Day of Hekate

Day of Hekate

"The Earth began to bellow, trees to dance

And howling dogs in glimmering light advance,

Ere Hekate came."

On November 16th we honor Goddess Hekate, Queen of the Witches.

Known as Goddess of the crossroads, she carries the three keys to the worlds: Upper, Middle, and Underworld. Looking at her titles that she has had through the ancient past, you can see that She was very much a threefold Goddess - even though in today’s world many just consider her the Crone. Hekate is oh so much more.

Hekate Enodia, of the Paths; Hekate Propolos, the Attendant Who leads; Hekate Proplylaia, the One Before the Gates; Hekate Chrhonian/Khthoniai, of the Earth/Underworld Goddess, Hekate Soteira, the Savior; Hekate Trivia, of the Three Roads; Hekate Kleidouchos, Keeper of the Keys; Hekate, Queen of the Witches, of the Ghosts, of the Night, Mistress of Magic, Mother of Witches, the Distant One, the Most Lovely One; Hekate Prytania, the Invincible Queen of the Dead; Hekate Antaia, Sender of Nocturnal Visions; Hekate Nyktipolis Khthonie, Night Wanderer of the Underworld; Hekate Brimo, terrifying or the Crackling Fire.

As we can see, Hekate was so much more to her followers than what meets our eyes. Our world is different from our ancients, but it is time we bring back the sacredness of this Goddess. Bringing back sacredness means to respect the path and not exploit it. Her history goes back before the Greeks, as we have seen the Greeks did take on the strong Gods that could not be defeated by Zeus.

For me, She is ageless and on this night She is said to be closer to us than any other - as we are in the Ghost month. Hesiod’s described Hekate’s powers as:

:

“Hecate, whom Zeus, Cronus’ son, honored above all others: he gave her splendid gifts-to have a share of the earth and of the barren sea, and from the starry sky as well she has a share in honor, and is honored most of all by the immortal gods.”

One of her roles that is not so readily talked about is Hekate Kurotrophos: Hekate, Guardian of the Children. With all we are seeing in our world with trafficking of children, I would say her presence is very much needed. Hekate blessings and protects children, the vulnerable who are many times forgotten about. It is the forgotten children that suffer the most, so I feel this is one aspect of this great Goddess Queen that should be called to on this day.

Hekate has many myths, and She is definitely an ancient Goddess - and is a wonderful Mother to her Priestesses as well as wise counsel.

Being the daughter of the stellar Goddess Asteria, this Orphic Oath verifies her being a sky Goddess: “I am a child of earth and starry heaven, but my race is of heaven alone”. Just like the moon and stars, Hekate’s torch provides light to us as we walk in darkness.

For those who choose, or I should say (She chooses) her Mysteries, Goddess Hekate encourages one to overcome restrictions and obstacles in their life, aiding them to see their path clearer and will protect those that are devoted to her from evil and misfortune.

Hail Hekate in all of your various forms! She rebirth, life, and death; Goddess of the land, the sky, and the sea!

I included a chant below that is said to be used on her night to empower her followers.

Hecate’s Chant:

The Holy Night Above Me

The Shadowy Underworld Beneath Me

The Sacred Moon Before Me

The Howling Queen Behind Me

The Goddess Hecate Within Me