Hekate's Deipnon (also known as Hekate's Supper) is a ritual observance that honors the goddess Hekate in ancient Greek religion. The Deipnon is typically observed on the last day of each lunar month, which is the time of the dark moon.
The Hellenic lunar month begins with the new moon, the first sliver of light we see, and ends with the dark moon, when we see no light from the moon at all. Our next dark moon should be July 17.
Hekate’s Deipnon is a time of purification. Practioners often ritually cleanse themselves, their homes, and their affairs.
During the Deipnon it is customary to offer food, drink, and other offerings to Hekate as a way of appeasing her and warding off any negative or malevolent spirits that might be present such as the restless dead. The offerings would be placed at a crossroads, which was considered a liminal space that was sacred to Hekate.
The Deipnon was also seen as a time for people to cleanse their homes and themselves of any impurities or negative energies that might have accumulated over the course of the month.
This was typically done by sweeping the floors and disposing of any leftover food or offerings that had been made to the gods.
The Deipnon ritual typically involves making offerings of food, drink, and other items to Hekate, as well as performing a ritual cleansing of the home and oneself. Some practitioners also choose to perform divination or other forms of magic during the Deipnon. Donations of food, money, or time at local charities are also becoming a popular way to honor Hekate.
Cleanse your home and yourself and complete any other tasks before sundown on the Deipnon.
Consume your meal make sure to set aside some to be used as an offering for Hekate.
Try to leave your offerings at Sundown. Place them directly on the ground or on some other natural substance in nature. You don't want plates or bowls to retrieve later. Everything should be left for Hekate, never to return to your home. The traditional location is at a crossroads. You can also leave them at another liminal space such as a shoreline, a cemetery gate, a garden gate, at a bridge, any place that is an entry or exit to another location, or any place that is an in between....
Popular Deipnon offerings to Hekate include:
- Garlic
- Raw eggs, still in their shell
- Leeks
- Onions
- Fish
- Bread or cakes
- Sweepings from the home
- Anything you don’t want to take into the new month
Cleaning remains are offered as a way to symbolically ask Hekate to bring transformation and renewal to our lives. One of Hekate's epithets is Borborophorba, the eater of filth. This title is a connection between the "womb and tomb". Hekate takes in that which is unclean so it can be born anew.
Menu and Ritual for Hekate's Deipnon
Garlic Bread
Ingredients:
- 1 baguette, sliced
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup of butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a bowl, mix together the minced garlic, softened butter, chopped parsley, and salt and pepper.
- Spread the garlic butter on the sliced baguette.
- Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and crispy.
Pasta with Roasted Vegetables
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of pasta
- 2 cups of chopped mixed vegetables (such as bell peppers, zucchini, and eggplant)
- 1/4 cup of olive oil
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Toss the chopped vegetables with olive oil, minced garlic, and salt and pepper.
- Spread the vegetables on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, or until they are tender and lightly browned.
- Cook the pasta according to the package instructions.
- Toss the pasta with the roasted vegetables and grated parmesan cheese.
- Serve hot.
Honey and Nut Tart
Ingredients:
For the crust:
- 1 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup of sugar
- 1/2 cup of butter, softened
For the filling:
- 1 cup of honey
- 1/2 cup of chopped mixed nuts (such as almonds, walnuts, and pistachios)
- 2 tablespoons of butter, melted
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, and softened butter until crumbly.
- Press the mixture into a tart pan and prick the bottom with a fork.
- Bake the crust for 10-12 minutes, or until it is lightly browned.
- In a separate bowl, mix together the honey, chopped nuts, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract.
- Pour the honey and nut mixture into the pre-baked tart crust.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the filling is set and golden brown.
- Allow the tart to cool before slicing and serving.
Ritual
Perform a ritual cleansing of yourself and your home using incense or smoke-cleansing herbs such as rosemary, sage, or cedar.
Set up your altar to Hekate, using images or statues of the goddess. You can also use symbols that represent her such as keys, torches, owls, dogs, snakes, and Hekate's wheel.
Prepare the food offerings by placing them on a plate or other container. Offerings might include eggs, garlic, bread, honey, cheese, fruit, and wine. If you are leaving the offerings outside do not leave any items behind other than consumables.
Take the food offerings to a crossroads or other liminal space, and leave them there as an offering to Hekate.
Return to your altar and light the candles and incense and offer a prayer or invocation to Hekate, asking for her protection and guidance during the coming lunar month. (Or you may light candles and incense at the location of your offering). If you have specific requests such as prosperity or good health now is the time to ask for her blessings.
Offer a final prayer of thanks to Hekate and close the ritual by blowing out the candles.
Ritual for Hekate's Deipnon without Dinner
Materials
Candles (black, white, and/or red)
Incense (such as myrrh, frankincense, or sage)
Offerings (bread, honey, cheese, fruit, wine, or other food items)
A small dish or bowl for offerings
A broom or other symbol of purification
A key, torch, or other symbols of Hekate
Preparation
Set up an altar to Hekate in a quiet, darkened space. Include images or statues of the goddess, candles, and other items that are meaningful to you.
Place the offerings on a plate or in a small dish on the altar.
Light the candles and incense, and allow them to burn throughout the ritual.
Hold the broom or other symbol of purification in your hands.
Ritual
Begin by taking a few deep breaths and centering yourself. Visualize a protective circle around you and your altar.
Hold up the broom and say: "I cleanse this space and myself of any negativity or impurities. Let the light of Hekate shine through and guide us."
Use the broom to sweep the floor around the altar, visualizing any negative energies being swept away.
Hold up the key or torch and say: "Hekate, great goddess of the crossroads, I offer these symbols to you as a sign of my devotion and reverence."
Approach the altar and place the key or torch next to the offerings.
Lightly touch the offerings with your fingers or the palm of your hand, and say:
"Hekate, accept these offerings that I have prepared for you. I give them freely and with gratitude for your protection and guidance."
Spend some time in quiet contemplation or meditation, allowing yourself to connect with the energy of Hekate.
When you feel ready, say a prayer or make a personal request to Hekate. This might be for guidance, protection, or other specific needs.
Conclude the ritual by thanking Hekate for her presence and guidance. Blow out the candles and extinguish the incense, and open the protective circle.
Consider leaving the offerings at a crossroads or other liminal space as an offering to Hekate, or consume them yourself as a sacred meal.
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