Altar preparation
The Rite requires an altar to be set up. The minimum requirements are a candle or other devotional fire such as a lamp or hearth fire; and something to light it.
Some people simply light a candle. Others use an existing altar to Hekate and others create one specially for this Rite.
Here is one example of a suitable altar, the photos are to show complete beginners how to set it up.
Table which has just been cleaned, then purified with incense.
An image of Hekate (in this case one which symbolizes her Angelos title). Her Soteira title is the most relevant to this rite but any Hekate image may be used if you wish to use one. Two candle holders, also cleaned and purified by incense. They will hold the candles which will give light to read the rite.
Placing two red candles.
Melt the wax on the bottom a little so the candle wax sets inside candleholder and candle is steady and safe.
Candles now safely in place and the copper bowl is to place charcoal disk to burn incense as offering. It contains some ash to insulate heat of charcoal disk.
Rock salt to represent the element of Earth.
Larger silver bowl contains spring water, to represent that element on the altar.
Altar now complete except for the central candle which you will light for Hekate. Fire and air are of course already present in the fire from the candles and the incense which will be lit. The red cord is from the Devotee ritual of that name, for those Covenant of Hekate members who have completed it before.
Physical actions required
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.
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.
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 (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!
“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.
Hekate Magna Sanctuary 