aeternalight

[aeternalight]

Asteria (Ἀστερία, meaning ‘of the stars, starry one’) was the Titan goddess of shooting stars, dream divination and astrology in Greek mythology. After the fall of the Titans, Zeus chased Asteria across the sky but she escaped him by transforming herself into a quail and leaping into the Aegean Sea. It was there she metamorphosed into the island Asteria (the island which had fallen from heaven like a star) or the “quail island” known as Ortygia which was later identified as the island of Delos.

[aeternalight]

mythology aesthetics: asteria (for @myrcella)

watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.

[aeternalight]

Saturn/pluto doms be like

[aeternalight]

Y'all I'm so sick of going through the pick a card hashtag and only seeing love readings.

Like is there nothing else in life???

I don't wanna know who my FS is, I don't care who's having "+18" thoughts of me, I don't give a genuine fuck about what "their feelings for you are" BRO WHERE ARE THE SELF IMPROVEMENT PACS

This society's obsession with love and romantic relationships is WILD like if your biggest stress source is that Jeremy, your situationship, is vague about his feelings for you or that you're single then congra-fucking-tulations, your life is awesome.

Sorry for the language, I'm just TIREEEED

[aeternalight]

The fuck is a Raunacht and why should you care?

For those who don't know, I'm from Europe. We are still connected to our old folk magic; more than one would think. It's important for me to keep these connections to the past alive and it's a very effective add-on to my slow living adventure. For example, we still have a concept of the Raunächte.

But what is that? Raunächte (regionally called a bunch of different things) are another iteration of the "Twelve days of x" wintertime tradition. Yule does it, Christmas does it, and the Raunächte do it too. The great thing is that while Yule and Christmas are religious, the Raunächte are not strictly speaking. So if you don't want to observe religious holidays but still want some slowliving thing to fill up your wintertime with, these are great. Depending on the region, three to twelve nights are referred to as Raunächte but the twelve nights and eleven days one is the most common. The reason for that is that they are so called Timeless Days. A Lunar calendar has only 354 days instead of 365. In old tradition, the days that separate the Lunar calendar from the Solar one were regarded as empty time. The Raunächte (starting either on the night before to the shortest day and ending on New Year's or starting on the first Christmas day and ending on three king's day on January 6th) are traditionally a time for rest and (if you believe in that) divination.

And that is why you should care. I said it in another post: You are a huge mammal. Working non-stop through winter is unnatural for you. Being unable to take time off work is one thing but you can still rest, take it slower, do something for you. The Raunächte are fast approaching and they are no-man's land. They are time just for you!

[aeternalight]

We have always loved and we will continue to love. Oh, the beauty of human connection!

[aeternalight]

While everyone gets the fun deities to chill and go crazy with, all the ones that want to talk to me tell me i should face my shadow self and confront my trauma and face the things I repress every day to keep myself sane.

And sure, I love them, but right now, sometimes talking to them is indistinguishable from demons at my door. The voices, even.

I think it's a good idea if I just ignore things for a little while.

[aeternalight]

Never let anybody ridicule your beliefs. It’s human to find divinity in the mundane. It’s human to turn to the divine for answers. It’s not a matter of intelligence, like some would like to think. It’s a matter of human nature and instinct.

So leave some honey out for the fae, find omens in the patterns of the clouds, or hang wind chimes outside like your grandma used to do. Don’t let anybody call you anything other than human.

[aeternalight]

As an autist sometimes the Gods are more easy to communicate with than people. I constantly have the autistic fear of people misinterpreting my words and that just doesn’t exist with them.

Me after rambling about something: sorry, I’m not quite sure how to explain that, I hope you know what I mean

Hermes, the literal God of language: I understand what you mean, it’s okay.

Me, still trying to explain: I just want to make sure you’re not getting the wrong idea

Hermes: Dude, I know what you mean. I always know what you mean. I don’t apply hidden subtext to your words because I know that’s not your intention. I’m not a human.

Me: I’m just nervous I’m coming across wrong

Hermes: oh you poor traumatized child. I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN.

[aeternalight]

Actually, your deities do care about you. Even at the base level of a deity relationship, it still takes a lot of care for someone to help you grow as a person or improve your life. It takes an immense amount of care to listen to someone who cries for your help, to hear about their struggles, to reach out a compassionate hand. It takes a considerable amount of care to check in on someone often, sending little reminders of your presence throughout their day. It takes a noteworthy amount of care for someone to give when they do not receive, for them to extend their kindness even when they aren't getting something out of it. It takes a remarkable amount of care to express pride in how much someone has grown and celebrate even their littlest victories. It takes a massive amount of care to sit by someone's side as they cry and whisper words of comfort and encouragement that they may never actually hear. Supporting someone who may not even know that you're there - that takes a lot of fucking care.

So, yes, your deities do care about you. They do care, whether you're aware of it or not, and they will continue to care.

[aeternalight]

had already sent this to a mutual of mine but i thought this might be helpful for anyone else who may need it

it’s a tarot spread on how to know what deities are trying to reach out with you and why, works like a charm i swear

have a good night everyone!

-star <3

[aeternalight]

the gods understand your disabilities, mental health, and neurodiversities.

they understand if your physical disabilities, mental or physical, prevent you from being able to go outside.

they understand you even when you cannot articulate what you mean during prayer or cannot find the words to express gratitude and love.

they understand if you can't spend much time or stand still at their altars.

they understand if executive dysfunction keeps you from making offerings or doing a lot of active practice.

they understand if you have to take breaks and hiatuses from practicing to focus on yourself and your mental or physical health.

they understand if you lose focus during meditation/trance work or cannot do it to begin with.

they understand you and are with you when you cannot get out of bed for mental or physical reasons.

they understand you and are with you during times when you cannot care for yourself or love yourself.

the gods will always understand, love, and accept us for who we are. we are all valid, and we are seen and heard by the gods, even when it feels as if we are alone. 💙

[aeternalight]

✏️ WITCH TIP ✏️

If you often have to draw a complicated symbol (ex. a sigil, pentacle, hekates wheel, etc.), you can instead take something like an old sponge or school eraser, carve the symbol into it, and use it as a stamp instead so theres no need to go through the process of drawing it perfectly each time (or even remembering exactly how to draw it)

[aeternalight]

IKR??? SHE HATES THAT!!! I felt her anger and disgust when looking at one.

Hekate's worshippers seeing an AI generated image of her for the 20th time today : 🥲

[aeternalight]

All About Lady Hekate

Her Attributes

Witchcraft

Magic

Crossroads

Death and Life

Liminal spaces

Protection of The Home

Necromancy

Spirits

Childbirth and Midwifery

The sea

The stars/Moon

Symbols:

Torches

Snakes, Dragons, Serpents

Dogs especially black

Corvus birds

Fish

Wands

Daggers

Keys

Cats

Moon

Crossroads (three way road)

The number 3, 6, and 9

Hekate’s Wheel or the Stropholos

Skulls or bones

Ferrets

Pomegranates

Any black animals

The color black

Offerings

Libations of wine

Fish

Cakes, breads, any kind of pastries

Herbs like Mugwort, Rue, Belladonna (poisonous), Garlic, Rosemary, Chives, Black Nightshade (Poisonous), Lavender.

Fruits: Pomegranates, Apples, Lemons

Anything related to dogs

Spiritual or magical tools or items

Creating spells and offerings i.e I created a spirit board for Hekate

Spirit communication

Taking care of Children and supporting mothers and soon to be mothers

Epithets (Greek and a Roman title)

Trivia - A Roman title given to Hekate and Diana relating to the crossroads. It’s also said Trivia could’ve been a Roman Goddess on her own.

Brimo - Angry, Terrible one. It’s a title for a god who is showing their scary aspect Hekate, Demeter, Presphone is known for this also male deities like Dionysus. Hekate in this aspect is usually depicted with three heads of animals like dogs, owls, and a serpent but she can take any form that can be terrifying. Usually invoke during rituals and magic spells. Also very good in curse workings, this aspect infamously shows up in the myth of Jason when she is evoke by Medea who is a witch.

Perseis- Destroyer, child of Perses. Hekate’s Father is a Titian Perses who embodies destruction.

Aidônaia - Of the Underworld - Hekate is considered to be a Psychopomp like Hermes she guides souls to the underworld

Kthonia - Of The Earth - many earth deities have this title it can still relate to the underworld but also the physical world like Demeter a earth goddess.

Phosphorus - Light Bringer - Hekate’s main symbols are torches being a guiding light to those who are lost, also to help guide lost souls. Common depiction is how she guided Persephone out of the underworld and guided her so she won’t be lost.

Kourotrophos - Nurse of the young - She is considered to protector of children like how Hera and Artemis is.

Genetyllis - Protector of Births - Hekate is also a midwife goddess and fertility, evoke during births. One myth says she taught Artemis the ways of Midwifery when Leto was giving to Apollo.

Aeneos - Eternal, everlasting.

Trimorphis - Three formed

Trioditis - The three ways or crossroads

Einodia - The one on the Road - Relating to her and the crossroads.

Nyktipolos - Night wandering

Atalos - Tender, Delicate

Skylakagetis - Leader of Dogs

Anassa Eneroi - Queen of those below

Festivals:

Noumenia- Beginning of the new month which is the New Moon. Hekate along with Artemis and Selene are worshipped during this day.

Feast of Hekate is on August 13th where people would bring offerings like honey cakes on the crossroads. The reason being to make sure she won’t summon storms to kill their crops.

In Rome she was honored monthly on the 29th day of the moon.

Tarot Associations

The Moon

The High Priestess

Hierophant

The Hermit

The Two of Swords

General Information

Hekate’s name means “Far-darting” or “who works from afar”. Hekate is the daughter of Perses Titian of Destruction and Asteria Titan of the Stars. It is also said she is also the daughter of Helios and the Oceanid Perse. She is also linked with Circe as her Mother or sister or regular servant to Hekate. As Helios is the father of Circe and Medea who also evokes Hekate a lot in her spells. Helios and Hekate have common myths together.

Hekate is associated with the Full moon and New Moon, stars, and other Cosmic events. She is associated with the sea but most commonly she is associated with earth and the underworld as being a guide to souls to the after life and those coming out. It’s said lost souls follow her along with her nymphs carrying torches. She has black dogs always beside her, it is said you can hear Hekate approching by the howls of dogs.

Hekate is also the protector of the home, keeping a statue of her at the front door will help keep danger away. Protector of liminal spaces and doorways. She can protect a person from curses but she can also help you cast them but she won’t do it unless there’s a good reason. Hekate is goddess of spirits, she can help guide them as I said earlier but also get rid of evil spirits from the home.

At the crossroads is where most likely you’ll find her especially if you need her help. The crossroads are important when it comes to transitions and change and it’s by your choice and of her guidance. But you can also do magic at the crossroads by summoning a spirit or getting rid of one, you can do a simple ritual of banishing a spirit with the item being buried and then you walk away it’s been advised by experienced witches even historians to not turn around after doing the spell. Necromancy is in the context is this, no you’re not summoning the dead back to life or evil spirits, necromancy is simply spirit communication and workings. Of course you’ll be careful with each spirit first encounter with.

Hekate has been a powerful goddess throughout centuries, her origins in Ancient Turkey who was seen as a mother goddess before she was adopted into the Greek Panetheon. She is quite remarkable in Roman religion and even modern day times she is separated from these ancient practices and still a goddess that people go to for all things in life. She is open to all for those who wish to make her involve in your life. Hekate will not be the same for everyone of course, but similarities are true she is very much like a Mother and very protective of her children.

[aeternalight]

Ashes to Ashes.

Dust to Dust.

In thee now, I do Trust.

As Above, So Below.

Magic-

Protect my Witch's soul.

[aeternalight]

But anyway, before I got distracted by my last post.

Hekate.

I wanted to share some things I've learned about Her.

1) She is The Unseen Witness. This is an epithet I personally have given Her, but which derives from Her role as Persephone's savior and guide to and from the underworld.

2) She's pre-Greek. Anatolian, actually. That's how I personally like my deities—from a localized cult but so powerful they got picked up by a nearby pantheon (Diana is another example of this).

3) She's a goddess that was traditionally worshiped not in temples, but at homes. In my personal experience, She has a LOT of presence in apartments and shelters (especially shelters), as they are inherently liminal living situations.

4) She presides over Dogs and Polecats (like a weasel or ferret) and Horses, so I view Her as a goddess with dominion over all domesticated pets.

5) Hekate faces the three directions the roads lead at a Y- or T-junction, so in my personal practice I understand The Horned God to stand at Hekate's back and watch The Wild Way for Her. On my altar I have my representation of The Horned God facing away from me. Hekate did call me a sneak for that one, though, so YMMV.

6) I get the vibe she doesn't like to share altar space so she'll be getting a bookshelf of her own soon. You can use keys, the triple moon, and various momento mori (like bones, or the charm I made with a sprig of dead rosemary and a beetle carcass) to represent her in an altar space.

7) Herbs and Plants: Garlic, Yew, Mandrake, Dandelion, Belladonna, Cyclamen, Hemlock, Mint, Oak, Date Palms, Willow, Wolf's Bane. You'll notice many plants in her domain are poisonous or otherwise baneful. To this extent, she presides over all baneful plants.

8) She basically requires you to prioritize self-improvement and learning. Therapy and working out and reading and journaling can all be devoted to Her.

9) UPG but I also associate Her with mushrooms, moths, foxes, and rose thorns. She is carrion birds and the rust that eats at iron. She is the dark side of the moon and She likes it that way.