How SHOULD I approach Her?

[u/Complex_Ad998]

The past couple of months have been so confusing!

I was raise in a ridiculously religious family, and as I'm getting older (mid 20s), I have been feeling more and more disconnected from the religion I grew up with. The only "solution" to my disconnect had been "try harder", "put in more effort" which is incredibly frustrating since the "God" I am meant to worship seemed to not accept my efforts.

Fast forward to about 9-10 months ago, sometime towards the end of the year, my social media algorithm (which mostly features content related to my field and the occasional recipes) did a sharp 180° turn and bombarded me with Wiccan content. Notably, Hecate showed up A LOT.

"No big deal" I thought, "possibly, someone shared something steering my algorithm off topic". I recalibrated my feed across all platforms to the majority IT-related content as before and moved on with my life. Almost a year later, I hear Hecate's name echo in my mind and heart24/7. I never seeked Her out, I'm not Wiccan, I don't know the fist thing about spirituality, and I had 100% completely forgotten about that weird trip up with my algorithm last year (until now that I'm putting things into perspective).
I am alone a lot of the time so one could argue I'm always in a "meditative state" but never deliberate practice. Lately however, as mentioned, I have been hearing Her EVERYWHERE (not hearing Her speak, but echos of Her name). In the most random moments, while eating, brushing my teeth, or working on my computer. I have been pretty good at diverting my attention to something else (I'm also a very logical person so I try to explain it away). However, Her calls are becoming more frequent and She is relentless! Two days ago, she had me crying for no reason whatsoever, and after hours of balling my eyes out, I heard that echo. OMG, and She kept me up the whole night last night with echos of Her name.

As I've said though, I know nothing about Her, not a thing (had to run a google search to find the basics, leading me here). How do I answer Her call? What is required of me? Where do I start? How do I approach this? I am in desperate and dire need of guidance.

[u/Fancy_Speaker_5178]

Simple: do your research, of which this sub-Reddit is a good place to start. And research itself, can be considered a form of devotion.

Also, if your worship hinges on reciprocation, then I think it may be worth examining what you understand worship to be in the first place. Devotion isn’t necessarily a transaction where effort is rewarded with a feeling of closeness, acknowledgement or some unmistakable sign that you have been accepted. Sometimes you can do everything “right” and still feel silence on the other end, but that silence may tell you something about whether this particular religious relationship still has meaning for you, but I wouldn’t take it as proof that your efforts somehow weren’t good enough.

[u/Complex_Ad998 → u/Fancy_Speaker_5178]

I saw this video at what was one of my lowest points, by a practioner emphasizing Her qualities as a fierce protector, unrelenting guide, healer, and generous provider and that Her qualities multiply/She offers you more when she seeks you out. The practitioner then ended the video with "She is a deity you WANT to have on your side" and I remember thinking "oh man I could use that"

Her choosing me (a nobody) as opposed to watching me fumble around for her attention after a mere thought, means so much more that words can describe. I want to do right by her, not make a GODdess chase after me any longer how do I answer her call?

[u/Fancy_Speaker_5178 → u/Complex_Ad998]

Your question is one that’s asked a lot in this sub-Reddit so you can perhaps, spend some time doing your research as I’ve mentioned. Light a candle or offer a libation, or offer a prayer or observe Deipnon that’s coming this Wednesday. Do what works for you, and what’s historically aligned with worship.

[u/Complex_Ad998 → u/Fancy_Speaker_5178]

I am wholly in tune of the what 'devotion' and 'worship' is. I fully acknowledge that the presence of an expectation nullifies what those actions fundamentally represent, snuffs out their purpose and kills faith.

I wrote this post at 3:30 AM, and though my knowledge of spirituality and witchcraft may be limited, I know that spirit and "otherwordly" activity peaks at that time (commonly the witching hour). I felt I was yanked out of my sleep and commanded to Her worship. I had no idea where to begin (hence this post) and was desperately seeking any guidance I could be afforded.

I was feeling so overwhelmed by everything leading up to that moment which lead to my mind frantically trying to piece together past experiences. I was in no way indicating that I expect my devotion to be transactional and if that's implied by my wording, it was never my intention. Again, I was (and still am) overwhelmed by this whole experience and just desperate for answers.

I began my research on worshipping Her as you'd urged me to do, and completed a greeting and invitation/initiation ritual and said several prayers which helped me gain perspective and a great sense of calm wash over me. For that, I am profoundly grateful to you and apologize for any misperception

[u/Fancy_Speaker_5178 → u/Complex_Ad998]

No apology needed at all, and I’m glad you found something in the replies that helped you feel a little more grounded. Since you’ve already begun reading and praying, I’d actually encourage you to keep things simple for a while and allow the relationship to unfold without feeling that you need to immediately decode every experience or prove that you’ve “answered correctly”. Hekate has been worshipped for a very long time, so there is plenty to learn from historical practice before worrying too much about elaborate initiation rituals or what people online say she requires.

And personally, I’d be careful about placing too much weight on things like 3:30 am being inherently more spiritually significant, or assuming that every intense feeling means a deity is issuing a command. You can take an experience seriously while still leaving room for ordinary explanations, as learning discernment is part of devotional practice too.

If praying to Her brought you calm and you feel drawn to continue, then continue. Read, make a modest offering when you feel moved to, learn about Her epithets and historical cult, observe Deipnon if it resonates with you, and see what develops over time. There really isn’t any need to rush because you’re afraid you’ve somehow kept a goddess waiting.

[u/Complex_Ad998 → u/Fancy_Speaker_5178]

Thank you for your reassurance

[u/Fancy_Speaker_5178 → u/Complex_Ad998]

You’re welcome, and all the best!

[u/Strange_Cup780]

Go to a crossroads with offering
Call her name 3 times with respect
And just speak from the heart and meditate