Hekate, a name whispered throughout the ancient world, stands as one of the most powerful and enigmatic deities in ancient Greece. Often depicted as a goddess of witchcraft, crossroads, and the moon, she is also seen as three beings to represent her ability to see beyond the veil of the past, present, and future. In this article, we’ll be diving into the origins of the goddess and exploring some of her popular epithets, and some ways to honor and worship her. Although it's often said that Hekate is a goddess (which is technically true), the correct title for her should be Titan since she is the daughter of the Titans of destruction and falling stars—Perses and Asteria. What makes Titans different from the Olympians and other gods is that whereas those beings have dominion over certain functions and phenomena of the world, Titans are the embodiment of those things and are far older than the gods.
This distinction is important as it allows one to see more beyond her functions as a goddess of the crossroads which are liminal in nature, and more as a being of liminal spaces and transitions. These spaces include the space between you and I, the spaces between the past and the future, and what was into what will be. In Hesiod’s theogony it’s also revealed that Hekate was given a portion of the earth, seas, and heavens from Zeus (the king of the Gods) and after his war against his father and the other titans, only she was allowed to retain her full powers and status as shown:
“...Hekate, whom Zeus son of Cronos has esteemed above all and given splendid gifts, a share of the earth as her own, and of the barren sea. She has received a province of starry heaven as well, and is most highly esteemed by the deathless gods….She has a share of the privileges of all the gods that were born of Earth and Heaven. Nor did Crono’s Son violate or reduce what she had from earlier gods, the Titans. She keeps what she had in the primeval allotment. Nor does the Goddess, since she is an only child, have any less privilege on earth, sea, or heaven, but all the more, since Zeus privileges her.” -lines 413-430 from Hesiod’s theogony.
Although there aren't too many myths that feature the goddess, she does play a major role in the Homeric hymn to Demeter, which gives a detailed version of Persephone’s abduction by Hades; but also emphasizes Hekate’s role as a companion and ally to Demeter and Persephone.
In the ancient world the use of epithets were a way to capture the characteristics of a deity, sometimes even reflecting a certain aspect or role that the deity took on. It was also understood that when an ancient sorcerer would call upon a god’s epithet it proved that they were devoted and well versed with the deity, thus winning their favor. Here are some epithets for Hekate with their provided meaning when working her:
Brimo- The furious one, is the blazing illumination and incineration that transforms what was into was into what will be. This epithet can be used to invoke Hekate’s fierce, and formless force to subdue all foes, whether external (such as ghosts and unwelcome spirits), or internal (like addiction, weakness, or madness).
Zootropos- Nurturer of all life, often underlooked since pop culture has labeled her as a “goddess of the underworld,” when in fact she was praised by Hesiod as one whose favor granted them increased livestock and success in competitive endeavors. Thus Hekate nurtures life by being the gatekeeper between the womb and the tomb, allowing her to see the conception of a thing up until it loses form and falls back into nothing, only to take form again. Use Zootropos when you want to have Hekate help you endure life’s deepest struggles, divert anti-life forces (like suicide), and become that which you are not.
Dadophorous- The torch bearer, one of her oldest epithets, Hekate’s torches serve a dual purpose for us mortals. Firstly, her light is able to guide night travelers to their destination, whether that be to a foreign land, the upper spheres of the heavens, or the depths of Hades. Secondly, her torches also served as a weapon when she turned against her kind and joined the olympians during the end of the age of Titans, and again during the war of Giants. But she does have a third, more subtle purpose for her flames; like an anglerfish in the dark depths of the sea, she is able to lure in those who seek her light and would ultimately become her followers. Use this epithet to have Hekate illuminate your mind and be able to see her other forms and epithets, or to illuminate the minds of others by sharing her radiance.
Soteira- As savior, Hekate is able to bring deliverance from impossible situations. More specifically she acts as a negotiator between two opposing forces at an impasse, and as a maker of treaties. Invoke Soteira when you wish to invite balance into your life by allowing her to bring in favorable situations; or even if you have gratitude for Hekate’s role as Soteira, be sure to thank her generously.
Fila ton skylon- Friend of dogs, one of Hekate’s most common epiphanies is the barking of a dog. It must be understood that her approach is not so much signaled by the barking of a dog, but rather the sound of barking dogs heralds her arrival. In ancient times dogs were known to be hunters in the forests, protectors in the home, and scavengers in the local cemeteries; thus this epithet of “friend of dogs,” establishes the goddess as a huntress, protector, and corpse eater. This title also constitutes for all dogs and canines in the real world and in mythology such as the likes of Kerboros, the monstrous three headed dog that stands at the gates of Hades. Whenever you want to endure and stiffen your resolve, call upon the epithet of Fila ton skylon so that you too will survive just as a dog would endure it.
Now let’s take a look into some associations and offerings you could give to Hekate:
Colors: Red, white/silver, black (to represent the three realms of heaven, earth, and the sea), you could also use green to represent her ability to bring in abundance.
Beasts: Dogs (especially black ones), horses, serpents, frogs and toads, bulls, lions, panthers or black cats
Plants and herbs: Yew, pomegranates, figs, mandrake, wolfsbane, tobacco, mugwort, wormwood, willow, dragon’s blood resin, myrrh, garlic, hemlock, cypress
Symbols: Keys, liminal spaces (like doorways, crossroads, or gates), torches, change and transitions, the moon, cauldrons, daggers, eggs
Offerings: Traditionally one would leave a plate of food at the crossroads every new moon for the homeless in her honor; but this could easily be adapted into modern times by volunteering in a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter. You could also work with her energy on the new moon and offer her libations of red wine (or pomegranate juice if you don’t have access to wine). Cheese cake is also another favorite of hers!
At the store and online we also try to offer unique items for honoring your deities such as candles, incense, and oils. Be sure to look into our Hekate line of products next time you need an offering for her!
But ultimately however YOU choose to honor her is good enough, just as long as you put your heart and soul into it. Hekate has taught me that you never know what crossroads life may give you. But no matter what I just always try to learn from those experiences so that I could become a better person than who I was before….
Sources: The Hekataeon by Jack Grayle, Theoi.com, The Homeric hymns by Homer, and the Orphic hymns by Orpheus
Artwork by Maximilán Pirner
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