Join Rev. Renee Sosanna Olson, to discuss Toxic Positivity and what you can do to reframe the conversation plus a three card pull from the Crossroads Oracle deck.

Toxic positivity is the pressure to stay upbeat no matter what’s happening. It’s the idea that if you’re spiritual enough, faithful enough, high-vibe enough, you won’t feel anger, fear, or grief. It sounds like “just trust the universe,” or “everything happens for a reason,” or “don’t claim that energy.”

Work as Devotion

Today's video is a presentation that I created back in 2025 on "Work as Devotion" - it focuses on how to take your talents or your labor and turn it into a source of devotion. Stay tuned till the end for the three card pull from the River Witch Oracle deck. --- Here's a link to the presentation - https://drive.google.com/file/d/18Pk0...

Reading for Feb 15, 2026

Summer Abundance, Playful, Activity The Summer card radiates with the warmth of abundance, the light-heartedness of playfulness, and the buzz of activity, perfectly encapsulating the essence of summer's sun-drenched days and balmy nights. This card beckons you to immerse yourself in the season's generous offerings, embrace the joy of being, and engage in the vibrancy of life at its peak. Abundance flows through the card, reflecting the season's lavish display of nature in full bloom and the plentiful opportunities for growth and enjoyment. It encourages you to open your arms to the riches around you, acknowledge your life's bounty, and share the plentiful harvest of your efforts and dreams. This card reminds you of the fullness of life and the gifts that await when you approach the world with gratitude and an open heart. Playfulness is woven into the fabric of summer, and this card captures the spirit of spontaneity and joy that defines the season. It invites you to lighten your heart, to laugh freely, and to rediscover the simple pleasures that delight the soul. The Summer card encourages you to make time for play, creativity, and the rejuvenating power of fun, reminding you that play is not just for children but a vital source of renewal and inspiration for all. Activity buzzes at the card's core, emblematic of the season's dynamic energy and the natural inclination towards exploration and adventure. This card inspires you to engage fully with life, pursue your passions zealously, and embrace the myriad experiences of summer. Whether pursuing new ventures, enjoying the outdoors, or indulging in seasonal hobbies, the card encourages wholehearted participation in the dance of life.

Musician Inspiration, Harmony, Expression The Musician card celebrates music's profound and universal essence as a bridge between hearts, cultures, and souls. It acknowledges music's unique capacity to transcend boundaries, offering a shared language that communicates the depth of human emotions, narratives, and dreams. This card reminds us of the rich history of musical traditions worldwide, each with its own identity, history, and cultural significance. It invites us to approach music with respect, curiosity, and openness.

Deer Gentleness, Sensitivity, Devotion The Deer card steps softly into your consciousness, embodying gentleness, depth of sensitivity, and the steadfastness of devotion. This card reflects the deer's serene presence in the natural world, highlighting the power of softness, the importance of emotional receptivity, and the commitment to the paths we hold dear. It invites you to approach life with a tender heart, tune in to the subtleties of your inner and outer environments, and dedicate yourself to your principles and loved ones wholeheartedly. Gentleness, a key trait of the deer, encourages you to move through the world with kindness and a soft touch. It reminds you that strength is not only found in force but also in the quiet power of compassion and calm resolve. The Deer card invites you to embrace your innate gentleness, to interact with others and yourself with care and understanding, and to recognize the impact of a gentle word, thought, or action in healing and nurturing the spirit.

Affirmation

Rev. Sosanna Olson🔮 By Her fires🔥 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ My Website- hecatebrimo.org I recognize and honor the Indigenous tribes whose sacred lands we now inhabit and the enslaved Africans whose resilience and contributions shape our community. At the Sanctuary of Hecate Brimo, we actively uphold these legacies in all our practices, ensuring our actions reflect this commitment.

 In this video, I talk about offerings, sacrifice, and altar devotion as they have existed throughout history. Before modern witchcraft or organized religion as we know it today, people honored their gods through simple, consistent acts of care. Food, drink, incense, handmade objects, and time itself were given not as payment or fear-based obligation, but as a way to maintain relationship and presence.

I also touch on what sacrifice meant historically. To sacrifice was to make something sacred, to set it apart. In many cultures, sacrifice was communal and shared, not about loss or destruction. Most devotional acts happened at the household level through small altars, lamps, bowls, and offerings refreshed regularly as part of daily life.

This conversation leads into my latest clay work. Working with earth has always been part of sacred practice. Pottery, lamps, figurines, and vessels were among the most common devotional objects across cultures because they required time, attention, and intention. Making something by hand has always been a powerful offering.

This video is an invitation to think differently about devotion. You don’t need extravagance. You don’t need perfection. You need consistency, care, and honesty. Those are the things people have offered the gods for thousands of years, and they still matter now.

I also cover my decision to move out of Wix as a webhost. I'm working on transferring my domains now and have already moved Sanctuary of Hecate Brimo to Facebook. I will look to find another suitable host but for now, I just cannot continue to support this organization. Happy to discuss this decision privately.

I have added the individual cards from the reading below. I hope this post finds you well and happy.

Recommended reading - Hellenic Polytheism - Household Worship

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 When people ask what Hecate looks like, the short answer is: it depends. The ancient sources don’t give us one clean image. She's been called a towering woman, a Titan bearing torches and swords, protector of the crossroads, the howling figure in the dark with dog heads and fiery eyes. Some sources describe her hair and feet as made of snakes.

The Orphic Argonautica describes her with three heads, one of a horse, one of a dog, and one of a lion. Each has a long history of symbolic meaning: the dog as guardian of the underworld and companion at thresholds, the horse as a symbol of noble strength and movement between realms, and the lion for power, protection, and ferocity.

In the Greek Magical Papyri, she is invoked with fearsome imagery. Serpents in her hair, scales across her body, thunder and howling accompanying her steps. These weren’t just poetic images. The ancients believed what they wrote. Those performing magic saw her as liminal, powerful, and terrifying.

Animal-headed depictions of Hecate, horse, dog, lion, show up across magical texts and ancient art. Triple-bodied statues from Asia Minor and carved gemstones from the Greco-Roman period show her holding torches and knives, sometimes accompanied by cords, whips, or snakes. One of the first descriptions I ever read said, “her hair was like snakes.” That line stuck with me.

For six years, I wore my hair in dreadlocks as a devotional act. Snake-like hair wasn’t symbolic for me. It was lived daily as a way to remind myself of the image I wanted to present. Dreadlocks resemble and move like snakes. They sway with energy. They hold memory. And they change how people look at you.

Some folks, especially within the Black community, were warmer and more open. In other places, I felt side-eyed or dismissed. Electronics stores, car dealerships, you get the picture. But this practice wasn’t about anyone else’s comfort. It was about embodiment. Wearing my devotion made Hecate’s presence feel immediate, grounding me in her power with every step I took. When people asked about my hair, I told them. I told them it was for Hecate.

The documentation we do have is scattered across sources:

She's also been called the Black Dog, Black Bitch, and Brimo, which means “the Angry One.” These are titles for a deity who lives in graveyards and shadows. She walks between the worlds, torch in hand, sword at her side.

Some sources describe her as “black,” both literally and symbolically. She is tied to the underworld, night, death, ghosts, and decay. In ancient art, deities of the underworld were often drawn with darker skin. That could reflect the realm they ruled or the fear they inspired.

So was Hecate Black (POC) in a racial sense? 

Her earliest worship came from Caria, in southwestern Anatolia, modern-day Turkey. People from that region would have had olive or darker skin, curly or wavy hair, and features that reflect the Mediterranean and Anatolian world.

Her father Perses, a Titan of destruction, and her mother Asteria, “the Starry One,” are not described in terms of appearance. We know that even though she was of the Titans, she was depicted as human sized and often with knee length dresses and boots leaning towards the maiden vs. any other triple or lunar goddess construct. But if their myths are tied to that region, we can assume they looked more like Anatolian locals than Greek marble. This region was also very high in genetic diversity, leading us more towards an olive skinned wavy/curly haired people.

A few years back I created several images of the Goddess with darker skin and the feedback was not surprising. Lots of pearl clutching and warnings of how I was appropriating cultures not my own. 

For me, it’s more likely that she was a woman of color, with textured hair and broad olive skinned features rather than the Hellenized versions we often see today.

My journey on this path has always been about being present in your body, your story, your truth. This involves how I speak, how I appear, and how I represent Hecate in the world. If I don't embody what I aim to emulate, how can I ever reach the space I'm striving for?

She isn't always comforting. She's the one who meets you in the darkness when everyone else leaves. She's the one who brings the sword, the torch, and the key, challenging you to use them.

What do you think? 

We are aware that art and history are written by the victors. Do you believe this influences the images we have of Gods and Goddesses today? How does this affect your worship? Do you seek someone like yourself or culturally similar to who you are? I'm eager to hear some of the responses. 

Share your thoughts with me.

Here's your reading for Feb 1, 2026

 In the quiet moments of reflection, I often find myself drawn to the stories that go unheard. These are the voices that ripple beneath the surface of our collective consciousness, waiting patiently to be acknowledged. Supporting marginalized voices is not just an act of kindness; it is a sacred responsibility. It is a call to awaken our empathy and to weave a tapestry of inclusion and justice through deliberate, heartfelt action.

Listening is the first step on this journey. It is more than hearing words; it is opening a space where stories can breathe and grow. When we listen deeply, we honor the lived experiences of those who have been sidelined by society. This act of presence is a gentle invitation to understand pain, resilience, and hope.

In practical terms, this means creating environments where marginalized individuals feel safe to share. Whether in community circles, online forums, or intimate conversations, the energy we bring can either uplift or silence. I encourage you to cultivate spaces that welcome vulnerability and authenticity. 

By doing so, we nurture a garden where marginalized voices can blossom. Bloom with love, kindness and compassion.

Words alone are not enough. To truly support marginalized voices, we must translate empathy into tangible deeds. This means standing alongside those who face systemic barriers and amplifying their messages in ways that honor their agency.

One way I have found effective is partnering with organizations that center marginalized communities. For example, I channel my mission into supporting food and housing insecure individuals through sales and donations. This model not only provides resources but also uplifts the dignity of those served.

Here are some actionable steps to consider:

Each action, no matter how small, becomes a thread in the fabric of justice.

The Role of Spirituality in Amplifying Marginalized Voices

Spirituality offers a lens by which to view our commitment to justice. It invites us to recognize the interconnectedness of all beings and to act from a place of compassion and sacred responsibility. When we engage in supporting marginalized voices, we are participating in a spiritual practice that honors the divine spark within every individual.

Meditation, prayer, and ritual can deepen our resolve and clarity. For instance, setting intentions before community work or donations can align our actions with higher purpose. This sacred approach transforms activism from a task into a soulful journey.

I often remind myself that healing the world begins with healing our own hearts. By nurturing inner peace, we cultivate the strength to face external challenges with grace and resilience.

Creating Spaces for Healing and Empowerment

Healing is a vital part of supporting marginalized voices. Many carry wounds inflicted by exclusion, discrimination, and trauma. Creating spaces that foster healing is an act of radical love.

Consider hosting or participating in workshops that focus on trauma-informed care, restorative justice, or creative expression. These environments allow individuals to reclaim their narratives and find empowerment through shared experience.

Here are some ideas to foster healing spaces:

By weaving these elements into our communities, we create sanctuaries of hope and renewal.

Supporting marginalized voices is a journey that calls for patience, humility, and unwavering commitment. It is a dance between listening and acting, between honoring stories and creating change. As I walk this path, I am reminded that every step matters.

I invite you to join me in this sacred work. Let us be the gentle winds that carry these voices far and wide, nurturing a world where all can thrive. Together, through intention and action, we can embody the true meaning of community and compassion.

For those seeking to deepen their engagement, consider exploring resources and initiatives dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices. Let this be a beacon guiding your efforts toward meaningful impact.

May our collective light shine brightly, illuminating the way for those who have long been unseen.

 As we step into 2026, Sosanna’s Closet is returning to its roots and moving forward with greater clarity.