The Evermore Grimoire: Greek Mythology
Hecate (Ἑκάτη meaning ‘Worker from Afar’) was the goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts and necromancy in Greek mythology. She was the only child of the Titanes Perses (god of destruction) and Asteria (goddess of shooting stars) from whom she received her power over heaven, earth, and the sea. Hecate assisted Demeter (goddess of the grain) in her search for her daughter Persephone (goddess of spring), by guiding her through the night with flaming torches. After the mother-daughter reunion she became Persephone's minister and companion in Hades (the Underworld). Hecate was associated with the cypress tree which symbolised the Underworld and death in the old myths. She was also the goddess of borders and doorways, both physical and mystical. Dogs were also sacred to her, and thus she was associated with protection. When Phillip of Macedon besieged Byzantium, the Byzantines heard dogs in the street barking at the approach of his army. The Byzantines and Athenians defended the city successfully and such success was attributed to Hecate. In gratitude, the Byzantines erected a statue of the goddess.
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