facts about hecate

Her parentage was given differently by various writers. The goddess was given gifts every month on the night of a new moon. 1.5 Baths. She has long been associated with witchcraft and the occult, even necromancy. Seneca often talks about Hecate and her moon-based counterparts and even links Medea to the goddess. What Were the Hamadryads in Greek Mythology? Some early writers claimed that Hecate was actually the princess Iphigenia, saved from death by Artemis and transformed into a goddess. She was often shown holding two torches, such as would be found beside gates, to allow her to illuminate both sides of a boundary. Some myths suggest that Zeus and Hera were the parents of this Goddess, and that is how she came to control the heavens and the earth. In fact, she existed in such a nominal place that its difficult to say whether she existed as a singular goddess, a trio of beings, or as a minor aspect of a more major deity. Scylla Greek Gods & Goddesses Hecate is usually depicted with a burning torch in her hand and with a dog laying at her feet, its head raised. Interesting facts: Hestia was one of three goddesses immune to the influence of Aphrodite. Subscribe to our popular newsletter Synced Global AI Weekly to get weekly AI updates. She was connected to occult practices such as witchcraft and magic, the Moon, gateways, and nocturnal beasts such as hellhounds and ghosts. In Hesiod she is the daughter of the Titan Perses and the nymph Asteria and has power over heaven, earth, and sea; hence, she bestows wealth and all the blessings of daily life. Several modern devotees already adapted the tradition of giving food offerings to Hekate- these are sacred meals, that are bought on the dark moon ( This is the last visible crescent of a waningMoon. Hecate was a goddess in Greek Mythology. In the sources about Hekate that are from the ancient world, the crossroads are not mentioned as a symbol of Hecate. Hecate's powers transcended the boundaries of the sky, the earth, the seas, and the underworld. Contrary to popular current belief she wasnt originally a matron for women but for all who fit the above categories. She was the daughter of Perses and Asteria. She held several different roles, including earth goddess, queen of the underworld, and goddess of magic and witchcraft.. The goddess was also worshipped in Kos, Erythrai, Samothrace, Thessaly, and Miletos. Hecate (also spelt Hekate) is a goddess capable of both good and evil. HEKATE (Hecate) was the goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts and necromancy. She is described as of terrible appearance, either with three bodies or three heads, the one of a horse, the second of a dog, and the third of a lion.14 In works of art she was some-times represented as a single being, but sometimes also as a three-headed monster.15, Besides Samothrace and Aegina, we find express mention of her worship at Argos16 and at Athens, where she had a sanctuary under the name of Epipyrgidia (), on the acropolis, not far from the temple of Nike.17 Small statues or symbolical representations of Hecate, called (hekataia), were very numerous, especially at Athens, where they stood before or in houses, and on spots where two roads crossed each other; and it would seem that people consulted such as oracles.18, At the close of every month dishes with food were set out for her and other averters of evil at the points where two roads crossed each other; and this food was consumed by poor people.19 The sacrifices offered to her consisted of dogs, honey, and black female lambs.20. As worshippers began to focus on one aspect of a god more than others, that gods secondary purposes were separated into another deity altogether. As a protective goddess, it was common for statuettes of Hecate to be placed in the doorways of homes in Greece in the hopes that she would intervene to prevent bad fortune from passing in. This made her one of the few deities to have the power to move freely between the world of the living and the underworld. In ancient times, Hecates three-part form was shown as three separate bodies surrounding a central column. It is even more enjoyable Coconuts are delicious. They include, science, maths, English and more. In Aeschylus Suppliants, for example, they were often mixed up to make a goddess with two faces. According toPausanias, the 2nd-century CE Greek traveller, the island ofAeginahad a mystery cult dedicated to the goddess where it was believed those suffering mental illness could be cured. According to a legend, Odysseus got the Trojan queen Hecuba as a captive after the defeat of Troy. The goddess Hecate is one of the Greek goddesses that not many people know about. 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. They were often associated with the three stages of life youth, adulthood, and old age. Before that, she was just a minor character in the stories of Demeter (Persephones maid) and Artemis. Some of the statues she made as offerings to the goddess had the Graces dancing around her. Due to her magical powers, Hecate was believed to protect children, sailors, and shepherds. My name is Mike and for as long as I can remember (too long!) It even appears in Christianity, with the gospels placing three Marys at both the Crucifixion and Christs tomb. 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. 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. As an Amazon Associate, Kidadl earns from qualifying purchases. Her origins and powers were unexplained and changeable. Some depictions show the Goddess with the head of a dog, horse, and lion, which could be the constellations during the year. Look for her animals: snakes, dragons, cats, and especially dogs. These statues took on a distinctive appearance. The chief Greek god, Zeus, was very fond of this Goddess and gave her a share of the earth and sea. The Tridevi The triad of goddesses in Hinduism often represents the three states of creation, preservation, and destruction. These primordial gods each represented a different aspect of existence, together they formed the building blocks of the early universe. They thought she would protect them and keep away evil spirits. Hecate Facts and Information on the Goddess Hecate The most commonly repeated story of her birth was that Hecate was the daughter of Perses and Asteria, two second-generation Titans. Persis and Asteria, two Titans from the generation of deities prior to the Olympians, are the legendary parents of Hecate. 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. As was already said, the dog was Hecates most holy animal. Asteria may be the original goddess associated with the Asterion mountain range on the island of Crete. 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. "Hecate: Greece's Dark Goddess of the Crossroads." In many cultures and religions in many lands. Many depictions, such as those of the Moirae, show the three goddesses corresponding to the three stages of a womans life. 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. Her group included the Lampades, the nymphs of the Underworld, and ghosts. It is unclear exactly when Hecate became so closely linked with magic and witchcraft. Hecate was the goddess of borders, barriers, and boundaries. Hecate Triformis, Hecate of the three faces or three forms, corresponding to the phases of the moon: dark, waxing, and waning. She was specifically associated with witchcraft, magick, the Moon, Archways, and creatures of the night such as hell-hounds and ghosts. This was a group started by May Otis Blackburn in Los Angeles, California. Performing a protection rite on yourself and use of amulet is always encouraged as well. Most likely, the cults of Thessalian Pherai (Pherae) and Eleusis saw Hekate as Chthonian (Underworld) Hermes's wife. In her form as a triple goddess, Hecate was closely linked to intersections. The best of the LearningMole geography tutorials. Subscribe for virtual tools, STEM-inspired play, creative tips and more. My work has also been published on Buzzfeed and most recently in Time magazine. I have been in love with all things related to Mythology. In the Greco-Roman world, the crossroads were places of spirits, doorways to the other world(s), places of magic, spells and necromancy and also places of purification. She witnessed the abduction of Demeters daughter Persephone to the underworld and, torch in hand, assisted in the search for her. Hecate - Wikipedia When her city fell, the queen was taken captive and lept off a cliff to her death. The people of Sparta claimed that Ares had been nursed by a nymph called Thero. Although they combined her with Diana and Artemis, the Romans also worshipped this deity, referred to her as Trivia, which means three ways. Hecate typically responds to petitions via visions and dreams. When the marriage of Persephone was finalized and she became the queen of the underworld, the bond between the three goddesses was strengthened. You then connect yourself to her through visualizing and forming a mental image of her presence, you then thank her and pray to her. According to them, Hecate is known to support bravery and hence encourage soldiers, warriors, athletes, etc. Some later stories agreed that Asteria was her mother, but claimed Zeus had been her father. 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. Hecate was the chief goddess presiding over magic and spells. 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. Archaeologists have found essential offerings to the goddess at Lagina in Caria and Phrygia. In sculptures from the Classical and Hellenistic Periods, Hecate has been shown as a woman with three bodies or a single body with three heads. She was not portrayed as being loving towards children but as someone who took revenge against anyone that harmed children. But the version of Hecate that appears in Greek texts is not so straightforward. Hecate - Greek Mythology Omissions? Women also prayed to her for fertility and the birth of female children. Hecate is a goddess of life, death, regeneration, and magic. The things that make Hecate seem like an older woman are in the Pharsalia. On the other hand, Euripides says that Leto is her mother. Her friends are the Erinyes, winged creatures that punish bad behaviour, and her children are the Empusae, female demons that like to seduce travellers. 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. They are passionate about turning your everyday moments into memories and bringing you inspiring ideas to have fun with your family. 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. Origin and Family Persis and Asteria, two Titans from the generation of deities prior to the Olympians, are the legendary parents of Hecate. 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. She is often displayed holding two torches or a key. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Her symbols were two torches, the crossroads, and black dogs. She may be petitioned for a swift, painless death. Esoteric writing from this time says that Hecate has the heads of a horse, a dog, and a snake. Even in her origin, Hecate moved between two places. 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. Hecate was a cathonic goddess that preceded the Olympians, and it seems that she was highly worshipped in Thrace. Her name has been connected to dark magic and disturbing rituals in the works of Shakespeare and well into modern times. Meanwhile, others believe she is the progeny of Hecate and Phorcys. Her priests are normally accompanied by hell hounds sent by their goddess to guard her temples. Eating crunchy while enjoying a good movie or your favourite video game is a blessing. Greek pantheon was once much smaller than we know. She thus becomes a deity of the lower world; but this notion does not occur till the time of the Greek tragedians, though it is generally current among the later writers. First 6 Months for 1.99 with Monthly Student and Teacher Plans Dismiss, 2022 Learning Mole. The various statues have also raised questions as to her duties. In this manner, pillars known as Hecate stood at key intersections and entryways, possibly to ward off malevolent spirits. She was also the goddess of the Oikos and the guardian of its entrances. Intrinsically ambivalent and polymorphous, she straddles conventional boundaries and eludes definition. As such, she was greatly honored by Zeus, who allowed her to operate on Earth, as well as the sky and the Underworld. 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. You have subscribed to: Remember that you can always manage your preferences or unsubscribe through the link at the foot of each newsletter. Another story said that Hecate herself had cursed a witch named Gale to be a polecat for disgusting her with incontinence and abnormal desires. This does not influence our choices. Several times, authors make a connection between Medeas use of magic, both harmful and protective, and her worship of Hecate. Tzetzes on Lycophron, 1175; Scholiast on Theocritus, ii, 36. The name "Hecate" (Greek , translit. They are sometimes represented with the familiar aspects of the maiden, mother, and crone. Hecate (also spelt Hekate) is a goddess capable of both good and evil. It is believed that Zeus, the king of the gods, asked Hecate to help find Persephone after Hades kidnapped her. Her name was derived from the Greek word hekatos which means worker from afar. Over time, some of the Olympians changed form and function. Kidadl has a number of affiliate partners that we work with including Amazon. The Moirai crossed their arms and Eileithyia refused to help the laboring woman. 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. Was the Griffin a Bird from Greek Mythology? The crossroads were and are also places where several accidents occurred and or ambushes, holdups they can be places of vulnerability where fates seem to be on rare occasions sealed. In addition to magic and witchcraft, Hecate was also considered to be the Goddess of crossroads, gates, and ghosts. She acted as a sort of guardian because she watched over the places that allowed passage into homes, cities, or even states. The parentage of Scylla is hotly debated. 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. She is depicted on the altar of Pergamon with one body and three heads (ca. Why notsubscribe to our LearningMole Library for as little as 1.99 per month to access over1000fun educational videos. The evening meal in ancient Greece, especially in Athens known as Deipnon, was in honor of Hecate. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Authors from the past, like Ovid and Pausanias, say that dogs, especially black dogs, were given to the goddess as sacrifices. 170 BCE). The cave and the dawn are both thresholds- liminal times, thresholds between the earth and the underworld and night and day. Hecate, however, was not just a goddess shown in three parts. Hecate has been depicted in Greek art, literature, and pottery dating from the fifth century BCE. Click to reveal The Lampades are people who carry torches and travel with the goddess at night. It has been suggested that the idea of magic coming from Hecate was an evolution of the many gifts she was capable of bestowing upon her favorites. There is a belief, therefore, that the three goddesses may be aspects of a singular, earlier deity. A case in point is the Greek goddess Hecate. IT WAS A COMMON PRACTICE TO PLACE IMAGES OF HECATE ATCITYGATES & THE DOORWAYS OF PRIVATE HOMES AS SHE COULD WARD OFF EVIL SPIRITS. Hecate is known to rule over the sky, the earth, and the sea. 170 BCE). 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. Hecate has been referenced in various literary works, including the plays by Sophocles and Euripides. Moving between the barrier between life and death explains Hecates connection to both ghosts and necromancy. Hecate: Triple-Bodied Greek Goddess of Witchcraft and Keeper of Keys Local sun goddesses from before the Greek era have many of the same attributes as those later associated with Hecate. Scholars think that the goddess arrived in Greece during the Archaic period. Hecate | Encyclopedia.com Even though there arent many myths about the goddess Hecate, the ones that do exist tell us a lot about where she has power. The one in Lagina stood out the most. Her tasks went beyond the heavens, the earth, the seas, and the Underworld. In ancient times the crossroads didnt have our modern symbolism as a place of choices. 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. 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. Selenite, tiger's eye, obsidian, rhodochrosite, jet, jasper, agate, and amber are the most suited crystals for Hecate. The heads could be of a dog, a lion, or a horse, representing the constellations that make up the year. Hecate's appearance is dark-haired and beautiful, but with an eerie edge to that beauty befitting a goddess of the night (though the actual goddess of the night is Nyx). They spun the threads of fate at the base of. She was the only child of the Titanes Perses and Asteria from whom she received her power over heaven, earth, and sea. A shrine to this Goddess was built at the entrance of homes and cities as she was believed to keep evil spirits away. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong. MAGE ENERGETICS The most complete course in magick ever released! The Greek three-headed hound of Hades, Cerberus, may have been an earlier version of Hecate. Earlier, though, there may have been fewer gods with more complex functions. However, she was transformed by Circe into the monster form. This myth led to goddess Hecate being depicted with torches in her hand. 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. 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. Greeks likewise borrowed many deities and legends. The Carians were devoted to Hecate, and she was the primary deity worshipped in the town of Lagina. Hekate assisted Demeter in her search for Persephone, guiding her through the night with flaming torches. She was associated with witchcraft, necromancy, and poisons. Hesiod describes the goddess in the following glowing terms: Zeus, Cronus son, honoured [Hecate] above all others: he gave her splendid gifts to have a share of the earth and of the barren sea, and from the starry sky as well she has a share in honour, and is honoured most of all by the immortal gods. Hecate: Greek Goddess of Witchcraft, Sorcery and Magic The Greek name of Hecate may derive from an earlier Egyptian frog-headed goddess called Heqet, who ruled over magic and fertility and was a favorite of women. If lost at a crossroads, literal or metaphoric, invoke her name and then pay attention to signs from her. These crystals possess unique energies and properties that enhance spiritual practices and aid connections with Hecate. Since the fifth century BCE, Hecate has been associated with magic, witchcraft, the moon, and other dark influences. In fact, Hecate might have been another goddess altogether! The Egyptian fertility goddess Heqet was associated with magic, which the Egyptians called heqa. Some lexicographers, experts that study the origins of language, believe that the word hag and hex, which means witch, is derived from the word Hecate. She was both a product of the Titans and an honored member of Zeuss court at Olympus. Hecate is a goddess in Greek mythology often associated with darkness and witchcraft. 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. A statue called Hekate Epipyrgidia (On the Ramparts) stood at the Athens Acropolis entrance. This could be because she sided with him during the 10-year battle between the Titans and the Olympians. This could mean that the goddess didnt come to Greece from Caria until a relatively late date. According to Theogony. Performance & security by Cloudflare. 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. And there is a good book titled Hekate liminal rites By David Rankine and Sorite DEsteyou should check out. Story of Hecate In the Greek religion, strange rituals were done to honour the goddess. On the Pergamon Altar of Zeus, from the 2nd century BCE, a three-headed Hecate and a dog attack a snake-like giant. She was often placed at the entrance of homes to help protect against the evil forces of the world. The goddess Hecate is one of the lesser-known goddesses of the Greek pantheon. During the Romans, many of her traits belonged to the world of the dead. Hecates actual origins may be in caria, Turkey we can find The Temple of Hecate in the Sanctuary of Hecate at Lagina in Caria (modern-day Turkey which has been dated to the last quarter of the 2nd century CE. However, the queen killed the Thracian king when on her way to Greece. The duration ofa dark moonvaries between 1.5 and 3.5 days) to the crossroads. The boundaries she oversaw were not limited to the physical world, though. Kos, Erythrai,Samothrace, Thessaly, and Miletos also worshipped the. Other writers claim her as the daughter ofZeusandDemeter, Aristaion. The worship of Hecate continued into theHellenisticandRomanperiods with significant archaeological finds of votive offerings to the goddess being found at Lagina in Caria andPhrygia. And the dark moon is also a powerful time to cleanse you, from negative energy, negative influences or potentially harmful spirits. Hecate - Students | Britannica Kids | Homework Help Her association with dark magic is also tied to her identification as an underworld goddess. Child of Perses and Asteria, she was the only Titan to retain her control under Zeus' reign. Hecate appears in many plays and poems as the personification of darkness, the moon, and magic. Hecate was the chief goddess presiding over magic and spells. ThoughtCo, Dec. 6, 2021, thoughtco.com/greek-mythology-hecate-1526205. As early as the 5th century BC, the image of the hekataion was the standard way of showing the goddess in sculpture. We will examine her origins and describe the crossroads ritual. She was the only one among the Titans who retained this power under the rule of Zeus, and she was honored by all the immortal gods. Learning Mole focuses on educating children of all ages in key skills of Maths, English and learning through crafts. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. HECATE (Hekate) - Greek Goddess of Witchcraft, Magic & Ghosts - Theoi Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a28cb13cce875e3 All Rights Reserved, Ancient Egyptians The First Woman Pharaoh, A Crunchy Pistachios Tale: 13 Interesting Facts About These Salty Munchies. I have been in love with all things related to Mythology. She's also the Queen of Witches. She is the witness to every crime. She may be invoked for protection for dogs and from dogs. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. The triple Hecate represented three aspects of a single goddess. Her main jobs were to control boundaries, witchcraft, and the Underworld. Hecate was a complex, ancient goddess known to the Greeks but originally worshiped by people of Asia Minor*. She is believed to visit the Underworld to help other gods and people who were outcasts due to fear. In Late Antiquity, the empousai have been described as a category of phantoms or spectres, equated with the lamiai and mormolykeia . Home History Great Facts about Goddess Hecate. Hekate: A beginner's guide to witchcraft, ghosts, spirituality, and Hecate is petitioned for fertility, especially for female children.

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