Hekate and the Solar Eclipse

April 6, 2024April 6, 2024 / The Torch and Key: Melissa M. / Leave a comment

On Monday April 8, 2024, a total solar eclipse will occur, and will pass over North America (visit this website to see if you are in the path of totality, and what times of the day to expect the eclipse to occur). I am in upstate New York, and parts of the Adirondack region will be in 100% totality, while my specific location will be about 90%. We also experienced a rare earthquake yesterday, with the 4.8 magnitude quake centered near Lebanon, New Jersey and the effects were felt far and wide across parts of the northeast. My house shook, with the floor rumbling and walls shaking. It felt like a train was next to my house, and it was an interesting way to kick off this exceptional weekend.

Eclipses, whether lunar or solar, are liminal and transitional experiences. Hekate is a liminal goddess of thresholds and boundaries, of transition and change. As Propylaia, She is guardian of these thresholds whether actual or metaphorical. With Her torches, Hekate stands at the crossroads waiting. And ready to light the way.

About Solar Eclipses

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the earth and sun, fully obscuring the sun and creating what many call a “ring of fire” around the moon. Solar eclipses always happen on the New Moon. It is truly a sight to behold, and many people are flocking to areas of full totality to experience this sometimes once in a lifetime phenomenon. Here in upstate New York, tourism for this event kicked into full gear a couple of years ago, with hotels and other rentals being booked out months ago. State campgrounds are at full capacity for tent space, and they opened reservations for this event long before they normally open for the spring/summer camping season.

If you plan to view the eclipse, proper eyewear is a must. Wear only designated solar eclipse glasses, and do not wear them while driving a vehicle and make sure you are in a safe place, because they block out all other light. For more information about solar eclipses and this one in particular, visit NASA’s dedicated web page for this event.

At the Threshold

The New Moon is traditionally the time for new beginnings – whether it is a new life path, or a spiritual awakening or initiation (or both). During a solar eclipse, the Moon obscures the Sun, aligning feminine and masculine energies creating that “ring of fire”. The Moon becomes a portal or gate of sorts for stepping over that threshold and into the fire, so to speak.

Hekate, as gatekeeper and guardian of thresholds, is waiting. The moments during an eclipse when obscuration is beginning are so very liminal in nature, and becoming ever more so as the Moon and Sun comes closer to totality. I usually spend eclipse days in quiet spiritual contemplation and meditation, with candles lit, offerings made, and occasional incense burning. No magic or spells are performed during eclipse times – just being in the moment is preferable. Maybe some journaling is done as well to record my feelings and experience during this time.

During totality, the sky goes full dark if you are in the 100% totality path. Other areas will experience a darkened sky for some moments, but not full dark. Either way – these are powerful, transformational moments that can connect us to the liminal aspects of Hekate on the New Moon Solar Eclipse.

The New Moon is an ideal time for release; letting go of what no longer serves us and starting anew. Solar Eclipses make this even more powerful and transformational. Stepping over that threshold into the fire and purifying ourselves, being renewed like a Phoenix rising from the ashes can be a very profound, life changing experience. Hekate, as companion and guide to the mysteries of life, death, and rebirth, will be there along the way. Her torches burning bright, guiding you towards what is waiting for you. Change is not always easy, and the prospect can be frightening to some because what is coming is unknown. Sometimes we have to trust ourselves, and what is meant to be even if what awaits is obscured. Throwing our feet into the fire and finding the courage to take those steps is often the most difficult part. Crossing that threshold does not have to be done alone, and what is waiting on the other side can be incredibly rewarding as Hekate leads the way during this transitional time.

As devotees of Hekate, we always honor Her throughout the lunar cycle at appropriate sacred times. During eclipses, we can behold Her power as the Cosmic World Soul as we marvel in these ancient and sacred energies.

I will close this out with an excerpt from the Chaldaean Oracles, Fragments 146, 147, and 148, as revealed by Hekate:

Having spoken these things, you will behold a fire leaping skittishly like a child over the aery waves;

or a fire without form, from which a voice emerges;

or a rich light, whirring around the field in a spiral.

But that you will see a horse flashing more brightly than light,

or a child mounted on the swift back of a horse,

a fiery child or a child covered with gold, or yet again a naked child;

or even a child shooting arrows, standing upon a horse’s back.

If you say this to me many times, you will observe all things growing dark,

For the curved bulk of the heavens disappears and the stars do not shine; the light of the Moon is hidden and the Earth does not stand steady. All things are revealed in lightning.

But when you see the sacred fire without form,

Shining skittishly throughout the depths of the Cosmos,

Listen to the voice of the fire.

Hekate and the Spring Equinox – #hekatelight

March 18, 2018April 13, 2020 / The Torch and Key: Melissa M. / 1 Comment

Photo © Melissa McNair / The Torch and Key

The Equinox is a time of balance and mediation; the day is marked by equal light and equal dark. Whether you are in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere, you are experiencing the turning of the season from Summer to Autumn or from Winter to Spring.

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, the Spring Equinox is almost upon us. Trees and shrubs are just now beginning to show the tiniest of buds beginning to form, slowly bringing what was once dormant back to life with renewed growth.

In my neck of the woods (northern New York), we still have a decent amount of snow on the ground; remnants of the few recent snow storms, with more on the horizon (the above photo is from last year; it will be more than a month, maybe not until May, before my daffodils once again are blooming!).

The month of March, for us anyway, has certainly been roaring like a lion. We’ve experienced three Nor’easters in less than 2 weeks, bringing with it significant snow and wind. Winter is not quite done with us yet, but, signs of spring are emerging. Birds have returned with their melodious morning bird song, and I can make out tiny buds forming on the tips of the branches on the massive oak trees on our property.

I find Hekate’s presence throughout the turning of the seasons, and the Spring Equinox is a time of renewal and rebirth. Persephone is returning to the world, after spending her allotted time in the Underworld with Hades. Hekate, with Her illuminating torches, assumed the role of Propolos and became Persephone’s guide on her return trip, bringing Spring, and life, with her.

Ever since the Winter Solstice, light has been slowly returning to the world. Little by little, we are being brought out of the darkness and into the light. Hekate as Phosphorus is calling and showing us out of the dark. We finally reach the point of the Spring Equinox where we have a balance of light and dark. Hekate, being a liminal goddess, is standing on that threshold and keeping things in balance.

This is another facet of Chaldean Hekate – Soul of the World, Anima Mundi (please see February’s #hekateworldsoul posts for more information on Chaldean Hekate). Hekate is the Creatrix of Light – the primordial flame that illuminates all. That sacred flame dwells deep within our souls and all creation, and is brought to life with Her call.

Community celebration of the Goddess Hekate and Light. #hekatelight www.hekatecovenant.com

The Epiphany of Hekate – #hekateworldsoul

March 11, 2018April 13, 2020 / The Torch and Key: Melissa M. / Leave a comment

Photo © Melissa McNair / The Torch and Key

Fragments 146, 147, and 148 of the Chaldaean Oracles, as revealed by Hekate:

Having spoken these things, you will behold a fire leaping skittishly like a child over the aery waves;

or a fire without form, from which a voice emerges;

or a rich light, whirring around the field in a spiral.

But that you will see a horse flashing more brightly than light,

or a child mounted on the swift back of a horse,

a fiery child or a child covered with gold, or yet again a naked child;

or even a child shooting arrows, standing upon a horse’s back.

If you say this to me many times, you will observe all things growing dark,

For the curved bulk of the heavens disappears and the stars do not shine; the light of the Moon is hidden and the Earth does not stand steady. All things are revealed in lightning.

But when you see the sacred fire without form,

Shining skittishly throughout the depths of the Cosmos,

Listen to the voice of the fire.

Source:

“Hekate Soteira” by Sarah Iles Johnston

Hekate’s Cosmic Womb

February 23, 2018April 13, 2020 / The Torch and Key: Melissa M. / Leave a comment

In keeping with the Covenant of Hekate’s February theme of celebrating Hekate as Cosmic World Soul, here is another short post about Hekate’s Cosmic Womb in the Chaldaean Oracles.

In a nutshell, Hekate’s role in the Chaldaean Oracles is that of mediatrix between the Paternal Intellect – the Father – and the sensible / physical world. The passage in fragment 35, quoted in the above photo, suggests that the Father (intellect, thought) “impregnates” the Cosmic Womb of Hekate with ideas (thunderbolts), and creation bursts forth from Her fiery womb to the universe.

This sort of reminds me of the biblical passage from John 1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

The “Word” as described in the Bible is philosophically similar to the Paternal Intellect of the Chaldaean Oracles. “Word” is translated from “Logos” (λόγος), which is Greek for reason, or thought. The Paternal Intellect of the Oracles is thought, reason, the word. The foundation for creation.

Hekate, as the Cosmic Womb, receives the ideas from the Paternal Intellect, and births these ideas through Her womb, which then helps form the physical world.

Fragment 34 of the Chaldaean Oracles states:

“From here springs forth the genesis of varied matter;

From here the sweeping lightning obscures its flower of fire

As it leaps into the hollows of the Cosmoi; for from here all things

Begin to stretch forth towards that place beneath the wondrous rays.”

Fragment 38 explains further:

“These are the thoughts of the Father, after which is my enwrapping fire”

Hekate is known as a liminal goddess; one who oversees the boundaries in life, whether they are physical or beyond. It makes sense that She mediates the ideas of the Paternal Intellect, forming boundaries and helping to separate these ideas into the physical world.

Honoring Hekate in February

As mentioned earlier, the Covenant of Hekate is celebrating and honoring Hekate as Cosmic World Soul for the entire month of February. A hashtag of #hekateworldsoul is being added to all public projects, so if you are on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or any other medium that utilizes hashtags, you may find these other works by searching #hekateworldsoul . Also, if you feel inspired to share your own experiences, be sure to include the hashtag so others can find you.

For Hekate as the Cosmic World Soul, February 2018 – a CoH devotional project – www.hekatecovenant.com