The facts about Hecate provides a list detailing fascinating additional info to increase your knowledge about Hecate in Greek Mythology. Hecate | Myth & Symbols | Britannica Hecate was a goddess of boundaries and in between spaces. She was there when Demeters daughter Persephone was taken to the Underworld, and she helped search for her with a torch in her hand after she saw it happen. Hecate was the chief goddess presiding over magic and spells. Athenian Greeks used the evening meal, known as Deipnon, to honor Hecate. One sculpture depicts Hecate with a friendly dog and another with heads of a cow, dog, boar, serpent or horse. Subscribe to our popular newsletter Synced Global AI Weekly to get weekly AI updates. 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). ThoughtCo. The Greek goddess Hecate, or Hekate, is Greece's dark goddess of the crossroads. You may like to light incense such as the smoke of wormwood, cypress and lavender in these offerings. She was made to look like a goddess who could easily move from the Underworld to the real world. As punishment, she was transformed into a dog to be the companion of Hecate. HECATE - the Greek Goddess of Crossroads (Greek mythology) - Godchecker Some experts believe that the three heads or faces of the Goddess Hecate denote the full, half, and new moon. At least one story, however, gives the goddess a much more human origin. Apollo is often called Hekatos, the masculine form of his name. The parentage of Scylla is hotly debated. In a hymn to Hecate, Hesiod detailed the ways in which the goddess could both allow good fortune and deny it: Whom she will she greatly aids and advances: she sits by worshipful kings in judgment, and in the assembly whom she will is distinguished among the people. Hecate is invoked when justice is not forthcoming from other channels. She was the only Titan who kept her power while Zeus was in charge. In literature, there is a clear link between her, Demeter, and Persephone. In Ancient Greek religion, Hecate had a wide range of godly tasks. This is especially ironic since, after this, she seems to have become more associated with the underworld, not less. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. If lost at a crossroads, literal or metaphoric, invoke her name and then pay attention to signs from her. Check your inbox for your latest news from us. However, she was transformed by Circe into the monster form. With a torch in her hand, she accompanied Demeter in the search after Persephone; and when the latter was found, Hecate remained with her as her attendant and companion. 139.162.195.99 The goddess was often linked to Demeter, and in some cults, she was seen as the same as Demeter. Meanwhile, others believe she is the progeny of Hecate and Phorcys. 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. On the other hand, Euripides says that Leto is her mother. The goddess told Demeter everything she had heard, but Demeter didnt know who had taken her daughter. But Hecate is not the evil hag that popular legend suggests. "Worker-from-afar." Omissions? Several times, authors make a connection between Medeas use of magic, both harmful and protective, and her worship of Hecate. The ancient Greeks thought of her as a Greek goddess, not someone from another country. Hecate was believed to be a goddess of both the living world and the underworld. Tzetzes on Lycophron, 1175; Scholiast on Theocritus, ii, 36. She was accompanied by packs of barking dogs. As a fertility deity she was invoked by women to aid conception and delivery. The goddess, on the other hand, usually has human heads. Hecate is the daughter of Perses and Asteria. 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. There is a belief, therefore, that the three goddesses may be aspects of a singular, earlier deity. 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 . To find out more about LearningMole please visit our about us page or visit more of our topics available. The first sculpture of Hecate in triple form was the (lost) statue by Alcamenes (fifth century BCE) at the Acropolis. Hekate: A beginner's guide to witchcraft, ghosts, spirituality, and Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. What are interesting facts about Hecate? - WisdomAnswer This could mean that the goddess didnt come to Greece from Caria until a relatively late date. I have been in love with all things related to Mythology. "Hecate: Greece's Dark Goddess of the Crossroads." "Hecate: Greece's Dark Goddess of the Crossroads." Another option was a dish of red mullet, which was usually not allowed to be given to other gods. Numerous smaller sculptures of Hecate remain in which the goddess appears as three separate women, wearing chitons, with the backs pressed against a pillar. 1.5 Baths. However, the queen killed the Thracian king when on her way to Greece. 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. On the Pergamon Altar of Zeus, from the 2nd century BCE, a three-headed Hecate and a dog attack a snake-like giant. The duration ofa dark moonvaries between 1.5 and 3.5 days) to the crossroads. Hecate is defined by her powerful magic, being at ease with the night and darkness and in wild surroundings. Offerings to this Goddess were also made during the night of the new moon. My work has also been published on Buzzfeed and most recently in Time magazine. There is evidence that this may have been the case with Hecate. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, Her name is akin to the Latin words dium ("sky") and dius ("daylight"). 1,178 Sq. As an Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases. Anatolia, which covered most of what is now Turkey, was a region that had close ties to the Greek world. Read on to find out more about Greeces most mystical goddess! 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 Interesting facts: Hestia was one of three goddesses immune to the influence of Aphrodite. SOLD JUN 15, 2022. Most of all, Hecate was a goddess of mystery. The offerings to the goddess were made each month during the night of a new moon. 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). Please note that Kidadl is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon. Her priests are normally accompanied by hell hounds sent by their goddess to guard her temples. While Hecates temples in the area are from a later period, she bears a resemblance to a more ancient goddess in Caria. She rules wisdom, choices, expiation, victory, vengeance, and travel. I am the owner and chief researcher at this site. The goddess was especially appealed to by sorceresses for aid in their magic and spellsand appears on surviving examples of curse tablets. As the worship of Artemis evolved over time, the Greeks began to focus more on her purity and positive aspects. Hecate was a complex, ancient goddess known to the Greeks but originally worshiped by people of Asia Minor*. She was a goddess that could be both a protective guardian and a source of menace. THE MOST COMPLETE COURSE IN PRACTICAL MAGICK EVER RELEA Advanced Magick for the 21st Century The Adeptu 3 Special gods of old Briton You should revisit! In Aeschylus Suppliants, for example, they were often mixed up to make a goddess with two faces. Some poets say her mother is Crataeis. Hectate has neither spouse nor children. This garden would've contained her sacred trees, herbs and poisons. Hecate: [noun] a Greek goddess associated especially with the underworld, night, and witchcraft. This article contains incorrect information, This article doesnt have the information Im looking for. A lot of the same things were said about all of the goddesses. times its difficult to find a quite crossroads to perform workings except in remote areas. 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. 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). Hecate is the Goddess of witchcraft, magic, crossroads, ghosts and necromancy. In other Indo-European cultures, the three-part goddesses included: The archetype of the triple goddess is so common that its considered one of the fundamental aspects of Indo-European religion. Some versions of Scylla's myth say she was once a beautiful sea nymph. Hecate: 15 Ways to Work With the Goddess of Witchcraft The aspects of the goddess that had darker connotations were separated from her to create another goddess altogether in the character of Hecate. They are passionate about turning your everyday moments into memories and bringing you inspiring ideas to have fun with your family. Those who failed to win the goddesss favor could expect her to invite evil and misfortune into their lives. Hecate Triformis, Hecate of the three faces or three forms, corresponding to the phases of the moon: dark, waxing, and waning. Etymology. 2 Beds. Eating crunchy while enjoying a good movie or your favourite video game is a blessing. 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. Her considerable power over nature ensured her continued popularity, but she's never fitted in with the crowd. Hecate is a goddess in Greek mythology often associated with darkness and witchcraft. When you buy through the links on our site we may earn a commission. 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. Quite often warriors worshipped the goddess Hecate just as readily. This concept became a central figure in many later versions of polytheism. From the Greek word for to turn away, apotropaic magic is that which defends by turning away evil or harm. 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. 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. Such triple goddesses were common in ancient religions. Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. Polecats hid in dirty holes and, it was believed by the Greeks, had a grotesque and unnatural way of mating. Hecate was a cathonic goddess that preceded the Olympians, and it seems that she was highly worshipped in Thrace. Hecate rules over the night, magic, and places where three roads meet. We know you don't want to miss any news or research breakthroughs. Hecate can banishghosts(or produce a ghost infestation). 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. They claim she originated in Caria, a region in southern Anatolia on the Mediterranean, and was adopted into the Greek pantheon. 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. These three goddesses are also linked in the Mystery cults. https://www.thoughtco.com/greek-mythology-hecate-1526205 (accessed March 4, 2023). She was a goddess of magic and the underworld, but she was also a protector of the home and a guardian of borders. She's ill at ease in cities and civilization. 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 of these was the supper of Hecate, where food was left at crossroads, road junctions, and any other kind of boundary or threshold. Hecate is known to rule over the sky, the earth, and the sea. You may request to banish harm from you and to protect you and your loved ones. Empusa - Wikipedia She is good in the byre with Hermes to increase the stock. Other writers claim her as the daughter ofZeusandDemeter, Aristaion. The darkness, the moon, and magic have been personified as Hecate in many popular and well-known works of literature and in art. She acted as a sort of guardian because she watched over the places that allowed passage into homes, cities, or even states. Hecate was variously associated with crossroads, entrance-ways, dogs, light, the moon, magic, witchcraft, knowledge of herbs and poisonous plants, ghosts, necromancy, and sorcery. There might not be any figure in Greek mythology that is as misunderstood as Hecate. Hecate may be invoked for healing, especially if medical solutions have failed or are not an option. Please like and share this article if you found it useful. Hecate was an only child and was worshiped in households of Athens where families hoped to receive protection, prosperity and daily blessings. While Hecate was described as a single goddess with three parts, the tripartite goddess in other instances was shown as three separate but intrinsically-linked beings. Kos, Erythrai,Samothrace, Thessaly, and Miletos also worshipped the. The most popular theory is that the Carians in Asia Minor brought Hecate to Greece, where she became a part of their religion. Hecate | Infoplease - Fact Monster And there is a good book titled Hekate liminal rites By David Rankine and Sorite DEsteyou should check out. Parents: Perses (and Asteria) or Zeus and Asteria (a second-generation Titan) or Nyx (Night) or Aristaios or Demeter (see Theoi Hecate) 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. The witches were telling Macbeth about his future and had not consulted the Goddess and had left her out of the meeting. 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. 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 Goddess is often shown as a woman carrying a key or torches. 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. 755 Hecate Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23454 | MLS# 10469859 | Redfin Earlier, though, there may have been fewer gods with more complex functions. Regula, deTraci. Hecate's powers transcended the boundaries of the sky, the earth, the seas, and the underworld. Like Hermes, who was also a deity of liminal spaces, statues of Hecate were often placed at crossroads and borders. These statues took on a distinctive appearance. Her group included the Lampades, the nymphs of the Underworld, and ghosts. According to her story, Hecate sometimes withheld these blessings if she felt mortals did not deserve them. In the 6th century BCE, a circular altar was built in Miletos to honour the goddess (the earliest archaeological evidence of her worship). The conflicting origins of Hecate were only the beginning of what made this goddess so mysterious. In the sources about Hekate that are from the ancient world, the crossroads are not mentioned as a symbol of Hecate. Some authors say that she was the daughter of Zeus and Demeter. She is believed to visit the Underworld to help other gods and people who were outcasts due to fear. 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. Since the fifth century BCE, Hecate has been associated with magic, witchcraft, the moon, and other dark influences. It has been suggested that the idea of magic coming from Hecate was an evolution of the many gifts she was capable of bestowing upon her favorites. Great Facts about Goddess Hecate - Learning Mole She rules wisdom, choices, expiation, victory, vengeance, and travel. Even in her origin, Hecate moved between two places. These crystals possess unique energies and properties that enhance spiritual practices and aid connections with Hecate. Like her Greek counterpart, she was also a goddess of domestic animals. She can be a shadowy, oblique goddess: her response may be subtle. Related Topics: greek. The keys that she is sometimes shown holding are supposed to be the keys of the Underworld. And all these views if we go back in time can also be found in the Greco-Roman world. Before that, she was just a minor character in the stories of Demeter (Persephones maid) and Artemis. Zorya The Slavic goddess of beauty and light took three forms corresponding to morning, evening, and midnight. They thought she would protect them and keep away evil spirits. 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. Share This Post. One of these was the boundary between life and death. The name Hecate means:The Most Lovely One; Worker from Afar; Three -Headed Hound of the Moon; Influence from Afar; The One Before the Gate; Light Bringer. Hecate typically responds to petitions via visions and dreams. The beginnings of Hecates worship are shrouded in mystery. Latin Spelling. As a protector of the Oikos (home), like Zeus, Hestia, Hermes, and Apollo, the goddess is usually shown holding a set of keys or torches, which she is said to have used to help or stop people from entering cities and homes. 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. Ft. 1302 Covington Ct, Virginia Beach, VA 23453. Proponents of this theory believe that this may have been the case with Hecate. You have subscribed to: Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter. Some speculate that it represents the full moon, half moon, and new moon. Thus, pillars called Hecataea stood at crossroads and doorways, perhaps to keep away evil spirits. But because these Anatolian cult sites were built later, other classicists say that the goddess could not have come from Anatolia. She could switch between being a Titan and a goddess in Greek mythology. The goddess was given gifts every month on the night of a new moon. This does not influence our choices. As early as the 5th century BC, the image of the hekataion was the standard way of showing the goddess in sculpture. In mythology Nyx represented night. Hecate is usually depicted with a burning torch in her hand and with a dog laying at her feet, its head raised. 170 BCE). As the goddess of the night, witchcraft and sorcery, Hecate was very important to ancient Greeks, particularly to the famed author and scholar Hesiod. Hecate could give her worshipers wealth and blessings, but she could also take them away if they didnt worship her well enough. A: This Greek Goddess is often considered to be capable of both good and evil. This was a group started by May Otis Blackburn in Los Angeles, California. As such, she was greatly honored by Zeus, who allowed her to operate on Earth, as well as the sky and the Underworld. But Hecate herself existed in the in between spaces, as well. Hecate is defined by her powerful magic, being at ease with the night and darkness and in wild surroundings. Advanced Magick for the 21st Century The Adeptus Course, THE MOST COMPLETE COURSE IN PRACTICAL MAGICK EVER RELEASED. Hecate was also linked to a lot of other goddesses from other pantheons. Q: How do the three witches make Hecate angry? In this manner, pillars known as Hecate stood at key intersections and entryways, possibly to ward off malevolent spirits. In addition to magic and witchcraft, Hecate was also considered to be the Goddess of crossroads, gates, and ghosts. She witnessed the abduction of Demeter's daughter Persephone to the underworld and, torch in hand, assisted in the search for her. ThoughtCo, Dec. 6, 2021, thoughtco.com/greek-mythology-hecate-1526205. She is capable of both good and evil and is most often associated with magic and witchcraft. She's also the Queen of Witches. 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. It is believed that Zeus, the king of the gods, asked Hecate to help find Persephone after Hades kidnapped her. Many depictions, such as those of the Moirae, show the three goddesses corresponding to the three stages of a womans life. Hecate was considered an ancient Thracian divinity and she was also a titan; the titans ruled the heavens, the earth and the sea. Nearby homes similar to 755 Hecate Dr have recently sold between $204K to $212K at an average of $190 per square foot. Origin and Family Persis and Asteria, two Titans from the generation of deities prior to the Olympians, are the legendary parents of Hecate. Further, the home would be blessed and any wrong-doing by family members would be forgiven and the household purified. 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. 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 goddess Hecate is one of the lesser-known goddesses of the Greek pantheon. Hecate (also spelt Hekate) is a goddess capable of both good and evil. 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. outlandish in her infernal aspects, she is more at home on the fringes than in the centre ofGreekpolytheism. They were so closely linked that Hecate was referred to as Medeas mother in some later texts, although earlier ones had said she was the child of an Oceanid. We will examine her origins and describe the crossroads ritual. Greek pantheon was once much smaller than we know. This could be because she sided with him during the 10-year battle between the Titans and the Olympians. She was born into the world ruled by the Titans, but continued to be influential and powerful in the Olympian pantheon. IT WAS A COMMON PRACTICE TO PLACE IMAGES OF HECATE ATCITYGATES & THE DOORWAYS OF PRIVATE HOMES AS SHE COULD WARD OFF EVIL SPIRITS. Moving between the barrier between life and death explains Hecates connection to both ghosts and necromancy. She could not undo the curse, but she made the polecat her sacred servant. This food offering was known as the Supper of Hecate. Hecate was weaved strongly into all these symbolisms of the crossroads and still does to her devotees. Hecate, however, was not just a goddess shown in three parts. Trade, colonization, and migration resulted in a great deal of cultural exchange between the two regions. According to Theogony. She was associated with witchcraft, necromancy, and poisons. Thus, pillars called Hecataea stood at crossroads and doorways, perhaps to keep away evil spirits. This was a terrible fate. 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. Hecate was the chief goddess presiding over magic and spells. Hecate - Wikipedia They include, science, maths, English and more. 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). Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. 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. Hecate hkt, hkt , in Greek religion and mythology, goddess of ghosts and witchcraft. Hecate is usually depicted with a burning torch in her hand and with a dog laying at her feet, its head raised. According toPausanias, the 2nd-century CE Greek traveller, the island ofAeginahad a mystery cult dedicated to the goddess where it was believed those suffering mental illness could be cured. People used to believe that dogs would eat the dead if they werent buried. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. The triple goddesses are often referred to as the Maiden, Mother (or Matron), and Crone. There are few legends about Her, and no fixed genealogy. Witches do gather together or solitary on crossroads as do magicians , hoodoo and voudan practitioners to cast their enchantments and spells. Symbols of Hecate are her place, the crossroads, two torches, and black dogs. My name is Mike and for as long as I can remember (too long!) Q: Why was Hecate excluded from witch meetings? . It is even more enjoyable Coconuts are delicious. From lino cutting to surfing to childrens mental health, their hobbies and interests range far and wide. A: Hecate is the Greek Goddess of magic and witchcraft. The various statues have also raised questions as to her duties. The chief Greek god, Zeus, was very fond of this Goddess and gave her a share of the earth and sea. Her name was derived from the Greek word hekatos which means "worker from afar". The Furies, winged creatures who punished wrongdoing, were also said to be the companions of Hecate. The first example of the triple-Hecate form, called hekataia, was made by the sculptor Alcamenes in the 5th century BCE. Hecate has the power to grant or deny any mortals wish. It even appears in Christianity, with the gospels placing three Marys at both the Crucifixion and Christs tomb. Euripides, on the other hand, mentions her mother isLeto. Quite often each face is different, one of a dog, one of a horse and one of a goddess. Hecate the goddess of Greek mythology has been primarily remembered for her associations with magic and witchcraft. All Rights Reserved, Ancient Egyptians The First Woman Pharaoh, A Crunchy Pistachios Tale: 13 Interesting Facts About These Salty Munchies. All these were also given Hekate in her Deipnon (food offering). Of course, as with many stories of Hecate there was also a darker version. They are associated with certain ideas, occupations, or stages of life. She was both a product of the Titans and an honored member of Zeuss court at Olympus. This is shown in Act III, scene five of the play. Posted by 7thphoenix | May 27, 2020 | Magick Articles | 0 |. Carole Raddato/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 2.0. Study medicinal and magical herbalism and become one of Hecate's priestesses. She is depicted on the altar of Pergamon with one body and three heads (ca. Greeks likewise borrowed many deities and legends. 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. She could not be forced to love anyone. Diana | Myth, Goddess, & Cult | Britannica Hecate Greek Goddess of Witchcraft: A Complete Guide (2022)