#hecatedevotee

The Restless Dead are, generally, those who enter the Underworld but are unable to pay the fare to Charon and cross into the rest of the afterlife.  

They despondently, despairingly, wander the shores of the Acheron or Styx river, perhaps forever or perhaps only for 100 years. 

 Others of the Restless Dead may be those who Hekate allows to temporarily leave Tartarus or other areas in the Underworld, as well as those who had untimely deaths or Heroes who died without a wife.

Hekate is one who takes charge of these restless wandering souls.  At night, especially the night of the dark moon, She leads the host of the Restless Dead to wander the paths of the Earth. 

Epithets of Hekate of the Dead, Night Wanderer:

Anassa Eneroi: Queen of the Dead

Nerteron Prytanin: Mistress of the Dead

Psychopompe: Soul‐Guide (more a description of multiple deities, including Hekate).

Stratelatis: Leader of Hosts/General (PGM)

Nykhia: Nocturnal. Of the Night

Nykteria: of the Night

Nykti: of the Night

Nyktipolos: Night‐wandering

Oistroplaneia: Spreader of Madness, Causing the Wanderings of Madness"

Written by Bekah Evie Bel , exerpt of "Hekate goddess of the underworld" on the patheos blog hearthwitchdownunder

“Hekate is primarily a goddess of the Underworld, holding dominion over death and rebirth. This is meant both in the literal sense and in the metaphorical as well. 

For life is filled with many deaths and rebirths aside from that of the flesh. Because of this the Dark of the Moon especially is her time of the month, since it is a time of endings and beginnings, when what was is no more, and what will be has yet to become.

Hekate guards the limenoskopos (the doorstep), for she is a goddess of liminality and transition. Of being on and crossing boundaries. This includes not only the boundary between life and death, but any boundaries, such as those between nature and civilization, waking and sleep, sanity and madness, the conscious and the subconscious minds. Indeed, any transition can be said to be her domain. As such she is also goddess of the crossroads, where the paths of one's life fork and a person must choose which future to embark upon. In ancient times these were believed to be special places where the veil between the worlds was thin and spirits gathered.

Hekate is also the goddess of psychological transformation. Her Underworld is the dark recesses of the human subconscious as well at that of the Cosmos. Many have accused her of sending demons to haunt the thoughts of individuals. What they fail to understand is that the demons are not hers, but their own. 

By the light of her twin torches Hekate only reveals what is already there. These are things which the person needs to see in order to heal and renew. However, if they are not prepared for the experience of confronting their Shadow then it can truly feel like they are being tormented. Hekate is not motivated by cruelty, nor is she seeking to harm. But her love can be tough love. She will prompt a person to face the things that they must, whether they like it or not."

From hekatesgrimoire.blogspot.com

Archeologists re-erect structures at Sanctuary of Hecate in southwest Turkey :

"Hekate, goddess of death 

As well as goddess of life 

Rulling over every realms 

Starry skies and vasts oceans, 

Desolated Earth and the Underworld. 

Despite the unconsious humanity 

Towards that effing pandemy 

 I thank you with all my heart

 with all my soul and my being 

To still be protecting us 

To still respond to our prayers 

To still show up in our rituals 

To still have faith in us 

Just as we have faith in You.

 Eternal mother of humankind 

Leader of Hounds and restless souls 

We, your devotees, 

Your witches , your children 

Will be forever grateful 

For your ineluctable presence 

In our mundane life 

 For giving us hope 

When we wanted to just stay there 

Laid in our beds ready to die 

Our cheeks wet from our cries, or 

Our arms red from self-harm 

 Eternal Lady Hekate 

Protectress of us weirdos, 

Marginals and not "normals" 

Guardian of our children 

Whom we love beyond mesure 

 I thank you with all my heart 

And gives my life to honor yours." 

Hekate is one of the most unique and interesting Goddesses of the ancient world, her worship reaches backwards into pre-history and continues to thrive in the modern world. Even at times when the shrines and temples of the old Gods were forgotten old ruins, her myths continued to thrive, remaining alive in the hearts, minds and dreams of poets, artists and mystics who promulgated her mysteries. As such her name did not join those of the forgotten Gods who are being rediscovered today, but instead was one which continued to be uttered by each generation, infused with awe, fear and mystery through the centuries, continuing its journey onwards through history into the modern day. 

The Covenant of Hekate is a network of devotees from all over the world who share a passion for the Triple-Goddess of the Crossroads, the light-bearing Goddess Hekate. Membership is Free & open to all devotees - www.hekatecovenant.com

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