Hekate: the Greek Goddess of the Crossroads and Witchcraft
Hekate is the Greek Goddess of witchcraft, the moon, magic, sorcery, necromancy, and ghosts. She helps to lead the ghosts into the underworld and she helps them to transition from life to death. She is a guide for souls who are navigating the journey from one realm to another. She is also the Goddess of the crossroads and doorways. She is a Goddess of the night and is often depicted carrying a torch. She is often depicted with the dark (new) moon and is associated with it. Hekate is often depicted as a triple faced Goddess and this triple form is associated with her role of the crossroads and being able to see all sides of the crossroads. She is not the maiden, mother, and crone as this was a newer belief that got associated with Her. She is also able to see the past, present, and future. She is a guide through darkness and a protector against evil. You can grant her offerings at a crossroads or on an altar dedicated to her. Hekate is a wanderer and she works on gathering souls to the Underworld and helping people with transitions.
Hekate is the daughter of the Titans, Perses and Asteria, but some have said that she is the daughter of Zeus and Demeter. After helping the Greek Gods defeat the Titans, Hekate was given power over heaven, sea, and earth from Zeus. When Persephone was abducted, Hekate and Helios hear Persephone’s cries when Hades abducts her. After Demeter had searched for Persephone for nine days, Hekate came to Her with a torch in her hands on the tenth day. Hekate reported to Demeter what She had heard but did not know who had taken Her daughter. Hekate helped Demeter search for Persephone and took Her to Helios, the Sun god, who reported what He saw. Once Persephone was reunited with Demeter, Hekate embraced Her. Hekate then became Persephone’s companion in the Underworld when She returned there for 6 months each year.
In antiquity, Hekate was mostly known as the Goddess of the crossroads and was seen as a protector. Many people turned to her so she could guard their home and protect their loved ones. Hekate is usually given offerings at the crossroads as a way to protect people from the dead or negative spirits or energies.
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Most notable epithets associated with Hekate:
Hekate has many epithets associated with her, so I will focus on the ones that are most notable and well-known:
☾ Adamantae: “Unconquerable,” “untamable Goddess”
☾ Apotropaios: “Averting,” “Averter”
☾ Astrodia: “Star-walker,” “star-courser”
☾ Brimo: “angry one,” “terrifying”
☾ Chthonia: “chthonic,” “of the earth”
☾ Dadouchos: “torch-bearer”
☾ Deichteira: “teacher,” “revealer”
☾ Enodia: “of the crossroads,” “of the roads,” “of the path”
☾ Gorgo: “The grim,” “the Gorgon”
☾ Hieros Pyr: “Holy fire”
☾ Kthonia: “Of the Underworld,” “of the earth”
☾ Kleidouchos: “Key-holder,” “key-keeper”
☾ Klôthaiê: Spinner of fate
☾ Nychia/Nykhia: “nocturnal,” “Nocturnal-One,” “Goddess of the Night”
☾ Ourania: “Celestial,” “Heavenly”
☾ Pammetor: “Mother of all”
☾ Paskikrateia: “Universal Queen,” “All-powerful,” “who dominates all”
☾ Phosphoros: “Light-bringer”
☾ Propolos: “She Who Leads,” “guide,” “companion,” “servant
☾ Pyrophoros: “Fire-bearer,” “torch-bearer”
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Symbols and signs associated with Hekate:
• Dogs, specifically black dogs
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Offerings to give Hekate:
☽ Divination tools or tarot cards
☽ Crow, raven, or owl feathers
☽ statue and artwork of Her
☽ Black, red, and purple candles
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Devotional activities to do for Hekate:
ִֶָ࣪☾. Donating to an animal shelter or volunteering at one
ִֶָ࣪☾. Helping and being friendly towards dogs
ִֶָ࣪☾. Devoting time at night to Her
ִֶָ࣪☾. Studying herbs and plants
ִֶָ࣪☾. Holding a feast for Her and having all Her favorite food and drinks
ִֶָ࣪☾. Create a devotional playlist to Her
ִֶָ࣪☾. Stargazing, moon gazing, and watching the night sky
ִֶָ࣪☾. Visiting crossroads and leaving an offering there
ִֶָ࣪☾. Visiting graveyards and connecting with the spirits there
ִֶָ࣪☾. Make a Pinterest board for Her
ִֶָ࣪☾. Make a devotional tumblr to Her
ִֶָ࣪☾. Having rituals and casting spells during the dark moon
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٠ ࣪⭑ Finding light in darkness
٠ ࣪⭑ Balancing light and dark
٠ ࣪⭑ Honoring the dead and the afterlife/Underworld
٠ ࣪⭑ Honoring transitions and phases
٠ ࣪⭑ She can guide you through change and transformations
٠ ࣪⭑ She can help you navigate obstacles in your path
٠ ࣪⭑ Witchcraft and sorcery
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November 16th, is the sacred night of Hekate. It will be on this Saturday. This is a good day to honor the Goddess and to grant her offerings or to prepare an offering at a crossroads for animals or wandering spirits in Her honor. This is a good time to do a ritual for the Goddess or to practice divination. This is regarded as a powerful night to do spells and offerings and it will help you to deepen your spiritual connection with the Goddess. Also, anytime there is a new moon is a great time to honor and connect with Goddess Hekate and is known as Hekate Deipnon.
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Are you a Hekate devotee or do you feel called to her? Let me know in the comments
