ACT OF POWER 3: Hecate Key Blessing
Hecate is the ancient Greek Goddess of magic and witchcraft. A Moon Goddess, Hecate had aspects as Maiden and mother, but was pre-eminently thought of as the Crone. For many Hecate remains the consummate Crone, and special Patron of Samhain.
Also called Trivia, “The Triune,” images of Hecate often have three heads or three bodies. The black dog was Hecate’s animal form, and She is connected to Cerberus the three-headed black dog Who guarded the gates of the Otherworld in Greek mythology.
Hecate’s symbols include the lighted torch, common to most Greek chthonic Gods, the ritual knife and the scourge, as well as the key. It is with this last symbol that this Act of Power deals.
They key is a very powerful symbol, as you may have already observed in these Lessons. The key unlocks what is hidden, reveals mysteries. This is why we use the term “Key” to describe symbolic forms which help us to shift our consciousness and work magic.
For this Act of Power you will need some keys. They can be real keys: elegant antique keys if you have access to them, prosaic modern keys if these are more accessible to you: or they can be images of keys: cardboard cut in key shape, miniature keys made for charm bracelets, or the image of a key incised in clay. Make sure that you have enough keys for everyone who will be present –it is always better to have too many than too few.
Assemble your keys in a bowl or basket and place them on the altar before ritual begins.
Once you have cast your Circle, invoked, and spoken of the holiday a bit, you can proceed to the Act of Power if you wish.
Take up the keys and speak about them. You might say something like this:
“A key… A skeleton key perhaps (a little Samhain humor there).
“What is a key? The opener of doors: The revealer of hidden things. A key gives passage into what has been barred, makes a path through barriers.
“We all have many barriers. Things we wish to move forward in our lives, but don’t: Situations for which we need answers or understanding, which allude us. Paths which seem to lead only to locked doors. Locked doors for which we need a key…
“The Key is the symbol of the great Crone Goddess, Mistress of Magic. Magic can open many locked doors –especially those which are within us. She –our Goddess- can open all doors, answer all questions. All knowledge is Hers –and therefore also ours if we seek it through Her.
“Consider this, as we look upon these keys. They are only tokens of Her power – ‘Keys’ if you would, to help us call upon Her ability to open and transform. Symbols of a process we invoke. But symbols as you know are ‘keys’ that help us understand what the mind cannot always understand through other means.
“Therefore as we bless these keys let us think of our Lady in Her form as Crone and invoke Her transformative powers into our lives through these humble symbols of Her wisdom.”
Now lead everyone in a chant. If you are so inclined place the basket of keys on the floor in the center of the Circle and dance around it while you chant. A good chant might be:
"Darksome Goddess -send a Key
Blessed with Samhain energy!
Open my eyes that I might see
What answers may wait for me!"
Continue to chant and/or dance until you feel the energy has built up enough, then stop and have everyone focus the energy into the keys. You might say:
“Now let us focus the energy we have raised into the keys –imagine the energy rushing into the basket of keys, filling it with light and power. See the energy glowing within the basket, filling each key, shining with strength and light. Imagine the basket of keys glowing as if it were a sun in the center of our Circle, light radiating in all directions!
“O Great Crone Goddess! Hecate! Pandeina! Queen of Night, Mother of Mysteries! You Who guard all secrets and all hidden things –in Your name may these keys be blessed! May they bring us the answers to our questions –the openings we seek in our lives! Holy Lady, Grandmother, aid us in this our undertaking, we pray! So Mote it Be!”
All
“So Mote it Be”
Now continue:
“Now take a moment to think about your life. Think of a situation or a question whose solution eludes you –a part of your life that seems blocked or closed to progress, which needs to be answered or opened up. A situation for which you need a key…
“One by one, we will each take a key from the basket –as you take your key, close your eyes and focus on the situation you have thought of, and ask the Crone to guide you.”
Let each person take a key, moving deosil around the Circle. When everyone else has taken theirs, then you should select yours. Tell the people:
“We will take our keys home tonight, after the ritual, and use them to bring us the unlocking of the situations we have focused on. Carry your key with you, in your pocket or on a chain, keep it under your bed at night, until your situation is resolved. Resolution will come soon.”
Now continue with your ritual.