About Lotus

Eventually though I found I missed having a spiritual practice with a deep connection with nature, a practice connected with the land and it's Spirits. And year by year I found myself becoming more disillusioned with the insistence in Buddhism that animal lives are lower than human ones, something that does not ring true for me. I also longed for connection with my own ancestors and culture(s) and thus, with the assistance of that first computer, I delved back into paganism and the occult. Some amazing synchronicities have occurred since then, and mental, emotional and physical healing has happened as well, so I feel sure I continued onwards in a good direction for myself.

 

I’m very eclectic, learning from various paths/traditions but in the early days have been particularly influenced by journeywork and astral work, along with the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids where I am a member, and whose teachings reflect well with island living, in a place full of nature and wildlife. From OBOD I first learned how to make an 'Sacred Grove', and from someone I'd consider a mentor, Sorita d'Este, how to build and work in an astral temple, both of these which have become vital in my practice. I’m also very influenced by history; the ancient cultures and their practices.

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I'm half Slavic, mainly Ukrainian & Polish, (my remaining ethnicity is a real mixed bag, but a pretty large portion is English/Scottish & Swedish)  and so I am especially interested in pagan practices in those parts of the world. As well I have a tiny line into the Pennsylvania Dutch community where I learned about a book called "The Long Lost Friend" which sparked an interest in folk magic from various places. I have studied in Hoodoo and then found myself on the path of Obeah, both surprising developments but ones that have felt quite right. I have been assured by my teachers that neither Hoodoo nor Obeah are closed practices. Even so, I would never call myself an Obeahwoman or a Rootworker/Conjurewoman without many more years of practice and experience. I have spent a lot of time reflecting on paths and traditions. I think I have always yearned for an ancestral cultural & spiritual path of my own, but being a Canadian, born on colonized land with no true ancestral land of my own, and of parents of mixed heritages - how does one satisfy this yearning? 

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I made the acquaintance of Hekate while doing journeywork initially, having no clue who she was at first.  After these initial meetings, I finished reading a book by Emily Carding and noticed in her author’s blurb it stated she was part of something called ‘The Covenant of Hekate’ (CoH). This is what I mean by synchronicities! I did the Rite of the Red Cord and joined the Covenant on August 20th, 2013. In the following years I participated in many roles and projects before taking a sabbatical to process the grief of losing my sweet horse companion. Around the same time one of our beloved cats died as well, leaving an even larger hole. A few years later I became an active member once again along with renewing my Torchbearer vows; making the commitment of connecting CoH across the world outside of social media and when possible, off the internet completely. This became cultivated when in 2020 became the editor of the newsletter, Noumenia News and founded the CoH Postcard Swap. I recently became a Keybearer in 2022 with this pledge and hence, the inspiration for the creation of this site...

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“I Lotus ______, hold the key to Hekate & Nature, specifically Animals, Trees & the Cosmos, within the Circle of Keybearers.”

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"With this key I will look deeper into the historical references of Hekate and Nature, with a focus specifically on Animals, Trees and the Cosmos. As well as sharing my research and reflections, I will incorporate that information into modern times to foster growing a connection with Nature though Hekate and vice versa. Ways to do this will include such things as an astral landscape being created for the sanctuary for devotees to access, various kinds of visualisation work including shapeshifting, tree meditations, hymns & rituals, workshops, and possibly (hopefully!) a book or two. The goal of the website is to be community orientated with the input of many, not just myself ,with a plan to run the sanctuary jointly with another Torchbearer. There will also be a section of the site for candle devotionals and prayers that devotees can request."

[Well you will note from the 'About Sara' page, I now have another Torchbearer working with me here!]

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So that is about it! If you actually read all of the above, I'm amazed and grateful! I know I ramble on way too long!

And please feel welcomed to this sanctuary! I've created it in honour of the Goddess, and in service to the CoH and all devotees to Hekate, as well as for a personal creative outlet and a place to muse on things. If it helps anyone out along the way, by comforting them with shared experiences, or helping them deepen their practice with Hekate, then that would be a worthy thing.

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lotus aka nèamh

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Would you like to support the work of the sanctuary and help us with website fees, as well as with purchasing candles and offerings? You can do so over at Patreon, and it would be most gratefully appreciated.  Over there I offer card readings for subscribers. I am also hoping to purchase just the perfect statue for the sanctuary altar: patreon.com/hekatepotniatheron 

(The sanctuary itself is virtual but I do have an altar representational of the sanctuary set up in my house.)

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