facts about hecate

Some early writers claimed that Hecate was actually the princess Iphigenia, saved from death by Artemis and transformed into a goddess. They claim she originated in Caria, a region in southern Anatolia on the Mediterranean, and was adopted into the Greek pantheon. (2021, December 6). But Hecate is not the evil hag that popular legend suggests. The Egyptian fertility goddess Heqet was associated with magic, which the Egyptians called heqa. In fact, Hecate might have been another goddess altogether! My name is Mike and for as long as I can remember (too long!) As early as the 5th century BC, the image of the hekataion was the standard way of showing the goddess in sculpture. Moving between the barrier between life and death explains Hecates connection to both ghosts and necromancy. And the dark moon is also a powerful time to cleanse you, from negative energy, negative influences or potentially harmful spirits. It is believed that Hecate represented witchcraft, magic and ghosts. All these were also given Hekate in her Deipnon (food offering). Hecate is also sometimes interpreted in association with Artemis and Selene. 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. As such, she was greatly honored by Zeus, who allowed her to operate on Earth, as well as the sky and the Underworld. Some poets say her mother is Crataeis. She is also mentioned in Aeneid, a play by Virgil where she guides one of the characters, Sibyl, in the Underworld. Her group included the Lampades, the nymphs of the Underworld, and ghosts. This food offering was known as the Supper of Hecate. However, the queen killed the Thracian king when on her way to Greece. She is often displayed holding two torches or a key. In the post-Christian writings of the Chaldean Oracles ( 2nd-3rd century AD ), she was regarded with some rulership over earth, sea, and sky, as well as a more . Esoteric writing from this time says that Hecate has the heads of a horse, a dog, and a snake. The goddess was often linked to Demeter, and in some cults, she was seen as the same as Demeter. 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 has long been associated with witchcraft and the occult, even necromancy. Athenian Greeks used the evening meal, known as Deipnon, to honor Hecate. Hecate is a goddess in Greek mythology often associated with darkness and witchcraft. Her considerable power over nature ensured her continued popularity, but she's never fitted in with the crowd. 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 . Victorian Era, Ibn Khaldun or Celts. It is even more enjoyable Coconuts are delicious. The goddess told Demeter everything she had heard, but Demeter didnt know who had taken her daughter. Hades was pleased with this, and Hecate was allowed to come and go as she pleased from the Underworld. Like most of the Olympic pantheon, Hecate predates the written mythology of Greece. In the Greco-Roman world, the crossroads were places of spirits, doorways to the other world(s), places of magic, spells and necromancy and also places of purification. The goddess Hecate is one of the Greek goddesses that not many people know about. MAGE ENERGETICS The most complete course in magick ever released! You may request to banish harm from you and to protect you and your loved ones. Hecate is defined by her powerful magic, being at ease with the night and darkness and in wild surroundings. According to a legend, Odysseus got the Trojan queen Hecuba as a captive after the defeat of Troy. A case in point is the Greek goddess Hecate. When they heard this the Moirai uncrossed their arms, releasing the bonds that kept the infant Heracles from the earth. The earliest archaeological evidence that has been found that proved that this deity was important and worshipped by the people was the circular altar that was used in the 6th century BCE for sacrifices to her. I have been in love with all things related to Mythology. Apollo is often called Hekatos, the masculine form of his name. Well send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out. Some authors say that she was the daughter of Zeus and Demeter. Hecate was sometimes seen as a Titan, like her parents, and in the battle between the Titans and the Greek gods led by Zeus, she helped Zeus and so was not banished to the underworld with the rest of them. 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. Still another school of thought links her, at least linguistically, to Egypt. In revenge for the trick, Eileithyia turned Galinthias into a polecat. Most of all, Hecate was a goddess of mystery. The darkness, the moon, and magic have been personified as Hecate in many popular and well-known works of literature and in art. The Greeks, too, had many different theories about Hecates origins. Hecates name comes from the Greek word hekatos, which means worker from afar.. She was also associated with some of the most revered and respected goddesses of Olympus. Some scholars believe that Hecate was one such goddess. 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. She is invoked for justice, especially for sexual crimes against women and girls. Greeks likewise borrowed many deities and legends. ThoughtCo, Dec. 6, 2021, thoughtco.com/greek-mythology-hecate-1526205. When Persephone was abducted to the underworld by Hades, Hecate was the only witness willing to help Demeter search for her daughter. 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. Lycophron, 77; Scholiast on Aristophanes'. To the Greeks this meant not only the moment at which the soul crossed between those to states, but also to a literal place. Scholars think that the goddess arrived in Greece during the Archaic period. Hecate Triformis, Hecate of the three faces or three forms, corresponding to the phases of the moon: dark, waxing, and waning. 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. On the other hand, Euripides says that Leto is her mother. Q: How do the three witches make Hecate angry? Most likely, the cults of Thessalian Pherai (Pherae) and Eleusis saw Hekate as Chthonian (Underworld) Hermess wife. She is often displayed holding two torches or a key. The keys that she is sometimes shown holding are supposed to be the keys of the Underworld. She could switch between being a Titan and a goddess in Greek mythology. She was both a product of the Titans and an honored member of Zeuss court at Olympus. Hecate carrying a torch is a common way to show this myth in art. 1,178 Sq. Women also prayed to her for fertility and the birth of female children. Her name is akin to the Latin words dium ("sky") and dius ("daylight"). 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. 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. We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. Although much of her power appeared generally dark or menacing, Hecate could also be a merciful goddess. Follow for more great fun learning. Hecate could give her worshipers wealth and blessings, but she could also take them away if they didnt worship her well enough. Hecate, however, is routinely described as the goddess of witchcraft and associated with characters like Medea and Circe, the witch of Homers Odyssey. Such triple goddesses were common in ancient religions. 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. By her very nature Hecate was a goddess that existed on the edges of the Greek pantheon, yet she was also a household goddess who watched over every door in Greece. Of course, as the goddess of boundaries she had the power to let things in as well as keep them out. The chief Greek god, Zeus, was very fond of this Goddess and gave her a share of the earth and sea. She has also been associated with the dark side of human beings, which is death. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content. I am the owner and chief researcher at this site. In aiding Demeter during her search for the missing Persephone and transfiguring Hecuba to spare her captivity or death she showed a level of compassion that might not be expected from an occult figure. In ancient times, Hecates three-part form was shown as three separate bodies surrounding a central column. It has been suggested that this arose from the use of watchdogs, particularly at night, to scare away intruders and warn their owners of danger. As the Romans developed and constructed superior road systems, we started to see the emergence of choices and nowadays in modern. But the version of Hecate that appears in Greek texts is not so straightforward. In ancient times the crossroads didnt have our modern symbolism as a place of choices. In many cultures and religions in many lands. This makes her the granddaughter of Phoebe and Coeus, both Titans. On any trip to Greece, it's helpful to have some knowledge of the Greek gods and goddesses. She can be a shadowy, oblique goddess: her response may be subtle. Even Zeus, the King of the Olympian Gods, is said to have reverenced her, and there are hints that she was considered to be an all-powerful goddess. Article created on Monday, March 3, 1997. Small cakes made of eggs, cheese, bread, and dog meat were lit with tiny torches. By the 2nd century AD, a story had developed around Galinthias, a daughter of Proteus and friend of Alcmene. The triple Hecate represented three aspects of a single goddess. She is helping a dog attack a giant who looks like a snake. 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. She may be petitioned for a swift, painless death. In Greece, there is some evidence that Hecate was originally seen as a much more benevolent, cosmic goddess. It measured 21m x 28m and was built in the Corinthian order with 8 columns on its shorter sides and 11 columns on its longer sides. Her association with dark magic is also tied to her identification as an underworld goddess. She witnessed the abduction of Demeter's daughter Persephone to the underworld and, torch in hand, assisted in the search for her. Omissions? The action you just performed triggered the security solution. The Orphic Mysteries said that Hestia was the daughter of Demeter instead. She was a goddess of magic and the underworld, but she was also a protector of the home and a guardian of borders. Hecate, however, took pity on Galinthias. She also assisted the gods in their war with the Gigantes, and slew Clytius.5, This extensive power possessed by Hecate was probably the reason that subsequently she was confounded and identified with several other divinities, and at length became a mystic goddess, to whom mysteries were celebrated in Samothrace6 and in Aegina.7 For being as it were the queen of all nature, we find her identified with Demeter, Rhea (Cybele or Brimo); being a huntress and the protector of youth, she is the same as Artemis (Curotrophos); and as a goddess of the moon, she is regarded as the mystic Persephone.8 She was further connected with the worship of other mystic divinities, such as the Cabeiri and Curetes,9 and also with Apollo and the Muses.10, The ground-work of the above-mentioned confusions and identifications, especially with Demeter and Persephone, is contained in the Homeric hymn to Demeter; for, according to this hymn, she was, besides Helios, the only divinity who, from her cave, observed the abduction of Persephone. This concept became a central figure in many later versions of polytheism. 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. 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. 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. Hecate was a goddess in Greek Mythology. On her head she sometimes wears a kalathos, a tall wicker basket, or a moon sickle. Why notsubscribe to our LearningMole Library for as little as 1.99 per month to access over1000fun educational videos. A: The three witches in the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare made Hecate angry by meeting and predicting the future of the main character, Macbeth, without consulting her. Was the Griffin a Bird from Greek Mythology? Hecate rules over the night, magic, and places where three roads meet. Nearby homes similar to 755 Hecate Dr have recently sold between $204K to $212K at an average of $190 per square foot. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. outlandish in her infernal aspects, she is more at home on the fringes than in the centre ofGreekpolytheism. In Ancient Greece, this Goddess was honored in most homes as she was considered to bring prosperity. The Goddess Hecate is supposed to be the daughter of Perses, a Titan, and Asteria, a nymph. These three goddesses are also linked in the Mystery cults. And all these views if we go back in time can also be found in the Greco-Roman world. Female monsters also often came in threes, as was the case with the Gorgons and Graea. A few pagans and Wiccans have also been known to worship Hecate as a dark goddess. Hecate can banishghosts(or produce a ghost infestation). 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. And during these times Hecate was also very much connected to other portals- such as doors, entrances, thresholds and eventually the crossroads. Q: Why was Hecate excluded from witch meetings? There are few legends about Her, and no fixed genealogy. On the Pergamon Altar of Zeus, from the 2nd century BCE, a three-headed Hecate and a dog attack a snake-like giant. 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. She was associated with witchcraft, necromancy, and poisons. Another story of Hecates protective nature also involves another of her sacred animals. Polecats hid in dirty holes and, it was believed by the Greeks, had a grotesque and unnatural way of mating. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! Hecate was a goddess in Greek Mythology. The masculine form of this word is said to be used for Apollo, one of the Greek gods. 170 BCE). As worshippers began to focus on one aspect of a god more than others, that gods secondary purposes were separated into another deity altogether. 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. Authors from the past, like Ovid and Pausanias, say that dogs, especially black dogs, were given to the goddess as sacrifices. She was the ruler of crossroads, entrances, nighttime, light, magic (witchcraft and sorcery), herbs and plants. A: In Greek Mythology, Hecate was the Goddess of magic and witchcraft. Names derived from hers were common, including Hecatomnus, the father of the ruler Mausolus who built the famous tomb. Persis and Asteria, two Titans from the generation of deities prior to the Olympians, are the legendary parents of Hecate. We will examine her origins and describe the crossroads ritual. Witches do gather together or solitary on crossroads as do magicians , hoodoo and voudan practitioners to cast their enchantments and spells. This garden would've contained her sacred trees, herbs and poisons. Anatolia, which covered most of what is now Turkey, was a region that had close ties to the Greek world. The Greeks likewise borrowed many deities and legends from their eastern neighbors. Her priests are normally accompanied by hell hounds sent by their goddess to guard her temples. Like her Greek counterpart, she was also a goddess of domestic animals. Hecate was also known as the queen or Goddess of the night. In fact, the earliest depictions of Hecate can only be differentiated from those of Artemis by inscriptions. She is also said to be the Goddess of childbirth and the protector of children. HEKATE (Hecate) was the goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts and necromancy. As a cthonic goddess of the underworld, her rituals and rites were often associated with death and secrecy. Latin Spelling. 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. goddess, with the latter having a 6th-century BCE circular altar for sacrifices to be made in her honour (the earliest archaeological evidence of her worship). These statues took on a distinctive appearance. She would go with Persephone to the Underworld every year when the girl returned to Hades. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. She could not be forced to love anyone. Some versions of Scylla's myth say she was once a beautiful sea nymph. She is the witness to every crime. Hecate was believed to be a goddess of both the living world and the underworld. Child of Perses and Asteria, she was the only Titan to retain her control under Zeus' reign. Hecate helps or protects warriors, athletes, hunters, horsemen, herders, shepherds, fishermen, and children. The Kidadl Team is made up of people from different walks of life, from different families and backgrounds, each with unique experiences and nuggets of wisdom to share with you. Corrections? We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so its important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family. She was a goddess that could be both a protective guardian and a source of menace. There might not be any figure in Greek mythology that is as misunderstood as Hecate. Greek pantheon was once much smaller than we know. For many it is a time to connect with Her, to thank her for her blessings, her guidance and her protection during the last lunar cycle and also to ask her to bless and protect them in the new lunar cycle. Hecate Triodos is the specific aspect presiding over crossroads. The evening meal in ancient Greece, especially in Athens known as Deipnon, was in honor of Hecate. Her halos are usually made of moonbeams. The Hades and Persephone Story. It even appears in Christianity, with the gospels placing three Marys at both the Crucifixion and Christs tomb. Advanced Magick for the 21st Century The Adeptus Course, THE MOST COMPLETE COURSE IN PRACTICAL MAGICK EVER RELEASED. And there is a good book titled Hekate liminal rites By David Rankine and Sorite DEsteyou should check out. My name is Mike and for as long as I can remember (too long!) She is invoked for justice, especially for sexual crimes against women and girls. Her main jobs were to control boundaries, witchcraft, and the Underworld. 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. Both of these gods were thought to be in charge of the dead and had something to do with Persephone coming back in the spring. Contrary to popular current belief she wasnt originally a matron for women but for all who fit the above categories. Hecate was the principal goddess who had jurisdiction over enchantments and spells. 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 Theogony. Selenite, tiger's eye, obsidian, rhodochrosite, jet, jasper, agate, and amber are the most suited crystals for Hecate. The food offered to this deity included cheese, cakes of eggs, and a dish of red mullet. While some scholars attribute these displays as holding a dark side to Hecate, most myths associate her with a protective nature toward humans. People left the food there to honor Hecate. To find out more about LearningMole please visit our about us page or visit more of our topics available. 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. Hecate also presided over more mystical boundaries. Thus, pillars called Hecataea stood at crossroads and doorways, perhaps to keep away evil spirits. 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. However, she is believed to be protective of human beings. Originally she seems to have been an extremely powerful and benevolent goddess, identified with three other goddessesSelene (in heaven), Artemis (on earth), and Persephone (in the underworld). There are many other interesting facts about Hecate as pointed out by philosophers and researchers. You may like to light incense such as the smoke of wormwood, cypress and lavender in these offerings. Hecates powers to protect were passed on from Titan parents Perses and Asteria and covered the heavens, earth and sea. The three-part goddess was able to keep watch in all directions, and became standard in both written and visual representations. Tzetzes on Lycophron, 1175; Scholiast on Theocritus, ii, 36. These crystals possess unique energies and properties that enhance spiritual practices and aid connections with Hecate. Hecate was believed to be a goddess of both the living world and the underworld. In this manner, pillars known as Hecate stood at key intersections and entryways, possibly to ward off malevolent spirits.

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