mental landscape. The images
and interactions you experience through using the symbol or image as a doorway
reflect the communication of your conscious mind with your unconscious mind
and your inner divine spark. Effectively an astral doorway allows you to choose
the frame of reference for a dialogue between the different parts of your
consciousness. You can use any type of image as an astral doorway, though
those with meaningful symbolism will usually yield better results.

T
hese are the first Astral Doorway exercises here in Askei Kataskei, in what will hopefully
become a regular feature. The exercises are all selected from regular exercises which are
being created and shared by Torchbearers for our members-only forum. To keep it simple,
the exercises are all being named for the images they are based on.

Tips:
Ÿ Approach astral doorway practice in the same way as you would any meditation or devotional
practice.
Ÿ Ensure that you will not be disturbed for the duration of the practice;
Ÿ It is best to sit for the practice so that you remain alert and aware (a chair is fine, or a favourite
meditation posture);
Ÿ Make sure you are wearing comfortable clothes, that you are not too warm or cold;
Ÿ If possible, print or otherwise obtain a copy of the image for personal reference use.
Ÿ I find it that lighting a favourite incense and a few candles helps me to relax into practices such
as this, try experimenting with different combinations to see what works best for you.
Ÿ For light trance practices such as this, breath meditations are very useful and safe to use; again
you may wish to experiment with different techniques to find what works best for you.

How to Journey
To journey an image set aside a time and place in which to do the practice. Make sure that there
is sufficient light for you to be able to study the image by, without straining your eyes.
Begin by sitting with the image in front of you. Take a few deep breaths and focus on your breath,
breathing deeply and finding a natural rhythm. Continue to focus on your breath, and allow
yourself to sink into a light trance state by shifting your awareness onto your in-breath. All the
while looking at the image and studying all the symbols, colours and shapes in it. When you feel
ready, visualise yourself stepping into the image and let the journey commence!
As soon as you have finished, spend a little time reflecting on what you experienced and make
notes for you to return to for reference.
 CoH Astral Doorway meditation

"Hekate's Reach"

For the Astral doorway meditation this week I have

chosen a painting that I have recently completed called
Hekate’s Reach.

I have found it to be a very atmospheric picture and lend

itself well as a doorway

Find yourself a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed,

make yourself comfortable light a candle or incense.

Sit down and study the image for a while, when you feel
ready close your eyes and breath deep and slow feel your
breath entering and leaving your body now open your
eyes look at the picture absorb the image. Feel the storm
hear the wave crashing against the cliffs, be guided look
for the symbolism and for Hekate herself. Let yourself go
into the image and explore the three realms of Earth, Sea
and Sky. When you feel you have explored enough
concentrate on your breathing again and return once
again from the picture stretch your fingers and wiggle
your toes have a glass of water and when ready write up
your experience.
© Robert Podmore
 CoH Astral Doorway meditation

"Hekate's Reach"

Magic has always been a great muse, and likewise I have found art a great inspiration
to my magick. I’ve come to see the Witch who works their Will likewise an artist
creating their world. Both are an expression of focused thought and feeling (power),
reach into other worlds, and manifest their vision.

For the Astral doorway meditation this week, I have chosen my “Triple Hekate”. We
begin by finding a quiet and dimly lit space, somewhere comfortable where you will
not be disturbed. I like to place a pinch of salt upon the tongue in purification... any
act of cleansing should be performed, incense or water. Sit down with the image before
you. Light a candle for illumination, and instantly close your eyes.

Become conscious of your breathing. Calm, slow and long drawn. Once you have
reached your place of power, open your eyes and look upon the icon. Visually absorb
the image, paying attention to any symbolism being offered. When I know I am ready
to enter I close my eyes, take a deep breath, and with my power hand I knock on the
ground three times, petitioning Hekate’s guidance.
Become aware of the darkness within, without, above, and below you. In that pure
darkness, you are floating... In the far distance of your minds eye you see a faint light
glowing in the centre of the great dark. Slowly the light grows brighter and begins to
form Hekate from the painting. She grows greater and clearer til you find yourself
surrounded by the starry night that holds Her, and Triple Hekate shines luminous and
grand before you. The light of the crescent moon upon Her feet illuminates the
darkness inside your minds eye, and here we are open to Her wisdom.

Let your journey be lead by the sacred symbolism. The fire, key, blade, and so on. May
they guide you to any insight, feelings, memories, fears and untold desires. Be alert
to any inner-world changes.

When I have received insight and connection from the journey, I return to the
darkness... my attention back to my breathing, and feel my body ground heavy and
solid. Slowly open your eyes, hail Hekate, and blow out the candle. Have a glass of
water to calm the spirit, and record any insight.

*Note the peacock feather personally initiated symbolism.

Khaire Anassa Hekate
© Shay Skepevski
 ACROSS
4 Often conflated with this Goddess.
5 Hekate as Soteira and World Soul.
7 Hekate's male Endoian and Psychopomp
counterpart.
8 Hekate is companion and guide to this
young Goddess.
11 Sometimes depicted with this equine head.
12 King of Olympos, who gave Hekate all
honours.
13 Sacred meal in Her honour.
14 Goddess of Heaven, Earth and ___
DOWN
1 Aidônaia
2 Hekate's father.
3 Ancient magical text that features Hekate
prominently.
5 Hekate stands where three roads meet.
6 "Cave of the goddess to whom dogs are
slain."
9 Giant slain by Hekate's fiery brands.
10 Ancient priestess of Hekate.
11 Said to be the leader of.
Answers given on page 40
 A
t the time I constructed
this shrine and altar was
I very privileged to live
in a house where I was able to
have a separate temple room.
It meant I could have a
dedicated space to work and
meditate and dedicated
shrines and an altar space. Oh
but the amount of magical
tools and pretties that I had
and constantly added to! At
least I had gotten over buying
expensive items, which
seemed to become an
obsession in the early days of
my path but I learnt to cut
down; if you call the scouring
of charity shops, car boot sales
and ebay for bargains cutting
down! This way though is great in turning everyday items into magical tools, altar pieces and working
symbols; opportunities to reuse and recycle and get the paints and glitter out to “improve” them.
My Hekate shrine meant I could show my devotion to Her, as well as expressing my personality. It
could change and morph over time as rituals and meditations were undertaken, items added, taken
away, flowers and greenery to adorn it, the energy building. In this photo I have a painting gifted to
me by the artist which is extremely special to me, a knife with a yew handle that I only use for Hekate
workings - which was in the seconds bin, so an absolute bargain - a pair of rather large snake
candlesticks from ebay for £5, a set of keys added to a gold ribbon (the keys I found in the back of a
drawer but which opened nothing in the house!), a black bowl for scrying - £1 in a habitat sale, a wolf
picture repurposed which I bought at a medieval fair on a visit to the States, along with the Hekate
statue I also bought on that trip. The most extravagant item is the column statue, which I picked up
at Witchfest in 2003! A most beloved item.
Now I live in a shared house so have little room for a permanent shrine but statues sit on a shelf with
dried flowers from rituals I have held, and a tealight. An altar is made on the top of an old, small
cabinet, set up for any magical work I am doing.
The most important magical tool, however, is myself. A shrine or altar full of tools and magical items
is great but I crave simplicity much of the time, so sit out in nature or with just a candle or incense.

-Lezley Cunningham-Wood
A
will be a quarterly publication centering on the Goddess
Hekate and the goings on of the CoH. Readership will be made up by –
but not limited to – Covenant members, including individuals from a
variety of religious faiths and spiritualties the world over. What our
readers have in common is a shared passion for the history, mysteries and
magic of the Goddess Hekate, viewed within the Covenant as the Cosmic
World Soul.

Submissions can include, but are by no means limited to:

1. Historic articles (at least 500 words long, and no more than 3000)
2. Poetry (between 125 and 600 words long, ideally)
3. Recipes for incense, food, oils etc (between 250 and 600 words, ideally)
4. Experiential essays - especially in relation to CoH Ritual experiences (at
least 500 words long, and no more than 3000)
5. Reviews of books, gatherings, events etc (at least 300 words long, and
no more than 850)
6. Photography (shrines, ritual gatherings, creative offerings) and artwork
(drawings, paintings, prints)

Full, in-depth guidelines for submissions and contributions can be found

on the CoH website.

All members are encouraged to contribute material; representing in so

doing their different spiritual paths and their different cultural flavours
to the Zine. Contributions should ideally help towards achieving the goals
of the CoH, which can be found on www.hekatecovenant.com

All submissions should be the original work of the author/artist. We

prefer receiving submissions via email sent to:
 books
For further details on contributors
Contributors this Issue...

past and present go to:

https://www.facebook.com/AskeiKataskei