14 Ways to Work With Her WILD Energy
Lilith. Goddess of the night. Screech Owl. Queen of Vampires. But is this ancient deity a demon, succubus, or an empowering enchantress? Hers is a name with many interpretations, stories, and misconceptions, but one that permeates pagan culture. Today, witches and magical practitioners seek to understand Lilith as a goddess. As an powerful symbol and magical guide. Here we look at her wild, mysterious origins and provide various ways to work with Lilith in your practice.
Who is Lilith Goddess of Witches?
The true origins of Lilith as a goddess are shrouded in mystery. We know a lot and yet we know very little. Only those who work with her energy and presence intimately truly come to understand who she is. Or at least get a glimpse. Because, let’s face it. A goddess this powerful only reveals a small portion of her innate glory!
The Name Lilith
Lilith’s name is from the ancient Syrian and Babylonian words Lili and Lilitu which translate to spirit(s). When you research Lilith’s origins, the first thing you’ll see is that she is a figure in Jewish mythology. But her power and presence goes way beyond Jewish mythology. She was known throughout the ancient Middle East. Most Hebrew sources claim Lilith as a demon and/or a night hag. In the Hebrew language, her name has become synonymous with a night-monster or screech owl.
Lilith Goddess: Exiled from the Garden of Eden
In the Medieval Jewish lore the Alphabet of Sirach, Lilith is biblical Adam’s first wife. That’s right – before Eve. She was created from the earth’s clay, from the same material as Adam. His equal. Later, in the Dark Ages, Jewish religious writers further developed the story. According to Isaac Alfasi, a Jewish theologian, Lilith refused to submit to being Adam’s inferior. Yes, Adam tried. But when Lilith asserted her strength, she was shamed, accused of mating with an archangel and henceforth kicked out of the Garden of Eden forever.
Lilith: Mother of Vampires
In addition to being exiled from paradise, ancient Lilith goddess has been reduced to a mere demon in Jewish and modern lore. Perhaps a more interesting image of her paints her as the Queen or Mother of Vampires. Her vampiric guise features often in horror movies, literature, music and more. Succubus is the other word often equated with Lilith. I like to think of her like this – she’s whoever she needs to be. And whoever YOU want her to be.
13 Ways to Work With Lilith Goddess of the Night
Truly the way you honor or work with Lilith goddess in your practice will be up to you. Just know this – she is a powerful deity. Ancient. Ever-present. Don’t reach out to her if you’re not serious about working with her. She is picky about who she aides and protects. But once you are considered her Daughter or Son, she will take you under her wing.
1. Read about Lilith
Truly the best way to begin a relationship with a goddess like Lilith is to read as much as you can about her. There is so much to study when it comes to this goddess, you’ll probably never run out of reading material. From Jewish folklore to Babylonian archaeology. From modern horror stories to the Epic of Gilgamesh. Get reading!
2. Set Up Lilith Goddess Altar Space
Set up altar space and dedicate it to her. Lilith’s favorite colors are black and red, so incorporate these colors into the altar decor. Candles, incense, and offering bowls are all appropriate. Lilith loves mirrors and plants. Be sure to include her name and/or her symbol at the altar. Other symbols to include: owls, the Hamsa (or hands in general), stars (outer space) decor, dogs, snakes and dragons.
3. Mirror Scrying
Lilith goddess is known for having a love for mirrors. In fact, there are superstitions about women who look into the mirror for too long…they may become possessed by Lilith’s spirit. Don’t worry about the old legend. Instead of staring at yourself in the mirror, dedicate a mirror for mirror scrying and ask for Lilith’s help. The Goddess of the Night will aide your divination sessions.
4. Air Element Magick
Because Lilith is known as a spirit of the wind, working with the air element in your practice is a perfect way to work with her wild energy. Some ways to incorporate air into your witchcraft include making and burning incense, smoke and cloud scrying, and storm magick.
5. Goddess Lilith Symbols
Draw her symbol or hang her name in your space for protection. AND wear it on your person. Wear her symbols on jewelry or on clothing. Embroider goddess Lilith’s symbol on your favorite jacket, draw it inside or on the bottom of your shoes, etc. I’ve even seen Lilith devotees that get her symbols tattooed!
6. Moon Magick
Lilith is a goddess of the moon. Therefore, by working with the moon’s phases in your life and magick, you’re invoking her lunar energy. Moon magick is pleasing to Lilith and her favorite phases are the Waning and Dark Moon.
7. The Owl Familiar Spirit
Lilith’s name is synonymous with Screech Owl in Hebrew. Hence the owl is one of her sacred animals. Lilith frequently manifests in the form of a Great Owl. Work with the owl familiar spirit (or the Owl spirit guide) in your practice to honor Lilith and explore the occult mysteries.
8. Watch Vampire Movies
This might seem odd to some, but remember Lilith has multiple sides to her personality. Just like any other person. While she has a nurturing, motherly side, she also has her dark side. She enjoys any movie that features her name or character, but particularly vampire movies. Fun, right? My favorite vampire movies include: Bram Stoker’s Dracula, The Lost Boys, Interview with a Vampire, Queen of the Damned and Fright Night.
9. Appropriate Offerings for Lilith
Regularly leave appropriate offerings for Lilith goddess of the night on her altar. Offerings could include lilies, frankincense, dragon’s blood, water, wine, tea, aphrodisiacs, doll babies, mirrors, hands, candles, images of owls, snakes, cats, dogs, bats, dragons, and spiders. Intangible offerings like art, song, dance, poetry, sex, prayer, exercise and more.
10. Sex Magick
Among her many magical domains, Lilith has an intensely lustful nature and rules sex magick. Learn how to manifest your desires with your sexual encounters, both personal and with a partner.
11. The Daughters of Lilith
Lilith goddess in her demon form is said to lead a horde of spirits called the Daughters of Lilith. Study this group of spirits, and consider calling yourself a Daughter of Lilith. To be a Daughter of Lilith is also synonymous to being a witch.
12. Astrological Markers
An asteroid, a star, Earth’s hypothetical second moon, and part of the moon’s orbit are named for her. Study each of these and their part in astrology. Then incorporate it into your magical practice.
13. Ritual
Include Lilith in your rituals, as you feel comfortable. I don’t recommend invoking Lilith into your rituals until you’ve gotten to know her intimately. Developing a relationship with the Queen of the Night is essential before asking her to join your circle OR invoking her power. Her energy is STRONG, often unpredictable and isn’t for the feint of heart. That being said, she is a protective and nurturing deity to her children.
14. Bat Magick
In my experience, one of the sacred animals of Lilith is the bat. The bat will appear whenever Lilith is near. I’m not sure if this is the connection to vampirism or something else, but one thing is for sure – if you’re working with Lilith the goddess, consider working with the bat spirit guide as well. Study the species, invoke its energy in your life and magick, and add a bat or two to Lilith’s altar. Even wearing bats on your clothing or accessories is a great way to honor Lilith. They are, after all, creatures of the night. They live in Mother Earth’s womb (in caves). And they have a long history with witches and sorcerers. All things that are also connected to Lilith.
Lilith: A Modern Goddess and Empowering Symbol
But modern pagans and witches know Lilith is much more than a blood-sucking demon or passing nightmare. She is a powerful, ancient goddess. Isn’t it funny the women who owned their power, who bucked against society’s standards, were inevitably demonized and distorted. Lilith, we believe, is one of these goddesses.
Many Sides to Lilith
We see her divine form in the bird-footed woman on the Babylonian Burney Relief (pictured above). She has been called the “Hand of Inanna” and is also associated with Erishkegal. We know that in addition to her mysterious, dangerous side, Lilith goddess has a motherly, protective side and she no doubt has had her hands in feminine rights movements of the past and today. To classify Lilith as “dark” or as “light” would be a mistake. She is both the night and the day. Life and death. The darkness and the light. Rage and love. Qualities we see in the modern woman and witch.
Is It Lilith or Something Else Entirely?
I’ve known a few practitioners who attempt to “summon” Lilith to do their bidding. Or to engage in an intimate relationship. There are a few problems with this. One – some spirits who are indeed vampiric and low level entities refer to themselves as Lilith. And two – most people don’t have the power and understanding to carry out such a task as to “summon” an ancient primal deity like Lilith and force them to do their bidding. I’ve seen numerous cases in which someone has contacted “Lilith” and then wondered if it was indeed her. I’ll give you a couple reasons the spirit you’re working with is NOT Lilith:
- The spirit has become violent – NOT Lilith
- This spirit you’ve attracted wants a multitude of offerings and you’re undying attention (NOT Lilith)
- You’ve gone down a dark path: drugs, alcohol abuse, toxic situations, etc. (NOT Lilith’s influence)
- You’re experiencing nightmares, sleep paralysis, night terrors (NOT Lilith the goddess)
Conversely, if you’ve indeed been working and honoring Lilith as a divine deity rather than a demon or vampiric spirit, here’s signs she’s the real deal:
- She respects your body as your own sacred space
- The real Lilith doesn’t need offering after offering every single day (beyond what you can and want to give)
- She will teach you important and sometimes painful lessons without causing you this pain (hello, shadow work)
- You won’t find yourself going down a dark path but a path of enlightenment and transformation
- Nightmares and sleep paralysis do NOT come in conjunction with visions or dreams of Lilith
- She’ll never be violent towards you
If You’ve Summoned a Spirit that’s Not Lilith…
There’s a rule in the witchcraft community that I feel is worth mentioning here. It goes like this, “never summon what you don’t know how to banish.” But, if it’s too late, and you find yourself with a lower level spirit haunting your life…it’s time for a banishing. First, a full cleansing of your home and self. Your personal cleansing ritual should also include a cord cutting ritual. This may need to be done a few times to sever the connection completely. Then protective, powerful wards should be placed around your property. I also recommend wearing an amulet charged for protection. Lastly, reclaim your own personal power over the situation. Cut out anything negative in your life that could be feeding this spirit, as well. Learn more about spiritual protection here.
WARNING: NEVER HEX Lilith!!!
Recently, a Tik Tok story went viral in the magical community involving young, inexperienced teens who claimed to be witches. They claimed they were going to “hex Lilith”. You read that right. I don’t understand where this idea came from, but I think it was the most idiotic decision to try to hex or curse Lilith as a deity. She would be the LAST on my list if I ever decided to do something so disrespectful and moronic. I’ll only say this once: DON’T PISS LILITH OFF. She’s not a goddess to be taken lightly.
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More GODDESSES:
- Celtic Triple Goddess Brigid: Ways to Honor and Work With Her
- Hecate: Ways to Work with the Goddess of Witches
- Artemis: Goddess of the Hunt and the Moon
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