#rohsf

This is a list of the modern festivals in honour of the Goddess Hekate that are most often cited by contemporary Hekatean traditions. Some are completely new and others are based or inspired by ancient celebrations that have changed or been lost over time.

Disclaimer: This list was compiled by me and has thus been influenced by my own personal devotional path. It is not supposed to represent strict religious doctrine. - Panos K.

Rite of Her Sacred Fires [Full Moon of May]: Created by Sorita d’este to celebrate the publication of the devotional anthology “Hekate: Her Sacred Fires” in May 2010. The aim of this festival is to celebrate Hekate Soteira and World Soul, express love and gratitude to Her for her support and guidance and request her blessing as we re-dedicate ourselves as devotees.

Nemoralia/ Festival of Torches/ Ides of Hecate [August 13th – 15th]: Nemoralia was one (if not the) the oldest and biggest festivals of Diana. It may have originated even before the 6th century BCE and was still observed at least until the 1st century CE, perhaps longer. Originally devoted to Diana Nemorensis, an older regional version of Diana associated with the moon and nature. Devotees would ritually wash their hair and wear flower crowns then participate in a procession with torches. Everyone was free to participate, but women and slaves were held on equal standing to men, as Diana was a protectress of the marginalized. There would be no hunting during the days of nemoralia, and hunting dogs would be adorned with flower wreaths and join the procession. Once at the sanctuary at lake Nemi (Diana’s Mirror), devotees would leave plaques and ribbons as offerings of gratitude or petitions to the Goddess for help, protection and healing. Notably, some offerings included clay or bread sculptures of body parts, people or children or other symbols relevant to the devotee’s request, which is very similar to later Christian practices. Nemoralia is very likely to be the reason behind the feast of the Dormition of Mary, which is held on August 15th and in many places around Italy (and Greece!) follows similar traditions of offerings and is considered one of the most important Christian Holidays.

The association to Hekate comes in many different ways, particularly her links to the Cult of Diana, the fact that the festival was called “Festival of Torches” and bears many Hekatean symbols. Perhaps the strongest link comes from 1st century CE poet Stratius, who explicitly calls Nemoralia “the Ides of Hecate”.

In modern times it has become merged with other hekatean traditions mostly due to confusion and is usually described as a propitiation/appeasement of the more aggressive aspects of Hekate such as Brimo, Deine, Agriope, Taurodrakaina. Traditionally, no animals should be eaten in preparation for these rites. Make offerings to the Goddess, be close to wilderness and water, ritually purify your hair and wear flowers, sing and be merry.

Day of Hekate Psychopompos/Nekyia [November 1st]: Basically the hekatean equivalent of all hallows, or a continuation of the Samhain rites of the night before, venerating, remembering and working with the dead.

Feast of Hekate Cthonia (Hekate’s Night) [November 16th]: Honour Hekate in Her underwordly aspects. Ideal night to attempt a trance journey to the chthonic realm or perform shadow work with Hekate’s guidance. Definitely a modern festival, perhaps because someone at some point confused the Deipnon with an annual thing.

Day of Hekate Trioditis [November 30th]: Honour Hekate of the crossroads, of changes and transitions.

Sources:

“Keeping Her Keys: An introduction to Hekate’s Modern Witchcraft” by Cindy Brannen.

This post about Nemoralia and Hekate’s Night: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/hearthwitchdownunder/2017/08/investigating-hekates-night-august-13.html

This post about Hekate’s November Festivals and their possible ancient sources: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/hearthwitchdownunder/2016/11/tracing-hekates-november-festivals.html 

Rite of Her sacred Fires 2019, Sanctuary of Hekate Pasikrateia, Germany. The traveling priestess after speaking Her oracle.

😍

Today, a break from my usual daily rituals. The full moon in May is set aside to mark the Rite of Her Sacred Fires, a ritual for Hekate that's been going since 2010. I've celebrated this many times, though not all of them, and it's always a lovely, wonderful rite, and tonight's was no different.