Who is Hecate?
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Hecate is best known as a Greek Goddess associated with the Underworld and witchcraft. Like many goddesses of the ancient world, Hecate was associated with many different aspects of daily life. She was closely associated with the idea of the Triple Goddess, the moon, the underworld and witchcraft. Hecate's origins are unclear and her story has evolved over the millennia. Even though she played a relatively minor role in ancient religious life and mythology, Hecate is a central figure for many modern neopagans.
Hecate’s Origins
The name Hecate is Greek. However it was likely her story was adopted into Greek Mythology, rather than being born of it, such as the stories of Zeus, Athena or other well known Greek gods and goddesses. It is speculated that goddess associated with Hecate originated in Caria, which is located in modern day Anatolia in Turkey.
Early versions of Hecate portray her as a benevolent power who aided humanity in various ways. She was strongly associated with the idea of the Triple Goddess. This is likely because of her association with the crossroads. She was often portrayed as three figures, one to follow each path presented. People would pray to Hecate for guidance deciding which direction to take (both literally and metaphorically). Hecate was also associated with the moon in ancient Greece, and festivals were thrown in her honor during new and full moon phases.
Over time though her story became much darker and the association with witchcraft, the night and the underworld took root. There isn’t a clear explanation as to why Hecate’s image shifted so.The Underworld version of Hecate has many symbols including dogs, torches and keys.
Hecate and Greek Mythology
Hecate is best known for her role in the myth of Persephone and Demeter. She assisted Demeter in her quest to find Persephone after she was abducted to the underworld. Hecate was also portrayed as helpful in the story of Jason and the Argonauts. She was regularly celebrated in Ancient Greece with new moon festivals and feasting.
By Roman times the minor goddess was described by poets and writers as an evil witch, who harmed children. It is unclear why Hecate’s reputation took such a nosedive during this time.
Hecate and the Neopagan Movement
In contemporary witchcraft and neopaganism, Hecate has experienced a resurgence in popularity. She is often revered as a guide in matters of magic, divination, and personal transformation. Her triple aspect is sometimes linked to lunar phases, and she is invoked during rituals and ceremonies. Despite being a minor figure in ancient religions and mythology, Hecate has helped shape many aspects of neopagan worship, including her association with the Triple Goddess.
Celebrating Hecate in the Wheel of the Year
While Hecate is not traditionally associated with the Wheel of the Year in historical pagan practices, modern practitioners often incorporate deities that resonate with them. Here's are some ways to incorporate Hecate into your own Wheel of the Year celebrations:
Connection to the Underworld: Hecate's association with the underworld makes her particularly relevant during Samhain, a time when the veil between the living and the dead is believed to be at its thinnest. Invoke Hecate for guidance and protection during rituals honoring ancestors and communicating with spirits.
Goddess of the New Moon: Hecate is often associated with the new moon phase. During Yule, a celebration of the return of the sun, you can honor Hecate as a goddess of the dark, acknowledging the balance between light and dark as the days start to lengthen.
Goddess of Transitions: As a goddess of crossroads and transitions, Hecate can be invoked during Imbolc, a time when the first signs of spring are emerging. Seek her guidance in navigating personal transitions and making choices for the coming season.
Fertility and Renewal: Hecate's role as a guide through transitions aligns with the themes of renewal during Ostara. Invoke Hecate to guide you through personal transformations as you embrace the energy of the season.
Magical Practices: Hecate's association with magic makes Beltane, a celebration of fertility and life, an opportune time to seek her guidance in magical workings. Incorporate her symbols, such as keys and torches, into rituals focused on creativity and manifestation.
Triple Goddess Energies: Hecate's triple aspect can be honored during Litha, a celebration of the longest day of the year. Recognize her as the goddess of the earth, sea, and sky, embodying the fullness of the summer season.
Harvest and Transformation: Hecate's role in guiding through transitions can be invoked during Lammas, a festival of harvest and transformation. Seek her guidance in navigating changes and expressing gratitude for the fruits of your efforts.
Goddess of Crossroads and Balance: As the wheel turns toward autumn, honor Hecate during Mabon for her association with crossroads and balance. Reflect on the balance between light and dark, and seek her guidance in finding equilibrium in your life.
Personal connections with deities are highly individual, and these suggestions are just one way to incorporate Hecate into the Wheel of the Year based on her traditional attributes.
While Hecate’s presence may not be as prevalent in better known mythology, her symbolic significance and associations with liminality continue to capture the imagination of those drawn to the mystical and magical aspects of ancient spirituality.
References & Recommended Reading*
Encyclopedia of Witchcraft by Judika Illes
https://mythopedia.com/topics/hecate
https://historycooperative.org/hecate-goddess-of-witchcraft/
Banner Art: Hecate or The Night of Enitharmon's Joy by William Blake, 1795
Wikimedia Commons: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:William_Blake_006.jpg
**In the process of creating this blog post, I utilized ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI. ChatGPT provided assistance in generating content and refining ideas.
Who is Hestia?
This post may include affiliate links* and I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Mabon House only features products that I use myself or that I believe my readers would enjoy. Thank you!
In Greek mythology, Hestia is the goddess of the hearth, home, and family. She is one of the twelve Olympian deities and is often considered one of the three virgin goddesses, along with Athena and Artemis. Unlike some of the other Greek gods and goddesses, Hestia did not actively participate in many myths or stories. She was known for her calm and gentle nature, and she played a more passive role in the narratives of Greek mythology. Hestia was highly revered, and her worship was considered essential for maintaining the stability and well-being of the family and the community.
Hearth & Home
While other ancient Greek gods and goddesses embark on grand adventures and shape the destiny of mortals, Hestia tends to the eternal flame of the hearth. Her domain is not one of conquest or rivalry but rather her role was primarily to preside over the hearth and the sacred flame.
The hearth, in ancient Greek culture, was more than just a fireplace; it was the focal point of family life. It was where meals were shared, stories were told, and decisions were made. Hestia's sacred flame symbolized not only physical warmth but also the spiritual and emotional connections that bind a family together. Hestia's presence was invoked at the beginning of every household ceremony and public event.
The Virgin Goddess
Hestia is often grouped with Athena and Artemis as one of the three virgin goddesses in Greek mythology. Unlike the tumultuous relationships that characterize many other divine unions, Hestia's dedication is solely to her sacred duties. She is the embodiment of purity and focuses on maintaining the harmony of the home rather than getting entangled in the drama of the gods.
Vesta: Hestia's Roman Counterpart
In Roman mythology, Hestia’s counterpart is Vesta. The similarities between the two deities are striking, emphasizing the universality of the concept of a sacred hearth in ancient cultures. Vesta, like Hestia, was revered as the guardian of the flame, and her worship played a crucial role in Roman religious practices.
The Vestal Virgins, priestesses dedicated to Vesta, tended to the sacred fire in the Temple of Vesta in the Roman Forum. The extinction of this flame was considered a dire omen, and its maintenance was of utmost importance to the well-being of Rome. The parallels between Hestia and Vesta demonstrate the significance of the hearth in fostering community and stability.
Invoking Hestia: Rituals and Traditions
In ancient Greece, every household, from the humblest abode to the grandest estate, paid homage to the goddess. At the beginning of important family event or public gathering, Hestia was invoked to bless the occasion.
The ritual involved a simple offering, often in the form of a small portion of the family meal, placed in the fire. This act symbolized the communal aspect of the hearth, where all members of the household shared in the warmth and sustenance provided by the central fire. It was a gesture of gratitude and a recognition of the sacred nature of the home.
Goddesses Similar to Hestia Across Mythologies
In various mythological traditions, goddesses akin to Hestia can be found throughout many cultures. In Celtic mythology there is Brigid, a goddess associated with the fertility, learning and crafts. Similar to the Roman myth of Vesta, Brigid was thought to be attended by an all female priesthood. Every year at mid-winter, festivals were thrown in honor of the goddess, as a way to encourage the return of springtime. Modern Wheel of the Year celebrations often focus on Brigid around Imbolc.
Frigg in Norse mythology embodies maternal and domestic aspects while being the wife of Odin. Iyatiku, a goddess in Hopi mythology, is revered as a guardian of the home, associated with hearth, fire, and warmth. Across diverse cultures, these goddesses share common themes, reflecting the universal significance of the hearth as a symbol of familial bonds, security, and warmth.
The hearth may no longer be the literal center of our homes, but the essence of what it represents—family, warmth, and togetherness—remains unchanged. Hestia's gentle influence encourages us to appreciate the quiet moments, the shared meals, and the simple joys that make a house a home.**
References & Recommended Reading*
Encyclopedia of Witchcraft by Judika Illes
The Modern Guide to Witchcraft by Skye Alexander
The Modern Witchcraft Grimoire by Skye Alexander
The Way of the Hedge Witch by Arin Murphy-Hiscock
Banner Art: Portrait of a Young Woman as a Vestal Virgin by François Hubert Drouais,1767. See the full portrait at The Met Open Source project: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/436216
**In the process of creating this blog post, I utilized ChatGPT, a language model developed by OpenAI. ChatGPT provided assistance in generating content and refining ideas.
What is a Hedge Witch?
One of the most enduring archetypes of a witch is the Hedge Witch. Usually seen as a solo practitioner living at the edge of a community, a hedge witch was both feared and revered for her knowledge of nature and the spiritual world.
This post may include affiliate links* and I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Mabon House only features products that I use myself or that I believe my readers would enjoy. Thank you!
One of the most enduring archetypes of a witch is the Hedge Witch. Usually seen as a solo practitioner living at the edge of a community, a hedge witch was both feared and revered for her knowledge of nature and the spiritual world. Sometimes called a wise woman (or a cunning man) a hedge witch is closely associated with home and hearth and protecting her family. Whether you identify as a witch or just want to slow down and add more intention into your life, the path of the hedge witch offers insight and guidance.
Hedge-Rider, Hex and Hag
The term hedge is used to describe a border between civilization and the wilderness. In spiritual terms, it is used to describe the threshold between this world and the other world. In early medieval Europe a hedge was a physical boundary between a village and a forest. A hedge in those times wasn’t what we think of today - a nicely manicured green shrub. It was a wild tangle of growth between the forest and the village. Those that lived along the hedge, closer to the wild than to the community, were often thought to possess magical powers and wisdom. They would be called upon for help by locals, but otherwise largely left alone. As Christianity gained power through the early and middle ages in Europe, traditional nature based beliefs and healing were deemed evil and those that lived along the hedge were particularly vulnerable to accusations of witchcraft and persecution.
According to Judika Illes in her book Encyclopedia of Witchcraft, the term Hedge-Rider was a northern European synonym for witch. In Old English it was called Haegtessa, while in Old High German hedge-rider was pronounced hagezusse. These were later shortened to Hag and Hexe respectively and were associated with old women who lived near the hedge. Over time, again with the rise of Christianity, both these terms took on a negative connotation - the Lady of the Hedge was turned into an evil old hag who was a threat, especially to children (think of the witch in Hansel and Gretel).
In English speaking countries the term Hag is synonymous with a cantankerous woman, someone who does confirm to the patriarchy’s view of womanhood. A hag does not mean a woman is necessarily old in age, but rather she is outspoken and unapologetic. This makes me think of the character Ouiser (played by Shirley MacLaine) in the movie Steel Magnolias. She was rough around the edges, but with a big heart.
A Modern Hedge Witch
Within the rise of the modern neo-pagan movement, the term hedge witch has been reclaimed by those seeking wisdom and a deeper understanding of the natural world. There are a couple of (very general) distinctions when it comes to the term hedge witch. The first refers to someone who practices rituals like tarot, divination, or has some psychic ability. This would be the more classical version of a wise woman living alone, whom people seek out for help through a reading, herbal remedies or spell work.
The second popular image of hedge witch aligns more with the modern concept of a cottage witch or house witch. Arin Murphy-Hiscock describes this type of practice in her book The Way of the Hedge Witch, as someone who practices magic in the home as a way to ensure the spiritual well-being of herself and her family. This could include imbuing some magical thoughts into everyday life through cooking, cleaning or gardening.
Following Hedge Witch Path
Even if you don’t identify as a witch, the elements of a hedge witch offer simple and easy ways to connect with nature and cultivate a peaceful home. Common ways a hedge witch cares for her home and family include cleaning not just her physical space, but also the energy that fills it. She may sprinkle salt along doorways, to keep evil spirits away or hang a glass witch’s ball* to absorb light and deflect negative energy. She may say little prayer/spell/intention while stirring a pot of soup for dinner. Her magic is in the small moments that make up each day.
Home & Hearth
No matter what interpretation you use for a hedge witch, the home is an integral part of her practice. An important element in the concept of home is the hearth. A hearth is traditionally at the center of home life. It provides warmth and light in the dark months, and is where meals are prepared. Until the late 19th century tending the hearth was an all day job for women who kept their own homes. The hearth as a focal point of life has long been revered in many cultures.
Today’s hedge witch may call upon Hestia, the Greek goddess of the hearth for safety and peace within her home. A traditional fireplace hearth may be replaced by the modern day kitchen or other area that serves as a focal point for yourself and your family. The essence of the hearth, whether invoking ancient deities or tending to the heart of the home, endures as a source of comfort and connection in the modern world.
Some might argue a hedge witch is the original witch - from where our modern associations of witchcraft and the occult stem. Today a Hedge Witch can be a solo practitioner that folks call upon for help. Or she may focus her energies on tending her home, as an extension of her own spiritual practice. Either way, the path of hedge witch offers simple ways to connect to nature, connect with others and connect to one’s self.
References and Recommended Readings*
The Way of the Hedge Witch by Arin Murphy-Hiscock