The Modern Deipnon - Feeding the Soul with Rev. Sosanna Olson
Hecate’s Deipnon is a 2,500-year-old practice, but its true power lies in how we apply it today. Join me as we reframe this ancient "evening meal" into modern action through the Goldsboro Blessing Boxes.
While we are discussing this today (Sunday), the Dark Moon falls this coming Wednesday. This gives us time to prepare our focus and our supplies for the transition into the new lunar month.
On this channel, we use Hecate, Thoth, and Anubis as models for our own growth.
Hecate: The Guardian of the transition.
Thoth: The Scribe who records the lunar cycle and our actions within it.
Anubis: The Opener of the Ways who guides us through the darkness.
This isn't just a ritual of "purification" (Katharmos); it’s a commitment to reducing suffering. Today, I’m packing the Blessing Box with:
Food: Canned proteins and meals.
Protection: Socks and gloves.
Hygiene: Soap, toothpaste, and feminine products.
Recommended Reading:
Hekate Soteira – Sarah Iles Johnston
Restless Dead – Sarah Iles Johnston
The Rotting Goddess – Jacob Rabinowitz
Hekate in Ancient Greek Religion – Robert Von Rudloff
The Greek Magical Papyri (PGM) – Ed. Hans Dieter Betz
Devil Girls of Ancient Rome - Jacob Rabinowitz
Support the Sanctuary:
✨ Free Ritual Library: hecatebrimo.org
🛍️ Shop the Sanctuary: hecatebrimo.org
📖 The Blog: confessionsofamoderwitch.com
🔥Subscribe to My Channel: [https://www.youtube.com/@ByHerFires?sub_confirmation=1]
Sunday Card Pull:
Stick around until the end of the video for our weekly Three-Card Oracle Pull to navigate the energy of the coming week.
"Brimo demands that we be formidable in our care for one another."
Rev. Sosanna Olson🔮
By Her fires🔥
🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
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.
#pagan#magic#witchcraft#readings#oracle#weeklydraw#psychic#healing#consultation#hecate#hekate#neuseriverwitch
The Dangerous Words You Say to Yourself Every Day (And How to Change Them)
Most people think affirmations are something you repeat in the mirror every morning.
You know the ones.
“I am successful.” “I am powerful.” “I am unstoppable.”
But the truth is… most people are already using affirmations all day long.
They’re just not positive ones.
Every time you say something like:
“I’m terrible with numbers.” “I’m horrible with names.” “I always mess things up.”
Your brain hears that as an instruction.
Your brain doesn’t argue with repetition.
It adapts to it.
So today I want to talk about the power of the words we say to ourselves, the affirmations we accidentally repeat every day, and three simple affirmations that can actually shift how you see yourself.
News
Before we get started I just wanted to cover a few things really quick.
Old website shut down due to Wix’s affiliation - New website up
Membership center for CoH at Sanctuary of hecate Brimo has been up for a week and we already have 10 applications
The Problem With Most Affirmations
One of the reasons affirmations get a bad reputation is because people are told to repeat things that don’t feel true.
For example:
“I am wildly successful.”
If your brain doesn’t believe that, it pushes back.
Your brain immediately responds with:
“No you’re not.”
That’s why effective affirmations aren’t about pretending.
They’re about direction.
They help move your identity forward instead of reinforcing limitations.
The Hidden Affirmations We Use Every Day
Most people don’t realize they are constantly reinforcing beliefs about themselves through language.
These small phrases become identity statements.
When you repeat them often enough, your brain accepts them as truth.
Here are some of the most common ones people say without thinking.
1. “I’m bad with numbers.”
Counter it with:
“I’m learning how to understand numbers better.”
2. “I’m horrible with names.”
Counter it with:
“I’m getting better at remembering names.”
3. “I always procrastinate.”
Counter it with:
“I’m learning how to start things sooner.”
4. “Nothing ever works for me.”
Counter it with:
“I’m still figuring out what works.”
5. “I’m terrible with technology.”
Counter it with:
“Technology is something I can learn step by step.”
6. “I always mess things up.”
Counter it with:
“Every mistake helps me improve.”
7. “I’m not creative.”
Counter it with:
“Creativity grows when I give myself space to explore.”
8. “I’m not disciplined.”
Counter it with:
“I’m building better habits every day.”
9. “I’m too old to learn that.”
Counter it with:
“Learning is something I can do at any stage of life.”
10. “That’s just the way I am.”
Counter it with:
“I’m always capable of growth and change.”
When you start paying attention to your language, you realize something important.
You are constantly shaping your identity with the words you repeat.
The Rule for Effective Affirmations
If you want affirmations to work, there are three simple rules.
1. They must feel believable
Your brain has to accept them.
2. They should focus on growth
Not perfection.
3. They should be repeated consistently
Repetition is what programs belief.
This is actually one of the reasons I’ve written several books focused specifically on affirmations and intentional language. Each one explores how simple changes in the way we speak to ourselves can gradually reshape our thinking patterns and our sense of possibility.
Affirmations aren’t magic words. They’re tools that help redirect the stories we repeat about ourselves.
Three Affirmations That Actually Work
Instead of using exaggerated statements, try affirmations that support growth.
These are simple but powerful.
Affirmation 1
“I am capable of learning anything with time and practice.”
This replaces the idea that you are simply “bad” at something.
Affirmation 2
“Every day I am becoming a more capable version of myself.”
This focuses on progress rather than perfection.
Affirmation 3
“The way I speak to myself shapes the life I create.”
This one reminds you that your words matter.
The Rule for Effective Affirmations
If you want affirmations to work, there are three simple rules.
Closing
The words we repeat eventually become the beliefs we carry.
Those beliefs influence our choices, our habits, and the direction our lives take.
So if you’re going to repeat something to yourself every day, make sure it’s something that helps you become the person you want to be.
And if you want to explore this idea more deeply, the four affirmation books I’ve written go much further into how intentional language can reshape the way we think and live.
Sometimes the smallest shift in the words we use can create the biggest shift in how we see ourselves.
You can help me to continue my work by visiting HecateBrimo.org and picking up on of my e-books on affirmations today!
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 we step into the world of ancient devotion and magic, we often find deities from different cultures standing side by side, joined not by geography but by their shared roles in human imagination and spiritual practice. Among these unexpected partnerships is the connection between Hecate of Greece and Thoth of Egypt.
Let me be clear here, there is no historical representation of these two together. This is a personal connection, that I have made based on the energy that "I" feel from both bits of information and how "I" have connected. This information is not reflective of the Covenant of Hekate or any other organization where my work may be found.
Text to Image Creation
Neither Hecate nor Thoth should be understood as once-human beings elevated into divine status. Instead, they are personifications of cosmic principles — archetypal forces that express themselves through ritual, prayer, and story.
Hecate embodies liminality, illumination, and transformation. She is the torch that reveals hidden paths, the key that unlocks mysteries, and the guardian who stands firm at the threshold.
Thoth personifies wisdom, cosmic balance, and the transmission of divine knowledge. He is the scribe of the gods, the inventor of sacred words, and the keeper of time’s rhythm.
When we invoke them, we are not calling forth external beings in the sky. Instead, we are drawing their energies into ourselves — awakening the illumination of Hecate and the wisdom of Thoth so that these forces can guide our lives.
In ancient Greece, Hecate was first honored as a goddess with power over earth, sea, and sky. Over time, she became deeply associated with crossroads, thresholds, and the mysteries of the unseen. For practitioners today, she is a living archetype of transformation — the presence that accompanies us in shadow work, change, and moments of decision.
Within the Covenant of Hekate, her energy is cultivated through the Five Virtues: Compassion, Courage, Temperance, Justice, and Wisdom. These qualities are not external gifts but inner strengths kindled through her torches.
For the Egyptians, Thoth (Djehuty) was both lunar and intellectual. He invented hieroglyphs, measured the heavens, and recorded the judgments of the dead. In the Hermetic tradition that grew in later centuries, he became Hermes Trismegistus — the thrice-great teacher of cosmic wisdom.
Thoth is not merely a record-keeper. He is the personification of the act of ordering chaos into meaning. When we work with his energy, we align ourselves with clarity, balance, and truth.
When placed together, the resonances between Hecate and Thoth are striking:
Threshold and Transmission
Hecate opens the doors of mystery with her keys.
Thoth transmits what lies beyond, shaping it into language and understanding.
Illumination and Insight
Hecate’s torches light the unseen paths.
Thoth’s stylus records and interprets what that light reveals.
Wisdom as a Virtue
In CoH, Wisdom is the culmination of Hecate’s guidance.
Thoth is the archetype of wisdom itself — the balance of Ma’at expressed in thought and word.
Together, they invite us to see wisdom not just as knowing, but as embodied practice: choosing compassion, courage, and balance in our daily lives.
For modern seekers, the pairing of Hecate and Thoth offers a path that unites mystical insight with practical wisdom.
From Hecate, we learn to face the unknown with courage.
From Thoth, we learn to shape what we encounter into clarity and truth.
By working with these archetypal forces in ritual or meditation, we don’t summon external gods but rather activate the divine energies within ourselves. Their symbols — torches, keys, scrolls, and tablets — become tools to remind us that wisdom and transformation are available at every threshold we cross.
Devotional
Hecate, torch-bearer,
light the unseen paths before me.
Key-holder of mysteries,
open the doors of wisdom and transformation.
Thoth, scribe of the gods,
inscribe truth upon my heart.
Keeper of balance,
guide my thoughts into clarity and harmony.
Together, illuminate my mind and spirit.
Let my words carry wisdom,
let my choices reflect balance,
and let my path be lit by truth.
I wish you a glorious day!
BY HER FIRES.COM
Sources & Further Reading
Hans Dieter Betz (ed.), The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation.
Iamblichus, On the Mysteries.
The Hermetica (Corpus Hermeticum).
Sorita d’Este (ed.), Circle for Hekate Vols. I & II.
October ushers in Samhain, a sacred time when the veil between worlds is at its thinnest. This season of shadows invites us to honor our ancestors, connect with the divine, and embrace the mysteries of life and death. As the goddess of crossroads and the chthonic realms, Hecate holds a central role in Samhain rituals, offering her guidance as we walk between the seen and unseen worlds.
Samhain, traditionally celebrated on October 31st, marks the end of the harvest and the beginning of the darker half of the year. It’s a time to honor the dead, reflect on cycles of life and rebirth, and seek guidance from the spiritual realms. Rooted in Celtic tradition, Samhain has evolved to include modern practices, and for devotees of Hecate, it offers a unique opportunity to deepen their connection with her.
Hecate’s role as a goddess of the underworld and guide of lost souls makes her an ideal deity to work with during Samhain. She stands as a guardian of thresholds, helping us honor our ancestors, explore the mysteries of death, and prepare for the introspection of winter.
Samhain Rituals with Hecate
Ancestral Altar
Dedicate a space to your ancestors by arranging photos, mementos, and offerings such as food, candles, and incense.
Include symbols of Hecate, like keys or torches, to invite her guidance in connecting with your lineage.
Speak their names aloud and offer gratitude for their influence in your life.
Silent Supper
Prepare a plant-based meal and set a place at the table for Hecate and your ancestors.
Eat in silence, reflecting on their wisdom and lessons.
Afterward, leave an offering of food on your altar or outside as a gift for the spirits.
Crossroads Meditation
Visit a physical crossroads or create one in your sacred space with four candles.
Sit at the center and meditate on the guidance you seek from Hecate.
Ask for clarity in navigating transitions or connecting with the spiritual realms.
Plant-Based Recipes for Samhain
Pumpkin and Sage Soup
Ingredients:
1 small pumpkin, peeled and cubed
1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp fresh sage, chopped
4 cups vegetable broth
Salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil for roasting
Instructions:
Roast the pumpkin with olive oil, salt, and pepper until tender.
Sauté onion and garlic in a pot until fragrant.
Add roasted pumpkin, sage, and broth. Simmer for 15 minutes.
Blend until smooth and serve with crusty bread.
Apple and Cinnamon Hand Pies
Ingredients:
2 cups diced apples
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tbsp sugar or maple syrup
1 sheet vegan puff pastry
Instructions:
Mix apples, cinnamon, and sugar in a bowl.
Cut puff pastry into squares, fill with apple mixture, and fold into triangles.
Seal edges and bake at 375°F until golden brown.
A Blessing for Samhain
"Hecate, keeper of shadows and light,
Guide us through this sacred night.
With wisdom deep and ancestors near,
We walk this path without fear."
Samhain is a time to honor the cycles of life and death, embrace the mysteries, and connect with the spiritual world. By incorporating Hecate’s guidance into your rituals, you can navigate this sacred season with intention and reverence.
Whether through ancestral altars, meditative walks at crossroads, or plant-based feasts, let Samhain be a time of reflection, gratitude, and transformation. May Hecate’s torches light your way as you honor the past and step boldly into the future.
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