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Hestia; Invite peace, generosity, and harmony into your hearth with the keeper of the eternal flame

Our ancestors needed fire to stay alive. They needed it for warmth, to cook their food and brew their medicinal remedies. They needed a fireplace or hearth to light and keep that fire burning for all these much needed things to survive. Even today living in Minnesota your hearth is an important place for our long , harsh, and cold winter months we experience here. We light them to heat up our homes, connect us to hope, and create a festive environment for the holidays with their dancing lights. Our hearth is a sacred and magical space for us to meet at as we light up our homes with it’s creative, protective, purifying, and generous energy. When we are at this sacred space within our home we have the ability to connect to one of the most compassionate, generous, forgiving, and peaceful Greek goddesses we can work with; Hestia. Hestia is the sole attendant to the celestial hearth of the gods. As the goddess of the hearth, she personified the fire burning in the hearths of every home in Greece. Plus she was at the heart of the each city burning bright in the communal hearth at the center of town. On a very tangible level, Hestia rules the domain of fire. This means that she is directly responsible, at least according to the Greeks, for the fire, the stove, and the heat in your home. Which means she has a great impact on our family matters as well. Come join me as the fire is dancing in your hearth filling your home with protection, peace, and gentleness as we learn about Hestia in this blog post.

Who is Hestia?

Hestia’s presence fills a room with her wise, grounded energy, and her emotional maternal warmth is open, eternal, and strong. Hestia knows who she is and what she wants. She knows what is most important in her life and that’s what she centers her life around. She is calm, wise, and mature. She represents our spiritual core, and our connection with something deeper. That feeds us from the inside out like the eternal divine flame that she keeps. Hestia exemplifies the calm at the core of one’s being. When you need some quiet time alone, you long for her embrace as you sit next to the eternal flame. She is one of the original 12 Olympians in the Greek pantheon. But, later on in myths, Hestia gave up her throne for Dionysus. This is why some today consider her the secret 13th god of mount Olympus. Not only that alongside Artemis and Athena she is considered one of only three virginal goddesses putting her in a place of modesty, purity, and innocence in many myths and stories. Her most important role she is referred to in a Homeric hymn as “chief among goddesses”. Hestia was a very important goddess in the everyday life of the Greeks. Hestia is the Goddess of the Hearth Fire, Goddess of the Home, First and Last, Goddess of Domestic Order, Goddess of the state, and Goddess of Service and Devotion.

Hestia the keeper of the eternal flame

Hestia is known as the keeper of the sacred flame. This comes from Socrates when he describes his view of the cosmos. He saw it as ten divine celestial bodies [planets] that rhythmically rotated” around a Divine Fire, which was the center of the cosmos. That Divine Fire was Hestia, she was the hearth of the universe. Her flame symbolizes the continuity of life, community, and the divine spark within each person. You will also often see her referenced as the goddess of the sacrificial flame as which meant she received a share of every sacrifice to the gods. In many homes and public temples, the first sacrifice was given to Hestia before all other deities. It was said if you wanted your hearth to be lit all winter long you needed to give her the first piece of the best meat of every meal and especially on sacred festivals and holidays. Some say this is due to her being the eternal flame. While others say it’s because of her commitment to being chaste. So, Zeus made this a decree as a reward for all to honor her dedication.

Hestia the goddess of the hearth

Hestia is goddess of the hearth and this is the primary place she prefers to reside. Actually, her name itself means “hearth” or “altar.” This was a very prominent place in the life of every Greek to hold. In both the “Iliad” and the “Odyssey,” the hearth is more than a source of warmth and nourishment; it is the heart of the household. A sacred space where gods are honored and familial bonds are reinforced. This reverence for the hearth reflects Hestia’s domain. Highlighting the significance of her role in fostering the bonds of kinship and hospitality from the hearth of each and every home. As the goddess of the hearth; Hestia also symbolizes the importance of creating sacred space within one’s home by honoring the fire that turns wood to ashes and re –kindles itself, resurrecting what was once dead.

Hestia the goddess of home

As the goddess of the family and hearth she watches over the home as a protective matriarch. She also presided over the cooking of bread and the preparation of the family meal. Her commitment to family and community is unbreakable. As the goddess of the home, she fosters connections and ensures that bonds remain strong. She has the unique gift of fostering unity. She symbolized the family and community bond. Her presence at the hearth ensured peace and harmony, causing families to come together and strangers to become friends around the warmth of the fireplace of every home.

Hestia the goddess of the state

Many Greek cities and states had their own patron god. For example, Athens had Athena. However, Hestia was the goddess of the state in general. Her domain tied back to the role of the hearth in public life and the idea of a city as an extended family. Each city had a sacred fire dedicated to Hestia for use during festivals. The fire of this public hearth was also used for all state sacrifices and offerings. The maintenance of the hearth was an important duty, as an extinguished fire was a bad omen for the city. I also feel she was given this role to honor her significance as the chieftain goddess among the gods and goddesses. Plus her ability to stay calm, and neutral l in all matters of conflict among the gods is a great quality for the state to have and want to embody as well.

Family and Origin

As with every other deity I have written about her origin and family history is shrouded in a bit of smoky history with different versions to be found. Most agree that Hestia was the eldest daughter of the Titans Rhea and Cronus. She was sister to Demeter, Hades, Hera, Poseidon, and Zeus. Because of her commitment to be chaste unlike other goddesses she has no consorts, no lovers, no husband and no children.

Myths and legends

During one of the most important myths of Greek culture; the Titanomachy; when Zeus over throws his father Cronus to become the king of the Olympian Greek pantheon. Hestia is directly mentioned as well. She is listed as the first of the siblings Cronus swallowed and the last to emerge again from the depths of his belly. So, technically she is not only the eldest and first born of the Olympians but, also the youngest and the last to be born as well. Placing her in a very dualistic place within the Olympic pantheon. While also tying her to the creative and destructive force that is the element of fire.

Her Vow of Virginity
She was pursued by both Poseidon and Apollo, who desired to marry her. Despite their advances, she chose to remain a virgin goddess. She made a solemn vow to Zeus, promising to remain chaste and dedicate herself to the service of mankind and the gods. Her vow symbolized her commitment to her role as the goddess of the hearth and her focus on community and family.

Giving Up Her Seat on Mount Olympus
In a selfless act that underscores the goddess’s gentle nature, she gave up her seat on Mount Olympus to Dionysus when he was accepted as one of the Twelve Olympians. This act wasn’t about relinquishing power but about ensuring harmony and balance among the gods. She continued to tend the sacred hearth in Olympus, maintaining her important role solo.

Her aid to Prometheus

Hestia secretly helped Prometheus steal fire from the Olympian hearth to give to humans. She did this by simply turning a blind eye to his actions. Allowing him to steal the eternal flame as she tended to it and gift it to all of us humans. Her aid wasn’t just about lighting hearths; it was a game-changer for humanity. With fire, people could cook, stay warm, and forge tools; essentially kickstarting civilization.

Her attempted rape
The Roman poet Ovid recounted one story in which the vegetation god Priapus tried to rape the virgin Hestia. Finding Hestia sleeping in the woods, Priapus approached her stealthily with the intention of having his way with her. But a donkey suddenly brayed nearby, waking the goddess. When the other gods learned of Priapus’ intentions, they banished him from their gatherings. He was sent to live in the forest with the woodland gods, far from Mount Olympus.

Worship of Hestia

Hestia’s worship was widespread and mainly upheld within the home. Within them families would honor her at their central hearth, at the very heart of each home. Unfortunately, we don’t have a lot of references showing entire temples in her dedication or priesthoods like we find with many of the Greek goddesses. Although there is a vague mention of a Hestia priestess in one ancient source. The most I can find really documented about her is connected to her roman counter part Vesta, the temple of vesta, the vestal virgins, and the festival Vestalia, which I talk about below. Plus mentioning’s of sacrifices being left for her at the hearth in the central of town. I bet she was worshipped in almost every single temple though. Typically, every main temple had its own hearth which meant Hestia presided and ruled there as well. Essentially she was worshipped all over the city where she received many of the cities’ sacrifices. Her job was crucial to the survival of the entire community. Her loving, peaceful embrace was present and was felt by every citizen in every home.

Vestalia

Her own festival for her counter part in Rome was known as the Vestalia. The Vestalia, was celebrated from June 7 to 15. During the festival, violets and bread were hung in garlands on donkeys. As the hearth is used to bake, the bread was representative of the goddess. The donkeys symbolized the story of the god Priapus, who attempted to rape the goddess but was frightened by the braying of a donkey and scared away . At the end of the festival, on the 15th of June, the Temple of Vesta was cleaned. On the 9th it is said, the matrons of the town walked barefooted in procession to her temple, to ask for the blessing of the goddess for their households, and to offer sacrifice to her in rude dishes, in remembrance of the time when the hearth served generally for the baking of bread.

Who is Vesta and the Vestal virgins?

Hestia’s Roman counterpart is known as Vesta and has very similar qualities as keeper of the flame. She was just as prominent in Roman culture as Hestia was in Greece. Maybe even more so with one of the most important temples in the city being dedicated to her; the temple of Vesta. With the largest temple comes some of the most important priestesses tending it; they were known as the vestal virgins. I honestly can’t talk about Hestia without talking about these badass women of Rome. I say badass because, I really respect their devotion to make a different path for themselves as women and create their own fate through service. These women were some of the most sought often women who had their very OWN fortunes of wealth. Which was almost unheard-of for women in ancient Rome.

So, who were the Vestal virgins?

They were the priestesses who lived in and served the temple of vesta. The women chosen for the great privilege and responsibility of tending the Temple of Vesta were typically selected from the daughters of Rome’s most noble families. There were 6 Vestals at any one time, and the group of girls eligible for the role was chosen by the Pontifex Maximus when they were between 6 and 10 years old. When they started their service they were contracted for 30 years in total commitment to not only the goddess and temple but, to all the people of Rome. During those 30 years they were required to remain chaste while performing their duties. If they were to have an infraction of any of their vows or duties the punishment was brutal. In his account of the Chief Vestal Cornelia being subjected to this punishment under the emperor Domitian, Pliny the Younger describes how the condemned Vestal was led into an underground chamber, given a small amount of bread and water, and then sealed up forever, condemned to a horrible death by suffocation or dehydration in the pitch dark. But, if they were being dutiful they got a lot of perks. one of the favorites being; having prominent seats at sporting events at the Coliseum. Most importantly, however, was the fact that the Vestals were not under the supervision of their fathers like other Roman women, and had the right to own property as well as disbursing their estates (their access to the wealthy allowed them to amass was another perk) as they saw fit in their wills. This was huge for a woman in ancient Rome! This is why I call them badasses! After their 30 years of service had expired, the Vestals retired from their role and were given a pension too. Allowing them to continue to build even more wealth. She was then even permitted to marry a suitable noblemen that the Pontifex Maximus found for her. This meant she was able to get out of the control of her family and father forever while also moving up in social status through marriage AND her own fortune she had amassed.

So what were their duties? Their primary and most important duty was to keep the communal flame in the hearth of the temple lit. This duty placed them in high regards among the people of the city making them some of the most prominent women in all of society. Rome even allowed them to give legal testimony and evidence in a court of law without ever having to swear a legal Oath either. Since their word has held in such high esteem. It was even said if you injured a Vestal virgin you were sentenced to death. This was because if the fire was extinguished for any reason at any time, it was a harbinger of trouble for the ENTIRE city. Not only did they keep the fire lit, they also performed other duties around the temple and they helped lead at least 9 major religious festivals throughout the year for the city. The Vestals also performed other important tasks within the space of the Temple itself. One of the most mysterious of these was their custodianship of the storeroom known as the penus vestae, a sacred symbolic space whose secret contents were said to be related to Rome’s origins. The Vestals were also tasked with the production of a ritual substance known as the mola salsa, used in various purification ceremonies, as well as safeguarding the wills of important Romans, including those of Julius Caesar, Mark Anthony and the Emperor Augustus.

What does Hestia look like?

Hestia is a personification of the hearth and the fire within, so many who work with her reference her manifesting in that way. However, there are some ancient pieces of pottery and sculptures that depict Hestia as a beautiful young woman, usually with long brunette tresses, dressed modestly with a veil. In some depictions I see her holding a kettle or cauldron to sit over the hearth. I myself have seen her presented as versions of both. Her beautiful young woman form usually is present when I am doing inner child work or blessing my home with kitchen magic for my family guiding my hands in recipes.

Summary facts about Hestia

  • She was a sibling to Demeter, Hades, Poseidon, Hera, and Zeus.
  • She was primarily known as the Goddess of the Hearth.
  • Of all the gods and goddesses, she was considered the gentlest, mildest and most modest.
  • Each city had a public hearth that was sacred to Hestia; the fire kindled there was never allowed to go out unless put out ritually
  • New colonies took fire from the hearth in the prytaneion (also known as the town hall) and kept the fires going in those new locations.
  • She never took part in conflicts
  • She was rarely depicted in art unlike other deities
  • Every meal began and ended with an offering to Hestia at the hearth including pouring wine out
  • Like Athena and Artemis, Hestia was referred to as one of the three virgin goddesses.
  • Unlike many other Greek gods, she had no major love affairs or romantic entanglements. Her vow of chastity set her apart and underscored her devotion to her divine duties. Both Poseidon and Apollo wanted to marry her, but she refused.
  • She was one of only twelve Olympian deities.
  • She was the first sibling to be swallowed by Cronus and the last to be released from his belly.
  • Her name literally means “hearth”
  • Vesta is her Roman counter part she had a major temple in Rome called the temple of Vesta where her Priestess called the Vestal virgins lived and served
  • Children were accepted into the family by being presented at Hestia’s hearth. This observed first step ensured the goddess’s blessing on the new addition to the family and the home.

Hestia and duality

Since I am a grey witch every single energy I work with I look at how it can help me maintain balance and how it can represent the cosmic energy of duality. When it comes to the duality of Hestia I personally had struggled to see what it was. Until I went on my journey with her. Until I read about her and worked with her in shadow work and within my home. Especially, once I had my little family to care for and protect within it’s walls. But, Hestia is burning with duality from the embers glowing within the crackling wood, to the tips of the flames reaching for the divine heavens. While most of her traits can be described as calm, gentle, and supportive and she was a constant presence in the daily lives of ancient Greeks. This means she also has a resilience, fortitude, and dedication to her service and commitment that is unwavering and full of so much strength. This means that while she can hold you in a peaceful, harmonious, and loving embrace, she can also lash out and protect with a fierceness of fire to burn those who would dare to disrupt your peaceful home. She is the keeper of the eternal flame and personification of fire itself so she shines insanely brightly. While also being comfortable to be in the darkness where she brings things into her warm light. Lastly, the duality of her connection to others while being perfectly fine standing alone. The hearth is where we gather for meals, celebrations, and even community rituals. Making it a place of deep human connections and celebrating community. But, remember Hestia is the SOLE attendant of the eternal flame. Even giving up her place on mount Olympus to stay by her fire alone. She is perfectly fine being on her own and understands the importance of loving ourselves in order to connect with and serve others with grace.

Correspondences To Connect To Hestia

First, what is a correspondence? A correspondence is an item or symbol that is meant to connect you to a specific energy thru it’s representation. It is seen also as an item to respect, honor, and venerate that energy as well whether it be an archetype energy , or the zodiac energy the moon is currently, or a deity, like I will list below for you to use with Hestia .Follow your intuition and use what speaks to you!

  • Planet- Jupiter
  • Animal- pig, cow, donkey
  • Element- fire
  • Zodiac-Taurus
  • Sex-feminine
  • Symbol-flame, hearth, cauldron, kettle, veil, chaste branch
  • colors-yellow, orange, red
  • Herbs- goldenrod, angelica, yarrow, poppy, angel’s trumpet, lavender, iris, myrrh, chamomile
  • Stones/ crystals- amber, carnelian, amethyst, garnet, ruby, quartz
  • Foods-grains, breads, sweet cakes, fresh fruit, the first meat pieces of burnt meat from each offering
  • Tarot card- temperance or strength

How To Know Hestia Is Calling To Work With You

I get asked this question every time I write or teach about a goddess. Remember, signs and messages appear in many different ways and are unique to the individual. It’s ultimately up to you to discern by opening up your clares, paying attention and listening to your intuition. Also, remember you can choose to work with her as well even if you don’t feel her calling to you. You can be the one to begin building that relationship by reaching out. Below is a list of some ways that you may know she is reaching out to you.

  • You’re a kitchen witch or are learning to be one
  • Baking bread is your forte
  • You keep seeing her symbols everywhere: hearth/fireplace or fire
  • you work in foster care or volunteer with children
  • Your home and family need protection and guidance
  • You are drawn to working with fire in your spell workings
  • You avoid conflict at all costs
  • The kitchen is your happy place
  • You live your life by the same values as her of kindness, forgiveness, and contentment
  • You may hear her name repeatedly in passing conversations or in your dreams
  • You see her name on TV, in books, online, etc.
  • You don’t like to leave your home much
  • You have taken a temporary or permanent vow of celibacy/ Chasity
  • You’ve always felt drawn to her
  • Your home is the home your family gathers at for holidays
  • You enjoy bonfires
  • You have a job working with the community and need help or guidance
  • You feel a strong urge to learn more about Hestia
  • Chasteberry is an herb you’re currently taking as regimen or working with in your practice
  • You brew and drink magical teas every day or often
  • You’re focused on going within to uncover your own sacred flame
  • You keep seeing pigs everywhere
  • You feel drawn to practice religious / spiritual veiling
  • You feel a deep desire to burn candles often in your home
  • You are drawn to her depiction in art
  • You might start feeling an inexplicable sense of warmth and comfort, especially when you’re at home

A fundamental pillar of Paganism is working with the deities that one believes in. While all practicing Pagans have varying beliefs about the gods and goddesses, most agree that honoring their deities is a great way to connect with them and further their spiritual goals. But, again remember not every pagan works with deities. Also remember there are literally thousands of different deities out there in the multiverse and which ones you choose to honor will often depend significantly upon what pantheon your spiritual path follows. This eBook will walk you thru the different ways to view deities, what a deity can be, and the basics to start building a deep meaningful relationship with one.

Buy now!

Ways To Work With and Connect To Hestia

Everyone’s relationship with deities is different and we all work with and believe in them differently. You might believe in multiple gods and goddesses and work with them each as though they are close, personal friends. Or maybe you believe the old gods are reflections of Universal energy and simply archetype energies that you can learn a lesson from. However you incorporate deities in your practice is up to you. If you need help to figure this out you can purchase my eBook here on the Introduction to working with pagan deities.

As the Goddess of the Hearth Fire, Hestia also rules over the Home (protection and love in the home), Food (nourishment and sustainment), and Service (caring for others and yourself). Hestia can be called upon for all matters involving the home, feeling safe, self care, food and nourishment, and learning to serve others with compassion. Remember however you feel called to work with her; it’s important to approach her with respect, reverence, gratitude and by building a relationship with her. Every time you work with a deity it is an even energetic exchange; which means what you put into your intention when working with them and building your relationship to them is what you get back.

Study, get to know her

As with every deity I have ever written about or taught about, The first way to get to know a deity, specifically a goddess like Hestia; is to study all you can about her. Look at the different versions of her origin, and how she is both the eldest and youngest of all the siblings in the Olympian Pantheon . Try to understand all the different versions of her you can connect to through the element of fire. You can even, study the culture, region, and worship of the people of Greece where she is from. Plus the influence she had over the entire city with the communal hearth. The more you study and learn the better! When working with a deity it is all about building a true relationship with them and you do this first by getting to know who they are.

Work with the element of fire

Hestia is the personification of fire itself both within and without. Which means any fire ritual or working with fire in spells will appease and connect you to the goddess Hestia. So keep a fire going in your fireplace this Winter in honor of Hestia. Get outside in the winter landscape and sit next to a sacred bonfire. You can even grab some candles, light them, and add them to any of your magical workings like during kitchen magic, sitting on your altar as you prayer or meditate, and as you create protection sigils. Call in the element of fire to connect to the very essence of Hestia during your spells for protection, purification, warmth, and more. Traditionally, Hestia’s fire should never be allowed to burn out or be blown out. Only during ritual may it be extinguished and then ritually relit. PS. if you need to learn more about how to work with the element of fire you can read my guide HERE!

Meditation and visualization

One of the best ways to channel divine energy and tap into goddesses like Hestia is through meditation and visualization. These practices allow you to open up and receive/ connect to divine energy in a very intuitive, clear, and transformative way. You will find a plethora of guided meditations on YouTube that will lead you to your spirit guide or god/goddess. Try those if you have a hard time meditating on your own. I have many classes on YouTube as well on previous deities you can watch where I even summon and guide you to them in sacred container.

Cooking and kitchen magic

Hestia is the goddess of the home and hearth which means one of her favorite places to hang out in modern homes is in the kitchen. So of course she presides over all cooking and will aid you in creating magical recipes like simmer pots. She will even be standing next to you guiding your hands while you work hearth-side. Every time you cook, you honor her and bring her essence into your home. This is probably the easiest way to work with Hestia. Don’t forget she’s associated with pigs so pork is great to work with. Plus bread; especially some with fresh herbs for protection like thyme, rosemary, and garlic! She loves it when you dedicate the first loaf/slice to Her. So, roll up your sleeves, grab some herbs, light your oven, knead your dough, and work with Hestia in your kitchen today.

Offerings

Everyone loves receiving gifts, and that includes deities like Hestia. You don’t have to give her offerings every day, but when you feel it is appropriate. I highly recommend gifting them to her during the long winter months and when you have big family feasts to leave her the best piece of the meat. You can place these offerings at your altar or at the mantle of the hearth in your home. You can also give her offerings when performing any work to connect to her like meditation, prayer, visualization, and spell work. Below I will list some of the best offerings you can give her, but keep in mind these are just some ideas from my own personal experience with her and her corresponding energies. Just follow your intuition.

  • When cooking or baking, give Hestia the first bite or sip of whatever you’re making
  • first bites of fresh fruits
  • olive oil
  • Wine
  • water
  • cakes shaped like a calf
  • freshly baked bread
  • Candles
  • herbs
  • incense
  • homemade crafts
  • Acts of hospitality, like welcoming guests warmly
  • A cup of tea or hot cider
  • Pottery
  • Knitted items
  • Woven tapestries
  • Flowers from your garden
  • A small piece of wood
  • music
  • Baked cookies
  • milk
  • barley

Dedicate Altar Space

Set aside some space in honor of Hestia. This can be an elaborate large altar or as simple as a small shelf or corner of a counter. Place a representation of Hestia there like a candle. Be sure to cleanse the space before you invite her in. Include all of her colors, her symbols, and representations of the element of fire, the essence of home, family, and hearth. Plus add any of her other correspondences you can use to connect to her. This will be a container that reminds you to connect with her and her energy. To allow you a container of maternal protective, peaceful, and purifying energy to connect to in your life.

Volunteer in your community

Hestia wasn’t only just the goddess of the hearth in your home but, she presided over the hearth of the entire city. Which means she is present within the community as a whole. Her fire dancing in the souls of each and every person who passed through the center of the town. To honor Hestia, consider volunteering at a local domestic violence shelter or at a Youth shelter home. Or better yet, fill the bellies of those in your community at a local soup kitchen!

Prayer

One very powerful way to connect to a deity is through prayer. Things to Pray for; protection, homes blessings, family, fertility, purification, creativity, peace, modesty, and purity. Below are a few prayers I like to use but, you can find many across texts and the internet plus you can always create your own.

Homeric Hymn 24 to Hestia
“Hestia, in the high dwellings of all, both deathless gods and men who walk on earth, you have gained an everlasting abode and highest honor: glorious is your portion and your right. For without you mortals hold no banquet,–where one does not duly pour sweet wine in offering to Hestia both first and last. And you, Argeiphontes [Hermes], son of Zeus and Maia, . . . be favorable and help us, you and Hestia, the worshipful and dear. Come and dwell in this glorious house in friendship together; for you two, well knowing the noble actions of men, aid on their wisdom and their strength. Hail, Daughter of Kronos (Cronus), and you also, Hermes.”

Homeric Hymn

“Hestia, you who tend the holy house of the lord Apollo, the Far-shooter at goodly Pytho, with soft oil dripping ever from your locks, come now into this house, come, having one mind with Zeus the all-wise — draw near, and withal bestow grace upon my song.”

Home spells and blessings

Since Hestia is the goddess of not only the hearth but the home as well of course she would love to help you with any spells or blessings associated with your home. Ask her to help you ward and protect your home with the fierceness of a mother’s love. Or you can do my favorite home workings with her during the winter asking her to bring warmth to your home for the cold winter months. You can also do rituals and create charms with her sigil to protect the home and cleanse the home with purifying energy.

Other ways to work with her

  • ask for her assistance to help find a new home or apartment when you need to move
  • call on her to assist with domestic issues in the home and help with family strife
  • call on her when casting circles of warding and protection for your home and property
  • always offer her the first slice of any loaf of bread you make or buy to eat
  • Learn how to sew, knit, or crochet
  • consecrate your cooking tools and utensils with her sigil to bless all of your recipes
  • Call on her to be a soft, comforting, glowing light to guide you during shadow work to find your inner sacred flame and stoke it. If you would like to learn more about shadow work you can purchase my eBook here; you can book me for a 1:1 session as your guide here; and you can watch my free class previously taught on it through Divination here. Plus don’t forget to head to the shop and register for my new course that is beginning at the end of this month!
  • Work with herbs and learn some herbal magic
  • Brew a magical tea
  • bake Hestia’s sigils into bread as you are baking loaves with her
  • Light as many candles as you can around your entire home to welcome her and purify it with the element of fire
  • learn and perform candle magic
  • cast peace and harmony spells
  • Invite her to your table for a meal by setting a place for her and leaving it empty for her to sit there and join you
  • take a cooking or baking class
  • create an altar just for your kitchen magic
  • Call relatives you don’t see often
  • remove yourself from conflict
  • learn how to make fires on your own
  • create a powder to use as a protective magical barrier for your home especially around your threshold ( I have a recipe for one on my Pinterest page )
  • Divination like fire gazing
  • ask her to join in family traditions you already have or create new ones with her
  • decorate your home
  • Plant and grow a kitchen garden
  • Ask for her maternal protective energy to embrace you as you do inner child work and healing
  • Pray, sing, or chant to Hestia whenever you’re working on something related to the home
  • Creativity spells
  • Share stories, traditions, and family histories
  • dedicate your stove, fire pit, and hearth to her by placing a statue or image of her near by or draw her sigils on them
  • ask for her help and guidance to create a balance between your home/family life and your work/volunteer life
  • invite her into your home when you first purchase it to bring in harmony, peace, and meaningful connections within the four walls
  • use a gratitude challenge or practice to cultivate gratitude
  • take all your recipes and put them together into a cook book
  • Create a spell jar for self love, peace, harmony, friendship, inner flame
  • wear her sigil on your skin or as jewelry during the cold winter months to help you always be warm
  • take either a temporary or permanent vow of celibacy
  • Welcome guests into your home
  • Use her fire and flame to burn away and release things we no longer need
  • prioritize self-care and boost your the height and strength of your eternal flame with self worth
  • decide to do a set timeframe like 30 days of spiritual/ religious veiling
  • spend time with your family and host a meal or gathering in your home
  • practice generosity and donate clothing or food to those in need and others

Why work with Hestia?

Flame is heat and passion. Flame is purifying and renewing. Hestia chose not to claim a realm to rule over mortals and earth in some way, and instead chose to simply tend the fires for the good of mankind and the Gods. Making sure that our hearth fire remains lit always so we can find our way to food, warmth, protection, transformation, or healing whenever we may need it. This is why she chose a role of service rather than dominion to be here as a protective yet comforting and warm maternal embrace helping us survive. Her duty to maintain this eternal fire symbolizes purity, devotion, and a connection to the divine. It’s a task she undertakes with solemn grace. She is also Known for inducing calmness, her presence brings peace and serenity. Her calming influence extends to both the divine and mortal realms, making her a beacon of stability in a world often feels like it is nothing but chaotic Especially, in a pantheon filled with conflict, her gentle and steadfast nature stands as a comforting constant to shelter with. Working with her will show you a goddess who is a gentle and caring figure, one who welcomes all into her presence. Her warmth is not just physical but emotional, offering comfort to those in need.

Hestia forever kneels next to the eternal hearth as a figure in Greek mythology, one whose powers are not of conquest or ego like the rest but of harmony, warmth, and stability. She is the reason the flames never go out in the universal heart. She is the connections we make, the homes we build, and the love we share,. All the things that are central to our human experience. Her eternal flame invites us to gather around, to celebrate our common bonds, and to reflect on the simple yet profound joys of being together. Her story serves as a warm invitation to reflect on the connections that make us human. While also teaching us how to be okay with being alone by truly loving ourselves and tending to our own eternal flame. Hestia teaches us how to go within to find our own sacred spark. This is the essence of self that makes us confident in who we are and sure of our own beliefs. While many of the other deities I write and teach about, will show us how to change our outer world, Hestia shows us that real change comes from within. She helps us uncover that flame that has been oppressed within ourselves in order to see our true essence. Finally letting it shine for all to see and be a place of warmth and security for you to call on.

In this new special 6 month shadow work program I will help you realign your inner world, discover all the versions of you in the shadows, and show you how to integrate your shadows into your own authentic identity. When you purchase and register for this 6 month course you will get pre-recorded lessons, eBooks, journal prompt workbooks, weekly guided sessions, ( with one week off for integration) one womb healing session, and access to a discord chat for all those who are taking the course with you. We begin the last Monday of February for orientation week and then session for courses start the first Monday of March! There will be limited spots so hurry and register today.

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About Me : I have been a solitary grey magic practitioner for 15 + years. First and foremost, I consider myself a mystic and seeker of all knowledge. I am dedicated to the restoration, and re-enchantment of Magic in society, across this realm, and in each and every soul I come across in life! I am here to create a container that promotes healing, duality, and raw authenticity. I do this by guiding you on your personal journey to understanding your unique magic and sacred contracts. I facilitate this for you through embracing your shadow, duality and learning to live in energetic balance while not wearing a mask. When you work and learn from me you do so from your “darkness” as much as your “light” and in a way to truly harness and accept it not to just go thru it on the way to your light. But, I teach you how to truly embrace it, work with it, and use it alongside your light as a partner. I hold up a mirror for you to be able to see your authentic reflection looking back. Then have the courage to take the next step and do the uncomfortable but vital inner work to completely remove your mask. By facing all of your past wounds, traumas, and hurts. Allowing you to see both the dark and light within your story and take each chapter and alchemize it into something that is so powerful. your unique internal flame will shine so bright you will always be able to go within and find it on a dark cold night. You will learn how to truly live in duality and energetic balance to allow growth, and alignment with your sacred contracts and purposes. to finally move on and truly let the things that hold you back in this life from healing and manifesting go. To see everything I offer; like personalized shadow work sessions, womb healing, eBooks for you to work through on your own, Tarot sessions for guidance and more! Go to my shop!

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The gods and goddesses of Winter to work with as the snow falls and nature rests

As the snow begin to fall and the air becomes bitter and harshly cold, the festivals like, Yule, the new year, and Lupercalia it beckons us into it’s embrace of introspection, silence, and prepping for new beginnings to blossom in the Spring. During these festivals its common for many witches and pagans to work with and celebrate deities that connect to and represent the energies central to the introspective and transitional celebrations. I do! This season for me is a very feminine one. I hardly ever have gods and the divine masculine calling out to me now. This a season when I want to go into the womb of mother Earth. When the dark goddess and her healing, justice, empowerment, harsh clarity on reality, magic, and darkness beckons me to sit in her embrace. To listen to the past, root myself in introspection, and hear the healing whispers from my womb in the stillness and silence of winter. During this month a few deities take center stage because they have festivals or sacred days during this month to help you connect with them in a very intimate way. This season and it’s celebrations are full of magic, fertility, purification, introspection and there are many gods and goddesses who embody its transitional, silent, and restful energy. Winter season specifically the months of December, January, and February is a really important time in pagan culture and there are plenty of chilly gods and goddesses to work with or worship, depending on your practice, festivals, and celebrations. Let’s take a walk through the Winter landscape blanketed with snow and frozen waterways. To take the time to pause, reflect, and truly connect to the cyclical rhythm of nature while we meet SOME of those deities together in this post today.

Skaði (Skadi / Skathi) – Norse goddess

Skaði is a Norse goddess, often called the “Winter Queen,” associated with the mountains, hunting, skiing, and the wild, primarily known as a giantess (jötunn) who married the sea god Njörðr. Daughter of a fallen giant, Skadi walks the windswept mountains, a huntress sculpted from ice and legend. Her eyes, sharp as glaciers, scan the frozen realm. Bow in hand, she glides through the snow on swift skis, a predator born of the wilderness. Tales paint her as fierce, her spirit forged in the fires of vengeance and tempered by the unforgiving cold. She is mistress of the mountains, where the sun dances on glacial edges and the howl of the wolf echoes through empty valleys. But beneath the hardened exterior lies a yearning for connection. A goddess caught between two worlds – Asgard, home of the gods, and the wild embrace of the giants. Skadi’s place in Norse mythology is multifaceted and we see this as she is featured in stories with Odin, Loki, and Njordr among others. She’s even associated with snowshoes, and in later stories is said to have married Odin and bore him many children. She is the embodiment of both the untamed wild and a yearning for understanding. She is a warrior queen, a skilled hunter, and a goddess who walks the line between two worlds. Her story reminds us of the power of resilience in the face of loss, the importance of honoring our true nature, and the ever-present tension and duality between harmony and conflict.

Odin-Norse god

Odin is a Norse god who rules over wisdom, war, magic, and sovereignty. Odin is known by many many names. Wodan, Wotan, All Father, One-Eyed Seeker are but just a few. He is the ruler of the Aesir and steward of Asgard. In Germanic lore, it is said during Yule, which takes place during winter, he leads the Wild Hunt while being seated upon Sleipnirs back. This hunt is a spiritual parade of sorts that flies through the sky on Winter nights. Sometimes the Wild Hunt collects lost souls and sometimes a person joins the Wild Hunt in their sleep. In Nordic countries, the people gave sacrifices to Odin in the Winter months to ensure safety from them and prosperity. Including the children leaving hay in their boots by the hearth for Sleipnir to snack on as he flew by. Does this sound familiar to you at all? A white bearded old man, riding across the sky with a stead bringing blessings to those as he goes by? Many believe Odin is the actual inspiration for modern day Santa Claus? Check out my blog all about Santa HERE and decide for yourself.

Kuraokami

Kuraokami is a legendary Japanese dragon and Shinto deity of rain and snow. The name Kuraokami translates to “Ravine Rain Serpent. Kuraokami is said to have been created from the blood of Kagutsuchi, the fire deity. In some versions of the myths surrounding Kuraokami, Watatsumi, and Mizuhanome, Izanami created them to tame Kagutsuchi’s fire if he ever got out of control.

Hestia– Greek goddess

The next deity I want to talk about I personally feel is overlooked far too often especially during the cold winter months. This season is the time of year that solidifies us in the bitter cold and harshness of nature. Which means we need warmth and heat for us to survive and thrive. Which is why I always feel pulled to her during this time. Especially living in Minnesota I need her to bless my hearth with continuous heat during the long winter months. Not only that, but she can make your home extra cozy during this month while you spend more quality time alone. Hestia is the sole attendant to the celestial hearth of the gods. As the goddess of the hearth, she personified the fire burning in the hearths of every home in Greece. On a very tangible level, Hestia rules the domain of fire. This means that she is directly responsible, at least according to the Greeks, for the fire, the stove, and the heat in your home. Honoring her during the winter season, when the harsh chill solidifies itself in our bones is a great idea right now. She will bless your hearth as she stokes and fuels the flames all winter long. Don’t forget all month long to present her and your hearth with the first offering sacrificed to keep those flames burning strong.

Boreas-Greek God
Boreas is the Greek God of the North wind, winter and ice. He’s also known as The Devouring One. He is the spirit of Winter and can be both violent and benevolent. Depending on the person and situation. The Greeks believed he came from the North, being the North Wind, and because of this was considered Thracian in origin. He is often depicted as a powerful, bearded man with wings, with two faces – one in front and one in back. He is the son of the Titan Astraeus and Eos, the goddess of the dawn, and brother to Zephyrus (the West Wind) and Notus (the South Wind). He is said to be the one who brings cold winter weather and is known for his violent temper, most famously abducting the Athenian princess Oreithyia to become his wife.

Brigid

The next deity I am going to talk about is because she takes central stage during Imbolc the festival that marks the midwinter point. A Goddess in Irish tradition, Brigid is one of the most well-known because, she is the Goddess of fertility and spring. To many she is also known as the Great Mother Goddess of Ireland, and to Christians as a Saint Brigid. With this energy, Brigid brings the remembrance of our Oneness and of the Eternal Essence of the Divine Feminine. She is the daughter of the Celtic God Dagda, a Fae leader of the Tuatha dè Danann.She’s often depicted with fiery hair and a sunbeam cloak. She was born at sunrise with rays of sunlight radiating around her head. She is associated with many things; Poetry, Healing, Midwinter/Imbolc, Flames/fire, Fertility, and Motherhood.

Brigid is considered a Triple Goddess, yet many references distinguish Brigit differently than the traditional Triple Goddess aspects of Maiden, Mother and Crone. Rather Brigid is frequently referenced having three sister selves with three distinct roles, Lady of Healing Waters, Goddess of the Sacred Flame and Goddess of the Fertile Earth.

Callieach

Cailleach stands as a prominent figure in Celtic mythology, embodying the essence of wisdom, transformation, and the cycles of nature. Her presence is deeply rooted in the folklore and traditions of Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man.. Since, the ancient Celts celebrated two seasons only, her reign bringing cold all over the land began on Samhain and ended with Ostara/spring when she handed it back to Brigid. On Imbolc which is the first of February, Cailleach, the Goddess of Winter, heads out into the world to gather firewood to keep her warm for the rest of winter. If the weather is bright and sunny, Cailleach is out gathering the wood and will be able to gather enough to make winter last a good bit longer. However, if the weather is bad and cold, Cailleach is still asleep and will soon run out of firewood, and spring will come sooner.

Cailleach is often depicted as a powerful, crone-like figure who embodies the harshness and stillness of winter. When she appears to me she also has a blue aurora about her, and her mythical staff in hand. This staff is said to have mystical powers for when she slams it on the ground winter will freeze all the land. She represents the embodiment of winter, sovereignty, and the primal forces of the natural world. As the guardian of the cold, she is said to control the storms, the winds, and the snow that blanket the earth during the winter months. She is a symbol of death and decay but also of transformation and the wisdom that comes with age and experience. While Brigid heralds the coming of spring and new life, Cailleach represents the slowing down and rest that winter brings, urging us to pause and reflect. On Imbolc, Cailleach’s presence is especially poignant as it marks the shift from the deep, inward-focused energies of winter toward the budding life of spring. Cailleach holds the power to either prolong winter or usher in the first signs of spring, depending on whether she decides to create a fierce storm or allow the warmth to return.

If you really want to learn more about her and read my personal experiences with her this winter come join the alchemist paid tier of the Patreon community or higher and get access to my anthology all about her.

Baba Yaga

The next goddess we have gives me a very similar energy and feel when I work with her as the goddess we just talked about above; Calileach. To modern witches and Slavic pagans, Baba Yaga is a witch goddess who lives deep in a birch forest moving from place to place among the trees in her hut she calls home on top of giant chicken legs. From time to time when she needs to gather more supplies you might catch a glimpse of her flying by up in the sky from her magical mortar and pestle. She’s a wild and untamed old woman, often seen as a hag or crone, but can transform herself into a beautiful woman to manipulate or trick someone if she desires. Baba Yaga is a goddess of wisdom, healing, transformation, death, rebirth, renewal and autumn/winter. When healing is needed, whether it’s from colds/flu or emotional healing, Baba Yaga can offer healing often in the form of herbal teas brewed by herself. Calling on her during this Winter season can lead you through the forest now frozen and blanketed in snow, to her skull fenced lined home. To peer into the darkness of her cauldron and gain the most ancient wisdom from the darkness of the cosmos that she guards. To learn more about her you can read my previous post here.

Morena

In Bohemia and Moravia, the goddess of winter, death and dreams is Morana, who covers the fields in a funeral shroud of ice and snow. She reigns from the winter solstice to the spring equinox. Then Vesna, the goddess of spring and rebirth, takes over. Morena is a Slavic goddess of winter, death, and rebirth. She is also known by many other names, including Marzanna, Mara, Morana, and Marena. She is feared as the bringer of its chill in most areas. This is only amplified by her connection to the Zmora/Mora/Kikimora – a demon of nightmares. She is sometimes pictured in a form similar to those demons.

The most popular myth involving her is that of her marriage with Jaryło/Yarilo/Gerovit – her twin brother and a spring, war, and agriculture god. It was said that she was a daughter of Perun, god of thunder, and Mokosz/Mokosh, the Great Mother. In this story, she was once a nature goddess. When she was young, Jaryło was stolen by the god Weles and taken to the underworld of Nawia/Nav. When he returned, the twins did not know they were related, so they fell in love and were married. This marriage between Morena’s nature and Jaryło’s agriculture brought balance in nature and also peace (temporarily) between Perun and Weles. But then Jaryło committed adultery. So, she killed him for his betrayal, turning her bitter and making her the winter deity we know today. This split is the reason for the seasons, as Morena kills Jaryło in autumn, and he along with a spring goddess (usually either Dziewanna or Żywia/Vesna) kills her in the spring. The cycle continues annually, and neither can exist for long while the other survives.

This story shows a bit of tragedy that is often lacking in many mythological stories. While Maorena is feared, she has a human element of desiring revenge and having her heart broken. An important note is that most gods in Slavic mythology had a fear and a worship element to them. Morena is feared for the death and disease she brings, but she is also a crucial part of the world’s cycle.

La befana

The next deity or as some call her a folklore legend we are going to talk about it la befana. She is a grandmotherly woman who resembles a kindly witch that is connected to Christmas. She brings gifts to good little children, depositing them in stockings hung above the hearth. Some even claim she sweeps the floor before she leaves as a symbol to sweep away the previous year’s problems. Even though she has roots all the way back to ancient Roman festivals, she is most well known for her role in Christian stories and legends. I personally believe this is because the church needed a much more acceptable and tamer version of the Germanic winter witch Berchta.

In Italian folklore and legend La befana delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on Epiphany Eve (the night of January 5) in a similar way to Santa Claus or the Three Magi. Another Christian legend takes a slightly darker tone as La Befana was an ordinary woman with a child whom she greatly loved. However, her child died, and her resulting grief maddened her. Upon hearing news of Jesus being born, she set out to see him, delusional that he was her son. She eventually met Jesus and presented him with gifts to make him happy. The infant Jesus was delighted, and he gave La Befana a gift in return; she would be the mother of every child in Italy.

Nanook

This next deity comes to us from Inuit Mythology. In Inuit religious beliefs, Nanook (the Polar Bear) is the master of bears. He is the one who decides if a hunter is worthy of their kill and whether or not they will be successful. Revered for his strength and wisdom, Nanook symbolizes the profound connection between the Inuit and their natural environment. As a spiritual leader, Nanook not only embodies the qualities necessary for survival in this harsh terrain but also represents the delicate balance between humans and nature in Inuit belief. In Inuit mythology, Nanook is not just an individual deity but an integral part of the pantheon’s familial structure. Revered as a father figure, Nanook is said to have many cubs, each inheriting his strength and resilience. His companion, Sedna, goddess of the sea and marine life, complements Nanook’s domain over land and ice by ruling the ocean depths. Together, they embody the harmonious balance of the Arctic environment, where land and sea intertwine in a crucial interplay of survival and sustenance.

Nanook, a powerful deity in Inuit mythology, exerts profound influence over the Arctic environment through various domains. Known as the master of bears, Nanook controls the movements and availability of bears, crucial for successful hunts where hunters perform rituals and offerings to appease him. Beyond land, Nanook extends his sway over the Arctic seas, believed to calm or stir waters that affect the hunt for seals and walruses. Legends attribute Nanook with control over Arctic weather, where blizzards and storms are seen as expressions of his will or a test for hunters. In the realm of the afterlife, Nanook plays a role in Inuit beliefs, with the souls of hunted bears returning to him, potentially to be reborn or serve as spirit guides.

Pertcha

The next deity I am going to talk about many only consider her to be a folklore legend similar to La befena. While Krampus gets most of the attention during this time of the year as the terrifying side of the holiday season Pertcha is just as terrifying. If not more so in my eyes. In the Alps of Upper Germany, Austria, and Slovenia, you will find stories of Perchta, a goddess connected to Winter and snow. Sources say she has two different appearances: a beautiful woman as white as snow or as elderly and haggard woman. As the crone she is often depicted with a beaked nose made of iron, dressed in rags, perhaps carrying a cane, and generally resembles a decrepit old crone. But this old crone packs a mighty wallop…. and carries a long knife hidden under her skirt. She is said to roam the countryside during the twelve days between Christmas and Epiphany to enter the houses of those she encountered. If your house is neat and tidy and all your spinning for the winter season was done by the twelfth night she would leave you a silver coin. If it wasn’t well…there are many stories of what she would do to you some involving that knife under her skirt even. Some stories say she may slit your belly open, rip out your innards, and stuff you with straw, rocks, and bits of glass. She also disembowels lazy children. Other legends equate Frau Perchta with the legend of the Wild Hunt, and say that she flies through the night sky attended by an army of lost souls, including the demonic-looking Perchten, her army of servants who are visually nearly indistinguishable from Krampus.

Tengliu

Tengliu,is a Goddess of Snow in Chinese mythology. In Chinese mythology, Tengliu is the goddess of winter. She is said to live in the Kunlun Mountains, where she controls the weather. Tengliu first appeared in the Tang dynasty and later became a popular cultural figure in the Ming dynasty through the development in the Song dynasty. Other then her appearance in many songs throughout the Song dynasty not much else is really known about her.

Yuki-onna

Yuki-onna is a Japanese deity or really a spirit associated with winter and snowstorms. I say this because, she isn’t referenced too as a Kami but, instead usually as a yokai. She is also known as the snow woman. In some legends, Yuki-onna is a manifestation of winter, representing its harshness. Some legends say the Yuki-onna, being associated with winter and snowstorms, is the spirit of someone who perished in the snow. She is at the same time beautiful and serene, yet ruthless in killing unsuspecting mortals. In some stories, Yuki-onna is vengeful and freezes travelers with her icy breath. In other stories, she is kind and helps people in the mountains. She personifies the duality and contrast of Winter. Showing us the harness, bitterness, and coldness of the season. Along with highlighting the peacefulness, beauty, ands stillness of the season.

Aphrodite

The last deity I am going to talk about I think far too many forget is connected to winter. I feel this happens because, too many forget Valentine’s day in February is right in the middle of Winter. In Greek mythology, Aphrodite is the goddess of love, beauty, and desire. She is also associated with sexuality, fertility, and pleasure. While best known as the goddess of love, she was also the ancient Greek goddess of fertility, physical pleasure (particularly sexual), eternal youth, grace, and beauty. Additionally, she played roles in commerce, war, and politics. Plus let’s not forget her crucial role, as one of the causes of the Trojan War. Her origins though, are shrouded in mystery. According to Hesiod’s Theogony, she emerged from the sea foam in the waters of Paphos, on the island of Cyprus, born from the severed genitals of Uranus. She supposedly arose from the foam when the Titan Cronus slew his father Uranus and threw his genitals into the sea. However, according to Homer, in Iliad, Aphrodite may instead be the daughter of Zeus and Dione.

Call on her this Winter season to work with the energy of love and deepening your connection to others. Don’t forget to reflect on your relationships as well and find love with those you can. Especially if you are forced into a situation just as she was. Remember, Aphrodite is about so much more than love, beauty and lust though. You can always call on her for those reasons but, Aphrodite is about the passion of creation. Which is why she can be called on for creative expression, and living your passion. She is a great goddess to use for self love, emotional balance and healing as well.

How to connect to and work with these deities

Everyone’s relationship with deities is different and we all work with and believe in them differently. You might believe in multiple gods and goddesses and work with them each as though they are close, personal friends. Or maybe you believe the gods are reflections of Universal energy and simply archetype energies that you can learn a lesson from. However you incorporate deities in your practice is up to you. But here are some ideas to get you started on ways to work with any or all of these deities of the Winter. Remember; it’s important to approach them with respect, reverence, gratitude and by building a relationship with them. Every time you work with a deity it is an even energetic exchange; which means what you put into your intention when working with them and building your relationship to them is what you get back. Don’t forget to check out my shop and for an eBook to help you explore how you view deities more and you can also purchase my deep deity devotionals workshop course HERE!

  • Research, study and read about who they are, where they come from, and their myths and legends
  • Refresh your altar and add any of them to it. Or create a new one. Use any of the correspondences connected to them that speak to you
  • Cast spells to help with personal transition or transformation allowing the deities of the transitional season to guide you through the process
  • Call on them to assist you with different types of divination like, tarot, pendulum readings, runes, fire scrying or cryomancy
  • Use their correspondences and energies in protection spells especially for ones for your home
  • Create a spell jar for them and add them to your altars or place them somewhere in your home
  • Shadow work focusing on inner work, the cold, resilience, strength, and resting.  If you would like to learn more about shadow work you can purchase my eBook here;  you can book me for a 1:1 session as your guide here; and you can watch my free class previously taught on it through Divination here.
  • Invite them to your circle and castings when performing rituals tied to the cycles of nature
  • Include them in your celebrations for any festivals like Yule, the new year, Lupercalia, and Valentine’s day
  • Use snow and ice magic
  • Go on a mindful walk in nature to connect to the energies of the land the winter deities rule
  • Invoke their name when creating simmer pots to cleanse and purify your home from unwanted energies
  • Herbal magic-brew teas especially, or add herbs to your hot drinks
  • Carve their sigils into candles for fire magic for release work and to keep your home warm and your hearth lit during the cold dark winter months
  • Purification and cleansing rituals and spells using snow and ice
  • carving their sigils into the ice for binding and banishing spells
  • Make some rose water and use in your spells and leave as offerings for deities
  • Use oil with their correspondences and blessed with their prayers in self love rituals
  • Bake treats and add their sigils to them for love, family, and relationships
  • Give them offerings they enjoy for manifestation and building a relationship
  • Add their sigils and correspondences like herbs to spell bags, talismans, and charms
  • Leave them offerings of milk to connect to fertility, abundance, and prosperity during winter
  • carve their sigils into your fire wood before you burn it in your hearth to welcome them into your home and bring you blessings
  • invoke them during your commitment ceremonies
  • Draw their sigils on your mirror before doing mirror magic and/or mirror work
  • Use their prayers during sex magic rituals and spells
  • Ask them to join you on astral travels, meditations, and inner healing work sessions
  • Wear their colors during the day and use color magic to connect to them
  • Journal about signs you in your life during your days that are connected to them
  • Use their images as inspiration in glamor and beauty spells
  • Divination like fire gazing, snow scrying, melt snow and use the water in scrying, or Cryomancy
  • create Brigid’s crosses for Imbolc
  • Add their sigils, names, correspondences, and images to your holiday and festival celebrations
  • leave a plate and place for them at your festival dinners so they can join you
  • meditate as the snow falls and listen for their words of wisdom and them call to you
  • call to them in prayers to ignite and guide your creativity in creativity spells
  • Volunteer and serve at places in your community that align with deities you wish to work with this season
  • Use their sigils on your spells to help aid in your rest during winter
  • go on a shamanic journey with their animal companions to connect with them
  • invoke them, use their prayers, use their correspondences, or sigils to bless your magical tools
  • daily prayers, affirmations, poems, or songs to honor and venerate them
  • Live your life in accordance with their own personal philosophies and energies
  • Make them part of your new year goals and resolutions
  • If possible take a trip or spend your vacation at places sacred to them like their temples or countries of origin
  • add their images, symbols, and sigils to your gift wrappings or Valentine’s cards
  • wear jewelry with their image, symbol, name, or sigil on it
  • draw or tattoo their sigils onto your body
  • Perform a dedication rite or ritual to dedicate yourself to them during their season and most potent time of the year
Don’t forget to check out my 9 spells for an enchanting and magical Valentine’s day post!

A fundamental pillar of Paganism is working with the deities that one believes in. While all practicing Pagans have varying beliefs about the gods and goddesses, most agree that honoring their deities is a great way to connect with them and further their spiritual goals. But, again remember not every pagan works with deities. Also remember there are literally thousands of different deities out there in the multiverse and which ones you choose to honor will often depend significantly upon what pantheon your spiritual path follows. This eBook will walk you thru the different ways to view deities, what a deity can be, and the basics to start building a deep meaningful relationship with one.

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Working With The Energy of The Rainbow Through The Messenger Greek Goddess Iris

The rain falls, the thunder rolls, the lightning strikes and then out comes the sun to shine. Bringing with it an arch of colorful delight a sight that humans have been charmed by for a long time; a rainbow. The rainbow is a sign of a wish and pledge, reminding us of the magic of kindness and blessings. The rainbow is the visible sign of the transportation of messages from Olympus to Earth, uniting immortality and humanity; the divine and the mortals. The radiant colors paint magnificent arcs of light, astonishing the world as the trials left behind from the celestial wings of the elegant messenger goddess of the Greek gods; Iris.

Iris, is the Greek Goddess of the Rainbow and Messenger of the Gods, and she has an important place in Greek mythology. Known for her vivid look and elegant presence, Iris is the divine connection between gods and mortals. But Iris is more than a messenger. She symbolizes the radiance, brilliance, and enchantment of rainbows, a sight that humans have been charmed by for a long time. Iris is different from other goddesses. Other gods sometimes meddle with human affairs out of fun or interest. But Iris is devoted to her mission. She shows loyalty and adherence to duty, never stopping in her mission to keep communication between Olympus and Earth open.

Let’s fly across the skies following the arch of the iridescent rainbow and discover the significance and impact of Iris’ divine message delivery and uncover the mystical bond she shares with the vibrant and awe-inspiring phenomenon of rainbows. Ride the rainbow with myself and Iris; bridging the worlds between the mortals and the divine and learn all about the Greek messenger goddess of rainbows, blessings, wishes, and communication together in this blog post

The Symbolism Of The Rainbow

Before we fly across the skies with Iris leaving behind us the enchanting and arching trail that is the rainbow. Let’s first briefly talk about what a rainbow symbolizes and means especially to the ancient Greeks; to help us understand who Iris is as we fly with her. The rainbow isn’t just a beautiful natural phenomenon; in Greek mythology and culture, it’s a symbol of hope, communication, and the link between heaven and earth. Since the rainbow appears to bridge the gap between the heavens and the ground a rainbow acts as a conduit between the divine and the human realm. They represent the bridge between divine and human realms, facilitating communication and bringing down the divine decrees to the mortals mostly from Zeus and Hera. The lively rainbow symbolizes Iris’s presence, bringing hope, along with better communication and understanding between different realms.

Who Is Iris?

Iris is a well-known figure in Greek Mythology. She symbolizes the rainbow and is the Greek goddess who served as a messenger for the Olympian deities. Even though she is most well known as the goddess of rainbows and messenger to the gods; she is also known as a goddess of the sea and sky. In some regions she is depicted as a virgin goddess and was believed by the coastal-dwelling Greeks to replenish the rain clouds with water from the sea. She was often described as Hera’s personal messenger and one of her handmaidens.

According to homer who writes about her in the Iliad; Iris was a pleasant goddess who acted as a bridge between the gods and mortals. She served as a messenger from the gods on Olympus and brought news from the summit until Hermes, eventually took her place. After that she continued to serve the gods on olympus by serving them nectar.

She is often depicted with wings of gold; resembling those of a butterfly and pitcher, some myths said Iris filled her pitcher with water from the River Styx – a mysterious body of water that serves as a symbolic boundary between our world and the hereafter. It is known as the river we cross ferried by charon in hades to get to our eternal destination. This is one reason Iris is closely connected to water, and another way she is seen acting as a bridge between other realms and earth.

Ancient Greece saw Iris as a revered deity, the messenger of gods. The Greek goddess Iris is believed to have helped answer people’s prayers as well as been associated with messages, communication, and new ventures. She either alerted the other gods about their needs or met those needs herself.

The Greeks believed that rainbows were created by Iris when she descended from Mount Olympus. They considered rainbows to be a sign of goodwill from the gods and a blessing for those who witness it. She was seen as the link between heaven and earth, and the rainbow-hued presence was thought to bring good health and favor from the gods.

Aside from her fundamental roles as a messenger & bridge between worlds, it’s worth knowing that Iris also has significance in Greek marriage rituals. Her delicate presence during these ceremonies is a lucky sign, blessing couples with love, joy, and oneness. This lesser-known detail adds more depth to Iris’ character and shows the multi-faceted nature of this mesmerizing goddess.

Iris: The Divine Messenger

When it comes to delivering messages among the gods or between gods and humans, Iris is your go-to deity. With her golden wings, she zips across the sky, serving Zeus and Hera as their loyal messenger. Delivering the divine will of Zeus and Hera, she didn’t just pass along messages. She helped guide the gods’ decisions by smoothly communicating across the pantheon. Her role was critical, connecting the divine with mortals, ensuring the gods remained in loop with human affairs. When mortals saw a rainbow, they knew Iris was reminding them of her presence, bridging the gap between humans and gods with her beautiful hues. The rainbow, created by Iris, wasn’t just eye candy either. It was a literal bridge between the divine and mortal realms. This rainbow bridge was no ordinary phenomenon; it was a reminder of Iris’s power and her unique role as a liaison.

While Hermes is the better known messenger to the gods today, Iris used to be the main form of communication between the gods and mortals and the gods themselves. During this time, Hermes was given a much smaller role of guide or guardian. Despite many stories where Iris is the main focus somewhere between The Iliad being published and The Odyssey there was a switch between the two messengers as Hermes became the main focus and Iris was left to the footnotes or just never mentioned again.

Later poets attempted to split Hermes and Iris’ roles in the pantheon, with Hermes serving as a messenger to Zeus and the other gods while Iris became Hera’s devoted servant. The Greek polymath Callimachus from the third century BC likens Iris to a hunting hound of Hera. He said that the goddess was ever there on Hera’s throne, ears perked up to hear her commands which is when you start to see her referenced more as Hera’s handmaiden. You see an example of her carrying out Hera’s wishes; In Euripides’ “Heracles.” Iris acts on Hera’s behalf by ordering Lyssa, the spirit of frenzy and wild fury, to drive Heracles mad so that he will kill his sons. Iris is also Hera’s messenger in Virgil’s “Aeneid.”

Iris A Goddess Of Transformation And Hope

Iris also represents transformation. Just like rainbows, she stands for the power that can arise from hardship. She has a role as a bringer of hope and change. Her messages from the gods bring hope and resolution. Even today, we speak of finding a silver lining or looking for the rainbow after the storm to inspire hope and change. Iris stands as a reminder that, even during tough times, there is potential for new beginnings.

Iris And Duality

Since I am a grey witch and live in the liminal spaces every single deity I work with I look for how they can connect to duality. How do they represent the universal concept of duality that every being is meant to achieve in the universe.

With a Goddess like Iris who is the personification of rainbows you might think there is no way she can be a goddess of duality. Rainbows; like we talked about are symbol of hope which many would consider simply a light or positive thing. But, is it really? When are we looking for hope? Usually, when we are in the pits of despair, times are tough or we need a new beginning and fresh start. Which is where we get the sense of duality in hope. Hope is the opposite energy we are reaching for to balance out of despair. So, if she is showing up to be a symbol of hope for you chances are she is the energy and force that is finally tipping you into a sense of duality and balance in your life and current circumstances.

With hope usually comes transformation which itself is a very dualistic process and thing. Involving a death, shedding, and releasing along with a growth, birth, and intention. Transformation is all about getting ourselves to the next phase or stage and we do that through change by bringing ourselves to balance and using all the energies we have available to us. So, as a goddess of transformation and hope Iris herself can be seen as a representation of duality.

Her role as a messenger not only between realms, but between the gods themselves screams being a goddess of duality. Iris connects different realms with her divine presence which creates a liminal space of duality itself. Being a messenger between realms allows her access to a duality most deities may not understand. It creates a deeper connection to mortals and an understanding since she spends so much time zipping around among us. It also gives her an understanding of the duality in the differences and similarities between the gods and mortals.

Also, being a messenger among the gods requires the ability to be diplomatic and create balance amongst the gods. In order to do this she has to be able to see things from many sides and be able to find an answer that creates balance and harmony amongst them.

Lastly, you see her connection to duality in the rainbow itself which she personifies and uses for her travels. A rainbows appear due to rain and sunlight; two necessary elements. The rainbow itself creates a link between two elements which is a dualistic energy itself.

Iris And Her Diverse Family

As we fly deeper into the world of Greek mythology, Iris’s connections reveal a great deal about her character. Her family and allies include some of the most powerful and important figures in the pantheon, showing just how integral she is to the divine workings of Mount Olympus. As with almost every single pagan deity their is debate among scholars, archeologists, and historians when it comes to her parentage, origin and family. I will do my best to mention all the differences I have been able to find for her here.

Her parents where Thaumas, a marine/ocean god, and Elektra, a cloud nymph/ Oceanid and this seems to be a fact that is mostly agreed upon. This makes her part of a fascinating lineage, with her father representing the wonders of the sea and her mother the brightness of the clouds. It’s easy to see where Iris gets her radiant beauty and swift nature from. I did find a few sources claiming she was Born from the sea foam caused by Uranus’ castration as well.

When it comes to the rest of the gods she is said to be related too, she finds herself amongst a very powerful and diverse family putting Iris in a unique spot, throwing her right in the middle of earthly and divine events. Some sources claim she is a sister to powerful gods like Zeus, Hera & Poseidon even. Many sources also say that Iris had sisters; the Harpies Ocypete, Aello, and Celaeno and these women are wild – part woman, part bird, and totally fearsome. I’ll do a blogpost in the future on them and how to work with them.

Even though a few sources claim them to be siblings most agree; Iris was married to Zephyrus, the god of the west wind. He’s the gentlest of winds, bringing spring and early summer showers to people. The couple had a son, a minor god named Pothos. Pothos is the God of sexual longing, yearning, and desire and was one of the winged love gods. Does he sound familiar? He should because, some sources state that their son’s name was actually Eros.

Some believe Iris is the sister of Arke as well, a Titaness who betrayed the Olympian gods and became a messenger goddess for the Titans instead. As a result, Iris and Arke were mortal enemies. Ancient records even claim that Iris is the fraternal twin of Arke. Her many powerful and diverse connections highlight her importance and versatile role among the gods.

Myths And Stories Involving Iris

Iris’s involvement in Greek myths and stories showcases her importance as a divine messenger and her role in the divine scheme of things. Let’s land on the ground and look into some specifics. Multiple Greek tales feature Iris, she was even present in during the Titanomachy. She was an early supporter of the Olympians, including Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon. During the Titanomachy, her job was to relay messages between Zeus, the Hecatonchires, and the Cyclopes.

Iris is seen in many other classic myths and stories such as The Iliad and Virgil. In the Iliad she is the only god relaying messages for Zeus and Hera to the other gods and mortals. She is the one who was sent to inform Priam of Zeus’s decision concerning his son’s body and who informed Menelaus of Helen’s abduction. Homer frequently alludes to Iris’s appearance during the Trojan War. The most crucial thing she performed was returning a wounded Aphrodite to Olympus following Diomedes. These were all small but rather vital roles in the story of the Iliad and the war. Possibly her largest role in the story, however, is when she autonomously granted Achilles’ prayer and summoned the winds to ignite his lover Patroclus funeral pyre.

You see her flying in again with Jason and the Argonauts. Before Jason and the Argonauts could save the blind seer Phineus from the Harpies’ wrath, Iris appeared to him. Since the Harpies were her sisters, she begged Jason to spare them, and the Boreads did not kill them but instead drove them away.

She is also briefly flies by in some versions of the story of The Exile of Demeter (or as it’s commonly known as the story of The Abduction of Persephone) where Zeus sent Iris to call the self imposed exiled Goddess Demeter back to Olympus after the abduction of Persephone. In this story you see Iris being pivotal to the return of spring for mortals; bringing hope and messages of renewal to humanity.

Iris played one of the key roles, in the myth of the Twin Gods birth, Apollo and Artemis. In Callimachus she is described as being one of Hera’s messengers, along with Ares, to threaten the cities from receiving Leto in the hopes that the other Goddess would be left with no one to deliver her children. Iris then reported the birth of the children to Hera and told her there was nothing more to do and went to sleep leaning upon Hera’s throne, incurring the wrath of her mistress.

It’s even said that a time of chaos existed in Mount Olympus once. Feeling the need for peace and equilibrium, Iris took it upon herself to mediate between Hera’s rage and Zeus’ authority. With her soothing words and divine grace, she brought calmness back to their heavenly realm. This story displays not only her diplomatic abilities but also her essential part in keeping balance and harmony among the gods. It shows her role not only as a messenger between the deities and the mortals but, also her role as a messenger across the pantheon as well.

Worship Of Iris

The only recorded cult of Iris was on “Hecate’s Island” close to Delos where her worshippers would make offerings of cheesecake. She was also tasked with travelling to hades to collect water to be used in sacred oaths. She has also generally been associated with the themes of winter, peace, protection, air, meditation, promises, and beginnings. She is often seen as representing hope and the calms after the storm.

The Awe-Inspiring Appearance of Iris

The ancient Greeks often ranked Iris as one of their most attractive goddesses. The goddess Iris often takes the form of a rainbow or a lovely young woman with wings. Her wings are either depicted as being gold or irredescendent like a rainbow. Mythology says her wings were so brilliant and magnificent that they could illuminate even the deepest cave. Iris’s moods are said to be reflected in her hair color. Her hair is wavy, her eyes are a light purple color, and she wears rainbow earrings. Her ethereal beauty mesmerizes all who encounter her. Once upon a time, it was said that this rainbow incarnate connected the clouds to the ground below.

Greek art also often depicts Iris as a beautiful young woman with golden wings, a water pitcher (oinochoe) or a caduceus. The caduceus, which is a symbol of heralds and messengers. The caduceus is a winged staff with two snakes intertwined around it and is also associated with Hermes, the messenger god. Sometimes, she would serve nectar from her jug while standing next to Zeus or Hera in the artwork.

Abilities And Powers Of Iris

Iris is a radiant young goddess whose main power is that of flight. The goddess Iris’s speed is so phenomenal that she can quickly get from Olympus to Earth or even to Hades. The ancient Greeks called her “swift-footed,” which implies that she could act quickly in response to demands. To get about, it’s said Iris rides the rainbows while other stories say she leaves the rainbows behind as a trail from her wings or her rainbow iridescent coat you can see her sometimes wearing. It’s said her wings allow her to soar to any part of the cosmos, as well as reach the bottom of the deepest waters. She can also travel to the depths of the Underworld (hades) much more quickly than any other deity including Hermes.

Iris is known to be able to change shape to fit any situation or environment during her missions. She can become a mortal, animals or even objects. This skill helps her blend into her surroundings while fulfilling her role as a mediator. Iris also has a special talent; she can manipulate light and colors! Rainbows’ beauty comes from light’s bending and dispersion. Similarly, Iris can manipulate light with her powers. As the embodiment of rainbows, she can infuse them with energy and communicate through their hues. The rainbow arcs convey emotions that words cannot express. In addition to this, Iris also has the power to control the size and intensity of rainbows by altering the moisture in the air or the angle of sunlight.

Correspondences To Connect To Iris

First, what is a correspondence? A correspondence is an item or symbol that is meant to connect you to a specific energy thru it’s representation. It is seen also as an item to respect, honor, and venerate that energy as well whether it be an archetype energy , or the zodiac energy the moon is currently, or a deity, like I will list below for you to use.

  • Planet- Earth and Sun and Venus
  • Animal- all birds, butterflies,
  • Element- Air and Water
  • Sex- Feminine
  • Symbol- Rainbow, Wings (golden or iridescent), pitcher, bridge, the sea, the skies, clouds, Caduceus, Sunlight, Raindrops, letters, feathers, postcards/ letters
  • colors- All of the colors, the entire rainbow, black, white, pink, brown
  • Themes- Hope, transformation, blessings, wishes, communication, renewal, bridges, rainbows, the gap between realms, travel, change, knowledge, balance, harmony, peace, the sea, the skies, serving others, repairing relationships, resolving conflict, diplomacy, speed, swiftness, messages
  • Chakra-All of them, Root, Womb, Belly, Heart, Throat,Third Eye and Crown
  • Herbs-Iris, Lavender, Myhr, Frankincense, Roses,
  • Stones/ crystals- opal, rainbow fluorite, rainbow quartz, titanium, rainbow agate, rainbow moonstone, quartz, sunstone, moonstone, citrine, Labradorite, Rainbow obsidian, diamonds
  • Foods- figs, cakes, wheat, honey, cheesecake, milk with cinnamon
  • Tarot card- Temperance

Why Work With The Goddess Iris?

Iris is a alluring goddess to work with and she has the ability to bring about so much change, hope, and connection when her rainbow arches across the skies of your life. She represents hope, vitality and the power of colorful communication with the Divine. When you choose to work with her in your life, and magical practices she brings you Harmony, balance, peace, happiness, Glad tidings, and color into your life. You can call on her to ask her to carry your hopes, dreams, wishes, and intentions to the heavens and your messages to the gods.

How To Know Iris Is Calling To Work With You

The call of Iris, the rainbow goddess, and messenger of the gods, may be easy and obvious to spot by seeing her rainbow dancing across the sky calling to you. Life can be busy, but if you’ve been witness to several instances of a rainbow’s arrival or a beautiful sky with cotton clouds, pay attention. Iris may be tapping you to work with her. Other things to keep an eye out for is if you see rainbows in media all around you, or they pop up in your dreams or meditations. If you feel your clares and psychic abilities tugging at you, or an unexpected need to reach out and communicate to someone else especially if you have lost contact with them. Follow where her rainbow leads you to a place of hope and mended communication.

Ways To Work With and Connect To Iris

Everyone’s relationship with deities is different and we all work with and believe in them differently. You might believe in multiple gods and goddesses and work with them each as though they are close, personal friends. Or maybe you believe the old gods are reflections of Universal energy and simply archetype energies that you can learn a lesson from. However you incorporate deities in your practice is up to you. If you need help to figure this out you can purchase my eBook here on the Introduction to working with pagan deities.

But here are some ideas to get you started on ways to work with Iris. Remember; it’s important to approach her with respect, reverence, gratitude and by building a relationship with her. Every time you work with a deity it is an even energetic exchange; which means what you put into your intention when working with them and building your relationship to them is what you get back.

Study, get to know her

As with every deity I have ever written about or taught about, The first way to get to know a deity, specifically a goddess like Iris is to study all you can about her. I’ll be honest finding information on her can be a little scarce but, you can start by going back to the mythology section of this blog and go read and the myths and stories she is in like; the Iliad and the story of the Trojan war. Learn about other deities she has close relationships to like Hera, Zeus, Persephone and her Husband Zephyrus. Learn about her sister the harpies. Study the culture, region, and worship of the people of Greece where she is from. The more you study and learn the better! When working with a deity it is all about building a true relationship with them and you do this first by getting to know who they are.

Connect with the Rainbow

Iris is the goddess of the rainbow and some even say the literal personification of the rainbow. So, what better way to work with her than to connect to the rainbow in your life and magical practices. There are so many ways to do this. You can add it to your life in your wardrobe with color magic, you can go cloud gazing, look for the rainbow after the rain, add the rainbow to your altar, smile and wave at rainbows, or use a hose to create one. You can also contemplate bridges between different aspects of life after it rains.

Communication Spells and Rituals

One of Iris’ key roles is to be the messenger of the gods and for the gods. This makes her one of the best if not the best deity to call on when you are doing any communication spells or rituals. She can help you in spells that have to do with creating clear communication, rekindling a lost friendship or relationship, sending messages to others, resolving conflict with another due to communication, and communicating your wishes and desires to another.

Be of Service to Others

Iris not only fills the role of the messenger but, if you look at many of the stories where you see her she is doing things in service to others. Iris really serves to embody the archetype of the servant within the greek gods. She steps up for the gods when there is chaos to serve them as a diplomat and keep peace. She serves both the gods and mortals facilitating messages between the two. And even after Hermes steps in as the primary messenger of the gods she continues to serve them on Mount Olympus serving them nectar, settling disputes, and serving as a handmaiden for Queen Hera especially. So, a great way to work with her and connect with her is by finding a way to be of service to others in your family, life, and community.

Dedicate Altar Space

Set aside some space in honor of Iris. This can be an elaborate large altar or as simple as a small shelf or corner of a counter. Place a representation of Iris there; be sure to cleanse the space before you invite her in. Include all of her colors, her symbols, and representations of rainbows and the sun, the clouds and any of her other correspondences you can use to connect to her. This will be a space that reminds you to connect with her and her energy. To bring you hope, and be a bridge to communicate with the gods.

Offerings

Everyone loves receiving gifts, and that includes deities like Iris. You don’t have to give her offerings every day, but when you feel it is appropriate. You can place these offerings at your altar or on a window sill in your home dedicated to her where light will be shining in. You can also give her offerings when performing any work to connect to her like meditation, prayer, and visualization.

The best offerings for Iris include:

  • Cheesecake
  • Dried figs
  • Honey cakes
  • Collected sea water or rainwater
  • Colorful art
  • Notes of positivity and hope
  • A rainbow suncatcher
  • Rainbow Quartz
  • Iris flowers
  • milk with cinnamon
  • prisms
  • Stained glass art

Use Rainbow Suncatchers

Find a rainbow suncatcher and hang it in a window today to let Iris’s light brighten your home and give you a reason to feel optimistic. Buy a second one to keep you energized all day long, so you can bring it with you or have it in your car.

Place a Rainbow Crystal in the Window

Iris is also known for her healing colors. Some say that you can bring Goddess Iris into your house by placing crystal in a kitchen window or one that catches the sun to cast an array of rainbow-tinted lights and spots in your house. It will be more potent and powerful if you use a crystal or stone that is iridescent or rainbow in colors. Like opal, rainbow quartz, moonstone, etc.

Plant or work with the flower Iris

The goddess would send messages from heaven to earth on the arc of a rainbow, and she was also know to be a companion to female souls on their way to heaven. Because of this, Greeks will plant purple irises on women’s graves to help guide them to their final resting place in heaven. So, why not go and do the same at your local cemetery or add some to your flower garden and yard today to connect with Iris.

Use a Mirror to Create a Rainbow and Mirror Magic

Use a mirror to create a rainbow in your home, your sacred container or at your altar. You can then use that rainbow and mirror as an anchor and intention amplifier in mirror magic for protection, manifestation, and amplification of all other spellwork. To learn how to do mirror magic and add it to your life and magical practices you can watch my previous class taught with Divination Academy here, and read about it in my guide here.

Call on Iris and The Rainbow For Abundance

It might seem like an unusual thing to call on Iris for abundance. I honestly haven’t found it anywhere else that others work with this energy with her. But, for me it seemed pretty obvious. Iris is the deity that personifies the rainbow which symbolizes hope and wishes coming true. What does that sound like to you? For me it sounds like another way to say abundance. Plus we have the legend of there being pots of gold aka wealth at the end of those rainbows she rides on as well. So, use her like I have when working with the energy of abundance by bringing in the wish fulfillment of the rainbow. To learn more about how to work with the energy and magic of abundance you can read my extensive guide here.

Meditation, visualization and Dream work

One of the best ways to channel divine energy and tap into goddesses like Iris is through meditation, visualization and dreaming. These practices allow you to open up and receive/ connect to divine energy in a very intuitive, clear, and transformative way. You will find a plethora of guided meditations on YouTube that will lead you to your spirit guide or god/goddess.. Try those if you have a hard time meditating on your own. I have many classes on youtube as well on previous deities you can watch where I even summon and guide you to them in sacred container. In addition, ask Iris to visit you in your dreams and teach you lessons that you currently need to learn. Then record every encounter with her in your journal, book of shadows, or grimoire.

Prayers

One very powerful way to connect to a deity is through prayer. Things to Pray for: your messages to be delivered, better communication, positive new endeavors, receiving messages, aided communications/messages to your deities, rain, luck, rainbows, safe travels on water or flight, hope, help with struggles.

Goddess Iris,messenger of the Gods and Goddesses, hear my prayer.
Grant me peace and harmony helping me cope with all that comes my way.
Give me patience and temperance in all things I do.

Goddess Iris hear my plea
Across the air
And through the sea.
I am in need of your sweet blessings,
Energies and healings bring to me.
Goddess Iris I give thanks to thee.
As I will it so it be.

Shadow work

Just like with every other deity I have ever written or taught about shadow work is a phenomenal way to connect to and work with the goddess Iris. When doing shadow work with her you are going to want to focus on topics like areas you need to feel more hope or things that have made you feel hopeful before. Other topics to focus on with your shadow work and her will revolve around communication. You can focus on topics like how to communicate better with others, your communication patterns, resolving conflicts, how others communicate with you and relationships in your life that may need to be mended. When working with Iris during shadow work she has this ability to open her iridescent wings and illuminate the caverns of your soul and show you things that may have not been able to glimmer and you notice before.

 If you would like to learn more about shadow work you can purchase my eBook here;  you can book me for a 1:1 session as your guide here; and you can watch my free class previously taught on it through DiviNation here.

Other Devotional Acts

  • Decorate your walls with stained glass.
  • Attend a show of fireworks.
  • Create a painting with a wide variety of vivid colors.
  • Try to get a glimpse of the rainbow reflected in the water while you tend to the plants outside.
  • Get some fresh air and take pleasure in the rain.
  • Listen to music that brings about a sense of serenity and revitalization within you.
  • Spend a day at the beach.
  • Go cloud gazing.
  • Decorate your room or workspace with fairy lights; extra points if you can find them in rainbow colors.
  • When someone needs a break, you should offer to run some errands for them.
  • Get yourself a sweet beverage, either hot or cooled.
  • Spend some time in the fresh air doing nothing in particular.
  • Gather the feathers that have an iridescent sheen to them.
  • Send a text message to people you’ve been meaning to get in touch with but keep forgetting about it.
  • Experiment with a different color of makeup.
  • Give your space (or rooms) a fresh coat of paint.
  • Always treat your interns and assistants with respect!
  • Take a look at the night sky and the stars; there are more colors in just two things than you are ever going to be able to see.
  • When you see a rainbow, be sure to capture it on camera.
  • Wear more glitter and sparkles.
  • Every time you see a rainbow, say thank you to Iris.

Ritual To Call on Iris and The Rainbow For Healing

Use this ritual to call on her for healing and energy throughout your entire energetic system. Let her vibrant rainbow colors soar into and through yourself, feeling the balance, healing and calmness she brings to each pocket of energy or chakra in your body. To do the ritual you will need to have an understanding of chakras, energy, your inner temple, and know how to cast a circle. If you need help with any of these skills you can click the links to learn more.

What you will need:

7 candles (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet one
for each of the rainbow colors) and a cup or chalice of water.

How to do it:

First, light your candles in a circle with your cup of water in the middle.

Next, Start by getting into a meditative state and entering your sacred container.
After this, Cast a magic Circle.

Next, invoke Goddess Iris be reciting below:
Goddess Iris come to me
Flying across the sky so swift and free.
Leaving a trail of wondrous colors.
Goddess Iris I am calling Thee
To enter within my Circle
Blessing and Healing Me.

Once you feel the rush of her presence in the circle.
Ask for Goddess Iris’ Healing and Balance

Next, Sit or lie down
Meditate and envision taking in each color of her rainbow into the corresponding Chakra:
Feel her iridescent and illuminating energy entering each one of your chakras with vibrant, swift, hopeful energy.Moving through the Root, Womb, Belly, Heart, Throat,Third Eye and Crown. Let her vibrant rainbow colors soar into and through your own being, feeling the balance, healing and calmness she brings to each. Let the Brilliant iridescent Light flow through from the Crown to the Third Eye spiraling down the spine to each Chakra, balancing and replenishing your energy in every extremity of your body.

Thank Goddess Iris for bringing her healing colors to you and through you as you take your cup of water and drink the water.

Finish the ritual by closing your circle, giving thanks, blowing out your candles and taking note of anything that you need to remember from this ritual and experience.

Conclusion

Iris is more than just a messenger. She is a symbol of hope and renewal, often appearing at important moments to give solace or guidance. She intervenes in crucial events, using her charm to ensure justice and balance prevail. Let us appreciate Iris – a captivating figure of beauty and profound significance.

The Greeks said that while the goddess Iris was on her journey, she created the rainbow to bring beauty to the world. In the same way, when confronted with challenges in life, we need to keep our eyes peeled for the rainbow and try to look on the bright side of things no matter how dire the circumstances are.

Iris can show you how to make rainbows out of a storm. If you’re feeling that things aren’t going your way, maybe you need to take action (magickally or physically) to change your circumstances. Iris can help you figure out when and how to do this. Enjoy flying through the skies with Iris riding the rainbow bridging yourself to hope, the gods, and other realms.

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About Me : I have been a solitary grey magic practitioner for 15 + years. First and foremost, I consider myself a mystic and seeker of all knowledge. I am dedicated to the restoration, and re-enchantment of Magic in society, across this realm, and in each and every soul I come across in life! I am here to create a container that promotes healing, duality, and raw authenticity. I do this by guiding you on your personal journey to understanding your unique magic and sacred contracts. I facilitate this for you through embracing your shadow, duality and learning to live in energetic balance while not wearing a mask. When you work and learn from me you do so from your “darkness” as much as your “light” and in a way to truly harness and accept it not to just go thru it on the way to your light. But, I teach you how to truly embrace it, work with it, and use it alongside your light as a partner. I hold up a mirror for you to be able to see your authentic reflection looking back. Then have the courage to take the next step and do the uncomfortable but vital inner work to completely remove your mask. By facing all of your past wounds, traumas, and hurts. Allowing you to see both the dark and light within your story and take each chapter and alchemize it into something that is so powerful. your unique internal flame will shine so bright you will always be able to go within and find it on a dark cold night. You will learn how to truly live in duality and energetic balance to allow growth, and alignment with your sacred contracts and purposes. to finally move on and truly let the things that hold you back in this life from healing and manifesting go. To see everything I offer; like personalized shadow work sessions, womb healing, eBooks for you to work through on your own, Tarot sessions for guidance and more! Go to my shop!

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