Hecate was the goddess of borders, barriers, and boundaries. Hekate assisted Demeter in her search for Persephone, guiding her through the night with flaming torches. This concept became a central figure in many later versions of polytheism. Hecate is the Goddess of witchcraft, magic, crossroads, ghosts and necromancy. The Greeks, too, had many different theories about Hecates origins. The keys that she is sometimes shown holding are supposed to be the keys of the Underworld. Hecate rules over the night, magic, and places where three roads meet. Some versions of Scylla's myth say she was once a beautiful sea nymph. She was the only child of the Titanes Perses and Asteria from whom she received her power over heaven, earth, and sea. MAGE ENERGETICS The most complete course in magick ever released! Eating crunchy while enjoying a good movie or your favourite video game is a blessing. She could not be forced to love anyone. Most likely, the cults of Thessalian Pherai (Pherae) and Eleusis saw Hekate as Chthonian (Underworld) Hermess wife. 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. Hecate: [noun] a Greek goddess associated especially with the underworld, night, and witchcraft. But Hecate herself existed in the in between spaces, as well. Hecate was the principal goddess who had jurisdiction over enchantments and spells. 139.162.195.99 Greece itself worshipped many trios of goddesses or goddesses with three forms that fit this archetype. 755 Hecate Dr, Virginia Beach, VA 23454 | MLS# 10469859 | Redfin Hecate is petitioned for fertility, especially for female children. The facts about Hecate provides a list detailing fascinating additional info to increase your knowledge about Hecate in Greek Mythology. Hecate was believed to be a goddess of both the living world and the underworld. Her group included the Lampades, the nymphs of the Underworld, and ghosts. Another story said that Hecate herself had cursed a witch named Gale to be a polecat for disgusting her with incontinence and abnormal desires. Hecate's powers transcended the boundaries of the sky, the earth, the seas, and the underworld. Proponents of this theory believe that this may have been the case with Hecate. As an Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases. Over time, some of the Olympians changed form and function. We hope you love our recommendations for products and services! The goddess was given gifts every month on the night of a new moon. 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. As punishment, she was transformed into a dog to be the companion of Hecate. Child of Perses and Asteria, she was the only Titan to retain her control under Zeus' reign. The triple Hecate represented three aspects of a single goddess. 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 specifically associated with witchcraft, magick, the Moon, Archways, and creatures of the night such as hell-hounds and ghosts. We also link to other websites, but are not responsible for their content. Hecate, however, took pity on Galinthias. Hecate | Facts, Information, and Mythology She is sometimes shown holding a key. As the goddess of the night, witchcraft and sorcery, Hecate was very important to ancient Greeks, particularly to the famed author and scholar Hesiod. Facts About Hestia, the Greek Goddess of Home and Hearth - ThoughtCo The goddess Hecate is one of the Greek goddesses that not many people know about. Hecate is invoked when justice is not forthcoming from other channels. A: This Greek Goddess is often considered to be capable of both good and evil. This was all about Hecate, a goddess in ancient Greek religion. Due to her dark attributes, this deity has often been associated with the Underworld. Posted by 7thphoenix | May 27, 2020 | Magick Articles | 0 |. 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. Hecate - Roman and Greek Gods and Goddesses Why notsubscribe to our LearningMole Library for as little as 1.99 per month to access over1000fun educational videos. This could be because she sided with him during the 10-year battle between the Titans and the Olympians. If lost at a crossroads, literal or metaphoric, invoke her name and then pay attention to signs from her. Origin and Family Persis and Asteria, two Titans from the generation of deities prior to the Olympians, are the legendary parents of Hecate. When her city fell, the queen was taken captive and lept off a cliff to her death. Still another school of thought links her, at least linguistically, to Egypt. They are sometimes represented with the familiar aspects of the maiden, mother, and crone. One of Hecates frequent animal companions, and the one that shes most often depicted with, was a black dog. Though perhaps originally an indigenous woodland goddess, Diana early became identified with Artemis. And during these times Hecate was also very much connected to other portals- such as doors, entrances, thresholds and eventually the crossroads. And the dark moon is also a powerful time to cleanse you, from negative energy, negative influences or potentially harmful spirits. According to the most genuine traditions, she appears to have been an ancient Thracian divinity, and a Titan, who, from the time of the Titans, ruled in heaven, on the earth, and in the sea, who bestowed on mortals wealth, victory, wisdom, good luck to sailors and hunters, and prosperity to youth and to the flocks of cattle; but all these blessings might at the same time be withheld by her, if mortals did not deserve them. As she is said to be the guardian of the crossroads, she is most often depicted with three faces and carrying torches or a key. IT WAS A COMMON PRACTICE TO PLACE IMAGES OF HECATE ATCITYGATES & THE DOORWAYS OF PRIVATE HOMES AS SHE COULD WARD OFF EVIL SPIRITS. In single form she appears on Greek vases and coins. 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. Her parentage was given differently by various writers. My work has also been published on Buzzfeed and most recently in Time magazine. The food offered to this deity included cheese, cakes of eggs, and a dish of red mullet. In other Indo-European cultures, the three-part goddesses included: The archetype of the triple goddess is so common that its considered one of the fundamental aspects of Indo-European religion. On the other hand, Euripides says that Leto is her mother. 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. She is depicted on the altar of Pergamon with one body and three heads (ca. According to them, Hecate is known to support bravery and hence encourage soldiers, warriors, athletes, etc. As such, she was greatly honored by Zeus, who allowed her to operate on Earth, as well as the sky and the Underworld. The conflicting origins of Hecate were only the beginning of what made this goddess so mysterious. Hecate was often shown as a single person wearing a long robe and holding burning torches. Some later stories agreed that Asteria was her mother, but claimed Zeus had been her father. The goddess was frequently associated with Demeter and even assimilated to her in some cults. A mysterious goddess of sorcery, necromancy, and ghosts, Greek Goddess Hecate is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing characters in all of Greek mythology! HEKATE (Hecate) was the goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts and necromancy. Her attributes, besides the torch, are the snake, whip, dagger, and sword. In the writings of Hesiod, Hecate is the daughter of the Titan Perses and the nymph Asteria. Hecate may be invoked for healing, especially if medical solutions have failed or are not an option. Hecate is usually depicted with a burning torch in her hand and with a dog laying at her feet, its head raised. Hecate was also known as the queen or Goddess of the night. She is often displayed holding two torches or a key. Of course, as the goddess of boundaries she had the power to let things in as well as keep them out. Learning Mole focuses on educating children of all ages in key skills of Maths, English and learning through crafts. She was often placed at the entrance of homes to help protect against the evil forces of the world. Hecate is one of the many goddesses in Greek mythology. Hecate was variously associated with crossroads, entrance-ways, dogs, light, the moon, magic, witchcraft, knowledge of herbs and poisonous plants, ghosts, necromancy, and sorcery. Her tasks went beyond the heavens, the earth, the seas, and the Underworld. Hecate is defined by her powerful magic, being at ease with the night and darkness and in wild surroundings. The parentage of Scylla is hotly debated. 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. 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. 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 most commonly repeated story of her birth was that Hecate was the daughter of Perses and Asteria, two second-generation Titans. Because she was associated with borders, gates, and doorways, Hecate took on a protective role. While Hera was considered a singular being, she was given three names to represent her different stages in life maiden, wife, and mother. She is often displayed holding two torches or a key. This could be because she sided with him during the 10-year battle between the Titans and the Olympians. Therefore, this deity is also invoked when there is thought to be a miscarriage of justice. She would go with Persephone to the Underworld every year when the girl returned to Hades. Her association with dark magic is also tied to her identification as an underworld goddess. 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. 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. These crystals possess unique energies and properties that enhance spiritual practices and aid connections with Hecate. Some scholars of ancient Greek religion have noted that Apollo was occasionally given the name Hecatos, which they interpret to mean one who reaches far. These academics believe that Hecate, therefore, may have once been another name for Apollos twin sister, Artemis. Another option was a dish of red mullet, which was usually not allowed to be given to other gods. You may like to light incense such as the smoke of wormwood, cypress and lavender in these offerings. During the Romans, many of her traits belonged to the world of the dead. 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. Hecate: Triple-Bodied Greek Goddess of Witchcraft and Keeper of Keys Kidadl is independent and to make our service free to you the reader we are supported by advertising. 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. Female monsters also often came in threes, as was the case with the Gorgons and Graea. Long before Hesiod and Homer began writing their poetry, the stories of the gods were passed on through oral tradition. As a result, the goddess of magic remained a major deity in regulating evil spirits in the Underworld. Hecate: Greece's Dark Goddess of the Crossroads. Nearby Recently Sold Homes. She witnessed the abduction of Demeters daughter Persephone to the underworld and, torch in hand, assisted in the search for her. Women also prayed to her for fertility and the birth of female children. 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. 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. Updates? 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. This made her one of the few deities to have the power to move freely between the world of the living and the underworld. She was also the goddess of the Oikos and the guardian of its entrances. Hecate | Encyclopedia.com You have subscribed to: Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter. 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. The goddess was also worshipped in Kos, Erythrai, Samothrace, Thessaly, and Miletos. 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. 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). Hecate | Infoplease - Fact Monster Mystifying Hecate Facts: The Greek Goddess Of Magic And Spells This is how she came to command the earth, bliss . 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. She could switch between being a Titan and a goddess in Greek mythology. 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. 1,178 Sq. "Hecate: Greece's Dark Goddess of the Crossroads." Although much of her power appeared generally dark or menacing, Hecate could also be a merciful goddess. SOLD JUN 15, 2022. These three goddesses are also linked in the Mystery cults. There are few legends about Her, and no fixed genealogy. Hecate: Goddess of the Moon, Light and Magic in Greek Mythology and Many historians believe that the Greek pantheon was once much smaller than we know it today. Several times, authors make a connection between Medeas use of magic, both harmful and protective, and her worship of Hecate. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. 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. The things that make Hecate seem like an older woman are in the Pharsalia. 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. In fact, Hecate might have been another goddess altogether! At least one story, however, gives the goddess a much more human origin. Writings throughout the centuries have woven different tales about Hecate and her role as a goddess. Like her Greek counterpart, she was also a goddess of domestic animals. Moon Goddess of Hidden Wisdom, Change and Darkness. Before that, she was just a minor character in the stories of Demeter (Persephones maid) and Artemis. Her attributes, besides the torch, are the snake, whip, dagger, and sword. Her name is akin to the Latin words dium ("sky") and dius ("daylight"). It was said that she learned herbalism and spells from Hecate herself. 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 became Persephones guardian and close friend while she was living in 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. One sculpture depicts Hecate with a friendly dog and another with heads of a cow, dog, boar, serpent or horse. According to Greek mythology when the universe first came into being the primordial gods were there, fully formed. 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 . 170 BCE). Mother of Hermes: A Complete Guide to Maia Greek Goddess - MythologySource Nyx, the Primordial Goddess of the Night | Ancient Origins Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. We know you don't want to miss any news or research breakthroughs. Many of the traditional offerings to Hecate- are: milk, honey, oil, cakes, cheese, bloody meat, eggs, onions, garlic. Hecate also has several temples where her shrine is worshipped. She is also said to be the Goddess of childbirth and the protector of children. People believed that by honoring and praying to this Goddess, their homes would be preserved from the vengeance of the dead. DeTraci Regula is a freelance writer who has specialized in Greek travel and tours for 18 years. As one of the deities capable of passing between realms, she had access to the secrets of the dead. There are many other interesting facts about Hecate as pointed out by philosophers and researchers. Hecate Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster What we suggest is selected independently by the Kidadl team. In this manner, pillars known as Hecate stood at key intersections and entryways, possibly to ward off malevolent spirits. Regula, deTraci. Scholars think that the goddess arrived in Greece during the Archaic period. 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. This myth led to goddess Hecate being depicted with torches in her hand. In a few cases, Hecate was said to have shared these powers with her most devoted followers. The Ancient Greek Underworld and Hades - ThoughtCo Since the fifth century BCE, Hecate has been associated with magic, witchcraft, the moon, and other dark influences. Hecate is a goddess in Greek mythology often associated with darkness and witchcraft. One of these was the boundary between life and death. In the sources about Hekate that are from the ancient world, the crossroads are not mentioned as a symbol of Hecate. 170 BCE). Quite often warriors worshipped the goddess Hecate just as readily. Hecate took pity on her, though, and brought her back to life as a dog to be her companion. She is sometimes depicted as being accompanied by dogs or hounds and ghosts. It even appears in Christianity, with the gospels placing three Marys at both the Crucifixion and Christs tomb. She was connected to occult practices such as witchcraft and magic, the Moon, gateways, and nocturnal beasts such as hellhounds and ghosts. On her head she sometimes wears a kalathos, a tall wicker basket, or a moon sickle. Hecate is invoked when justice is not forthcoming from other channels. Hecates name comes from the Greek word hekatos, which means worker from afar.. The three-part goddess was able to keep watch in all directions, and became standard in both written and visual representations. The boundaries she oversaw were not limited to the physical world, though. You may request to banish harm from you and to protect you and your loved ones. I have been in love with all things related to Mythology. The name "Hecate" (Greek , translit. 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. A case in point is the Greek goddess Hecate. HECATE (Hekate) - Greek Goddess of Witchcraft, Magic & Ghosts - Theoi Empusa or Empousa (/ m p j u s /; Ancient Greek: ; plural: Empousai) is a shape-shifting female being in Greek mythology, said to possess a single leg of copper, commanded by Hecate, whose precise nature is obscure. Demeter descended to the underworld every spring to bring her daughter back to the surface, making the three goddesses share an association with the underworld. Asteria may be the original goddess associated with the Asterion mountain range on the island of Crete. 2 Beds. They spun the threads of fate at the base of. But the version of Hecate that appears in Greek texts is not so straightforward. The one in Lagina stood out the most. Polecats hid in dirty holes and, it was believed by the Greeks, had a grotesque and unnatural way of mating. And all these views if we go back in time can also be found in the Greco-Roman world. Hecate could give her worshipers wealth and blessings, but she could also take them away if they didnt worship her well enough. The various statues have also raised questions as to her duties. But because these Anatolian cult sites were built later, other classicists say that the goddess could not have come from Anatolia. She may be petitioned for a swift, painless death. The blessings she gave them were eventually seen as magic, while prayers were seen as incantations. I am the owner and chief researcher at this site. Hecate: 15 Ways to Work With the Goddess of Witchcraft 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. The Moirai crossed their arms and Eileithyia refused to help the laboring woman. Numerous smaller sculptures of Hecate remain in which the goddess appears as three separate women, wearing chitons, with the backs pressed against a pillar. 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. Moving between the barrier between life and death explains Hecates connection to both ghosts and necromancy. 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. She witnessed the abduction of Demeter's daughter Persephone to the underworld and, torch in hand, assisted in the search for her. Hecate is a goddess of life, death, regeneration, and magic. To find out more about LearningMole please visit our about us page or visit more of our topics available. Study medicinal and magical herbalism and become one of Hecate's priestesses. HEKATE (Hecate) was the goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts and necromancy. Her considerable power over nature ensured her continued popularity, but she's never fitted in with the crowd. 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. She rules wisdom, choices, expiation, victory, vengeance, and travel. The evening meal in ancient Greece, especially in Athens known as Deipnon, was in honor of Hecate. To the Greeks this meant not only the moment at which the soul crossed between those to states, but also to a literal place. Hecate (also spelt Hekate) is a goddess capable of both good and evil. Hecate Facts for Kids | KidzSearch.com Scylla Greek Gods & Goddesses Athenian Greeks used the evening meal, known as Deipnon, to honor Hecate. Etymology. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. Seneca often talks about Hecate and her moon-based counterparts and even links Medea to the goddess. Archaeological items found in Lagina in Caria and Phrygia also point to the importance of this Goddess during the Hellenistic and Roman periods. By joining Kidadl you agree to Kidadls Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and consent to receiving marketing communications from Kidadl. $204,000 Last Sold Price. 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. There might not be any figure in Greek mythology that is as misunderstood as Hecate. Each of the Greek gods has a few specialized functions. Much later, Shakespeare referenced her in Macbeth, where she is mentioned in the scene of the three witches boiling together their dire brew. 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. Regula, deTraci. The most famous witch in Greek mythology received her knowledge of magic from Hecate. The Lampades are people who carry torches and travel with the goddess at night. Was the Griffin a Bird from Greek Mythology? While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Greek pantheon was once much smaller than we know. Who is Hecate? Hecate was a goddess in Greek Mythology. Greeks likewise borrowed many deities and legends. The goddess, on the other hand, usually has human 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. 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. The goddess had a lot of powers, some of which were later taken over by other gods. 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. Of course, as with many stories of Hecate there was also a darker version. Her name has been connected to dark magic and disturbing rituals in the works of Shakespeare and well into modern times. These primordial gods each represented a different aspect of existence, together they formed the building blocks of the early universe. Hecate the goddess of Greek mythology has been primarily remembered for her associations with magic and witchcraft. In Ancient Greece, this Goddess was honored in most homes as she was considered to bring prosperity. 1.5 Baths. When Persephone was abducted to the underworld by Hades, Hecate was the only witness willing to help Demeter search for her daughter.
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