Hecate (Hekate) is a goddess of Greek mythology who is associated with a variety of things, including magic. She was invoked to protect sailors from possible dangers or creatures during their travels at sea.
Hecate also presided over ironworks in various places in Greece.
Who was Hecate?
Hecate was a Greek goddess of the moon, witchcraft, and destruction. She had three heads: those of a woman, a dog, and a horse. In some accounts, she had one hundred heads—seventy-five female ones and twenty-five male ones—and two hundred hands that she used to feed her friends or strangle enemies.
Hecate was a goddess associated with magic, the moon, and the underworld.
Why was Hecate popular?
The Roman poet Ovid wrote a number of myths about Hecate.
Hecate was a goddess of ancient Greece, especially worshipped on the island of Samos. She was also the Greek goddess of witches and crossroads.
How was Hecate worshiped?
Hecate was often invoked by sailors crossing the sea and under the moon, and was associated with the lesser Dog Star. Hecate was also associated with ironworking as she was often depicted holding an axe or tongs.
A number of ancient Greek temples were dedicated to Hecate.
What are Hecate’s powers?
Hecate was the goddess of magic and witchcraft. She could use potions and curses to help or harm people, and she had the power to control spirits. Hecate was also seen as a protector, who kept her worshippers safe from storms at sea or evil spirits.
Why was Hecate associated with dogs?
The dog was sacred to Hecate, and people often left offerings for her at the gates of their houses.
According to some sources, the dog was a guardian spirit of Hecate who had the gift of prophecy.
Who did Hecate marry?
Hecate was pursued by many different gods. When she refused all of them, the mighty Zeus himself tried to win her over—to no avail.
Eventually, Hecate married Zeus’ brother, Hades (Pluto), god of the Underworld. Their wedding ceremony was held at a sacred site in Athens called “Propylaea.” The goddess Athena and all the other gods and goddesses attended.
Who were Hecate’s parents?
Hecate was born from the blood of the Titans, ancient Greek deities of time and war. Her mother was Phlegyas, a Titan and river god who was turned into a dragon when Hera—Goddess of Themis (originally spelled Metis) — turned him into stone.
Hecate’s father was Typhon, a violent Greek god of whom no other information exists. It is unknown why she married Typhon or how old they were when they married each other in her story.
Why is Hecate a triple goddess?
There are three different Hecantas: a goddess of birth, a goddess of magic and witchcraft, and the Hecate from the Underworld. Each one has her own history and characteristics. No one knows what her original name was or why she has so many different characteristics.
What is the symbol of Hecate?
In ancient Greece, Hecate’s most common symbols were a wheel, torches, keys, dogs, cauldrons (or sometimes distaffs), and serpents.
How is Hecate portrayed in art?
Hecate was often depicted riding a chariot pulled by two dogs.
Another depiction of Hecate showed her as a woman in profile, with one hundred heads. The backs of most of her heads had faces; the faces usually had different expressions on them, such as laughing or crying. Most of her heads were female, and the rest were male.
