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. 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. Hecate is usually depicted with a burning torch in her hand and with a dog laying at her feet, its head raised. 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). She may be petitioned for a swift, painless death. My name is Mike and for as long as I can remember (too long!) 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 Later periods show statues of Hecate in three-fold having 3 separate bodies and faces. From the three supposedly came her image in Greek . Updates? The three-part goddess was able to keep watch in all directions, and became standard in both written and visual representations. The goddess was frequently associated with Demeter and even assimilated to her in some cults. Hecate was believed to be a goddess of both the living world and the underworld. Much later, Shakespeare referenced her in Macbeth, where she is mentioned in the scene of the three witches boiling together their dire brew. The Greeks likewise borrowed many deities and legends from their eastern neighbors. Many depictions, such as those of the Moirae, show the three goddesses corresponding to the three stages of a womans life. This myth led to goddess Hecate being depicted with torches in her hand. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. 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. Medeas magic was often described as having to do with necromancy, sleep, and the night. Scylla's most retold appearance is in Homer's Odyssey. Earlier, though, there may have been fewer gods with more complex functions. On any trip to Greece, it's helpful to have some knowledge of the Greek gods and goddesses. You have subscribed to: Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter. She was the only child of the Titanes Perses and Asteria from whom she received her power over heaven, earth, and sea. The Egyptian fertility goddess Heqet was associated with magic, which the Egyptians called heqa. The goddess, on the other hand, usually has human heads. In Aeschylus Suppliants, for example, they were often mixed up to make a goddess with two faces. The Hades and Persephone Story. She was most famously the goddess of magic, witchcraft, ghosts, necromancy, the Moon, and the night. 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. Since the fifth century BCE, Hecate has been associated with magic, witchcraft, the moon, and other dark influences. Hecate was represented as single-formed, clad in a long robe, holding burning torches; in later representations she was triple-formed, with three bodies standing back-to-back, probably so that she could look in all directions at once from the crossroads. 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. Even in descriptions of Medeas witchcraft, it is difficult to distinguish magical rituals from more standard worship and rites. They are associated with certain ideas, occupations, or stages of life. She was connected to occult practices such as witchcraft and magic, the Moon, gateways, and nocturnal beasts such as hellhounds and ghosts. These took the form of small cakes of eggs, cheese, bread, and dog meat, which were lit with miniature torches or, alternatively, a dish of red mullet, which was usually prohibited from offerings to the other gods. It is even more enjoyable Coconuts are delicious. The best of the LearningMole geography tutorials. Some experts believe that the three heads or faces of the Goddess Hecate denote the full, half, and new moon. 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. Nearby homes similar to 755 Hecate Dr have recently sold between $204K to $212K at an average of $190 per square foot. Hecate, however, was not just a goddess shown in three parts. Look for her animals: snakes, dragons, cats, and especially dogs. She could switch between being a Titan and a goddess in Greek mythology. 1,178 Sq. At least one story, however, gives the goddess a much more human origin. This Goddess is often shown as a woman carrying a key or torches. 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. Meanwhile, others believe she is the progeny of Hecate and Phorcys. She rules wisdom, choices, expiation, victory, vengeance, and travel. Hecate is invoked when justice is not forthcoming from other channels. This is how she came to command the earth, bliss . The Greeks, too, had many different theories about Hecates origins. She was often placed at the entrance of homes to help protect against the evil forces of the world. Both goddesses were usually shown with dogs by their sides, wearing hunting boots and carrying torches. During ancient times the place where roads met or at crossroads, a pole with three masks was erected. The offerings to the goddess were made each month during the night of a new moon. Moving between the barrier between life and death explains Hecates connection to both ghosts and necromancy. I have been in love with all things related to Mythology. Q: Why was Hecate excluded from witch meetings? Hecate: Greece's Dark Goddess of the Crossroads. This makes her the granddaughter of Phoebe and Coeus, both Titans. Click to reveal If you use any of the content on this page in your own work, please use the code below to cite this page as the source of the content. Most of all, Hecate was a goddess of mystery. Her attributes, besides the torch, are the snake, whip, dagger, and sword. 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. They believed that by praising the goddess, the restless dead would be soothed and not deliver vengeance on the family. Hecate's name (Greek: Hekate, Latin: Hecate) means far-reaching one, and hints at this goddess's wide influence over a variety of earthly and supernatural affairs. Greece itself worshipped many trios of goddesses or goddesses with three forms that fit this archetype. As a fertility deity she was invoked by women to aid conception and delivery. In single form she appears on Greek vases and coins. The things that make Hecate seem like an older woman are in the Pharsalia. It is unclear exactly when Hecate became so closely linked with magic and witchcraft. 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. Her considerable power over nature ensured her continued popularity, but she's never fitted in with the crowd. Proponents of this theory believe that this may have been the case with 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. 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. And during these times Hecate was also very much connected to other portals- such as doors, entrances, thresholds and eventually the crossroads. The Egyptian god Anubis, who led souls to the Underworld, may also have something to do with dogs. The goddess was given gifts every month on the night of a new moon. Hesiod, for example, seemed to hold in in high regard and makes no mention of this darker association. 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. It even appears in Christianity, with the gospels placing three Marys at both the Crucifixion and Christs tomb. Sorceresses ask the goddess for help with their magic and spells, and she is shown on curse tablets that have survived. The Twelve Olympian Gods and Goddesses of Greek Mythology, Fast Facts on Helios - Greek God of the Sun, 10 Fast Facts on Athena and Her Parthenon, The Story of Nike, the Greek Goddess of Victory, The Greek God Hades, Lord of the Underworld, Fascinating Stories About the Greek God Cronos, Marzanna, Slavic Goddess of Death and Winter, The Greek Mythology of Clash of the Titans. By the first century CE, Lucans Pharsalia made it clear that Hecate was the goddess of magic and witchcraft. Hecate is usually depicted with a burning torch in her hand and with a dog laying at her feet, its head raised. Most of the ceremonies and festivals dedicated to this Goddess were often celebrated at night. This could be because she sided with him during the 10-year battle between the Titans and the Olympians. Please like and share this article if you found it useful. She was a goddess of magic and the underworld, but she was also a protector of the home and a guardian of borders. Hesiod claimed that Hecate was a favorite of Zeus . 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. The Goddess Hecate is supposed to be the daughter of Perses, a Titan, and Asteria, a nymph. She is often depicted carrying one or several torches to remind of her connection with the night and insculpturewith three faces, representing her role as the guardian of crossroads. Corrections? Several times, authors make a connection between Medeas use of magic, both harmful and protective, and her worship of Hecate. According to Greek mythology when the universe first came into being the primordial gods were there, fully formed. The ancient Greeks thought of her as a Greek goddess, not someone from another country. She's also the Queen of Witches. Hecate is defined by her powerful magic, being at ease with the night and darkness and in wild surroundings. The darkness, the moon, and magic have been personified as Hecate in many popular and well-known works of literature and in art. 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. She is helping a dog attack a giant who looks like a snake. Hectate is derived from the Greek word 'hekatos,' which 'means worker from afar.' Even though there arent many myths about the goddess Hecate, the ones that do exist tell us a lot about where she has power. ThoughtCo, Dec. 6, 2021, thoughtco.com/greek-mythology-hecate-1526205. The evening meal in ancient Greece, especially in Athens known as Deipnon, was in honor of Hecate. She was connected to occult practices such as witchcraft and magic, the Moon, gateways, and nocturnal beasts such as hellhounds and ghosts. It was said that she learned herbalism and spells from Hecate herself. These crystals possess unique energies and properties that enhance spiritual practices and aid connections with Hecate. Contrary to popular current belief she wasnt originally a matron for women but for all who fit the above categories. 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. Hecate took pity on her, though, and brought her back to life as a dog to be her companion. The heads could be of a dog, a lion, or a horse, representing the constellations that make up the year. 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. The Lampades are people who carry torches and travel with the goddess at night. It is believed that Hecate represented witchcraft, magic and ghosts. HEKATE (Hecate) was the goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts and necromancy. Not only could she move between the realms, but she had power to control the passage of others. On Greek pottery, she is usually shown as a young woman holding a torch or a key. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a28cb13cce875e3 In ancient times the crossroads didnt have our modern symbolism as a place of choices. Therefore, this deity is also invoked when there is thought to be a miscarriage of justice. Many Anatolian gods had their roots in the Greek pantheon. You then connect yourself to her through visualizing and forming a mental image of her presence, you then thank her and pray to her. Hades was pleased with this, and Hecate was allowed to come and go as she pleased from the Underworld. Many historians believe that the Greek pantheon was once much smaller than we know it today. Another option was a dish of red mullet, which was usually not allowed to be given to other gods. 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. During the time of the Romans, Hecate was often combined with the gods Artemis and Selene, especially in Roman poetry. Hekate assisted Demeter in her search for Persephone, guiding her through the night with flaming torches. She rules wisdom, choices, expiation, victory, vengeance, and travel. Due to her dark attributes, this deity has often been associated with the Underworld. Intrinsically ambivalent and polymorphous, she straddles conventional boundaries and eludes definition. Hecate first appears in Hesiods Theogony, written in the 7th century BCE. Another story said that Hecate herself had cursed a witch named Gale to be a polecat for disgusting her with incontinence and abnormal desires. Learning Mole focuses on educating children of all ages in key skills of Maths, English and learning through crafts. There are few legends about Her, and no fixed genealogy. Hecate Triodos is the specific aspect presiding over crossroads. Well send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out. Subscribe to our popular newsletter Synced Global AI Weekly to get weekly AI updates. A mysterious divinity, who, according to the most common tradition, was a daughter of Persaeus or Perses and Asteria, whence she is called Perseis.1 Others describe her as a daughter of Zeus and Demeter, and state that she was sent out by her father in search of Persephone;2 others again make her a daughter of Zeus either by Pheraea or by Hera;3 and others, lastly, say that she was a daughter of Leto or Tartarus.4 Homer does not mention her. And there is a good book titled Hekate liminal rites By David Rankine and Sorite DEsteyou should check out. You may request to banish harm from you and to protect you and your loved ones. Hecate, goddess accepted at an early date into Greek religion but probably derived from the Carians in southwest Asia Minor. This was all about Hecate, a goddess in ancient Greek religion. This is shown in Act III, scene five of the play. Mike Greenberg, PhD. The hekataion depicted Hecate as three women encircling a central column. As was already said, the dog was Hecates most holy animal. This article contains incorrect information, This article doesnt have the information Im looking for. 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. Controlling who moved through the border between the earth and the underworld gave her a unique power to summon spirits and raise the dead. A lot of the same things were said about all of the goddesses. Hecate also has several temples where her shrine is worshipped. The masculine form of this word is said to be used for Apollo, one of the Greek gods.
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