Who is Hecate?
Often labeled as the crone aspect to the triple goddess of
Wicca, Hecate (Hekate) is a dark goddess.
Hecate has been linked to the cosmic world soul by the Chaldean Oracles
and hailed as the most favorite by Zeus.
When we look at Hecate’s role in Wicca we have to remember
that Wicca is a relatively new religion, historically speaking. It is a 20th century creation and
has its roots in modern times. When we
talk about the relevance of Hecate in that religion we have to remember that
she, as well as may other goddess figures play a huge role in the background
and the creation of the practice for some, and not at all for others.
First let’s talk about spelling. Hecate vs. Hekate. Basically both are correct. It’s what you feel. I am a member of the Covenant of Hekate but
when I am sharing my content I use the “C” instead. Languages change and morph. I don’t think the Goddess really cares about
the spelling. I think she would be more
concerned with how you worked with those around you in her name, more so then
if you used the letter “C”. I’ve heard
her name pronounced “HEK uh TEE” or “EK
u Teh”. I use “HEK uh Tea”.
The parents of Hecate are said to be Perses and Asteria,
however there are several different birth stories out there. Hecate was considered at Titan Goddess and
was most favored by Zeus in some mythologies and in others, she did not receive
gifts from him, yet only demanded what was rightfully hers as the Goddess of
the Heavens, Earth and seas.
I lean more towards her being a part of the creation of the
world. Predating the worlds of the Greek
and Roman gods and goddesses. She was
the womb that carried the seed of thought and life into being. So as I relate to others that see her as the
Queen of Witchcraft or the only surviving Titan, a giant who was granted dominion
over the world by Zeus, I also keep in perspective my own thoughts and remember
that I feel she is the intermediary between life and death. The point at which we come in and take our first
breath and the point that our last breath is exhaled.
In all her titles; she is at the
crossroads waiting for us as life ends.
She is the beginning and the end.
Hecate Soteira, the savior. Hecate
Triodtis, she is of the crossroads. Hecate
Trimophis, she is the three formed.
Hecate Brimo, the angry one.
Hecate Perseis, the destroyer.
She is the goddess of magic and witchcraft. She is the keeper of the realm of the
necromancer. Those which look to move on
to the next life travel the border with her.
She is the key holder of the underworld and those that wish to move on
will need to move on with her assistance or join her to wander the night for eternity. She is Hecate Kleidophoros, the
keybearer.
Hecate Phosphoros is a light bringer. Like Lucifer, she sheds light and knowledge
around her. She is the keeper of
knowledge or light. Her torches light
the way to information that is there, but hidden by darkness.
My work with Hecate is related most related to the crossroads. I believe she is a liaison between life and
death. She is the “ferryman” if you
will. I believe that those who cross
over are guided by her torch light. In
order to see the other side, they need her torches and her keys to make the
journey. She guide them along their way
and ensures safe passage. Those that
choose not to go, join her symphony and say around her as a choir of sorts, to
help guide others on their way. Some
souls are not ready to move on and need to stay for some purpose. Those join her and wander the night until
their destiny is fulfilled.
Hecate is not concerned with the mundane. She is not troubled by light bills or blown
tires. I do not call upon her when I’m
feeling fat or when I want to win a ball game.
She is a serious Goddess for serious needs and troubles herself not with
the desires of mortals. I am honored to
be in a relationship with her and spend my devotional time to her in either
works for the poor or works that bring me closer to her. Those often include working to educate those
on the Goddess, working with the Covenant of Hekate on specific projects or
working on a sanctuary I am creating on the back part of my property for
her. I live in a very rural area, that
is heavily Christian and there are no places of worship for the Goddess
here. It is my goal to create the first
CoH Sanctuary in NC.
So who is Hecate? She’s
a Greco-Roman Goddess for sure, possibly earlier. She is considered by some to be the mother of
the world as the womb of the cosmic soul.
She is the keeper of the keys and the guardian of the crossroads. She has dogs, snakes and polecats as her
minions and has hordes of souls following her around the night. She is the Goddess of the Witches, of Magic
and Night with a knowledge of herbs such as Mandrake and Belladonna.
I believe she is a firm Goddess, level headed and very “matter
of fact”. She is the voice of reason and
the voice of “cold hard truth”. She is
the voice of reality. Her decisions are
not based on emotion and her guidance is invaluable.
To me, Hecate embodies a strength and a desire to do the
right thing, no matter the consequence.
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