It is the story of how the polecat became one of her companions. In the Pharsalia, the witch Erichtho calls on Persephone as the lowest part of Hecate. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, The Furies, winged creatures who punished wrongdoing, were also said to be the companions of Hecate. She was born into the world ruled by the Titans, but continued to be influential and powerful in the Olympian pantheon. Hecate | Sacred Wicca We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Demeter descended to the underworld every spring to bring her daughter back to the surface, making the three goddesses share an association with the underworld. HECATE (Hekate) - Greek Goddess of Witchcraft, Magic & Ghosts - Theoi Hecate, however, is routinely described as the goddess of witchcraft and associated with characters like Medea and Circe, the witch of Homers Odyssey. It is believed that Zeus, the king of the gods, asked Hecate to help find Persephone after Hades kidnapped her. And when men arm themselves for the battle that destroys men, then the goddess is at hand to give victory and grant glory readily to whom she will. She was the daughter of the Titan Perses and the nymph Asteria. On any trip to Greece, it's helpful to have some knowledge of the Greek gods and goddesses. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Several times, authors make a connection between Medeas use of magic, both harmful and protective, and her worship of Hecate. In Hesiod she is the daughter of the Titan Perses and the nymph Asteria and has power over heaven, earth, and sea; hence, she bestows wealth and all the blessings of daily life. She was accepted at an early date into Greek religion, but she probably was originally a goddess of the Carians in southwestern Asia Minor. In Rome, a similar goddess, Vesta, ruled over the group of priestesses called the Vestal Virgins whose duty it was to keep the sacred fire perpetually lit. The crossroads are special places, places of great power, but at the same time haunting places. By the first century CE, Lucans Pharsalia made it clear that Hecate was the goddess of magic and witchcraft. Some depictions show the Goddess with the head of a dog, horse, and lion, which could be the constellations during the year. A: In Greek Mythology, Hecate was the Goddess of magic and witchcraft. As the goddess of the night, witchcraft and sorcery, Hecate was very important to ancient Greeks, particularly to the famed author and scholar Hesiod. Hekat) is the feminine form of hekatos, an epithet of the god Apollo meaning "the one who works from afar."But the true etymology of the name is uncertain. The myth says that Zeus gave the Lampades to Hera as a reward for her loyalty during the Titanomachy. She is also said to be the Goddess of childbirth and the protector of children. Hecate - A mysterious nature goddess associated with sorcery and witchcraft, who went with Demeter to the Underworld to fetch Persephone, but then stayed to assist Persephone. Historian Robert Graves notes that the heads could be distinctive of a dog, lion and horse, representing the constellations which cover the calendar year. In the physical world this could mean anything from doorways to city walls and state borders. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. She is good in the byre with Hermes to increase the stock. Some myths suggest that Zeus and Hera were the parents of this Goddess, and that is how she came to control the heavens and the earth. Hecate is usually depicted with a burning torch in her hand and with a dog laying at her feet, its head raised. She was not portrayed as being loving towards children but as someone who took revenge against anyone that harmed children. Names derived from hers were common, including Hecatomnus, the father of the ruler Mausolus who built the famous tomb. 1.5 Baths. During the Romans, many of her traits belonged to the world of the dead. Even in her origin, Hecate moved between two places. In Aeschylus Suppliants, for example, they were often mixed up to make a goddess with two faces. ThoughtCo. The crossroads were and are also places where several accidents occurred and or ambushes, holdups they can be places of vulnerability where fates seem to be on rare occasions sealed. One can view the doors between the worlds as being very thin during this time therefore it is a golden opportunity to show her your respect. While some scholars attribute these displays as holding a dark side to Hecate, most myths associate her with a protective nature toward humans. The first example of the triple-Hecate form, called hekataia, was made by the sculptor Alcamenes in the 5th century BCE. "Worker-from-afar." Hecate hkt, hkt , in Greek religion and mythology, goddess of ghosts and witchcraft. A further canine connection may be with theEgyptiangodAnubiswho guided souls to the underworld, and the Greek three-headed hound ofHades, Cerberus, may be an earlier form of Hecate. Some experts believe that the three heads or faces of the Goddess Hecate denote the full, half, and new moon. You may like to light incense such as the smoke of wormwood, cypress and lavender in these offerings. Hekate: A beginner's guide to witchcraft, ghosts, spirituality, and She is the witness to every crime. Corrections? Many historians believe that the Greek pantheon was once much smaller than we know it today. Still another school of thought links her, at least linguistically, to Egypt. From the Greek word for to turn away, apotropaic magic is that which defends by turning away evil or harm. Facts About Hestia, the Greek Goddess of Home and Hearth - ThoughtCo Female monsters also often came in threes, as was the case with the Gorgons and Graea. Selenite, tiger's eye, obsidian, rhodochrosite, jet, jasper, agate, and amber are the most suited crystals for Hecate. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong. Archaeologists have found essential offerings to the goddess at Lagina in Caria and Phrygia. Many Anatolian gods had their roots in the Greek pantheon. Hecate is known to rule over the sky, the earth, and the sea. 755 Hecate Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23454 | MLS# 10469859 | Redfin She was a goddess that could be both a protective guardian and a source of menace. This was all about Hecate, a goddess in ancient Greek religion. The offerings to the goddess were made each month during the night of a new moon. Of course, as the goddess of boundaries she had the power to let things in as well as keep them out. Q: Why was Hecate excluded from witch meetings? In fact, Hecate might have been another goddess altogether! Thus, pillars called Hecataea stood at crossroads and doorways, perhaps to keep away evil spirits. She was the only Titan who kept her power while Zeus was in charge. Hecate hugged the girl when Persephone was reunited with her mother, Demeter. "Hecate: Greece's Dark Goddess of the Crossroads." Hecate was the chief goddess presiding over magic and spells. Hecate could give her worshipers wealth and blessings, but she could also take them away if they didnt worship her well enough. Hecate or Hekate [a] is a goddess in ancient Greek religion and mythology, most often shown holding a pair of torches, a key, snakes, or accompanied by dogs, [1] and in later periods depicted as three-formed or triple-bodied. And the dark moon is also a powerful time to cleanse you, from negative energy, negative influences or potentially harmful spirits. Hecate is invoked when justice is not forthcoming from other channels. You ask Hecate to feed on these offerings, to accept them as an act of friendship and continued bond and also as an act of gratitude on your part. The goddess Hecate is one of the lesser-known goddesses of the Greek pantheon. A case in point is the Greek goddess Hecate. Information on Hecate Dark Goddess of the Crossroads - ThoughtCo She could not undo the curse, but she made the polecat her sacred servant. To learn more about other Goddesses and exciting information, keep visiting on LearningMole. Moon Goddess of Hidden Wisdom, Change and Darkness. times its difficult to find a quite crossroads to perform workings except in remote areas. This food offering was known as the Supper of Hecate. Due to her dark attributes, this deity has often been associated with the Underworld. She was connected to occult practices such as witchcraft and magic, the Moon, gateways, and nocturnal beasts such as hellhounds and ghosts. This was a terrible fate. The people of Sparta claimed that Ares had been nursed by a nymph called Thero. Mike Greenberg, PhD. Writings throughout the centuries have woven different tales about Hecate and her role as a goddess. She is sometimes shown holding a key. She is not a typical one-dimensional goddess but lives on many different levels. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. The chief Greek god, Zeus, was very fond of this Goddess and gave her a share of the earth and sea. Greece itself worshipped many trios of goddesses or goddesses with three forms that fit this archetype. Hecate carrying a torch is a common way to show this myth in art. Offerings to this Goddess were also made during the night of the new moon. Hecate has the power to grant or deny any mortals wish. Nearby homes similar to 755 Hecate Dr have recently sold between $204K to $212K at an average of $190 per square foot. In sculptures from the Classical and Hellenistic periods, she looks most striking when she has three bodies and three heads, one body with three heads, or three bodies and one head. She has long been associated with witchcraft and the occult, even necromancy. She rules wisdom, choices, expiation, victory, vengeance, and travel. Updates? In fact, she existed in such a nominal place that its difficult to say whether she existed as a singular goddess, a trio of beings, or as a minor aspect of a more major deity. Although they combined her with Diana and Artemis, the Romans also worshipped this deity, referred to her as Trivia, which means three ways. They call her Aristaion or Night. In many cultures and religions in many lands. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. By joining Kidadl you agree to Kidadls Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing communications from Kidadl. Interesting facts: Hestia was one of three goddesses immune to the influence of Aphrodite. She's ill at ease in cities and civilization. She witnessed the abduction of Demeters daughter Persephone to the underworld and, torch in hand, assisted in the search for her. HECATE - the Greek Goddess of Crossroads (Greek mythology) - Godchecker We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability. A shrine to this Goddess was built at the entrance of homes and cities as she was believed to keep evil spirits away. HEKATE (Hecate) was the goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts and necromancy. When Alcmene was in labor with Heracles, Hera attempted to stop the childs birth. Asteria may be the original goddess associated with the Asterion mountain range on the island of Crete. She was made to look like a goddess who could easily move from the Underworld to the real world. A goddess of crossroads, magic, poison, and the undead, Hecate was also the daughter of the Titan Perses and the nymph Asteria, according to Hesiod. Women also prayed to her for fertility and the birth of female children. EFFECTIVE MAGICK AND ALPHA STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS, Seventh Phoenix MY Amazing STORY,My Journey, REAL LIFE Curses That STUNNED THEIR VICTIMS, HOW THE ALPHA FREQUENCY POWER-CHARGES YOUR MAGICK, Protection Magick Mastery Course #1 Best Rated. Hecate is defined by her powerful magic, being at ease with the night and darkness and in wild surroundings. Hecate was the chief goddess presiding over magic and spells. Hecate - Roman and Greek Gods and Goddesses A lot of the same things were said about all of the goddesses. Lagina was one of the most important Carian sanctuaries.Hecate also has a strong connection with Georgia as well as throughout Italy. She herself too wanders about with the souls of the dead, and her approach is announced by the whining and howling of dogs.13, A number of epithets given her by the poets contain allusions to these features of the popular belief, or to her form. Hecate was weaved strongly into all these symbolisms of the crossroads and still does to her devotees. Hecate typically responds to petitions via visions and dreams. This article contains incorrect information, This article doesnt have the information Im looking for. She appears in Ovid's Metamorphoses. She was often shown holding two torches, such as would be found beside gates, to allow her to illuminate both sides of a boundary. You then connect yourself to her through visualizing and forming a mental image of her presence, you then thank her and pray to her. Like her Greek counterpart, she was also a goddess of domestic animals. Much later, Shakespeare referenced her in Macbeth, where she is mentioned in the scene of the three witches boiling together their dire brew. Hecate is the daughter of Perses and Asteria. Hecate the goddess of Greek mythology has been primarily remembered for her associations with magic and witchcraft. I have been in love with all things related to Mythology. Link will appear as Hecate: https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net - Greek Gods & Goddesses, October 19, 2019, Greek Gods and Goddesses 2010 - 2023 | About | Contact | Sitemap | Privacy, Hecate: https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net, Magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts and necromancy, None, however in some myths there are various potential offspring mentioned - (Aegialeus, Circe, Empusa, Medea, Scylla). On her head she sometimes wears a kalathos, a tall wicker basket, or a moon sickle. Most likely, the cults of Thessalian Pherai (Pherae) and Eleusis saw Hekate as Chthonian (Underworld) Hermes's wife. Wormwood and cypress are traditional herbs in spirit work and lavender brings a kind of protection to your workings without banishing all the spirits around you at the crossroads. Hecate is closely associated with several other goddesses in the Greek pantheon, with symbolism and function seeming to overlap. Learning Mole focuses on educating children of all ages in key skills of Maths, English and learning through crafts. Later periods show statues of Hecate in three-fold having 3 separate bodies and faces. Modern neopagan and Wiccan religions often include worship of a triple goddess, and of Hecate herself. Of course, as with many stories of Hecate there was also a darker version. It was said that she learned herbalism and spells from Hecate herself. As Apollo was sometimes known as Hecatos, it is still possible that this feminine form of the name referred to his sister and not a separate goddess. Some scholars of ancient Greek religion have noted that Apollo was occasionally given the name Hecatos, which they interpret to mean one who reaches far. These academics believe that Hecate, therefore, may have once been another name for Apollos twin sister, Artemis. She is depicted on the altar of Pergamon with one body and three heads (ca. Hecate is usually thought to have originated in Thrace, a wild northern region of Greece that is also known for its tales of Amazons. The goddess was also worshipped in Kos, Erythrai, Samothrace, Thessaly, and Miletos. In revenge for the trick, Eileithyia turned Galinthias into a polecat. She has also been mentioned in the works of Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream, King Lear, and Macbeth. She is also Queen of the Night, and is highly connected to All Hallow's Eve. Classical scholars have differing views about where the worship of Hecate in Ancient Greece came from. Anatolia, which covered most of what is now Turkey, was a region that had close ties to the Greek world. Scylla Greek Gods & Goddesses As worshippers began to focus on one aspect of a god more than others, that gods secondary purposes were separated into another deity altogether. As a result, the goddess of magic remained a major deity in regulating evil spirits in the Underworld. Please like and share this article if you found it useful. She was connected to occult practices such as witchcraft and magic, the Moon, gateways, and nocturnal beasts such as hellhounds and ghosts. Hecate | Infoplease - Fact Monster As you may already know Hecateis a goddess ofGreek mythologywho was capable of both good and evil. The Matres While little is known of their exact function, over 1,000 images of the three goddesses have been found in Northwestern Europe. According to Hesiods Theogony, the Titans were the first Greek gods born of earth and the heavens. The name Hecate comes from the Greek word "Hekatos," which was thought to be a really distant and obscure epithet associated with Apollo, the Greek god of music . In later times, the most common way to show Hecate in art is as a three-headed goddess with each head facing a different direction at a crossroads. She was often placed at the entrance of homes to help protect against the evil forces of the world. Many of the rituals described in ancient texts, for example the elaborate sacrifice of a ewe in Argonautica, are in keeping with what is known about the worship of other deities of the underworld. The Orphic Mysteries said that Hestia was the daughter of Demeter instead. However, the queen killed the Thracian king when on her way to Greece. Regula, deTraci. She is also known as Soteria (Savior), the Mother of Angels, and the Cosmic World. Related Topics: greek. And there is a good book titled Hekate liminal rites By David Rankine and Sorite DEsteyou should check out. Hecate, Greek Goddess of Magic and Witchcraft - Hecate Myths and Facts She is commonly depicted as a three-headed Goddess, or the Greek version of The Triple Goddess, being the Maiden, Mother, and Crone depending on the season. Hecate: [noun] a Greek goddess associated especially with the underworld, night, and witchcraft. But she isnt in the Homeric epics, which is a big deal. Thus, pillars called Hecataea stood at crossroads and doorways, perhaps to keep away evil spirits. According to Greek mythology when the universe first came into being the primordial gods were there, fully formed. Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. There is a belief, therefore, that the three goddesses may be aspects of a singular, earlier deity. Mystifying Hecate Facts: The Greek Goddess Of Magic And Spells