November is often a month of reflection and gratitude for many. However, this past November was marked by profound grief and heartache for me. It became a chapter of my life I will never forget, a time that tested my resolve and my faith in ways I never imagined.

It began with the loss of my beloved cat, a companion whose love and presence had been a constant source of comfort. The ache of that loss was still fresh when, twelve days later, my mother passed away unexpectedly. While others across the country were gathered around tables celebrating Thanksgiving with their families, I was gathered with mine for a far different reason. Together, we watched my mother slip into the eternal embrace of death. She left this world peacefully, surrounded by those who loved her most.

Now, I am faced with the heavy, often surreal task of navigating life without her. Sorting through her belongings, managing the practicalities of loss, and confronting the emotional void left behind feels like a labyrinth with no clear exit.

In moments like these, it’s tempting to ask why. Am I being tested? Is there a purpose behind this pain? I have come to understand that such thoughts, while human, are inherently self-centered. Life is not a series of tests crafted solely for us to endure or decode. It is a mosaic of joy and sorrow, beginnings and endings, light and shadow. The losses we face are not messages or trials but simply the hard truths of existence.

What sustains me in this darkness is my faith in Hekate. She is the Keeper of Keys, the Guide through the crossroads, the Light in the darkness. In times of despair, I remind myself to look to Her blazing torches, trusting that they can burn away the shadows that threaten to consume me. She reminds me that even in grief, there is transformation. Even in loss, there is wisdom to be gained.

Grief is not linear, nor does it have a clear resolution. It twists and turns, ebbing and flowing like a tide, often pulling you under just when you think you’ve found solid ground. There is no timeline for healing, no definitive end to the ache of loss, but rather a gradual learning to carry it with you. Each day is a journey through uncharted territory, and while it may feel isolating, I hold fast to the knowledge that I am not truly alone.

Hekate, the Keeper of Keys and the Guardian of the Crossroads, walks beside me through this darkness. Her presence is a steady reminder that even in my lowest moments, there is a light to be found. Her torches illuminate the shadows, showing me that grief is not something to overcome but something to honor and integrate. In Her wisdom, I find solace; in Her strength, I find the courage to take the next step, however uncertain it may be.

So now, I move forward, for there is no path back to what was. Each step is heavy with sorrow, yet I trust they will guide me toward a time of greater peace and a place of renewed hope. While what has happened may not be a test or carry meaning beyond the inevitable truths of our mortal lives, it has taught me lessons I cannot ignore. Life is fragile, fleeting, and can change in the blink of an eye. It is a stark reminder to cherish every moment, to hold close the people and the joys we have today, for tomorrow they may no longer be within our reach.

May Hekate’s light guide us all through the darkness.