This is my original work submitted as part of the Pagan Blog Project in 2013
Hecate is a Greco-Roman Goddess. She is said to be the key bearer to the
underworld. Granted dominion over the
heavens, the earth and the seas; she is associated with fire, light, moon,
magic and witchcraft. She is considered
a goddess to the midwife and with the magic of necromancy. Sometimes called the Goddess of the Witches,
Hecate is often depicted as a triple form goddess. Though tagged as the Crone by Aleister
Crowley, Hecate is certainly represented by each stage of the Goddess including
maiden and mother.
In Mythology, Hecate, a Titan was favored by Zeus before all
others and granted dominion over the Earth, Heavens and seas. Hesiod referred to her as the only daughter
of Perses and Asteria. One of the more popular
and my favorite Myth involving Hecate is the abduction of Persephone.
The story goes; Persephone was abducted by the God of the
Underworld – Hades, while she was out collecting flowers. Demeter searched to find her daughter. While she looked her sadness caused the
world to fall into state where nothing could grow. Hecate assisted Demeter by telling her that
Helios, the Sun God sees everything and he should know what happened to
Persephone. It wasn’t until after
Persephone was tricked into eating pomegranate seeds that she was found. It was the rule of the Fates that if someone
consumed food or drink in the Underworld, they had to stay there for all
eternity. A deal was made with the
distraught Demeter that allowed Persephone to spend four months in the
Underworld with Hades, and the rest of the time with her mother. This is where the winter season comes
from. In her sadness for her missing
daughter, Demeter mourns and nothing can grow on the Earth until she returns in
the spring.
Hecate is the Goddess of the Crossroads. It is thought that offerings made to her
should be placed at a three way intersection.
Garlic, honey, mushrooms and eggs are placed with a flame. The plate is left and it is said that one
should walk away without looking back.
Hecate will decide who gets what is left for her and at times, it was
thought that she fed the homeless and needy with her offerings. The torch, the dog, the key and the dagger
are often found in her representations.
The willow and the yew tree are sacred to Hecate. Black dogs are also associated with
Hecate. Being the Goddess of Witchcraft
and necromancy, Hecate is often called upon to assist those traveling from the
land of the living to the Underworld.
Many see her as the guardian to the Underworld and the holder of the key
to the gates there. Because of this
association many call upon Hecate in their workings with the dead.
Typically held on the 13th of each month,
Hecate’s supper is a ritual where eggs, fish, garlic, mushrooms and honey are
left at a cross roads in her honor. The
Night of Hecate is November 16, while the Day of Hecate is considered November
30th. Modern festivals
include an event held on the full moon in May called the Rite of her Sacred
Fires, where Hecateans around the world participate in a ritual to honor the
Goddess.
For many years I considered myself Wiccan and had no
particular deity. After working with
Christian Day’s “The Witch’s Book of the Dead”, I began to research Hecate and
found a connection with her. I completed
my dedication in January 2012 and now work my circles and rituals in her honor.
No comments
Post a Comment