B o y s

The connections between Zeus and Hekate are very present in ancient literature and practice, but are less explored in modern discussions of Hekate.

The first big thing is in the Theogony by Hesiod, Hekate’s first literary mention. In his hymn to Hekate, he says many things of importance. Firstly:

“And she conceived and bare Hecate whom Zeus the son of Cronos honoured above all. He gave her splendid gifts, to have a share of the earth and the unfruitful sea. She received honour also in starry heaven, and is honoured exceedingly by the deathless gods. For to this day, whenever any one of men on earth offers rich sacrifices and prays for favour according to custom, he calls upon Hecate.”

Here we see that She is the goddess Zeus “honoured above all”. This is a pretty big deal, considering Zeus is the King of the Gods and Hekate isn’t an Olympian. He honors Her so much that He gives Her a share of dominion in every realm. He continues, saying:

“The son of Cronos did her no wrong nor took anything away of all that was her portion among the former Titan gods: but she holds, as the division was at the first from the beginning, privilege both in earth, and in heaven, and in sea. Also, because she is an only child, the goddess receives not less honour, but much more still, for Zeus honours her.”

This dominion on Earth, in the Seas, and in the Heavens is given as a gift by Zeus in addition to Her duties as a Titan. It seems that this could be a gift in return for Her assistance in defeating Zeus’ father and the rest of the Titans, as She is the only Titan to retain Her powers. And he implies that Hekate receives excessive honor because Zeus honors Her. Indicating their relationship to be quite close together and that their worship might be linked.

Moving on from Hesiod, sometimes Zeus is even cited as Hekate’s father. Theoi.com’s encyclopedia entry states: “Others describe her as a daughter of Zeus and Demeter, and state that she was sent out by her father in search of Persephone (Schol. ad Theocrit. ii. 12); others again make her a daughter of Zeus either by Pheraea or by Hera (Tzetz. ad Lyc. 1175; Schol. ad Theocrit. ii. 36).” This parentage makes a significant break with earlier traditions and understandings of Hekate’s role, and Her role as a Titan, but it does indicate that Hekate and Zeus have clear connections in ancient understandings. What cannot be denied is that Zeus views Hekate as a goddess of great power and importance, and that He bestowed upon Her great power. Zeus and Hekate also both share the epithet meaning Savior, Hekate Soteira and Zeus Soter, indicating that their roles may have even had some overlap.

Hekate and Zeus also would have both been honored as protectors of the home. Hekate guarding its threshold and having a shrine there, and Zeus Ktesios within the home. Here we may have seen a lot of connection in the act of worship.

There’s also a lot more we do not know, or at least that I don’t know, especially because worship was localized and varied greatly from city to city in the ancient times. But what we can say for certain is that there are absolutely connections between Zeus and Hekate and that the ancients would have seen them as inherently entwined in some way. They were even placed together on coins (shown below). Their connection may indicate why Hekate can be prayed to for aid in so many different things, as Zeus can be prayed to for absolutely anything and it seems gave Her a share in His own power. Worshipping Hekate and Zeus together invokes Hekate’s aspects as an Ouranic goddess, as a protector and all-purpose goddess who grants favor in any endeavor within Her domains to those who honor Her. And with that I will leave you with a prayer to Zeus and Hekate for generalized favor:

“Zeus, Hekate, Heavenly Ones, hear my prayers!

Lord Zeus, King of the Gods, I offer up to you this prayer and ask for favor in all things. He who rules the world of man and the heavens, may no challenge stand in my way. May I have success in all endeavors and be gifted well-being and prosperity!

Queen Hekate, Savior of Mankind, I offer up this prayer to you and ask for favor in all things. She who has dominion in the starry heavens, the earth below it, and the vast seas as well, may I be given luck and triumph in all that I attempt to accomplish. May I recieve your gifts and be granted joy, abundance, and general welfare!”