The name itself is said to mean “from afar” or “one that
operates from afar”. Generally there are two spellings for her name. Hecate and Hekate. Both spellings are correct, the K is from the
Greek and the C is from the Latin.
The pronunciation of the name is also sometimes in conflict. Some pronounce the H at the beginning like
you would in the word “hexagram”. While
others have a soft or silent H at the beginning and say it as “eh CUH tay”.
I tend to believe that as dialects develop and people
migrate the pronunciation of the name is not quite so important. Others may disagree, but I believe that it is
the intent when the action is done. So,
if I intended to say her name with devotion and honor that will be my action.
As with most deities, Hecate has many names associated with
her.
I’ll start with a
general list. (1)
Agrotera (huntress)
Antania (enemy
of mankind)
Atalos (tender)
Brimo (angry
one)
Despoina (mistress)
Enodia (of
the paths)
Epipurgidia (on
the tower)
Gorgo - (the grim, the gorgon)
Khthonia (of
the underworld)
Kleidophoros (key
bearer)
Kleidoukhos (keeper
of the keys)
Krataiis (strong
one)
Krokopeplos (saffron-cloaked)
Kurotrophos (nurse
of the children and protectress of mankind)
Liparokredmnos (with
bright headband)
Monogenes (only
child)
Nyktipolos (night-wandering)
Perseis (daughter
of Perses)
Phosphoros (the
light-bringer)
Propolos (the
attendant who leads)
Propylaia (the
one before the gate)
Prytania (invincible
Queen of the dead) - This is probably mistranslated
Selene (the
far-shooting moon)
Skylakagetis (leader
of the dogs)
Soteira (savior)
Trikephalos (three-headed)
Trimorphis (three-formed)
Trioditis (of
three roads)
Trivia (of
the three ways)
Other names include:
Mother of
Darkness
Goddess of
the Crossroads
Goddess of
the Night
Mother of
the Night
I’ve found that one of the best ways to write a hymn to Hecate
is to jot down a list of the names such as above and then make a list of those
things that are attributes of the deity.
This brings together all the elements to sing the praises of the
Goddess.
The following is an original work I completed for one of my
Hymn for Hecate. (2)
Hymn for Hecate
Hecate Soteira,
Savior and Mother
of night
Embrace your
child with protection and might.
Hecate
Brimo,
Angry one’s
call
Silence the
worlds, silence them all.
Hecate
Phosphoros
Bringer of
light
Reveal the
attack shown in this fight.
Hecate
Adonaea,
Guide my
magic, direct and firm
All that
hurts shall be returned.
Hecate Nyktipolos
Night
wandering queen
Open my
eyes, allow all to be seen.
I believe my favorite titles for her are Keybearer and
Lightbringer. These two speak directly
to what I have found in working with her.
She holds the keys to knowledge and her torches shine the light of
understanding onto the unseen.
(1) List Source - http://www.goddessaday.com/greek/hecate
(2) Hymn for Hecate – Renee Sosanna Olson
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