Hekatêsion

Rare Roman Hekate & Nymph Altar Pillar, 2nd-3rd Century AD

An Eastern Empire marble altar with rectangular base three figures of females dressed in peplos representing triple goddess Hecate (Hekate) surrounded by four smaller figures of nymphs, three dancing and once playing aulos; inscription to one side: “In the 7th (?) year. For the continuance of Kl(a)udios. ……akos (the name of the dedicator). At the behest of Artemis …..”; provincial workmanship.

Εἰνοδίαν Ἑκάτην κλῄζω, τριοδῖτιν, ἐραννήν, οὐρανίαν χθονίαν τε καὶ εἰναλίαν, κροκόπεπλον, τυμβιδίαν, ψυχαῖς νεκύων μέτα βακχεύουσαν, Περσείαν, φιλέρημον, ἀγαλλομένην ἐλάφοισιν, νυκτερίαν, σκυλακῖτιν, ἀμαιμάκετον βασίλειαν, θηρόβρομον, ἄζωστον, ἀπρόσμαχον εἶδος ἔχουσαν, ταυροπόλον, παντὸς κόσμου κληιδοῦχον ἄνασσαν, ἡγεμόνην, νύμφην, κουροτρόφον, οὐρεσιφοῖτιν, λισσομένοις κούρην τελεταῖς ὁσίαισι παρεῖναι βουκόλῳ εὐμενέουσαν ἀεὶ κεχαρηότι θυμῷ.

Hekate Einodia, Trioditis, lovely dame, of earthly, watery, and celestial frame, sepulchral, in a saffron veil arrayed, pleased with dark ghosts that wander through the shade; Perseis, solitary goddess, hail! The world’s key-bearer, never doomed to fail; in stags rejoicing, huntress, nightly seen, and drawn by bulls, unconquerable queen; Leader, Nymphe, nurse, on mountains wandering, hear the suppliants who with holy rites thy power revere, and to the herdsman with a favouring mind draw near.

Hekate’s Library - A Reading List 

Hekate has been revered throughout many cultures and many ages and has worked with many different practitioners and worshipers in various guises. One of the best ways to connect with a deity and begin honoring them is to heavily research their history. Below is my best attempt to give devotees and those who are new to this goddess, a wider perspective of Her throughout the ages. The following book ranges from classical texts & legends, scholarly writings, modern perspectives to coloring books devoted or heavily focused upon Hekate. Discover the Hellenic & Classical Hekate, The Wiccan Hecate, The Chaldean Hekate Soteira, the Luciferian Hecate, the Hecate of Macbeth and more. I hope that this is helpful. Feel a crucial book is missing? Please mention it in the comments below. The Aeneid – Virgil

Arcana Mundi: Magic and the Occult in the Greek and Roman Worlds: A Collection of Ancient Texts – Georg Luck

Bearing Torches: A Devotional Anthology for Hekate – Bibliotheca Alexandrina

Book of the Witch Moon – Michael W. Ford

The Chaldean Oracles: Text, Translation and Commentary – Ruth Majercik

Crossroads: The Path of Hecate – Greg Crowfoot

Curse Tablets and Binding Spells from the Ancient World – John G. Gager

The Goddess Hekate – Stephen Ronan

Hekate: Die dunkle Göttin – Geschichte & Gegenwart (German Edition) – Thomas Lautwein

Hecatean Magick – B. Morlan

Hecate: Death, Transition and Spiritual Mastery – Jade Sol Luna

Hecate II: The Awakening of Hydra – Jade Sol Luna

Hecate – The Witches’ Goddess – Gary R. Varner

Hekate Her Sacred Fires: Exploring the Mysteries of the Torchbearing Goddess of the Crossroads – Sorita d’Este

Hekate in Ancient Greek Religion – Ilmo Robert Von Rudloff

HEKATE: Keys to the Crossroads – A collection of personal essays, invocations, rituals, recipes and artwork from modern Witches, Priestesses and … Goddess of Witchcraft, Magick and Sorcery. – Sorita D’Este

Hekate Liminal Rites: A Study of the rituals, magic and symbols of the torch-bearing Triple Goddess of the Crossroads – Sorita d’Este

Hekate Soteira: A Study of Hekate’s Roles in the Chaldean Oracles and Related Literature – Sarah Iles Johnston

The Homeric Hymn to Demeter: Translation, Commentary, and Interpretative Essays – Helene P. Foley

Knowing Hekate: A Spiritual Coloring Experience – Sara Croft

Lunatik Witchcraft – Shay Skepevski

Macbeth – William Shakespeare

Magic, Witchcraft and Ghosts in the Greek and Roman Worlds: A Sourcebook – Daniel Ogden

Magika Hiera: Ancient Greek Magic and Religion – Christopher A. Faraone

Mantike: Studies in Ancient Divination – Sarah Iles Johnston

The Metamorphoses of Ovid – Ovid

The Orphic Hymns – Orpheus

A Paean for Hekate – Shani Oates

Pagan Portals: Hekate: A Devotional – Vivienne Moss

Protection and Reversal Magick – Jason Miller

Queen of Hell – Mark Alan Smith

Restless Dead: Encounters Between the Living and the Dead in Ancient Greece – Sarah Iles Johnston

The Rotting Goddess: The Origin of the Witch in Classical Antiquity – Jacob Rabinowitz

The Temple of Hekate – Exploring The Goddess Hekate Through Ritual, Meditation And Divination – Tara Sanchez

Thracian Magic: Past and Present – Georgi Mishev

The Voyage of Argo: The Argonautica – Apollonius of Rhodes

MYTHOLOGY MEME - [5/9] GREEK GODS/GODDESSES: HEKATE

“Hekate Einodia, Trioditis [Trivia],

lovely dame, of earthly, watery,

and celestial frame, sepulchral,

in a saffron veil arrayed,

pleased with dark ghosts that

wander through the shade;

Recommended Reading: The Goddess Hekate / Hecate Arcana Mundi: Magic and the Occult in the Greek and Roman Worlds: A Collection of Ancient Texts - Georg Luck Bearing Torches: A Devotional Anthology for Hekate - Bibliotheca Alexandrina The Goddess Hekate - Stephen Ronan Hecatean Magick - B. Morlan Hecate: Death, Transition and Spiritual Mastery - Jade Sol Luna Hecate II: The Awakening of Hydra - Jade Sol Luna Hecate - The Witches’ Goddess - Gary R. Varner Hekate Her Sacred Fires: Exploring the Mysteries of the Torchbearing Goddess of the Crossroads - Sorita d'Este Hekate in Ancient Greek Religion - Ilmo Robert Von Rudloff HEKATE: Keys to the Crossroads - A collection of personal essays, invocations, rituals, recipes and artwork from modern Witches, Priestesses and … Goddess of Witchcraft, Magick and Sorcery. - Sorita D'Este Hekate Liminal Rites: A Study of the rituals, magic and symbols of the torch-bearing Triple Goddess of the Crossroads - Sorita d'Este Hekate Soteira: A Study of Hekate’s Roles in the Chaldean Oracles and Related Literature - Sarah Iles Johnston Magic, Witchcraft and Ghosts in the Greek and Roman Worlds: A Sourcebook - Daniel Ogden The Temple of Hekate - Exploring The Goddess Hekate Through Ritual, Meditation And Divination - Tara Sanchez Image Credit: Tereza Malinová

In light of my recent revelation, I’ve started doing some more in depth research into things sacred to Hekate and those used as offerings. I wanted to bring something for her to the Grove, to bring praise and thank her for her guidance so long ago, and so I share my discoveries with you. This will contain some UPG, inspired by research, as well as researched items themselves.

Offerings to Hekate:

Woods: Yew, Cypress, Hazel, Black Walnut or Willow

Dog shaped things, preferably black in color

Adopting an animal/Volunteering at an animal shelter

Lamb or Bull shaped things, again preferably black in color

Owl, Snake, or Crow shaped things

Frog/Toad shaped things

Hallucinogenic or poisonous plants such as Belladonna or Hemlock (Use at your own risk. I do not encourage the act of handling that which could be harmful to you.) Poppies are a safer alternative.

Herbal blends

Lavender

Dandelions

Garlic

Myhrr

Red Mullets (a fish)

Menstrual Blood or blood colored things

Bread

Cheeses

Honey

Apples, Figs, or Pomegranates

Incense or resins

Keys

Song

Fire

Earth/Stones from your travels

Sources:

http://www.neokoroi.org/religion/gods/hecate

http://www.neokoroi.org/religion/gods/hecate/articles/honoring_hekate

http://www.theoi.com/Khthonios/Hekate.html

“[…] don’t summon deity as if they were servants, they are higher beings and they can cause you a whole lot of trouble if you don’t show respect. And if you have called upon them to help with something don’t forget to thank them. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture; water some plants, feed the birds, put out an offering in the garden (something biodegradable) or if you have an altar set up, pop something on that as an offering, a crystal perhaps.”

- Rachel Patterson Grimoire of a Kitchen Witch: An Essential Guide To Witchcraft http://amzn.to/1DcDtnw

“Burning fires between heaven and hell…”

MYTHOLOGY MEME - [5/9] GREEK GODS/GODDESSES: HEKATE

“Hekate Einodia, Trioditis [Trivia],

lovely dame, of earthly, watery,

and celestial frame, sepulchral,

in a saffron veil arrayed,

pleased with dark ghosts that

wander through the shade;

“I am devoted to Hekate” sigil