Sophia is the Greek word or name for Wisdom: σοφία.
“I am the Wisdom of God, the wisdom He used to build the world. I was with Him as He laid the foundations of the universe and placed the stars to light the firmament. I am the Wisdom through which your kings and rulers use to govern their kingdoms. Without me, they are lost and end up driving themselves and their own kingdoms to ruin. You seek me, and at the same time despise me. You prefer Ignorance to me. You love me and hate me at the same time. Who I am? I am Sophia, the Lady Wisdom.” —Sophia
Sophia is a central idea, concept, goddess, or personified divine being in Hellenistic philosophy and religion, Platonism, and Gnosticism. It’s worth noting here as well that the word philosophy (philosophía) itself is directly linked to the figure of Sophia as well and literally translates to lover of wisdom. So, to be a philosopher is quite literally to be a lover of Sophia, a lover of Wisdom.
We have a brand new class titled The Lost Wisdom of Sophia, and in this virtual offering, students will discover the truth of the Gnostic Goddess Sophia, her synchronicity with other divine feminine beings, quiet erasure from biblical texts to preserve religious patriarchy, and the ancient wisdom that she taught her followers.
Many symbols that relate to occultism, paganism, spirituality, witchery, magick, and the like, are often labeled as "evil" or "demonic." Sadly, it's to be expected. What often surprises me, or catches me off-guard, I should say, is when people WITHIN one of these "spiritual" communities perpetuate narratives that are not only false but actually harmful.
Recently, this has come up specifically with the symbol of the ouroboros, and I felt that the only way to appropriately address this was to unpack what I have been seeing said vs. what is actually true about this symbol historically, metaphorically, and mystically.
Since everyone may not be familiar with the ouroboros, as everyone's path, knowledge, and connection with various symbols will differ, I want to start with unpacking what it is first.
Ouroboros is typically pronounced: OR-OH-BOR-OS and while the word Ouroboros has its origins in the Greek language (literally meaning tail-eating), representations of the symbol itself have been documented as far back as the 13th and 14th centuries BCE in ancient Egypt.
Sometimes depicted as a snake eating its own tail and sometimes depicted as a dragon eating its own tail, the meaning remains the same—it expresses the unity of all things, material and spiritual, which never disappear but perpetually change form in an eternal cycle of destruction and re-creation. This aligns with what we understand as the First Law of Thermodynamics: energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another.
"Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only converted from one form to another."
The Meaning of the Ouroboros
Linked with the imagery of the goddess, Hekate, the Ouroboros and Anima Mundi are related philosophical and alchemical concepts, both representing cosmic unity, eternity, and cyclical creation. The ouroboros is the image of a serpent eating its own tail, symbolizing eternal cycles, while anima mundi, or "world-soul," is the concept that the universe is a single living organism with a soul that animates and connects everything within it.
The Ouroboros image can be seen as a direct visual representation of the Anima Mundi. Its cyclical nature embodies the continuous cycle of creation and destruction described by the Anima Mundi concept.
Just as the Anima Mundi is the animating principle of the universe, the Ouroboros is often depicted as a cosmic serpent that encompasses the world, binding it together as a single entity.
What the Ouroboros Means for Spiritual Practitioners
All throughout Astarte's Temple, The Mystic's Journey, and the books and articles I've authored (Kate Jade), you'll see me harp on the importance of paradoxes, symbolism, and infinite expansion.
So, let's unpack each one of these.
With the idea of infinite expansion, which I link to the Fibonacci Sequence (Golden Ratio) and its reduction down to the number 117, it directly connects to the goddesses Astarte and Hekate. In relation to the goddess of wisdom and the cosmos, Astarte, she has 117 manifestations that she takes on that make way for infinite possibilities in the universe, just like the infinitely expanding sequence of numbers discovered by Leonardo of Pisa, also known as Fibonacci. Infinite expansion is only possible through energy constantly taking on new forms as old or smaller ways of existing are transformed into new or bigger ways of existing. This is the cycle of death and rebirth, which is really just energy changing states infinitely as it expands and evolves.
If you think of the shape of the Fibonacci Sequence or Golden Ration (the spiral that infinitely expands), you can overlay the Ouroboros on it and see how every time the snake comes around to eating its tail again, it is shedding the old and growing bigger into a new form. This pulls in the imagery of the Anima Mundi, or Hekate, the goddess of magick, mystery, and liminal space because all of this exists within the fabric of the universe in a way that animates all of it and yet is nearly undetectable from the human perspective and experience. The ouroboros, though, will always come back around to the same point again but with expansive lessons and greater ideas that allow it to stretch into the vastness of the infinitely expanding universe we exist in.
This leads right into the heart of the symbolism of the Ouroboros for spiritual practitioners. Magick is in EVERYTHING whether people are capable of seeing it or not, and whether they choose to connect with it or avoid it. It's energy. And more specifically, it's energy that's being intentionally directed, literally moved in order to act as a catalyst for change and evolution. For witches, healers, empaths, shamans, and mystics, this is the point of all. The Ouroboros is the symbol for every step we take in infinitely expanding spiritually, psychologically, and physically. Every choice we make to learn, expand in wisdom, and integrate all of life's lessons into who we are as we pursue authenticity, balance, and joy.
Without the ability to alchemize and change, we would stay forever stuck in the same cycles and way of living with no hope of evolving. And that is where the nature of paradoxes comes into this, as well, because in the same way that the Ouroboros can eat its own tail as a process for evolution, it can also eat its own tail in a never-ending, self-sabotaging cycle when the individual refuses to learn or grown.
The Problem With Modern Narratives
This leads me to the current problem I've been seeing from "New Age" and "Lightworker" pages that have been recently speaking out on the Ouroboros symbol. They've labeled it evil. They've said it represents toxic cycles. And they are encouraging their followers to "stop eating their own tail" and "avoid being like the ouroboros"...and if you've been listening to this rhetoric, I hate to break it to you, but this is the same harmful narrative that is perpetuated by religious circles, monotheistic organizations, and suppressors of the divine feminine.
For the same reason it is problematic to say that the "Yin" portion of Yin-Yang energy is "evil" or "bad", which I have sadly seen circulating around the internet coming from "light focused" spiritual pages, saying that the ouroboros is evil and a symbol of toxic cycles is equally as harmful.
Maybe you're nodding your head right now saying, "Yes! How could someone think that?" Or maybe, you've gotten to this point in the article, and you're asking, "Wait. What? I thought it was bad..."
Here's the thing. If "Yin" energy is "bad", then here is what else you have to label as evil:
Feminine energy
Divine feminine
Goddesses
Darkness and nighttime
Water
The ocean
The moon
Mothers
The womb and birth canal
Movement
Receptive/receiving energy
Nurturing
Healing
Restoration
Lymph, cerebral spinal fluid, blood, synovial fluid, etc.
If the Ouroboros is "bad", then here is what else you have to label as evil:
Feminine energy
Divine feminine
Goddesses
Changing of the seasons (spring, summer, autumn, winter)
New friendships or relationships
Waking in the morning/falling asleep at night
Transitions like dawn or dusk
Birthdays, anniversaries, or milestones
Changing of lunar phases
Changing of calendar months
Female menstrual cycles
Promotions, job changes, or career changes
School, learning, knowledge, or wisdom
Growth of any form (height, weight, strength)
Changing your clothing or style
Setting or achieving goals
Moving to a new city or house
Exercise or any type of physical changes
So, why are people today in spiritual communities perpetuating the narrative that the ouroboros is evil? Great question. My guess is either ignorance to the weight of what they're really stating, which is anti-woman, anti-goddess, anti-change, anti-growth, and anti-balance OR they are intentionally hoping to keep people stuck in the mindset that what people don't understand should be feared and the darkness, Yin energy, and goddess energy that is waiting to be tapped into is somehow "evil" and a part of the problem, rather than a necessary piece of existence motivated to help humanity find wisdom and infinitely expand.
Ready to learn more about magick?
Join The Mystic's Journey in-depth pathworking program today! Through this 3.5-year program, you'll learn about the seven threads of magick that comprise the fabric of our universe, how to work with these threads to weave your own fate, and truly step into your authentic and unique spiritual path with confidence, clarity, and direction.
Every time a student enrolls in The Mystic's Journey program I've built, they're not only accessing everything I have created and learned, but they're also making it possible for me to continue teaching full time.
What YOU get access to: Coursework to learn about mysticism Rituals, journal prompts, meditations, and more Free downloadable grimoire pages Side quests to learn 42 types of magick Engaging community forum Earn crystals as you complete coursework Beginner and advanced resources App for convenient learning on-the-go
Enroll TODAY and join an incredible community of witches and spiritual practitioners that are motivated by wisdom, embody their magick, and trust their intuition.
Astarte, the Mother of the Gods, Queen of Heaven, and Goddess of Wisdom is inextricably linked with the number 117. Through many years of research, we found that it was one of many keys to unlocking the outward expression of ancient goddess. 117 is a number of harmonic growth, manifestation (meaning the physical form something takes on), and infinite expansion.
“Even before Heaven and Earth, maybe the Mother of the Universe, there, already existed an inexpressible being. I know not its name, a void and silent, free being. I called it Tao. Immutable and self-sufficient, it is found everywhere. And it is inexhaustible.”
Created by Cambion Art
Though the number 117 sounds random, it is the number of individual epithets of Astarte and it is a mathematically significant number relating to the Fibonacci Sequence (the Golden Ratio).
117 in the Fibonacci Sequence
Cell growth by addition shows divinity through its shapes and proportions. If you’ve ever heard of the Golden Ratio, the Golden Spiral, or the Golden Proportion Relationship, it follows a distinct rhythm known as the Fibonacci Sequence. Starting with 0, 1 is added to create another 1. 1 and 1 are added to create 2, 1 and 2 are added to create and 3, and so on. The last two numbers are constantly summed which leads to the following sequence: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89,144, 233,377,610,987, 1597, 2584, 4181, 6765, 10946, 17711, 28657, 46368...
This pattern is found all throughout our universe. In plants, the spiral arrangement of leaves, petals, and seeds often follows Fibonacci numbers, as seen in sunflower heads, pinecones, and pineapples. Tree branching patterns and the spiral growth of shells, such as the nautilus, also exhibit these mathematical principles.
In the animal kingdom, the golden ratio is present in the proportions of various body parts. For instance, the segments of an insect’s body and the spiral formation of a ram’s horns often conform to this ratio. Even in human anatomy, the proportions of facial features and body measurements frequently align with the golden ratio.
Galactic structures, like spiral galaxies, demonstrate these mathematical patterns on a cosmic scale. The arms of spiral galaxies often form logarithmic spirals that closely resemble the golden spiral. Additionally, the arrangement of planets in our solar system has been observed to roughly follow the Fibonacci sequence in terms of their orbital periods.
In fluid dynamics, the golden ratio appears in the formation and patterns of meandering rivers. It can also be found in the fractal geometry of coastlines, mountain ranges, and cloud formations. These ubiquitous occurrences in nature highlight the fundamental role these mathematical concepts play in the structure and growth patterns of the natural world.
We found the presence of this expansive sequence in so many places, and for the longest time, it was just that. An expansive sequence. A pattern. A blueprint for beauty. All of that dramatically changed, though, when we learned about the importance of 9-digit number systems, also known as a nonary system, rather than the common 10-digit decimal system.
In a nonary system, digits range from 1 to 9, and numbers like 10, 11, 12, etc. can be reduced to a single digit by adding their individual digits. So, 10 would reduce to 1+0=1, 11 would reduce to 1+1=2, and so on.
If each of the numbers in the Fibonacci Sequence mentioned already were reduced to single digits (1 through 9) in this manner, we would get the following:
This can then be turned into a simplified single-digit sequence: 1 1 2 3 5 8 4 3 7 1 8 9 8 8 7 6 4 1 5 6 2 8 1 9
And if we add these numbers all together, can you guess what the sum is? Yes, 117. Don’t believe me? Grab a calculator or pencil and crunch the numbers for yourself real quick.
So, what does this really mean? It means that 117 is a number of the physical manifestation of divinity, or the number of energy taking on a quantifiable form. It is the harmonic growth number of what can then expand into infinite possibilities (such as a spiral growing outward continuously). Within the context of the goddess Astarte, this is the number of ways we can connect to her, relate to her, and begin to grasp her multi-faceted reality. In magickal, witchcraft, and occult spaces, this concept of an entity taking on a “personified mask” for us to be able to understand it, is often referred to as an epithet.
We will speak to each of these epithets as a personified entity or aspect of the Great Goddess because that is how we connect to and understand her, but whether you think of an epithet in conceptual terms or literal personified terms doesn’t make a difference to me, as long as your goal is to understand life, existence, and divinity in a deeper way.
What we discovered through the process of meeting each of the 117 epithets of Astarte is that these fundamental aspects of who she is make it possible for everything else to exist and infinitely expand. Just as the Golden Spiral can infinitely grow, so to can the Fibonacci Sequence continue ad infinitum. Each of these epithets, by nature of being core energies present throughout the universe, are both within us (as we are the microcosm) and around us (as we are a part of the macrocosm).
Interestingly enough, 117 isn’t a number isolated to sciences and mathematics (or even just our own personal discoveries), but can also be found in the folk and magickal traditions of the Mayan and Chinese peoples.
117 in Mayan Traditions
The Mayan Books of Chilam Balam say the following: “The 9 Lords of Time (Bolon-ti-ku) seized the 13 Lords of Time (Oxlahun-ti-ku).” A very early nod to the significance of the number 117, with 9 times (seizing) 13 equaling 117. This was a subtle but powerful way to maintain a tradition that an expanse of multiple divine beings could emanate from the original few lords. Another important tidbit within the Mayan traditions is that their 13 main gods of day and night were divided into 9 gods (masculine) and 4 goddesses (feminine).
We firmly believe that the Mayans saw the connection between spirituality and science. They saw that the mathematical formulas and their knowledge of the cosmos all fit together, telling the same story but through different languages.
117 in Chinese Traditions
In Chinese traditions, their dragons, whether it be in folklore stories or artwork, are typically depicted as having 117 scales, which they almost always describe as being directly linked to Yin and Yang energy. They claim the 117 scales (9x13) are divided into 81 (9x9) of the scales being linked with Yang energy and 36 (9x4) being linked with Yin.
They placed a clear emphasis on the overlap of science, mathematics, spirituality, and folklore—and that is what we intend to also present to you in this book. We see the significance of the numbers in the Fibonacci Sequence and its significance as the formula for the expansion of the universe. We see the patterns in the sacred texts telling the story of Astarte, who is the conscious universe itself. And we see that the two are one and the same, but from different perspectives.
As the Mother of the Gods, no matter who you choose to venerate in your mystical path, Astarte is present. She is the creator of the threads of energy or magick that comprise the fabric of our reality, and that gives way to the infinite possibilities and the vastness of the universe. This is magick that operates on the highest cosmic level and yet directly relates to the nature of our craft on the physical plane of existence, as well as the psychological and spiritual spheres of our reality. Mystic Kate Jade teaches this magick in the in-depth 3.5-year pathworking program called The Mystic's Journey, which is now enrolling.
It's no surprise that we hold Astarte in the highest regard at Astarte's Temple. To us, her energy is inextricably linked with the goddess Hekate. We view Astarte as the high-level Goddess of Wisdom who gives birth to energy itself, including all of the gods and goddesses, and through this lens, we view Hekate as the primordial energy that emanates from Astarte as the Anima Mundi, the World Soul, that animates all of life itself.
Throughout history, Astarte of the Canaanite Pantheon has taken on the names of Venus (Rome), Isis (Egypt), Aphrodite (Greek), Cybele (Phrygian), Inanna (Mesopotamia), Mary (Christianity), Yemaya (Orisha), and countless others throughout various cultural traditions, time periods, and needs of the people. She is alive today, regardless of what you call her.
Though many view Astarte as a demonized figure, especially through the Judaic and Christian lenses of modern times. The goddess Astarte far pre-dates monotheistic religion and has nothing to do with their faith. In fact, she is a figure that monotheistic religion attempted to utterly erase.
My question to you, dear reader, is two-fold.
First, why would a religion attempt to erase someone who they claim "isn't real"? After all, if she's merely myth, who cares?
Second, what about her is so fearsome that they need to alter her story to make her out to be a wicked force in opposition to their supposed all-powerful, omnipotent god?
As the Mother of the Gods, no matter who you choose to venerate in your mystical path, Astarte is present. She is the creator of the threads of energy or magick that comprise the fabric of our reality, and that gives way to the infinite possibilities and the vastness of the universe. This is magick that operates on the highest cosmic level and yet directly relates to the nature of our craft on the physical plane of existence, as well as the psychological and spiritual spheres of our reality. Mystic Kate Jade teaches this magick in the in-depth 3.5-year pathworking program called The Mystic's Journey, which is now enrolling.
She’s a goddess with roots deeper than Rome—older than Aphrodite. In Sumer, she was Inanna: a goddess of both love and war, who descended into the underworld to face her shadow and rose transformed. In Babylon, she became Ishtar, fierce and untamed. To the Phoenician and Canaanite peoples, she was Astarte, the Queen of Heaven and the Mother of the Gods. And to the Egyptians, she was Isis, the goddess of magick and motherhood. —Where astrology, artistry, and mysticism collide by The Paganista & Astarte's Temple
Though primarily viewed as a feminine goddess with her imagery as the Mother of the Gods, many depictions and traditions recognized her as an androgynous, genderless figure embodying both male and female attributes equally. This element of Astarte is incredibly sacred to us because it showcases her love and acceptance of people exactly as they are. Whether someone identifies as non-binary, androgynous, man, woman, transgender, or any other gender expression, not only are they welcome in the eyes of Astarte, but they are also most certainly welcome here at Astarte's Temple.
Popular Celestial Symbols of Astarte:
Star: Astarte was known as the "Queen of the Stars" and her symbol is the star, often representing the planet Venus. The eight-pointed star is a particularly common representation.
Crescent moon: She was associated with the moon, and sometimes depicted with a crescent moon on her head or standing on a crescent moon.
Sun: In some depictions, she wears a crown with a sun symbol.
Venus: This star symbol was adopted by Astarte, representing her connection to the planet Venus, the morning and evening star. This connection made Astarte a direct precursor to the Greek Aphrodite and Roman Venus.
Honoring Astarte Today
Perform rituals — Many practitioners hold rituals for Astarte in relation to the constellation Virgo, the planetary movements of Venus, and during dawn or dusk when the sun is rising or setting.
Make offerings — Popular offerings for Astarte, include incense (such as frankincense and myrrh), lilies, honey, cakes, and wine. Often, people like to leave these offerings at designated sacred spaces for Astarte that have been cleansed and consecrated to her. She also loves crystals, such as jade, super 7, bumblebee jasper, honey calcite, and emerald.
Volunteering — Due to Astarte's compassionate nature, community service that gives back to those in need is always an acceptable offering to her, especially if it is aimed at helping women, children, teaching others about wisdom and spiritual themes, and so on.
Hekate (Hecate, ˈhɛkəti) is traditionally recognized as a Greek goddess or titan with many associations, such as crossroads, witchcraft, magick, liminal space, doorways, and the like. To us, we view her through an older lens that recognized her as a primordial figure with roots that can be traced back to Mesopotamia, Thrace (near modern Bulgaria), and the Carians of Anatolia (modern-day Turkey).
As the Anima Mundi, she is the World Soul—the energy that animates all. Quite literally, life itself. We like to visualize this energy as the web of creation. created from threads of energy or magick that gives way to infinite possibilities and the vastness of the universe, which Mystic Kate Jade teaches the magick of in The Mystic's Journey Pathworking Program.
As the World Soul, Hekate animates all, she is the life itself.
Hekate was initially portrayed as a benevolent goddess of the wilderness, childbirth, and the moon, and her role later shifted to incorporate the imagery of witchcraft, ghosts, and crossroads. Her worship was already established by the 7th century BCE, with the earliest inscriptions appearing in Miletus near Caria. She was likely adopted by Greek traditions from the older Carian roots. Her first appearance in Greek literature was in the 7th century BCE by the poet Hesiod. He depicted her as a Titan, the daughter of Perses and Asteria, who received honor from Zeus and had power over heaven, earth, and sea.
Hekate as Anima Mundi is the very fuel of creation and destruction, to me and them. It makes perfect sense that she has always been associated with witchcraft since we who identify as such associate with and utilize the primal source from which all types of energy flow. —Keeping Her Keys Blog
Hekate was revered as a Mother Goddess in many ancient traditions, and when we explore how her energy permeates all of creation, and how she is connected to goddesses like Astarte of the Canaanite peoples, who was the Mother of the Gods, it is no stretch to see how motherly she is and the power she has to birth anything into existence.
The Anima Mundi, Latin for ‘World Soul,’ is the concept that the world is a living entity imbued with a universal spirit that animates and unifies all things. Both Hekate, from Greek mythology, and Sophia, from Gnostic traditions, represent distinct yet complementary aspects of this World Soul, each embodying unique attributes that contribute to the overall harmony and wisdom of the cosmos. —Angelorum Substack
Popular Symbols of Hekate:
Torches: Represent her role in bringing light to darkness and her connection to the night. I love sharing with people how the torch of Hekate is connected to Lucifer.
Keys: Symbolize her power over gateways, both literal and metaphorical, and her role as a guardian of thresholds.
Dogs: Often seen with her, dogs are associated with both protection and the underworld.
Polecats: One legend pertaining to Hekate describes her having compassion on a deceitful witch who was turned into polecat, taking her in as a sacred servant of her own.
Serpents: Symbolize rebirth, renewal, and her connection to the earth and chthonic realms.
Crossroads: A central symbol representing her dominion over boundaries and liminal spaces.
The Moon: Associated with her through her connection to the night, cycles, and the dark moon.
The Strophalos: Also known as Hekate's Wheel, this spiral labyrinth symbol is unique to her and is linked the soul's journey.
Honoring Hekate Today
Hekate's memory is kept alive today by many who are drawn to the mysteries, that which is hidden, and the esoteric wisdom of ancient times. She has countless epithets and personifications she takes on, and can be venerated according to traditions of old or through newer methodologies.
Perform rituals — Many practitioners hold rituals on the night of the dark or new moon, known as the Deipnon, in honor of Hekate. Rituals can include bonfires, making offerings, pouring out libations, singing and dancing, baking bread or cakes, and so on.
Make offerings — Popular offerings for Hekate, include incense (such as frankincense), tea, flowers, keys garlic, eggs, honey, cakes, and red wine. Often, people like to leave these offerings at a crossroads, and are intentional to place the offerings on the ground (preferably items that are safe for local wildlife and the environment, so no trash) and not look back after it has been given.
Volunteering — Due to Hekate's love and association with dogs, women, and children, many opt to volunteer as an offering to Hekate by donating their time or giving to local animal shelters, foster youth organizations, or women's shelters. Anything that gives back to those who are in need can be done in Hekate's name.
We often get asked how to go about using ritual oils in a person's practice—and in all honesty, the beauty of magick is that there are infinite ways to go about it. Here are a few of our favorite ways to use ritual oils, though.
For starters, the way a ritual oil may be used is going to depend on both the intention of the oil itself and the practitioner who is using the oil. Many of the ones we craft and sell through Astarte's Temple are intended to help people connect with specific divine beings, such as Hekate, Lilith, or Aphrodite.
Daily Wear
If the ritual oil is skin safe (as ours are), they could be dabbed onto the wrists or neck to connect with its energy as you go about your day. This could be added with intention, meditation, or prayer asking for protection, wisdom, or guidance of the respective divine being that the oil is for.
Some ritual oils may also be intention based rather than for a specific divine being, such as Protection Oil, Abundance Oil, etc. and these can be worn to draw in that energy throughout the day.
Rituals
One of our favorite ways to use ritual oils is in a ritual itself. We like to use the oils to anoint candles or other ritual tools as part of the working. For chime or pillar candles, the oil can be dripped onto the outside and then rolled in dried herbs. For candles contained within a jar, the oil can be dripped around the outside edge and then dried herbs can be sprinkled in away from the main wick.
When working with Hekate, we especially love to use her ritual oil to anoint a candle for her and include some of her favorite herbs like mugwort, wormwood, and damiana.
Spellwork
In spellwork, oil could be added to a spell jar or spell candle to include its energy in the working of your intention. For example, a spell to open pathways and opportunities could utilize a ritual oil for Hekate, as she is the Goddess of crossroads, thresholds, and liminal space.
Simmer Pots
Ritual oils can be added as an ingredient to a simmer pot to draw in its energy into your home as part of a hearth magick working. Additionally, it could be used to anoint and bless the doorways and walls of your home to provide additional protection and support when cleansing and protecting your living space.
Protection Work
Ritual oils are also great for protection and healing workings, such as locking mirrors in your home, anointing your candle in a cord cutting ceremony, returning negative energy back to its original sender with a baneful ward. At the end of the day, your magickal craft is solely your own, and there countless ways to use all spiritual tools.
The biggest things to consider are what your intentions are, what the intentions of the ritual oil are, and if applicable, things like if the oil is skin safe, safe around pets and children, safe to burn, and so on. Happy crafting!
Join The Mystic's Journey in-depth pathworking program today! Through this 3.5-year program, you'll learn about the seven threads of magick that comprise the fabric of our universe, how to work with these threads to weave your own fate, and truly step into your authentic and unique spiritual path with confidence, clarity, and direction.
Every time a student enrolls in The Mystic's Journey program I've built, they're not only accessing everything I have created and learned, but they're also making it possible for me to continue teaching full time.
What YOU get access to: Coursework to learn about mysticism Rituals, journal prompts, meditations, and more Free downloadable grimoire pages Side quests to learn 42 types of magick Engaging community forum Earn crystals as you complete coursework Beginner and advanced resources App for convenient learning on-the-go
Enroll TODAY and join an incredible community of witches and spiritual practitioners that are motivated by wisdom, embody their magick, and trust their intuition.
A Collaboration by The Paganista and Astarte's Temple
Birth of Venus by Botticelli
Venus has been with us for thousands of years—not just in myth, but in art, in longing, in the way we see and seek beauty. She shows up in sculpture, poetry, music, fashion, film. She’s the figure we return to over and over, even when we don’t realize we’re invoking her. She’s not just a goddess, she’s the eternal muse. The ideal. The one we long for, create for, perform for. But the question is: do we ever really see her?
Throughout history, Venus has been more projection than person. Artists, poets, philosophers, and lovers have used her as a canvas to reflect what they value most—beauty, sensuality, power, desire. And in that projection, she gains a strange kind of power. The muse has always held mystery: not for what she reveals, but for what she allows others to see in her.
Today, we still do this—just not with marble statues or oil paintings. Now we project our longing onto celebrities, influencers, models, and even the people we silently admire. We edit our photos, curate our lives, and chase the magnetic pull of being desired. But this isn’t new. It’s Venus, dressed up for the algorithm.
And yet beneath the surface, Venus is not just an icon or ideal. She’s a goddess with roots deeper than Rome—older than Aphrodite. In Sumer, she was Inanna: a goddess of both love and war, who descended into the underworld to face her shadow and rose transformed. In Babylon, she became Ishtar, fierce and untamed. To the Phoenician and Canaanite peoples, she was Astarte, the Queen of Heaven and the Mother of the Gods. And to the Egyptians, she was Isis, the goddess of magick and motherhood. These older versions of Venus were not passive muses—they were initiators, wild forces of nature who ruled both beauty and destruction. They embodied the full range of feminine power: pleasure, grief, seduction, rage, creation, loss.
Somewhere along the way, we softened her edges. We made her more palatable. She became Aphrodite rising from the sea, or Venus reclining on a chaise. Still powerful, but safer. Still beautiful, but easier to adore. She is the muse, yes—but she is also the mirror.
But if we stop chasing the idea of Venus, of projecting our fantasies and desires and actually look—beyond the surface, beyond the symbols—Venus asks harder questions: What do you find beautiful, and why? What does your longing say about you? What are you seeking when you pursue love, or attention, or admiration? Do you truly want to be seen—or just reflected? To meet Venus is to confront the complexity of desire. And to realize that real beauty, like real love, has depth. It’s not just what’s shown—it’s what’s revealed when we stop performing and start paying attention.
Venus doesn’t just live in myth—she governs the rhythm of attraction in astrology, too. She rules two signs: earthy, sensual Taurus, and airy, harmonious Libra. In Taurus, Venus lives in the body—she wants to taste, touch, and feel secure. She loves what is real, grounded, and rooted in the senses. In Libra, she moves into the aesthetic and relational, where beauty becomes balance, and elegance becomes diplomacy. She curates, harmonizes, and creates connection.
But Venus also has a shadow side—one that is especially felt when she moves through Scorpio. Here, she becomes deeper, more intense, more investigative. Venus in Scorpio doesn’t want surface beauty; she wants soul-bonded truth. This is the Venus who strips away illusion, who loves like a plunge into dark water. Passionate, possessive, and psychic in her knowing, she reminds us that love is never risk-free. In Scorpio, Venus confronts what lies beneath the pleasure—jealousy, obsession, betrayal, transformation. She teaches us that desire can destroy, but also resurrect.
In a birth chart, Venus reveals how we relate—what we’re drawn to, how we express affection, and how we experience pleasure. But she also tells the story of what we think we’re worth. Self-worth and attraction are always entangled. What you believe you deserve often shapes what (and who) you attract. The tension between being loved and being valued is one of Venus’s oldest lessons. Across all her forms, Venus is a teacher of discernment. She invites us to ask not only what we desire, but why. And whether the love we seek is rooted in truth—or performance.
Art history is full of Venus. She is perhaps the most painted goddess in Western tradition. Botticelli’s Birth of Venus gave her a mythic innocence, born from the sea and carried on a scallop shell like an offering to the world. Titian’s reclining Venus met the viewer’s gaze with agency and sensuality—no longer symbolic, but fully embodied. Later depictions ranged from erotic to decorative, from idealized to commercialized. Through centuries of artistic reinterpretation, Venus became less of a deity and more of a mirror: reflecting society’s evolving—and often conflicting—ideas about femininity, beauty, and power.
But even when she’s reduced to an aesthetic, her presence remains magnetic. Why? Because Venus is not static. She changes shape depending on who is looking at her—and what they need to see. She is never just one woman, one story, or one ideal. She is the pull behind poetry, the reason music aches, the silent force in every love story and heartbreak. She’s what draws artists to the page, the stage, the lens. She is the hunger and the halo.
In the film Shakespeare in Love, when the playwright is asked who she is—his muse, his mystery, his inspiration—he replies simply: “She’s always Aphrodite.” That line speaks to something ancient. For centuries, so much hope, ache, and longing has been laid at the goddess’s feet. We’ve asked her to carry our fantasies. To grant us beauty, love, recognition. But rarely do we ask who she is underneath all that projection. Rarely do we stop to see her—not just as a vessel for desire, but as a force of her own.
Even in modern times, we haven’t stopped making offerings to Venus. We just do it differently. Filters. Fragrance. Silk. Lipstick. Screenshots of texts we read too many times. We still chase the high of being wanted—and the fear of not being enough. And we still place people on pedestals, projecting onto them our deepest longings. But Venus doesn’t exist to be worshipped from afar. She exists to be known. To be felt. To remind us that real beauty has texture. Real connection requires presence. And real love doesn’t demand we become someone else—it asks us to come home to ourselves.
For the modern spiritual practitioner who longs for connection to the self and to the goddess, as in ancient times—the magick of the personified Venus can feel distant or lost to time. Often, we wonder where the breathtaking goddess who walks on the sea dwells today. Is she still with us?
To mystics and pagans of varying spiritual paths, she is still venerated, invoked, and evoked. She is just as real today as she was to people of historical times—if you know where to look and how to establish a connection to her.
Just as ancient temples were built in her honor, modern practitioners act as mini temples or living vessels of her sacred energy or build altars to her in sacred spaces they’ve created within and around their home. Altars and shrines can both symbolically and literally connect with a deity’s energy—and you, too, can connect with the personified form of Venus if you choose to.
Symbolism is like a universal language that allows the incomprehensible to take form in a way humans can grasp. The symbols of Venus include, the planet Venus, doves, roses, seashells, mirrors, pearls, the ocean, water, the Morning Star, and myrtle wreaths. Through the lens of Inanna, Ishtar, and Astarte, she is also associated with the cosmos, the number seven, intuition, darkness, balance, death and rebirth, fertility, lions, thrones, snakes, dragons, owls, lilies (specifically lily of the valley), lotus blossoms, lapis lazuli, frankincense, and myrrh. Her Greek counterpart, Aphrodite, was remembered through symbols of mirrors, swans, pomegranates, apples, and marine life.
All of these symbols can be used to create a sacred space where Venus, in her many forms, can be called upon—but more so than physical items to represent the goddess, she is often remembered as a goddess of wisdom and one who appreciates those who give everything up to pursue that which is hidden.
Just as the sacred pearls of Aphrodite can only be discovered through a deep-sea dive to find a worthy oyster to unlock, the heart of Venus is softened toward those who devote their time and energy toward wisdom, mysteries, and magick.
In the Canaanite wisdom traditions, she is remembered through the fable of a person seeking fine pearls, and once they found one they deemed priceless, they gave up everything they had in exchange for that single precious pearl.
Similarly, in the Hermetic wisdom traditions rooted in Egypt, the principle of Cause and Effect, as well as the Principle of Correspondence highlight the power of exchanges and mirrors within our universe. All of which connect back to Venus.
The Principle of Cause and Effect states that every cause has its effect, every effect has its cause, just as we learn in physics, but in the spiritual application. In the same vein, the Principle of Correspondence highlights the sentiment of “as above, so below,” which is about how things are reflected. Every choice we make has an outcome. Every action we take in the physical is mirrored in the spiritual. When we pursue Venus. She pursues us back. When we devote our lives to wisdom. Wisdom becomes the nature of our life.
Venus longs to answer the call of those who crave wisdom in its pure, unadulterated form. Something rarely found in the era of quick digital access to information. Not all knowledge is equal, though, and more often than not, the information that is provided is mere crumbs despite the seeker hungering for loaves of bread. Where is the food capable of nourishing the spirit? Where is the wisdom that transforms the mind?
Those who know Venus—and Inanna, Ishtar, Astarte, Aphrodite, Isis, and all of the many names and personas she wears—both in the hushed circles of oral traditions of ancient times and the modern practitioners longing to return to the old ways—claim that she is the provider of this food, this wisdom. Simultaneously, they maintain the tradition that she also is this food, this wisdom.
To venerate, invoke, and evoke Venus is to venerate, invoke, and evoke wisdom.
And, of course, being transformed by sacred wisdom is the beginning of everything. It is the pathway to the infinite—the divine, the great consciousness of all that is. Are you ready to begin the journey of knowing the multi-faceted, paradoxical Venus? You’ll find her where astrology, artistry, and mysticism collide.
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WOW! The big day is finally here… The Mystic’s Journey Program is now LIVE!
If you don’t know me already in real life—Hi, I'm Kate Jade!
I am absolutely honored that you've considered potentially joining The Mystic's Journey Program. And if you still feel you’re meant to join, I hope that you receive all the confirmation(s) needed to nudge you forward toward joining.
In 2011, I first began taking my spiritual path seriously. I started teaching on estoeric wisdom nearly every night of the week in 2018, and after a near-death experience that winter and then countless paradigm shifts in my understanding of just how vast and complex our magickal universe is, I paused everything I was teaching in the Fall of 2022 to better structure and share everything I had come to understand in a way that honored the goddesses and gods of old.
This program, The Mystic’s Journey, is the culmination of everything I've learned over these last 14 years and is a living, breathing, multi-faceted program that will continue to evolve as we all collectively come to understand the mysteries of the universe in a greater capacity.
The Mystic’s Journey is structured like a spider’s web. Imagine yourself at the center of the web, starting on your journey and making your way around it in a spiral formation that expands outward and upward infinitely. This is your journey, and it is the path of weaving your own fate as you learn, heal, and grow as a mystic.
The definition of a mystic: a person who seeks by contemplation and self-surrender to obtain unity with or absorption into the Deity or the absolute, or who believes in the spiritual apprehension of truths that are beyond the intellect.
Sound like you? Then you’re in the right place.
There are three “realms” that this web spans, connecting together the key layers of the human experience. As a mystic, you’ll make your way through each realm beginning with the physical realm, then the psychological realm, and ending with the spiritual realm.
There are seven “threads” of the web that align with the colors of the rainbow and act as the web’s framework, giving everything in existence order and structure. As a mystic, you’ll encounter each thread along the way beginning with the thread that defines the fundamentals of life to the final thread that showcases the outcome of your evolution as a mystic. These threads ultimately empower you to weave your fate, so proceed intentionally.
Each place on the web where one of these three realms and seven threads intersects create 21 areas of “liminal space” where the sparks of magick in the universe are born. These sacred areas are crossroads that carry heightened energy and endless possibilities. They align with the 21 archetypes that The Fool encounters on their journey through the Major Arcana in the Tarot. The first archetype is one that will introduce you to magick on the microcosmic scale and the twenty-first and final archetype is one that will show you the world on the macrocosmic scale.
Each of these areas of liminal space also corresponds to a couple broad categories of magickal practices, resulting in 42 “trails” for practitioners to venture down. Some may find interest in one specific area of magick; others may eclectically embrace multiple in their personal path. These areas of magick that you’ll learn to dabble in span from Ancestral Magick at the start to Cosmic Magick at the end, and often play a role in how mystics choose to identify elements of their craft, though labels are never necessary.
As part of the infinite spiral expansion of the web (like that of the Fibonacci sequence), there are 117 paradoxical, yin-yang energies that practitioners partner with on their mystical journey. Using a nonary system, the sum of the Fibonacci sequence is 117, which links this number with exponential growth in the universe and the limitless possibilities that a mystic may tap into as they weave their own fate. These 117 energies can be thought of as epithets of wisdom, channels of energy, or even personified energetic beings, such as deities, angels, infernals, or spirits.
At the end of the program, you’ll have an arsenal of tools that will empower you on the rest of your lifelong journey as a mystic to tap into esoteric wisdom as ancient practitioners did to weave your own fate.
In modern society, it’s easy to see the influence that monotheistic religion has on so many areas of our lives, but what about the subtle nods to the old gods and goddesses hidden in household brands we use on a regular basis?
While I often love seeing iconography that remembers the old gods, I’m often also left with a great deal of skepticism relating to just how much of the brand uses their imagery to exploit the power of these divine beings versus venerating them.
Here are some modern nods to the gods—I’ll let you be the judge of whether you think the brand honors the image of the deity they’re paying tribute to or not.
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
Ever noticed the little winged shoe in the Goodyear logo? Goodyear's iconic logo, the Wingfoot, is inspired by the winged foot of the Roman god Mercury (or Hermes in Greek mythology), chosen by company founder Frank Seiberling to represent speed and swiftness. Something that makes sense in the context of vehicular travel and quick car service at their shops.
Venus by Gillette
Razors to help people feel their best and embrace their sleek, smooth, feminine side? That’s what the brand Venus by Gillette provides. Beyond a mere icon, the name actually is that of the ancient Roman goddess Venus.
Dove
Pulling in one of the iconic symbols of the Greek goddess Aphrodite, the Dove brand embraces all things self-love from soaps to lotions and everything in between.
NIKE, Inc.
Shoes, apparel, and more all under the name of the Greek goddess Nike, who personified victory in battles and contests. Quite fitting for products often used in competitive sports.
Pandora Jewelry
Charm bracelets and jewelry that can be customized with endless possibilities to express your true self? That’s what Pandora the brand offers in a direct named tribute to the Greek woman Pandora (not technically a goddess by most accounts), who was known for opening a box of endless possibilities, including horrors and tragedies, but all in the name of giving people hope and potential.
Pandora: Music & Podcasts
Endless music station and playlist options to embrace your vibe on any given day? That’s what Pandora the music app offers, and just like Pandora, the jewelry store, it is directly named after the Greek Pandora as well.
Subaru Corporation
If you’ve never taken the time to look at the starry logo on the back of each vehicle, it’s worth checking out as it’s meant to symbolize the Pleiades, also known as the Seven Sisters, who were companions to the Greek goddess Artemis. The word Subaru is the Japanese name for the Seven Sisters constellation in the night sky, which typically only has six of the seven stars visible to the naked human eye and this is reflected in the Subaru logo as well.
Gianni Versace S.r.l.
Gianni Versace, the founder of the brand, chose the face of the Greek gorgon and goddess Medusa as the logo because he believed it represented a bold and powerful image that would embody his designs and the brand's identity.
Of course, there are dozens of other brands who subtly pay tribute to the old gods and goddesses, and many more who I’m sure use their iconography without even realizing its significance beyond mere mythology and history.
What do you think? Do these brands mean well and accomplish paying their respects to the old gods and goddesses? Or does their corporate greed stand in the way of that?
Some visions are fleeting, and others stick with me every time I close my eyes or the topic resurfaces in my mind. A while back, I had a vision that has stuck with me to this day, though I haven’t written about it officially—until now.
I saw Hekate in all of her glory, ferocity, and beauty. She swirled, showing each of her triplicate forms. As she spun, I caught glimpses of her role as dagger wielder, key holder, and torch bearer. She stretched like a web throughout the cosmos, carrying Astarte’s wisdom and magick to the ends of the universe.
When I first started my metaphysical shop, the name originally was Dagger, Keys, Torch (DKT), highlighting these very symbols she possessed. Though I ultimately migrated DKT and all of our other brands under the umbrella of Astarte’s Temple, these symbols still hold the utmost importance to me, and Astarte and Hekate are intrinsically connected within my spiritual practice.
The Dagger embodied the power of death. It was the energy that brought destruction, course corrections, and endings. In nature, we see decay, and we recognize it as a natural part of the life cycle, but for some reason, in the context of spirituality, people distance themselves from death energy out of fear. It’s a necessary force, though, and one that we embrace every time we cleanse, banish, release, or let go of what’s no longer serving us.
The Keys captured the power of rebirth. It was the energy that brought change, newness, and limitless possibilities. In nature, we see rebirth and life springing forth once again breaking the hold of death,h seasonally speaking. Within spirituality, this is just as sacred as it’s the inevitable outcome following seasons of death, destruction, course corrections, and endings as everything begins once again.
The Torch carried the power of life. It was the energy that brought enlightenment, fullness, expansion, and hope. It is the essence of energy, light, passion, and wisdom. And when I saw Hekate’s flaming torch in my vision, I was mesmerized because what I saw wasn’t merely a symbol or a concept but another personified divine being, none other than Lucifer.
Of course, when you research connections between Lucifer and Hekate there is hardly anything notable or credible that comes up. Many may even argue that Hekate and Lucifer have different pantheon origins and therefore no correlation, but as many spiritual practitioners of esoteric wisdom will note, ancient pagan traditions are always far more complicated and interwoven than neo-practitioners often are willing to admit.
Roman Imagery of Diana Lucifera
In Roman tradition, Diana Lucifera, meaning "Diana, Bringer of Light," is an image of the goddess closely associated with the moon, childbirth, and the hunt.
She was often depicted holding a torch, a symbol she shares with Hekate, symbolizing her role as a bringer of light and guidance. This imagery connects her to the illumination of the night and the guiding light that leads followers through darkness. Her association with light also extends to her connection with the moon, reinforcing her influence over night-time and natural cycles.
Diana was often equated with the Greek goddess Artemis, who is known as the goddess of the hunt, wilderness, and childbirth. As a lunar deity, she embodies purity and independence. Artemis, in some traditions, is also viewed as one of the triplicate forms of Hekate, connecting Hekate to Artemis and then to Diana by extension.
Roman Imagery of Lucifer and Phosphorus
In Graeco-Roman tradition, the terms "Lucifer" and "Phosphorus" are intricately tied to the planet Venus, specifically when it appears as the morning star. "Lucifer," derived from Latin, means "light-bringer," while "Phosphorus," from Greek, translates to "light-bearer." Both names reflect their brilliant appearance in the sky just before dawn and their ability to bring about change, enlightenment, wisdom, and evolution.
Lucifer is the offspring of the Roman Goddess Aurora, known in Greek as Phospheros. In Roman mythology, he is considered a minor deity and is recognized as the God of the Morning Star. The name Lucifer translates to 'Light Bearer' in Latin and is linked to the planet Venus, which was originally referred to as Lucifer in Roman astrology. This was before Venus, the daughter of Jupiter, transitioned from being the Goddess of vegetation to the Goddess of love and beauty, leading to the planet being renamed in her honor.
There is no biblical evidence that directly associates Lucifer with Satan. The term Lucifer was introduced into scriptural texts as a substitute for the Hebrew word Heylel, which was actually Venus's name, and Shahar, meaning "Star of the Morning" or occasionally "Son of the Morning." This terminology was connected to Babylonian kings and their claims to divine authority over their realms. Historical artifacts like the Cyrus Cylinder support these claims by ancient rulers.
Both Diana and Hekate's domains encompass aspects of guidance and illumination, akin to the roles played by Lucifer or Phosphoros as light-bringers. This shared symbolism highlights their interconnectedness within the broader tapestry of mythological themes revolving around light, darkness, and celestial movements.
Greek Imagery of Hekate Phosphorus
Hekate Phosphoros, translating to "Hekate the Light-Bringer," is an epithet that highlights the goddess Hekate's role as a guide and illuminator. In Greek mythology, Hekate is often associated with magick, witchcraft, and the night. However, the epithet of Phosphoros emphasizes her connection to light and illumination. This aspect of Hekate embodies her ability to dispel darkness and guide souls through difficult transitions.
Symbolism Associated With Lucifer:
Morning Star (Venus) — Represents beauty, love, and guidance as the bright light seen at dawn, symbolizing hope and new beginnings.
Wisdom — Associated with knowledge and the pursuit of understanding, reflecting the quest for truth and insight.
Enlightenment — Symbolizes intellectual illumination and the shedding of ignorance, encouraging the search for deeper meaning.
Light — Represents illumination, clarity, and vision, highlighting the contrast between knowledge and darkness.
Rebellion Against Tyranny — Embodies a spirit of questioning authority and striving for personal freedom and autonomy.
Individuality — Celebrates self-expression and the courage to stand apart from the crowd, emphasizing personal growth.
Aspiration — Signifies ambition and the desire to reach greater heights, inspiring growth and achievement.
Transformation — Reflects change and metamorphosis, encouraging personal development and evolution.
Innovation — Associated with creativity and new ideas, promoting progress and forward-thinking.
Freedom of Thought — Encourages open-mindedness and the exploration of diverse perspectives, fostering a culture of intellectual diversity.
Honoring Lucifer Today
Study Ancient Texts — Though it doesn't have to be based in Roman mythology and literature, studying ancient texts for the purpose of spiritual growth and enlightenment are wonderful ways to honor Lucifer today.
Symbolic Offerings — Create symbolic offerings such as candles, incense, or cigars that align with the energy of fire, air, light, and enlightenment, which are all associated with Lucifer.
Artististry — Engage in creating art, whether painting, sculpture, or poetry, that embodies the themes of knowledge and illumination linked to Lucifer.
Philosophical Discussions — Organize or participate in discussions that explore themes of enlightenment, rebellion, and the pursuit of knowledge. Remember, philosophy is literally the love of Lady Wisdom (Sophia).
Personal Reflection — Dedicate time for personal meditation or reflection on the qualities that Lucifer embodies, such as the quest for truth and wisdom.
Educational Pursuits — Pursue learning and education as a way of honoring the spirit of enlightenment and intellectual curiosity attributed to Lucifer.
