The Greeks likewise borrowed many deities and legends from their eastern neighbors. She is often displayed holding two torches or a key. The evening meal in ancient Greece, especially in Athens known as Deipnon, was in honor of Hecate. The Greek name of Hecate may derive from an earlier Egyptian frog-headed goddess called Heqet, who ruled over magic and fertility and was a favorite of women. Advanced Magick for the 21st Century The Adeptus Course, THE MOST COMPLETE COURSE IN PRACTICAL MAGICK EVER RELEASED. In fact she seems to have started out as Heket, the Egyptian Goddess of Childbirth. 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. First 6 Months for 1.99 with Monthly Student and Teacher Plans Dismiss, 2022 Learning Mole. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published. She could switch between being a Titan and a goddess in Greek mythology. They gave mortals wealth, victory, wisdom and luck. This does not influence our choices. 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. The time of the dark moon is a special time of the month to give offerings to Hecate. It is believed that Hecate represented witchcraft, magic and ghosts. Her halos are usually made of moonbeams. Classical scholars have differing views about where the worship of Hecate in Ancient Greece came from. Even though there arent many myths about the goddess Hecate, the ones that do exist tell us a lot about where she has power. She was often placed at the entrance of homes to help protect against the evil forces of the world. She's ill at ease in cities and civilization. creative tips and more. The chief Greek god, Zeus, was very fond of this Goddess and gave her a share of the earth and sea. One sculpture depicts Hecate with a friendly dog and another with heads of a cow, dog, boar, serpent or horse. Hecate may be invoked for healing, especially if medical solutions have failed or are not an option. During the time of the Romans, Hecate was often combined with the gods Artemis and Selene, especially in Roman poetry. However, the queen killed the Thracian king when on her way to Greece. Hecate is one of the many goddesses in Greek mythology. She was also the goddess of the Oikos and the guardian of its entrances. As a protective goddess, it was common for statuettes of Hecate to be placed in the doorways of homes in Greece in the hopes that she would intervene to prevent bad fortune from passing in. Hecate. Her group included the Lampades, the nymphs of the Underworld, and ghosts. Hecate helps or protects warriors, athletes, hunters, horsemen, herders, shepherds, fishermen, and children. Her name was derived from the Greek word hekatos which means "worker from afar". 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. Her friends are the Erinyes, winged creatures that punish bad behaviour, and her children are the Empusae, female demons that like to seduce travellers. The Carians were devoted to Hecate, and she was the primary deity worshipped in the town of Lagina. 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. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Omissions? This concept became a central figure in many later versions of polytheism. In many cultures and religions in many lands. Hecate typically responds to petitions via visions and dreams. Seeing her friend in pain, Galinthias tricked the Moirai into thinking the child had been born despite their interference. Most of all, Hecate was a goddess of mystery. Hecate has been referenced in various literary works, including the plays by Sophocles and Euripides. The blessings she gave them were eventually seen as magic, while prayers were seen as incantations. Her companions are theFuries(Erinyes), the winged creatures who punished wrong-doing, and her children are the Empusae, female demons partial to seducing travellers. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. She was the only Titan who kept her power while Zeus was in charge. While some scholars attribute these displays as holding a dark side to Hecate, most myths associate her with a protective nature toward humans. 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. In this manner, pillars known as Hecate stood at key intersections and entryways, possibly to ward off malevolent spirits. Not only could she move between the realms, but she had power to control the passage of others. The well-known Pergamon Altar (from around the 2nd century BCE) shows Hecate as three different things. The goddess was frequently associated with Demeter and even assimilated to her in some cults. Hecate was a goddess of boundaries and in between spaces. The Hades and Persephone Story. She is invoked for justice, especially for sexual crimes against women and girls. 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. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. At doorways and crossroads, pillars of the goddess Hecate, who held a torch, stood. Hecate is invoked when justice is not forthcoming from other channels. 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. Hecate was a goddess in Greek Mythology. Hecate is also sometimes interpreted in association with Artemis and Selene. She has also been mentioned in the works of Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream, King Lear, and Macbeth. The goddess was given gifts every month on the night of a new moon. She may be petitioned for a swift, painless death. The Egyptian fertility goddess Heqet was associated with magic, which the Egyptians called heqa. Her liminality came from the fact that she was the daughter of a Titan and a goddess. On the other hand, Euripides says that Leto is her mother. 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). Another story of Hecates protective nature also involves another of her sacred animals. Scholars think that the goddess arrived in Greece during the Archaic period. Hecate (also spelt Hekate) is a goddess capable of both good and evil. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, Dogs also howl at the Moon, so this could be a link. Hecate appears in the pseudo-Homeric hymn to Demeter- there Hecate dwelled in a cave during Kores abduction and appeared to Demeter in the dawn while she was searching for her lost daughter. Hecate was a cathonic goddess that preceded the Olympians, and it seems that she was highly worshipped in Thrace. By the 2nd century AD, a story had developed around Galinthias, a daughter of Proteus and friend of Alcmene. Hecate can banishghosts(or produce a ghost infestation). We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content. Origin and Family Persis and Asteria, two Titans from the generation of deities prior to the Olympians, are the legendary parents of Hecate. (2021, December 6). According to Greek mythology when the universe first came into being the primordial gods were there, fully formed. 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. Several modern devotees already adapted the tradition of giving food offerings to Hekate- these are sacred meals, that are bought on the dark moon ( This is the last visible crescent of a waningMoon. 1.5 Baths. 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. In ancient times the crossroads didnt have our modern symbolism as a place of choices. Hekate: A beginner's guide to witchcraft, ghosts, spirituality, and Hekate advance rituals and spells for Meditation and Divination Kindle Edition by Johander Kholms (Author) Format: Kindle Edition 9 ratings See all formats and editions Kindle $5.49 Read with Our Free App While Hera was considered a singular being, she was given three names to represent her different stages in life maiden, wife, and mother. 170 BCE). The things that make Hecate seem like an older woman are in the Pharsalia. We will examine her origins and describe the crossroads ritual. At least one story, however, gives the goddess a much more human origin. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Hecate was considered an ancient Thracian divinity and she was also a titan; the titans ruled the heavens, the earth and the sea. This made her one of the few deities to have the power to move freely between the world of the living and the underworld. In the physical world this could mean anything from doorways to city walls and state borders. The Charites (Graces) and Horai (Seasons) were also trios of minor goddesses in Greek mythology. Hecate (also spelt Hekate) is a goddess capable of both good and evil. Medeas magic was often described as having to do with necromancy, sleep, and the night. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Home History Great Facts about Goddess Hecate. Hecate was also offered the sacrifice of dogs, especially puppies. Most likely, the cults of Thessalian Pherai (Pherae) and Eleusis saw Hekate as Chthonian (Underworld) Hermes's wife. She is good in the byre with Hermes to increase the stock. Moreover, the fact that Hecate had a Greek name does not necessarily mean that her cult originated in Greece (she more likely emerged from Caria in Asia Minor). Hecate is a goddess of life, death, regeneration, and magic. Hecate is petitioned for fertility, especially for female children. As goddesses that straddled the boundary between this world and the afterlife, they were believed to be the keys to uncovering the secrets of what lay beyond that boundary. Hecate was the goddess of borders, barriers, and boundaries. The Greek three-headed hound of Hades, Cerberus, may have been an earlier version of Hecate. 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. A popular story among the Greeks was that the dog that accompanied Hecate was the Trojan queen Hecuba. Eventually, this came to include the boundary between the natural and the supernatural, making her a goddess of magic. Names derived from hers were common, including Hecatomnus, the father of the ruler Mausolus who built the famous tomb. This myth led to goddess Hecate being depicted with torches in her hand. Although much of her power appeared generally dark or menacing, Hecate could also be a merciful goddess. Hecate is often depicted with three heads as she was called the Goddess of the Crossroads. We know you don't want to miss any news or research breakthroughs. Small cakes made of eggs, cheese, bread, and dog meat were lit with tiny torches. What Were the Hamadryads in Greek Mythology? All Rights Reserved, Ancient Egyptians The First Woman Pharaoh, A Crunchy Pistachios Tale: 13 Interesting Facts About These Salty Munchies. Persis and Asteria, two Titans from the generation of deities prior to the Olympians, are the legendary parents of Hecate. Before that, she was just a minor character in the stories of Demeter (Persephones maid) and Artemis. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/greek-mythology-hecate-1526205. They are associated with certain ideas, occupations, or stages of life. Athenian Greeks used the evening meal, known as Deipnon, to honor Hecate. She witnessed the abduction of Demeter's daughter Persephone to the underworld and, torch in hand, assisted in the search for her. You may like to light incense such as the smoke of wormwood, cypress and lavender in these offerings. If you are interested in effective unique protection magickCLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE! Hesiod goes on to say that the goddess supports warriors, athletes, hunters, horsemen, herdsmen, shepherds, fishermen, and children. They believed that by praising the goddess, the restless dead would be soothed and not deliver vengeance on the family. 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. Mythical Facts about Hecate Fact 1: Shrines to the goddess were placed at the doorways of homes and as protection from the dead and evil spirits. The heads could be of a dog, a lion, or a horse, representing the constellations that make up the year. The beginnings of Hecates worship are shrouded in mystery. Hecate was often shown as a single person wearing a long robe and holding burning torches. What Were the Hamadryads in Greek Mythology? HEKATE (Hecate) was the goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts and necromancy. A statue called Hekate Epipyrgidia (On the Ramparts) stood at the Athens Acropolis entrance. The goddess Hecate had unusual rituals performed in her honour, which include the offerings of food given at crossroads, road junctions, and any other sort of boundary or threshold known as the supper of Hecate. Persephone was married to Hades and was the queen of the Underworld. Q: Why was Hecate excluded from witch meetings? I have been in love with all things related to Mythology. Therefore, this deity is also invoked when there is thought to be a miscarriage of justice. Sorceresses ask the goddess for help with their magic and spells, and she is shown on curse tablets that have survived. A few pagans and Wiccans have also been known to worship Hecate as a dark goddess. The iconography had not yet come to include her usual attributes, such as her keys and torches or her three aspects. The Moirai crossed their arms and Eileithyia refused to help the laboring woman. She is not a typical one-dimensional goddess but lives on many different levels. This article contains incorrect information, This article doesnt have the information Im looking for. The ancient Greeks thought of her as a Greek goddess, not someone from another country. She was connected to occult practices such as witchcraft and magic, the Moon, gateways, and nocturnal beasts such as hellhounds and ghosts. On her head she sometimes wears a kalathos, a tall wicker basket, or a moon sickle. Like Hermes, who was also a deity of liminal spaces, statues of Hecate were often placed at crossroads and borders. From the Greek word for to turn away, apotropaic magic is that which defends by turning away evil or harm. The parentage of Scylla is hotly debated. She is depicted on the altar of Pergamon with one body and three heads (ca. Some depictions show the Goddess with the head of a dog, horse, and lion, which could be the constellations during the year. Some speculate that it represents the full moon, half moon, and new moon. 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. But Hecate is not the evil hag that popular legend suggests. As a fertility deity she was invoked by women to aid conception and delivery. The Goddess Hecate is supposed to be the daughter of Perses, a Titan, and Asteria, a nymph. Her origins and powers were unexplained and changeable. She is believed to visit the Underworld to help other gods and people who were outcasts due to fear. Though perhaps originally an indigenous woodland goddess, Diana early became identified with Artemis. There are many other interesting facts about Hecate as pointed out by philosophers and researchers. The chief Greek god, Zeus, was very fond of this Goddess and gave her a share of the earth and sea. The cave and the dawn are both thresholds- liminal times, thresholds between the earth and the underworld and night and day. Pausanias, a Greek traveller who lived in the second century CE, said that the goddess had a mystery cult on the island of Aegina, where people with mental illness thought they could be cured. This is a reminder of her role as a goddess of the night, a guardian of the gates to Hades, and a goddess of boundaries. The Lampades are people who carry torches and travel with the goddess at night. She is also mentioned in Aeneid, a play by Virgil where she guides one of the characters, Sibyl, in the Underworld. She is also Queen of the Night, and is highly connected to All Hallow's Eve. $204,000 Last Sold Price. Hecate was also linked to a lot of other goddesses from other pantheons. When Alcmene was in labor with Heracles, Hera attempted to stop the childs birth. The triple goddesses are often referred to as the Maiden, Mother (or Matron), and Crone. She is described in this capacity as a mighty and formidable divinity, ruling over the souls of the departed; she is the goddess of purifications and expiations, and is accompanied by Stygian dogs.11 By Phorcys she became the mother of Scylla.12, There is another very important feature which arose out of the notion of her being an infernal divinity, namely, she was regarded as a spectral being, who at night sent from the lower world all kinds of demons and terrible phantoms, who taught sorcery and witchcraft, who dwelt at places where two roads crossed each other, on tombs, and near the blood of murdered persons. It even appears in Christianity, with the gospels placing three Marys at both the Crucifixion and Christs tomb. A case in point is the Greek goddess Hecate. According to her story, Hecate sometimes withheld these blessings if she felt mortals did not deserve them. Performance & security by Cloudflare. My name is Mike and for as long as I can remember (too long!) Authors from the past, like Ovid and Pausanias, say that dogs, especially black dogs, were given to the goddess as sacrifices. She was both a product of the Titans and an honored member of Zeuss court at Olympus. The triple Hecate represented three aspects of a single goddess. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. It is the story of how the polecat became one of her companions. Your privacy is important to us. Due to her dark attributes, this deity has often been associated with the Underworld. Esoteric writing from this time says that Hecate has the heads of a horse, a dog, and a snake. Please like and share this article if you found it useful. Although Hecate found Persephone, instead of rescuing her, she helped her settle into her new life as the bride of Hades. She was not portrayed as being loving towards children but as someone who took revenge against anyone that harmed children. Archaeological items found in Lagina in Caria and Phrygia also point to the importance of this Goddess during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. There is a belief, therefore, that the three goddesses may be aspects of a singular, earlier deity. She has also been associated with the dark side of human beings, which is death. She could not undo the curse, but she made the polecat her sacred servant. She was often placed at the entrance of homes to help protect against the evil forces of the world. 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. But the version of Hecate that appears in Greek texts is not so straightforward. In single form she appears on Greek vases and coins.