Invocation
~ the action of invoking something or someone for assistance or as an authority.
The False Gods have risen. Settling shadows of the gloaming hour befall us. Dusk portends the coming of a Long Dark Night. Suffocating blackness descends. We lie, splayed and vulnerable. Terrified. The False Gods swarm, like wasps, hovering over our bellies. Coveting. Conspiring. They come. As a womb-bearer, and, more importantly, as a mother and protector to other womb-bearers, I wear this weighty burden in the thrashing waters of uncertainty and disbelief, saturated, sinking, drowning. Stars exploding in my heart and head, behind ribs and eyes. Suffocation begins. Something powerful must be done.
I leave the little witch house, and enter the void of night. Sitting on a boulder, facing into the woods, unfettered and without armour, demons pressing into my back, I wait for a light to illuminate the path toward Ritual. And, then, I follow that path, trusting where it leads. Picking up the breadcrumbs of the process, the directions, as I go. This is my way.
And, so, now, I am here.
Invoking the Power of The Seven Deities.
Hekate. The Mórrígan. Artemis. Medusa. Athena. Circe. Lilith.
Each, Goddess. Protectress. Warrioress. Sorceress.
As Dedicant, I stand at Their altar, facing North. A triangle, like a womb, drawn in chalk on the floor around my feet, pointing South. Standing boundless and vast from a 2 day fast of water, Oil of Iron, and a broth made from 7 elements, dictated by Them, under the Full Moon in Scorpio. Scorpio, who holds the power to Create, and Eliminate. Life and Death. Workings of Mars (defense/attack) and Saturn (the dark). The body of the Transitioning-Mother unintentionally sings the song of sacred mysteries, while the wise Becoming-Crone knows the Moon is still her Master. A payment of rubies, a bargain of magical currency, for the sake of the spell. Red thread braided, knotted, and strung with talismans of Iron, worn across the clavicle. 7 Stones of Council on the altar: Lapis Lazuli, Mahogany Obsidian, Tiger’s Eye, Malachite, Green Sardonyx, Green Calcite, and Rough Onyx. 7 Charms for the Queens: Hekate, tooth of wolf. The Mórrígan, bone of bull. Artemis, claw of bear. Medusa, skin of snake. Athena, feather of owl. Circe, hide of boar. Lilith, horn of goat.
I make an amulet from a blood red pouch and seeds for each Deity. Hekate, Wolfsbane.
The Mórrígan, Black Hellebore. Artemis, Mugwort. Medusa, Snakeroot. Athena, Apple. Circe, Belladonna. Lilith, Wormwood. This was a clear directive. Fed smoke to awaken them from their sleep, the seeds hold the near-bursting purpose of each Great Ruler, each Power, ready to unfurl and unleash. I hold the pouch against my heart, and while the candles sputter, and the incense swirls, I say these words...
“I invoke thee, Hekate - Unconquerable Queen, Beast-Roarer and Wild-Voiced, unafraid Enemy of Mankind who Bears Torches and is Keeper of the Keys. Lay your hands upon me and light my way forward, unlocking the way, so that I may move with savage purpose.
I invoke thee, The Mórrígan - Great Queen, fierce Battle-Crow Goddess of the Dead, Bringer of Frenzy and Terror and unapologetic Guardian of the Sovereign-Self. Lay your hands upon me, that my intense dedication to upholding bodily autonomy will be respected, honored and feared.
I invoke thee, Artemis - Goddess of the Hunt, Savior of the Strangled-Woman, The Unwed, and tireless Worker from Afar. Lay your hands upon me, that I may support others and unbind their voices and choices.
I invoke thee, Medusa - Avenger of the Raped-Woman, She who is Coiled with Snakes, the dreaded Goddess of Venom and Stone, and the unjustly Maligned. Lay your hands upon me, that I may avenge injustice and guard the truth of our experience.
I invoke thee, Athena - Goddess of Wisdom and War, unwavering Defender of Justice, and determined Woman of Returning Vengeance. Lay your hands upon me, that I may fight this battle with knowledge and undying passion.
I invoke thee, Circe - Goddess of Sorcery, ruthless Changer of Men into Swine, and feared Poisoner. Lay your hands upon me, that I may know the ways to transform situations using herbs and magic.
I invoke thee, Lilith - Guardian of a Woman’s Right to Choose, the First and the Banished, steadfast Refuser of Subservience, Keeper of Child Souls and Ruler of the Legions of Demons and Shadows. Lay your hands upon me, that I may be unbowed and unbreakable.”
Boom. A thunderstorm rattles and hurls itself at the windows.
At the end of the day we must remember that those who seek dominion over our bodies are, indeed, False Gods, and that flaccid lies bear no weight against feral truths. They stand stunted next to these Pillars of the Underworld, the Otherworld, and the Heavens. And, so, this Invocation, my words, this conjuration, cut like swift blades, and rise like doves on the plumes of incense through the injustice, patriarchy, and our own mortal coil.
The Ritual begins.
