Faces of the Huntress

originally pub

lished November 1, 2010

This month you get two-for-one-special; two spells for the price of one. That’s because there are two sacred days for the goddess Artemis/Diana; the Night of Nicnevin and Saint Cecilia’s Day. Nicnevin and Cecilia are “versions” of the Goddess of the Hunt. Most likely, these are aspects of the goddess that you have not heard of before, and that is why I am sharing them with you now. November 9th and 10th: Night of Nicnevin (Scotland) After the Greek huntress Artemis was adopted by the Romans and renamed Diana, Queen of the Faeries, she was taken with the Romans wherever the Romans went, including Scotland. There she was renamed again, this time as Nicnevin or Nicnevan, Queen of Elphame and the Queen of the Faeries, and her new name meant “divine” or “brilliant”. As Mother Nicnevin, she was not only the Queen of the Faeries but also the Queen of the Witches, and linked to the Dark Moon and the Crossroads, just like the Greek Hecate and The Roman Diana. She had a festival on November 9th and 10th which was later claimed by the Church and called Saint Martinmas Eve. But, back in the Pagan days, it was said that Nicnevin, along with her entourage of followers, rode through the night hours at the end of the festival of Samhain (Halloween). Her ride begins at dusk where she rises form the Underworld or Water-World of the Tree of Life. Nicnevin passes through the realm beneath the sea to our world; the Mid-world. Then, she opens the Otherworld Gate so the spirits of dead may pass through. If you wish to speak with the dead or travel in a Shamanic fashion to the Underworld, Nicnevin is the one to evoke beforehand for the purposes of protection. You can also call upon her when traveling in this world at night. Because of her association with Samhain, Nicnevin was a Crone goddess, and like most crones or goddesses associated with Samhain, she was “demoted” to an “evil witch” or an “evil Faery” with the advent of Christianity. Sometimes in Scottish Faery tales she was called Habetrot, a Crone who was adept at the arts of spinning, weaving and cloth-making. And, in the Middle Ages, Nicnevin was also called Satia, Bensozie, Zobiana, Herodiana, Abundia and Dame Habonde.

• Abundia, Abondia or Abundantia was a minor Roman fertility goddess. She was the personification of abundance to the Romans, who brought her to what we now call France. There, it was said that she entered houses at night, bringing prosperity to those she visited.

• Habondia (pronounced hahb-OEN-dee’uh), or Habonde, descended from a Germanic earth goddess, was the Anglo-Celtic goddess of abundance and prosperity. During medieval England, she, like Nicnevin, was “demoted”, this time as a “water witch”. This was so the rural Pagan would no longer depend upon her for her help with their herds and crops.

• Herodiana is a variation of the name Hera-Diana, and is Herodias from the Bible.

She can appear as a young woman or an old crone, but either way, she is dressed in gray and holds a white wand. White geese are her sacred totem animal and if you hear them, she may not be far behind. Nicnevin is also associated with the Germanic Underworld goddess Hel, the Queen of the Underworld and the leader of the Hunt. Another Crone goddess is the Celtic Cailleach and Nicnevin is the darker half of her. Nicnevin’s names shows her as the Cailleach’s daughter because “nic” means “daughter of” and “nevin” refers to the Cailleach’s seat of power. If you wish to possess magical powers, say divinatory skills for example, you can ask for them from Nicnevin. Spend the night at a crossroads or in a locale sacred to the ancient Celts; where sea, sky and land meet. Bring her an offering at dusk; whiskey, cider, mead or ale is preferred, and if she appears, do not flee or yell or else your gift will not count. If she does not arrive, you may try again the next night, up to nine nights total. If she doesn’t appear after nine nights, the magical power that you seek is not meant for you. Yule is another day sacred to Nicnevin. Women would ensure that all their spinning was completed before then so that they would not endure Nicnevin’s wrath. Her punishment would be to empty their distaffs. THE SPELL Due to her Roman roots in abundance, prosperity and fertility, this spell is to call upon Nicnevin’s aid in manifestation. Supplies: cauldron or black bowl, white candle, lighter or matches and white feathers. Either cast a magick circle in the manner of your tradition, or create Sacred Space. Place the cauldron on your altar and say: “Queen of the Witches, Dark of the Moon, Bring to me riches, I ask for this boon.” Place the candle inside of the cauldron, light it and say: “Queen of the Faerie, Wand shinning white, Worries I bury, My future is bright.” Sprinkle the white feathers around the cauldron in a clockwise circle and say: “Goddess Nicnevin; brilliant, divine, Abundance and prosperity is now mine. My prayers fly to you upon white wings, And my life turns around as the New Year rings.” In your own words, tell Nicnevin which of your needs you wish to be met in the next six weeks. Also, make a plan as to how you can work on these goals on the physical plane. If you need to, make sure to scrawl some notes so you don’t forget later. If you so desire, meditate to receive messages of wisdom and guidance form Nicnevin. When finished, be sure to thank her: “Sweet young Maiden, wise old Crone, In this venture I am not alone. My thanks to you for aiding me, In bringing about prosperity. For the good of all and harm to none, So say I, so shall it be done.” If possible, let the candle burn out. November 22nd: Saint Cecilia’s Day (Artemis Calliste) November 22nd, the Feats of Artemis, is set aside for Artemis Calliste, or Artemis the Fairest, in the form of Saint Cecilia. Saint Cecilia is an aspect of Artemis Calliste, the Lily of Heaven, the Goddess of Nature and the mother of ekklesia; which is an assembly of worshippers. In the language of the Greeks, the assemblies of the Ephesian Artemis were called ekklesias, which we in English would call “churches”. It is a combination of the Greek word “ek” which means “out” and the Greek word “kaleo” which means “to call”. In honor of Artemis, this is an ideal day to care for wild life, natural areas and communing with wildlife. Cecilia was the name for Artemis/Diana to the ancient Irish. She was the patroness of music and therefore musicians as well. As a Roman deity, Cecilia was virginal, the patroness of the blind and to musicians as well as the inventor of the organ. She was brought to Northern Europe by the Romans and there, her musical reputation was well established during the Middle Ages. Guilds of musicians adopted her as their “patron saint” and in 1683, the musical Society was founded. Each year on November 22nd, to keep Saint Cecilia’s Day worthy, the Society attended a religious service in London that defended Cathedral music. THE SPELL If you have any musical instruments, this would be an ideal day to cleanse and consecrate them as well as to ask for the blessings of the Goddess; either Artemis Calliste or Saint Cecilia. Supplies: saltwater, incense Sprinkle the salt water onto the instrument and pass the incense smoke around the instrument to cast out all negativity with the four elements. NOTE: if the salt of the saltwater will harm your instrument, take extra care. Hold the instrument high overhead and say: “By the power of the Lily of Heaven, I ask for blessings as a musician; I devote this musical instrument to you, May its music be as fair as you.” Sources:

• Encyclopedia of Gods by Michael Jordan

• Moon Magick: Myth & Magic, Crafts & Recipes, Rituals & Spells by DJ Conway

• Pagan Book of Days: Guide to the Festivals, Traditions, and Sacred Days of the Year by Nigel Pennick