Hades - Dark Lord of the Underworld
Ana’s article about the Underworld inspired me to write an article about my own experience with the Underworld.
Of course, most people know the story of Hades and Persephone, and how this story was always part of the Greater Mysteries in ancient Greece.
Plays or enactments of these myths often formed a part of the Rites and were gateways to Greater Wisdom for initiates.
Photo by Patrick Porto from Pexels
In the witches’ calendar, this is often thought to be Autumn Equinox when Persephone made her first foray into the Dark Realms.
In the fact that she was abducted, we see mirrored the fact that sometimes we don’t wish to visit the unconscious mind and what lurks there which is represented by the Underworld.
But the unconscious, being the realm of Hades, is also full of treasure. But who dares to seek that treasure? And who might one meet there?
Getting in touch with the Underworld is no easy task, and there are personal sacrifices to be made to get there. And you may also be surprised just whom you DO meet there. It is not a journey for the faint of heart.
So, not because I was being particularly brave, but because I was ‘called’ I decided, one autumn night years ago, to do an enactment alone at the West Kennet Long Barrow, Avebury UK.
For several weeks before I prepared myself, as would a bride for her wedding. A local charity shop provided the most lovely bridal gown that fit perfectly, despite the fact they were rarely in the window in the autumn, weddings being mainly spring and summertime in the UK.
And so, on the night of the Rite, attired in my wedding gown, with fresh flowers in my hair I climbed the hill that led to the Long Barrow. With me, I had a bag with a fleece blanket, wine to drink, food to eat, and water. For I knew that I must sleep there in the tomb until the sun rose.
I did the Rite and then settled in one of the death chambers to try and get some sleep. I had been guided just what to do. It was a very strange feeling being there alone where the dead had been buried long ago. The Elite of the community from way back had rested here, the Long Barrow is even older than the Avebury stone circle, and was built around 5,650 BC.
I lay in the darkness for what seemed an age. And sometimes it sounded as though there were whispers all around me from the dead. It seemed at times as though phantom hands softly caressed my face and arms, reassuring me. As if telling me they knew my mission.
Eventually, I fell asleep, curled in a foetus position in the side chamber of the tomb as they had once been. I had many dreams. And one was a vision of the Dark Lord and he told me who the Witch god was. Many things passed between us and when I awoke with the sunrise, coming in through the mouth of the chamber, I half expected him to be lying next to me.
So many things happened after that experience, and my life was in chaos for a while. It was scary. But somehow I knew that change had to come on the outside for I had changed on the inside.
It was quite a Journey, and the Dark Lord walked beside me and still does. He teaches a particular form of magic as does his Lady. And every year, as the Autumn Equinox approaches, I give thanks to the Lord and Lady of the Underworld.
This has led to many things in my initiation along the way. One of which is the contact made with the Good Neighbours. But that is another story.
Autumn Equinox Blessings,
May the Light of the Morning Star guide your Way.
Sonia
Sonia Smith is a Traditional Witch and Magician. You can find Sonia’s books here and here