We are so thrilled here at “Witch Joseph”, to be offering some new Deity statues…we placed the first one on the site today…a statue of the Willendorf Goddess figure, which holds a special place in my heart. When I first came to Witchcraft, She was one of the first images of the Great Goddess that I was drawn to and one of the first that I embraced. The original image dates to the late Paleolithic period and is among the first images of the Divine that was worshipped by emergent humanity. Of course, our cultures for the last 10,000 years have been so dominated by patriarchy that its difficult for many to envision a world where the primary face of God was that of the Great Mother…but we are slowly returning to the realization that the Earth is a living being, the Mother of all Life. Even our science is coming around to this via the Gaia Hypothesis.
From this image of the Great Mother, Human understanding of the many faces of the Divine expanded over thousands of years proliferating multiple pantheons the world over. Like images that emerge in human dreams, the faces and stories of the Deities reveal a subconscious strata in human collective awareness, a source of power and enlightenment that like the dream images remain ephemeral until we engage with Them and bring them forth into the circle of our consciousness and make the alive within us. In the reclaiming tradition of Witchcraft, there is a saying..”Who is the Goddess? We Are.” She becomes alive in us as we become aware of Divine immanence…in ourselves and in all.
The power of the Pagan image in ritual and magick can’t be overstated…even in this secular time that we are entering into. We yearn for connection to our inner power, to each other, to the Earth and to the Universal source.
It can be very useful in magick and devotional practices to incorporate images of the God forms we are working with…here’s some of my thoughts and practices in utilizing these.
Of course great care should be taken to work with forms that we are drawn to and that have connected with us…one of the primary Deities I work with is Goddess Bastet. She is from the kemetic Pantheon, a mother Goddess, lady of Joy and Dancing, Goddess of Perfume and ointments, daughter of the Sun…the Cat Goddess. She began showing up in my dreams and meditations so many years ago…a beautiful presence and loving and fierce protector. I will use Her image as an example of how I incorporate the statue in my devotional practices.
When I obtain a statue of Bastet, I cast a circle and create a sacred space and then I purify it by a smoke cleansing ceremony, usually burning sage that I grow in my garden…holding the image over the smoldering herbs, I say: “I purify this image of all previous unwanted energies that it may become a fit dwelling for the Divine Presence of the Goddess. As I will, So Mote it Be!”
I then inscribe the statue with the Deity name, using a sacred pigment prepared for this purpose, usually on the bottom of the statue…in this case in hieroglyphics spelling the name Bastet. The Deity is thought to inhabit Their name in a special and mystical way. I usually enclose the name after spelling it out in hieroglyphics with the cartouche symbol, which represents Eternity and is also a form of magickal protection for the image.
After spending some time with the image, I place it upon my altar pentacle…visualizing a brilliant white and golden Light above…I direct the Divine Light into the statue using the wand with an invocation to the Goddess Bastet: “Hail to Thee, great Goddess Bastet, Daughter of the Sun and Mistress of the Moon, Mother of Joy and Dance, Lady of the Ointment and Perfume, bringer of Ecstasy, Protector of the Righteous and the Vulnerable, Please come to me and be present here in this statue that bears your image.”
-using the wand with reverence to open the faculties of perception and sentience-
touching the Ears of the image: “By the Divine Authority of the Light, I open the ears of this image that You may hear our supplications and praises to Thee.”
touching the Eyes of the image: “By the Divine Authority of the Light, I open the eyes of this image that You may watch over us and see us before Thee and Thy altar.”
touching the nose of the image: “By the Divine Authority of the Light, I open the power of scent for this image that You may inhale the sweet perfumes and offerings of incense we shall place before Thee.”
touching the mouth of the image: “By the Divine Authority of the Light, I open the mouth of this image that You may partake of the delicate food offerings we place before Thee and I bestow the power of speech upon Thy holy image that You may communicate freely with us.”
touching the heart of the image: “By the Divine Authority of the Light, I open the heart center of this image that You may feel and receive the great Love and adoration we offer to Thee in constant praise.”
-anointing the image with consecration oil-
“I consecrate this awakened image to You Divine Mother Bastet…Please deign to indwell this image and be present with me. Dua Bastet. Im Hotep.”
-Incense is now lit and offered to the Deity by waving it clockwise thrice before the image before placing it before it-
-food and drink offerings are also laid before the statue in like manner-
“I welcome Thee, Divine Mother Bastet…Please accept these offering of my Love and Devotion to Thee. Bless and Protect me always. Due Bastet. Im Hotep.”
Time is now spent before the image in the flickering candle light…a sistrum can be played and various chants can be done in honor of the Great Goddess, now present in the image.
Its also important that once this type of ceremony if performed, the image must be treated with great reverence and respect, as it is a dwelling place for the Deity who is now considered to be present within it. Flowers and candles should be replaced often and the area should be kept very clean and pristine.
This is just an example of how to engage with Pagan images and God forms for our own empowerment and reconnection with the powers of Nature. There are similar rituals of awakening of the Deity images in most Pagan traditions…and similar traditions exist in many monotheistic practices as well, such as the images of the saints and angels in Roman Catholicism and other traditions in Christianity or some of the traditions around sacred statues in Buddhism. The power of the image should not be overlooked in our practices.
I offer this as an example of what I do in my devotional practices…I hope that it inspires you in yours and provides encouragement for your creativity and empowerment.
Blessings and Love,
Witch Joseph