Review of Hekate's Supper & Ritual
Photos have been uploaded onto the Temple of the Dark Moon's photo album - http://picasaweb.google.com/TempleDarkM
There were 16 of us which made it rather "cosy" in the Temple considering it was unseasonally hot - 27C I think it got up to (so much for Spring). As the ritual was basically an honouring one as opposed to working with a particular aspect of Hekate, a general invocation and quarter calling was undertaken before we each in turn approached the altar, offered up a gift and light a candle in honour of a particular aspect/guise of Hekate. These aspects included:
Hekate Crataeis, the Mighty One;
Hekate Kleidouchos, the keeper of the key;
Hekate Triformis, the three bodied one;
Hekate Kurotrophos, protector of the children;
Hekate Phosphorous, light bringer;
Hekate Chthonia, Mistress of the Underworld, Earthly one;
Hekate Prytania, the invincible Queen of the Dead;
Koure Mounogenes, the only begotten maiden;
Nyklipolos, the night wanderer;
Hekate Dadouchas, the torch bearer;
Hekate Enodia, Goddess of the ways;
Hekate Nocticula, Moon Mistress; and lastly
Skylakagetis, Mistress of the hellhounds.
Energy was raised by three circuits of the Temple - during the first, due to the number of people in the Temple space, I was wondering whether three times could be undertaken, but by the time the second circuit was underway, the energy seemed to shift and things started to speed up.
A meditation at the crossroads was undertaken - with Hekate's wise words reminding us that ...
" ... All paths that lead to the crossroads are desirable, but only one can you travel. Only one can you choose. Choice creates endings and all beginnings come from endings. Which road will you choose? Which way will you go? Although the choice is yours, here is a secret that I will share: The way to choose is to enter the void. The way to choose is to let die. The way to choose is to fly free."
We then gave our thanks to this most powerful Goddess and opened the circle.
Due to the unseasonally warm weather, we feasted under the verandra where the jasmine was starting to bloom.
After everyone left, I was totally exhausted but could not sleep - thunder was rolling around and there was heavy rain so about 1.30am I got up (largely to check where the cat was) when there was a large crack of lightning seemingly directly overhead. Then the rain stopped.
As I was dismantling some of the altar this morning to take offerings outside to where I had made a three roads next to my libation, the wind picked up so much that I had to burn the petitions inside the Temple, but I couldn't burn the special candle that was made - and then it bucketed down again so I guess the candle will have to be burnt at a later stage.
Now the winds are calm and the skies are blue ... I wonder should I attempt again ... or leave it for another time.
As the ritual was a definate success and enjoyed by all who attended (regardless of the level they had personally had working with Hekate or indeed ritual), I will be seriously considering organising another ritual next year.
