Hel, whose name means “hidden” or “concealed,” is the daughter of the trickster god Loki and the giantess Angrboða. Her appearance, described as half alive and half dead, reflects the dual nature of her realm. Banished to the underworld by the Allfather Odin, Hel was tasked with ruling over the realm of the dead—those who did not die in battle, but rather from sickness or old age. As the ruler of Helheim, the Vikings’ Goddess of Dath plays a crucial role in Norse cosmology. While other deities are associated with heroic feats and grand battles, Hel embodies the inevitable cycle of life and death. She is neither wholly malevolent nor benevolent but instead maintains a sense of impartiality, welcoming all who pass into her realm regardless of their deeds in life.
Hel’s presence serves as a reminder of the impermanence of existence and the inevitability of death, an aspect of Norse mythology that emphasizes the cyclical nature of life. In this way, Hel represents not only the end of life but also the beginning of a new journey beyond the mortal realm.
Despite her somber domain, Hel’s influence extends beyond the confines of Helheim. She is invoked in funerary rites and rituals, and her name is whispered in solemn reverence by those who seek guidance in matters of mortality. Hel’s presence serves as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all things and the importance of embracing the cycle of life and death.
Hel stands as a figure both feared and respected, a testament to the enduring fascination with the mysteries of death and the afterlife. As we peer into the abyss of Helheim, we gain insight into the complexities of existence and the profound significance of embracing the inevitable passage from life to death. Hel, the goddess of death, beckons us to confront our fears and embrace the unknown, for in her realm, all journeys find their end and new beginnings await.
Invocation to Hela:
Altar: Upon black cloth to the right place four black candles, a skull, bones, a pot of earth, a pile of withered leaves, and a gravestone. Upon white cloth to the left place four white candles, incense, an ivory chalice of mead, a crystal sphere, and a bunch of dried roses. Veil the windows.
Offerings: Blood. Pain. Difficulty. Toil. An arduous task that will take all you have to give, and will benefit the generations yet to come.
“Hail to Hel
Queen of Helheim
Wisest of Wights
Keeper of Secrets
Keeper of the hopes for tomorrow
Guardian of Souls
Implacable one of the frozen realm
Half the face of beauty
Half the face of Death.
You who feed the dead
At your meager table
Where everyone gets their fair share,
You who care not
About wealth or status,
About fame or fortune,
Who cares for the peasant
Equally with the ruler,
Teach us that Death is the great leveller
And that we need have no pride
When we reach your halls.
Lady who takes away
Yet holds always promise,
Teach us to praise loss and death
And the passing of all things,
For from this flux
We know your blessings flow.”
(Blow out the candles, bow to the altar, and pour out the libation of mead. The roses should be placed outside to rot in the garden.)
Goddess Hel is a skilled guide to help us accept what’s ready to leave or reach completion in our lives so we can open to a rich new chapter
