Ritual of Renewal and Rededication
A Ceremony of Purification, Transformation, and Community
Items Needed
- A bowl of purified water
- A stick or cone of incense
- A towel or cloth
- Ritual drum, or recording of drum track
- Two sheets of paper
- A writing utensil (a pen, a pencil, a quill, etc.)
- A fireproof container
- A lighter or matches
Purification of Participants
- Place your bowl of water in front of you.
- Wash your hands in the bowl of water. As you do, say the following:
- “As this water cleanses my hands, may it cleanse my spirit. Let only what strengthens my intentions remain. Let only what strengthens my connection to divinity remain. May everything that falls into these waters be contained and purified. Let me come into this space with a clear mind, and an open heart.”
- Dry off your hands, and set the bowl aside.
Purification of Space
- Light the incense, and allow the smoke to fill your space.
- Set the incense in a safe place, and speak:
- “We cleanse this space, these walls, the air, and all the energies contained within. May all that has grown stagnant be carried away with these wisps of smoke. May this space be purified and renewed.”
Raising Energy and Calling Hekate
Stand or sit comfortably. The drum begins with a slow tempo.
“Before we call upon the energy of the sacred flames, we shall become still.
We each carry the light of her fires.
If you ever lose sight of Hekate’s torches, you may always turn inward,
For those same fires live inside of you.
Let your body be still,
Let your breath become the fuel of your flame.
Place your feet upon the earth.
Feel the ground beneath you, supporting your entire being.
Inhale slowly, through your nose, and draw in the steadiness of the earth.
Hold that air, and become present in this moment.
And exhale slowly, allowing your breath to kindle your fire within.
Draw in steadiness with another inhale. Hold it and become present, and release.
Draw in steadiness, hold the presence, and give it to the embers.
Draw in steadiness, hold the presence, and give back what is released, and let it ignite your flames.”
[Tempo Increases Slightly]
“Feel the warmth of the fire within you.
Breathe in, and feel its energy.
Draw in strength,
Draw in courage,
Draw in devotion.
With every breath, the sacred flame within you grows.
With every heartbeat, we connect to each other.
Feel the warmth of the flame.
Feel the warmth of your community.
Embrace the warmth of the Sanctuary. “
[Tempo Increases Slightly]
Hekate Enodia,
Goddess of the Crossroads,
Goddess of this Crossroad,
We call to you.
Enter our space.
Stand beside us.
Walk among us.
Be present for our rites this evening.”
The Fire Rite: What is Released and What is Renewed?
Now is the time to take out your paper and writing utensils. Take a few minutes, and think about everything that you wish to release from your life. Everything that has been placed upon your shoulders in the last year that you no longer wish to carry. Allow Hekate’s torchlight to illuminate those things you’ve been buried under for so long that you’ve forgotten them. Write these things down on the first piece of paper (Paper of Release).
Then, think of everything that you wish to bring into your life. Those things that you’ve been hoping for but have been too afraid to ask for. Nothing is too big, and the first (and hardest) step is asking for what you need.
When you are finished writing, place your second paper (Paper of Renewal) under your fireproof container. Hold your Paper of Release above your container. As you light your paper, speak:
“May Hekate’s torchfire burn away all that has been placed upon my shoulders.”
Drop the paper into your container and ensure it burns completely. As you watch the flames, feel the weight being gradually lifted off of your shoulders. Once the paper has been reduced to ash, speak:
“May the ashes of all that was become the foundation for what will be.”
Keep your Paper of Renewal in a space that is dedicated to Hekate, where you can remember all that you wish and hope for on your path. Each time that you acknowledge it in any way, you give your spellwork additional power. Keep it safe, and use it to guide your path forward.
Rededication of the Sanctuary to Hekate
The rededication of the Sanctuary to Hekate is performed live by Quinton Li, Server Founder and Hiereus of Hekate Propolos Enodia.
Tending to the Hearth of the Sanctuary – Ritual Closing
Now is the time for each member to contribute a hope, blessing, commitment, prayer, etc. to the Hearth of the Sanctuary. This can be a personal statement, or something that you wish for the Sanctuary. This is said aloud in voice chat or written in text in the chat. With each offering, the community is carrying forward each person’s words, a shared affirmation in front of our hearth. Your spoken/written offering does not have to be long; it only needs to come from the heart.
“As we tend the hearth of the Sanctuary of the Crossroads, we remember that these flames are not kept alive by one hand alone. They are sustained by every person who gathers and every offering that is given. May our breath feed these flames from wherever we reside. Those who wish to offer a prayer, blessing, or hope may now speak.”
After each offering, all attendees respond:
“May your flame strengthen our hearth.”
After the last offering has been spoken:
“We give thanks to Hekate, Guide and Torchbearer,
She who watches over the crossroads,
She who guards the thresholds,
She who guides travelers on their winding roads.
May you receive our offerings and the devotion we have shared today.
This rite may end, but the path continues forward for all of us.
Hekate, please remain with us.
Guide our steps,
guard our thresholds,
And keep our flames.
The rite is complete.
The hearthfire burns.
The Crossroads remain open.
The Sanctuary remains.”
Sanctuary of the Crossroads 