Deity Series: Hekate

Hekate is the Greek goddess of Witchcraft, Magic, The Night, and Necromancy. However, she was not always associated with these attributes. In fact, she was originally perceived as the goddess of childbirth and female reproduction. The name Hekate is sometimes considered a feminine version of Hekatos, a lesser-known name of Apollo, but it’s also thought to mean “the most shining one.” This would offer some explanation for the original depictions of her holding a torch.

It wasn’t until later that Hekate became known as the badass sorceress and “Queen of the Witches” that we know today.

Hekate, though a part of the Greek pantheon, remains an outsider. In some accounts, Hekate was granted power over the Earth, seas, and heavens by Zeus as an equal counterpart. Yet, in other accounts, she may be depicted as his daughter and associated with the Underworld, where she was sent to rescue Persephone from Hades.

In this account, Hades relents and allows Persephone to remain with the living for half of the year while she must live in the Underworld for the remainder of the year. Hekate, then, becomes her handmaiden and transports her between worlds. This is likely where her association with crossroads originated; these are considered sacred locations for this goddess.

While Hekate is frequently associated with the Triple Goddess, she isn’t historically linked to this depiction. If anything, she is the Crone and may potentially be a part of the Triple Goddess, but she does not embody this archetype in its entirety. That said, her iconography sometimes includes her portrayal of three bodies or three separate animal heads: a dog, a horse, and a lion.

Associations:

Manifestations: Black Dog, Crone, Seductive Woman, Snake, Dragon
Attributes: Keys, Torch, Knife, Broom, Cauldron
Color: Black
Number: 3
Planets: Moon (Dark Moon)
Plants: Garlic, lavender, mandrake, henna
Time: Night
Sacred dates: The last day of each month
Altar: Representations of her and her sacred animals
Offerings: Eggs, garlic, honey, candles, incense, crescent-shaped bread, and pastries

If you work with Hekate in your practice, be sure to check out our Hekate Candles which are perfect inclusions for altars in her honor or as an offering to Hekate!