The Gift of Hecate
In my final piece, I wanted to focus on the topic of manifestation as a narrowed version of the theme rituals. Ever since I was little, I was particularly interested in creating new objects and repurposing them to enhance their look and function. As a result of that, in this project, I wanted to accomplish this goal of repurposing and elevating cultural objects from the past to incorporate them into our daily life by modernizing them. In the final project,
I intended to create an object that directly serves my topic of manifestation inspired by contemplative practices and sacred talismans from the past. Additionally, I wrote a researched-based story that will provide further information about the piece, including spiritual symbols and personas from different cultures.
In the making of this piece, I had an extraordinary chance to research hands both as a sacred symbol and as an enchanted limb of our mortal bodies. Additionally, I participated in an experimental process researching different materials to construct my object.
Integrative Studio 2
Idea Behind the Object
In this project, I want to develop an object that fully serves my narrowed topic of manifestation. My contemplative and sacred objects’ research made me aware of all the iconic yet mythical items in the past. I envision my object as a combination, modernized version of significant spiritual symbols from history. One of the items that attracted my attention was the Hamsa. Hamsa is an ancient talisman that compels happiness, luck, health, and good fortune to its owner’s life. It has the shape of a symmetrical open right hand. When it is faced down, it brings fertility and answers to your prayers and manifestations. Throughout Anatolian history, covens used this sacred object to make spiritual rituals involving manipulation of the universe. Another targeted object of mine is the rose quartz crystal. I have worked with this element throughout the semester, so I want to use it once again to keep up a constant theme. Rose quartz is a product of nature, and it is blessed with magical gifts of the universe. It holds the power of healing and increases the speed of the manifestations you released out to the universe. Inspired by these two powerful items, I decided to combine them into a three-dimensional hand sculpted out of rose quartz. This object will serve as an ashtray where you will collect your manifestation letters and burn them when a full moon occurs. Burning the manifestation letter will send your messages to the universe. The Hamsa and the rose quartz’s magical qualities will add speed to your practice and protect you from possible negative outcomes. Writing your needs down will also be an excellent opportunity to add a contemplative exercise to my new object. I visualize this product coming with vintage packaging with a how-to instruction included. With this item, I aim to create a product that is an ancient gift from not other than the goddess Hecate. I envisioned it as a valuable artifact that passes on centuries with great respect and care.
The Use of the Object
I designed this object with the intention of creating a piece of equipment that would be helpful in the act of manifesting. You will begin by writing your future needs in pieces of paper, folding them, and collecting them in the palm of my sacred creation. Starting with the new moon, you will repeat this process till the arrival of the full moon. With the rising full moon, you will burn the paper you have collected over time and send your messages to the universe. The sacred sigil of The Hamsa and the material of rose quartz will enhance your manifestations’ speed and power. With this object, I want to offer people a new and safe way to manifest, call your dreams into your life.
- Write your future goals on a piece of paper, using the present tense.
- Fold the paper in half and place it in the palm of the object.
- Collect your manifestations in the palm of the object.
- Burn them under a full moon.
Researching (The Hamsa)
Spiritual Gangster. “Demystifying the Hamsa.”
This object is a modernized and repurposed version of sacred symbols from the past. The symbol of Hamsa heavily influences it. The Hamsa is an ancient Middle Eastern symbolic object with a variety of meanings across cultures. It is an amulet symbolizing the Hand of the Goddess. It is also a talisman that brings happiness, luck, health, and good fortune to its owner. The Hamsa is represented as an open, right, symmetrical hand, which is a sign of blessing, power, and strength. It is also seen as a piece of useful equipment in diverting the evil eye, which is a malicious stare believed to be able to cause illness or even death. When the Hamsa hand faces down, it attracts all the abundance and the goodness of the universe. This position also brings fertility and answers to your prayers and manifestations. Each finger of the Hamsa hand symbolizes an element and a chakra. Thumb is for the element of fire and solar plexus chakra. The forefinger is for air element and heart chakra. The middle finger is for ethereal elements and throat chakra. The ring finger is for the earth element and root chakra. The pinky finger is for the water element and sacral chakra. With the passing time, this symbol has become materialized as necklaces, wall hangs, and trays. Across history, this symbol is used in many sacred rituals and practices. As a result of that, it can be clearly represented as a sacred object.
Researching (Rose Quartz)
Because I intended this object to function like an ashtray, I decided to use a stone that would be fire and heat safe. Since my theme is highly influenced by sacredness and rituals, I chose to use rose quartz instead of an ordinary stone. Because I was using this material as a signifier since the beginning of the semester, I am highly aware of its powers and spiritual importance. According to my research, Rose Quartz, a silicon dioxide crystal, is one of the most common varieties of the Quartz family. Its name is derived from its soft rose color, which ranges from very pale pink to deep reddish-pink. It usually occurs in massive form, though it sometimes grows in clusters of small prismatic crystals. It varies in clarity from opaque to translucent to foggy transparency. Some specimens contain Rutile traces within the stone, which creates six-rayed stars when polished into cabochons or spheres. Rose Quartz is feminine in tone and one of the stones of the Great Mother. It not only activates the human Heart Chakra, but it also links with the heart of the Earth and the heart of the Universe. Its vibrations can penetrate down to the cellular level and reprogram cells for joy and longevity rather than despair and death. It encourages the dissolution of anger and resentment, fear and suspicion, and brings the Light of healing, the rebirth of hope and faith in the benevolence of the Universe. Meditating with Rose Quartz assists one in reaching a resonance with the frequency of compassion, releasing emotional patterns that hold one back, and allows for embracing higher and finer frequencies of Light. Rose Quartz brings the energy rays of determination, commitment, and caring. Its soothing color calms feelings of anger or resentment and can aid efforts to meditate and reflect. Pink is the color of new love, new romance, and new relationships. It increases developing sensuality and can help overcome heartache, aiding in the improvement of our caring and loving abilities. Above all these, it is a mighty crystal to enhance the speed of your manifestations’ responses. It is an exceptionally functional crystal to manifest love with its high level of frequency and sacredness.
Researching (Mudras)
Carver, Leo. “10 Powerful Meditation Mudras and How to Use Them.” Chopra. Accessed October 06, 2020.
- Gyan Mudra: The Gesture of Knowledge and Wisdom
To perform this mudra, gently join the tip of the thumb and the index finger, while the other three fingers are simply stretched out or free & slightly bent. You can practice this mudra anytime during the day or while you are performing yoga postures or during meditation. Gyan mudra helps to increase concentration, memory, reduces sleep disorders, helps to release stress and anger, eases depression and headache. This mudra has been used extensively for thousands of years by yogis as it brings peace, calm, and spiritual progress.
- Prithvi Mudra: The Gesture of the Earth
The earth element is a vital component of bones, cartilage, skin, hair, nails, muscles, tendons, internal organs, etc. The practice of Prithvi mudra builds and invigorates these tissues and strengthens the bones. It produces stability, confidence, and strength. To practice this mudra, sit down in a lotus pose or easy pose to perform this mudra. Gently touch the tip of the ring finger and thumb, while the other three are stretched or free. This, if done 30-45 minutes every day (together or in 3 parts during the day), helps reduce stress, weakness, helps in weight gain, increases blood circulation & Kapha, boosts self-esteem & confidence. Also, it increases determination and directs individuals towards spirituality. It improves digestive power, develops vitality, and removes deficiency of vitamins
- Prana Mudra: The Gesture of Life
To perform this mudra place the ring finger and little finger at the tip of the thumb gently and keep the other two fingers stretched. Prana mudra can be used whenever you feel drained or tired, and need an extra boost of energy. This mudra cleanses our aura due to its innate ability to control the subtle energies of our aura. It is considered beneficial for all types of diseases and is also said to impart special power to the eyes. Prana mudra is said to help activate the dormant energy in the body (chi or qui).
- Suraya Mudra: The Fire Hand Gesture
The fire element is associated with body-temperature and metabolism. The practice of Surya mudra helps to maintain the body temperature and keeps the metabolism going. It is a very powerful mudra with significant healing capacity. It increases the fire element in the body and reduces the earth element. It is advised that this mudra should be practiced only in a sitting position and on an empty stomach every day. Fold the ring finger and touch the tip at the base of the thumb while the tip of the thumb presses the second phalax bone of the ring finger. If practiced 20 minutes every day, it helps dissolve excess fat in the body, reduce cholesterol, quickens digestion, boosts metabolism & immune system, controls low BP, and regulates the thyroid gland.
- Varun Mudra: The Gesture for Water
Water is the biggest element of the human body and that is what this mudra works on. It prevents all diseases which come due to the lack of water or any kind of dryness. To perform this mudra sit in an easy pose or simply lie down and slightly touch the tip of the thumb with the little finger. The rest of the fingers can be left freely without any stress. This mudra when performed anytime during the day helps balance the elements related to the tongue and taste. It eliminates skin diseases, increases blood flow, and reduces muscle aches.
- Vayu Mudra: The Gesture of Air
This mudra relates to the air element. It is great for the Vata body types and reduces any constrictions in the body due to excess air in the body. To perform this mudra just fold the index finger, and press the second phalanx bone with the tip of the thumb, and the tip of the index finger should touch the base of the thumb. When practiced regularly this mudra helps eliminate excess gas/air-related problems like gout, flatulence, constipation. It helps in diseases like arthritis, neck pain, trembling in Parkinson’s disease, paralysis, and cervical spondylitis. The above gives us an idea of how we have used our hands to control the 5 key elements of our body namely air, water, earth, fire, and space. Try these during your practice (where it feels comfortable and easeful to do so), and in mediations, and see the benefit.
Researching (Types of Reliquaries)
Mcleod, Belinda. “What’s a Reliquary? 16 Examples From Around the World.” Cake.
A reliquary is “a container or shrine in which sacred relics are kept.” But to have a better understanding of the word, it would be helpful to study its history. The word reliquary is related to the word “relic.” A relic is “an object esteemed and venerated because of association with a saint or martyr.” While some relics are physical body parts or clothing connected to a saint or a martyr, other relics may be items that were touched by these individuals. To be clear, the relic is the item that is held in high esteem. The reliquary is the container that holds the relic. The relic is usually so revered that the reliquary is traditionally made of precious metals or gems. Relics may include pieces of bone or hair, pieces of cloth, or natural objects that were significant in the lives of a saint or holy person. Reliquaries have been used in Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism. Often the faithful make pilgrimages to see reliquaries and to gain blessings. But you can find non-religious relics as well, such as the heart of Louis the XVII, Galileo’s middle finger, or even Thomas Edison’s last breath. You would find most religious reliquaries in shrines, churches, or temples. Sometimes religious and non-religious reliquaries can be found in museums. Most cathedrals also have a relic, which has traditionally been kept in a reliquary. Here are some reliquaries from across the world. Some still hold their relic inside, while others are simply the vessels.
Researching (The Sketchbook)
Feedback From Professor Bryan
February 22nd: First of all, I must say that I am incredibly grateful for the wholesome and detailed feedback I got from my studio professor Bryan. Before suggesting various techniques and materials, Bryan appreciated me for using the drawing skills we learned earlier in the semester. After seeing the shape that I aim to make, Bryan suggested exploring different techniques for growing crystals at home. For the shape, he suggested working with resin to maintain a clear shape in the final draft. Additionally, he assigned me to examine reliquaries from different religions in order to come up with a packaging that also has a religious meaning to it. Also, focusing on my theme of rituals, he suggested exploring lucid dreaming by meditating on my hand. Finally, Bryan wanted me to learn about mudras which is a great take on the theme of hands.
February 26th/ March 1st: This week I had a chance to ask my professor how can obtain the color pink without using any pigments because they are unfortunately out of my reach at the moment. Bryan suggested I try out lighting as an aspect of coloring. I also thought that could be an illuminating way to reflect color since the object is transparent.
Feedback Form Classmates
February 22nd: After presenting my idea of farming my object with resin, our group warned me about the toxicity of resin. Also, suggested wearing masks, gloves, and safety goggles while working with it. Additionally, by comparing the similarities of working with resin to baking they warned me about the importance of measurements.
February 26th/ March 1st: I think that my classmates really liked the outcome of my experimentations with resin. I also asked how can I improve the packaging. My classmates suggested me to try out framing it but it seems opposed to the context of the object.
Prototype #1 (Cardboard)
The Purpose Behind the Prototype
With this prototype, I intended to build a realistic version of my dream object before finalizing it. Prototypes are particularly useful for clarifying and organizing your thoughts to come up with a more professional and polished final result. In the process of building a prototype, there is a high chance for you to detect wrong measurements in your drawings and correct them. This act also allows you to have a better understanding of the materials you want to use in your final submission. Overall, prototypes offer you a great preview of what your intended object will look like once it is completed.
Material Used for the Prototype
I decided to use cardboard to construct my prototype. Cardboards are durable yet easy to shape, enabling you to form even the most complex structures. Because it has a soft build, there is no need to have special sculpting equipment to shape it. A razor blade knife is just practical enough to cave it out. To be honest, my initial intention was to use clay as a material to build my prototype out of. However, I could not go and buy it because Turkey had stay-in orders through the weekend.
The Process
First of all, I drew up to scale drawings of my final product from all 4 sides. Then guided by them, I started to build my prototype. Because you can not sculpt cardboard, like stone or clay, I had to change my strategy in order to come up with an accurate prototype. I explored the technique of stacking differently sized cardboard on top of each other to obtain a three-dimensional figure. By using my up-to-scale drawing as a template, I cut different portions of the hand several times and stacked them in a sculpture that is as accurate as it can be to the final result that I have in my mind. Below I included the template that I used for the making of my prototype.
The Reflection
This prototype helped me to see the size of the intended object at a three-dimensional level. However, I figured out that “The Hamsa” is not the shape I want to go with. It. felt like I am directly copying out of. a famous masterpiece. So, it made me decide to redesign its shape.
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Elevation Drawings
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Prototype #2 (Borax Crystals) – First Trial
The Purpose Behind the Prototype
Originally I imagined my object sculpted out of natural and pure crystal of rose quartz. Later on, I found out that it is a great idea in mind, but it is not practical at all. Ignoring the fact that it is not that easy to find and to afford, crystals are the toughest element in nature. As a result, you need very professional equipment and craftsmanship to carve rose quartz, which is impossible under the current restrictions of the pandemic. In this prototype, I wanted to try out a new way of creating crystals.
Material Used for the Prototype
According to my research, borax is defined as a natural detergent. Besides its properties in cleaning, it is an essential piece of equipment for creating crystals at home. Once I gathered the materials and researched all the steps, I directly dove into the process of making crystals. The basic science behind it is the process of borax sticking to the hair follicles and forming crystals covering the structures.
The Process
- I shaped the hairy stripes I had purchased in a spiral form.
- I attached these forms I created to wooden picks with rope to dangle them without touching any jar’s surface.
- I filled the jar with boiling water and added two scoops of borax for every cup of water.
- After mixing them homogeneously, I dangled the hairy stripes into the water.
- I have settled this solution overnight to give enough time for crystals to form.
- In the morning, I took them out of the jar, dried them, and cut their cords.
The Reflection
After this process, I ended up with rock hard crystal with a highly realistic texture. I did this experiment without any artificial coloring, so I ended up with clear crystals. In the future, I want to redo this experiment using red food coloring to form light pink crystals just like the rose quartz. I still need to find a way to shape these crystals onto the hand sculpture that I have sculpted since it does not have a hairy texture that borax can stick to.
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Process/ Detail Photos
Prototype #2 (Borax Crystals) – Second Trial
The Purpose Behind the Prototype
Originally I imagined my object sculpted out of natural and pure crystal of rose quartz. Later on, I found out that it is a great idea in mind, but it is not practical at all. Ignoring the fact that it is not that easy to find and to afford, crystals are the toughest element in nature. As a result, you need very professional equipment and craftsmanship to carve rose quartz, which is impossible under the current restrictions of the pandemic. In this prototype, I wanted to try out a new way of creating crystals. Additionally, in the second trial, I tried to grow pink crystals rather than clear ones.
Material Used for the Prototype
After succeeding in making clear crystals on my first trial, in the next step, I aimed to redo this experimentation with red food coloring. By this technique, I plan to end up with pink crystals that can imitate the completion of rose quartz. As a result, I reordered all the same ingredients by adding red food coloring to my list.
The Process
- I shaped the hairy stripes I had purchased in a spiral form.
- I attached these forms I created to wooden picks with rope to dangle them without touching any jar’s surface.
- I filled the jar with boiling water and added two scoops of borax for every cup of water.
- Next, I added a few. drops of red food coloring to the mixture.
- After mixing them homogeneously, I dangled the hairy stripes into the water.
- I have settled this solution overnight to give enough time for crystals to form.
- In the morning, I took them out of the jar, dried them, and cut their cords.
The Reflection
After this process, I ended up with a pink, rock-hard crystal with a highly realistic texture. It really looks like a Rose Quartz, but there are no possible ways to shape it in order to form a hand shape.
- Shape ×
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Process/ Detail Photos
Prototype #3 (Concrete)
The Purpose Behind the Prototype
Even though the talisman I am focusing on has a shape far from a realistic hand, I wanted mine to look like the exact replica of my own hand. The reason behind this approach is the fact that I want to connect this piece not only with The Hamsa but also with the sacredness of our hands as a limb and other mudras that emit energy and power.
Material Used for the Prototype
In the process of crafting my piece, I had to research an easy yet affordable way to construct my own hand in a very realistic way. Surfing through the internet, I have found a kit in which you can create a mold of your hand and fill it with a cement mixture. It was 70 Turkish liras, so I decided to order it right after the seminar class, and the company shipped it to me by Saturday.
The Process
- I prepared the mixture for the mold by mixing the powder with 3 liters of water.
- I placed my hand in it and held the same posture for 10 minutes. In this process, the substance turned into a jello texture.
- I dragged my hand out of the mold and started to create the mixture for the cement.
- I prepared the mixture for cement by rapidly mixing the powder with the proper amount of water.
- I poured the mixture into the mold and waited for it to set for 12 hours.
- Finally, I separated the hand from the mold by gently peeling the mold off.
The Reflection
The mold turned out the way just as I imagined. I had to say that it achieved my goal of creating a highly realistic hand shape. However, cement is not the ideal material I want to fill my hand with. As a result, I have ordered a new mold-making kit and several units of resin to make it clear in the second attempt.
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Elevation Drawings
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Process Photos
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Prototype #4 (Epoxy Resin)
The Purpose Behind the Prototype
In this prototype, I intended to come up with an object that holds the exact shape of my real hand using the technique from the previous prototype. This time I paid special attention to make the object from a transparent material that can reflect the same texture and color of the focused crystal, Rose Quartz.
Material Used for the Prototype
According to my research, I found out that the best material that can be used for creating a clear three-dimensional object is Epoxy Resin. This material is infamous for its toxic fumes and the significant balance you should obtain to make it work. So, they recommend using gloves and masks while working with it. Also, using measuring cups is a must while working with this material.
The Process
- I prepared the mixture for the mold by mixing the powder with 3 liters of water.
- I placed my hand in it and held the same posture for 10 minutes. In this process, the substance turned into a jello texture.
- I dragged my hand out of the mold and started to create the mixture for the cement.
- quickly mixed resin with its hardener in a separate cup.
- I poured the mixture into my mold.
- Waited for it to dry out for 24.
- Finally, I separated the hand from the mold by gently peeling the mold off.
The Reflection
This prototype ended up with the form and texture I intended to have. Filling the mold with Epoxy Resin made the object look like a real crystal with a transparent complexion. The issue that I had to face here is the fact that there are no pigments available in my country to color the object. To solve this problem, in the future, I plan to project pink light into the object to create pink hues.
- Shape ✓
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Elevation Drawings
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Process Photos
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Packaging (The Box)
The Purpose Behind the Box
This box will provide protection to the actual object which is highly fragile. I envisioned the object as an artifact that passes through multiple centuries. So, I intended to create a packaging that has a vintage look to it.
Material Used for the Box
I envisioned using wood as the main material for the box. For material search, I visited my local hardware shop and bought pre-chopped wooden panels as I ordered. Also, for putting the pieces together I envisioned using silicone to set and secure the wooden panels. Additionally, planned to use transparent paper to stuff the bottom of the box.
The Process
- I did an elevation drawing of the box and ordered wooden panels that have the same size as them.
- The day after, I went to the store and picked-up om order including industrial silicone.
- Then I went home and built my box using the wooden pieces by using silicone in between.
- After that, I wrote the warnings at the back of the box.
- After finishing the wooden box, I added attached a tag to it showing its title and origin.
- Finally, I placed the user’s manual into the box.
Elevation Drawings
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Packaging (Users’ Manual)
The Purpose Behind the Manual
I thought that having a proper user’s manual will help users to shape a better understanding of how to use the object. I envision a piece of paper having the instructions on one side and the sacred words, which you should say out loud during the ritual, on its other side.
Material Used for the Manual
I envisioned the content printed on a semi-transparent paper coming with the box of the object. Also, I thought that using transparent packaging for a transparent object is an iconic idea. In this way, I hoped to keep up with the theme of transparency throughout the project.
The Instructions (Part 1)
- Write your future goals on a piece of paper, using the present tense.
- Fold the paper in half and place it in the palm of the hand.
- Collect your manifestations from the new moon till the full moon.
- Burn them under the full moon while praying to Hecate.
The Prayer (Part 2)
Glory to you, O Hecate
Goddess who guards our opportunities
Queen of magic and circumstance
Keyholder, beloved mother of witches
Hecate, guide me through blessed doors
Shut those that might lead to my destruction
Hecate, she who holds the keys to the realms of time
Hecate, the goddess of wisdom and fate
Who hears the whisper of prophecy
Goddess of mysteries
Take my hand, O goddess
Put all your knowledge into my palm
And let your magic flow through me
Elevation Drawings
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Detailed Photos
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The Gift of Hecate – Final Piece
Elevation Drawings
Abstract Drawings
Detailed Photos
The Object In A Context
Reflection Questions (1)
1.What has been your biggest challenge on this project and how are you overcoming it?
I think that the biggest challenge I have faced within this project is choosing the proper material to work with building the object. Rose quartz has the most complex texture I have ever seen, so it is very hard to imitate as an artificial texture. To overcome this problem, I am experiencing as many different materials as possible. To this point, I have examined concrete and crystals made out of borax, but none of them looks like the perfect fit. As a result, this weekend I will try out using resin and hope that it will successfully imitate the look of the crystal. And if that won’t work as I planned, I will design the concrete hand by sticking Himalayan salt particles on it.
2.What do you feel is the strongest part of your project and why?
From my point of view, the strongest part of my project is the symbolism and historical background behind it. The object is full of different cultural symbols from Anatolia and Greek mythology which gives the piece a unique character. I think that you can come up with the most aesthetically pleasing object, but without a proper background story, it will appear meaningless and shallow. For that very reason, I wanted every detail of the object to have a purpose and proper historical value supporting it.
3.Where will your final art be installed/displayed (explain why you think it belongs there and how it will educate people.
I vision my piece to be sold or gifted as a souvenir helping other people that are into spiritualism or witchcraft to create shrines in their households. With this piece, I aim to educate others about the presence of Hecate and the practice of manifestation. It will also prove the beyond reality powers of manifestation to ones that are not believers.
Reflection Questions (2)
1. What worked and what parts of the project did not work or you were unhappy with, and how did you overcome these challenges?
In my project, I successfully managed to end up with the shape and texture I intended to have. The mold-making kit I have purchased helped me to create an exact replica of my hand. Also, using Apoxy Resin enabled me to obtain the transparency which provided the feeling and look of an actual crystal. However, obtaining the pink hue of Rose Quartz was really a challenge for me. I initially planned to order pink pigment to color the Apoxy Resin, but later I figured out that it is not available in my country. So I overcome this problem by using light. I decided to project pink light into the palm of the object. Because it has a transparent complexion the light got trapped in the object and created a sense like it actually glowing.
2. If you had to do this project again, what would you do differently next time?
If I had a chance to do this project again, I would consider making my material research beforehand. This way I could order the materials needed previously and had enough time for their arrival.
3. Explain what was most satisfying for you during this final project. Was it the outcome – the final artwork – or the making process? Why?
The most satisfying aspect of this project was the making process. In this portion of the project, I had a special chance to examine different materials that I never had the chance to worked with. Observing how different materials behave and react with each other included a thrill element in the making process which made it even more exciting and enjoyable. Also, constantly making prototypes and researching why and how they have failed made me feel like a scientist trying to come up with a cure for an incurable illness.
Being Resilient
In this project, I got to create an art piece that totally stands out of my comfort zone. Working with an exotic theme, using new materials, and doing all these in a worldwide pandemic really made me widen my vision about being a resilient artist. I understood that a resilient artist should be fully open to new ideas and possess the determination of moving out of his/her/their comfort zones when necessary. For example, in this project, my unique goal of creating a ritualistic object really pushed me to do extensive research that expands beyond my knowledge and current capacity. Even though it was a little bit overwhelming this action of mine helped me to end with an informative and research-based object. Also, working with materials that I have never even seen before challenged me to move out of my comfort zone. As a resilient artist, I overcame this process by shifting and adapting according to the needs of my assignment. So I moved out of my comfort zone and pushed myself to learn new techniques to interact with the materials. I also learned that self-motivation and determination are the keys to being a resident artist. As a student currently in quarantine, hyping myself up and regularly inviting me to do the best I can become sacred rituals of mine. Through these exercises, I kept my motivation and determination on track even in the darkest days.
Integrative Seminar 2
Idea Behind the Story
In the written portion of this bridge project, I aim to write a research-based story that will have an informative yet thrilling tone. The written piece will begin with a story about Hecate, the goddess of witchery and ghosts, gifting the object that I will create for the studio class to humankind. Even though it will be an imaginary story, it will include authentic facts about the figures and symbols I want to mention. So, I will have an opportunity to make comprehensive research about the historical findings of Hecate, the Hamsa, and the power of rose quartz. My research would be inspired by artworks that portray the existence of Hecate and the earlier attempts of manifestation. As a result of that, I aim to do my research from historical websites and some art museums that carry ancient pieces. Another method of research I will use in my written article will be the technique of observation. By observing my current spiritual practices, I hope to gain further information about making my object more compatible with daily life. After the story, the written report will shift into a descriptive essay that vividly depicts the object I created. I intend to include detailed background information about the importance of its figure, color, and material. Beyond its appearance, it will also include instructions for how to use it properly. I also aim to write about how this object made my everyday sacred and contemplative exercises easier and what outcomes should others expect after using it regularly. With the help of this additional information, I hope to offer a better understanding of my object in both studio and seminar classes.
Feedback From Professor Rebecca
First of all, I must say that I am incredibly grateful for the wholesome and detailed feedback I got from my seminar professor Rebecca. My professor informed me about approaching our mortal hands as a sacred limb and motivated me to meditate over them. She assigned me to repeat this process as a contemplative practice and document it. Professor Rebecca also suggested researching “Cuava de Los Manos” and reading “Circe” by Madeline Miller with the intention of challenging me to earn different points of view towards the narrative I have in mind.
Researching (Hecate)
Hecate is the daughter of Perses, the titan god of destruction, and Asteria, the titan goddess of fallen stars and divination. She is commonly depicted as a woman holding two torches. This symbol can found on the entrance of major cities, with the intention of protecting the inhabitants from evil spirits. Over time, her image carried into households, believing that worshiping her will bring protection and prosperity. She is often associated with the spiritual underworld, commonly passing through and interacting with the dead, ghosts, and lost spirits. She also witnessed the abduction of Persephone. Hecate helped Persephone in her adoption to the underworld by becoming her consultant. Hades becomes so grateful to Hecate for helping his new bride in this transition. As a result, Hades invited Hecate to become a permanent resident in his kingdom, allowing her to come and go as she pleased. She is also represented as a three-headed goddess representing crossroads. Hecate can see in three directions, past, present, and future. People would often leave food at crossroads in order to honor Hekate and her companions traveling with her during the evening. Persephone: young maiden, Demeter: mother, Hecate: old crone. Hecate is believed to have several animal companions or familiars. Each one of his animals has a transformation or metamorphosis story. Her black female dog was once the Trojan queen. She reincarnated by Hecate in a dog formation. Her cat was once a midwife named Galinatheus who attempted to interfere with Heracles’ birth on Hera’s behalf. When the goddess of childbirth found out about her plan, she transforms Galinatheus into a cat later adopted by Hecate. Hecate still appears to be honored by Pagans and Wiccans worshipping their goddess because of her connection to the underworld, moon, and witchcraft. 30th of November is a devoted date to honor her by adopting a dog or taking care of abandoned people. She is accepting and caring, almost like a grandmother figure. She can also be seen as the goddess of new beginnings with her ability to calm even the most distressed spirits down and assist them into their new lives.
Researching (Anatolia)
Hecate is an extraordinary goddess who undertakes the duties of being a sorceress, a protector of spirits and the world underground, a warrior, and a hunter. Hecate plays a crucial role in Greek and Anatolian cultures. Hecate is described with different symbols due to its diversity of duties: horse, torch, dagger, key-lock, whip, snake, cornucopia, star, sickle, frog, female dog. In Anatolia, the Caria region is the place where Hecate is worshipped the most. Caria region is accepted as the homeland of Hecate. (We can see the extensiveness of The Hecate Cult by examining the names with religious origins. The most famous name known is Hekatomnos, the mayor of Persia in the Caria region in 4 ccs.) The most crucial cult area in the Caria region is, without a doubt, Lagina Hecate Sanctuary. In this area, many festivals on behalf of the goddess Hecate had been held. (Hecatesia, birthday ceremonies for the goddess, key-carriage rituals, and secret rituals.)
Researching (Anatolia)
Hecate was a Goddess according to Pagan beliefs, and she was said to have the keys to the underworld. The oldest records of Hekate in Greek literature dating back to an 8th century BC poem. She was a pre-Olympian goddess who stood by Zeus in the battle of gods and Titans, after which she gained certain privileges. She was seen as a powerful helper and guardian of humanity and as a patron of magic and witchcraft connected to the underworld. Statues often depict her as three persons holding a torch, a key, a knife, and sometimes a snake in her hands. Lagina Ancient Site was the cult center of its political counterpart, Stratonikeia. This is a sanctuary dedicated to Hekate, a mysterious cult devoted to the goddess of magic & witchcraft, the moon & the night, and ghosts. Lagina dates back to the Bronze Age, but it wasn’t until the Kings of Caria rebuilt the sanctuary that it became a significant religious center. Festivals in honor of Hekate took place every year, and since 81 BC – every four years – the key of the Hekate Temple was carried from Stratonikeia to Lagina during a procession along the sacred road. Worshippers entered the sanctuary through the Propylon from where they could access the Stoa and its steps where they could watch the ceremonies. The Temple of Hekate stands in the center of the sanctuary and has 11 Corinth columns on one side and 8 on the other. It is recognized as one of the most significant pseudo-dipteroi in Anatolia. The current temple dates back to the 2nd century BC, but researchers found evidence of an older cult structure from the 4th century BC. The sculptures found at Lagina ancient site are now part of the permanent exhibition of the Istanbul Archaeology Museum.
Researching (Titanomachy)
Uranus (Sky) and Gaia (Earth) spawned twelve children. With six males (Oceanus, Coeus, Crius, Hyperion, Iapetus, and Cronus) and six females (Theia, Rhea, Themis, Mnemosyne, Phoebe, and Tethys), nature created the very first generation of Titans. Besides being the very first generation of Titans, they held great powers beyond imagination. Almost all of them originated in Mount Othry, known as the mountain of Titans. Together they commanded these sacred grounds for centuries. Right at the peak of their domination Cronus mated with his older sister Rhea. Rhea gave birth to six siblings named Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, Hestia, Demeter, and Hera, creating Olympians. Olympians were the descendants of Titans and the newer, more influential generation of gods and goddesses. They ruled Mount Olympus while Titans are dominating Mount Othry. Being in charge, Uranus kept the Universe in the balance till he misbehaved his wife by imprisoning some of her children. As a result, Gia commended Cronus to castrate his father. Their plan succeeded, and Cronus over throned Uranus. Before long, Cronus repeated all the same mistakes his father made in the name of greed. Zeus rebelled against this situation and caused a war between Titans and Olympians, also known as the Titanomachy. They fought with the purpose of deciding who will rule the Universe, and in the end, Olympians won under the guidance of Zeus. After that, Zeus vanished all the Titans who stood against him and stimulated the age of Olympians.
Researching (Abduction of Persephone)
Persephone is the daughter of Zeus and Demeter with noticeable beauty and grace. At that time, Hades, the god of the Underworld, was in search of a new bride, someone who could rule the underworld side by side. He immediately notices the charm of the young goddess and kidnaps her down to his kingdom. Demeter fills with grief as a result of the sudden disappearance of her daughter. Hecate, seeing Demeter’s miserable position, offers her help. With her powerful torch, she lights up the evening and helps Demeter to find her daughter. Hecate further investigates this situation and finds out that Hades tricked Persephone to become the new queen of the Underworld. Being the goddess of lost souls, Hecate helps Persephone adjust her to the new life in the Underworld. Hades appreciates Hecate’s help throughout this process and makes her the Underworld’s permanent resident, allowing her to pass dimensions as she wishes by gifting her a key.
Researching (The Hamsa)
This object is a modernized and repurposed version of sacred symbols from the past. The symbol of Hamsa heavily influences it. The Hamsa is an ancient Middle Eastern symbolic object with a variety of meanings across cultures. It is an amulet symbolizing the Hand of the Goddess. It is also a talisman that brings happiness, luck, health, and good fortune to its owner. The Hamsa is represented as an open, right, symmetrical hand, which is a sign of blessing, power, and strength. It is also seen as a piece of useful equipment in diverting the evil eye, which is a malicious stare believed to be able to cause illness or even death. When the Hamsa hand faces down, it attracts all the abundance and the goodness of the universe. In this position, also brings fertility and answers to your prayers and manifestations. Each finger of the Hamsa hand symbolizes an element and a chakra. Thumb is for the element of fire and solar plexus chakra. The forefinger is for air element and heart chakra. The middle finger is for ethereal elements and throat chakra. The ring finger is for the earth element and root chakra. The pinky finger is for the water element and sacral chakra. With the passing time, this symbol has become materialized as necklaces, wall hangs, and trays. Across history, this symbol is used in many sacred rituals and practices. As a result of that, it can be clearly represented as a sacred object.
Researching (Rose Quartz)
Because I intended this object to function like an ashtray, I decided to use a stone that would be fire and heat safe. Since my theme is highly influenced by sacredness and rituals, I chose to use rose quartz instead of an ordinary stone. Because I was using this material as a signifier since the beginning of the semester, I am highly aware of its powers and spiritual importance. According to my research, Rose Quartz, a silicon dioxide crystal, is one of the most common varieties of the Quartz family. Its name is derived from its soft rose color, ranging from very pale pink to deep reddish-pink. It usually occurs in massive form, though it sometimes grows in clusters of small prismatic crystals. It varies in clarity from opaque to translucent to foggy transparency. Some specimens contain Rutile traces within the stone, which creates six-rayed stars when polished into cabochons or spheres. Rose Quartz is feminine in tone and one of the stones of the Great Mother. It not only activates the human Heart Chakra, but it also links with the heart of the Earth and the heart of the Universe. Its vibrations can penetrate down to the cellular level and reprogram cells for joy and longevity rather than despair and death. It encourages the dissolution of anger and resentment, fear and suspicion, and brings the Light of healing, the rebirth of hope and faith in the benevolence of the Universe. Meditating with Rose Quartz assists one in reaching a resonance with the frequency of compassion, releasing emotional patterns that hold one back, and allows for embracing higher and finer frequencies of Light. Rose Quartz brings the energy rays of determination, commitment, and caring. Its soothing color calms feelings of anger or resentment and can aid efforts to meditate and reflect. Pink is the color of new love, new romance, and new relationships. It increases developing sensuality and can help overcome heartache, aiding in the improvement of our caring and loving abilities. Above all these, it is a mighty crystal to enhance the speed of your manifestations’ responses. It is an exceptionally functional crystal to manifest love with its high level of frequency and sacredness.
Researching (Lucid Dreaming)
This is the story of someone I have found on the internet succeeding in reality check by focusing on the details of his/ her/ their hand.
- I counted my fingers and realized I had the right amount, but I knew I was dreaming, so I asked to see this other person’s hand next to me. He had six fingers then I knew for sure I was dreaming.
- I counted my fingers. It looked as though I had the right amount, but as I actually counted them, I discovered that I had seven the first count, and six the next.
- I noticed something strange so I counted my fingers. I counted them several times because the number I counted kept changing between five and six. Eventually, I was certain that I saw six fingers, and I realized I was dreaming.
- I remembered to do a reality check. So I looked at my hands and realized that they’re actually claws!
- My fingers appeared jumbled up as if I had no bones.
- Spiders and ants were crawling across my hand in a continuous line.
- My fingers appear floating off the palm of my hand.
- I looked at my hand, and it looked like I had two or three extra fingers. When I counted them, each one disappeared when I pointed to it.
- My hand seemed fuzzy, gray, and partially translucent. Something seemed to be wrong with them. When I pressed my fingers into my left palm, I could feel them pushing through like my hand was clay.
- When I looked at my hands, one was normal, but the other hand had several fingers growing off my other fingers, making it appear mutated. Immediately I knew I was dreaming.
- I looked at my hands, and they moved too slowly when I curled them.
- I looked at my hands, and each hand had six fingers, and when I went to fold my fingers into my palm, the sixth fingers hurt like hell, and I realized I was dreaming.
- I tried looking at my hands, and the fingers appeared blurry, and I couldn’t count them.
- I checked my hand for a reality check when it suddenly burst into flames, and I woke up as planned – I was using the check to wake up.
- I checked my hand for extra fingers when I suddenly fell through the world into a Minecraft-ish void and also woke up.
- This is how I know this is true: I had my usual dream in which I am a Panda in Animal Crossing. I looked at my hands, and they weren’t Panda’s hands! Once I knew I was dreaming, I made Tom Nook pay off my mortgage for free.
- I looked down at my hands after realizing I may be dreaming and I noticed that my fingers were mangled and some were translucent. I proceeded to jump around the room I was in like Spider-Man. I remember a few snippets of that dream. I was in a large kitchen with appliances fit for a giant. I think I was traveling through a place similar to the Infinity Train, which makes sense considering I had been rewatching the show.
Researching (Cueva De Las Manos)
No one knows the actual meaning behind the hand symbols. One of the more plausible theories is that the hands were painted by adolescent boys as part of an initiation ceremony or rite of passage. This is backed up by the fact that many of the handprints are not large enough to have been made by fully-grown adults. Another popular theory is that the paintings were made as part of a religious ceremony that preceded a hunt.
The Gift of Hecate – Final Piece
At the beginning of existence, with the very first sunlight reflecting through the great Anatolian mountains to Greece, the Titan age began. Uranus (Sky) and Gaia (Earth) spawned twelve children. With six males (Oceanus, Coeus, Crius, Hyperion, Iapetus, and Cronus) and six females (Theia, Rhea, Themis, Mnemosyne, Phoebe, and Tethys), nature created the very first generation of Titans. Besides being the very first generation of Titans, they held great powers beyond imagination. Almost all of them originated in Mount Othry, known as the mountain of Titans. Together they commanded these sacred grounds for centuries. Right at the peak of their domination Cronus mated with his older sister Rhea. Rhea gave birth to six siblings named Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, Hestia, Demeter, and Hera, creating Olympians. Olympians were the descendants of Titans and the newer, more influential generation of gods and goddesses. They ruled Mount Olympus while Titans are dominating Mount Othry. Being in charge, Uranus kept the Universe in the balance till he misbehaved his wife by imprisoning some of her children. As a result, Gia commended Cronus to castrate his father. Their plan succeeded, and Cronus over throned Uranus. Before long, Cronus repeated all the same mistakes his father made in the name of greed. Zeus rebelled against this situation and caused a war between Titans and Olympians, also known as the Titanomachy. They fought with the purpose of deciding who will rule the Universe, and in the end, Olympians won under the guidance of Zeus. After that, Zeus vanished all the Titans who stood against him and stimulated the age of Olympians.
This storyline got fabricated and made its way to Hollywood by series of tv shows and movies like Wrath of Titans (2012) and Clash of Titans (1981). As a result, now, everyone is familiar with this narrative. However, not many people succeeded in reading between the lines. There are so many majestic and peculiar gods and goddesses that are left with untold stories. One of the most underrated goddesses of this period is Hecate.
Hecate, also known as the dark mother, is the goddess of boundaries, crossroads, witchcraft, and ghosts. She is an extraordinary goddess who undertakes the duties of being a sorceress, a protector of spirits and the world underground, a warrior, and a hunter. Hecate is the daughter of Perses, the Titan god of destruction, and Asteria, the Titan goddess of fallen stars and divination. Hecate came into existence right in the period of Titanomachy. As a descendant of Titans, she is one of the first-generation Olympian goddesses among the others. Despite being an elder Olympian, Hecate was never mentioned in the story of Titanomachy. In reality, Hecate actively fought side to side with Zeus in the great war. She protected Mount Olympus from creatures by burning them with her torch, as strong as the hellfire. Hecate plays a crucial role in Greek and Anatolian cultures. She is described with different symbols due to her diversity of duties: horse, torch, dagger, key-lock, whip, snake, cornucopia, star, sickle, frog, female dog. Hecate is often associated with the spiritual Underworld, commonly passing through and interacting with the dead, ghosts, and lost spirits. She is also seen as the goddess of new beginnings with her ability to calm even the most distorted souls down and assist them into their new lives. Apart from that, as the goddess of crossroads, Hecate also possesses the power of seeing in all three directions. She has been gifted with the ability to see possible future scenarios by her mother. Besides having multiple pronunciations, she is also depicted with various forms: an elderly lady in long ropes, a woman holding two torches, and three-headed women. She also witnessed the most iconic story in Greek mythology, the abduction of Persephone, giving her the appearance of a three-headed woman. Persephone is the daughter of Zeus and Demeter with noticeable beauty and grace. At that time, Hades, the god of the Underworld, was in search of a new bride, someone who could rule the underworld side by side. He immediately notices the charm of the young goddess and kidnaps her down to his kingdom. Demeter fills with grief as a result of the sudden disappearance of her daughter. Hecate, seeing Demeter’s miserable position, offers her help. With her powerful torch, she lights up the evening and helps Demeter to find her daughter. Hecate further investigates this situation and finds out that Hades tricked Persephone to become the new queen of the Underworld. Being the goddess of lost souls, Hecate helps Persephone adjust her to the new life in the Underworld. Hades appreciates Hecate’s help throughout this process and makes her the Underworld’s permanent resident, allowing her to pass dimensions as she wishes by gifting her a key. This key is believed to possess the power of traveling through the living and dead realms. This update made her identify as a gatekeeper and the assistant of lost souls. This story also further explains her form as a three-headed woman. It symbolizes Persephone as the young maiden, Demeter as the mother, and Hecate as the old crone. Also, Hecate’s appearance as an old lady in ropes reflects her representation as the first witch in history and a leader for all Wiccans.
Hecate also permanently marked humans’ mortal realm by offering protection and leadership to her witch descendants. One of the most common statues made in honor of the goddess is her statue holding two torches. In Olympians’ age, people used to place Hecate’s statue at the entrance of cities to drive angry souls away from their villages. Over time these gigantic statues got updated as miniature figurines and made their way into peoples’ homes. Soon, these figures became essential for creating shrines dedicated to worshiping Hecate. Even though she is mentioned as a Greek goddess, her provision expands from Greece to Anatolia due to her growing coven. Research shows that the temple of Hecate, known as Lagina, is located in the Ciara region of Anatolia.[1] Ciara was the place where Hecate worshipped the most back in 4th-century BC. The history of Lagina dates back to the Bronze Age. The kings of Ciara decided to rebuild the sanctuary. As a result, Lagina became an important religious center for Hecate and her coven devoted to her. In Lagina, people practiced various ceremonies like the Key Changing Ritual and Hecate’s birthday celebrations. In the Key Changing Ritual, the public used to carry Hecate’s keys back and forth to Lagina and Stratonikeia, following the sacred route. This ritual honors the existence of their beloved goddess and the story of the abduction of Persephone. Another very popular ceremony that took place in Lagina is the birthday celebrations of Hecate. Every year on the thirteenth day of a particular month on full moons, people used to gather in the temple of Hecate to celebrate her existence. Here, by offering her perfume, money, and olive oil, people from every age used to prove their devotion to their beloved goddess. Her followers also used to leave food at crossroads to honor the goddess of crossroads. From this temple, Hecate guided Anatolian witches and embedded secret rituals and talismans into their culture.
Over time, this story of Hecate and her coven in Ciara got buried into history books’ dusty pages and got overshadowed by more influential gods and goddesses like Zeus and Demeter. Not long ago, Turkish archaeologists dug excavation work surrounding Mugla and re-discovered an ancient temple believed to be from 2nd-century BC. In the temple, they found miniature figures of a three-headed woman, which clarified that it is Lagina, the temple of Hecate. Now one of these figures is located in MET Museum and one in the Archeology Museum of Istanbul. Apart from this research, a myth states that Hecate gifted a sacred object to Anatolian witches, and they kept it a secret from mainstream media.
Disregarding the archeological findings and the highly fabricated storylines, Hecate’s coven originates back to the 2nd-century at Anatolia, and it is breathing and alive today. This coven managed to survive multiple waves of religions and thousands of years by carefully choosing its members and keeping their existence as confidential as possible. The coven got built surrounded by Hecate’s principles, symbols, and duties in Greek mythology. The coven consists of three main classes, the believers, the Committee, and the Supreme. Believers are mostly composed of newer members who are only at the beginning of their path of becoming an Anatolian witch. The Committee is a group of more advanced witches who are equipped with years of studying the history of witchcraft and Hecate. This group holds the power of making rapid and substantial choices concerning the coven’s operation and exclusivity from the outer world. Their duties vary from choosing the newcomers to electing the Supreme. On top of the pyramid, there appears the mighty Supreme. The Supreme is the member who wonderfully achieved all the challenges and duties of being a part of the coven and knitted the most powerful connection with their deity, Hecate. Being the supreme comes with the mission of leading and protecting the coven at all costs. Hecate is believed to be the first generation of Supremes as being the main inspiration for the cult in the first place. After setting the rules and building the framework, she left her position to the newer generations by assigning them to pass on her legacy, principles and promising them to hear their calls, blessing them with magical powers. In this system, the Supreme’s position does not pass on from a single-family tree or a specific race like in other religions. The coven formally elects them regarding the loyalty and growth of the applicant every 13 years. Apart from having major responsibilities, the Supreme gains possession of one of the most enchanting objects in existence simply referred to as “The Hand of Hecate.”
The Hand of Hecate is an occult object gifted by Hecate to her coven with the intention of blessing them with the power of manifestation, which enables them to protect the coven and call their needs in the mortal realm. Hecate possesses the power of seeing the future, and when her coven started to form in the humans’ realm, she envisioned a future that terrified her. Hecate had the vision of a materialistic age where people worship money and technology instead of their once beloved gods and goddesses. Deities and the whole concept of sacredness only exist if they have a group of believers behind them. This fact made her panic about the survival of the holy realm, where gods and goddesses exist. As a result, she came up with the plan of creating an object charged with incomprehensible powers of manipulating the Universe in a possible moment of crisis.
With her magical powers, she cracked a piece of rock from Mount Olympus, burned it to its core with her torch, and created a crystal which she named “Rose Quartz.” Rose Quartz is a rare crystal that has a foggy transparent complexion to it. It is covered with all shades of pink, which pays tribute to Hecate’s feminine energy. It activates the human Heart Chakra and links the human body to the heart of the Universe. Its vibrations can penetrate down to the cellular level and reprogram the human body to radiate satisfaction and endurance rather than desperation and destruction. Rose Quartz also projects light to healing, the rebirth of hope, and faith in the benevolence of the Universe. It spawns the energy of determination and commitment, which highlights the fierceness of Hecate as the protector of the Underworld. Besides all of these skills, Rose Quartz holds excellent power in calling your manifestations to the mortal realm. After creating the material, Hecate sculpted a hand shape out of it. The contour of the hand projects various themes and talismans from the culture of Anatolia. One of the most famous representations of this shape in Anatolia is the talisman named “The Hamsa.” Because the Hamsa and The Hand of Hecate share similar forms, they both possess related powers. The Hamsa is an ancient Middle Eastern amulet with a variety of meanings across cultures. Hamsa brings serenity, wellness, and good fortune to its owner. Hamsa is represented as an open, right, symmetrical hand, a sign of blessing, power, and strength. It is also seen as a piece of helpful equipment in diverting the evil eye. When Hamsa faces down, it attracts all the abundance and the goodness of the Universe. This position also brings fertility and answers to your prayers and manifestations. Each finger of Hamsa stands for an element and a chakra. Thumb is for the element of fire and solar plexus chakra. The forefinger is for air element and heart chakra. The middle finger is for ethereal elements and throat chakra. The ring finger is for the earth element and root chakra. The pinky finger is for the water element and sacral chakra.
The Hand of Hecate survived through centuries under the possession of several generations of Supremes with significant respect and consideration. As the first Supreme of her coven, Hecate created The Gifting ceremony, which is known to be connected with the phrase “Giving your hand to someone.” This Anatolian saying has the meaning of passing down your strength and endurance to someone you care about in moments of grief and sorrow. This term is also utilized to describe scenarios where you pass down a specific skill of yours to another human being. For example, fortune readers commonly use this saying to signal that their craft of seeing future possibilities got passed down to the newer generation. The Gifting is a traditional ceremony for the coven that occurs every 13 years to honor the rise of their new Supreme and celebrate the objects passing from one generation to another. After the ritual, the rising Supreme receives the great responsibility and power to use this sacred object for the coven’s welfare. The object comes in a wooden chest surrounded by hay to prevent it from possible strikes. The box comes with a Himalayan salt bed to charge it and a transparent user’s manual written by Hecate. The user’s manual includes a set of instructions on one side and a prayer on the other. On the 13th of every month, every full moon, all coven practices a ritual under the Supreme’s leadership. During this ritual, Supreme calls all the cult members to gather and form a star shape in the temple Lagina under the shining moon, symbolizing all five elements. The Supreme, located at the center, starts the ceremony by singing the prayer of Hecate, which signals torches from five corners to light up and gravitate towards the center. With the flame of Hecate’s torches, Supreme burns down the papers they have been collecting from the start of the month. These papers are covered with the cult’s written needs for a better future, which they will be manifesting with this ritual. The shape of the object radiates the magical powers of Hecate, while Rose Quartz is enhancing the power of the manifestation with its sacred vibrational powers. By burning down the papers in the palm of the object, the coven sends their manifestations to Hecate, call her for help, and honor her by recognizing her presence.
The authenticity of this coven still is a case of mystery. The only things left from this story are the remains of the temple Lagina and few figurines of Hecate that are now displaying in museums across the world. However, the folktales muttering through Anatolia states that you can still see her coven wandering around the city and singing their prayers under the pale moonlight.
The Bibliography
GreekMythology.com. “Titanomachy.” Accessed February 23, 2021.
https://www.greekmythology.com/Myths/The_Myths/Titanomachy/titanomachy.html.
Octagram Story. “Titanomachy: The Wars between the Titans and Olympians.” Accessed April 2, 2020.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eErrVGyWw5o.
Mythology & Fiction Explained. “Hecate: Goddess of Witchcraft & Necromancy.” Accessed February 13, 2018.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylF7rqVsLEg.
Theoi. “Hekate.”
https://www.theoi.com/Khthonios/Hekate.html.
Britannica. “Hecate.”
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hecate.
Owlcation. “The Greek Myth of Demeter and the Abduction of her Daughter Persephone.” Accessed October 1, 2016.
DSpace Repository. “Hecate Cult.” Accessed January 2, 2008.
http://acikerisim.pau.edu.tr/xmlui/handle/11499/27922?locale-attribute=en.
SlowTravelGuide. “Visit Hekate in Lagina.”
https://slowtravelguide.com/mugla-hekate-lagina-ancient-site/.
Daily Sabah. “Archeologists re-erect structures at Sanctuary of Hecate in southwest Turkey.” Accessed September 11, 2020.
The MET. “Marble statuette of triple-bodied Hekate and the three Graces.”
https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/255881.
Wilson, Debra Rose. “Healing with Rose Quartz Crystals: Benefits, Methods, and Lore.” Healthline. Accessed December 11, 2020.
https://www.healthline.com/health/healing-with-rose-quartz.
Spiritual Gangster. “Demystifying the Hamsa.”
Reflection Questions
- How have you grown as a writer, thinker, maker, and researcher over the course of this semester?
As a writer, I have performed growth by adopting new styles of writing. I had a chance to move beyond the monotone style of academic writing and discover new techniques that enable me to transfer my point of view more independently. As a thinker, I have performed growth by constantly getting challenged to come up with complex works that require an intense process of thinking and concentration. During the making process, rituals like mind mapping and journaling trained me to think strategically and formally. As a maker, I have performed growth by working with different themes and materials. Throughout the seminar class, I tried to move away from my comfort zone by focusing on different themes and looking from the perspectives of various writers and designers, which made me grow as a maker. During the studio class, I had the chance to enhance my skills as a maker by working with new materials and learning new techniques far from my comfort zone. As a researcher, I have performed growth in embracing new skills in researching. I had a chance to try out observation and feedback from others as research techniques, which pushed me to grow as a researcher.
- What did you learn about your approach to research through our projects this semester?
Through all the projects this semester, I had a chance to learn about my own habits in researching. I figured out that I usually tend to research by observation rather than using the internet or any secondary sources like that. With the theme of rituals, I had a chance to examine my everyday contemplative and sacred practices exclusively, which provided me with the information to develop my projects further. I also adopted the technique of researching from official websites of museums and tour guides in Anatolia. As a result, I found out that doing my research in this unique way makes me feel much more devoted to the particular theme and time period.
- What was your intention for your final Seminar assignment? How do you feel you successfully conveyed that intention? How do you think you could have conveyed that intention more successfully?
My intention for my final Seminar assignment was to come up with a research-based story that describes my created object in an exciting yet informative way. I think I managed to accomplish this goal of mine by doing extensive research about Greek Mythology and the communities used to live in Anatolia. I made almost all of my research from the official sites of museums and tour guides in Anatolia, which inspired me to come up with more authentic stories. However, visiting the remains and seeing the artifacts in person would be way more helpful for adopting the sacred atmosphere of those places and stories.
- Discuss the relationship between Studio and Seminar in your Bridge 4 process. How has the work completed in Seminar informed your choices in Studio, and vice versa?
In my Bridge 4 process, the Seminar and Studio classes had a mutualistic relationship. The in-depth research I did about the history of Anatolia and Greek Mythology created an infrastructure that helped me to shape the graphic narrative for Studio class. Learning all the symbols and stories about the chosen period and culture beforehand helped me to create more on-point and authentic visuals in the final project. Similarly, the decorative objects I embedded in my created object helped me to develop my written narrative. Any additional details like color and texture can provide aspects that can lead the storyline.
- How has writing informed your creative process and practice at large?
In this project, the action of writing acted almost like a contemplative practice. Journaling my research process by taking notes helped me to keep my investigation on track. Also, creating multiple “shitty drafts” provided me a space of freedom where I can write down all the thoughts I have without any filters or concerts. Editing the draft multiple times enabled me to perfect my content every time I checked on it. By these techniques, writing became essential for the creative process of this project.
- How have these projects changed the way you see? (This is open for interpretation.)
I think that these projects changed the way I perceive my surroundings and the way I perceive myself. They made me appreciate all the effort and importance that goes into the process of constructing an environment. I figured out that even the tiniest details can have a tremendous impact on the atmosphere and tone of the space. Additionally, I must say that these projects encouraged me to find my aesthetic and pushed me off my comfort zone.
- If there is anything you’d like to share with me, please do so! **NOTE: You can submit this separately if you do not wish to post this to your LP
I just want to thank my Professors for all the support and help they have provided and all over the course of this semester. Seminar class helped me to widen my vision about the act of researching. I also really appreciated the theme options they have provided me. This freedom made me connect with my projects on a spiritual level and increased my commitment to all the classwork.
Time Management Work Plan
Goals for Friday ( 26th of February)
- Write the first half of the Seminar Bridge 4 paper. (120 min) ✓
- Write about the feedback of Rebecca. (30 min) ✓
- Research the Titanomachy. (30 min) ✓
- Research The Abduction of Persephone. (30 min) ✓
- Research Hecate. (30 min) ✓
- Research Anatolia. (30 min) ✓
- Go and buy wood for the box. (60 min) ✓
- Go and buy semi-transparent paper for the users’ manual. (60 min) ✓
- Order more resin. (5 sec) ✓
- Order more borax. (5 sec) ✓
- Order two more mold-making sets. ( 5 sec) ✓
- Design the structure of the box for the packaging. (60 min) ✓
- Design a logo of the piece for the packaging. (60 min) ✓
- Design the written narrative for the user’s manual. (60 min) ✓
- Research mudras. (30 min) ✓
- Research a back-up plan if the resin won’t work as planned. (30 min) ✓
- Write about the feedback of Bryan. (30 min) ✓
- Write about the reflection questions. ( 30 min) ✓
Goals For Monday ( March 1st)
- Write the second half of the Seminar Bridge 4 paper. (120 min)✓
- Build the box for the packaging. (120 min) ✓
- Build the hand out of resin. (24 hours) ✓
- Update the technical drawings due to the new shape of the object. (60 min) ✓
- Draw the three abstract drawings of the piece. (60 min) ✓
- Print the user’s manual on semi-transparent paper. (60 min) ✓
Reflection and Goals For Monday (8 of March)
- Print the user’s manual. (30 min) ✓
- Draw three abstract drawings. (120 min) ✓
- Prepare the slides. ( 120 min) ✓
- Memorize the presentation. (120 min) ✓
- What I need to do to complete this project are printing the users’ manual, drawing three abstract drawings.
- What I’m most concerned about finishing are the abstract drawings. How I plan to finish it is by planning my sketch on my iPad then transferring it to paper in the clearest and neat way.
- What I’m excited by in my final project is the transparent hand that I have created because I think it really looks like a crystal and grew up to my expectations.
- My final art and design will be displayed in the hands of a coven member. The main reason why I did not gravitate towards displaying it in a museum setting because the. existence of this object is a total myth. Displaying that way will project its presence as a sacred occult object in the most mysterious way possible.
The Presentation
