The Father Of Witches
When I sent out the Hekate/Helios rite this week I referred to Helios as “The Father of Witches.” I have done this a few times now, and every time I do I get some variation of the following question:
“I have researched the known epitaphs of Helios and cannot find any instance of him being referred to as the Father of Witches. Please direct me to where you get this from or explain why your view of Helios is so different from others.”
The question reveals a problem in understanding living magic: that of being imprisoned by the past.
Please don’t get me wrong. I have no patience with those who disregard history and disdain research. Good magic flows forth from what came before, but it’s not caged by it.
Why do I refer to Helios as “The Father of Witches?”
Because he is the father of Circe, the most famous Witch in Greek Mythology.
He is the father of Pasiphae the witch-queen of Crete.
He is the father of Aeetes the witch-king of Kolkhis.
He is the grandfather of Medea, another of the most famous witches in all history.
So, even though he may not have been called “The Father of Witches” (that we know of), he simply IS a father of Witches. So why would we question calling him that?
This is what I mean by being imprisoned by the past: Being so locked into what was done in the past that you need precedence for the slightest innovation. Even ones based solidly on historical record.