At each of the New Moon Circles I host, I begin with libations and offerings to Hekate. As a Hellenic Pagan who follows the Athenian calendar, I do this ritual every new moon on Hekate’s Deipnon (“Hekate’s Supper”). But who is she? And why is she important in so many witchcraft traditions?
Hekate’s Origins
Born of Perses (‘Destroyer’) and Asteria (‘Starry-one’), Hekate is a crucial figure in Greek mythology. She rules over the night, magick, crossroads, thresholds, and midwifery. Her name means “worker from afar,” a title she shares with Apollo through his epithet hekatos.
From Ovid to Shakespeare, Hekate has been the subject of much musing. However, she is notorious for being a goddess of witchcraft and the Underworld. Despite the dark subjects over which she presided, the Greeks also knew her as a kind goddess. She was also a guiding figure, highlighted in epithets like soteria (‘savior’), kourotrophos (‘nurse of the young’), and phosporos (‘light-bringer’). In the myth of Persephone’s abduction, Hekate heard her cries and helped Demeter search for the spring goddess. After finding Persephone, Hekate remained in Hades to give the maiden counsel and companionship.
Still, Hekate was a formidable goddess, placated only with monthly offerings. In the mortal world, Greek katadesmoi (‘curse tablets’) addressed to her were placed in the graves of the untimely dead. These lead tablets aimed to convince Hekate to curse the living. On Olympos, even Zeus acknowledged her power; she was the only Titaness to retain rule over her domains.
Modern Worship of Hekate
Today, many Pagan traditions have adopted her as a powerful goddess of witchcraft representing darkness, mystery, and wisdom. Although statues show Hekate as a triple goddess, she does not follow the prevailing Pagan archetype of ‘maiden-mother-crone.’ Instead, her three forms symbolize her presence in the heavens, middle world, and underworld. Likewise, her symbol of the strophalos depicts a serpent with three coils representing these realms.
Call upon Hekate’s aid to strengthen your magickal power and help in times of change. As protectress of the young, she helps with childbirth and the growth of children. She also helps with divination and communication with the dead. To honor her, set a plate of food at a crossroads on the night of the new moon.
Correspondences
Below I have included correspondence information to help you write rituals for Hekate. If you would like to honor Hekate at the Fae, bring a small food offering to the next New Moon circle on December 7th!
Colors: Black, Silver, Orange (she wore “saffron-colored robes”)
Numbers: 3, 6, 9
Celebrations: Hekate’s Deipnon (night of the new moon), Samhain
Astrological: Moon, Pluto, Saturn, Scorpio
Animals: black dog, polecat, stag, hare, horse, lion, serpent, black ewe
Gemstones: moonstone, clear quartz, sapphire
Plants: saffron, anise, dandelion, feverfew, lavender, belladonna, mandrake, moonwort, bittersweet, myrrh
Food offerings: leek, garlic, onions, barley
Intentions: death and the afterlife, crossroads, transitions, cycles, destruction, divination, illumination, protection of children, childbirth, rebirth, revenge, travel, power, magick and witchcraft, karma and divine punishment
