God Hades

I had never thought too much about Hades until today.

Watching a squirrel cross over this morning, I asked for my Goddess Hecate to take care of her in prayer, and
Hades made himself known. What suprised me is that as I envision him, I can see no darkness in the sense of
end, but a darkness in the sense of comforting sleep. A welcoming darkness that within holds a dear gentleness and openness with a space for grief but a space for love and hope, as well as rest before the journey begins again.

Hades to me is a comforting figure. I have never been scared of death, considering that I know in my own sense of truth that it is not the end, but the space between old and new, the threshhold. It is the place where my Patron Goddess works (not her only space, but she is comfortable there, and therefore so am I). Hades in his darkness spreads wings of comfort, guides, works with us World Walkers who move in these spaces. He is nothing to fear, neither is death.

I welcome Hades, and am honored that he allowed me to notice him today. May he allow the squirrel that is now in his care to find the rest she deserves.

Thank you, Honored God Hades!

Hail Hecate!

Courage And The Torchbearer

Courage


Remember that courage is not the absence of fear, but an reaction to a situation that might cause fear.
Courage is the sword of a torch bearer, a healer - a priestess (or priest) of our lady.

One of the jobs of being in service of the Lady Hecate to me is to be a torch bearer, one who brings light into the corners of the experience that might bring with it fear, dispear, dis-ease, dis-comfort, and a feeling of being stuck. We light the way by bringing courage to ourselves and to those who seek our guidance.

Courage is a principle that keeps on showing up in honor codes from a variety of paths and backgrounds. Courage is a part of the code of bushido, just as it is a part of the Nine Noble Virtues that the Asatru follow. It goes beyond the traditional courage shown in war, but is a part of our daily life principles, one that allows us to stand up against our addictions, our daily difficulties, stand strong in our convictions and principles.

Speaking ones mind, and encouraging others to do the same is our job as torch bearers. We can not bring light in the service of the one who brings light, without filling our own lives with courage. It is the bravery to do what is right at all times.

I wish you a life filled with courage!

Hail Hecate!

Hestia - Me, Seriously?

 Hestia - Me, Seriously?

Sometimes Our Lady Hecate calls in the re-enforcements.
I am everything but domestic. Yes, I homeschool my children, and yes I am working from inside the home, so to the person looking in it might appear that I am living the traditional home wife life - yeah right.

I am a feminist, I am anti-domestic and I hate cleaning. All right I do what I have to, but that activity is right up there with taxes, and going to the dentist - longing for the time when my side adventures will be able to afford me a cleaning lady. Trust me I will pay well for someone doing something I would never miss doing. Just not quite there yet - getting closer.

So who of all deities do I (Miss - I refuse to wear skirts, as a protest to fundies in the area) run accross and whom keeps on dancing in my head - Hestia of all people, ah Gods.

Domestic Goddess, keeper of the home, veiled one. Not quite sure what to make of her presence in my life. I have been, like a good feminist as I proudly claim to be, ignoring her existence. Yet I keep on thinking about her lately. Digging through other people's blogs for inspirations, most of them my Patron related blogs, she still keeps on showing up.

And this morning I almost heard my Goddess say this sentence out loud. Time to call in the re-enforcements.
Wondering where this exploration of connection to the Goddess of the Hearth and Home will lead me, but I have learned to listen to Hecate, knowing that she will not let me pass until I hear what she has to say - she did not when she brought Kuan Yin into my life, and I know she will not this time.

So it is time for me to be quiet - and listen - at least for a moment. And later write about where this little encounter took me.


Hail Hecate!

Exploring The Triple Goddess - Light, Shadow and Darkness

A comment on my Shrine's facebook page has been  dancing around my head over the last few days. I wished a dear commentar "hugs and blessings" and was told imidiatly how Hecate isn't such a Goddess, and he did not think this has space in a Shrine dedicated to her.

Really? Disregarding the fact that as a Shrine Keeper, I consider my corners of the social media to be my personal space I invite others to (and therefore make the rules of that space), I am baffled by this one dimensional view of the Great Triple Goddess.

She is a Triple Goddess for a reason - a mover between the worlds of light, shadow and dark, of this plane, the transition stage and our next place. All that happens within these realms, love, pain, consideration, hurt, anger, dispair and hope are included within this vast space, and therefore fall under her juristiction. Limiting her to shadows or the emotions of the darkness is to limit oneself as a follower of her. As a Priestess, I am called to acknowledge the depth of the dark side, but I am also asked to acknowledged the light. She who carries the torches brings light herself within the dark spaces, and in those moments we are reminded to do so the same.

A true connection to any deity requires to explore all his/her aspects and confronting them within ourselves. We all have these three aspects - light, shadow and dark  within our daily experiences, and how we respond to them determines the quality of the path we take. And as followers of the great Goddess we become the torch bearer, the light bringer in the dark times, the comforter, the one who makes the transition easier through a kind word, or a blessings - and a virtual hug.

So yes in the space of my Shrine, virtual or physical, I offer hugs, kind words and hopeful some encouragements to those who are in transition.

Hail Hecate!

Shrine of Hecate - Weekly Update

Hi Everyone!

It is time for the weekly update - ritual info, gatherings, news and everything else that is going on at Shrine of Hecate!

Healing Ritual last night had been a blast. I am thankful for all of you that joined in and added your positive energy to our healing circle. Next week we will be conducting our Atlantis Healing Ritual. If you want to participate and would like to have access to the Quarter Calls, leave a comment or write me at homeschoolwitch@gmail.com

Speaking of rituals, let's get to next weeks online ritual schedule!

Temple of Isis will be holding their ritual on Tuesday September 4th 2012, at 9pm UK/GMT time and at 9pm EST  at our usual online ritual site http://www.wiccanway.org.uk

A Reiki Healing Session will be available at the same site on Thursday September 6th at 8pm UK/GMT and 8 pm EST time - yes we are holding two rituals per day to make it easier for you to join in.

Our regular weekly Healing Ritual is as usual on Friday, September 7th at 9 pm UK/GMT and 9pm EST time. As mentioned above, I will be your ritual leader and will conduct the Atlantis Healing ritual. If you or someone you know are in need of healing, please contact me here, or via homeschoolwitch@gmail.com and leave me the first or nickname of the person in need of healing.

Again all of our rituals are held in the chat rooms at http://www.wiccanway.org.uk - click on chat and choose the ritual or reiki room to join in!

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For an interesting read, check out the newest edition of the Correllian Times here: http://www.classes.witchschool.com/library/pdf/ctimessept2012.pdf   - the wonderful members of the tradition that dedicated themselves to creating a free and very interesting publication have done a great job again. Check it out, and share!

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If you are on facebook check out our groups! This week I want to feature our newly renamed group Shrine of Hecate - Frugal Witch! Here we share our tips on frugal magickal living - anything related to creating a magickal life while not breaking the bank. Recipes, ideas, simple spell, spell substitutions and do it yourself projects are welcome and appreciated! Join us here: http://www.facebook.com/groups/frugalwitch/


That is it for now! I am glad you could spend some time with us today

Your Shrine Keeper
Claudia
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shrine-Of-Hecate/162063783870576