The first full moon in May holds a special significance for devotees of Hecate. It is the night of the Rite of Her Sacred Fires, a global celebration inviting those who revere the Goddess to come together in a shared act of devotion, reflection, and empowerment.

This ritual is a modern expression of Hecate’s ancient mysteries, connecting practitioners worldwide through the universal themes of transformation, illumination, and spiritual connection. Originating as a community-driven event, the Rite of Her Sacred Fires has grown to be a cornerstone of contemporary Hecatean practice.

The Rite of Her Sacred Fires is about more than lighting a flame; it is an opportunity to connect with Hecate’s guiding light, both within and around us. Hecate, the keeper of the crossroads and the bearer of keys, is invoked in this ritual to illuminate our paths and guide us through the complexities of life. This ritual serves as a beacon of personal and communal transformation, allowing participants to reflect on their journeys and renew their commitment to walking their spiritual paths.

This is the ritual from 2024

Whether you are new to Hecatean devotion or a seasoned practitioner, the Rite of Her Sacred Fires is accessible to all. Here’s how you can prepare for this year’s celebration:

Create a Sacred Space: Dedicate a part of your home, garden, or altar to this ritual. Include items sacred to Hecate, such as torches, keys, herbs like mugwort, and symbols of the moon.

Light Your Flame: The central act of the ritual involves lighting a candle or torch, symbolizing Hecate’s sacred fires. As you do so, reflect on the transformative power of fire and its ability to purify, illuminate, and inspire.

Invoke Hecate: Use the traditional invocation to call upon Hecate. Ask for her guidance, protection, and wisdom as you move forward on your path.

Meditate or Journal: Spend time in quiet reflection, focusing on the light of the flame and the energy of Hecate. Write down any insights or messages you receive.

Share in Community: If you feel comfortable, connect with others participating in the Rite. Share your experiences or simply revel in the collective energy of practitioners worldwide.

As we light her sacred fires this May, let us remember that Hecate’s light lives not only in the flame but also within each of us. This ritual is a time to honor the inner fire that fuels our courage, illuminates our wisdom, and transforms our lives.

For more details on the Rite of Her Sacred Fires and how to incorporate it into your practice, visit the official website of the Covenant of Hekate or the Sanctuary of Hecate Brimo. May this year’s rite bring you clarity, strength, and deep connection with Hecate’s enduring light.

 This year was an amazing time for Rite of Her Sacred Fires. 

Sorita d'Est founder of the Covenant of Hekate presented the rite live online which was live streamed to every corner of the globe. I had the honor of taking part while moderating our group. If you have not had the opportunity I wanted to share the rite with you, some of my images from the evening and the text of the event.

Rite of Her Sacred Fires

1. Preparation

Find a quiet place where you will be able to perform the rite undisturbed. You will need a candle (or another form of devotional fire such as a lamp or hearth fire) and something with which to light it. You may wish to consecrate the candle or other materials you will be using in keeping with your usual tradition of working, otherwise please simply ensure that it is clean.

2. Prelude

Make yourself comfortable, breathe deeply and find your point of balance, a balance of mind and soul and body, which will present you proud and beautiful to the world. Breathe deeply and find your voice, the voice with which you will speak words of true and pure intent. Breathe deeply and call upon the freedom within your heart so that you will be able to express yourself with purity of intent and with strength of desire.

Place both your hands on your heart (three heartbeats), your forefinger and middle finger of your dominant hand to your lips (three heartbeats), and then to your brow (three heartbeats).  Now enclose your thumbs within both your hands (in fists) and raise both your arms to the heavens.

Open your hands and with palm upwards in your left hand, bring your right arm to your side palm facing downwards and invoke the Goddess.

3. Invocation

“I invoke thee, Great Mistress of the Heaven, Earth and Sea,
By your mysteries of Night and Day,
By the Light of the Moon and the Shadow of the Sun
I invoke thee, Mistress of life, death and rebirth
Emerge now from the shadow realm to feed my soul and enlighten my mind,
Triple-formed Mistress of the three ways
I entreat thee, Key-bearing Mistress of the Nightwandering Souls
To bring forth your wisdom from amongst the stars
To bring down your starfire from the darkness between,
Creatrix of Light!
Goddess of the Shadow Realms! Light-bearing queen!
Whisper now your secrets!
Fire-bringer! Earthly-one! Queen of Heaven!”

[Raise both hands with palms facing upwards to the heavens (three heartbeats) and then touch the ground palms downwards]

[Sit before the candle and prepare to light it]

[Take three deep breaths and allow your senses to awaken]

Say

“Hekate, companion and guide to the mysteries
I light this sacred fire in your honour, [light fire]
Its light uniting the stars and stones, the heavens and the earth,
With this fire I express my desire for a greater understanding of your mysteries

Askei Kataskei Erōn Oreōn Iōr Mega Samnyēr Baui (repeat 3 times) Phobantia Semnē,

Great Hekate, who spins the web of the stars and governs the spiral of life
Guide me through towards pathways of understanding,
From Crossroad to Crossroad,
The Torchbearers and the Keybearers of your mysteries will always find one another”

Now sit and watch the flame flicker and dance, allow yourself to focus on the different colours in the flame,
the yellows and reds, the blues and whites, and the black. If you wish you may
decide to spend some time meditating on the flame, skrying for visions or omens.
Likewise you may wish to extinguish it and keep the candle.
Let your true self radiate brightly its beautiful mysteries from this day on forth, the flame of the fires of Hekate burns on in your heart!

Say

“I banish now the shadows of doubt from my mind,
Infused by the silence and warmth of our union
I feel your golden radiance within my heart
And the glory of knowledge on my brow,
I am a student of your mysteries.”

Extinguish the flame, then place both your hands on your heart (three heartbeats),
your forefinger and middle finger of your dominant hand to your lips (three heartbeats),
and then to your brow (three heartbeats).

Open your palms reaching towards the heaven, then reach down and touch the Earth.

[Copyright Notice]

This ritual was written in celebration of the completion of the book Hekate Her Sacred Fires and as an act of Devotion to the Goddess Hekate. Permission is given for the adaptation of this ritual for personal and group use. The ritual is designed to be performed as is but can also be incorporated into longer rituals and is compatible with most magical traditions. Whoever performs this rite takes personal responsibility for the results (or lack of results!) thereof the author cannot be held responsible for any undesired effects. This ritual may be reproduced freely for non-commercial purposes in any format electronic or printed, providing that this original notice remain intact. 

For any changes, updates and further resources see www.hekatecovenant.com

(c)Sorita d’Este, 2010

 Feel free to share your photos here or on the Facebook page.  We'd love to see how you connect on this wonderful event.  To connect with others on this journey, please scan this qr code with your smart phone and join the Facebook Group - Rite of Her Sacred Fires.