And during these times Hecate was also very much connected to other portals- such as doors, entrances, thresholds and eventually the crossroads. Hekate assisted Demeter in her search for Persephone, guiding her through the night with flaming torches. 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. Hecate, however, was not just a goddess shown in three parts. Her symbols were two torches, the crossroads, and black dogs. The various statues have also raised questions as to her duties. Your IP: This could be because she sided with him during the 10-year battle between the Titans and the Olympians. 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. Mike Greenberg, PhD. Some authors say that she was the daughter of Zeus and Demeter. Carole Raddato/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 2.0. Related Topics: greek. They are associated with certain ideas, occupations, or stages of life. She was often placed at the entrance of homes to help protect against the evil forces of the world. Most likely, the cults of Thessalian Pherai (Pherae) and Eleusis saw Hekate as Chthonian (Underworld) Hermess wife. 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 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. Her attributes, besides the torch, are the snake, whip, dagger, and sword. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Her priests are normally accompanied by hell hounds sent by their goddess to guard her temples. As an Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases. There might not be any figure in Greek mythology that is as misunderstood as Hecate. Some depictions show the Goddess with the head of a dog, horse, and lion, which could be the constellations during the year. Her name has been connected to dark magic and disturbing rituals in the works of Shakespeare and well into modern times. These crystals possess unique energies and properties that enhance spiritual practices and aid connections with Hecate. In fact, the earliest depictions of Hecate can only be differentiated from those of Artemis by inscriptions. She was born into the world ruled by the Titans, but continued to be influential and powerful in the Olympian pantheon. The Kidadl Team is made up of people from different walks of life, from different families and backgrounds, each with unique experiences and nuggets of wisdom to share with you. She rules wisdom, choices, expiation, victory, vengeance, and travel. Follow for more great fun learning. She was specifically associated with witchcraft, magick, the Moon, Archways, and creatures of the night such as hell-hounds and ghosts. Good is she also when men contend at the games, for there too the goddess is with them and profits them and to those whose business is in the grey discomfortable sea, and who pray to Hekate and the loud-crashing Earth-Shaker [Poseidon], easily the glorious goddess gives great catch, and easily she takes it away as soon as seen, if so she will. On the Pergamon Altar of Zeus, from the 2nd century BCE, a three-headed Hecate and a dog attack a snake-like giant. Apollo is often called Hekatos, the masculine form of his name. Moreover, the fact that Hecate had a Greek name does not necessarily mean that her cult originated in Greece (she more likely emerged from Caria in Asia Minor). Hecate is usually depicted with a burning torch in her hand and with a dog laying at her feet, its head raised. Greek pantheon was once much smaller than we know. Picture of the Greek Underworld, the residence of Hecate. She convinced her daughter Eiliethyia, the goddess of childbirth, and the Moirai, the Fates, to prevent the birth. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong. 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. The first example of the triple-Hecate form, called hekataia, was made by the sculptor Alcamenes in the 5th century BCE. Well send you tons of inspiration to help you find a hidden gem in your local area or plan a big day out. 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. She could not be forced to love anyone. And all these views if we go back in time can also be found in the Greco-Roman world. The Greek goddess Hecate, or Hekate, is Greece's dark goddess of the crossroads. 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. Some scholars believe that Hecate was one such goddess. Moving between the barrier between life and death explains Hecates connection to both ghosts and necromancy. You may request to banish harm from you and to protect you and your loved ones. HEKATE (Hecate) was the goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts and necromancy. And there is a good book titled Hekate liminal rites By David Rankine and Sorite DEsteyou should check out. Persis and Asteria, two Titans from the generation of deities prior to the Olympians, are the legendary parents of Hecate. As a fertility deity she was invoked by women to aid conception and delivery. The most popular theory is that the Carians in Asia Minor brought Hecate to Greece, where she became a part of their religion. Her liminality came from the fact that she was the daughter of a Titan and a goddess. Author: Hecate He | Editor: Michael Sarazen. Hecate is a goddess of life, death, regeneration, and magic. 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. The Lampades are people who carry torches and travel with the goddess at night. Apollonius of Rhodes says that the sound of dogs barking from the Underworld can be heard when Hecate is nearby. Hecate helps or protects warriors, athletes, hunters, horsemen, herders, shepherds, fishermen, and children. Although Hecate found Persephone, instead of rescuing her, she helped her settle into her new life as the bride of Hades. 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). The witches were telling Macbeth about his future and had not consulted the Goddess and had left her out of the meeting. It is unclear why this change took place. Hecate is the goddess of witchcraft and was specifically known for her herbal knowledge. Scylla's most retold appearance is in Homer's Odyssey. Nearby homes similar to 755 Hecate Dr have recently sold between $204K to $212K at an average of $190 per square foot. Hecate was often shown as a single person wearing a long robe and holding burning torches. Performance & security by Cloudflare. In her form as a triple goddess, Hecate was closely linked to intersections. Although much of her power appeared generally dark or menacing, Hecate could also be a merciful goddess. Hecate, however, took pity on Galinthias. 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. This is shown in Act III, scene five of the play. Lagina was one of the most important Carian sanctuaries.Hecate also has a strong connection with Georgia as well as throughout Italy. People left the food there to honor Hecate. Hecate: Greece's Dark Goddess of the Crossroads. 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. 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. Most of all, Hecate was a goddess of mystery. It even appears in Christianity, with the gospels placing three Marys at both the Crucifixion and Christs tomb. A: In Greek mythology, Hecate was the Goddess of witchcraft and magic. 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 is a reminder of her role as a goddess of the night, a guardian of the gates to Hades, and a goddess of boundaries. As such, she was greatly honored by Zeus, who allowed her to operate on Earth, as well as the sky and the Underworld. Female monsters also often came in threes, as was the case with the Gorgons and Graea. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published. It is even more enjoyable Coconuts are delicious. The facts about Hecate provides a list detailing fascinating additional info to increase your knowledge about Hecate in Greek Mythology. The Moirai crossed their arms and Eileithyia refused to help the laboring woman. As one of the deities capable of passing between realms, she had access to the secrets of the dead. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, According to Hesiods Theogony, the Titans were the first Greek gods born of earth and the heavens. They claim she originated in Caria, a region in southern Anatolia on the Mediterranean, and was adopted into the Greek pantheon. You may like to light incense such as the smoke of wormwood, cypress and lavender in these offerings. She is sometimes shown holding a key. She was connected to occult practices such as witchcraft and magic, the Moon, gateways, and nocturnal beasts such as hellhounds and ghosts. By joining Kidadl you agree to Kidadls Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing communications from Kidadl. She was the only one among the Titans who retained this power under the rule of Zeus, and she was honored by all the immortal gods. The Carians were devoted to Hecate, and she was the primary deity worshipped in the town of Lagina. She is the witness to every crime. She was also the goddess of the Oikos and the guardian of its entrances. Due to her magical powers, Hecate was believed to protect children, sailors, and shepherds. This food offering was known as the Supper of Hecate. She was often shown holding two torches, such as would be found beside gates, to allow her to illuminate both sides of a boundary. The people of Sparta claimed that Ares had been nursed by a nymph called Thero. Although they combined her with Diana and Artemis, the Romans also worshipped this deity, referred to her as Trivia, which means three ways. Interesting facts: Hestia was one of three goddesses immune to the influence of Aphrodite. A lot of the same things were said about all of the goddesses. Of course, as the goddess of boundaries she had the power to let things in as well as keep them out. The hekataion depicted Hecate as three women encircling a central column. 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. Hecate: [noun] a Greek goddess associated especially with the underworld, night, and witchcraft. 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 . Some later stories agreed that Asteria was her mother, but claimed Zeus had been her father. In Ancient Greece, this Goddess was honored in most homes as she was considered to bring prosperity. What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. The goddess was given gifts every month on the night of a new moon. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). What Were the Hamadryads in Greek Mythology? Was the Griffin a Bird from Greek Mythology? She is capable of both good and evil and is most often associated with magic and witchcraft. Study medicinal and magical herbalism and become one of Hecate's priestesses. Hecate was a goddess in Greek Mythology. Hecate also presided over more mystical boundaries. 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. While Hera was considered a singular being, she was given three names to represent her different stages in life maiden, wife, and mother. The myth says that Zeus gave the Lampades to Hera as a reward for her loyalty during the Titanomachy. If you are interested in effective unique protection magickCLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE! Asteria may be the original goddess associated with the Asterion mountain range on the island of Crete. Over time, some of the Olympians changed form and function. Another story said that Hecate herself had cursed a witch named Gale to be a polecat for disgusting her with incontinence and abnormal desires. A statue called Hekate Epipyrgidia (On the Ramparts) stood at the Athens Acropolis entrance. She was most famously the goddess of magic, witchcraft, ghosts, necromancy, the Moon, and the night. Greeks likewise borrowed many deities and legends. Her companions are known to punish wrong doing and criminals. Hecate is one of the many goddesses in Greek mythology. Etymology. The boundaries she oversaw were not limited to the physical world, though. The ancient Greeks thought of her as a Greek goddess, not someone from another country. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Why notsubscribe to our LearningMole Library for as little as 1.99 per month to access over1000fun educational videos. However, she was transformed by Circe into the monster form. It is unclear exactly when Hecate became so closely linked with magic and witchcraft. Thus, pillars called Hecataea stood at crossroads and doorways, perhaps to keep away evil spirits. HEKATE (Hecate) was the goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts and necromancy. 1.5 Baths. Hecate (also spelt Hekate) is a goddess capable of both good and evil. She is also known as Soteria (Savior), the Mother of Angels, and the Cosmic World. This concept became a central figure in many later versions of polytheism. Her origins and powers were unexplained and changeable. Some nymphs in Greek mythology were famous, but others were only known in a certain time Echidna: Greek Mythologys Mother of Monsters, Lamia: The Child-Eating Monster of Greek Legend. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, creative tips and more. The goddess Hecate is generally depicted as either an old woman in a long dress or a young woman in a knee-length skirt with hunting boots. 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. A: Hecate is the Greek Goddess of magic and witchcraft. Those who failed to win the goddesss favor could expect her to invite evil and misfortune into their lives. She appears in Ovid's Metamorphoses. 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. On any trip to Greece, it's helpful to have some knowledge of the Greek gods and goddesses. This made her one of the few deities to have the power to move freely between the world of the living and the underworld. Sources say there was a sacred garden dedicated to Hecate at her temple in Colchis (modern day Georgia). The three-part goddess was able to keep watch in all directions, and became standard in both written and visual representations. Hecate is usually thought to have originated in Thrace, a wild northern region of Greece that is also known for its tales of Amazons. The Goddess Hecate is supposed to be the daughter of Perses, a Titan, and Asteria, a nymph. 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. 1,178 Sq. They call her Aristaion or Night. 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. Most likely, the cults of Thessalian Pherai (Pherae) and Eleusis saw Hekate as Chthonian (Underworld) Hermes's wife. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Your privacy is important to us. Look for her animals: snakes, dragons, cats, and especially dogs. 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. 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. Trade, colonization, and migration resulted in a great deal of cultural exchange between the two regions. She was also closely associated to the spiritual world, ghosts, and the dead. The parentage of Scylla is hotly debated. She is often pictured holding keys because, as the goddess of boundaries, she held the power to open and close the doors to the realm of Hades. Many of the rituals described in ancient texts, for example the elaborate sacrifice of a ewe in Argonautica, are in keeping with what is known about the worship of other deities of the underworld. Hecate - A mysterious nature goddess associated with sorcery and witchcraft, who went with Demeter to the Underworld to fetch Persephone, but then stayed to assist Persephone. First 6 Months for 1.99 with Monthly Student and Teacher Plans Dismiss, 2022 Learning Mole. Hecate is invoked when justice is not forthcoming from other channels. A further canine connection may be with theEgyptiangodAnubiswho guided souls to the underworld, and the Greek three-headed hound ofHades, Cerberus, may be an earlier form of Hecate. Contrary to popular current belief she wasnt originally a matron for women but for all who fit the above categories. Hecate, however, is routinely described as the goddess of witchcraft and associated with characters like Medea and Circe, the witch of Homers Odyssey. When you buy through the links on our site we may earn a commission. They thought she would protect them and keep away evil spirits. When her city fell, the queen was taken captive and lept off a cliff to her death. When Alcmene was in labor with Heracles, Hera attempted to stop the childs birth. The goddess was especially appealed to by sorceresses for aid in their magic and spellsand appears on surviving examples of curse tablets. The offerings to the goddess were made each month during the night of a new moon. The goddess was also worshipped in Kos, Erythrai, Samothrace, Thessaly, and Miletos. As was already said, the dog was Hecates most holy animal. From the Greek word for to turn away, apotropaic magic is that which defends by turning away evil or harm. 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. People used to believe that dogs would eat the dead if they werent buried. A mysterious goddess of sorcery, necromancy, and ghosts, Greek Goddess Hecate is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing characters in all of Greek mythology! If lost at a crossroads, literal or metaphoric, invoke her name and then pay attention to signs from her. Her considerable power over nature ensured her continued popularity, but she's never fitted in with the crowd. Omissions? Athenian Greeks used the evening meal, known as Deipnon, to honor Hecate. One of her epithets, Apotropaia, references the protection she gave in these spaces. She was a goddess of magic and the underworld, but she was also a protector of the home and a guardian of borders. 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. 170 BCE). This grouping of the goddesses happens again in Aristophanes Frogs (1358f) when Aeschylus character calls on the goddesses. By the first century CE, Lucans Pharsalia made it clear that Hecate was the goddess of magic and witchcraft. Share This Post. In Greece, there is some evidence that Hecate was originally seen as a much more benevolent, cosmic goddess. This garden would've contained her sacred trees, herbs and poisons. Because of this, some people would make sacrifices of dogs, especially puppies, to her. In Aeschylus Suppliants, for example, they were often mixed up to make a goddess with two faces. The goddess Hecate is one of the lesser-known goddesses of the Greek pantheon. Her association with dark magic is also tied to her identification as an underworld goddess. Anatolia, which covered most of what is now Turkey, was a region that had close ties to the Greek world. She was the daughter of the Titan Perses and the nymph Asteria. A case in point is the Greek goddess Hecate. According to her story, Hecate sometimes withheld these blessings if she felt mortals did not deserve them. Many people think that worshipping the goddess began before the Greeks, while others think it started in Thrace. 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. In literature, there is a clear link between her, Demeter, and Persephone. Was the Griffin a Bird from Greek Mythology? You then connect yourself to her through visualizing and forming a mental image of her presence, you then thank her and pray to her. IT WAS A COMMON PRACTICE TO PLACE IMAGES OF HECATE ATCITYGATES & THE DOORWAYS OF PRIVATE HOMES AS SHE COULD WARD OFF EVIL SPIRITS. creative tips and more. 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. Like most of the Olympic pantheon, Hecate predates the written mythology of Greece. 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. The Greek three-headed hound of Hades, Cerberus, may have been an earlier version of Hecate. 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. Hecate is a goddess in Greek mythology often associated with darkness and witchcraft. By her very nature Hecate was a goddess that existed on the edges of the Greek pantheon, yet she was also a household goddess who watched over every door in Greece. Hecate is portrayed in single form on sculptures of Myron and Naucydes. She could switch between being a Titan and a goddess in Greek mythology. When the marriage of Persephone was finalized and she became the queen of the underworld, the bond between the three goddesses was strengthened. 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. Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. Her group included the Lampades, the nymphs of the Underworld, and ghosts. She is also mentioned in Aeneid, a play by Virgil where she guides one of the characters, Sibyl, in the Underworld. On her head she sometimes wears a kalathos, a tall wicker basket, or a moon sickle. In a few cases, Hecate was said to have shared these powers with her most devoted followers. They gave mortals wealth, victory, wisdom and luck. She guides Sibyl through the Underworld in Virgils Aeneid. 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. Hecate hkt, hkt , in Greek religion and mythology, goddess of ghosts and witchcraft. Some speculate that it represents the full moon, half moon, and new moon. Hecate has the power to grant or deny any mortals wish. The goddess was frequently associated with Demeter and even assimilated to her in some cults. The chief Greek god, Zeus, was very fond of this Goddess and gave her a share of the earth and sea. The goddess had a lot of powers, some of which were later taken over by other gods. In sculptures from the Classical and Hellenistic Periods, Hecate has been shown as a woman with three bodies or a single body with three heads. The Matres While little is known of their exact function, over 1,000 images of the three goddesses have been found in Northwestern Europe. Who is Hecate? A shrine to this Goddess was built at the entrance of homes and cities as she was believed to keep evil spirits away. Hecate Greek Goddess of Witchcraft : The Complete Guide. They are passionate about turning your everyday moments into memories and bringing you inspiring ideas to have fun with your family. Is Hecate a jealous goddess? She was also called the Goddess of the threshold or the Goddess of the house. 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. 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. Witches do gather together or solitary on crossroads as do magicians , hoodoo and voudan practitioners to cast their enchantments and spells. The Charites (Graces) and Horai (Seasons) were also trios of minor goddesses in Greek mythology. 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. 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. 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. Persephone was married to Hades and was the queen of the Underworld. Eating crunchy while enjoying a good movie or your favourite video game is a blessing. But she isnt in the Homeric epics, which is a big deal. 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 a belief, therefore, that the three goddesses may be aspects of a singular, earlier deity.