Book Review – Pagan Portals: Temple of the Bones – Rituals to the Goddess Hekate by Jennifer Teixeira

Book Review

Pagan Portals

Temple of the Bones

Rituals to the Goddess Hekate

by Jennifer Teixeira

Publisher: Moon Books

112 Pages

Publication Date: June 1, 2021

 

 

Temple of the Bones is an inclusive and accessible introduction to working meaningfully with the Goddess and Titaness, Hekate. More than just a guide to Her many epithets and symbols, this book talks through how to work as a group to honour Hekate, and how to work magic for and with Hekate, to manifest change and healing within groups or communities. This work is done through knowledge of appropriate herbs, offerings, ritual, and honouring the dead.

The book is introduced by a magical colleague of the author, Rowan “Briar” Rivers. Briar talks about how the Temple of the Bones came to be, and gives some basics about the symbology of Hekate. It’s notable that Briar points out that people of many different paths and practices come together to work magic with Hekate on the Dark Moon, and that the temple actually works to provide healing and wholeness within the local community.

The author explores some of the different epithets of Hekate, and how their group works with a different one each month – something that I have done myself both as a solitary practitioner and in group work. Jennifer also goes through different aspects of the rituals used with the Temple of the Bones, including different methods of circle casting, elements, appropriate herbs and aromatics, and incantations.

Jennifer also talks about the different energies within a space and what they might mean – are they ghosts or guardians? Guides or ancestors? She emphasises daily practice to increase psychic awareness and “magical muscle,”a phrase I like very much.

One of my favourite sections of the book was on Bone Oracles, something I have no experience with. Learning what these oracles are made from, what the different items can mean, and how they are used in practice was very illuminating and inspiring.

Like many Hekate books, there is a section on appropriate offerings, but this book goes above and beyond by giving specific recipes using sacred ingredients. The honey cakes and Kykeon ale particularly piqued my interest!

Many readers will be interested in the spells and witchcraft section. The author provides ways to practice daily, explains what to do at the Deipnon, and discusses options for magical protection, just to give a small sample of the content. This section is large and packed with useful information for practitioners of all levels.

Jennifer also explores Flying Ointment in depth, plants which are sacred to Hekate, and then there is a full chapter giving actual outlines for rituals, based on the public rituals that the author’s group run in California.

 

My Recommendation

I was surprised at how well this book combines practical knowledge and advice with the personal experiences of the author. It’s always good to learn that something actually works, but it’s rare to find books that detail specific examples that back up the knowledge being passed along. Jennifer talks about how insulting guardians of a place can lead to literal chaos, and the very physical ramifications of hypocrisy in front of the spirits. The author brings to life how effective ways to honour Hekate can change your day-to-day life, and the impact they can have on individuals, groups, and even entire communities.

Jennifer tells the reader how particular offerings or sacred foods and drinks taste, and even injects a touch of humour here and there. The focus on daily practice and staying creative and magically charged is bound to help both new and experienced practitioners, while the ritual outline is ideal for anyone needing more structure in their working. I’ve been on a path with Hekate for many years and there was much in this slim volume that was new and inspiring to me.

I highly recommended this small yet rich book to anyone interested in Hekate, Goddess magic, and ancestral work or working with the dead. A thoroughly spiritual and magical read from start to finish.

 

Author Jennifer Teixeira or Bird has been a practicing witch for over two decades. She loves plants and their many mysteries, which encouraged her to seek solace in the California Redwoods. As well as serving her community through her temple work for Hekate, Jennifer also has her own business in well-respected herbal products at therootcutter.com.

 

Pagan Portals – Temple of the Bones: Rituals to the Goddess Hekate on Amazon 

 

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About the Author:

Mabh Savage is a Pagan author, poet and musician, as well as a freelance journalist.

She is the author of A Modern Celt: Seeking the Ancestors & Pagan Portals – Celtic Witchcraft: Modern Witchcraft Meets Celtic Ways.