times its difficult to find a quite crossroads to perform workings except in remote areas. 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. As punishment, she was transformed into a dog to be the companion of Hecate. Hecate is the goddess of witchcraft and was specifically known for her herbal knowledge. Regula, deTraci. She was the ruler of crossroads, entrances, nighttime, light, magic (witchcraft and sorcery), herbs and plants. Hecate helps or protects warriors, athletes, hunters, horsemen, herders, shepherds, fishermen, and children. Due to her dark attributes, this deity has often been associated with the Underworld. Hecate is one of the many goddesses in Greek mythology. Hecate was the principal goddess who had jurisdiction over enchantments and spells. Quite often warriors worshipped the goddess Hecate just as readily. Intrinsically ambivalent and polymorphous, she straddles conventional boundaries and eludes definition. When you buy through the links on our site we may earn a commission. goddess, with the latter having a 6th-century BCE circular altar for sacrifices to be made in her honour (the earliest archaeological evidence of her worship). Hecate is usually depicted with a burning torch in her hand and with a dog laying at her feet, its head raised. Moving between the barrier between life and death explains Hecates connection to both ghosts and necromancy. It was believed that she could see in all directions. The first sculpture of Hecate in triple form was the (lost) statue by Alcamenes (fifth century BCE) at the Acropolis. The masculine form of this word is said to be used for Apollo, one of the Greek gods. The myth says that Zeus gave the Lampades to Hera as a reward for her loyalty during the Titanomachy. In mythology Nyx represented night. A: Hecate is the Greek Goddess of magic and witchcraft. She convinced her daughter Eiliethyia, the goddess of childbirth, and the Moirai, the Fates, to prevent the birth. According toHesiodin hisTheogony, Hecate is the daughter of Perses and Asteria, making her the granddaughter of the Titans Phoebe and Coeus. As one of the deities capable of passing between realms, she had access to the secrets of the dead. She's ill at ease in cities and civilization. Kidadl is supported by you, the reader. Other writers claim her as the daughter ofZeusandDemeter, Aristaion. Greece itself worshipped many trios of goddesses or goddesses with three forms that fit this archetype. By the first century CE, Lucans Pharsalia made it clear that Hecate was the goddess of magic and witchcraft. A: This Greek Goddess is often considered to be capable of both good and evil. We know you don't want to miss any news or research breakthroughs. These primordial gods each represented a different aspect of existence, together they formed the building blocks of the early universe. From the Greek word for to turn away, apotropaic magic is that which defends by turning away evil or harm. The Orphic Mysteries said that Hestia was the daughter of Demeter instead. On the other hand, Euripides says that Leto is her mother. The goddess told Demeter everything she had heard, but Demeter didnt know who had taken her daughter. 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. Female monsters also often came in threes, as was the case with the Gorgons and Graea. Apollo is often called Hekatos, the masculine form of his name. Apollonius of Rhodes says that the sound of dogs barking from the Underworld can be heard when Hecate is nearby. 755 Hecate Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23454 | MLS# 10469859 | Redfin Hecate: The Goddess of Witchcraft in Greek Mythology Like her Greek counterpart, she was also a goddess of domestic animals. 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. Some experts believe that the three heads or faces of the Goddess Hecate denote the full, half, and new moon. Interesting facts: Hestia was one of three goddesses immune to the influence of Aphrodite. This article was most recently revised and updated by, From Athena to Zeus: Basics of Greek Mythology, Ancient Origins - Hecate: Triple-Bodied Greek Goddess of Witchcraft and Keeper of Keys, Hecate - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). $204,000 Last Sold Price. People often put pictures of the triple goddess on city walls, especially at city gates, the entrances to sacred sites, and the doorways of private homes. A competing theory says that Hecate did not develop in Greece at all. Thus, pillars called Hecataea stood at crossroads and doorways, perhaps to keep away evil spirits. Her attributes, besides the torch, are the snake, whip, dagger, and sword. Some authors say that she was the daughter of Zeus and Demeter. According to Greek mythology when the universe first came into being the primordial gods were there, fully formed. 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. The Goddess Hecate is supposed to be the daughter of Perses, a Titan, and Asteria, a nymph. Victorian Era, Ibn Khaldun or Celts. As was already said, the dog was Hecates most holy animal. These took the form of small cakes of eggs, cheese, bread, and dog meat, which were lit with miniature torches or, alternatively, a dish of red mullet, which was usually prohibited from offerings to the other gods. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). She is depicted on the altar of Pergamon with one body and three heads (ca. Learning Mole focuses on educating children of all ages in key skills of Maths, English and learning through crafts. Most of all, Hecate was a goddess of mystery. In his book Description of Greece, Pausanias says that the sculptor Alcamenes was the first to show Hecate in three forms in the 5th century BCE. This was a group started by May Otis Blackburn in Los Angeles, California. It is unclear why this change took place. Is Hecate a jealous goddess? Authors from the past, like Ovid and Pausanias, say that dogs, especially black dogs, were given to the goddess as sacrifices. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. Read on to find out more about Greeces most mystical goddess! Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Archaeologists have found essential offerings to the goddess at Lagina in Caria and Phrygia. As these stories were passed on, though, they often changed. Her parentage was given differently by various writers. She was the daughter of the Titan Perses and the nymph Asteria. Roman poets encouraged the idea that Hecate was three different things by calling her Hecate-Selene and other similar names. Writings throughout the centuries have woven different tales about Hecate and her role as a goddess. Follow for more great fun learning. From the 5th century BCE, the goddess hecate is associated with the darker side of the human experience, that isdeath, witchcraft, magick, the Moon, dreams, hell hounds and creatures which roam the darkness of night. Local sun goddesses from before the Greek era have many of the same attributes as those later associated with Hecate. She is also said to be the Goddess of childbirth and the protector of children. Origin and Family Persis and Asteria, two Titans from the generation of deities prior to the Olympians, are the legendary parents of Hecate. The Matres While little is known of their exact function, over 1,000 images of the three goddesses have been found in Northwestern Europe. The Greek three-headed hound of Hades, Cerberus, may have been an earlier version of Hecate. Hecate (Hekate) is the goddess of boundaries and guardian of crossroads; she is often shown with three faces and carrying a torch to show her connection to the night. This could be because she sided with him during the 10-year battle between the Titans and the Olympians. She was connected to occult practices such as witchcraft and magic, the Moon, gateways, and nocturnal beasts such as hellhounds and ghosts. Hecate - Mythopedia Her name is akin to the Latin words dium ("sky") and dius ("daylight"). As the worship of Artemis evolved over time, the Greeks began to focus more on her purity and positive aspects. This garden would've contained her sacred trees, herbs and poisons. The Charites (Graces) and Horai (Seasons) were also trios of minor goddesses in Greek mythology. Hecate is portrayed in single form on sculptures of Myron and Naucydes. This is especially ironic since, after this, she seems to have become more associated with the underworld, not less. (2021, December 6). Due to her magical powers, Hecate was believed to protect children, sailors, and shepherds. I am the owner and chief researcher at this site. This could be because she sided with him during the 10-year battle between the Titans and the Olympians. The first literary reference to Hecate was in the Theogony, a Greek poem by Hesiod that is believed to have been written in 700 BCE. Hecates name comes from the Greek word hekatos, which means worker from afar.. Click to reveal She has also been associated with the dark side of human beings, which is death. 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. Mythical Facts about Hecate Fact 1: Shrines to the goddess were placed at the doorways of homes and as protection from the dead and evil spirits. Hecate could give her worshipers wealth and blessings, but she could also take them away if they didnt worship her well enough. Some speculate that it represents the full moon, half moon, and new moon. Hecate typically responds to petitions via visions and dreams. 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 . As worshippers began to focus on one aspect of a god more than others, that gods secondary purposes were separated into another deity altogether. The hekataion depicted Hecate as three women encircling a central column. At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. If you enjoyed this content why not dive into some more historical eras check out these articles: Ancient Rome, Ancient Egyptians The First Woman Pharaoh, Greek Mythology Medusa, Native American History. She is often displayed holding two torches or a key. Hectate has neither spouse nor children. Selenite, tiger's eye, obsidian, rhodochrosite, jet, jasper, agate, and amber are the most suited crystals for Hecate. The Furies, winged creatures who punished wrongdoing, were also said to be the companions of Hecate. This was a terrible fate. Some scholars believe that Hecate was one such goddess. In Late Antiquity, the empousai have been described as a category of phantoms or spectres, equated with the lamiai and mormolykeia . Hecate has been referenced in various literary works, including the plays by Sophocles and Euripides. The goddess was given gifts every month on the night of a new moon. Her group included the Lampades, the nymphs of the Underworld, and ghosts. Was the Griffin a Bird from Greek Mythology? Lycophron, 77; Scholiast on Aristophanes'. If you are interested in effective unique protection magickCLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE! She was born into the world ruled by the Titans, but continued to be influential and powerful in the Olympian pantheon. In many cultures and religions in many lands. In the Pharsalia, the witch Erichtho calls on Persephone as the lowest part of Hecate. Hecate has the power to grant or deny any mortals wish. If you purchase using the buy now button we may earn a small commission. Hecate - goddess of ghosts, witchcraft & magic - Religious Talks Information on Hecate Dark Goddess of the Crossroads - ThoughtCo The well-known Pergamon Altar (from around the 2nd century BCE) shows Hecate as three different things. 1,178 Sq. Classical scholars have differing views about where the worship of Hecate in Ancient Greece came from. Her association with dark magic is also tied to her identification as an underworld goddess. Her name has been connected to dark magic and disturbing rituals in the works of Shakespeare and well into modern times. Check your inbox for your latest news from us. Most of the ceremonies and festivals dedicated to this Goddess were often celebrated at night. Hecate acted as a veil between the world of the mortals and the supernatural. Updates? Hecate - Greek Mythology Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a28cb13cce875e3 A: In Greek mythology, Hecate was the Goddess of witchcraft and magic. Hecate appears in the pseudo-Homeric hymn to Demeter- there Hecate dwelled in a cave during Kores abduction and appeared to Demeter in the dawn while she was searching for her lost daughter. Subscribe to our popular newsletter Synced Global AI Weekly to get weekly AI updates. One can view the doors between the worlds as being very thin during this time therefore it is a golden opportunity to show her your respect. In the writings of Hesiod, Hecate is the daughter of the Titan Perses and the nymph Asteria. 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. And during these times Hecate was also very much connected to other portals- such as doors, entrances, thresholds and eventually the crossroads. Lastly, the goddess is mentioned in the tragedies of Euripides and Sophocles, among others. Latin Spelling. 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. She is the witness to every crime. Picture of the Greek Underworld, the residence of Hecate. Some poets say her mother is Crataeis. Hecate was the daughter of Perses and "gold-wreathed" Astraea (the starry night), and her sway extended over earth, heaven, and hell, for which reason she is represented in works of art as a triple divinity, having three female bodies, all young and beautiful, and united together. Mystifying Hecate Facts: The Greek Goddess Of Magic And Spells In addition to magic and witchcraft, Hecate was also considered to be the Goddess of crossroads, gates, and ghosts. 2 Beds. In Greece, there is some evidence that Hecate was originally seen as a much more benevolent, cosmic goddess. There are many other interesting facts about Hecate as pointed out by philosophers and researchers. Author: Hecate He | Editor: Michael Sarazen. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Hecate was also offered dogs, especially puppies, as a sacrifice. One of these was the boundary between life and death. 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. The Egyptian god Anubis, who led souls to the Underworld, may also have something to do with dogs. She was also the goddess of the Oikos and the guardian of its entrances. 139.162.195.99 The keys that she is sometimes shown holding are supposed to be the keys of the Underworld. She was connected to occult practices such as witchcraft and magic, the Moon, gateways, and nocturnal beasts such as hellhounds and ghosts. Your privacy is important to us. Names derived from hers were common, including Hecatomnus, the father of the ruler Mausolus who built the famous tomb. A shrine to this Goddess was built at the entrance of homes and cities as she was believed to keep evil spirits away. She was made to look like a goddess who could easily move from the Underworld to the real world. 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. She has also been mentioned in the works of Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night's Dream, King Lear, and Macbeth. Although much of her power appeared generally dark or menacing, Hecate could also be a merciful goddess. Advanced Magick for the 21st Century The Adeptus Course, THE MOST COMPLETE COURSE IN PRACTICAL MAGICK EVER RELEASED. On an Attic vase from the 5th century BCE, a woman is shown giving a goddess a puppy and a basket of cakes. Seneca often talks about Hecate and her moon-based counterparts and even links Medea to the goddess. The people of Sparta claimed that Ares had been nursed by a nymph called Thero. 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. In the 6th century BCE, a circular altar was built in Miletos to honour the goddess (the earliest archaeological evidence of her worship). They include, science, maths, English and more. The Tridevi The triad of goddesses in Hinduism often represents the three states of creation, preservation, and destruction. HEKATE (Hecate) was the goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts and necromancy. In Rome, a similar goddess, Vesta, ruled over the group of priestesses called the Vestal Virgins whose duty it was to keep the sacred fire perpetually lit. Scholars think that the goddess arrived in Greece during the Archaic period. 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. Link will appear as Hecate: https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net - Greek Gods & Goddesses, October 19, 2019, Greek Gods and Goddesses 2010 - 2023 | About | Contact | Sitemap | Privacy, Hecate: https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net, Magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts and necromancy, None, however in some myths there are various potential offspring mentioned - (Aegialeus, Circe, Empusa, Medea, Scylla). 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. Who is Hecate? She was associated with witchcraft, necromancy, and poisons. Hecate is petitioned for fertility, especially for female children. The Moirai, or Fates, were one such trio of goddesses. Study medicinal and magical herbalism and become one of Hecate's priestesses. Hecate | Wiki | Pagans & Witches Amino As early as the 5th century BC, the image of the hekataion was the standard way of showing the goddess in sculpture. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. 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. "Worker-from-afar." They claim she originated in Caria, a region in southern Anatolia on the Mediterranean, and was adopted into the Greek pantheon. Hecate was an only child and was worshiped in households of Athens where families hoped to receive protection, prosperity and daily blessings. Hecate was a complex, ancient goddess known to the Greeks but originally worshiped by people of Asia Minor*. She witnessed the abduction of Demeter's daughter Persephone to the underworld and, torch in hand, assisted in the search for her. In ancient times, Hecates three-part form was shown as three separate bodies surrounding a central column. Hecate is invoked when justice is not forthcoming from other channels. Please note: prices are correct and items are available at the time the article was published. Hecate is also sometimes interpreted in association with Artemis and Selene. It is even more enjoyable Coconuts are delicious. Diana | Myth, Goddess, & Cult | Britannica Hecate Triodos is the specific aspect presiding over crossroads. She was not portrayed as being loving towards children but as someone who took revenge against anyone that harmed children. But by the end of the ancient world, this image had changed into a single goddess with three heads. Hecate | Sacred Wicca She was known by her Roman name, Trivia, as well as by her triple form. 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 . Some say that Hecate is the daughter of Erebus and Nyx, ageless Goddess of the night, while others believe that She is one of the Furies or the last surviving Titan except for Zeus. Hecate can banishghosts(or produce a ghost infestation). 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. Her name was derived from the Greek word hekatos which means worker from afar. Hecate was also known as the queen or Goddess of the night. Like most of the Olympic pantheon, Hecate predates the written mythology of Greece. Hesiod, for example, seemed to hold in in high regard and makes no mention of this darker association. She also assisted the gods in their war with the Gigantes, and slew Clytius.5, This extensive power possessed by Hecate was probably the reason that subsequently she was confounded and identified with several other divinities, and at length became a mystic goddess, to whom mysteries were celebrated in Samothrace6 and in Aegina.7 For being as it were the queen of all nature, we find her identified with Demeter, Rhea (Cybele or Brimo); being a huntress and the protector of youth, she is the same as Artemis (Curotrophos); and as a goddess of the moon, she is regarded as the mystic Persephone.8 She was further connected with the worship of other mystic divinities, such as the Cabeiri and Curetes,9 and also with Apollo and the Muses.10, The ground-work of the above-mentioned confusions and identifications, especially with Demeter and Persephone, is contained in the Homeric hymn to Demeter; for, according to this hymn, she was, besides Helios, the only divinity who, from her cave, observed the abduction of Persephone.