For as long as people have had hair, they have braided it. Likewise, cultures worldwide often use hair braiding or knotting in one aspect or another. 

From the Korean Daenggi Braids to the Fulani Braids, braided hair can be found in every corner of the world. My personal heritage is Irish/Scottish. 

 

What are your thoughts about magical hair braiding or magical knots? Have you tried it? What different impacts have you seen with your magical workings? 

Here's a look at my magical braids.  What did you do? Share your images in the comments or send me a message. I'd love to hear how you're working magical knots into your day.

Feel free to share it here or reach out over the instant messenger to share your thoughts. 

Blessings

Rev. Renee Sosanna Olson

 This year was an amazing time for Rite of Her Sacred Fires. 

Sorita d'Est founder of the Covenant of Hekate presented the rite live online which was live streamed to every corner of the globe. I had the honor of taking part while moderating our group. If you have not had the opportunity I wanted to share the rite with you, some of my images from the evening and the text of the event.

Rite of Her Sacred Fires

1. Preparation

Find a quiet place where you will be able to perform the rite undisturbed. You will need a candle (or another form of devotional fire such as a lamp or hearth fire) and something with which to light it. You may wish to consecrate the candle or other materials you will be using in keeping with your usual tradition of working, otherwise please simply ensure that it is clean.

2. Prelude

Make yourself comfortable, breathe deeply and find your point of balance, a balance of mind and soul and body, which will present you proud and beautiful to the world. Breathe deeply and find your voice, the voice with which you will speak words of true and pure intent. Breathe deeply and call upon the freedom within your heart so that you will be able to express yourself with purity of intent and with strength of desire.

Place both your hands on your heart (three heartbeats), your forefinger and middle finger of your dominant hand to your lips (three heartbeats), and then to your brow (three heartbeats).  Now enclose your thumbs within both your hands (in fists) and raise both your arms to the heavens.

Open your hands and with palm upwards in your left hand, bring your right arm to your side palm facing downwards and invoke the Goddess.

3. Invocation

“I invoke thee, Great Mistress of the Heaven, Earth and Sea,
By your mysteries of Night and Day,
By the Light of the Moon and the Shadow of the Sun
I invoke thee, Mistress of life, death and rebirth
Emerge now from the shadow realm to feed my soul and enlighten my mind,
Triple-formed Mistress of the three ways
I entreat thee, Key-bearing Mistress of the Nightwandering Souls
To bring forth your wisdom from amongst the stars
To bring down your starfire from the darkness between,
Creatrix of Light!
Goddess of the Shadow Realms! Light-bearing queen!
Whisper now your secrets!
Fire-bringer! Earthly-one! Queen of Heaven!”

[Raise both hands with palms facing upwards to the heavens (three heartbeats) and then touch the ground palms downwards]

[Sit before the candle and prepare to light it]

[Take three deep breaths and allow your senses to awaken]

Say

“Hekate, companion and guide to the mysteries
I light this sacred fire in your honour, [light fire]
Its light uniting the stars and stones, the heavens and the earth,
With this fire I express my desire for a greater understanding of your mysteries

Askei Kataskei Erōn Oreōn Iōr Mega Samnyēr Baui (repeat 3 times) Phobantia Semnē,

Great Hekate, who spins the web of the stars and governs the spiral of life
Guide me through towards pathways of understanding,
From Crossroad to Crossroad,
The Torchbearers and the Keybearers of your mysteries will always find one another”

Now sit and watch the flame flicker and dance, allow yourself to focus on the different colours in the flame,
the yellows and reds, the blues and whites, and the black. If you wish you may
decide to spend some time meditating on the flame, skrying for visions or omens.
Likewise you may wish to extinguish it and keep the candle.
Let your true self radiate brightly its beautiful mysteries from this day on forth, the flame of the fires of Hekate burns on in your heart!

Say

“I banish now the shadows of doubt from my mind,
Infused by the silence and warmth of our union
I feel your golden radiance within my heart
And the glory of knowledge on my brow,
I am a student of your mysteries.”

Extinguish the flame, then place both your hands on your heart (three heartbeats),
your forefinger and middle finger of your dominant hand to your lips (three heartbeats),
and then to your brow (three heartbeats).

Open your palms reaching towards the heaven, then reach down and touch the Earth.

[Copyright Notice]

This ritual was written in celebration of the completion of the book Hekate Her Sacred Fires and as an act of Devotion to the Goddess Hekate. Permission is given for the adaptation of this ritual for personal and group use. The ritual is designed to be performed as is but can also be incorporated into longer rituals and is compatible with most magical traditions. Whoever performs this rite takes personal responsibility for the results (or lack of results!) thereof the author cannot be held responsible for any undesired effects. This ritual may be reproduced freely for non-commercial purposes in any format electronic or printed, providing that this original notice remain intact. 

For any changes, updates and further resources see www.hekatecovenant.com

(c)Sorita d’Este, 2010

 Feel free to share your photos here or on the Facebook page.  We'd love to see how you connect on this wonderful event.  To connect with others on this journey, please scan this qr code with your smart phone and join the Facebook Group - Rite of Her Sacred Fires.

 Rite of Her Sacred Fires is just around the corner. On the first full moon in May devotees of the Goddess come together in this modern celebration of her mysteries! 

This is one of the most amazing rituals you can take part it. I found it to be just as rewarding the first time I participated in 2010 as it is today. 

To help give an example of what to expect, here's a video of Kenn Payne, Keybearer to the Covenant of Hekate and founder of the Sanctuary of Hekate Polymorphos.  I highly recommend checking it out.

Written in 2010 by Sorita d'Este, it quickly grew and is now available in over 25 languages. You can find all the translations on the Covenant of Hekate Website. 

This year Sorita will be hosting the event online and all devotees are welcome. You can attend free of charge by signing up on Eventbrite on this link.

Rite of Her Sacred Fires

1. Preparation

Find a quiet place where you will be able to perform the rite undisturbed. You will need a candle (or another form of devotional fire such as a lamp or hearth fire) and something with which to light it. You may wish to consecrate the candle or other materials you will be using in keeping with your usual tradition of working, otherwise please simply ensure that it is clean.

2. Prelude

Make yourself comfortable, breathe deeply and find your point of balance, a balance of mind and soul and body, which will present you proud and beautiful to the world. Breathe deeply and find your voice, the voice with which you will speak words of true and pure intent. Breathe deeply and call upon the freedom within your heart so that you will be able to express yourself with purity of intent and with strength of desire.

Place both your hands on your heart (three heartbeats), your forefinger and middle finger of your dominant hand to your lips (three heartbeats), and then to your brow (three heartbeats).  Now enclose your thumbs within both your hands (in fists) and raise both your arms to the heavens.

Open your hands and with palm upwards in your left hand, bring your right arm to your side palm facing downwards and invoke the Goddess.

3. Invocation

“I invoke thee, Great Mistress of the Heaven, Earth and Sea,
By your mysteries of Night and Day,
By the Light of the Moon and the Shadow of the Sun
I invoke thee, Mistress of life, death and rebirth
Emerge now from the shadow realm to feed my soul and enlighten my mind,
Triple-formed Mistress of the three ways
I entreat thee, Key-bearing Mistress of the Nightwandering Souls
To bring forth your wisdom from amongst the stars
To bring down your starfire from the darkness between,
Creatrix of Light!
Goddess of the Shadow Realms! Light-bearing queen!
Whisper now your secrets!
Fire-bringer! Earthly-one! Queen of Heaven!”

[Raise both hands with palms facing upwards to the heavens (three heartbeats) and then touch the ground palms downwards]

[Sit before the candle and prepare to light it]

[Take three deep breaths and allow your senses to awaken]

Say

“Hekate, companion and guide to the mysteries
I light this sacred fire in your honour, [light fire]
Its light uniting the stars and stones, the heavens and the earth,
With this fire I express my desire for a greater understanding of your mysteries

Askei Kataskei Erōn Oreōn Iōr Mega Samnyēr Baui (repeat 3 times) Phobantia Semnē,

Great Hekate, who spins the web of the stars and governs the spiral of life
Guide me through towards pathways of understanding,
From Crossroad to Crossroad,
The Torchbearers and the Keybearers of your mysteries will always find one another”

Now sit and watch the flame flicker and dance, allow yourself to focus on the different colours in the flame,
the yellows and reds, the blues and whites, and the black. If you wish you may
decide to spend some time meditating on the flame, skrying for visions or omens.
Likewise you may wish to extinguish it and keep the candle.
Let your true self radiate brightly its beautiful mysteries from this day on forth, the flame of the fires of Hekate burns on in your heart!

Say

“I banish now the shadows of doubt from my mind,
Infused by the silence and warmth of our union
I feel your golden radiance within my heart
And the glory of knowledge on my brow,
I am a student of your mysteries.”

Extinguish the flame, then place both your hands on your heart (three heartbeats),
your forefinger and middle finger of your dominant hand to your lips (three heartbeats),
and then to your brow (three heartbeats).

Open your palms reaching towards the heaven, then reach down and touch the Earth.

[Copyright Notice]

This ritual was written in celebration of the completion of the book Hekate Her Sacred Fires and as an act of Devotion to the Goddess Hekate. Permission is given for the adaptation of this ritual for personal and group use. The ritual is designed to be performed as is but can also be incorporated into longer rituals and is compatible with most magical traditions. Whoever performs this rite takes personal responsibility for the results (or lack of results!) thereof the author cannot be held responsible for any undesired effects. This ritual may be reproduced freely for non-commercial purposes in any format electronic or printed, providing that this original notice remain intact. 

For any changes, updates and further resources see www.hekatecovenant.com

(c)Sorita d’Este, 2010

 Feel free to share your photos here or on the Facebook page.  We'd love to see how you connect on this wonderful event.  To connect with others on this journey, please scan this qr code with your smart phone and join the Facebook Group - Rite of Her Sacred Fires.

 Over the last few months we've been looking at how the middle path of the Buddha crosses over the middle path of Hecate. How each one of the steps on that Buddhist path intersects with the Five Virtues of Hecate. Of course just like everyone else blogging today, this is UPG (unverified personal gnosis). What I do provide is my take on the documentation that I have found to date as well as my personal opinions related to those teachings. This is a wrap up of what we've have discussed to date as well as looking into the person who follows both.

Hecate and Buddha have very different philosophical belief structures. An example would be these two quotes below based on war.

"Of Buddha on war:

"In killing I would be betraying and abandoning the very teachings I would be seeking to preserve. So it would be better to let him kill me and remain true to the spirit of the Dharma."

Of Hecate on war:

And when men arm themselves for the battle that destroys men, then the goddess is at hand to give victory and grant glory readily to whom she will. Good is she also when men contend at the games, for there too the goddess is with them and profits them : and he who by might and strength gets the victory wins the rich prize easily with joy, and brings glory to his parents." - Theio

While I see myself as someone who does not wish to harm others, I also life by the believe that a witch who cannot harm cannot heal. You must have within you the ability to do both, if you intend to do either.

Both are found ancient texts with Buddha being mentioned in the 1st Century BCE and Hecate in the 8th Century BC.  However, their messages are as modern as laptops and TikTok. As I move through my path I have found that both of these keep me in a balanced state. While I sit and walk the path of the Buddha, I can see and feel the spirit of Hecate with. I work on things for her that guide my walk and help keep me in a spot that allows me to protect myself and others.  

One may say, well then, you're not a Buddhist if you choose to fight to survive. The Buddha clearly states harming others is not something we should do, even to save ourselves.  In that sense of the word, I agree, I am not there. 

For me walking the middle path is a way of not only gaining inspiration and guidance from the Buddhist side but also allows me to nurture the connection I have with Hecate in all of her forms. I relate more to her Brimo form.  The angry one, the fiery one and the terrible one. I believe this relates directly to my the abuse I have had in my life and probably my inability to "turn the other cheek". 

I like to say, I don't hold grudges. I merely hold you responsible for your actions. As we all should. I believe that this is something that will not be changing or me anytime soon. I am open to change but I just don't see a way to make peace with the negativity and walk the the path of the Buddha without my occasional cross over to my work with Hecate.

I feel as though these two paths keep me in balance. Just as the waters of the Earth ebb and flow so do our feelings and energies. Each one lifting up as the other drops to help us become who and what we are.

What do you think? How do these two paths work together? It is a successful union? What other energies to you bring into your walk with Hecate? 

Feel free to leave your comments here or continue to send messages over the direct chat tool at the bottom of this page.

Wishing you an amazing Sunday,

Rev. Renee Sosanna Olson

Keybearer to the Covenant of Hekate

Founder of the Sanctuary of Hecate Brimo

 Our final part to this series on the Noble Eightfold Path ends with a look at Right Concentration.  What is Right Concentration and how does it connect to the Five Virtues of Hekate?

Right Concentration is the ability to focus on one object only. Focusing on one thought only to be calm and peaceful. With concentrated meditation helps to calm and stabilize the mind, making it possible to achieve clearer insight and focus on more important things.

To achieve Right Concentration, a scheduled meditation is key. Some focus on sitting mediation, were you sit in the lotus position each day which can cause suffering. It is believed that this type of suffering burns off the bad or negative karma. If we are able to achieve the four Jhanas, next will be enlightenment.

The four Jhanas are outlined in the chart below:

Another part of Right Concertation is to follow the Five Precepts:

• Abstain from Killing
• Do not steal
• Avoid Sensual Misconduct
• Abstain from False Speech
• Abstain from Intoxicants

So how does this connect to the Five Virtues of Hecate? Temperance is very similar to Right Concentration. Temperance is about limits. It is about self control and moderation. Concentration is limiting the distraction and having the self control and moderation to focus only into one thing. The equanimity of dwelling in our single space. A state of pure happiness.

Learning to live in Right Concentration, in Temperance can be a struggle for some. We should take some time to think about how these two impact us. Over all, I believe that the Noble Eightfold Path walks parallel to the Five Virtues of Hecate. 

What do you think? How do you see Right Concentration? What about Temperance? Does it align with your walk with the Buddha or with Hecate?  Feel free to  post your comments here on the blog, on the Facebook page or continue to share your thoughts with me privately with the chat button at the bottom of the screen.

Wishing you and amazing day.

Namaste,

Rev. Renee Sosanna Olson
Keybearer to the Covenant of Hekate
Found of the Sanctuary of Hecate Brimo

Resources

 This week we'll continue out study of The Nobel Eightfold Path vs. The Five Virtues of Hekate by looking deeper into Right Mindfulness.

What is Right Mindfulness and how does it relate to the Five Virtues of Hekate?

Mindfulness is currently a big deal in most self help and positive energy groups today. But what is right Mindfulness from the Buddhist perspective? 

For Buddhist the four precepts of Mindfulness include: 

Mindfulness of the Body - mindful of our breathing - as the breath enters the body and leaves the body. Also of how our body is position but also our internal body. Our organs and cells including the elements that make up the body. Such as water and air. This helps us understand and separate the areas that we need to be mindful of. Including death and decay of the body, adding to the understanding that this is a natural place and we will all be in this place at some point in our lives.

 Mindfulness of Feelings - This is related to the sense of pleasant feelings, neutral feelings and negative feelings. Through these feelings attachment can arise. An example would be having a possession that you cherish above all other things. Possessions can cause suffering, we may not see this at first because we're happy we have this possession but the issue comes in when we lose this possession. Now we have suffering. This was explained in the Buddha's talk about releasing our cows. 

 Mindfulness of Mind - This is the quality of our mind. We should be aware of when our mind is angry, constricted or annoyed. Any point where our mind is closed and also when it is opened. We want to be aware of the state of our mind so that we can continue to behaving skillfully in the world. An example would be if we're in an angry state, we know that we need to avoid dealing with others until that anger has subsided. If we are mindful of the anger we can understand that we need to breathe or calm down before we move forward with the conversation. - This relates directly to our post last week regarding the Chicken Finger offerings to Hecate.  I knew that in my current state and in their current state, anything I offered would be taken as an attack, so I choose to not get involved in the debate.

 Mindfulness of Dhammas - In this context, it means certain types of mental states. Be aware of the hinderances. The things that hinder us in daily life. Pleasure, Ill will, Doubt are types of hinderances that will make mediation difficult. Understanding the previous precepts of mindfulness and using them to make a space for mindfulness. To be aware of these things and understanding their links to each other and to our own ability to connect without adding to the suffering of self or others.

As we look at the Five Virtues, how does Mindfulness align? To me Temperance and Wisdom aligns with them. Temperance reminds us not to take things in excess. It is moderation of self and action. We look before we leap. We evaluate before we move forward. The same can be said for Wisdom. We examine, we evaluate, we calculate and then we act. As I continue this, I believe this connection between these two allow me to maintain my devotion to Hecate as well as walk the Nobel Eightfold Path as a lay Buddhist. 

What do you think? Do you connect with Right Mindfulness?  How does it connect to the Five Virtues for you?  Do you see a way to walk both paths? Is the middle path the right path for those devoted to Hecate?

Feel free to share your comments here on the blog, on the Facebook page or continue to share your thoughts with me privately using the message button at the bottom of the page.

Wishing you and amazing day.

Namaste,

Rev. Renee Sosanna Olson
Keybearer to the Covenant of Hekate
Found of the Sanctuary of Hecate Brimo

Resources

 As we continue out look at how closely aligned the Nobel Eightfold Path is with the Five Virtues of Hekate, today we're looking at Right Effort.

What is Right Effort?

Right effort is often overlooked in a lot of Buddhist teachings due to how connected effort can be with ego. In early traditions the whole idea of the path is to be sure that your effort is moving your forward.

One of the four aspects of Buddhism is to strive for continued positive states of mind. We may get angry or greedy and this effort is to stop those things prior to becoming in that state. We understand we're not awakened yet, we can be led to do unskillful things or be in an unskillful state. We should guard against that by taking the effort not to put ourselves into situations that cause us to create suffering.  We should be striving for the skilled states, Loving Kindness, Compassion, Sympathetic Joy, Wisdom and Equanimity are examples of this.

Right away we see that several of the Five Virtues are here. Compassion, Wisdom are most prominent but we can also see the remaining virtues within the skilled states.  Justice can easily fit into Equanimity, along with courage. Temperance can fit with kindness and sympathetic joy. We have to reminder that all of these skills, paths or virtues are all about balance. 

Our effort should always be in the right direction or in the direction of easing suffering. Easing suffering for ourselves and for others. For some it may mean downsizing your living space or making donations to a local charity. I may also include limiting your exposure to those things that cause you to become frustrated or angry. The idea is to ease suffering. The idea behind the Five Virtues is to walk a path of strength, positive action and positive mind while exploring our world. 

Working with Compassion, I think this is one of most aligned pieces of our path so far. Within us we should treat all living beings with compassion. This includes ourself. We should look to live in a way eases suffering. To me, this includes how I engage with other people. How I prepare my food and even how I write these posts.  I'm careful to share what my thoughts are without passing judgement on how other people may feel.

An example of this is a recent discussion in a Facebook group where they were discussing offerings to Hecate. One wanted to know if chicken fingers were ok to put on their altar. When another replied with the traditional offerings and asked why the person chose chicken, they were immediately blocked by the original poster. Today, we seem to lack the ability to engage in conversations that question our actions without feeling attacked. What was the right action here?  At first, I wanted to reply and try to mediate the situation. Even if what I was saying was truthful, and kind, was it necessary? 

In the end, for me it was not necessary. The effort here would be to "correct" the situation and it really isn't my place to correct anyone. So I left myself out of the conversation. Was this right effort? To me it was, but really there's no real way to judge this. Some may say, it is my place as a Keybearer to the Covenant of Hekate to correct someone when inaccurate information is being shared. In some situations I would agree. Had I been asked for my opinion, I think it may have been welcomed.  Even though the poster asked "Can I give Hekate chicken fingers." The real statement was, "I want to give Hekate Chicken Fingers, please reply if you agree with me."   We can see this based on the immediate block of the first person to disagree.  

So does the step, Right Effort align with the Five Virtues of Hecate?  Absolutely! I see it in several. What do you think?  Do you see something different? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments, on the Facebook page or continue to share privately in our chats.

Wishing you and amazing day.

Namaste,

Rev. Renee Sosanna Olson
Keybearer to the Covenant of Hekate
Found of the Sanctuary of Hecate Brimo

Resources:

What is Right Livelihood ?

Right Livelihood is part of the Noble Eightfold Path. It is under ethical conduct and provides guidance on what the Buddha taught was the best way to reach enlightenment. 

Right Livelihood involves not only what kind of business we're involved in but also balancing our expense vs our income so that we have a balance. We do not over or under spend. We do what we need to do to care for ourselves.  It's legal, ethical and good for all involved. There are five different business that the Buddha said we should avoid.

1. Trading in weapons.
2. Trading in human beings.
3. Trading in meat.
4. Trading in intoxicants.
5. Trading in poison.

How does this link to the Five Virtues of Hekate?

Just as our last look at Right Action, we can see that Right Livelihood can be found in all of the virtues of Hecate.  Our livelihood, the work we do to do the mundane, pay our bills, take care of ourself and family, we can see that each of the virtues of Hecate fit directly into them. 

• Compassion
• Courage
• Temperance 
• Justice
• Wisdom 

 I work each day and use compassion to help others.  I use courage and temperance to be sure that I work hard but not too hard. I use justice and wisdom to help those around me in my professional capacity.  Each action I take in my livelihood will not harm myself or others.

What do you think?  How does Right Livelihood fit into the Five Virtues of Hekate? Do you see it directly relating to one of them? Does it cross them all?  Feel free to comment here or continue to reach out to me directly to continue our conversation.

Namaste,

Rev. Renee Sosanna Olson

Keybearer to the Covenant of Hekate

Founder of the Sanctuary of Hecate Brimo

Resources:

 What is Right Action?

Right action is a step on the Noble Eightfold path. In Buddhism, the eightfold path is meant as a guideline, to be considered, to be contemplated, and to be taken on when, and only when each step is fully accepted as part of the life you seek. Buddhism never asks for blind faith, it seeks to promote learning and a process of self-discovery.

1st Aspect of Right action is not take a life of another living animal. Generally it means not killing other people, other types of animals or insects.  The buddha did not approve of pulling up plants for no reason but eating plants was not considered a wrong action.

2nd Aspect of right action is to abstain from stealing. Both of these are generally found in most ethical structures around most societies. It includes aspects of being honest and being ethical, so not just stealing money from someone. Some forms of livelihood will include this type of action. So we wound want to be sure that this right action would link directly to right livelihood. Stealing is taking that which is not ours.

3nd Aspect of right action is to obtain for sexual misconduct. Monastics would abstain completely but layperson would not have sex in ways that are harmful or dangerous to other people. There is no other restrictions against sexual contact such as homosexual sex.  We should limit our sexual action to those who are able to consent.  There is no context related to marriage either. So our goal in this action is that if we chose to have sex, we are all consenting and working within a space right intention.

So how does Right Action fit in with the Five Virtues of Hekate?

While I do not see that Right Action fits into a single virtue, I do see that it actually encompasses all of them.  When we look at them:

• Compassion
• Courage
• Temperance 
• Justice
• Wisdom