The Path Forward
So, I know that it's been a while since I updated last. Long story short, I moved, and it's been a whirlwind since then. There are a few things that I want to say though. No, this blog isn't dead. I intend to keep updating it on a semi-regular basis, hopefully at least once a month, for the forseeable future. Second, you might notice that I did not use the Wicca tag on this post. There is a reason for this, one which I hopefully will go into detail once I've done a little more research and feel a bit more firm in my decision, but essentially the reason is that I no longer identify my witchcraft practice in this way. Wicca was useful, but I feel as though my practice has outgrown this particular label. I will describe my feelings and research in a future post, but that is all I will say about this for now.
As to how I define my practice now, I would consider it a mix of Hellenism and eclectic solitary witchcraft. I still meet up with a coven locally, but I'm exploring my practice in a way that I prefer to do alone. Maybe I'll move on from my current coven, maybe I'll stay, but right now, all I can say is that I'm explorihg my practice and that I do not want to put it in a box just yet.
As far as my practice goes, what does it look like today that differs it to my early practice of just a few months ago? Well, first and foremost, I asked my Goddess for Her name. This is where the Hellenism bit comes in. Turns out, I've been working with Hekate for much of this time, and just didn't know it. At first, I was a little startled and fearful, but honestly, putting a name to the energy has been so helpful in my practice that almost all of that fear and apprehension is gone. She has expressed that She has some work to do with me, and I want to honor Her and follow Her light.
I've noticed that a lot of people are apprehensive with working with Hekate, mostly due to all the bad press she gets. After all, many katadesmos invoke her to perform baneful magic. Well, like all the deities in the Hellenistic pantheon, Hekate is a complicated being. She is a Titan, one of the Old Gods, but she is the only one who survived the transition to the Olympic era, by helping the Olympians in their battle against the Titans. She is honored by Zeus above all other gods, as he gives her the domains of the earth, sea, and sky. She is the Goddess of darkness, dogs, crossroads, and witchcraft. She is often depicted as triple-bodied or triple-headed; bearing keys, torches, daggers, chalices, and snakes.
Perhaps one of the best ways to get to know her is to read her epithets. She is known as a guardian of children, a guide in the darkness, and the mother of all. She has been very gentle with me, and I feel safe with Her. I feel very honored that She is the one who answered my call for a guide, and I don't know that I could have chosen a better fit. She helps me with my divination and shadow work, and those are the two things I need help with most right now.
If Hekate is calling to you, there's something She wants to help you with. Let go of your fear of the stories you've been told, and listen to Her tell you Her own story. But always, do not be afraid to do a verification. Your deities want you to be safe, they should never get annoyed with you for verifying their identities. If they do, they are likely not who they say they are.
Stay safe, bright blessings!
Rowen