Lampadeia — Festival of the Lampades

Athenian Calendar Date: 27 Boedromion
Honouring: Lampades
Origin: Modern festival by the SoTC based on Sacrifices to the Nymphs, Akheloös, Alokhos, Hermes, Gaia and Athena in Erchia, which took place on the same day.

What is Lampadeia?

Lampadeia is a festival that honours the Lampades, nymphs residing in the underworld that are said to follow Hekate at night. The name of these nymphs was also used as a title in the Eleusinian Mysteries. These individuals would carry torches in a sacred procession.

While not much is known about these nymphs, the Sanctuary chooses to honour them in an annual festival of sacrifices and activities.

This festival focuses on:

  • The Lampades’ torch-bearing duties.
  • Companionship.
  • Honouring the spirits who assist Hekate.

Offerings to the Lampades

  • Milk
  • Honey
  • Wine
  • Olive oil
  • Grains
  • Pomegranate
  • Cakes (such as small honey cakes)
  • Bread
  • Plants and herbs associated with the underworld (e.g. asphodel, cypress, mint)
  • Candles or torches

As Lampades are chthonic nymphs, offerings should be buried, burnt, or poured into the ground. Note: Poisonous plants should not be burnt.

Ways to Celebrate Lampadeia

  • Write and recite a hymn to the Lampades.
  • Light a candle as an offering to the Lampades, representing their torch-bearing nature.
  • Have a fire-based celebration with your friends (bonfire, firepit, candle-lit night).
    • Note: Be sure to practice fire safety!
  • Meditate with the Lampades.
  • Conduct a sacred procession of torches.
    • This could be with others or by yourself. A procession involves moving sacred items from one location to another. You may start inside and move outdoors, or the other way around. You may start at your front door and move to your altar, or just before your altar if you wish to do so. You may use this procession to honour the role of the Lampades and meditate on the meaning of their role by carrying candles or torches as your sacred items.
  • Give offerings to the Lampades.
  • Write your own mythological stories about the Lampades.

Celebrating Lampadeia at the Sanctuary of the Crossroads

For Lampadeia 2025, the Sanctuary will be hosting two guided group meditation sessions to connect with the nymphs of the underworld.

Our group meditations only require you to attend and have some time to get comfortable and listen. You will be guided on a journey to encounter the Lampades before having some time for yourself to converse with them, sit in their energy, or listen to any wisdom they have to share. One’s experience is never measured against another, and coming in with no preconceptions of what is going to happen is the best way to do it!

You can join us on Discord to RSVP for this event and attend.

© Sanctuary of the Crossroads 2026