"I call upon Hekate Propylaia,
the Guardian, She who protects the gate,
the unyielding Goddess who ends all hostility,
to protect me and mine, to guard and keep us safe.
Powerful Goddess, Gatekeeper, Foremost One,
hear my plea and prayer, stand before me,
hold all evil at bay with your relentless fire."
- Prayer to Hekate Propylaia (modern-day)
I've found myself getting more and more into my Hekate worship, and I'm very happy about it. I had once fallen into the trap that Hekate was "scary" or "too advanced", something I think many worshippers have gotten into their heads. From the small time I have been worhsipping Her, I can certainly say this is not the case; She is wonderful.
Liminality. Something heavily associated with Hekate, and one of the many aspects I find quite interesting and comforting about Her. The grey area was always more comfortable. Hekate Propylaia, I think is an epithet that embodies that liminality - of course Lady Hekate has many epithets that embody this, but Propylaia feels right to me. It feels like standing at a gate and not knowing what's on the other side, but not willing to turn back - it feels like the entrance and exit - like the beginning and end - like the true middle ground. A liminal space, with Hekate at the centre.
Liminality is so present in every part of our lives, the "in-between stages" are everywhere. And honestly, are we ever not in an in-between phase? From day to night. From waking to resting. Child to adult. We are always meeting these milestones, these gates to pass through, and as we learn more and do more - Hekate is there.
A small portion, but one I want to still touch on is liminality in a gender sense. Hekate has many forms, and many names, and there is never one point where Hekate is just one. She is many, and She is blurred, and She has many off-shoots and directions to percieve Her in just like a crossroads. Hekate represents the "not-straight-forward" and I think that's a wonderful thing.
Anyway, that ramble over, I just wanted to let you all know the little Hekate worship rabbit hole I've been down as of late. I may have repeated things so please excuse that, it's late at the time of writing.
A poem for Hekate Propylaia - by me
I walk this earthly plane
And lay awake at night,
watching Asteria shine,
To hear the hounds of Hekate sing
Of Her glorious domain;
as She watches
From the gate which She tends,
Ushering in the frightened
and the lonely
Into Her wonderful home of
Liminality.
I hope everyone is having a lovely Spring / Autumn Equinox [depending on your hemisphere]! And may Hekate Propolos guide you, Hekate Dadophoros light your way, and Hekate Propylaia show you the right doors in these uncertain times.
Hail Lady Hekate!
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A monumental stairway leads from the propylaia gateway to a double-winged portico on Lindos Acropolis on Rhodes, Greece. The terraced theatrical layout characterizes 3rd century BC Hellenistic architecture.
Hekate Trioditis, Gatekeeper,
You who stood before the Propylaia
You before whom the Kharites play
You beautiful Goddess
Unto you I pray, I lift up my voice in your honor.
You, most beloved, who shines light within my life.
Even in my darkest hour.
You have graced my path,
As a blessing, and many are your gifts.
Hekate, blessed Goddess, for whom the Kharites spritely dance and play.
For thousands of years, it has been your name whispered in adoration and awe.
May it be thus for a thousand more.
Images:
“Hekataion: The Triple Body Goddess with Three Kharites Dancing Round,” from Attika, 3rd c. BCE, photo by Bibi Saint-Pol, via Wikicommons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hekate_Kharites_Glyptothek_Munich_60.jpg
