"I call upon Hekate Propylaia,
the Guardian, She who protects the gate,
the unyielding Goddess who ends all hostility,
to protect me and mine, to guard and keep us safe.
Powerful Goddess, Gatekeeper, Foremost One,
hear my plea and prayer, stand before me,
hold all evil at bay with your relentless fire."
- Prayer to Hekate Propylaia (modern-day)
I've found myself getting more and more into my Hekate worship, and I'm very happy about it. I had once fallen into the trap that Hekate was "scary" or "too advanced", something I think many worshippers have gotten into their heads. From the small time I have been worhsipping Her, I can certainly say this is not the case; She is wonderful.
Liminality. Something heavily associated with Hekate, and one of the many aspects I find quite interesting and comforting about Her. The grey area was always more comfortable. Hekate Propylaia, I think is an epithet that embodies that liminality - of course Lady Hekate has many epithets that embody this, but Propylaia feels right to me. It feels like standing at a gate and not knowing what's on the other side, but not willing to turn back - it feels like the entrance and exit - like the beginning and end - like the true middle ground. A liminal space, with Hekate at the centre.
Liminality is so present in every part of our lives, the "in-between stages" are everywhere. And honestly, are we ever not in an in-between phase? From day to night. From waking to resting. Child to adult. We are always meeting these milestones, these gates to pass through, and as we learn more and do more - Hekate is there.
A small portion, but one I want to still touch on is liminality in a gender sense. Hekate has many forms, and many names, and there is never one point where Hekate is just one. She is many, and She is blurred, and She has many off-shoots and directions to percieve Her in just like a crossroads. Hekate represents the "not-straight-forward" and I think that's a wonderful thing.
Anyway, that ramble over, I just wanted to let you all know the little Hekate worship rabbit hole I've been down as of late. I may have repeated things so please excuse that, it's late at the time of writing.
A poem for Hekate Propylaia - by me
I walk this earthly plane
And lay awake at night,
watching Asteria shine,
To hear the hounds of Hekate sing
Of Her glorious domain;
as She watches
From the gate which She tends,
Ushering in the frightened
and the lonely
Into Her wonderful home of
Liminality.
I hope everyone is having a lovely Spring / Autumn Equinox [depending on your hemisphere]! And may Hekate Propolos guide you, Hekate Dadophoros light your way, and Hekate Propylaia show you the right doors in these uncertain times.
Hail Lady Hekate!
Brown header + footer: @/the-aethetics-shop
Brown heart dividers: @/adornedwithlight
in all honesty i see your vibe there angelos!! shakespeares ophelia always shows up when i search my name (was actually called that as a kid) also fucking first photo is an absolute call out
open tag but also no pressure tag!! @krypticklownn @hestiasherald @apollo-loved-icarus
the more i think about the gods the more i realise they have always been with me.
Hephaestus was with me, brimming with excitement, as I grinned at my projects in wood work. Poseidon has been with me since my birth when i was born under the warm water of a bathtub and he has been with me every single time i went to the beach and felt such a distinct calling to the ocean. Demeter was with me as i played in the mud and played pretend in the forest as a child and now as i go for walks through nature. Aphrodite is holding my hand every step of the way as i try and find myself. it was her arms i cried into after every break up. she is tucking my hair back and adjusting my clothes as i look in the mirror and feel confident. she is swimming with me and Poseidon at the beach. she calls me to her birthplace like a moth to flame. Apollo has embraced me every time i smile up with the sun on my face. he grinned at me every time i thanked someone for saying my hair looked nice in the sun. it was his arms that held me upright through every performance and it is he who dances with me every time i dance around my house. Zeus is there when my breath catches as thunder strikes above me. He danced with me and my brother and my mum in the rain when i was a child. Athena is rocking out to bikini kill and green day with me. she lives through me in the rage i feel at the world. i feel her embrace when i get excited about finally understanding my maths work. she holds my hand through every exam. it is Hestia’s arms who cradle me when i am warm and cosy in my bed. she embodies the feeling of waking up when its chilly outside but im warm under my blanket. she is with me when i smell the candles i light. Hera sits beside me and grins over my shoulder when i look at wedding ideas on pinterest. she is the one cooing at baby pictures with me when i get bad bouts of baby fever. she is cradling me in her arms when i hear my parents argue and i feel scared. Artemis is watching curiously as i freeze for a moment when i see wildlife on girl guide camp. she is the complete awe on the younger girls faces when we see a kangaroo in the distance or a cool bug on the ground. she and her brother are adjusting my posture and footing when i hold a bow and aim for a target. she is the happiness i feel when i look up and see a bright moon. she is giggling at baby videos with me and Hera during my days of baby fever. Persephone is the giddy smile on my face when i realise its Spring! its finally my birthday season and i couldn’t be happier. she is holding my hand and laughing herself silly as my friends and i try and figure out the weather during school. she is sitting calmly with me as i weave flowers together to put in my hair. Hades is in the drop of my heart when i feel my life flash before my eyes. he embraces me when i am trying to wrap my head around the concept of death. he holds my friends close when they experience loss. Ares is alive and well in my mind as i type a snarky response to someone i cannot stand online. he is with me, cheering me on as i start arguments and fight for my beliefs. Hermes grins over my shoulder as i receive money for my birthday. he is with me when my father and i watch Italian telenovelas so we can learn Italian together. he embraces me when i am anxious about travelling or going somewhere. it is his arms that hold me close and soothe my panic as i realise how far away from home i am.
I have always felt the gods around me. I have just never been able to put a word to the feelings I feel. I cherish their love so much ❤️
absolutely beautiful writing, it captures the love of our many gods so perfectly <3 they are with us through anything and everything, good times and bad <33
Happy night of Hecate for all who celebrate ! it's the 16th of November over here in Australia so I'm not sure if it's the 16th for anyone else, but if it is, go do some worship!! dance in the name of our Lady, look at the moon, put out a plate of fruit and honey for some of your local wildlife ! (that's a very common ritual on this night), charge your crystals, put out some water to charge in the light of the moon, have fun, do what helps you feel most connected to our lady <33 I love you all dearly, have a good night <33
Grimoire/Bos Prompts or Research Topics for the Witch that Doesn’t Know What To Do Next
(Pt. 1/ ?)
Okay so, I've been working on gathering information for a couple of years now. (On and off for 4 years probably a little less be
(Pt. 2/4)
Another list with ideas, as always, these ideas and prompts by no means belong to me, and if you’d like, check out my first post for more prompt-type ideas (hopefully I’ll remember to link the first one before I post this.)
Grimoire/BoS prompts for the Witch that Doesn't Know What to do Next
Part 4/4
Might revisit this series later on in life, but for now I think I've written down enough stuff. I hope some of my ideas can help!
- In-journal altar spaces. Perfect if you can't have a physical altar, or even for brainstorming ideas. Take pictures/make drawings in order to form the perfect altar space for you!
- Favorite myths, creation stories, etc. You can either list them and talk about why you like them, or you can even go as far as to rewrite them in your book!
- Mundane daily rituals. List some everyday "rituals" you do (ex. brushing your teeth daily), and see if you can find a way to make it feel magical or special.
- Magical Exercises. Especially if you've read a lot of books, you more than likely have encountered a lot of these. Why not record them in their own category so you can use them when you're stumped?
- Meditating Activities. The act of creation can feel meditating, go ahead and put those things in your BoS/Grimoire so you can recall those meditative states. My favorite thing is to tear up scrap papers and collage it in my grimoire.
- YouTube Channels, blogs, etc. frequently visited. Do you notice that you gravitate a lot to specific places in order to get your information? Jot it down! Whenever you're stuck you can always look at your list of trusted places. Likewise, you can go back to them and compare sources in order to broaden your understanding of topics.
Hello, I'm the anon who asked about reading recs! I did respond back right away, but since you just asked for asks, I get the feeling Tumblr ate my ass 😄. In case it did, here it is again:
I'm trying to get my footing into witchcraft in general. I'd really like to start practicing, especially anything nature related, but I truly know nothing more than what you'd get scrolling through the tumblr tag. So I'm supposed I'm looking for a good starting place to learn my history around the practice (I know "the practice" is an incredibly broad way to describe it. But I don't know enough to be specific. I suppose anything that could give me a foundation to build from?) and something(s) that could help me dip my toes in for the first time. I've been watching everyone else swim in the pool for years, but I've never even touched the waters.
To simply put it, I'm trying to figure out the very beginning steps of witchery. I know I described everything broad and vague, but I don't really know enough to be more specific 😅
(if Tumblr didn't eat my ask and you haven't responded to my ask for any other reasons, no worries! I'm certainly in no rush)
Omg hello! No tumblr didn't eat you but I was waiting on some responses from friends who I asked for reading recs and my draft box DID eat your ask lol. Thank you for following up with my ADHD-addled ass!! <3
The good news is to start you just kinda jump in. I'm not saying throw yourself into the deep in but you can get your feet wet pretty easily.
Unfortunately during my beginner years most of the published books available were heavily soaked in Wiccan ideology which is absolutely not my vibe and not something I think people should start out with since there's a twisted history to it that you have to unwind but I see why people are attracted to it--it's structured in a way that solitary practice isn't.
I found my start online, honestly, then followed my gut to see where it took me next. All that said;
Here are some recs from me and my buddies:
Magic in the Middle Ages by Richard Kieckhefer (History)
Cunning Folk and Familiar Spirits by Emma Wilby (History)
Popular Magic by Owen Davies (History)
Grimoires: A history of magic books by Owen Davies (History)
Curse Tablets and Binding Spells from the Ancient World by John G. Gager (History)
The Crooked Path by Kelden (Traditional Witchcraft)
13 pathways by Daniel Schulke (Occult Herbalism)
A Deed Without a Name by Lee Morgan (Witchcraft)
Of Witchcraft and Whimsy by Rose Orriculum (Witchcraft)
Grovedaughter Witchery by Bree NicGarran (Witchcraft)
Queering Your Craft by Cassandra Snow* (Witchcraft + queer)
Condensed Chaos by Phil Hine* (Chaos magic)
Outside the Charmed Circle by Misha Magdalene* (Witchcraft)
Sacred Gender by Ariana Serpentine (Witchcraft + queer)
Kitchen Table Magic by Melissa Cynova* (Witchcraft)
*Queering Your Craft and Kitchen Table Magic are that they both feel more basic, Condensed Chaos is more of a "102" type book for chaos magic specifically, and Outside the Charmed Circle is strongly Wiccan in influence but brings up some very interesting topics and ideas. (Note from Jasper)
Make sure to keep an open mind and take no one's word as law when it comes to witchcraft and magic. Take in the information and come up with your own conclusions based on your experiences! :>
Thanks to @windvexer , @stagkingswife, @jasper-pagan-witch, and @rose-colored-tarot for help with the recommendations!
Feel free to comment or reblog with your own suggestions!
Grimoire/Bos Prompts or Research Topics for the Witch that Doesn’t Know What To Do Next
(Pt. 1/ ?)
Okay so, I’ve been working on gathering information for a couple of years now. (On and off for 4 years probably a little less because I procrastinate), and just now I’ve gotten an official book to put all of my information in since prior to that I just had loose leafs of paper that I’d stash away at random, and google docs filled with information (which I recommend. It helped me let go of the stress of messing up and helps when you need to edit and add information. I still use my doc as a way to add stuff and as an on-the-go grimoire).
I’ve practically stuffed this grimoire with everything I’ve gathered and refined, and this has lead me to reach an impasse where I don’t quite know what to do next. Not a lot of BoS or Grimoire prompts are geared towards people that have the basics written down, but don’t know what to do next, so I’ll make a short list of stuff I’ve brainstormed.
Note: These prompts aren’t all going to be specific things to do research on, a lot of it is inspired by Molly Roberts on YouTube because I love prompts and ideas that may not be necessarily witchy, but can be when in the context of where it is. These prompts and research topics also are not mine by any means and I’ll reiterate it often because I want people to make these ideas their own.
✨️10 Things I always Include in My New Grimoire/Book Of Shadows✨️
I'm getting to the end of my second grimoire (prior to this I'd have random stuff in school notebooks that I unfortunately don't have anymore) so I thought it'd be fitting to talk about the stuff I benefited from copying over into my second Grimoire along with what I will most likely put into my third Grimoire.
Please Note: for my journey a Grimoire is the most fitting way for me to describe my preferred method of transcribing what I learn. As a result I will be referring to a Grimoire the whole time but this knowledge can be generally applied to other witchy books meant to hold knowledge.
To help with dictinctions:
Anything with an asterisk* indicates I regretted not including it before
Anything without is stuff I've included and benefitted from having on hand
1. The Elements and Their Correspondences
What I Include in this entry:
- A page dedicated to each element
- Tarot Card, Astrological sign, Color, Crystal, and Herb correspondes (condensed down to crystals and herbs I'm guaranteed to use)
- a vague list with ideas on what this element embodies vibe wise (for example: Earth can represent success, stability or fertility)
- A page dedicated to ideas on how I can work with each element
- how to invoke and banish an element with a pentacle
Why I Find this Entry Useful:
It makes for a very useful reference point when doing spellwork. I can easily see if I can use elemental symbolism and how I can incorporate it.
It also can be nice to reference if I'm celebrating a holiday that embodies the energy of a specific element. I can reference the page for ideas on herbs to use while cooking, colors I can incorporate, etc.
2. Moon Phases, Time, and Seasonal Correspondences
What I include in this Entry:
- a drawing of each moon phase along with about three adjectives to describe the phase
- lists of associations for each time of day
- a chart of the cardinal directions and which season and element corresponds with each one
Why I find this Entry Useful:
It might sound weird that I have all of this stuff condensed down into one entry but hear me out: it's so much nicer to plan rituals and spellwork when all you have to do is look through two pages??? Especially if your first grimoire has all of these entries in more detail (which I heavily reccomend so all of the knowledge is still recorded somewhere), it's nice to know you can easily access the basics without reading every little detail, and then you can always go back to your old grimoire when you need to access more information on the topic.
3. Cartomancy/Tarot
What I Include in this Entry:
- very brief definition of Major Arcana, Minor Arcana, and Court Cards
- elemental correspondences of minor arcana plus what they symbolize
- what each court card symbolizes
- a numerology "cheat sheet"
Why I Find this Entry Useful:
This is one of those things that will not be helpful for everyone but since I practice tarot frequently it's perfect for me. Even if you're not a big tarot person I at least reccomend you pick something you do a lot and create a condensed version for you to review when you need it!
4. The Witches Compass/Opening and Closing Circles
What I Include in this Entry:
- a brief explanation on why you'd use one
- a step by step guide on how you would open and close one
Why I Find this Entry Useful:
Even though I don't always utilize the Witches' Compass or a standard magic circle, I like to have a condensed form written in case I need to perform a ritual but don't have the space to lug around multiple books.
5. Alters, Shrines, and Temples
What I Include in This Entry:
- Definitions of each word
- a list of examples of types of alters
- a general run-down on what typically goes on an altar
- ideas on how to decorate an altar
Why I Find this Entry Useful:
I actually don't have an altar space currently, but I do find it useful to have inspiration on hand in case I need it. I also just find it useful to have the distinctions on hand in case I'm cross referencing my research.
6. Warding and Defensive Magic*
What I Include in this Entry:
- a list of types of wards with minor guidance on how to use them if I don't use them often
- ways I can use defensive magic if things go wrong
-When to ward/When not to ward a space
- a page dedicated to the Witches Ladder, how to make one, and I typically include one of my own spells with it.
- a page dedicated to a basic house protection spell
Why I Find this Entry Useful:
This is one of the topics I didn't copy over into my current Grimoire but really regret not doing. Since I like to dabble in Astral travel and a huge part of my practice is working with the in between this knowledge is nice to have on hand.
I'm personally of the school of thought that you don't need to ward everything at all times, however if you're like me and you do a warding spell every once in a while and then you forget how to do it... yeah might be nice to just always have it freshly recorded so you're not rifling through all of your stuff.
7. Magical Excersizes from Books, Media, Etc.
What I Include In This Entry:
- the source I got the excersize from
- what the goal of the excersize is
- a step-by-step rundown
Why I Find this Entry Useful:
It's especially nice when you're dealing with burnout or a mental block. It's also oddly refreshing to occasionally do one.
Now, I wouldn't reccomend having every magical exercise you've ever done in your new Grimoire, but I usually pick three or four that I really like and write them down.
8. About Me Page*
What I Include In This Entry:
- Deities I mainly Venerate
- What magical "paths" or ways of life I tend to follow
- How I feel about my practice (Do I need to improve in some areas? Do I feel lost? Etc.)
- Things I want to explore more or do more
Why I Find this Entry Useful:
This is another entry I seriously regret not including more. With my first Grimoire (that I didn't lose) it served as a good spot to check in order to see my growth, look for anything I hadn't learned yet but wanted to learn, and it served as a nice sentimental peice to look back on.
Some may not benefit from having an entry like this, but others may find they'll benefit from it like I do!
9. A Basic Guide on Fae Species (or other entities depending on your practice)
What I Include in this Entry:
- I usually pick about 8-10 Fae to make an entry on and I try to keep it in a broad, diverse range.
- A picture depicting each thing
- Name of species
- Anecdotes on their temperament, how you can avoid pissing them off, etc.
Why I Find this Entry Useful:
As a Celtic Pagan it feels right for me to have an entry that includes the Fae even though I avoid interacting with them when possible. I've also generally had a sort of fixation on the Fae and their way of life since I was young so it's a little something that speaks to my heart and my passions as well.
If you want to look at this more practically, having a guide of common entities can be good in case you encounter one that way you have a sort of code of conduct written down.
10. List of Herbs I Commonly Use and their Correspondences
What I Include in this Entry:
- Household herbs I can easily find in the pantry
- items I can easily forage and use from outside
Why I Find this Entry Useful:
My first ever list of herbs was basically every Herb under the sun and how I could use it. Did I use any of those herbs? Heck no! Now I keep a small, condensed list of stuff I actually use and have easy access to and if I use anything I'm not used to that's when I reference my giant list.
Not all of these topics may personally speak to you, but I hope that at least some of them could help you decide what you'd like to include in your own books!
A neurodivergent witch's guide to starting a grimoire 🌿✨️
I remember when I was first starting out with building a grimoire and getting frustrated with how few resources there are on what a grimoire is supposed to be. I wanted clear directions and examples of what to include, but I mostly found YouTubers giving vague descriptions and repeating over and over again that it's extremely personal and private so they wouldn't say anything specific. As a neurodivergent person, it was very frustrating to try to figure out what to do from that. It took me a while to figure out what my own specifics were, so for any beginner witches out there, here are some specific ideas for starting off! Once you get more used to it, it'll get easier and easier to figure out what you do and don't want to include.
I'd recommend researching sigils and creating one to protect your grimoire; I placed mine on the second page after I dedicated the notebook for it, but you can put it wherever you feel like
Dates of moon cycles/information on how they affect your practice
Wheel of the year/sabbats if you celebrate them
Record rituals for sabbats if you choose to do anything for them, that way you have a reference for next year
Information on the elements- earth, air, fire, water, and/or spirit depending on your practice
Information on herbs or crystals you have- I like to print out pictures to include with the correspondences and leave space to write down specific things I use them for
Also, a quick reference list of ways you can care for individual crystals will be very helpful if you use them! Pay extra attention to which ones are sensitive to sun or water, it'll save you crystals later on
Basics of tarot, runes, or other divination methods
Color correspondences!
Information on zodiac signs; I printed out my star chart and put it in
When you do spellwork, write down everything you did and date it. Later you can come back and update whether it worked, what the effects were, and tweak it if necessary- basically treat it like a magic recipe book
A grimoire is not the same as a journal- if you want to write down personal reflections on meditation or your emotional experiences, I would suggest using a separate notebook for those things.
While I understand why people are so hesitant to show their grimoires, I have no qualms with showing a few pages for example purposes. However, I would suggest that you don't share anything that is personalized to your craft to others unless you can 100% guarantee that they won't cause you harm with it.
The only reason I'm ok with putting pictures on here is because they're full of basic information that anyone with Google could find and nothing that's specific to me.
With that being said, here are a few examples from my own grimoire as a reference!
a grimoire can be defined as a book of magical spells and invocations; sometimes used interchangeably with "book of shadows" but you can call it whatever you want.
what should i write my grimoire in / on?
a grimoire can be handwritten or typed, there is no wrong way to construct your grimoire. (for example, my grimoire is typed in a one note document but also stretched across many, many different notebooks and composition books)
what can i put in my grimoire?
about the author
favorites: color, magical tools, herbs, crystals
tarot birth card, astrology birth chart, personal beliefs, relationship with deities or other spiritual beings
basics
intent
visualization
meditation
terminology
protection, cleansing, & banishing using various energies: shields & wards, circle casting / take down, protective amulets
enchanting items
clockwise vs. counterclockwise
other how-to’s, such as anointing items and dressing a candle
general correspondences
days of the week, lunar phases, colors, incense, essential oils, elements