Pele

Pele is among the most widely known volcano spirits, but she is much more than the goddess of lava and destruction. Though she is a force of ruin, she is also a vigilant guardian and an embodiment of righteous justice. Pele provides for those she claims as her people, sustaining them through famine, drought, and times of need.

Polynesian myths offer several accounts of Pele’s origins. In one telling, she was born into a lineage of distinguished Hawaiian deities. Her journey began on the island of Kauai, which she eventually left for Mauna Loa. There, she dug deep into the mountain until she reached its molten core, forming what is now the Kīlauea crater.

Pele is considered a love goddess and enjoys music, feasts, and celebration. As a living spirit, she is said to walk among people and appear in physical form. Reports of encounters with Pele date back to the early 1900s, most often describing her as an elderly woman with long silver or black hair—though she may appear young or old, beautiful or weathered. She is sometimes accompanied by a small white dog. Many stories portray her as the vanishing hitchhiker, blessing those who stop to give her a lift and bringing misfortune to those who pass her by. 

George Lycurgus, who was the owner of the Volcano Inn from 1904 to 1921, recorded several encounters with Pele. One evening, shortly after purchasing the inn, he joined a group gathered for a luau at the edge of Halemaʻumaʻu. During the celebration, Lycurgus noticed an old woman approaching the crater, her gray-white hair hanging loose down her back, a shawl draped over her shoulders, and a walking stick in her hand. She was invited to join the party but politely declined, explaining that she had work to do. She then turned toward the pit and disappeared. Alarmed, the guests rushed to the edge, believing she had fallen in, but no one was there. Not long afterward, the volcano erupted violently, and the group fled the area on horseback.

Curse of Pele

Pele’s volcano, Kīlauea, remains a living force, but visitors are warned not to remove lava rocks or other stones from her domain. Pele is said to curse those who do, bringing misfortune in the form of illness, accidents, financial trouble, or prolonged bad luck. While some dismiss the curse as a modern invention, more than 2,000 pounds of rocks are returned to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park each year, often accompanied by letters recounting the hardships that followed their removal.

Item Description:

Two 6 inch taper candles made from local beeswax and soy, dressed in ethically sourced tourmaline bits. Tourmaline forms in pegmatites deep within the Earth. Pegmatites form when magma slowly cools, allowing water to sneak out of the magma and crystallize. These make for the perfect stones to offer Pele. 

To fully honor the goddess, 10% of proceeds will be donated to environmental restoration projects in communities most impacted by climate change.

Sources Cited: 

Encyclopedia of Spirits The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies Genies Demons Ghosts Gods & Goddesses - Judika Illes