#aregos

Aregos: Helper: PGM IV 2241-2358

Under Euripides’ hand, Medea refers to Hekate as “my chosen helper” but looking at the original Greek, the term is not the same. Medea means that Hekate is the one who empowers her magic, the goddess who will deserve credit for the spells she casts for Jason. Aregon is defined simply as a helper in the LSJ. Hesiod describes Hekate as helping all reaches of society, from kings to hunters, having power in war as well as in the stables of the peaceful farm.

Aregos is hardly the only helpful epithet given to Hekate, as she is also known as a helper in childbirth and with sailors (each aspect with their own sufficient epithets.) Bertolani speculates that Hekate’s midwifery assistance was inherited solely from conflation with Artemis. She also is the helper of Demeter in her search for Persephone, and thereafter, helper of the Kore on her journey down into Hades’ realm and back.

Even so, it is not until PGM IV 2241-2358 that we find this particular word for “helper” applied to Hekate. The spell is one dedicated to the waning moon, and though it never specifically calls upon Hekate, it is definitely aimed at Her calling upon her as Thrice-Bound, and ‘dog in maiden form.’ Many of her epithets are found herein, alongside epithets for the moon and Artemis and even references to Isis and Osiris. But of all of them, Hekate’s symbols are most common.

For myself, Hekate Aregos is not near to me. The last two years have been brutal and cruel to me, and at times it has felt like my prayers have gone unheard. Even so, I keep to my oaths, and tend my shrines.

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Hekate, Liminal Queen, Brimo, great goddess unto whom I have sworn my oaths, My offerings have been many, and I have given voice to your lore. My heart burns with your fire, and I walk upon your paths. Hekate Aregos, may your grace descend upon me, lift up my burdens. Whisper wisdom in my ear, and let your torches diminish the darkness within me. May your key unchain me. With such burdens I struggle to give you the attention you deserve. I cannot see your light, nor can I give voice to your Many Names. Hekate Aregos, Helper of Gods and mortals, be gentle and let your light burn away these pains.

Sources:

Fontaine, Michael and Adele Scafuro. The Oxford Handbook of Greek and Roman Comedy, Oxford, 2014. Bertolani, Ljuba Merlina. Magical Hymns from Roman Egypt, Cambridge, 2016.  Athanassakis, Apostolos. Hesiod: Theogony, Works and Days, Shield, Johns Hopkins, 2004. 

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