Her main jobs were to control boundaries, witchcraft, and the Underworld. By the first century CE, Lucans Pharsalia made it clear that Hecate was the goddess of magic and witchcraft. The well-known Pergamon Altar (from around the 2nd century BCE) shows Hecate as three different things. Hecate is the Goddess of witchcraft, magic, crossroads, ghosts and necromancy. Some early writers claimed that Hecate was actually the princess Iphigenia, saved from death by Artemis and transformed into a goddess. A case in point is the Greek goddess Hecate. By joining Kidadl you agree to Kidadls Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing communications from Kidadl. When you buy through the links on our site we may earn a commission. One of Hecates frequent animal companions, and the one that shes most often depicted with, was a black dog. Midwives, witches, healers, herbalists, dog lovers and rescuers; she is the matron of women in general and protects those who ride horses, male warriors or cavalry as well. Corrections? Lycophron, 77; Scholiast on Aristophanes'. 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. 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. The name "Hecate" (Greek , translit. It is believed that Hecate represented witchcraft, magic and ghosts. She is commonly depicted as a three-headed Goddess, or the Greek version of The Triple Goddess, being the Maiden, Mother, and Crone depending on the season. She was the only child of the Titanes Perses and Asteria from whom she received her power over heaven, earth, and sea. In the post-Christian writings of the Chaldean Oracles ( 2nd-3rd century AD ), she was regarded with some rulership over earth, sea, and sky, as well as a more . The Carians were devoted to Hecate, and she was the primary deity worshipped in the town of Lagina. Hecate, however, is routinely described as the goddess of witchcraft and associated with characters like Medea and Circe, the witch of Homers Odyssey. On any trip to Greece, it's helpful to have some knowledge of the Greek gods and goddesses. Her tasks went beyond the heavens, the earth, the seas, and the Underworld. There might not be any figure in Greek mythology that is as misunderstood as Hecate. What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. The daughter of Perses and Asteria (twin sister of Leto ), Hecate was a member of the third generation of Titans, but sided with Zeus and his siblings during the Titanomachy. In the 6th century BCE, a circular altar was built in Miletos to honour the goddess (the earliest archaeological evidence of her worship). Origin and Family Persis and Asteria, two Titans from the generation of deities prior to the Olympians, are the legendary parents of Hecate. Hecate may be invoked for healing, especially if medical solutions have failed or are not an option. 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. HECATE - the Greek Goddess of Crossroads (Greek mythology) - Godchecker Hecate is a goddess of life, death, regeneration, and magic. Child of Perses and Asteria, she was the only Titan to retain her control under Zeus' reign. creative tips and more. As one of the deities capable of passing between realms, she had access to the secrets of the dead. Hecate was considered an ancient Thracian divinity and she was also a titan; the titans ruled the heavens, the earth and the sea. 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. You have subscribed to: Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter. Kos, Erythrai,Samothrace, Thessaly, and Miletos also worshipped the. Home History Great Facts about Goddess Hecate. 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. Trade, colonization, and migration resulted in a great deal of cultural exchange between the two regions. On her head she sometimes wears a kalathos, a tall wicker basket, or a moon sickle. Hesiod, for example, seemed to hold in in high regard and makes no mention of this darker association. Her friends are the Erinyes, winged creatures that punish bad behaviour, and her children are the Empusae, female demons that like to seduce travellers. Quite often warriors worshipped the goddess Hecate just as readily. At doorways and crossroads, pillars of the goddess Hecate, who held a torch, stood. In single form she appears on Greek vases and coins. Hecate is defined by her powerful magic, being at ease with the night and darkness and in wild surroundings. This was a group started by May Otis Blackburn in Los Angeles, California. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Hecate | Sacred Wicca As a result, the goddess of magic remained a major deity in regulating evil spirits in the Underworld. She is also Queen of the Night, and is highly connected to All Hallow's Eve. Moving between the barrier between life and death explains Hecates connection to both ghosts and necromancy. It is believed that Zeus, the king of the gods, asked Hecate to help find Persephone after Hades kidnapped her. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Ft. 1302 Covington Ct, Virginia Beach, VA 23453. In literature, there is a clear link between her, Demeter, and Persephone. Zorya The Slavic goddess of beauty and light took three forms corresponding to morning, evening, and midnight. Hecate was a goddess in Greek Mythology. This Goddess is often shown as a woman carrying a key or torches. Controlling who moved through the border between the earth and the underworld gave her a unique power to summon spirits and raise the dead. Author: Hecate He | Editor: Michael Sarazen. As early as the 5th century BC, the image of the hekataion was the standard way of showing the goddess in sculpture. My work has also been published on Buzzfeed and most recently in Time magazine. As the worship of Artemis evolved over time, the Greeks began to focus more on her purity and positive aspects. She was also closely associated to the spiritual world, ghosts, and the dead. This made her one of the few deities to have the power to move freely between the world of the living and the underworld. On an Attic vase from the 5th century BCE, a woman is shown giving a goddess a puppy and a basket of cakes. Female monsters also often came in threes, as was the case with the Gorgons and Graea. She was accepted at an early date into Greek religion, but she probably was originally a goddess of the Carians in southwestern Asia Minor. The triple Hecate represented three aspects of a single goddess. Another story said that Hecate herself had cursed a witch named Gale to be a polecat for disgusting her with incontinence and abnormal desires. One of her epithets, Apotropaia, references the protection she gave in these spaces. Omissions? The goddess Hecate had unusual rituals performed in her honour, which include the offerings of food given at crossroads, road junctions, and any other sort of boundary or threshold known as the supper of Hecate. Athenian Greeks used the evening meal, known as Deipnon, to honor Hecate. However. The most famous witch in Greek mythology received her knowledge of magic from Hecate. 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. Subscribe to our popular newsletter Synced Global AI Weekly to get weekly AI updates. Hecate is petitioned for fertility, especially for female children. 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. Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. She was connected to occult practices such as witchcraft and magic, the Moon, gateways, and nocturnal beasts such as hellhounds and ghosts. Many historians believe that the Greek pantheon was once much smaller than we know it today. Hecate, however, took pity on Galinthias. Asteria may be the original goddess associated with the Asterion mountain range on the island of Crete. HEKATE (Hecate) was the goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts and necromancy. The one in Lagina stood out the most. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong. She appears in Ovid's Metamorphoses. Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, A Recommended Book on Hekate Liminal Rites, Planetary MAGICK -7 Facts you should know, Magickal Protection-The BEST 10 SOLUTIONS. Her considerable power over nature ensured her continued popularity, but she's never fitted in with the crowd. The Greek three-headed hound of Hades, Cerberus, may have been an earlier version of Hecate. 139.162.195.99 The goddess told Demeter everything she had heard, but Demeter didnt know who had taken her daughter. Due to her dark attributes, this deity has often been associated with the Underworld. They believed that by praising the goddess, the restless dead would be soothed and not deliver vengeance on the family. Hecate typically responds to petitions via visions and dreams. This made her one of the few deities to have the power to move freely between the world of the living and the underworld. This was a terrible fate. But because these Anatolian cult sites were built later, other classicists say that the goddess could not have come from Anatolia. She rules wisdom, choices, expiation, victory, vengeance, and travel. The goddess was especially appealed to by sorceresses for aid in their magic and spellsand appears on surviving examples of curse tablets. The best of the LearningMole geography tutorials. On Greek pottery, she is usually shown as a young woman holding a torch or a key. She is depicted on the altar of Pergamon with one body and three heads (ca. She is invoked for justice, especially for sexual crimes against women and girls. In the Pharsalia, the witch Erichtho calls on Persephone as the lowest part of Hecate. In Ancient Greece, this Goddess was honored in most homes as she was considered to bring prosperity. Although Hecate found Persephone, instead of rescuing her, she helped her settle into her new life as the bride of Hades. Hecate was also offered dogs, especially puppies, as a sacrifice. Like most of the Olympic pantheon, Hecate predates the written mythology of Greece. These crystals possess unique energies and properties that enhance spiritual practices and aid connections with Hecate. Sorceresses ask the goddess for help with their magic and spells, and she is shown on curse tablets that have survived. She is not a typical one-dimensional goddess but lives on many different levels. During the time of the Romans, Hecate was often combined with the gods Artemis and Selene, especially in Roman poetry. In a hymn to Hecate, Hesiod detailed the ways in which the goddess could both allow good fortune and deny it: Whom she will she greatly aids and advances: she sits by worshipful kings in judgment, and in the assembly whom she will is distinguished among the people. She is described in this capacity as a mighty and formidable divinity, ruling over the souls of the departed; she is the goddess of purifications and expiations, and is accompanied by Stygian dogs.11 By Phorcys she became the mother of Scylla.12, There is another very important feature which arose out of the notion of her being an infernal divinity, namely, she was regarded as a spectral being, who at night sent from the lower world all kinds of demons and terrible phantoms, who taught sorcery and witchcraft, who dwelt at places where two roads crossed each other, on tombs, and near the blood of murdered persons. Hecate Facts for Kids | KidzSearch.com 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. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Since the 5th century BCE, the goddess has been linked to the darker parts of life, like death, witchcraft, magic, the Moon, dreams, fierce hounds, and creatures that roam the night. Hecate also presided over more mystical boundaries. 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. Hecate | Facts, Information, and Mythology Hecate is portrayed in single form on sculptures of Myron and Naucydes. The goddess was often linked to Demeter, and in some cults, she was seen as the same as Demeter. It is believed that Hecate represented witchcraft, magic and ghosts. She herself too wanders about with the souls of the dead, and her approach is announced by the whining and howling of dogs.13, A number of epithets given her by the poets contain allusions to these features of the popular belief, or to her form. From the three supposedly came her image in Greek . The evening meal in ancient Greece, especially in Athens known as Deipnon, was in honor of Hecate. Hecate: Greek Goddess of Witchcraft, Sorcery and Magic Greek pantheon was once much smaller than we know. She was also the goddess of the Oikos and the guardian of its entrances. She was there when Demeters daughter Persephone was taken to the Underworld, and she helped search for her with a torch in her hand after she saw it happen. Follow for more great fun learning. She is sometimes depicted as being accompanied by dogs or hounds and ghosts. Apollo is often called Hekatos, the masculine form of his name. Moon Goddess of Hidden Wisdom, Change and Darkness. She was connected to occult practices such as witchcraft and magic, the Moon, gateways, and nocturnal beasts such as hellhounds and ghosts. While Hecates temples in the area are from a later period, she bears a resemblance to a more ancient goddess in Caria. Seeing her friend in pain, Galinthias tricked the Moirai into thinking the child had been born despite their interference. The moon goddess and the huntress were often linked, and it is believed by some that as Greeks focused worship on the more protective aspects of Artemis they shifted her darker characteristics to Hecate. From the Greek word for to turn away, apotropaic magic is that which defends by turning away evil or harm. Hecate was an only child and was worshiped in households of Athens where families hoped to receive protection, prosperity and daily blessings. They are passionate about turning your everyday moments into memories and bringing you inspiring ideas to have fun with your family. Hecate - Students | Britannica Kids | Homework Help But Hecate herself existed in the in between spaces, as well. Hecate: The Goddess of Witchcraft in Greek Mythology Her origins and powers were unexplained and changeable. Hecate was a goddess of boundaries and in between spaces. The witches were telling Macbeth about his future and had not consulted the Goddess and had left her out of the meeting. Some lexicographers, experts that study the origins of language, believe that the word hag and hex, which means witch, is derived from the word Hecate. It was said that she learned herbalism and spells from Hecate herself. 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. On the Pergamon Altar of Zeus, from the 2nd century BCE, a three-headed Hecate and a dog attack a snake-like giant. Some later stories agreed that Asteria was her mother, but claimed Zeus had been her father. They call her Aristaion or Night. This myth led to goddess Hecate being depicted with torches in her hand. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a28cb13cce875e3 The triple goddesses are often referred to as the Maiden, Mother (or Matron), and Crone. Hecate - Mythopedia Archaeologists have found essential offerings to the goddess at Lagina in Caria and Phrygia. To the Greeks this meant not only the moment at which the soul crossed between those to states, but also to a literal place. In ancient times, Hecates three-part form was shown as three separate bodies surrounding a central column. Advanced Magick for the 21st Century The Adeptus Course, THE MOST COMPLETE COURSE IN PRACTICAL MAGICK EVER RELEASED. Hecate: 15 Ways to Work With the Goddess of Witchcraft The Tridevi The triad of goddesses in Hinduism often represents the three states of creation, preservation, and destruction. Apollonius of Rhodes says that the sound of dogs barking from the Underworld can be heard when Hecate is nearby. Scylla's most retold appearance is in Homer's Odyssey. It even appears in Christianity, with the gospels placing three Marys at both the Crucifixion and Christs tomb. This concept became a central figure in many later versions of polytheism. Persis and Asteria, two Titans from the generation of deities prior to the Olympians, are the legendary parents of Hecate. A goddess of crossroads, magic, poison, and the undead, Hecate was also the daughter of the Titan Perses and the nymph Asteria, according to Hesiod. The iconography had not yet come to include her usual attributes, such as her keys and torches or her three aspects. First you can set down the offerings to Hekate on the crossroad, just be sure to choose a less travelled crossroads free of heavy traffic for your safety. She was accompanied by packs of barking dogs. Some experts believe that the three heads or faces of the Goddess Hecate denote the full, half, and new moon. She was a goddess in charge of magic, witchcraft, and much more. 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. Some authors say that she was the daughter of Zeus and Demeter. Hecate was also linked to a lot of other goddesses from other pantheons. Lastly, the goddess is mentioned in the tragedies of Euripides and Sophocles, among others. The Lampades are people who carry torches and travel with the goddess at night. She was born into the world ruled by the Titans, but continued to be influential and powerful in the Olympian pantheon. Hectate is derived from the Greek word 'hekatos,' which 'means worker from afar.' The Egyptian fertility goddess Heqet was associated with magic, which the Egyptians called heqa. In fact, the earliest depictions of Hecate can only be differentiated from those of Artemis by inscriptions. HECATE (Hekate) - Greek Goddess of Witchcraft, Magic & Ghosts - Theoi There is evidence that this may have been the case with Hecate. 2 Beds. Contrary to popular current belief she wasnt originally a matron for women but for all who fit the above categories. Hecate is usually depicted with a burning torch in her hand and with a dog laying at her feet, its head raised. 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 Jinn or Genie-good, bad or simply Goetic spirits of another name? Read on to find out more about Greeces most mystical goddess! Meanwhile, others believe she is the progeny of Hecate and Phorcys. She is often displayed holding two torches or a key. Hecate is closely associated with several other goddesses in the Greek pantheon, with symbolism and function seeming to overlap. The time of the dark moon is a special time of the month to give offerings to Hecate. Seneca often talks about Hecate and her moon-based counterparts and even links Medea to the goddess. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, Those who failed to win the goddesss favor could expect her to invite evil and misfortune into their lives. What are interesting facts about Hecate? - WisdomAnswer Hecate helps or protects warriors, athletes, hunters, horsemen, herders, shepherds, fishermen, and children. Mother of Hermes: A Complete Guide to Maia Greek Goddess - MythologySource Most of the ceremonies and festivals dedicated to this Goddess were often celebrated at night. Her parentage was given differently by various writers. Modern neopagan and Wiccan religions often include worship of a triple goddess, and of Hecate herself. Therefore, this deity is also invoked when there is thought to be a miscarriage of justice. This is how she came to command the earth, bliss . Victorian Era, Ibn Khaldun or Celts. Mystifying Hecate Facts: The Greek Goddess Of Magic And Spells 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. As the goddess of the night, witchcraft and sorcery, Hecate was very important to ancient Greeks, particularly to the famed author and scholar Hesiod. Women also prayed to her for fertility and the birth of female children. Over time, some of the Olympians changed form and function. The goddess Hecate is one of the lesser-known goddesses of the Greek pantheon. These three goddesses are also linked in the Mystery cults. She could switch between being a Titan and a goddess in Greek mythology. 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. The necromancers not only conjured the spirits of the dead on nightly cemeteries but also on the crossroads, the leftovers from spells are buried on the crossroads in many magical traditions and in many religions it is believed that the spirits are lingering on the crossroads. The Matres While little is known of their exact function, over 1,000 images of the three goddesses have been found in Northwestern Europe. However, she is believed to be protective of human beings. Proponents of this theory believe that this may have been the case with Hecate. While Hera was considered a singular being, she was given three names to represent her different stages in life maiden, wife, and mother. The Orphic Mysteries said that Hestia was the daughter of Demeter instead. According to her story, Hecate sometimes withheld these blessings if she felt mortals did not deserve them. Please like and share this article if you found it useful. Hecate is a goddess in Greek mythology often associated with darkness and witchcraft. There are cult sites for the goddess Hecate in Caria, which shows that people there worshipped her. Hecate was sometimes seen as a Titan, like her parents, and in the battle between the Titans and the Greek gods led by Zeus, she helped Zeus and so was not banished to the underworld with the rest of them. Many Anatolian gods had their roots in the Greek pantheon. She has also been mentioned in the works of Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream, King Lear, and Macbeth. As an Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases. Hecate is the goddess of witchcraft and was specifically known for her herbal knowledge. People believed that by honoring and praying to this Goddess, their homes would be preserved from the vengeance of the dead. The name Hecate comes from the Greek word "Hekatos," which was thought to be a really distant and obscure epithet associated with Apollo, the Greek god of music . Classical scholars have differing views about where the worship of Hecate in Ancient Greece came from. The offerings to the goddess were made each month during the night of a new moon. As such, she was greatly honored by Zeus, who allowed her to operate on Earth, as well as the sky and the Underworld. Your privacy is important to us. She is often depicted carrying one or several torches to remind of her connection with the night and insculpturewith three faces, representing her role as the guardian of crossroads. This could be because she sided with him during the 10-year battle between the Titans and the Olympians. Hecate - Wikipedia Hecate Triformis, Hecate of the three faces or three forms, corresponding to the phases of the moon: dark, waxing, and waning. Interesting facts: Hestia was one of three goddesses immune to the influence of Aphrodite. A: In Greek Mythology, Hecate was the Goddess of magic and witchcraft. 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. The cave and the dawn are both thresholds- liminal times, thresholds between the earth and the underworld and night and day. She was a goddess that could be both a protective guardian and a source of menace. Hecate - goddess of ghosts, witchcraft & magic - Religious Talks Because of this, some people would make sacrifices of dogs, especially puppies, to her. Her attributes, besides the torch, are the snake, whip, dagger, and sword. Some depictions show the Goddess with the head of a dog, horse, and lion, which could be the constellations during the year. Hecate is a goddess of life, death, regeneration, and magic. Tackling Hallucinations: Microsoft's LLM-Augmenter - medium.com Of course, as with many stories of Hecate there was also a darker version. Hekate: A beginner's guide to witchcraft, ghosts, spirituality, and We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. In ancient times the crossroads didnt have our modern symbolism as a place of choices. Further, the home would be blessed and any wrong-doing by family members would be forgiven and the household purified. "Worker-from-afar." During the Hellenistic and Roman times, people still worshipped Hecate. She was also called the Goddess of the threshold or the Goddess of the house. Tzetzes on Lycophron, 1175; Scholiast on Theocritus, ii, 36. 1.5 Baths. In the physical world this could mean anything from doorways to city walls and state borders. She held several different roles, including earth goddess, queen of the underworld, and goddess of magic and witchcraft.. She may be petitioned for a swift, painless death. My name is Mike and for as long as I can remember (too long!) You may request to banish harm from you and to protect you and your loved ones. Is Hecate a jealous goddess? Most of all, Hecate was a goddess of mystery. This could mean that the goddess didnt come to Greece from Caria until a relatively late date. 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. A mysterious divinity, who, according to the most common tradition, was a daughter of Persaeus or Perses and Asteria, whence she is called Perseis.1 Others describe her as a daughter of Zeus and Demeter, and state that she was sent out by her father in search of Persephone;2 others again make her a daughter of Zeus either by Pheraea or by Hera;3 and others, lastly, say that she was a daughter of Leto or Tartarus.4 Homer does not mention her. The droves of kine and wide herds of goats and flocks of fleecy sheep, if she will, she increases from a few, or makes many to be less.