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Wheel of Hecate

The Hecate’s Wheel is an ancient symbol connected with the cult of the goddess Hecate whose meaning is still debated and mysterious.

The symbol that we see in modern days consists of a maze with three distinct whirls that are connected in the center. The number three recalls to the triple form of the goddess that was seen as ruler of the sky, sea, and earth and guardian of the crossroads. The labyrinth recalls to the ancient labris of the Minoan culture representing transformation and rebirth.

Many are the possible origins and interpretation of this symbol represented in the past as a four spoked or eight spoked wheel symbolizing the four seasons, the four elements or a primeval representation of the lunar or season cycle.

The four spoked wheel represented an ancient tool called the Iynx, a small metal or wooden discs rotated by pulling attached strings that reproduced the pulse call of the Eurasian wryneck, a bird called Iynx. This bird was originally associated with Aphrodite and according to the myth this tool was used as a magical love-charm to draw lovers together or to draw out passion.

The Iynx is sometimes associated with the Strophalos another spinning tool used in the ancient cult of Hecate. According to the Chaldean Oracles the Strophalos was a spinning top dedicated to the goddess Hecate used to invoke the presence of the deity in the celebration of a ritual. By summoning the divine presence, and through the sound produced by the spinning, the theurgist was able to reach prophetic visions.

Spinning tools and their ability to connect the divine world with the mortal one is seen also in the cult of Dionysus. According to the myth the Titans used toys to lure Dionysus and eat him, these toys had a specific religious significance connected with the divine power of Dionysus. Among these toys there was an ancient object called Rhombos or Kohnos, a spinning top that made sounds that resembled the thunder or the bullroarer and that represented the divine power of Dionysus Tauropon and Bromio. The spinning movement of the object also resemble the movement of tornadoes and the idea of Mania, the alteration of consciousness that was used to attain vision and enlightenment.

A short but informative primer on Hekate’s infamous wheel symbol (often called the Strophalos or Mycenaean button). Did you know that a modified version was featured heavily in Dua Lipa’s  new music video for her song “Levitating”?

Been doing some watercolours of some goddesses and female figures in mythology 👍👍

List of them from left to right:

Aphrodite, goddess of love

Iynx, creator of the love charm and nymph

Nemesis, goddess of revenge

Keres, spirit of violent or cruel death

Athene, goddess of wisdom

Hecate, goddess of magic

mythology aesthetics

IYNX