Devotional Arts and (Witch) Crafts - Embroidering a Prayer Scarf

Some time ago I was gifted a 150 cm by 270 cm black cotton scarf. To be honest, due to the size I wouldn't wear the scarf myself, even in coldest winter, but I immediately thought it would make a perfect ritual garment like a short cape or Greek peplos/chlamys. Still, something was missing.

During prayers and rites, I usually wear a red scarf with a meandering pattern I got on my first visit to Greece. But since I've created all kinds of devotional art over the years, I thought why not embroider the new black fabric. Starting in juli 2024, it took me 8 months (on and off) to finish my project.

So what we see here is a statue of of Hekate on a pillar surrounded by a procession of skeletal spirits. The attendees are dancing or carrying various objects: offerings, torches, musical instruments, olive branches and symbols of Hekate's like keys and serpents. In front of the statue two spirits are giving offerings of wine and incense.

The theme of the artwork is a verse from the Orphic Hymn to Hekate: "celebrating the mystery rites accompanied by the souls of the dead".

I also took inspiration from the medieval motive of the Dance Marcabre as well as ancient Greek reliefs and vase paintings of sacrificial processions.

The symbolism here is that all mortal souls are equal in the eyes of the gods and that all our differences - ethnicity, gender, social status, age, disability, you name it - vanish in death. The tiny skeletons are truly inclusive.

You can find more images of the process on the Sanctuary of Hekate Psychopompos' Instagram @hekatepsychopompos