Who Is Circe?
Witch of Aiaia, Weaver of Spells, and Mistress of Herbal Magic
On a quiet island far from mortal eyes, where waves crash in rhythm with the heartbeat of the earth, there lives a woman who bends the wild to her will. She is not goddess of the hearth nor the harvest. She is something stranger, wilder. She is Circe—enchantress, sorceress, goddess, and witch.
Feared by kings, revered by witches, Circe’s name is whispered as a symbol of transformation and independence. She belongs to no one—not gods, not men—and that is her truest magic.
Circe (pronounced SIR-see) is the daughter of Helios, the sun god, and the ocean nymph Perse, born into divine light and sea-born mystery. Unlike her radiant kin, Circe turned inward, away from Olympian courts, toward the earth, herbs, and moonlit magic.
Known as the first great witch in Western mythology, she mastered herbal craft, potions, and shapeshifting. Her powers were so unique that even gods hesitated to cross her. She represents the archetype of the independent sorceress, a goddess who stands alone and defines her own power.
Symbols and Sacred Magic
The most famous tale of Circe comes from Homer’s Odyssey.
When Odysseus and his weary men landed on Circe’s isle, Aiaia, they were drawn by the scent of her hearth. She welcomed them with food and drink, but her wine was laced with enchantment. At her command, the men transformed into squealing swine, their human minds trapped in animal form.
Only Odysseus, aided by the god Hermes and a magical herb called moly, resisted her spell. Sword in hand, he confronted Circe. But instead of striking her down, he listened. Circe, charmed by his courage, restored his men and welcomed them into her halls.
For a year, Odysseus stayed on Aiaia, feasting, resting, and learning from Circe’s wisdom. When he departed, she did not curse him—she guided him, offering directions for the dangerous seas ahead.
This tale reminds us that Circe was not merely a temptress or villain, but a teacher, guide, and complex goddess of transformation. Her power was rooted in choice, in the shifting tides of fate.
How to Walk with Circe
Herbal Magic: Work with plants, teas, and tinctures with intention.
Animal Spirit Guides: Honor her beasts by meditating on animal allies.
Lunar Craft: Perform rituals by moonlight, especially the waning moon, to release.
Claim Independence: Circe teaches self-sovereignty—honor your wildness, your solitude, your truth.
A Blessing from Circe
“I am the hand that stirs the brew.
The song of wolf, the watch of owl.
Fear me if you must,
But know:
I am the truth you cannot unsee,
The change you cannot undo.”
