Samhain Collection 2024

Welcome to the Catalogue for our Samhain Collection for 2024. Below, you will find descriptions for each of our new offerings, as well as insight into each of their components. This Collection Honors Hekate Einalia, Our Lady of Deep, Dark Waters and Aphrodite Epitymbidia, She upon the Graves. It also includes ancestral offerings to the Queer Ancestors and Dark Fae.

Our Hekate Einalia Hanging Statue features a hand-carved rendering of Hekate Einalia, Our Lady of Deep, Dark Waters. Here, she is depicted as a deep sea siren, with the curling tail often seen in ancient art of sea monsters, sirens, and Scylla, who bridges the gap between the two. She wears her traditional solar crown with its rays rendered here as spiraling sea shells. From her crown dangles the hanging light of the angler fish, echoed in her fanged jaws, calling in the patient deep sea predators. In her hands, she holds her torches, shining like the bioluminescence of so many deep sea fish. Around her waist, eels curl as an oceanic representation of her traditional snakes. This image image was carved by hand by your local tricksters to embody Hekate Einalia as we have seen her ourselves. It was then molded, with each new statue being cast in bonded charcoal to fully embody the dark depths of the deep ocean she calls home. 

This hand painted altar shelf honors Hekate Einalia, Our Lady of Deep, Dark Waters. This shelf is made from a vintage wooden shelf, reborn through imagery sacred to the oceanic aspect of Hekate for use as an altar. The shelf itself has a black background for the dark waters of the deep ocean Hekate Einalia calls home. At the top, there is a crescent moon, one of Hekate's traditional symbols, that doubles as the mouth of an anglerfish, sacred to Hekate Einalia. The anglerfish's light descends from above, its moon-mouth is full of teeth, while its eye lurks gleaming in the dark just to the right. Beneath this motif is a backdrop of seaweeds. Kelp and bull kelp are rendered in the background, while Irish sea moss provides a pedestal on the shelf outcropping for offerings and statues to stand upon. These seaweeds are featured in our Hekate Einalia incense and are a familiar offering to her. On the border of the shelf ledge, two eels (oceanic representations of her typical snakes) frame a star, which Hekate is linked with through her mother, Asteria. Underneath the shelf, swirling bioluminescent plankton and algae swirl around the constellation Cetus, the Whale. Whales create entire ecosystems with their bodies after death in the deep ocean, and many of the fish that live their rely on bioluminescence to survive. Around the edge of the shelf runs an art nouveau inspired seaweed border to further call in the Deep. Only one of these shelves will be available. 

Our small batch, ritual loose incense blend devoted to Hekate Einalia, the oceanic face of Hekate, Our Lady of Deep, Dark Waters. This incense is made with powdered Irish sea moss, kelp, bull kelp, juniper berries, bittersweet nightshade leaf (safe for inhalation), sea salt, and benzoin. To fully call in the oceanic quality of Hekate, this incense was washed with orange blossom water to call in seaside grove and introduce a further oceanic quality through the inclusion of water. The incense was then pressed into an even layer and marked with the strophalos, Hekate's sacred symbol, and allowed to bake off all moisture under the heat of the fading summer sun. It smells beautifully of the seaside, transporting you directly to Hekate Einalia's realm, when burned.

This necklace honors the Sea Floor itself, found only by surpassing the dark waters; it is the final resting place of all creatures that call the Sea home, where they rest in Hekate Einalia's care. Fossilized coral calls in the bones of the many sea creatures that litter the sea floor itself. Next comes matte obsidian, calling in the impenetrable darkness found at such depths. There is a total of 8 beads, calling in a connection with the Morning and Evening Star Venus: a loving light in the dark, both as the light returns and fades, always greeting us kindly. Here, Hekate is the comforting force that provides guidance in the dark and both hope and love when we feel abandoned in shadows thought to be unreachable. In the center hangs a ceramic ammonite, calling in the ancient creatures that once roamed the oceans, resting peacefully in Hekate's embrace. This necklace is strung on 4mm gold-tone stainless steel chain.

These necklaces honor the bioluminescent creatures found in the deep, dark waters sacred to Hekate Einalia. Fossilized coral sits on the outside, calling in the remains of sea creatures that fall into the darkest depths of the ocean. Black river stone comes next, embodying the dark waters themselves. In the center is uranium glass, the color many bioluminescent fish take; these beads glow green under UV light, fully calling in this aspect. There are a total of 12 beads, calling in the 12 signs of the Zodiac and a connection to the stars Hekate is so associated with. This further echoes the quality of the shining light in the dark, shared between bioluminescence, the stars, and Hekate alike. In the center of this necklace hangs a mother-of-pearl fang, for the beautiful shining fangs found in predatory deep sea fishes. This necklace is available in 3mm and 4mm gold-tone stainless steel figaro chain.

Hanging from hypoallergenic gold-plated brass lever back hoops are small uranium glass beads and a black Czech glass skull. The uranium glass beads here call in the bioluminescence of deep-sea fishes, echoing their shine by glowing under UV light. The skull bead call in the darkness of the deep, the hunting for survival Hekate oversees in her waters, and those who pass from this life and into Hekate's care.

Our Hekate Einalia prayer card honors Hekate Einalia, Our Lady of Deep, Dark Waters. The front of the card features art of a skeletal siren perched on a rock while she hunts. The back features a prayer written by your local tricksters to honor this oceanic face of Hekate. It honors her connection with the deep sea, calling upon the guidance of the anglerfish, eel, and whale. Each measures 4x6 inches. 

 

Aphrodite Empitymbidia, Our Lady of the Graves, is a lesser known epithet of the goddess of love and beauty. Aphrodite of the Graves calls back to her origins as Innana and her descent to the Underworld to help her sister grieve the death of her husband. Similarly, Aphrodite has a myth where she descends to the Underworld to make a deal with Persephone for Adonis. In ancient Greece, chthonic deities were not often worshiped as they were considered terrifying deities who did not care for the everyday concerns of mankind. Aphrodite was the mediator, a comforting face and companion on one’s final journey to the underworld. In ancient Greek cemeteries, Aphrodite was the most prominent statue, often accompanied by Eros, who was seen as the mediator for children and animals to the land of the dead. 

Our jewelry line dedicated to Aphrodite Empitymbidia, Our Lady of the Graves, calls in symbology from the myths of Aphrodite and the Greek Underworld. With only one exception, our necklaces in her honor are made with vintage pieces as irreplaceable as the loved ones we eventually lose. Here, vintage components call in treasured loved ones, lost to time, reborn to be loved once again. This jewelry is made with a combination of black river stone, matte obsidian, pink coral, pink shell, real freshwater pearls, and vintage champagne pearls. Below is a brief description of why each different element is included.

Black river stone: Calling back to the River Styx, the black river stone beads feature prominently to call in the chthonic waters of Hades. The polished and reflecting nature of the stone calls us to re-examine that our grief for losing someone close to us originates from our love for them. 

Matte obsidian: Obsidian comes from deep in the earth and is created through volcanic eruption touching the cold waters. Like Aphrodite, the obsidian rises when it touches the sea. With origins in the deepest depths of the Earth, it calls back to the cave cemeteries and temples where Aphrodite was found guarding the dead.  

Pink Shell: Pink shell is found on the inner lining of specific mollusks like conches. It is similar to mother of pearl, though the color scheme lends to it being a gentler and more soothing presence. The conch has a deep history of being entwined in several cultures. Famously, it is the conch that allows us to hear the ocean’s roar and it is the conch that also becomes a horn for a battle cry. It has been a companion to us throughout human history, made from the shell of a sea animal, calling in chthonic properties that align with Aphrodite. 

Freshwater and Champagne Pearls: Pearls embrace the idea of turning a bad situation into something beautiful. Pearls are made from oysters protecting themselves from irritants. They embody finding the beauty in the worst situations. 

Pink Coral: Pink coral was referred to as “pelle d’angelo” or Angel Skin in Italian and is considered to this day a precious material alongside gemstones. It is found in species of coral from Japan, Taiwan and occasionally in the Mediterranean. It is soft love and care to surround ourselves with, reminding us that our loved ones are never forgotten so long as we remember them with love. 

 

This necklace is made with a vintage Coro brand choker, with pink coral hearts set in a branching frame. To call in Aphrodite Epitymbidia, we added real freshwater pearls and black river stone. Pearls teach us to turn a bad situation into something beautiful, while black river stone calls in the dark waters of the River Styx.  It is approximately 16 inches in length. Only one will ever be available.

This necklace is made with vintage brass heart earrings that have been transformed into pendants, calling in the shining light of love in dark places. It is handmade with pink coral and black river stone. It measures 21 inches in length. Only two will ever be available.

This 19 page zine is written by queer practitioners for queer practitioners interested in working with ancestors, but who are unsure of where to begin. For many queer folx, ancestor work can be an idea that causes hesitation. Many of us have families or family members who are less than supportive, or our hereditary cultures have a history of transphobia and homophobia. We are not bound by our hereditary families for ancestor work; we also all have queer ancestors somewhere in our family tree, should we decide to seek them out. This zine centers on how to build a practice of ancestor veneration centered on queer ancestors by discussing different paths to reach them, as well as several ways to build queer ancestor veneration into your practice. 

This small batch, ritual loose incense blend honors the Queer Ancestors who came before us. It includes lavender (for the lavender menace), lime (for the lime wedge on drinks), and a food-grade tobacco-flavored cocktail syrup (safe for consumption and inhalation, no nicotine). It includes the gentle florals of the lavender, the brightness of the lime, and the smokiness of tobacco. Light this blend to call in the queer ancestors into your space, honor and uplift them, and seek community in their embrace.

This antique tambourine is made of brightly colored metal and features two dancing figures on its head. The dancers appear as a butch/femme couple, calling in Sapphic ancestors from times near and far who thrived in these relationships. Tambourines have been used historically in Bacchic processions, calling in the raucous wild and unapologetic joy. They can also be used for cleansing, much like bells. This piece measures 6.25 inches in diameter and 1.25 inches deep. For audio of what it sounds like, please see our Instagram page @trickstersapoth.

These fans are made with shining brass cut into the pattern of paper fans, calling in the raucous dance floor, fans snapping open and closed, and the fiercest fluttering of those fans. Each one includes two attachments on the back to be hung easily from nails on the wall. They can also be used as actual fans to blow smoke for ritual purposes.

This stand features a bear holding a pedestal above its head cast in iron. Bears are considered the ancestors of humans in many cultures, while the term 'bear' is a badge of pride in queer circles. Call in ancestral bears, human and otherwise, with this piece that can hold either candles lit in offering or small votive statues.

This stand features two bears holding a pedestal above their head, uplifting the community through teamwork. Each of these stands is made with heavy iron. Bears are considered the ancestors of humans in many cultures, while the term 'bear' is a badge of pride in queer circles. Call in ancestral bears, human and otherwise, with this piece that can hold either candles lit in offering or small votive statues.  It measures 5.5x5.5 inches. 

Dark Fae Honeyed Loose Incense

This small batch, ritual loose incense blend honors the Dark Fae, also known as the Fae of the Mound, dokkalfar, svaltalfar, Unseelie, and many other titles. They are found in many cultures, with each version unique but sharing connections with their other Dark Fae cousins. These intermediary spirits, somewhere between mortals and gods, are known for their mischief, ties to the ancestors, the household, and burial sites such as mounds. Many are less than friendly to humans, but make fierce allies to those who befriend them. They're often associated with the Dark Time of Year, with the Unseelie Court thought to begin their reign at Samhain and yield their throne to the Seelie Court at Beltane. They are also often linked with the Wild Hunt that occurs around the Yule/New Year's season. 

Our incense in their honor includes Irish sea moss, cedar tips, mistletoe, elderflower, Icelandic moss, juniper berries, pine needles, rose petals, red clover, and black pepper. This incense is honey cured in a style reminiscent of kyphi incense. Honey, included as an offering, is blended by hand evenly into the incense before it's compressed into an even layer and allowed to cure for a lunar cycle. When its curing is complete, the incense is broken up and appears as you see in the photos.