With more that 50,000 American’s living in Hong Kong I can only assume their influence has impacted the local community in a big way. As I look outside my window I can see children running around dressed as ghouls and witches, ringing doorbells giggling and saying “trick or treat.” Halloween or All Hollows’ Eve originated in the 7th century AD and not in America. It was a night to celebrate and remember deceased saints and martyrs, and it was also originally celebrated on the 13th May.
The date was later changed to the 1st of November in order to Christianize the pagan holidays Beltane and Samhain - festivals of summer, winter, fire and the powers of the darkness. Real witches are known to revel on Halloween night. Goddess Hecate is also worshipped at this time by many pagan’s.
Herstory: Hecate
In Greek mythology, Goddess Hecate is the goddess of witchcraft, guardian of the household, protector of everything newly born and goddess of the three paths. She was once a widely revered and influential goddess, however her reputation has been tarnished over the centuries. Nowadays she’s depicted as an old witch but that is far from the truth because she’s a beautiful and powerful goddess in her own right. As a triple Goddess, Hecate represents Maiden, Mother and Crone; mind, body and spirit; and birth, life and death.
Hecate originally was a Thracian and a pre-Olympian Goddess. She took part in the Olympians’ war against the Giants and from being a daughter of the Titans Perses and Asteria (both symbols of shining light), her parentage was later said to be from Zeus and Hera.
When do you call upon Hecate? Ask her to help you release the old, familiar ways that may hinder your growth, and to help you find your way through new beginnings by accepting the changes and transitions.
Her image: She is sometime depicted with her sacred dogs, other times she’s depicted as a beautiful woman with 3 human heads or one of a dog, one of a snake and one of a horse.
In mythology: She is unknown to Homer and in fact the earliest written references to her are in Hesiod’s Theogony. The place of origin of her cult is uncertain, but it is thought that she had popular cult followings in Thrace.
Pronounciation: He-kate.
Alternative Names: Enodia (Goddess of the path); Prytania (Invincible Queen of the Dead).
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Today India celebrates Diwali, the most well known and brightest of Hindu festivals. Diwali is commonly referred to as the ‘Festival of Lights’. If you were to walk the streets of India you will see lamps and candles adorning windowsills and staircases as well as little boats glowing as they float down rivers.
The festival lasts for five days and begins on the 14th day of the dark half of the Hindu calendar month of Asvina (every Hindu month is divided into a light half, when the moon waxes and a dark half, when it wanes). During this time most Hindus worship Goddess Lakshmi.
Herstory: Lakshmi
In Hindu mythology, Sage Durvasa gave Indra, the King of Gods a garland of flowers that would never wilt, in turn the King, gave the divine garland to his elephant, Airavata. When the sage saw the elephant trampling the garland, he felt it showed disrespect to him so he cursed Indra that he and all the gods would lose their power.
The gods went to seek refuge with the Creator Lord Brahma who said he’d protect them if they obtained the nectar of immortality. To provide such a nectar, the gods asked Lord Vishnu for his assistance.
While making the nectar, Goddess Lakshmi appeared from the ocean along with many other divine gifts. At that time she also chose Lord Vishnu as her consort. Lakshmi is the goddess of prosperity, divinity, purity and divine knowledge. Lakshmi’s connection to lotus flowers, elephants and water represents her absolute faith in the fertility and abundance available to everyone.
When do you call upon Lakshmi? Call her to help with well being and prosperity of the family. You can also call her to help you expand your knowledge or help you overcome obstacles.
Her image: Sometimes she is depicted riding on the back of Garunda, the giant king of birds with Vishnu and as they fly across the land, they spread fortune. She is also depicted sitting or standing on a full bloomed lotus flower with gold coins cascading from her hands and elephants in the background.
In Hindu mythology: Lakshmi is believed to represent all that is feminine, while her consort, Vishnu represents all that is masculine.
Pronunciation: Lock-shmee
Alternative Names: Vidya, Dharidranashini (destroyer of poverty), Dharidradvamshini (one who opposes poverty)
Lakshmi 
Diwali 
goddess of prosperity
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As I walk from the bus stop I notice that the humidity has dropped, red lanterns are hanging and moon cakes are displayed in shop windows – this means that the Mid-Autumn Festival is here.
The festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the luna calendar and traditionally celebrates the full moon and showing gratitude for the harvest of food. Goddess Ch’ang Ô is also worshipped during this time.
Herstory: Ch’ang Ô
Long ago before Ch’ang Ô became the moon goddess she lived among other gods and goddesses with her husband Hou Yi, the Divine Archer. In that time the sky was lit by 10 suns, whose combined heat scorched the earth and crops so that the rivers dried up and the people had nothing to eat. The 10 suns were actually the 10 sons of the Jade Emporer. In desperation to save the world from imminent starvation the Jade Emperor asked Hou Yi for help.
Hou Yi first asked and begged that the Emperors 10 sons return to earth but they refused so out of frustration and anger, Hou Yi shot down 9 of the suns. This angered the Emperor so much that he stripped Hou Yi and Ch’ang Ô of their immortality and banished them to live on earth as mortals.
Ch’ang Ô was not very happy and missed her life as a Goddess so Hou Yi began looking for a potion for immortality. Goddess Hsi Wang Mu was sympathetic so she gave Hou Yi a potion that was enough for both he and his wife to become immortal.
Ch’ang Ô discovered the hidden potion and drank all of it. As she drank it, she became lighter and lighter until she started to float into the sky. They say that Ch’ang Ô became so light that she floated to the moon and due to her weightlessness, she could not leave. This is where she has been ever since and how she became the Moon Goddess.
When do you call upon Ch’ang Ô? Ask her to help you meditate and contemplate your life’s direction or to gain knowledge of your relationship with yourself.
Her image: Ch’ang Ô is usually depicted on the moon with a hare, the Hare of the Moon.
In Chinese cosmology: Ch’ang Ô symbolises YIN (female, earth, moonlight, darkness, quiet time) and Hou Yi symbolizes YANG (masculine, heaven, sunlight, day, active).
Pronunciation: Charng Or.
Alternative Names: Hêng Ô, Chang E, T’ai-yin Huang-chin (the Moon Queen), Yuehfu Ch’ang Ô (Ch’ang Ô of the lunar place).
Ying Yang 
Chang O 
moon goddess