Hecate
Hecate (or Hekate) is the powerful Greek goddess of magic, witchcraft, the moon (especially the dark moon), crossroads, ghosts and the dead. She is one of the most ancient deities of the Greek pantheon, with characteristics that suggest pre-Hellenic Anatolian origin. Patron goddess par excellence of witches and modern magical practitioners.
Mythology
Hecate appears in Hesiod's Theogony as a powerful titanide who, despite belonging to the older Titan generation, was respected and honoured by Zeus and the Olympic gods after the divine war (different from other Titans who were imprisoned). She has dominion over three realms: heaven, earth and underworld — that is why she is often represented as triple goddess, with three bodies or three faces looking simultaneously to the three cardinal directions.
Her domains: 1) Crossroads (especially the three-way crossroads, where 3 paths meet — there she places her altars; offerings of food were made on these on each new moon). 2) Magic and witchcraft (Hecate is patron of pharmakeia — the art of medicinal herbs and magical potions; teacher of the famous witch Medea). 3) Dark moon (especially the moon when she is barely visible, the lunar phase of subtle magic). 4) Ghosts and the unsettled dead (the dead who have not crossed properly are under her territory). 5) Childbirth (helps in difficult births). 6) Dogs (her sacred animal — accompanied by a pack of dogs).
Symbolism and worship
Symbols: two torches (with which she illuminates the way through the darkness), keys (she opens the doors between worlds), knife or sword, black dogs (her sacred animal), snakes, moonlight. Sacred plants: poisonous belladonna, mandrake, yew, monkshood (note: poisonous plants — she is mistress of pharmakeia, which includes both heal and poison). Sacred colours: black, silver, deep purple. Sacred numbers: 3 (her triple form).
In modern Wicca and feminist neo-paganism, Hecate is one of the most powerfully invoked goddesses: 1) as the Old Wise Crone — the third aspect of the triple goddess (Maiden-Mother-Crone); the wise mature woman after menopause, mistress of accumulated experience, healer with herbs, midwife, magical guide. 2) Patron of solitary witches. 3) Goddess of new moon (her lunar phase). 4) Patron of psychotherapists and shadow workers. 5) Helper in transitions of life (the goddess of the crossroads accompanies you when you do not know which way to take). 6) Protector of dogs, especially black or rescue. Recommended offerings: garlic, eggs, honey, fish, fresh water, dog food (yes, in Greek tradition food for dogs accompanied her offerings).
Also known as
- Hekate
- Triple goddess (one of her aspects)
- Mistress of magic