Archaeological items found in Lagina in Caria and Phrygia also point to the importance of this Goddess during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. One of these was the boundary between life and death. 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. The Goddess Hecate is supposed to be the daughter of Perses, a Titan, and Asteria, a nymph. And the dark moon is also a powerful time to cleanse you, from negative energy, negative influences or potentially harmful spirits. Latin Spelling. As punishment, she was transformed into a dog to be the companion of Hecate. Witches do gather together or solitary on crossroads as do magicians , hoodoo and voudan practitioners to cast their enchantments and spells. Your privacy is important to us. 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. In single form she appears on Greek vases and coins. She held several different roles, including earth goddess, queen of the underworld, and goddess of magic and witchcraft.. A: This Greek Goddess is often considered to be capable of both good and evil. 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 . This does not influence our choices. Hecate is a goddess of life, death, regeneration, and magic. Seneca often talks about Hecate and her moon-based counterparts and even links Medea to the goddess. Major temple shrines to Hecate were in the regions of Phrygia and Caria. She is invoked for justice, especially for sexual crimes against women and girls. 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. She is also mentioned in Aeneid, a play by Virgil where she guides one of the characters, Sibyl, in the Underworld. Even in descriptions of Medeas witchcraft, it is difficult to distinguish magical rituals from more standard worship and rites. This made her one of the few deities to have the power to move freely between the world of the living and the underworld. 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. Hecate's appearance is dark-haired and beautiful, but with an eerie edge to that beauty befitting a goddess of the night (though the actual goddess of the night is Nyx). She was a goddess of magic and the underworld, but she was also a protector of the home and a guardian of borders. Persis and Asteria, two Titans from the generation of deities prior to the Olympians, are the legendary parents of Hecate. 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. Hecate first appears in Hesiods Theogony, written in the 7th century BCE. She was accepted at an early date into Greek religion, but she probably was originally a goddess of the Carians in southwestern Asia Minor. One sculpture depicts Hecate with a friendly dog and another with heads of a cow, dog, boar, serpent or horse. Further, the home would be blessed and any wrong-doing by family members would be forgiven and the household purified. Hecate is defined by her powerful magic, being at ease with the night and darkness and in wild surroundings. According toHesiodin hisTheogony, Hecate is the daughter of Perses and Asteria, making her the granddaughter of the Titans Phoebe and Coeus. It is even more enjoyable Coconuts are delicious. 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. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Such triple goddesses were common in ancient religions. Due to her dark attributes, this deity has often been associated with the Underworld. Moon Goddess of Hidden Wisdom, Change and Darkness. She is good in the byre with Hermes to increase the stock. In literature, there is a clear link between her, Demeter, and Persephone. Read on to find out more about Greeces most mystical goddess! One of her epithets, Apotropaia, references the protection she gave in these spaces. Nearby Recently Sold Homes. From the three supposedly came her image in Greek . 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. Quite often each face is different, one of a dog, one of a horse and one of a goddess. Her group included the Lampades, the nymphs of the Underworld, and ghosts. The triple Hecate represented three aspects of a single goddess. Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. We know you don't want to miss any news or research breakthroughs. Many depictions, such as those of the Moirae, show the three goddesses corresponding to the three stages of a womans life. Selenite, tiger's eye, obsidian, rhodochrosite, jet, jasper, agate, and amber are the most suited crystals for Hecate. In ancient times the crossroads didnt have our modern symbolism as a place of 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. Hecate (also spelt Hekate) is a goddess capable of both good and evil. But by the end of the ancient world, this image had changed into a single goddess with three heads. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. This is how she came to command the earth, bliss, and sea. Hecate can banishghosts(or produce a ghost infestation). She was the ruler of crossroads, entrances, nighttime, light, magic (witchcraft and sorcery), herbs and plants. Earlier, though, there may have been fewer gods with more complex functions. $204,000 Last Sold Price. Since the fifth century BCE, Hecate has been associated with magic, witchcraft, the moon, and other dark influences. Greeks likewise borrowed many deities and legends. Hecate became Persephones guardian and close friend while she was living in the Underworld. She is often displayed holding two torches or a key. Her origins and powers were unexplained and changeable. And there is a good book titled Hekate liminal rites By David Rankine and Sorite DEsteyou should check out. Her friends are the Erinyes, winged creatures that punish bad behaviour, and her children are the Empusae, female demons that like to seduce travellers. Small cakes made of eggs, cheese, bread, and dog meat were lit with tiny torches. Local sun goddesses from before the Greek era have many of the same attributes as those later associated with Hecate. It was said that she learned herbalism and spells from Hecate herself. During ancient times the place where roads met or at crossroads, a pole with three masks was erected. Some poets say her mother is Crataeis. 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. The ancient Greeks thought of her as a Greek goddess, not someone from another country. the Jinn or Genie-good, bad or simply Goetic spirits of another name? She has also been associated with the dark side of human beings, which is death. She was connected to occult practices such as witchcraft and magic, the Moon, gateways, and nocturnal beasts such as hellhounds and ghosts. The Furies, winged creatures who punished wrongdoing, were also said to be the companions of Hecate. 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. Hecate acted as a veil between the world of the mortals and the supernatural. It even appears in Christianity, with the gospels placing three Marys at both the Crucifixion and Christs tomb. 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. The keys that she is sometimes shown holding are supposed to be the keys of the Underworld. Eating crunchy while enjoying a good movie or your favourite video game is a blessing. A: In the play Macbeth by Shakespeare, in Act three, scene five, Hecate was shown to be angry with the witches as they excluded her from their meetings with Macbeth. Hecate also presided over more mystical boundaries. Lycophron, 77; Scholiast on Aristophanes'. 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. Hectate is derived from the Greek word 'hekatos,' which 'means worker from afar.' Hecate is a goddess in Greek mythology often associated with darkness and witchcraft. 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. Each of the Greek gods has a few specialized functions. Hecate has been referenced in various literary works, including the plays by Sophocles and Euripides. Seeing her friend in pain, Galinthias tricked the Moirai into thinking the child had been born despite their interference. Later periods show statues of Hecate in three-fold having 3 separate bodies and faces. The Lampades are people who carry torches and travel with the goddess at night. A shrine to this Goddess was built at the entrance of homes and cities as she was believed to keep evil spirits away. You may request to banish harm from you and to protect you and your loved ones. The masculine form of this word is said to be used for Apollo, one of the Greek gods. Zorya The Slavic goddess of beauty and light took three forms corresponding to morning, evening, and midnight. But the version of Hecate that appears in Greek texts is not so straightforward. A lot of the same things were said about all of the goddesses. She was often placed at the entrance of homes to help protect against the evil forces of the world. In her form as a triple goddess, Hecate was closely linked to intersections. Was the Griffin a Bird from Greek Mythology? They call her Aristaion or Night. 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. 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). She was also called the Goddess of the threshold or the Goddess of the house. She was associated with witchcraft, necromancy, and poisons. Check your inbox for your latest news from us. 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. A case in point is the Greek goddess Hecate. She was the daughter of the Titan Perses and the nymph Asteria. Q: How do the three witches make Hecate angry? 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. According to Greek mythology when the universe first came into being the primordial gods were there, fully formed. Many people think that worshipping the goddess began before the Greeks, while others think it started in Thrace. The goddess Hecate is one of the lesser-known goddesses of the Greek pantheon. She could not be forced to love anyone. Though perhaps originally an indigenous woodland goddess, Diana early became identified with Artemis. She's ill at ease in cities and civilization. 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 beginnings of Hecates worship are shrouded in mystery. This concept became a central figure in many later versions of polytheism. This could be because she sided with him during the 10-year battle between the Titans and the Olympians. Hecate is closely associated with several other goddesses in the Greek pantheon, with symbolism and function seeming to overlap. As early as the 5th century BC, the image of the hekataion was the standard way of showing the goddess in sculpture. The goddess Hecate is one of the Greek goddesses that not many people know about. 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. She witnessed the abduction of Demeters daughter Persephone to the underworld and, torch in hand, assisted in the search for her. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. When Alcmene was in labor with Heracles, Hera attempted to stop the childs birth. Scholars think that the goddess arrived in Greece during the Archaic period. Is Hecate a jealous goddess? This makes her the granddaughter of Phoebe and Coeus, both Titans. The chief Greek god, Zeus, was very fond of this Goddess and gave her a share of the earth and sea. 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. Regula, deTraci. This is how she came to command the earth, bliss . They are sometimes represented with the familiar aspects of the maiden, mother, and crone. 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. Of course, as the goddess of boundaries she had the power to let things in as well as keep them out. As you may already know Hecateis a goddess ofGreek mythologywho was capable of both good and evil. During the Romans, many of her traits belonged to the world of the dead. Hecate was often shown as a single person wearing a long robe and holding burning torches. There are cult sites for the goddess Hecate in Caria, which shows that people there worshipped her. 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. Quite often warriors worshipped the goddess Hecate just as readily. 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. Her main jobs were to control boundaries, witchcraft, and the Underworld. Hecate was also offered the sacrifice of dogs, especially puppies. Greeks focused worship on the more protective aspects of Artemis, goddess that existed on the edges of the Greek, The Norns These three goddesses were the Norse equivalent of the Moirai. Hecate: [noun] a Greek goddess associated especially with the underworld, night, and witchcraft. Hecate is also sometimes interpreted in association with Artemis and Selene. In the physical world this could mean anything from doorways to city walls and state borders. 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 rules wisdom, choices, expiation, victory, vengeance, and travel. In Late Antiquity, the empousai have been described as a category of phantoms or spectres, equated with the lamiai and mormolykeia . This was a terrible fate. 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. Child of Perses and Asteria, she was the only Titan to retain her control under Zeus' reign. Her parentage was given differently by various writers. 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. 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. Hecate also has several temples where her shrine is worshipped. times its difficult to find a quite crossroads to perform workings except in remote areas. The one in Lagina stood out the most. Nearby homes similar to 755 Hecate Dr have recently sold between $204K to $212K at an average of $190 per square foot. She is also known as Soteria (Savior), the Mother of Angels, and the Cosmic World. However, she was transformed by Circe into the monster form. She is described as of terrible appearance, either with three bodies or three heads, the one of a horse, the second of a dog, and the third of a lion.14 In works of art she was some-times represented as a single being, but sometimes also as a three-headed monster.15, Besides Samothrace and Aegina, we find express mention of her worship at Argos16 and at Athens, where she had a sanctuary under the name of Epipyrgidia (), on the acropolis, not far from the temple of Nike.17 Small statues or symbolical representations of Hecate, called (hekataia), were very numerous, especially at Athens, where they stood before or in houses, and on spots where two roads crossed each other; and it would seem that people consulted such as oracles.18, At the close of every month dishes with food were set out for her and other averters of evil at the points where two roads crossed each other; and this food was consumed by poor people.19 The sacrifices offered to her consisted of dogs, honey, and black female lambs.20. At least one story, however, gives the goddess a much more human origin. 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 was both a product of the Titans and an honored member of Zeuss court at Olympus. They include, science, maths, English and more. 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). She is also Queen of the Night, and is highly connected to All Hallow's Eve. She was not portrayed as being loving towards children but as someone who took revenge against anyone that harmed children. Regula, deTraci. She is the witness to every crime. Her association with dark magic is also tied to her identification as an underworld goddess. She may be invoked for protection for dogs and from dogs. Hecate may be invoked for healing, especially if medical solutions have failed or are not an option. She is capable of both good and evil and is most often associated with magic and witchcraft. Hecate was a complex, ancient goddess known to the Greeks but originally worshiped by people of Asia Minor*. This was a group started by May Otis Blackburn in Los Angeles, California. There are few legends about Her, and no fixed genealogy. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Not only could she move between the realms, but she had power to control the passage of others. Hecate is a goddess of life, death, regeneration, and magic. Hecate was both Greek and foreign at the same time. 1.5 Baths. 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. On any trip to Greece, it's helpful to have some knowledge of the Greek gods and goddesses. Author: Hecate He | Editor: Michael Sarazen. As the goddess of the night, witchcraft and sorcery, Hecate was very important to ancient Greeks, particularly to the famed author and scholar Hesiod. The most popular theory is that the Carians in Asia Minor brought Hecate to Greece, where she became a part of their religion. The hekataion depicted Hecate as three women encircling a central column. Her attributes, besides the torch, are the snake, whip, dagger, and sword. One of these was the supper of Hecate, where food was left at crossroads, road junctions, and any other kind of boundary or threshold. 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. Empusa or Empousa (/ m p j u s /; Ancient Greek: ; plural: Empousai) is a shape-shifting female being in Greek mythology, said to possess a single leg of copper, commanded by Hecate, whose precise nature is obscure. They gave mortals wealth, victory, wisdom and luck. The facts about Hecate provides a list detailing fascinating additional info to increase your knowledge about Hecate in Greek Mythology. Advanced Magick for the 21st Century The Adeptus Course, THE MOST COMPLETE COURSE IN PRACTICAL MAGICK EVER RELEASED. Hecate, however, took pity on Galinthias. 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. 1,178 Sq. She was also associated with some of the most revered and respected goddesses of Olympus. Long before Hesiod and Homer began writing their poetry, the stories of the gods were passed on through oral tradition. Eleusis was in Greece, which is where it is now. 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. When her city fell, the queen was taken captive and lept off a cliff to her death. The well-known Pergamon Altar (from around the 2nd century BCE) shows Hecate as three different things. Names derived from hers were common, including Hecatomnus, the father of the ruler Mausolus who built the famous tomb. The goddess was also worshipped in Kos, Erythrai, Samothrace, Thessaly, and Miletos. The parentage of Scylla is hotly debated. She has also been mentioned in the works of Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream, King Lear, and Macbeth. The Orphic Mysteries said that Hestia was the daughter of Demeter instead. 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. The duration ofa dark moonvaries between 1.5 and 3.5 days) to the crossroads. 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. Hecates name comes from the Greek word hekatos, which means worker from afar.. The iconography had not yet come to include her usual attributes, such as her keys and torches or her three aspects. This made her one of the few deities to have the power to move freely between the world of the living and the underworld. Hades was pleased with this, and Hecate was allowed to come and go as she pleased from the Underworld. They thought she would protect them and keep away evil spirits. This article contains incorrect information, This article doesnt have the information Im looking for. 2 Beds. She is depicted on the altar of Pergamon with one body and three heads (ca. 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. Her tasks went beyond the heavens, the earth, the seas, and the Underworld. Ft. 1302 Covington Ct, Virginia Beach, VA 23453. The Goddess Hecate is supposed to be the daughter of Perses, a Titan, and Asteria, a nymph. The first example of the triple-Hecate form, called hekataia, was made by the sculptor Alcamenes in the 5th century BCE. Hecate was a goddess in Greek Mythology. Hecate took pity on her, though, and brought her back to life as a dog to be her companion. Hecate was believed to be a goddess of both the living world and the underworld. Hectate has neither spouse nor children. In mythology Nyx represented night. Demeter descended to the underworld every spring to bring her daughter back to the surface, making the three goddesses share an association with the underworld. Hecate is invoked when justice is not forthcoming from other channels. Hecate is the Goddess of witchcraft, magic, crossroads, ghosts and necromancy. Hecate is the goddess of witchcraft and was specifically known for her herbal knowledge. If you enjoyed this content why not dive into some more historical eras check out these articles: Ancient Rome, Ancient Egyptians The First Woman Pharaoh, Greek Mythology Medusa, Native American History. The aspects of the goddess that had darker connotations were separated from her to create another goddess altogether in the character of Hecate. Hecate helps or protects warriors, athletes, hunters, horsemen, herders, shepherds, fishermen, and children. Hecate is defined by her powerful magic, being at ease with the night and darkness and in wild surroundings. 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. Hecate was weaved strongly into all these symbolisms of the crossroads and still does to her devotees. 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. Her attributes, besides the torch, are the snake, whip, dagger, and sword. 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. Hesiod claimed that Hecate was a favorite of Zeus . 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. But because these Anatolian cult sites were built later, other classicists say that the goddess could not have come from Anatolia. The most commonly repeated story of her birth was that Hecate was the daughter of Perses and Asteria, two second-generation Titans. 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. There is evidence that this may have been the case with Hecate. She was the daughter of Perses and Asteria. But Hekate was in this time also connected to liminality. Her symbols were two torches, the crossroads, and black dogs. The Moirai crossed their arms and Eileithyia refused to help the laboring woman. Her companions are known to punish wrong doing and criminals. Hecate was the chief goddess presiding over magic and spells. Her liminality came from the fact that she was the daughter of a Titan and a goddess. 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. I have been in love with all things related to Mythology. Eventually, this came to include the boundary between the natural and the supernatural, making her a goddess of magic. Dogs also howl at the Moon, so this could be a link. She acted as a sort of guardian because she watched over the places that allowed passage into homes, cities, or even states. The Egyptian fertility goddess Heqet was associated with magic, which the Egyptians called heqa. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Greece itself worshipped many trios of goddesses or goddesses with three forms that fit this archetype. The Greeks likewise borrowed many deities and legends from their eastern neighbors. Although Hecate found Persephone, instead of rescuing her, she helped her settle into her new life as the bride of Hades.