November 30 is the night for meeting our Witch Mother at her eternal crossroads. Our spiritual origin point, where the material and mystical interact. The portal to the world of spirits, and where we can find comfort when the world makes us weary. Not an evening for elaborate witchcraft, but for spending time with Hekate, her ancient witches and her horde of spirits. Set aside time on this night for a quiet ritual of remembrance for all the crossroads you've traversed and for listening to her wisdom.
Meeting Our Witch Mother At The Crossroads
Across cultures and traditions, the crossroads is understood as a spiritual portal to the powers of witchcraft and the world of spirits. It is the hangout of witches, spirits and other things feared by those not like us. Our Mother's association with the crossroads dates back to ancient times when offerings to Her would be left at these locations. To those who feared her, these offerings sought her protection. For those of us who belonged to her, our offerings are of gratitude. We meet her at the crossroads to stand in our power, while banishing those would harm us out of fear. The spiritual power of the crossroads is central to Hekate's Witches.
Our Origin Is The Crossroads, And It Is To It That We Must Return
What those who feared us understood is that the crossroads is a juncture between the everyday world and the deeper one. The entrance to Hekate's Cave, her dark womb from which we all come. The crossroads is where we are birthed into this life school to learn the lessons required. It is to the spiritual crossroads we return time and time again, as we progress along our journey. We meet Hekate at these thresholds, where she offers the keys we seek.
For Those Who Fear Her, Fear The Crossroads
For those ancient suppers set at the crossroads by those who feared her, there was the unintentional result of nourishing those from whom the offerings were designed to protect. In ancient times, those unaccepted by society, from the poor to girls and women who defiled societal norms, both literally and spiritually resided at the crossroads. These outcasts of society may have eaten the food gifts left for Hekate, providing us with an origin story of sorts for the current view of Her as Guardian of the Marginalized.
Hekate is particularly associated with three way crossroads, as Trioditis, although She was also recorded as connected to a four-way intersection as Tetraoditis. As you probably know, the tripartite (three-parts) associations with Hekate are plentiful, but we can also consider this notation on her connection to the four-way crossroads as evidence that offerings can appropriately be left at such locations.
Hail Enodia: Guide Along Our Earth Bound Journey
Enodia, is an ancient archetype of Hekate that literally means of the road provides another example of Hekate's crossroads connection. Over time, Hekate's association with the crossroads spread into other cultures and religions. In the Roman pantheon, Her crossroads connection was allocated to the goddess Trivia (literally "three ways"). Early Christian writings warn against people doing any sort of healing at a crossroads, further evidence of their fear for our kind.
Hekate of the Crossroads Night
As for the origins of November 30 as a celebration of Hekate's crossroads aspect, your guess is as good as mine. I'm content with thinking that Hekate wants it this way. I don't know for certain where I got the idea that November 30 was a holy night for Hekate of the Crossroads, but I think it goes back to Leo Ruickbie's Witchcraft out of the Shadows (2004). However, the historical references in this book are a bit contrary to other sources, so I can't say that either the research is accurate.
Rituals: Hekate Is Well Pleased By Our Honesty
For me, Night of the Crossroads has always been an intimate time for connecting with Hekate, her eternal witches and my spirit allies. No grand ritual or feast, but a quiet time in the dark. Come to her with honesty, and she will be well pleased.
After the intensity of Night of Hekate on November 16, a time of connecting, welcoming in her presence, listening to her wisdom, and spending time with my spiritual companions is restorative, which is exactly what our time at the crossroads can be.
What we do can be as simple as making an offering while expressing our gratitude. While you're at it, contemplate all the times you've transitioned through a major crossroads in your life. Reflect upon how Hekate helped you through, even if you weren't a devotee at that time. Perhaps Hekate called you for the first time when you were at a major crossroads. Maybe you're seeking Her for the first time and hope to connect with Her on this special night.
A Night Of Integration And Healing
For me, the vibe of this night has always been of quiet connection, like a late night soul-baring conversation with my most trusted advisor (because that's exactly what it is). Spiritual growth is messy, but on this night it all comes clean. Peace, gratitude and blessings. Rest for the weary soul traveler, in the presence of our Queen. Sit down, settle in and find healing in the truth of the crossroads.
Of course, you may be at a very different place in your journey, where the fierce Queen Brimo is how she will come to you. With Hekate, she presents herself as we need her to be. While the tender embrace is possible, she may come raging in because you need that type of medicine.
When we enter into the crossroads, transcending time and place, pieces of ourselves often come back to us because we are breaking through the illusion of separation. Who we were in the past meets us in this space. Soul retrieval can occur spontaneously, or we can intentionally set out to call back these missing pieces. For me, this night is the beginning of the process. Integration of pieces of me that took refuge in her cave when they could not remain with me in the present is an ongoing process. Reflecting at the crossroads on November 30 opens the gates for allowing these parts to return home to you.
An excellent ritual for entering her eternal crossroads is to create a timeline of the spiritual crossroads you've traversed on your journey from healing to wholeness.
Learn more about Hekate's Sacred Darkness in this podcast episode.
Learn more about Covina Institute and how you can claim Hekate's Keys of Magick, Medicine and Mystery HERE.
Source for article: https://keepingherkeys.com/home/f/november-30-night-of-hekate-of-the-crossroads?blogcategory=Hekate
How is a ritual to the goddess Hekate performed?
For modern Witches, Hekate holds a special place, not least because she is the patron goddess of Witches. While specific rituals to honor Hekate may vary depending on the practitioner, their tradition, and their personal relationship with the goddess, there are some general practices that can be included in any ritual to Hekate. While the following description is not exhaustive and there's plenty that you can use in your own practices.
9 Parts to Creating a Ritual
Choose a suitable location: As Hekate is often associated with crossroads, you might consider performing the ritual at a physical crossroads or a metaphorical one, such as the meeting point of different environments or the juncture of different life paths.
Cleanse and prepare the space: Cleanse the area to remove any negative or unwanted energies. This can be done by smudging with sage or other purifying herbs, using incense, or by visualizing cleansing energy enveloping the space.
Set up an altar: Create an altar or shrine dedicated to Hekate, using symbols and items that represent her. This may include representations of her triple form, keys, torches, lunar symbols, or images of animals associated with her, such as dogs, snakes, or owls. Additionally, you can place offerings on the altar, like garlic, pomegranates, honey, wine, or freshly baked bread.
Cast a circle: Many rituals begin with the casting of a circle to create a sacred space and protect the practitioner from negative energies. This can be done using a wand, athame, or simply your hands while visualizing protective energy forming a circle around you.
Invoke Hekate: Call upon Hekate to be present in your ritual. You can do this by reciting a prayer, poem, or hymn dedicated to her, or by speaking from the heart and inviting her to join you. Speak her names, titles, and attributes to establish a connection with her energy.
Perform the ritual: Once you have invoked Hekate, you may perform the specific ritual you have planned. This could be a spell, meditation, or simply a conversation with Hekate to seek her guidance, wisdom, or protection.
Offer thanks: Express your gratitude to Hekate for her presence and assistance during the ritual. This can be done through words, song, or a simple gesture of respect, such as a bow or offering of incense.
Close the circle: When the ritual is complete, close the circle by thanking and releasing any energies or spirits that were invoked, and then visualize the protective energy dissipating.
Clean up: After the ritual, remove the offerings and clean up the altar or shrine. Some practitioners choose to leave offerings at a crossroads or another appropriate location as a final gesture of gratitude.
Remember, it is important to research and respect the traditions you are drawing from, and adapt the ritual to your own practice and beliefs.
Black spirits and white, red spirits and grey,Come thee and come thee and come thee that may.Round and around throughout and about,A world within, a world without.
Source: https://www.witchesworkshop.com/post/hekate-at-the-crossroads
