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By the 2nd century AD, a story had developed around Galinthias, a daughter of Proteus and friend of Alcmene. She was the ruler of crossroads, entrances, nighttime, light, magic (witchcraft and sorcery), herbs and plants. 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. At least one story, however, gives the goddess a much more human origin. The Orphic Mysteries said that Hestia was the daughter of Demeter instead. Hecate acted as a veil between the world of the mortals and the supernatural. She is depicted on the altar of Pergamon with one body and three heads (ca. What Were the Hamadryads in Greek Mythology? She is invoked for justice, especially for sexual crimes against women and girls. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Hecate is a Goddess shrouded in mystery, for there is continuing debate about Her name, origin and character. She is capable of both good and evil and is most often associated with magic and witchcraft. 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. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. 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. ThoughtCo, Dec. 6, 2021, thoughtco.com/greek-mythology-hecate-1526205. Her group included the Lampades, the nymphs of the Underworld, and ghosts. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. She was made to look like a goddess who could easily move from the Underworld to the real world. There might not be any figure in Greek mythology that is as misunderstood as Hecate. On any trip to Greece, it's helpful to have some knowledge of the Greek gods and goddesses. Hecate is also sometimes interpreted in association with Artemis and Selene. 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. Apollo is often called Hekatos, the masculine form of his name. Hecate was weaved strongly into all these symbolisms of the crossroads and still does to her devotees. Greeks likewise borrowed many deities and legends. 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. You have subscribed to: Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter. 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. I am the owner and chief researcher at this site. She was known by her Roman name, Trivia, as well as by her triple form. They are associated with certain ideas, occupations, or stages of life. It is believed that Hecate represented witchcraft, magic and ghosts. Interesting facts: Hestia was one of three goddesses immune to the influence of Aphrodite. HEKATE (Hecate) was the goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts and necromancy. Hecate was an only child and was worshiped in households of Athens where families hoped to receive protection, prosperity and daily blessings. Hecate is one of the many goddesses in Greek mythology. The Tridevi The triad of goddesses in Hinduism often represents the three states of creation, preservation, and destruction. This article contains incorrect information, This article doesnt have the information Im looking for. Meanwhile, others believe she is the progeny of Hecate and Phorcys. Hecate. In addition to magic and witchcraft, Hecate was also considered to be the Goddess of crossroads, gates, and ghosts. Hesiod claimed that Hecate was a favorite of Zeus . These primordial gods each represented a different aspect of existence, together they formed the building blocks of the early universe. Carole Raddato/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 2.0. She could switch between being a Titan and a goddess in Greek mythology. While Hecates temples in the area are from a later period, she bears a resemblance to a more ancient goddess in Caria. Hecate became Persephones guardian and close friend while she was living in the Underworld. She is helping a dog attack a giant who looks like a snake. Etymology. This made her one of the few deities to have the power to move freely between the world of the living and the underworld. The chief Greek god, Zeus, was very fond of this Goddess and gave her a share of the earth and sea. But she isnt in the Homeric epics, which is a big deal. Hecate was the chief goddess presiding over magic and spells. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. In this manner, pillars known as Hecate stood at key intersections and entryways, possibly to ward off malevolent spirits. These statues took on a distinctive appearance. The dog connection may be the fact that dogs were known to eat the dead if left unburied; they also howl at the moon, of course. A case in point is the Greek goddess Hecate. 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. Her tasks went beyond the heavens, the earth, the seas, and the Underworld. People believed that by honoring and praying to this Goddess, their homes would be preserved from the vengeance of the dead. Therefore, this deity is also invoked when there is thought to be a miscarriage of justice. Archaeologists have found essential offerings to the goddess at Lagina in Caria and Phrygia. Greece itself worshipped many trios of goddesses or goddesses with three forms that fit this archetype. Hecate is a goddess of life, death, regeneration, and magic. Hekate assisted Demeter in her search for Persephone, guiding her through the night with flaming torches. Not only could she move between the realms, but she had power to control the passage of others. She is good in the byre with Hermes to increase the stock. Her origins and powers were unexplained and changeable. For even now, whenever any human on the earth seeks to regain the favor or goodwill by performing fine sacrifices according to custom, he invokes Hecate; and much honor very easily stays with that man whose prayers the goddess accepts with gladness, and she bestows happiness upon him. 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 Matres While little is known of their exact function, over 1,000 images of the three goddesses have been found in Northwestern Europe. The cave and the dawn are both thresholds- liminal times, thresholds between the earth and the underworld and night and day. Tzetzes on Lycophron, 1175; Scholiast on Theocritus, ii, 36. Hecate may be invoked for healing, especially if medical solutions have failed or are not an option. She held several different roles, including earth goddess, queen of the underworld, and goddess of magic and witchcraft.. 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 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). All these were also given Hekate in her Deipnon (food offering). Persephone was married to Hades and was the queen of the Underworld. Major temple shrines to Hecate were in the regions of Phrygia and Caria. Some scholars believe that Hecate was one such goddess. 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. Kos, Erythrai,Samothrace, Thessaly, and Miletos also worshipped the. 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. 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. Her main jobs were to control boundaries, witchcraft, and the Underworld. Names derived from hers were common, including Hecatomnus, the father of the ruler Mausolus who built the famous tomb. Seneca often talks about Hecate and her moon-based counterparts and even links Medea to the goddess. Hecate first appears in Hesiods Theogony, written in the 7th century BCE. times its difficult to find a quite crossroads to perform workings except in remote areas. If you are interested in effective unique protection magickCLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE! She was connected to occult practices such as witchcraft and magic, the Moon, gateways, and nocturnal beasts such as hellhounds and ghosts. 1,178 Sq. Hesiod only talks about her family and how she killed Clytius in the Gigantomachy. Hecate was considered an ancient Thracian divinity and she was also a titan; the titans ruled the heavens, the earth and the sea. Because she was associated with borders, gates, and doorways, Hecate took on a protective role. The first sculpture of Hecate in triple form was the (lost) statue by Alcamenes (fifth century BCE) at the Acropolis. Her symbols were two torches, the crossroads, and black dogs. Dogs also howl at the Moon, so this could be a link. Hecate is often depicted with three heads as she was called the Goddess of the Crossroads. Click to reveal 1.5 Baths. As these stories were passed on, though, they often changed. Most of the ceremonies and festivals dedicated to this Goddess were often celebrated at night. Omissions? Persis and Asteria, two Titans from the generation of deities prior to the Olympians, are the legendary parents of Hecate. The Egyptian fertility goddess Heqet was associated with magic, which the Egyptians called heqa. In revenge for the trick, Eileithyia turned Galinthias into a polecat. We know you don't want to miss any news or research breakthroughs. She is sometimes shown holding a key. This concept became a central figure in many later versions of polytheism. As worshippers began to focus on one aspect of a god more than others, that gods secondary purposes were separated into another deity altogether. We offer advice and practical, interactive ideas to help parents challenge, teach and develop their childrens skills at home. People used to believe that dogs would eat the dead if they werent buried. Greeks focused worship on the more protective aspects of Artemis, goddess that existed on the edges of the Greek, The Norns These three goddesses were the Norse equivalent of the Moirai. When her city fell, the queen was taken captive and lept off a cliff to her death. In a few cases, Hecate was said to have shared these powers with her most devoted followers. She rules wisdom, choices, expiation, victory, vengeance, and travel. creative tips and more. Witches do gather together or solitary on crossroads as do magicians , hoodoo and voudan practitioners to cast their enchantments and spells. Hecate is a goddess of life, death, regeneration, and magic. Q: How do the three witches make Hecate angry? Many people think that worshipping the goddess began before the Greeks, while others think it started in Thrace. 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. 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. 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. The three-part goddess was able to keep watch in all directions, and became standard in both written and visual representations. Her association with dark magic is also tied to her identification as an underworld goddess. Hecate was also offered dogs, especially puppies, as a sacrifice. She was most famously the goddess of magic, witchcraft, ghosts, necromancy, the Moon, and the night. The witches were telling Macbeth about his future and had not consulted the Goddess and had left her out of the meeting. 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. She is depicted on the altar of Pergamon with one body and three heads (ca. She is also Queen of the Night, and is highly connected to All Hallow's Eve. She is believed to visit the Underworld to help other gods and people who were outcasts due to fear. Kidadl is supported by you, the reader. The heads could be of a dog, a lion, or a horse, representing the constellations that make up the year. Hecate is usually thought to have originated in Thrace, a wild northern region of Greece that is also known for its tales of Amazons. Proponents of this theory believe that this may have been the case with Hecate. 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. Latin Spelling. Quite often warriors worshipped the goddess Hecate just as readily. Lycophron, 77; Scholiast on Aristophanes'. She was a goddess that could be both a protective guardian and a source of menace. On the Pergamon Altar of Zeus, from the 2nd century BCE, a three-headed Hecate and a dog attack a snake-like giant. They believed that by praising the goddess, the restless dead would be soothed and not deliver vengeance on the family. The ancient Greeks thought of her as a Greek goddess, not someone from another country. She may be petitioned for a swift, painless death. 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 . Much later, Shakespeare referenced her in Macbeth, where she is mentioned in the scene of the three witches boiling together their dire brew. You may like to light incense such as the smoke of wormwood, cypress and lavender in these offerings. 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. She is invoked for justice, especially for sexual crimes against women and girls. In Ancient Greek religion, Hecate had a wide range of godly tasks. Share This Post. According to a legend, Odysseus got the Trojan queen Hecuba as a captive after the defeat of Troy. In ancient times, Hecates three-part form was shown as three separate bodies surrounding a central column.