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.
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:
“Her feet and hair are formed of snakes… her passage is accompanied by thunder, shrieks, yells, and the deep baying of dogs.”— Berens, 1880, The Myths and Legends of Ancient Greece and Rome
“You who shake your head with hair made of fearsome snakes… your belly covered in scales…”— PGM IV, 2793–2806
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.
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.
Practice active listening:Focus fully on the speaker without interrupting.
Reflect back what you hear:This shows respect and ensures understanding.
Ask open-ended questions:Encourage deeper sharing without judgment.
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:
Collaborate with grassroots groups:These organizations often have deep roots and trust within marginalized communities.
Support minority-owned businesses:Your purchasing power can help build economic equity.
Volunteer your skills:Whether it’s writing, organizing, or teaching, your talents can be a bridge to empowerment.
Advocate for policy change:Engage in local and national efforts that dismantle systemic inequalities.
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:
Offer storytelling circles:Where people can share without fear of judgment.
Incorporate art and movement:These modalities can unlock emotions words cannot reach.
Provide access to mental health resources:Partner with counselors or healers who understand cultural contexts.
Encourage peer support networks:Connection with others who share similar experiences can be deeply restorative.
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.
Some of you may have known this work under a different name over the past few years. While By Her Fires continues to describe the devotional and spiritual current that informs the work, we’ve chosen to return publicly to Sosanna’s Closet, our original name.
This return isn’t a rebrand for novelty’s sake. It’s an acknowledgment of where this work began as a place for gathering, keeping, study, care, and practical support and where it’s meant to continue.
A closet is not a showroom. It’s a place where things are chosen carefully, returned to often, repaired when needed, and kept because they matter. That understanding continues to guide everything we do.
A New Website, Structured for Sustainability
Alongside the return to Sosanna’s Closet, we’ve launched a newly structured website designed to better reflect how this work actually unfolds.
Rather than placing everything in a single undifferentiated space, offerings are now organized by intention and participation, making it easier to engage without pressure or overwhelm.
The new structure includes four subscription paths:
Supporter — for those who want to sustain the work and receive ongoing project updates
Healer — focused on wellness classes centered on care, recovery, and resilience
Seeker — focused on oracle and spiritual practice classes grounded in thoughtful study
Sustainer — full access to all offerings, supporting the long-term viability of the work
Each path exists to support different needs and capacities. There is no expectation to move “up” or participate in everything. The structure is meant to support choice, pacing, and return.
The focus for 2026 is not expansion for its own sake, but continuity.
Across Sosanna’s Closet, this means:
Building offerings that can be returned to over time
Prioritizing sustainability over urgency
Continuing community care efforts like the Blessing Box
Holding wellness and spiritual practice as complementary, not separate
Allowing the work to grow at a pace that respects real limits
Rather than operating on seasonal launches or constant novelty, 2026 will be shaped by monthly themes that quietly inform what’s shared — in classes, reflections, and community care work. These themes aren’t programs to complete. They’re points of orientation that allow the work to remain responsive without becoming reactive.
To mark the launch of the new website and the beginning of this next chapter, we’re offering a 26% discount on physical and digital books available through Sosanna’s Closet.
Use the code HELLO2026 at checkout.This is simply a welcome — a way of saying thank you for being here at the start of what comes next.
Returning to Sosanna’s Closet is about reclaiming what has always been central to this work: care that is practical, practice that is thoughtful, and offerings that are meant to endure.
As we move into 2026, the intention is simple and demanding in equal measure — to continue doing this work with attention, integrity, and care for the people it serves.
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