Honoring Hel: A Spell for Transformation and Acceptance
Who is Hel?
Hel is the Norse goddess of the underworld, ruler of Helheim, where she tends to those who have died of illness, old age, or misfortune. She is a figure of deep transformation, guiding souls through death and rebirth, and teaching the necessity of shadow work. Working with Hel can bring wisdom, acceptance of life’s cycles, and a profound understanding of balance between light and dark. She is a powerful ally for those seeking to embrace their true selves, heal ancestral wounds, or gain insight into the mysteries of death and the afterlife.
Spell to Honor Hel and Embrace Transformation
You will need:
- A black candle (for Hel’s connection to death and shadow work)
- A white candle (for rebirth and balance)
- A small offering (bones, dried herbs like mugwort or yew, or an object that represents transformation)
- A bowl of water or a mirror (to reflect and meditate on your inner truths)
- A quiet, dark space
Steps:
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Prepare your space – Light the black and white candles, placing them side by side to represent Hel’s duality. Set your offering in front of them.
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Focus your intention – Hold your hands over the bowl of water or mirror, gazing into it, and take deep breaths. Envision Hel standing before you, her presence neither threatening nor comforting, but simply being.
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Speak this invocation- Hel, Keeper of the Dead, Daughter of Loki and Ruler of the Underworld,I honor your wisdom, your strength, and your truth. Guide me in embracing the shadows and the light within.Teach me the lessons of release and renewal. May I walk with honor, knowing all things must come to pass and be reborn.Hail Hel!
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Meditate – Allow her energy to guide you. Ask for insight, acceptance, or guidance on a personal transformation. Be open to the messages you receive.
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Offer and close – Leave your offering outside or bury it in the earth as a gift to Hel. Thank her for her presence, then extinguish the candles, whispering, So it is done.
When to Perform: This spell is best done on the dark moon, Samhain, or in winter, when Hel’s energy is strongest.
Why Work with Hel?
Hel is a goddess of radical acceptance—she teaches us that to fear death (whether of the body, old beliefs, or versions of ourselves) is to resist the natural flow of existence. Honoring her can help in shadow work, grief processing, and finding peace with change.