The Pagan Heart
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April 2005 Issue
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Hekate's Day
By Anne S.
The last day of the Greek months always falls on the New Moon and is devoted to honouring Hekate, the Greek goddess of the Crossroads. Hekate is an extremely complex deity. Unlike the others, she is known mainly through rumour and fragment - there is no lastly series of legends by which we can understand who and what she is. The fragments that do exist paint a contradictory image, however, further confusing the issue. Interestingly, Hekate seems to have grown into being a chthonic deity, as opposed to the norm or evolving from that form. Her early nature seems kinder and more inclined to overlook errors in judgement. Despite the awesome power she held, and her depiction as Hekate Triformis and Hekate Triceps (the triple goddess and the three-armed one), she was seen as the nuturer of the young (Hekate Kourotrophos). As time passed darker aspects of Hekate's nature came to the fore. Still revered as the Bringer of Light, and the Guide and Protector of Innocence (aka her role in the 'rescue' of Persephone), Hekate had also drawn about her the mantle of night. She might still bring light, but it was the light of knowledge. And knowledge is a difficult gift. She herself moved through the dark moontime, travelling easily betyween earth and the Underworld. Gaining the name Hekate Brimo, Hekate the mighty raging one, she was seen as one who destroyed as easily as she created. Despite the difficulty in gaining a firm historical grasp of Hekate's nature, she remains a popular deity - partially due to her adoption by the Pagan conclave as the Patron of Witches. Not necessarily her original role, but clearly one she has in some way accepted. Aside from this aspect, what does Hekate offer us? Hekate is at the root of it all a god of life and death. She has fertility and birth powers, as well as a role in death and what comes after. However, her true power lies in metaphysical birth and death. Hekate brings knowledge and change with her, and this is not always an enjoyable or desired process. To seek out true self-knowledge requires great courage as Hekate will show you your inner face and her own. This is symbolised in her triple-nature - maiden, mother, and crone. These are the stages the initiate will pass through by worshipping Hekate, and the path can be unexpected and fearful. Hekate is not a static god. Aside from self-knowledge, Hekate also offers the ancient craft of transformation - she was a shapeshifter, and offers this to the serious student. Through Hekate the student becomes aware of the relationship between all things in nature, and developes the skills necessary to shift mental states. Again, this is not an easy or predictable path. There is also the real risk of becoming lost on the voyage. Hekate will not pause to rescue the foolish. Do not take the path if you are not ready. Following her also opens up the path to divine lunacy. Artists, seers, healers - those whose skill lies in inspiration, dreams, and empathy - will find their true power through Hekate. If she does not drive them mad first. Only the strong will survive, but the gifts she offers are truly rich. So how does a modern worshipper venerate Hekate? Clearly, some of the historically accurate methods are somewhat less than suitable, as indicated by the quotes to the right. Personally, parading about naked at night in the forest, killing black animals, and burning them strikes me as a little too attention-grabbing. Attention from the wrong people. But there is information and hints at what could be offered. Black hair, plucked from the centre of the forehead makes an acceptable offering. Possibly fetishes carved or molded in the forms of dogs, sheep and cattle - and painted black - would be accepted. Mingled libations - usually of red wine and olive oil - are clearly appropriate, preferably poured over the sacrifice prior to immoliation. Part of the "desirable" aspect of a sacrifice is its physical state - as perfect as possible. The other is its value. Purchasing an expensive cut of meat and offering it up seems a reasonable sacrifice. For the less "bloody" minded, why not collect black objects from nature - feathers, wool, hair, shells, and pebbles? The difficulty in tracking down beautiful specimens could, in itself, make a worthy offering. I have also read elsewhere of leaving offerings of uncooked grain on shards of pottery at three-way crossroads - a likely throwback to Hekate's less "dark" nature. But this is also eminently suited to a chthonic god as grains are produce of the earth. Try and find a range of black and white ones to symbolise both aspects of her nature. The devotee of Hekate will find that life changes in all ways. Embrace the shadow path, for you will spend many nights running its length. Embrace your inner strength, for you will need it. If you are a man, be aware that the male worshippers of Hekate have traditionally been eunuchs - beings that walk between the sexes. This does not mean you will need to emasculate yourself by any means. But the demands of this god are a rich wine that leads you places you would not expect. For the power of Hekate is intensely female - the dark, hidden mystery of the ancient goddess that offers both life and death. Hekate is not one for the shrinking violet. She will change you in many ways. |
Primary Article - Akitu and the Festival of Inanna
Secondary Article - Worshipping the Underworld: the Chthonic Deities
Return to the Index of articles for Seasonal Festivals
