Hekate's Key

There is something comforting about the 'path' decks I am using. The images are tranquil and require quiet contemplation. Take this one for example, showing a key. I didn't realise that the key is a symbolic tool in witchcraft. I have one myself, swinging from the door of my reclaimed cabinet. For those of you who have been reading this blog for some time, you may remember my finding it.

The key is sacred to Hekate, who is the Greek Goddess of both crossroads and doorways. As the cousin of Zeus, she holds power over the three regions of the world - the land, sky and oceans. Often seen as a triplicate, she holds a rope, torch, dagger and key. The key is the key to the underworld, where she is able to unlock secrets and knowledge. Statues of Hekate were often placed at doorways to houses and were seen as protecting the inhabitants. Eventually, this role in keeping out evil spirits led to the perception that Hekate could also allow the evil spirits to enter if she chose. She thus became acknowledged as the guardian of the veil between the worlds and I wonder if that has lead to her also being feared as much as she is worshiped.

My boyfriend and I journeyed over to spend Boxing Day with his parents and his brother's family yesterday. His sister and her family are abroad at the moment and will be returning in time for a full family gathering on New Year's Day. We swapped presents in the afternoon and I received my Wicca manual, some aftershave, and another set of cards (which I will come to in a moment). We then walked over to some of my boyfriend's close family friends for something to eat. The hostess had prepared a lovely (and healthy) spread and we sat around the dining table and talked. For the evening, they set up their Wii for a little bowling, wake boarding and fencing. Keeping my old neighbours in mind, I excelled at the fencing, slashing away at my opponent with force until they were whipped from their podium.

When I met Shaheen Miro in London over the Summer, we had discovered an oracle together in one of the three main spiritual stores we visited. I had been so tempted to get it, but instead, settled on The Favole Tarot. The one I had stumbled upon was called The Teen Oracle, which has been created by a woman called Cinnamon Crow. With her daughter in mind, Cinnamon had wanted to create a deck that explained basic spiritual principles and concepts in easy to understand terms. I guess that it's simplicity makes reading the cards easy, right out of the box. The images contain my favourite colour combination of red, black, and white (with a little grey) and their graphics are both modern and sophisticated enough to be appreciated by all age groups. They are not dumbed down and do not patronise teens. On the other hand, I can't see them lacking the depth that a more advanced reader might require. With bold images and one-word titles, they provide a lot of scope; especially when used together as different components within a sentence. My boyfriend and I lay in bed last night, pulling cards in duos and discussing what we thought and felt they might mean. Afterwards, he looked through the 44 cards and said 'I like these a lot'. He usually gives my new decks the briefest of acknowledgements, so that meant a lot.

So I thought it would be nice to use both of the sets of cards I got for Christmas; the Path cards that my Mum and Dad bought and The Teen Oracle, which my boyfriend's parents got me. The former can provide a general and over all message, where as I think the strength of the latter is it's ability to delve into the finer details.

For today, I have drawn Direction, Love and Miracle. Whenever I read three card spreads like this without positions, I always look at the middle one as having the biggest influence. So here, it is Love that has pushed itself forward to indicate a theme. Love is not limited to relationships, but Cinnamon Crow does suggest that the card could suggest a lover, as I think it might here. I can see this in the image of two entwined hearts, which behave like two people, arm in arm. Being the central card, it could marry the two cards on either side of it, predicting luck in terms of a new and exciting direction (I find it interesting that the Direction card shows the crossroads where Hekate stands as the guardian). As a whole, I would like to think that the trio suggests that my boyfriend and I will be fortunate enough to soon find a satisfying opportunity or path. After so much bad luck in recent times, this would seem nothing short of a miracle.

Of course, Hekate's key sits at the top of today's post. It is calm and reflective, but regardless of that, it is a symbol of power. I think that it is suggesting I have the power to make these dreams or miracles my own, even if I cannot see the possibility at the moment. I believe that we make our own luck and that the prophecies in the cards below are in my own control. The key is in my hand for me to do something with, which is kind of like saying 'the ball is in my court'.

Illustrations from The Well Worn Path by Mickie Mueller and The Teen Oracle by Cinnamon Crow Dixon. Hekate painting by Hrana Janto