Hecate is an Ancient Greek Goddess who has maintained her popularity today. TV shows such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Sabrina, have done much to ensure the legacy of this deity lives on. As such, she has several different associations, including magic, protection from witches (whilst also being seen as a Queen of the witches by some), night, drugs, the moon, and crossroads.
Hecate was worshipped in Athens as a protector of the household, along with Zeus, Hermes, Hestia, and Apollo. She had some (but not total) rulership over sea, sky, and earth, and general 'saviour' deity. Despite her power, she is not often listed alongside the likes of Zeus or Aphrodite when we discuss the main Greek deities, but her status amongst the Gods reflects part of her being; as Henrichs wrote, "she is more at home on the fringes than in the centre of Greek polytheism. Intrinsically ambivalent and polymorphous, she straddles conventional boundaries and eludes definition".
There have been several suggestions as to the etymology of her name. These include 'willing', and 'far reaching one'. However, it is also possible that Hecate has origins outside of Ancient Greece. There is some evidence to suggest that she originated in Anatolia, and another theory that she may have roots in Ancient Egypt.
As a protector of the household, shrines dedicated to her were often placed at doorways to protect the space from the dead and other spirits. These shrines were often called 'Hekataion', and were also sometimes placed at crossroads near important public sites. As well as having her own shrines and temples, she was also worshipped in temples of other deities, often given her own, dedicated space in them.
In Athens, the Greeks would partake in what was called 'Deipnon'. This was their evening meal, and it has been said that once every dark moon the Deipnon would be taken as part of a ritual to Hecate. A meal would also be served to her, and set outside by her shrine, in order to honour Hecate and hope that she would keep evil spirits away. However, there is actually very little evidence for this ritual and so it is difficult to know if this ritual did actually exist in Ancient Greece, and if so, how widespread it was.
Hecate was worshipped in Athens as a protector of the household, along with Zeus, Hermes, Hestia, and Apollo. She had some (but not total) rulership over sea, sky, and earth, and general 'saviour' deity. Despite her power, she is not often listed alongside the likes of Zeus or Aphrodite when we discuss the main Greek deities, but her status amongst the Gods reflects part of her being; as Henrichs wrote, "she is more at home on the fringes than in the centre of Greek polytheism. Intrinsically ambivalent and polymorphous, she straddles conventional boundaries and eludes definition".
There have been several suggestions as to the etymology of her name. These include 'willing', and 'far reaching one'. However, it is also possible that Hecate has origins outside of Ancient Greece. There is some evidence to suggest that she originated in Anatolia, and another theory that she may have roots in Ancient Egypt.
As a protector of the household, shrines dedicated to her were often placed at doorways to protect the space from the dead and other spirits. These shrines were often called 'Hekataion', and were also sometimes placed at crossroads near important public sites. As well as having her own shrines and temples, she was also worshipped in temples of other deities, often given her own, dedicated space in them.
In Athens, the Greeks would partake in what was called 'Deipnon'. This was their evening meal, and it has been said that once every dark moon the Deipnon would be taken as part of a ritual to Hecate. A meal would also be served to her, and set outside by her shrine, in order to honour Hecate and hope that she would keep evil spirits away. However, there is actually very little evidence for this ritual and so it is difficult to know if this ritual did actually exist in Ancient Greece, and if so, how widespread it was.
Much has been written about Hecate. Those who worship her will be gifted with wealth and victory. She can increase livestock and a fisherman's haul, but she can also take it away if she chooses, and so in this sense she can be seen as a Goddess of abundance to those who honour her properly.
She is often depicted as triple bodied, or in a triple Goddess form in later imagery, although in earlier she is depicted in singular form. She is shown holding a variety of different items, including keys, torches, snakes, and daggers. Dogs were associated with Hecate, as was the polecat. In some, she is described as wearing oak, and so the oak tree can also be associated with her.
As a Goddess of the crossroads she is associated with boundaries, and the space between the physical realm and the underworld, offering protection to those who travelled between the worlds. As a Goddess of the underworld she can unlock the gates to the dead, and today is often called upon to aid in spirit work. With her association of magic she is often nowadays seen as Queen of the witches, related to all things of magic and sorcery. It was also said that she was skilled in plant lore and herbal medicines and poisons, and specific plants and trees used in her cult include garlic, yew, cypress, belladonna, and mandrake. Finally, she was also seen as a Goddess of the moon, who had the ability to see all that happened on earth, and was often associated with other moon deities such as Selene.
Hecate is a deity I have only briefly encountered, but it was a powerful (if brief) encounter, and I personally believe that if given the respect and honoured appropriately, she would be beneficial for anyone wanting to learn more about magic and otherworldly travel to work with.
She is often depicted as triple bodied, or in a triple Goddess form in later imagery, although in earlier she is depicted in singular form. She is shown holding a variety of different items, including keys, torches, snakes, and daggers. Dogs were associated with Hecate, as was the polecat. In some, she is described as wearing oak, and so the oak tree can also be associated with her.
As a Goddess of the crossroads she is associated with boundaries, and the space between the physical realm and the underworld, offering protection to those who travelled between the worlds. As a Goddess of the underworld she can unlock the gates to the dead, and today is often called upon to aid in spirit work. With her association of magic she is often nowadays seen as Queen of the witches, related to all things of magic and sorcery. It was also said that she was skilled in plant lore and herbal medicines and poisons, and specific plants and trees used in her cult include garlic, yew, cypress, belladonna, and mandrake. Finally, she was also seen as a Goddess of the moon, who had the ability to see all that happened on earth, and was often associated with other moon deities such as Selene.
Hecate is a deity I have only briefly encountered, but it was a powerful (if brief) encounter, and I personally believe that if given the respect and honoured appropriately, she would be beneficial for anyone wanting to learn more about magic and otherworldly travel to work with.
