Hecate hkt, hkt , in Greek religion and mythology, goddess of ghosts and witchcraft. Of course, as with many stories of Hecate there was also a darker version. To learn more about other Goddesses and exciting information, keep visiting on LearningMole. Hecate, goddess accepted at an early date into Greek religion but probably derived from the Carians in southwest Asia Minor. As she is said to be the guardian of the crossroads, she is most often depicted with three faces and carrying torches or a key. outlandish in her infernal aspects, she is more at home on the fringes than in the centre ofGreekpolytheism. In sculptures from the Classical and Hellenistic Periods, Hecate has been shown as a woman with three bodies or a single body with three heads. In fact, the earliest depictions of Hecate can only be differentiated from those of Artemis by inscriptions. In Ancient Greek religion, Hecate had a wide range of godly tasks. On any trip to Greece, it's helpful to have some knowledge of the Greek gods and goddesses. People often put pictures of the triple goddess on city walls, especially at city gates, the entrances to sacred sites, and the doorways of private homes. A: In Greek mythology, Hecate was the Goddess of witchcraft and magic. Dogs also howl at the Moon, so this could be a link. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Some nymphs in Greek mythology were famous, but others were only known in a certain time Echidna: Greek Mythologys Mother of Monsters, Lamia: The Child-Eating Monster of Greek Legend. According to them, Hecate is known to support bravery and hence encourage soldiers, warriors, athletes, etc. She was also bound to other goddesses in a closely-linked trio. From the three supposedly came her image in Greek . 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. Many Anatolian gods had their roots in the Greek pantheon. According to the most genuine traditions, she appears to have been an ancient Thracian divinity, and a Titan, who, from the time of the Titans, ruled in heaven, on the earth, and in the sea, who bestowed on mortals wealth, victory, wisdom, good luck to sailors and hunters, and prosperity to youth and to the flocks of cattle; but all these blessings might at the same time be withheld by her, if mortals did not deserve them. Her attributes, besides the torch, are the snake, whip, dagger, and sword. In the Greek religion, strange rituals were done to honour the goddess. The boundaries she oversaw were not limited to the physical world, though. Hesiod describes the goddess in the following glowing terms: Zeus, Cronus son, honoured [Hecate] above all others: he gave her splendid gifts to have a share of the earth and of the barren sea, and from the starry sky as well she has a share in honour, and is honoured most of all by the immortal gods. Her tasks went beyond the heavens, the earth, the seas, and the Underworld. Hesiod claimed that Hecate was a favorite of Zeus . HEKATE (Hecate) was the goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts and necromancy. Many depictions, such as those of the Moirae, show the three goddesses corresponding to the three stages of a womans life. She is also Queen of the Night, and is highly connected to All Hallow's Eve. The three-part goddess was able to keep watch in all directions, and became standard in both written and visual representations. Hecate is closely associated with several other goddesses in the Greek pantheon, with symbolism and function seeming to overlap. 1,178 Sq. On her head she sometimes wears a kalathos, a tall wicker basket, or a moon sickle. 170 BCE). This Goddess is often shown as a woman carrying a key or torches. The cave and the dawn are both thresholds- liminal times, thresholds between the earth and the underworld and night and day. 139.162.195.99 Hecate was the daughter of Perses and "gold-wreathed" Astraea (the starry night), and her sway extended over earth, heaven, and hell, for which reason she is represented in works of art as a triple divinity, having three female bodies, all young and beautiful, and united together. The time of the dark moon is a special time of the month to give offerings to Hecate. In single form she appears on Greek vases and coins. Hecate was also linked to a lot of other goddesses from other pantheons. For even now, whenever any human on the earth seeks to regain the favor or goodwill by performing fine sacrifices according to custom, he invokes Hecate; and much honor very easily stays with that man whose prayers the goddess accepts with gladness, and she bestows happiness upon him. My name is Mike and for as long as I can remember (too long!) In literature, there is a clear link between her, Demeter, and Persephone. Hecates actual origins may be in caria, Turkey we can find The Temple of Hecate in the Sanctuary of Hecate at Lagina in Caria (modern-day Turkey which has been dated to the last quarter of the 2nd century CE. This was all about Hecate, a goddess in ancient Greek religion. She witnessed the abduction of Demeter's daughter Persephone to the underworld and, torch in hand, assisted in the search for her. She was the ruler of crossroads, entrances, nighttime, light, magic (witchcraft and sorcery), herbs and plants. This myth led to goddess Hecate being depicted with torches in her hand. In 1929, an expert in religious cults noted that the Blackburn Cult or The Cult of the Great Eleven that was formed in the '20s was connected with Hecate worship and rituals. Further, the home would be blessed and any wrong-doing by family members would be forgiven and the household purified. At doorways and crossroads, pillars of the goddess Hecate, who held a torch, stood. She guides Sibyl through the Underworld in Virgils Aeneid. 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. In a few cases, Hecate was said to have shared these powers with her most devoted followers. Child of Perses and Asteria, she was the only Titan to retain her control under Zeus' reign. 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. On Greek pottery, she is usually shown as a young woman holding a torch or a key. The Goddess Hecate is supposed to be the daughter of Perses, a Titan, and Asteria, a nymph. https://www.thoughtco.com/greek-mythology-hecate-1526205 (accessed March 4, 2023). All these were also given Hekate in her Deipnon (food offering). Intrinsically ambivalent and polymorphous, she straddles conventional boundaries and eludes definition. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The first literary reference to Hecate was in the Theogony, a Greek poem by Hesiod that is believed to have been written in 700 BCE. These statues took on a distinctive appearance. She was the only child of the Titanes Perses and Asteria from whom she received her power over heaven, earth, and sea. 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). This concept became a central figure in many later versions of polytheism. Hecate is known to rule over the sky, the earth, and the sea. Some versions of Scylla's myth say she was once a beautiful sea nymph. Seneca often talks about Hecate and her moon-based counterparts and even links Medea to the goddess. As early as the 5th century BC, the image of the hekataion was the standard way of showing the goddess in sculpture. Hecate was also known as the queen or Goddess of the night. 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. This makes her the granddaughter of Phoebe and Coeus, both Titans. Hecate has been referenced in various literary works, including the plays by Sophocles and Euripides. The moon goddess and the huntress were often linked, and it is believed by some that as Greeks focused worship on the more protective aspects of Artemis they shifted her darker characteristics to Hecate. Most likely, the cults of Thessalian Pherai (Pherae) and Eleusis saw Hekate as Chthonian (Underworld) Hermes's wife. Hecate is one of the many goddesses in Greek mythology. Writings throughout the centuries have woven different tales about Hecate and her role as a goddess. A shrine to this Goddess was built at the entrance of homes and cities as she was believed to keep evil spirits away. In the physical world this could mean anything from doorways to city walls and state borders. Kos, Erythrai,Samothrace, Thessaly, and Miletos also worshipped the. During ancient times the place where roads met or at crossroads, a pole with three masks was erected. Archaeologists have found essential offerings to the goddess at Lagina in Caria and Phrygia. Of course, as the goddess of boundaries she had the power to let things in as well as keep them out. She was a goddess that could be both a protective guardian and a source of menace. Click to reveal We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents. Seeing her friend in pain, Galinthias tricked the Moirai into thinking the child had been born despite their interference. Symbols of Hecate are her place, the crossroads, two torches, and black dogs. "Hecate: Greece's Dark Goddess of the Crossroads." Hecate is often depicted with three heads as she was called the Goddess of the Crossroads. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/greek-mythology-hecate-1526205. They spun the threads of fate at the base of. 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. She could not undo the curse, but she made the polecat her sacred servant. When you buy through the links on our site we may earn a commission. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, A Recommended Book on Hekate Liminal Rites, Planetary MAGICK -7 Facts you should know, Magickal Protection-The BEST 10 SOLUTIONS. She is sometimes depicted as being accompanied by dogs or hounds and ghosts. Thus, pillars called Hecataea stood at crossroads and doorways, perhaps to keep away evil spirits. The Lampades are people who carry torches and travel with the goddess at night. The triple goddesses are often referred to as the Maiden, Mother (or Matron), and Crone. She was the only child of the Titanes Perses and Asteria from whom she received her power over heaven, earth, and sea. As was already said, the dog was Hecates most holy animal. times its difficult to find a quite crossroads to perform workings except in remote areas. Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Good is she also when men contend at the games, for there too the goddess is with them and profits them and to those whose business is in the grey discomfortable sea, and who pray to Hekate and the loud-crashing Earth-Shaker [Poseidon], easily the glorious goddess gives great catch, and easily she takes it away as soon as seen, if so she will. Sometimes, as was the case with Hecate, it was a single goddess who was shown with three aspects. Learning Mole focuses on educating children of all ages in key skills of Maths, English and learning through crafts. They believed that by praising the goddess, the restless dead would be soothed and not deliver vengeance on the family. Hecate is defined by her powerful magic, being at ease with the night and darkness and in wild surroundings. Proponents of this theory believe that this may have been the case with Hecate. Her name was derived from the Greek word hekatos which means "worker from afar". Subscribe to our popular newsletter Synced Global AI Weekly to get weekly AI updates. Hecate was an only child and was worshiped in households of Athens where families hoped to receive protection, prosperity and daily blessings. The daughter of Perses and Asteria (twin sister of Leto ), Hecate was a member of the third generation of Titans, but sided with Zeus and his siblings during the Titanomachy. The crossroads are special places, places of great power, but at the same time haunting places. She held several different roles, including earth goddess, queen of the underworld, and goddess of magic and witchcraft.. Moving between the barrier between life and death explains Hecates connection to both ghosts and necromancy. She thus becomes a deity of the lower world; but this notion does not occur till the time of the Greek tragedians, though it is generally current among the later writers. Hecate is a goddess in Greek mythology often associated with darkness and witchcraft. Due to her magical powers, Hecate was believed to protect children, sailors, and shepherds. Victorian Era, Ibn Khaldun or Celts. She is sometimes shown holding a key. During the Romans, many of her traits belonged to the world of the dead. In his book Description of Greece, Pausanias says that the sculptor Alcamenes was the first to show Hecate in three forms in the 5th century BCE. Hekate assisted Demeter in her search for Persephone, guiding her through the night with flaming torches. Hecate rules over the night, magic, and places where three roads meet. IT WAS A COMMON PRACTICE TO PLACE IMAGES OF HECATE ATCITYGATES & THE DOORWAYS OF PRIVATE HOMES AS SHE COULD WARD OFF EVIL SPIRITS. Even in her origin, Hecate moved between two places. "Hecate: Greece's Dark Goddess of the Crossroads." Throughout history however, her sphere of influence also included the moon, night, crossroads, boundaries, ghosts and necromancy.Although Hecate was once considered to be a powerful Greek goddess of witchcraft, Hecate was not a major deity when compared, for instance, to the . And all these views if we go back in time can also be found in the Greco-Roman world. She was known by her Roman name, Trivia, as well as by her triple form. In the Pharsalia, the witch Erichtho calls on Persephone as the lowest part 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. A shrine to Hecate was placed at the entrances of homes or even cities, hoping to protect them from the evil spirits that roamed the world. Even in descriptions of Medeas witchcraft, it is difficult to distinguish magical rituals from more standard worship and rites. One sculpture depicts Hecate with a friendly dog and another with heads of a cow, dog, boar, serpent or horse. Quite often warriors worshipped the goddess Hecate just as readily. She is invoked for justice, especially for sexual crimes against women and girls. What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. Hecate acted as a veil between the world of the mortals and the supernatural. In fact she seems to have started out as Heket, the Egyptian Goddess of Childbirth. The dog was so closely tied to her than in many ancient stories people could hear the howling and barking of her sacred animal when her magic was used nearby. 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. Some speculate that it represents the full moon, half moon, and new moon. Hectate is derived from the Greek word 'hekatos,' which 'means worker from afar.' A: Hecate is the Greek Goddess of magic and witchcraft. The Matres While little is known of their exact function, over 1,000 images of the three goddesses have been found in Northwestern Europe. Her halos are usually made of moonbeams. What Were the Hamadryads in Greek Mythology? Your privacy is important to us. Carole Raddato/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 2.0. And there is a good book titled Hekate liminal rites By David Rankine and Sorite DEsteyou should check out. These crystals possess unique energies and properties that enhance spiritual practices and aid connections with Hecate. In the 6th century BCE, a circular altar was built in Miletos to honour the goddess (the earliest archaeological evidence of her worship). Her considerable power over nature ensured her continued popularity, but she's never fitted in with the crowd. Several times, authors make a connection between Medeas use of magic, both harmful and protective, and her worship of Hecate. This is shown by her names and cult titles, such as India (which means on the way), Trodia (which means frequenter of the crossroads), and Propylaia (of the gates). Hecate was weaved strongly into all these symbolisms of the crossroads and still does to her devotees. She is also associated with the moon and is sometimes depicted as having three faces which symbolize the waxing, waning, and full moon phases. She was a goddess of magic and the underworld, but she was also a protector of the home and a guardian of borders. Her name has been connected to dark magic and disturbing rituals in the works of Shakespeare and well into modern times. This is shown in Act III, scene five of the play. It is believed that Zeus, the king of the gods, asked Hecate to help find Persephone after Hades kidnapped her. The necromancers not only conjured the spirits of the dead on nightly cemeteries but also on the crossroads, the leftovers from spells are buried on the crossroads in many magical traditions and in many religions it is believed that the spirits are lingering on the crossroads. Hecate is the Goddess of witchcraft, magic, crossroads, ghosts and necromancy. One of her epithets, Apotropaia, references the protection she gave in these spaces. But the version of Hecate that appears in Greek texts is not so straightforward. The Egyptian god Anubis, who led souls to the Underworld, may also have something to do with dogs. This is how she came to command the earth, bliss . Midwives, witches, healers, herbalists, dog lovers and rescuers; she is the matron of women in general and protects those who ride horses, male warriors or cavalry as well. 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. She was the only one among the Titans who retained this power under the rule of Zeus, and she was honored by all the immortal gods. She was a goddess in charge of magic, witchcraft, and much more. 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. From lino cutting to surfing to childrens mental health, their hobbies and interests range far and wide. They were often associated with the three stages of life youth, adulthood, and old age. The goddess was especially appealed to by sorceresses for aid in their magic and spellsand appears on surviving examples of curse tablets. The first sculpture of Hecate in triple form was the (lost) statue by Alcamenes (fifth century BCE) at the Acropolis. The goddess was given gifts every month on the night of a new moon. Her parentage was given differently by various writers. Persephone was married to Hades and was the queen of the Underworld. Athenian Greeks used the evening meal, known as Deipnon, to honor Hecate. This does not influence our choices. A case in point is the Greek goddess Hecate. The duration ofa dark moonvaries between 1.5 and 3.5 days) to the crossroads. Sources say there was a sacred garden dedicated to Hecate at her temple in Colchis (modern day Georgia). Hecate is petitioned for fertility, especially for female children. Scholars think that the goddess arrived in Greece during the Archaic period. Anatolia, which covered most of what is now Turkey, was a region that had close ties to the Greek world. The darkness, the moon, and magic have been personified as Hecate in many popular and well-known works of literature and in art. The Greek form is hekatos, which means "who works from afar," a probable reference to her magic powers, but it may also distantly reference her possible origins in Egypt. Both goddesses were usually shown with dogs by their sides, wearing hunting boots and carrying torches. Omissions? We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content. Hecate may be invoked for healing, especially if medical solutions have failed or are not an option. 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. (2021, December 6). Long before Hesiod and Homer began writing their poetry, the stories of the gods were passed on through oral tradition. Some of the statues she made as offerings to the goddess had the Graces dancing around her. In fact, Hecate might have been another goddess altogether! As an Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases. When the marriage of Persephone was finalized and she became the queen of the underworld, the bond between the three goddesses was strengthened. The Tridevi The triad of goddesses in Hinduism often represents the three states of creation, preservation, and destruction. Hecate (Hekate) is the goddess of boundaries and guardian of crossroads; she is often shown with three faces and carrying a torch to show her connection to the night. Each of the Greek gods has a few specialized functions. 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. She rules wisdom, choices, expiation, victory, vengeance, and travel. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, Regula, deTraci. People used to believe that dogs would eat the dead if they werent buried. She was also closely associated to the spiritual world, ghosts, and the dead. 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. 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. Selenite, tiger's eye, obsidian, rhodochrosite, jet, jasper, agate, and amber are the most suited crystals for Hecate. Study medicinal and magical herbalism and become one of Hecate's priestesses. Her companions are theFuries(Erinyes), the winged creatures who punished wrong-doing, and her children are the Empusae, female demons partial to seducing travellers. Nearby Recently Sold Homes. The most popular theory is that the Carians in Asia Minor brought Hecate to Greece, where she became a part of their religion. Some lexicographers, experts that study the origins of language, believe that the word hag and hex, which means witch, is derived from the word Hecate. Some poets say her mother is Crataeis. Some say that Hecate is the daughter of Erebus and Nyx, ageless Goddess of the night, while others believe that She is one of the Furies or the last surviving Titan except for Zeus. The dog connection may be the fact that dogs were known to eat the dead if left unburied; they also howl at the moon, of course. Why notsubscribe to our LearningMole Library for as little as 1.99 per month to access over1000fun educational videos. Posted by 7thphoenix | May 27, 2020 | Magick Articles | 0 |. This article was most recently revised and updated by, From Athena to Zeus: Basics of Greek Mythology, Ancient Origins - Hecate: Triple-Bodied Greek Goddess of Witchcraft and Keeper of Keys, Hecate - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Sorceresses ask the goddess for help with their magic and spells, and she is shown on curse tablets that have survived. 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. The first example of the triple-Hecate form, called hekataia, was made by the sculptor Alcamenes in the 5th century BCE. The beginnings of Hecates worship are shrouded in mystery. The witches were telling Macbeth about his future and had not consulted the Goddess and had left her out of the meeting. She is good in the byre with Hermes to increase the stock. From the Greek word for to turn away, apotropaic magic is that which defends by turning away evil or harm. Hecate was a goddess in Greek Mythology. Her name is akin to the Latin words dium ("sky") and dius ("daylight"). As such, she was greatly honored by Zeus, who allowed her to operate on Earth, as well as the sky and the Underworld. Hecate was often shown as a single person wearing a long robe and holding burning torches. She is often pictured holding keys because, as the goddess of boundaries, she held the power to open and close the doors to the realm of Hades. Some authors say that she was the daughter of Zeus and Demeter. Hecate can banishghosts(or produce a ghost infestation). It was believed that she could see in all directions. She may be petitioned for a swift, painless death. Most of all, Hecate was a goddess of mystery. Hecate is also sometimes interpreted in association with Artemis and Selene. "Worker-from-afar." On the Pergamon Altar of Zeus, from the 2nd century BCE, a three-headed Hecate and a dog attack a snake-like giant. In the writings of Hesiod, Hecate is the daughter of the Titan Perses and the nymph Asteria. Most likely, the cults of Thessalian Pherai (Pherae) and Eleusis saw Hekate as Chthonian (Underworld) Hermess wife. Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. Medeas magic was often described as having to do with necromancy, sleep, and the night. The goddess Hecate is one of the Greek goddesses that not many people know about. Related Topics: greek. MAGE ENERGETICS The most complete course in magick ever released! She rules wisdom, choices, expiation, victory, vengeance, and travel. Hecate, however, took pity on Galinthias. But Hekate was in this time also connected to liminality. Hecate is portrayed in single form on sculptures of Myron and Naucydes. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a28cb13cce875e3 Contrary to popular current belief she wasnt originally a matron for women but for all who fit the above categories. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Hecate was the chief goddess presiding over magic and spells. Check your inbox for your latest news from us. Her main jobs were to control boundaries, witchcraft, and the Underworld. Modern neopagan and Wiccan religions often include worship of a triple goddess, and of Hecate herself. Controlling who moved through the border between the earth and the underworld gave her a unique power to summon spirits and raise the dead. This grouping of the goddesses happens again in Aristophanes Frogs (1358f) when Aeschylus character calls on the goddesses. Hecate, however, is routinely described as the goddess of witchcraft and associated with characters like Medea and Circe, the witch of Homers Odyssey. HEKATE (Hecate) was the goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts and necromancy. Hecate is invoked when justice is not forthcoming from other channels. By the first century CE, Lucans Pharsalia made it clear that Hecate was the goddess of magic and witchcraft. Numerous smaller sculptures of Hecate remain in which the goddess appears as three separate women, wearing chitons, with the backs pressed against a pillar. However, she is believed to be protective of human beings. And during these times Hecate was also very much connected to other portals- such as doors, entrances, thresholds and eventually the crossroads. Kidadl is supported by you, the reader. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong. The things that make Hecate seem like an older woman are in the Pharsalia. The Carians were devoted to Hecate, and she was the primary deity worshipped in the town of Lagina. This could mean that the goddess didnt come to Greece from Caria until a relatively late date.