Hecate – On the Way to Baba’s

 

Hecate is the Greek goddess of the crossroads. She is most often depicted as having three heads; one of a dog, one of a snake and one of a horse. She is usually seen with two ghost hounds that were said to serve her. Hecate is most often mispercepted as the goddess of witchcraft or evil, but she did some very good things in her time. One such deed was when she rescued Persephone, (Demeter’s daughter, the queen of the Underworld and the maiden of spring), from the Underworld. Hecate is said to haunt a three-way crossroad, each of her heads facing in a certain direction. She is said to appear when the ebony moon shines. Barbara Gordon Walker sees Hecate as being derived from the Egyptian goddess Heqit and from the pre-dynastic Egyptian term heq, or ‘tribal matriarch.’ Originally, before she was demonized by Greek and Christian patriarchs alike, Hecate formed a trinity (often called a triple-goddess) together with the maiden Kore (Persephone) and the matron Demeter. In this trinity she represents the waning moon and the wise old woman or crone.

“Hecate is fearsome….Power is fearsome. When we approach Her, we come once more and after long wandering into the presence of our own womanly power. It’s been lost so long–buried, derided, dismissed until we all but forgot what it meant to have it. Now we fear it. Can we stare into the face of that fear and tell it to get lost? Hecate can teach us so much if we break through our fears.” Ramona Gault

The Goddess Doll Speaks (Edith)

I am the Goddess, the personification of the Divine Feminine. You are to take me with you wherever you go as a tangible reminder that I am with you always. By following my path, you shall grow into a Warrior of the Sisterhood of the Divine Feminine. Every time you call on me for help I shall grace you with a gift. Sometimes my gift to you will be one of Courage, or Power; other times it might be Hope, or Faith. Each time it will be just what you need to help you move forward on your spiritual journey. As you progress along this path you will grow into Wisdom, Compassion, and Beauty. You will learn to hear and follow your intuition and inner guidance, which already lies deep within you, but which is only beginning to rise slowly.

As you begin this journey I want you to listen for the voices of all the Goddesses who have always been, and who await your call. Remember then Kali from India, Tara in Tibet, Kwan Yin in China, the Black Madonna of Czestochowa, and many of their sisters. Learn from them. They have much to teach you. Remember too that Baba Yaga, she whom you fear, is also a Goddess. She is the Goddess of Strength, Change, Life Cycles and Transformations. She will help you learn how to face your fears.

But first I want you to meditate on the following Four Noble Truths. These truths have been guiding principles for many diverse cultures through the millenia, and are rich and deep sources of ancient wisdoms. Learn them and they will serve you well.

1.SHOW UP and choose to be present to all that life offers. Be a good model — by walking your talk.

2. PAY ATTENTION to what has heart and meaning for you and resonates within your soul.

3. TELL THE TRUTH without blame or judgement. Say what you mean and mean what you say (indigenous peoples call this ‘’speaking with spirit tongue’’ ) or KEEP NOBLE SILENCE. From an empowered position, choose to remain silent.

4. STAY OPEN, BUT NOT ATTACHED TO THE OUTCOME. Deeply care, from an objective place. Break old patterns. Practice discernment.

(The Four Noble Truths are taken from The Woman’s Book of Spirit by Sue Patton Thoele.)

Walking to Baba’s — therefore musing

SOFT SILENCE

A drift ‘cross a meadow will never pass unseen,
whether dashed in haste or strolled in pleasure.
See the oft lonely footprints in the morning dew,
or the tiny flowers bruised in the skipping dance.
Measure the depth of the grooves of weary boots,
or the point at which indecision caused a switch.
All can be found beneath the smile of EverLight.

But how to mark passage of the moonlit escape,
or the storm masked crawl from the brink of lost?
Life’s worries cause tendrils to overgrow faire grasses,
and the winds of sorrow erase the faintest clues.
When rocky shards yield but stumbling, lurching ascent,
and shifting sands of fear hold not a single print;
how do I retrace the steps in search of a friend?

I have come to wander the ancient paths once more,
not to create new dreams or hope of easy climb,
but to stroke creation in simplest form of Now.
My brief presence here can define the choice of will,
if all I leave is a soft, silent memory,
repeated in the scurried smalls and hidden birds;
that you, in heart, shall know I was forever near.

I speak of Spiritual Currents as you surly know,
best viewed during deep meditation and self-love.
Know that the faintest love trail you enjourney here
is ever kissed by the passing wake of caring drift,
kept alive as a whisper of humanity.
From ancient markings to the chime of stars beheld,
never pass alone, nor ascend with less than my hand.

Syren

Syren

Photomontage on Terragen background: Lori Gloyd (c) 2006