Hecate

Hecate, Hekate (Hekátē), or Hekat was orginially a goddess of the wilderness and childbirth originating from Thrace. Due to popular cult following as a mother goddess her persona was integrated into Greek and Egyptian culture where she ultimately achieved her more modern connotations as a goddess of sorcery and her role as the ?Queen of Ghosts.?

Other Names, Titles, & References

• Chtonian (Earth/Underworldgoddess)
• Crataeis (the Mighty One)
• Enodia (Goddess of the paths)
• Antania (Enemy of mankind)
• Kurotrophos (Nurse of the Children and Protectress of mankind)
• Artemis of the crossroads
• Propylaia (the one before the gate)
• Propolos (the attendant who leads)
• Phosphoros (the light-bringer)
• Soteira ("Saviour")
• Prytania (invincible Queen of the Dead)
• Trioditis (gr.) Trivia (latin: Goddess of Three Roads)
• Klêidouchos (Keeper of the Keys)
• Tricephalus or Triceps (The Three-Headed)

Queen of Ghosts

Queen of Ghosts is a title associated with Hecate due to the belief that she can both prevent harm from leaving, but also allow harm to enter from the spirit world.

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Hecate thus has a role and special power in graveyards.

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This association also played a large part in the idea of Hecate as a lunar goddess.

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Goddess of the Crossroads

Hecate had a special role at three-way crossroads, where the Greeks set poles with masks of each of her heads facing different directions: Roman mythology also saw her as the goddess of the Trivia "the three ways", a folk belief, whether Celtic or Roman, that survived into the 7th century CE among the pagans of Flanders. There Eligius was wont to remind his recently converted flock "No Christian should make or render any devotion to the gods of the trivium, where three roads meet, to the fanes or the rocks, or springs or groves or corners" (for details, see Druid).

Related Topics:
Roman mythology - Trivia - Eligius - Druid

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The crossroad aspect of Hecate stems from her original sphere as a goddess of the wilderness and untamed areas. This led to sacrifice in order for safe travel into these areas. This role is similar to lesser Hermes, i.e. a god of liminal points or boundries.

Related Topics:
Hermes - Liminal

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Goddess of Sorecery

The goddess of sorcery or magic is Hecate's most common modern title.

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