The autumn equinox has always been a difficult time for me, magickally speaking. It’s a slack tide, a time when the waxing and waning energies of the year are in perfect alignment, making it hard to get anything started or finished.

Instead of trying to start a new magickal cycle, I’ve always used this time to perform devotional work, turn my attention towards Them Upstairs and give unconditional thanks for the blessings I’ve received.

The ancient Romans held a celebration in honour of the goddess Minerva from 19-23 March, as well as a lesser festival on 13 June, but many years ago I started celebrating Her on 21 September, a tradition I’ve continued ever since. While it might not be historically accurate to ritual in Her name at this time of year, She seems to accept my offerings nonetheless.

Unlike the work I do to honour other deities, I do not have a set ritual for Minerva or even a specific number of people to gather together for Her. Some years I work solitary; other times, I invite others to join me, sometimes a single person or a group of women. One year I ran a couples’ ritual, using both male and female energy in different ways to praise her. What I do each year very much depends on what I feel called to do and I’m always open to doing something new if that’s what I perceive She wants.

One thing remains the same – the rituals are designed solely to honour and praise her. While the ways in which I connect with her may vary and how I honour changes year on year, these rituals are purely devotional.

This year, I’ll be working solo, but what would be lovely would be if others did this ritual at the same time to add to the energy I offer. I’ve facilitated rituals in the past where the participants were in different physical locations but performed the ritual at the same time, which has had some fascinating, powerful results, so if you choose to do this with me, I invite you to carry out this ritual at 8pm BST on Saturday 21 September. And if you do, please let me know your experiences, either in the comments or by emailing info@neptunesdaughter.co.uk

Ritual in honour of Minerva

You will need:

Flowers, leaves, twigs, etc. to create an outdoor mandala

Art supplies to create a mandala if working inside and suitable fireproof container to burn your offering when you’ve finished.

If you can, find somewhere quiet outdoors where you can work, preferably near a spring or source of water. If you do not have access to an appropriate outdoor space, make sure you will not be disturbed if you are working inside. 

If you have an image, statue or symbol of Minerva, place it centrally in your ritual area.

Create sacred space in your preferred manner. You may like to cast circle and invite the elements before invoking Minerva, or you can simply sit still, close your eyes and visualize a brilliant white bubble of energy around you, keeping away evil and the profane for the duration of your ritual.

Once you are ready, recite the follow invocation:

Minerva,

You of the azure eyes,

Goddess of wisdom and war, craft and commerce,

I call to you to join me this night.

Minerva,

You who are beloved by owls,

Goddess of medicine and music, creation and creativity,

I call to you that I may offer my thanks.

Minerva,

Be here with me,

That I may know you better.

Hail and welcome!

Take a moment to connect with the Goddess. Feel Her presence with you and listen for any messages She may have for you.

When you are ready, start creating a mandala in honour of her. If you are outside, create a nature mandala, using the natural resources you have gathered to make a circular, patterned image which is pleasing to you. If you are indoors, draw a mandala, letting the Goddess guide your hand to make a beautiful picture. Take as long as you need to make something truly worthy of the Goddess.

As you create, chant over and over: I honour and praise Minerva.

When you are done, take a moment to sit with your creation, filling it with your energy, pouring in your gratitude for the gifts the Goddess has granted you and the good things in your life. If you are working inside, burn your image as a final act of devotion. If you’re outdoors, simply leave your mandala for Nature to reclaim.

Bid the Goddess farewell:

Gracious goddess Minerva,

Thank you for joining me on this night.

All I have done here has been in your honour;

Accept my offerings and gratitude.

Now I must bid you farewell, knowing you always walk with me.

Hail and farewell!

Dismiss your sacred space. If you have invited the elements, say goodbye to them and take down your circle if you cast one. If you visualized your sacred space into being, now reverse the process, drawing that energy back into you so that everything is as it was before you were there.

The rite is now at an end.

This ritual may also be adapted to honour other deities if you choose. However you work with it, we’d love to hear all about your experiences, so comment below or email us.