30 Days of Devotion to Hekate: Day 8

8. Variations on this deity (aspects, regional forms, etc.)

Aspects:
This one will vary depending on who you ask. You ask one Devotee who Hekate is and what way She shows herself to them and they'll tell you She's a triple Goddess, another will tell you She's a wizened crone and yet another will tell you She's a beautiful albeit fierce yonder maiden. Some say She's a moon goddess, some say not. None of these are wrong. She appears to me in her younger aspect, as a single deity and under the dark of the moon. If she appears to you as a crone, or a triple goddes, or with 3 heads, or however you see her, that is correct. Join a room full of Devotees and each may tell you a different story. As Persephone/Artemis/Hekate and as Demeter/Hera/Selene, as Hekate/Persephone/Demeter.

Triple Goddess; the Maiden, Mother, and Crone (all three) or as one part of a group trio.
Triple Goddess: In various classical depictions she is shown as a triple goddess, often just three versions of herself. In these she is typically holding a torch (or 2 or 3), a key, serpents, daggers, black dogs and numerous other items. Also as a triple goddess she was said to represent the goddess of the moon in three forms. That of Selene, the Moon in heaven, of Artemis, the Huntress on earth, and that of Persephone, the Destroyer in the Underworld.

Maiden - many classical depictions of Hekate is of that of a younger maiden and that was largely the way She was worshipped by the ancients. The Crone aspect is much newer.

Mother - this Queen of Witches she is the protector of women and children. Of those who are pregnant or in childbirth. As the goddess of Midwives

Crone - in her Crone aspect, symbolized by the dark of the moon, She is Goddess of the Restless Dead, Queen of Night, Mistress of sorcery and magic. She is the Wise Woman, this Queen of Ghosts.

Goddess of Fertility and Plenty - Hekate was often looked upon as a goddess of fertility, whose torches were carried over freshly sown fields symbolizing the fertilizing power of the moonlight.

Goddess of the Underworld - in this aspect as well as the others she also reigns over those in childbirth, called upon by women having difficulty in child bearing. She travels the earth at night accompanied by her hounds and the restless dead. Some say she sends demons in the night, that she is the cause of nightmares and insanity. Still more say this is false and that she merely illuminates the pieces of us that we need to see, or the paths we need to traverse. This is not always a pleasant realization.

Regions:
Lagina - Hekate’s largest cult center was and is (as the ruins still remain today) in the southwestern Anatolian region of Caria at Lagina. In what is now Southern Turkey. Some scholars believe that this is Hekate's original homeland though more recent scholars question this.

The temple itseld is a Hellenistic merging of Greek and Carian cultures, and was built at roughly the same period as the famous temple of Artemis Ephesia, in the ancient city of Ephesus.

Traveling to the temple at Lagina is definitely on my "bucket list". The photo below is *not* mine. In all instances I've left the mark/watermark from whomever I've borrowed the images from so that you may find them at their origin).

Samothrake/Samothrace/Thrace in Greece - It is a municipality within the Evros regional unit of Thrace, in Eastern Macedonia. West of Lagina was Zerynthos. There lies a cave in the Zerynthia Mountain, there they sacrificed dogs in Her honor.

Athens, Chief City of Attika southern Greece - we find mention here in Aristophanes, Wasps 799 ff (trans. O'Neill - Greek comedy C5th-4th BC) it is written:
"Athenians ... on their own houses ... constructed in the porch ... altars of Hecate ... before every door."
And in Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.30.2 (trans. Jones - Greek travelogue C2nd AD):
"It was Alkamenes, in my opinion, who first made three images of Hekate attached to one another, a figure called by the Athenians Epipurgidia (on the Tower); it stands beside the temple of Nike Apteron (Wingless Victory) [on the Akropolis]."

Eleusis in Attika - Hekate was a chief goddess of the Eleusinian Mysteries, along with Demeter and Persephone.

Aigina in Southern Greece - Pausanias, Des of Greece 2.30.2 (trans. Jones - Greek travelogue C2nd AD):
"Of the gods, the Aiginetans worship most Hekate, in whose honor every year they celebrate mystic rites which, they say, Orpheus the Thrakian established among them. Within the enclosure is a temple; its wooden image is the work of Myron, and it has one face and one body. It is Alkamenes, in my opinion, who first made thrww images of Hekate attached to one another [in Athens]."

And many more.

30 Days of Devotion to Hekate: Day 7

7. Names and epithets.

Hekate/Hecate/Ἑκάτη
This is by no means a complete list.

Adonaea/Aidônaia (Lady of the Underworld)
Agrotera (Huntress)
Anassa eneroi (Queen of those Below)
Angelos (Messenger)
Antaia (the One in Front)
Atalos (Tender, Delicate)
Antania (Enemy of Mankind)

Brimo (Angry One)

Dadophoros (Torch Bearer)
Despoina (Mistress/Lady)

Enodia (Of The Paths/Roads)
Epiphanestate Thea (Most Manifest Goddess)
Epipurgidia (on the tower)

Khthonia (of the underworld)
Kleidophoros (key bearer)
Kleidoukhos (keeper of the keys)
Koure mounogenes (Only Begotten Maiden)
Krataiis (strong one)
Krokopeplos (saffron-cloaked)
Kurotrophos (nurse of the children and protectress of mankind)

Liparokrêdmnos (brightly coiffed; with bright headband)

Megiste (Greatest)
Monogenes (Only Child)

Nyktipolos (Night-Wandering)
Nyktipolos Khthonie (Night Wanderer of the Underworld)

Perseis (Destroyer; Daughter of Perses)
Phosphoros (the Light-Bringer)
Propolos (the Attendant who Leads)
Propylaia (the One Before the Gate)
Prytania (Invincible Queen of the Dead)

Selene (the Far-Shooting Moon)
Skylakagetis (Leader of the Dogs)
Soteira (Savior)

Trikephalos (Three-Headed)
Trimorphis (Three-Formed/Three-Bodied)
Trioditis (Of Three Roads)
Trivia (Of the Three Ways)

Zerynthia (Of Mt Zerynthia)

Holy One
Invincible Queen
Lady of the Underworld
Mistress of Magic
Mistress of the Lower Way
Opener of the Way to Death
Goddess of Crossroads
Goddess of Midnight
Goddess of Storms
Goddess of the Dark of the Moon
Goddess of Earthly Ghosts
Goddess of the Scene of the Crime
Goddess of Witches
Queen of Crossroads
Queen of Death
Queen of Ghosts
Queen of the Night
Queen of Witches
She Who Has Power Far Off
She Who Works From Afar
Sovereign Goddess of Many Names
The Distant One
Great Mother
Divine Friend of Dogs
Divine Three-Formed
Golden Shining Attendant of Aphrodite
Holy Daughter of Great Bosomed Nyx
in Saffron Veil Arrayed
Leader
Minister and Companion to Persephone
Queen of the Night
Unconquerable Queen

30 Days of Devotion to Hekate: Day 6

6. Other related deities and entities associated with this deity.

The Restless Dead - Hekate rules over the dead and the underworld. Specifically the restless dead, those who died before their time, who suffered extreme violence at their time of death, those denied proper burial. Every month on the dark moon, Hekate’s worshipers celebrate the Deipna and leave out offerings to Her and the Restless Dead.

Persephone - Περσεφόνη Also known as Kore (the maiden), daughter of Zeus and Demeter. She is the Goddess of the Underworld, springtime, vegetation and maidenhood. Consort of Hades. Her symbols are the pomegranate, pomegranate seeds, bats, seeds of grain, flowers, etc. Hekate accompanies Persephone on Her journey to and from Her home with Hades in the Underworld each spring and autumn.

Aphrodite - Ἀφροδίτη Goddess of love, beauty and sexuality. Her symbols are the dolphin, rose, scallop shell, dove, sparrow, girdle, swan, etc. It was the poet Sappho (630 BC) who described Hekate as Handmaiden to Aphrodite.

Gorgons - Γοργών daughters of Echidna Ἔχιδνα and Typhon Τυφῶν, the mother and father of all monsters, they are also attributed to Phorkys Φόρκυς. Their names were Stheno Σθεννώ, Euryale Εὐρυάλη, who were immortal, and the most notable, Medusa Μέδουσα, who was not immortal and was slain by the Demigod Perseus. Many used the depictions of the face of a Gorgon as a popular protective motif. Many modern day followers connect the Gorgons with Hekate.

Kerberos - Κέρβερος Cerberus, the Hound of Hades. The multi-headed guard dog of the underworld who prevents the dead from leaving. Another offspring of Echidna and Typhon, Cerberus is usually described as having three heads, a serpent tail, snakes protruding from various parts of his body and lion claws. Some stories say that Cerberus was Hekate’s, not Hades as he was often in her presence, such as in the picture ca 330 - 310 BC "Detail of Kerberos and Hekate from a scene showing the journey of Orpheus to the Underworld. Hekate is shown dressed as a huntress, and wielding a pair of Eleusinian torches. Herakles (not shown) is dragging Kerberos away on a lead."

Kharites - Χάριτες (Charites) were also called Graces, three goddesses of grace, beauty, adornment, mirth, festivity, dance and song. They were attendants of goddesses Aphrodite and Hera. One Kharis, was the wife of Hephaistos and another, Pasithea, was married to Hypnos (sleep). They were also seen in the company of Hekate, as depicted by surviving statuettes but no explanation is known. While 3 is the most common number attributed to their rank, that figure as well as their names vary widely

Erinyes - Ἐρῑνύες Also known as Furies, the Erinyes were female chthonic deities of vengeance. Sometimes referred to as "infernal goddesses" of the netherworld. They avenged crimes against the natural order, particularly focusing on homicide, unfilial conduct, crimes against the gods and perjury. Most powerful was their curse from a parent murdered by a child as that was the crime of which the Erinyes were borne, being sprung from the blood of Ouranos, when he was castrated by his son Kronos. They have been connected to Hekate, at least one depiction of a witch calling on Hekate and placing Her opposite Tisiphone, one of the Erinyes.

Hekate’s Hounds - one legend depicts these hounds as once having been mortal women who called on Hekate and she transformed them and so they remain at her side. The hounds howl during the 'between times', at sunrise and sunset, howling at Hekate as She passes.

30 Days of Devotion to Hekate: Day 5

5. Members of the family – genealogical connections.

Parents:
1. Perses (the destroyer) and Asteria (Starry One) - Hesiod Theogeny 404, Apollodorus 1.8
2. Perses - Homeric Hymn 2 to Demeter 24, Orphic Hymn 1, Lycophron 1174, Apollonius Rhodius 3.1036, Diodorus Siculus 4.45.1, Ovid Metamorphoses 7.74, Seneca Medea 812
3. Zeus and Asteria - Schol. on Apoll. Rhod. 3.467 ap Musaeus
4. Nyx - Bacchylides Frag 1B, Scholiast on Apoll. Rhod. 3.467
5. Aristaios - Schol. on Apoll. Rhod. 3.467 ap Pherecydes
6. Demeter - Orphic Frag, Scholiast on Apoll. Rhod. 3.467.

Perses - Greek Titan God of Destruction. He was one of three sons of the Titan Krios/Crius and Eurybia. Most remaining works that survive are but fragments that describe his role as husband to Asteria and father to Hekate.
Asteria - An Oracle. A Titaness whose name suggests that She is of the Stars. One version of the birth of Artemis and Apollo has Asteria transformed into the isle of Delos so as to provide a place for Leto (her sister) to give birth.
Nyx - One of the Protogenoi (cosmic forces that predate the Titans) whose purview is Night. A primeval Goddess born of Chaos.
Zeus - King of the Gods. notorious womanizer, He is a heavenly ruler, with powers over law and the weather.
Demeter - Goddess of Agriculture whose name literally means The Mother. She’s most well known for the story of the Abduction of Persephone and of being pursued by Poseidon. Her wrath could be truly intimidating. Though her main purview was the Harvest, she also held dominion over marriage.
Aristaios - A Shepherd God who also governs the apiary arts (bee-keeping), olive harvests, herbalism. He is the son of Apollo and Kyrene.

Lovers:
Phorkys - God of the hidden reaches of the Sea. Known as the “Old Man of the Sea” he is the father of a range of monsters. He slept with Hekate, who bore forth Skylla. He, too, is often depicted as a Torchbearer.

Aeetes - Demigod son of Helios, who is married to Hekate in versions of Her story wherein She is a mortal Queen. He is also King of Colchis, the land of the Golden Fleece.

Hermes - Messenger God of Thieves, Roads, and Trade. He shares many traits with Hekate, including the role as a Guide between the Worlds. In spite of stories where the two are described as lovers, there are no surviving bits that mention them having children.

Offspring:
Skylla - A Sea Monster best known from Her role in the Odyssey.  Herakles killed Her but Phorkys resurrected his daughter with his torches.

Kirke - In the versions where Hekate is a mortal queen wed to King Aeetes, they have three children, Kirke, Medea, and Aigialeus. Kirke is, of course, the witch of Odyssean fame who turned his men into pigs and seduced the hero.

Medea - The witch who fell in love with Iason in the Argonautika, who helped him attain the fleece and thereafter assisted his escape. She is also one of Hekate’s most prominent devotees.

Aigialeus - Medea’s brother who was murdered by her to halt the pursuit of her father who was chasing after Jason and the Argonauts.

30 Days of Devotion to Hekate: Day 4

4. A favorite myth or myths of this deity.

Hekate, Hecuba and black dogs:
After the fall of Troy, Odysseus received Queen Hekabe/Hecuba as his captive. During the return voyage, Hekabe murdered a Thracian king and was stoned and the gods transformed her into a black dog, henceforth known as the the animal familiar of Bendis, the Thrakian Hekate who was in ancient times offered dogs as a sacrifice (particularly on/around Deipna/Deipnon if they wanted to please Hekate and bring good fortune back into their homes). Alternatively, it is said that Hecuba threw herself from a rock once the city was captured and Hekate took pity on her, thus turning her into a dog.

Hekate, Alkmene and Galinthias/Gale and the polecat:
There are at least two myths as to how the polecat became associated with Hekate. One, as the myth goes involves a witch named Gale. Gale was so full of greed and lust that the gods punished her by turning her into a black polecat, and Hekate welcomed her amongst her favorite animals. (Greek natural history C2nd A.D.): "I have heard that the land-marten (polecat) was once a human being. It has also reached my hearing that Gale was her name then; that she was a dealer in spells and a sorceress (Pharmakis); that she was extremely incontinent, and that she was afflicted with abnormal sexual desires. Nor has it escaped my notice that the anger of the goddess Hekate transformed it into this evil creature. May the goddess be gracious to me : fables and their telling I leave to others."

The second pertains to Alkmene and the birth of Herakles. Antoninus Liberalis, Metamorphoses 29 (trans. Celoria) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.): "At Thebes Proitos had a daughter Galinthias. This maiden was playmate and companion of Alkmene, daughter of Elektryon. As the birth throes for Herakles were pressing on Alkmene, the Moirai (the Fates) and Eileithyia (Birth-Goddess), as a favour to Hera, kept Alkmene in continuous birth pangs. They remained seated, each keeping their arms crossed. Galinthias, fearing that the pains of her labor would drive Alkmene mad, ran to the Moirai and Eleithyia and announced that by desire of Zeus a boy had been born to Alkmene and that their prerogatives had been abolished. At all this, consternation of course overcame the Moirai and they immediately let go their arms. Alkmene’s pangs ceased at once and Herakles was born. The Moirai were aggrieved at this and took away the womanly parts of Galinthias since, being but a mortal, she had deceived the gods. They turned her into a deceitful weasel (polecat), making her live in crannies and gave her a grotesque way of mating. She is mounted through the ears and gives birth by bringing forth her young through the throat. Hekate felt sorry for this transformation of her appearance and appointed her a sacred servant of herself."

Hekate, Demeter and Persephone:
A daughter, Persephone was born of Demeter, the goddes of the crops and harvest, and Zeus, the king of the gods. One day while Persephone was gathering wild flowers, she was abducted by Hades, the god of the underworld. Some say Zeus gave his daughter to his brother while others claim Cupid is responsible, having struck Hades with one of his arrows. Hekate and Helios hear Persephone’s please for help as does her mother, Demeter who is too far away to help. Demeter was distraught when she could not find her daughter and wandered over the face of the earth searching for her, neither eating nor bathing. Eventually she comes upon Hekate who tells her she heard the screams but does not know what happened and suggests she asks Helios, the Sun god, if he saw anything during his trek across the sky. Helios tells Demeter everything and tries to consol her by pointing out that Hades will make a wonderful husband for her daughter as he's an important and powerful god.

Furious with Zeus (who in one story is the cause, and another, refuses to intervene), Demeter withdraws from her role as agricultural goddess, vowing to not set foot on Mount Olympus again and to not allow anything to grow on earth until she gets her daughter back. The resulting famine threatened the extinction of the entire human race. Seeing this, Zeus sends Hermes to the underworld to tell Hades to release Persephone. Hades agrees but not before he tricks her into eating pomegranate seeds, the fruit of the dead (the number of which varies in the tellings).

Once Demeter is reunited with her daughter she asks if she had eaten anything in the underworld. Persephone admits that she has and so must remain in the underworld. Demeter, in a rage swears nothing will ever again grow on the earth and once again Zeus must intervene. Hekate arrives and consols Demeter and Persephone while Zeus sends his mother, Rhea to broker an agreement with Demeter. She reluctantly agrees to allow Persephone to spend part of the year in the underworld with Hades (how long varies in different tellings) but in mourning during this time, once again vows that so long as her daughter remains in the underworld, nothing will grow, only allowing life to take root in the earth once her daughter is once again returned to her.

30 Days of Devotion to Hekate: Day 3

3. Symbols and icons of this deity.

Partial repeat from Day 1.

Keys - Used to open the gates to the underworld and to access the knowledge of occult mysteries and the afterlife hidden there. The Orhpic hymn to Hekate addresses her as "holder of the keys of Cosmos". One of Hekate's many names is Kleidoukhos, Keybearer. There was also a position as such at Her temple at Lagina.

Hekate’s Wheel/Circle or Strophalos - Mentioned in the second century in the Alexandrian text known as the Chaldean Oracle - an emblam of the initiatory lunar Goddess Hekate in her triple aspect. Originally a Mycenean motif, found on a button, thought by some to have been on clothing worn by Hekatean priests/priestesses. In modern accountiny it is usually described as a maze depicting the path between life, death, and rebirth.

Torches - Brings light and wisdom to the world, Hekate uses her torches to reveal what is already there. Lights the way and that of the subconscious. Shining light on the shadows of our self doubt and removes our fear of the unknown. That which the person NEEDS to heal, but not necessarily what they WANT to see. Used when Hekate assisted Demeter in searching for her daughter, Persephone. Nearly all images currently remaining show Hekate holding a torch, sometimes two. The Altar of Pergamum depicts her battle with the Gigante Clytus, whom she used her torch to slay

Dagger - Later known as the athame of witches - used to cut delusions and as a symbol of ritual power. Hekate uses her knife (dagger) to sever the cord as midwife and to detach the body from life force at death.

Rope - Also called a whip, scourge and cord that symbolizes the umbilical cord for rebirth and renewal.

A single golden, bronze, or brazen sandal (sometimes referred to as a pair worn with a white gown/robe and polos (headdress).

Oinochoe - a libation pitcher - sometimes included in modern and ancient depictions.

Phiale - Libation/offering bowl, also seen in modern and ancient depictions.

Fruit - Often a pomegranate amongst others for her role in reuniting Persephone and Demeter, and her continued friendship of Persephone.

Ancient surviving images show her as a maiden in all guises while modern images vary wildly, some depict a maiden, some the triformed Maiden, Mother and Crone, some, just the Crone.

30 Days of Devotion to Hekate: Day 2

2. How did you become first aware of this deity?

I have been toeing the pagan line for half of my life now, trying to find exactly where I was called. All while simultaneously ignoring it because of my families beliefs (SBapt. AND Repub, I'm basically black sheep without even doing anything wrong) and worrying about how they would feel. Still do to be honest but I'm tired of denying my path. Of course over the years, while trying to find just where I fit, I've come across stories of Hekate, usually as a fearsome Crone that I was afraid of and didn't want to trifle with. I guess it just goes to show you need to do your own research.

As I've said, over the years I've toed the line, read a book here or there, began studying some. For some reason or the other (usually the overwhelming need to hide it or someone's bad reaction to it) I've given up.  Or perhaps it just wasn't the right time. This time I have a modicum of support. I still don't plan on fully outing myself. This community is small and some of my relatives (and their ilk) are just vile. Those that truly matter do know, basics at least.

I did a lot of research on deities, patron deities, etc. There really are too many to even quantify. Where do you start? I'm no good at meditation, thus far I always fall asleep. I'm working on it. Dreams were getting me nowhere. Having Narcolepsy really throws a wrench in those two. I know not everyone has a Patron and that it was possible that I didn't either, but somehow I knew I did. I still didn't know where to start. Which pantheon to look in, which deity in those pantheons. It's not like I could recognize signs if I knew nothing. So, I asked the gods to show me a sign anyway. I looked at more before I asked, including at Hekate and immediately after. Searched high and low for a sign. Nothing. So I grabbed a new book on kindle and began to read. The series is a new one. I'd never read it before, knew nothing of the content. One of the characters was a Hekatean witch. As soon as I read Her name THIS time, I felt chills all down my spine. So I asked aloud if it was She, and She answered me. It was kind of surreal. I saw her in my minds eye, neither maid nor crone. She was a bit exasperated, probably because it took me so long to open my eyes. I haven't looked back since. I don't need to. I'm home. Who knows what the future will bring but I've found my niche. Or rather, She found me.

30 Days of Devotion to Hekate: Day 1

1. A basic introduction of the deity.

Hekate's Symbols
1. Keys - Used to open the gates to the underworld and to access the knowledge of occult mysteries and the afterlife hidden there. The Orhpic hymn to Hekate addresses her as "holder of the keys of Cosmos".

2. Hekate’s Wheel/Circle or Strophalos - Mentioned in the second century in the Alexandrian text known as the Chaldean Oracle - an emblam of the initiatory lunar Goddess Hekate in her triple aspect.

3. Torches - Brings light and wisdom to the world, Hekate uses her torches to reveal what is already there. Lights the way and that of the subconscious. Shining light on the shadows of our self doubt and removes our fear of the unknown. That which the person NEEDS to heal, but not necessarily what they WANT to see. Used when Hekate assisted Demeter in searching for her daughter, Persephone.

4. Dagger - Later known as the athame of witches - used to cut delusions and as a symbol of ritual power. Hekate uses her knife (dagger) to sever the cord as midwife and to detach the body from life force at death.

5. Rope - Also called a whip, scourge and cord that symbolizes the umbilical cord for rebirth and renewal.

6. A single golden, bronze, or brazen sandal (sometimes referred to as a pair worn with a white gown/robe and polos (headdress).

7. Oinochoe - a libation pitcher - sometimes included in modern and ancient depictions.

8. Phiale - Libation/offering bowl, also seen in modern and ancient depictions.

9. Fruit - Often a pomegranate amongst others for her role in reuniting Persephone and Demeter, and her continued friendship of Persephone.

Sacred Animals: ALL animals are sacred to Hekate.
1. Dogs - It is said when the dogs howl at night they sing to Goddess Hekate. Dogs/black dogs or she-wolf are often depicted as her familiar and primary animal form. Sometimes as having 3 heads or sometimes Hekate is depicted as having 3 heads, one of which is a black dog. After the fall of Troy, Odysseus received Queen Hekabe/Hecuba as his captive. During the return voyage, Hekabe murdered a Thracian king and was stoned and the gods transformed her into a black dog, henceforth known as the the animal familiar of Bendis, the Thrakian Hekate who was in ancient times offered dogs as a sacrifice (particularly on/around Deipna/Deipnon if they wanted to please Hekate and bring good fortune back into their homes). Alternatively, it is said that Hecuba threw herself from a rock once the city was captured and Hekate took pity on her, thus turning her into a dog.

2. Lion - During the times when Hekate is depicted as having 3 non-human heads, one of those heads is often times a lion.

3. Snakes - One of many non-human heads depicted (Dog, Snake, Lion and sometimes a Bear, Cow or Boar). These have been connected with her chthonic powers and of the uncommon wisdom of the other world.

(Raven, owls, crows, frogs and dragons - All dark animals are said to be Her messengers.)

4. Bulls - It was written in the Greek Magical Papyri, which is a collection of spells and incantations that have been dated from the 2nd century BCE to the 5th century CE. Hekate, in the Prayer to Selene, is addressed thusly. "O Night Bellower, Lover of Solitude, Bull-Faced and Bull-Headed One," and also as "Bull-Eyed, Horned, Mother of Gods and Men."

5. Horses - "...and she [Hekate] is good to stand by horsemen, whom she will." - the Theogeny (Evelyn-White, tr 1914). Hekate is also said to appear as a horse in the Chaldean Oracles (theological Alexandrian literature providing practical information for the masses to practice theurgy. In these, Hekate "tells" the theurgist a set of words or phrases to invole her presence. Hekate is then said to appear in the form or a child or horse (Johnston, 1990 pg 111): “...you will see a horse flashing more brightly than light, or a child mounted on the swift back of a horse, a fiery child or a child covered with gold ... or even a child shooting arrows, standing upon a horses’ back.” Furthermore as part of invoking Hekate in particular spells, horses have been included in such invocation (Betz, ed. 1992): PGM IV 2441-2021 and PGM VII 756-794; and utilising their power PGM III 1-164. Such associations have led to her being illustrated as a horse (D’Este and Rankine, 2009, pg. 138) or as the horse being one of the three depicted heads.

6. Polecats - There are at least two myths as to how the polecat became associated with Hekate. One, as the myth goes involves a witch named Gale. Gale was so full of greed and lust that the gods punished her by turning her into a black polecat, and Hekate welcomed her amongst her favorite animals. (Greek natural history C2nd A.D.): "I have heard that the land-marten (polecat) was once a human being. It has also reached my hearing that Gale was her name then; that she was a dealer in spells and a sorceress (Pharmakis); that she was extremely incontinent, and that she was afflicted with abnormal sexual desires. Nor has it escaped my notice that the anger of the goddess Hekate transformed it into this evil creature. May the goddess be gracious to me : fables and their telling I leave to others."
The second pertains to Alkmene and the birth of Herakles. Antoninus Liberalis, Metamorphoses 29 (trans. Celoria) (Greek mythographer C2nd A.D.): "At Thebes Proitos had a daughter Galinthias. This maiden was playmate and companion of Alkmene, daughter of Elektryon. As the birth throes for Herakles were pressing on Alkmene, the Moirai (the Fates) and Eileithyia (Birth-Goddess), as a favour to Hera, kept Alkmene in continuous birth pangs. They remained seated, each keeping their arms crossed. Galinthias, fearing that the pains of her labor would drive Alkmene mad, ran to the Moirai and Eleithyia and announced that by desire of Zeus a boy had been born to Alkmene and that their prerogatives had been abolished. At all this, consternation of course overcame the Moirai and they immediately let go their arms. Alkmene’s pangs ceased at once and Herakles was born. The Moirai were aggrieved at this and took away the womanly parts of Galinthias since, being but a mortal, she had deceived the gods. They turned her into a deceitful weasel (polecat), making her live in crannies and gave her a grotesque way of mating. She is mounted through the ears and gives birth by bringing forth her young through the throat. Hekate felt sorry for this transformation of her appearance and appointed her a sacred servant of herself."

7. Red Mullet - Since Hekate rules over three domains, including the sea, fish are sacred to both Her and Poseidon. Red mullet is and was a common offering to Hekate. As noted in Marquardt (1981), red mullet is also an appropriate offering during the Eleusinian Rites. She also notes the inclusion of fish on a painted amphora where Hekate's outfit has a fish patterned on it (pg. 254).

8. Frog - A creature that lives in two worlds, in the sea and on the earth, a creature that can cross the border between them at will. These are sacred to Hekate and the Egyptian goddess Hekat (whom some equate with early Hekate).

9. Boar - one of the occasional non-human heads depicted on her triple form.

10. Bees - Honey is a common offering for Hekate, especially during the Deipna/Deipnon. This is the food of the Thriae/Thriai (three prophetic Nymphs of Mount Parnassos in Phokis ((central Greece)), the most ancient Delphic prophetesses, who wove golden tissues of words of truth or madness. They sang the thriambos, a honey-intoxicated bee song, in honor of the flowering pollen-producing rod, the magic wand of the phallic God, reunifying nature and spirit.

11. Owls - The owl which represents wisdom and far sightedness was associated with Hekate as she had the ability to see into three different directions at once and also had the ability to see and travel in the hidden realms.

Sacred Plants: 
1. Yew - considered the central tree of death, associated with immortality because it takes longer than any other tree except the oak to come to maturity. Hekate’s cauldron contains ‘slips of yew’ and Her sacred tree is said to root into the mouths of the dead and release their souls and it also absorbs the odors of death. Yew has long been associated with the Underworld. Yew has strong associations with death and rebirth. A poison prepared from the seeds to be used on arrows as the seeds are highly poisonous. The fleshy coral-colored 'berry' surrounding the seed, is not, however, if prepared correctly, can cause visual hallucinations.

2. Cypress - Similar to reasoning for the Yew, Cypress was a common plant used to decorate graves.

3. Hazel - attributed but I can find no explainable reasoning.

4. Black Poplar - As Hekate stood at the gateway between shadow and light, between the Underworld and the upper, the bicolored leaves reflect her borderland qualities. Black poplar was sacred to Hekate as a funeral tree.

5. Willow - The willow tree and it's bark are sacred to Hekate. They are believed to be extremely important to witches as they are supposedly bound to them and helpless without.

6. Oak - An Oak tree stands in the center of Hekate’s garden in Orphic Argonautica and Hekate wears a crown of oak-leaves.

7. Juniper -  The wood and berries are a very powerful protection as well. It is well known for breaking curses or hexes.

Sacred Herbs and Plants:
There are several herbs and plants associated with Hekate. Garlic, almonds, lavender, myrrh, mugwort, cardamom, mint, dandelion, hellebore, and lesser celandine. Several poisons and hallucomogens have also been linked to Hekate. Belladona, foxglove, hemlock, wolfsbane, mandrake, aconite  (which is also known as Hecateis) and opium poppy.

Holidays: 
Deipna/Deipnon - a ritual of cleaning the home and leaving an offering for Her and the restless dead at the crossroads in Her honor. Done each dark moon/monthly.
August 13th - Known as Hekate’s Night, the feast of Hekate. Used as a proprietary celebration to avert the harvest-destroying storms.
October 31st - Some modern Pagans celebrate Hekate’s role as a Psychopompe - one who guides the dead - as part of their Samhain rituals.
November 16th - Hekate’s Night
November 30th - Hekate is honored as the Goddess of the Crossroads. 

Hekate guards the gates between our world and the Underworld and that of the crossroads (the three way crossroads to be specific). The keeper of the keys, unlocking the mysteries and knowledge of witchcraft, guardian of the restless dead. The Goddess of thresholds, of liminal spaces. It is her liminality that defines who She is. She is the Torchbearer, bringing light and wisdom to the world, revealing what is already there and shines light on our self doubt.

Hekate, who had dominion over 3 realms, pledged to help Zeus in his defeat over the Titans, and in doing so, earned His favor, was honered by Him and was allowed to maintain her dominion over her realms.
"Hecate whom Zeus the son of Cronos honoured above all. He gave her splendid gifts, to have a share of the earth and the unfruitful sea. She received honour also in starry heaven, and is honoured exceedingly by the deathless gods.... The son of Cronos did her no wrong nor took anything away of all that was her portion among the former Titan gods: but she holds, as the division was at the first from the beginning, privilege both in earth, and in heaven, and in sea".

Her parentage is listed frequently as the Titans Perses (Destroyer) and Asteria (Starry One). It is sometimes given as Asteria and Zeus. Or that She is the daughter of Nyx, Night itself, or of Deo (Demeter).

Originally she was the Goddess of wild places, presided over childbirth and crossroads. Of the outcasts of society. Those in between spaces associated with the spirit world. For the wilderness and wild animals. She guarded the gates between the worlds and the crossroads and was associated with witches, magic and ghosts. It is from those that she became the Goddess of Magic, of witches and of the restless dead and later took on the Crone persona to many modern pagans.

30 Days of Devotion to Hekate

30 days of devotion to Hekate

I’ve decided to join up to celebrate my devotion to Hekate.  The challenge is to write up these posts over the next thirty days:

1. A basic introduction of the deity.
2. How did you become first aware of this deity?
3. Symbols and icons of this deity.
4. A favorite myth or myths of this deity.
5. Members of the family – genealogical connections.
6. Other related deities and entities associated with this deity.
7. Names and epithets.
8. Variations on this deity (aspects, regional forms, etc.)
9. Common mistakes about this deity.
10. Offerings – historical and UPG.
11. Festivals, days, and times sacred to this deity.
12. Places associated with this deity and their worship.
13. What modern cultural issues are closest to this deity’s heart?
14. Has worship of this deity changed in modern times?
15. Any mundane practices that are associated with this deity?
16. How do you think this deity represents the values of their pantheon and cultural origins?
17. How does this deity relate to other gods and other pantheons?
18. How does this deity stand in terms of gender and sexuality? (historical and/or UPG)
19. What quality or qualities of this god do you most admire?  What quality or qualities of them do you find the most troubling?
20. Art that reminds you of this deity.
21. Music that makes you think of this deity.
22. A quote, a poem, or piece of writing that you think this deity resonates strongly with.
23. Your own composition – a piece of writing about or for this deity.
24. A time when this deity has helped you.
25. A time when this deity has refused to help.
26. How has your relationship with this deity changed over time?
27. Worst misconception about this deity that you have encountered.
28. Something you wish you knew about this deity but don’t currently
29. Any interesting or unusual UPG to share?
30. Any suggestions for others just starting to learn about this deity?

Hekate's Deipnon

Deipnon (pronounced dipe'-non), sometimes called Hekate's Deipnon or Hekate’s Supper (Hene kai Nea) and is one of 3 major Hellenic festivals or celebrations that occur during the dark phase of the moon (which I interpret as starting the night before the new moon, not the new moon itself, as that is generally given as one of Hekate's sacred times). Some celebrate on the last day of the month as our calendar is different from that of the ancients. I've seen some who celebrate it starting on the night of the full moon as well as the 13th of every month. Personally, I say to each their own. I prefer the clean all day on the dark moon then the actual diepnon at sundown the night of, followed by Noumenia the following day (new moon) and lastly the Agathós Daímōn. These 3 festivals are not specifically linked if you follow one particular deity. I myself do not follow a traditional Hellenic path at the moment as I'm currently only following Hekate instead of a full pantheon/multiple deities. That may later change so for now, I'm not specifically called to do all 3 days.

For Hekate's Supper it is customary to offer a meal to Hekate and the restless spirits, or in some modern practices, offered to Hekate and the less fortunate. This is based on the following text being interpreted thusly:

Aristophanes, Plutus 410 ff (trans. O’Neill) (Greek comedy C5th to 4th B.C.):
“Ask Hekate whether it is better to be rich or starving; she will tell you that the rich send her a meal every month [i.e. food and offerings placed inside shrines to Her] and that the poor make it disappear before it is even served.”

Many disagree on whether that is encouraging you to feed the poor (by way of soup kitchens or donations to food pantries and homeless shelters for instance) or if it means the poor are desperate enough to risk the wrath of the gods by stealing from them. Realistically the gods themselves don't come down and partake of our offerings so if a homeless animal or person happens upon it and takes it, well, more power to them. However I don't believe in *replacing* the proper ritual deipna offerings with charity work. You may do additional charity work in honor of Hekate but *I* personally wouldn't recommend calling that your diepnon by itself. Again, to each their own.

For your deipnon there are several things you may do: Oxuthumia is the (perhaps ritual) household purification in Hekate’s name. The house is swept and smoked/purified, mopped and tidied, especially your altar(s)/shrine(s) to Hekate (and others/main) and sacred spaces. Collect the dirt, dust, candle drippings, incense nubs, bits of cloth or string, foods from the last month that have fallen to the floor. Also, don't forget YOURSELF. A ritual bath and or khernips, or lustral waters (water, salt ((or salt water/sea water)) and fire, blessed and purified). You shouldn't work hard to get your house in order and forget yourself. Also a Kathiskos (a food offering to Zeus, again mainly for the Hellenic path) filled each Noumenia and emptied each Deipnon. Further, any remnants of offerings from the previous month, such as if you've made an offering or libation of wine but still have some remaining, offer the remnants up to Hekate. Everything should either be burned or be included in the supper/libation. Another rite much less common today is that of Katharmata which are portions of "household sacrifices" that are not used like waste water and blood, and that of Katharsia from the remains of sacrifices such as the bones and entrails. These were used along with a clay censer to fumigate and purify the house. Later, if you incorporate this practice, the sweepings are left at the crossroads (or other liminal place) along with the supper. An indoor shrine is not usually a sufficient space as the offerings are to be left and you must not look back on them. The Katharmata, Katharsia and Oxuthumia were all connected with the purification and expiation to Hekate at regular intervals to bless the home.

For the deipnon itself, offerings such as: bread, cheese, garlic, leeks, raw eggs, honey, cakes (such as the asamphiphôn), fish, apple, fig, pomegranate, olives and libations (wine, cider, milk, tea, etc). I also like to include a lit candle and incense  (UPG - unverified personal gnosis but she's told me she prefers saffron though I haven't found it easily locally and need to order it online).

For the ritial, since you can't look back and you will be leaving these offerings, you may want to unvest in biodegradable plates such as those made from palm or banana leaves. You may also include incense (stick, powdered, cone and the necessary accompaniments - burner and charcoal briquettes). Candles, your libation, the supper offerings and a statuary or framed picture or other image of Hekate. Include anything that feels right to YOU, or that you feel She has called you to include. Once you have all your offerings and earlier rites (to clean/purify/collect offerings) you may begin the final deipnon rite (which can begin indoors or out), you can spend a few moments of contemplation, speak words of praise, read/chant hymns, burn offerings (not the libations or foods). Light your candles and/or incense, pour your libations if applicable. Present Her supper and speak your thoughts/wishes for this rite/deipna. This should be done at a *triple* crossroad but if that's not possible, do what you can. That may be where your sidewalk from your door meets the street, or at a special place in your yard or even in its own trash receptacle (to be taken out immediately). Place your offerings, turn and walk away. Do NOT look back. To look back is a sign of disrespect and invites the wandering restless spirits to bring misfortune to you. Try to remain indoors once you've placed your offerings at sundown. Use this time for divination work especially that which incorporates Hekate.

This post has taken hours to write but I got through it. Here's to the coming deipnon this Saturday (September 12, 2015) or whichever day you choose to celebrate.