Hekate

[Fiamma]

Why is there such a hyperbolic focus on the "crone" or "witch" aspect of Hekate?

If she's so popular why does no one seem to acknowledge for example that she was a young maiden nurse of children, described as "tender"?

And where do people find that she was the one who went and got Persephone from the underworld? in the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, it is Hermes that goes after her.

[Lunacie]

It's a sad commentary on this society, that we tend to put on labels and put into boxes.

But it may also be that she's such a good role model for "crones" when it's very hard to find such a thing in our society or in other religions.

[EvieLee]

If I remember last semester's mythology course right, then Hecate didn't fetch Persephone from the underworld, she pointed Demeter to Helios to ask what had happened to her and then accompanied Persephone down to the underworld whenever she was seperated from her mother. That's a big "if" by the way as I failed that course some how. :S

It could be one of those translation things where different translations say different things.

[Theres]

It could be one of those translation things where different translations say different things.
could be, but the vase paintings showing Hekate as Propolos are pretty strong evidence for Her escorting Persephone back to Demeter from Hades' realm.

[Caitlin.ann]

Oh, this is an interesting thread. Personally I adore the image of Hekate, and I really feel that I can relate to her. Though I must admit that I've recently viewed her more of a dark, maiden goddess than anything as of late. I'm not sure why. I suppose I can attribute that to my friend's own personal interactions with Hekate, and many things I've read of her regarding her as a dark goddess. Hopefully I can change my own paradigm of her soon, as I also feel she is a loving, kind goddess as well.

If I may though, I am currently in mythology, and I figured I could add my two cents on how she became associated with Persephone. In my text book Myths and their Meaning, Hecate helped Demeter search for Persephone and remained with her in the Underworld. She sent forth all sorts of demons and phantoms to the land of the living. She was the personification of the terror of the night.

So I suppose thats where her dark reputation comes from. So basically, it was Hecate who helped Demeter search for Persephone, and found that she was stuck in the Underworld, although it was Hermes who actually brought her back to the land of the living. :)

[Theres]

Oh, this is an interesting thread. Personally I adore the image of Hekate, and I really feel that I can relate to her. Though I must admit that I've recently viewed her more of a dark, maiden goddess than anything as of late. I'm not sure why. I suppose I can attribute that to my friend's own personal interactions with Hekate, and many things I've read of her regarding her as a dark goddess. Hopefully I can change my own paradigm of her soon, as I also feel she is a loving, kind goddess as well.

She was only ever depicted as a maiden in ancient times, although this should not be misunderstood to be 'Maiden', as in the Wiccan context.

and while Hekate wore many hats, including nurse and companion, one should never forget that this goddess is called "dark" for a reason. shining those torches into the innermost recesses of one's soul is not often kind and loving, but it can be highly beneficial. but you make a good point in that She is much more than merely the 'Queen of Hags' which is often the only depiction we see of Her.

[DixieWitch]

She was only ever depicted as a maiden in ancient times, although this should not be misunderstood to be 'Maiden', as in the Wiccan context.

and while Hekate wore many hats, including nurse and companion, one should never forget that this goddess is called "dark" for a reason. shining those torches into the innermost recesses of one's soul is not often kind and loving, but it can be highly beneficial. but you make a good point in that She is much more than merely the 'Queen of Hags' which is often the only depiction we see of Her.

I _inlove_ Theres!!! You once helped me learn a lot about Hekate!! I can always count on you to be in a thread when Hekate is the subject!!! Personally, I see Hekate as all 3 forms...maiden, mother and crone. And I once celebrated all 3 aspects. But I do tend to see here more as the Crone, a little less as the Mother then the Maiden. But that's because of my age, life and other stuff!!!

[Theres]

I _inlove_ Theres!!! You once helped me learn a lot about Hekate!! I can always count on you to be in a thread when Hekate is the subject!!
Dixie???

:confused:

[Theres]

okay then, Lunacie has straightened me out (i have signatures turned off).

it occurs to me that i owe you some yew, don't i?

[Prophecy]

Oh, this is an interesting thread. Personally I adore the image of Hekate, and I really feel that I can relate to her. Though I must admit that I've recently viewed her more of a dark, maiden goddess than anything as of late. I'm not sure why. I suppose I can attribute that to my friend's own personal interactions with Hekate, and many things I've read of her regarding her as a dark goddess. Hopefully I can change my own paradigm of her soon, as I also feel she is a loving, kind goddess as well.

If I may though, I am currently in mythology, and I figured I could add my two cents on how she became associated with Persephone. In my text book Myths and their Meaning, Hecate helped Demeter search for Persephone and remained with her in the Underworld. She sent forth all sorts of demons and phantoms to the land of the living. She was the personification of the terror of the night.

So I suppose thats where her dark reputation comes from. So basically, it was Hecate who helped Demeter search for Persephone, and found that she was stuck in the Underworld, although it was Hermes who actually brought her back to the land of the living. :)

You are correct about the darker side of Hekate. She is considered "all things" a Goddess of all. The tri-formus suggests the maiden-mother-crone for all stages of life etc. She can be dark grey or the light bringer. She is the matron of medicine, matron of knowledge and matron of light. She can and will light the way for one or open their deepest hidden secrets to be dealt with, the knowledge she can pass to one is all knowing and can be utilized for all purposes great and small. She will appear to whomever she calls to and calls to her. But there are ways to follow if you are to call upon her. She is considered by most as "The Witch Queen" she can/will bless, heal and even curse whatever the case may be, for she is Hekate.
"Hekate was one of the only Titans who kept power and status after the
Titans lost their war with the Olympians.." She will guide those who wish it.

[DixieWitch]

Dixie???

:confused:

Yes, this is DixieWitch!!!! I changed my name a few months ago...right before I disappeared for about 6 months from the site!!

[DixieWitch]

okay then, Lunacie has straightened me out (i have signatures turned off).

it occurs to me that i owe you some yew, don't i?
Wow I totally forgot about that!!!! Yeah you were supposed to send me some in the spring time I think!! ~lol~ Life gets in the way of everything!!!:lol:

[Theres]

well it's still sitting on my altar, and i did finally find a long skinny box, so i'll try and get that in the mail right after the holidays.

:)

[dawnmedos]

i think many pagans today don´t research their deitys well.
when someone writes hekate is a crone in a book, many people
handle this information without questioning it further.

hekate is connected with many symbols that she shares with the modern
crone goddess concept- transitions, wisdom, magic, witchcraft, ghosts and
spirits, death and rebirth, night etc. so many modern pagans put her in the
crone concept.
many mistakes and views about hekate got popular threw the books of barbara walker- she descriebes hekate mainly as a crone goddess and i think
her books influenced many pagans- especial women.


i experienced hekate always as a very beautiful goddess, also in her
dark aspects she is very beauteous.

[siannan 13]

Hecate is a very ancient Goddess. She is a Titan, the greek race of Gods preceding the Olympians. Titans are usually associated to primitive forces.

Heckate was a virgin goddess for the old greeks.
During the late Antiquity, some groups began making what we would call nowdays "black magic", and they made rituals to Hecate since she is a goddess of magic.

Thus she came to be known as an old crone, whereas she used to be called the eternal maiden.

Hecate leads the deads to Persephone's realm.

Also She is a maiden, she is the one who protects the babies and children (or take them with her...).

Hecate is also linked to the Moon. A traditional offering to Hecate is oignons, for they grow according to Moon phases.

Her links to the Moon must be the reason why dianic wiccans celebrate her as a tripple Goddess symbolised by the 3 phases of the Moon.

[Invidosa]

Can anyone direct me to a well written book/resource on Hecate? I would really like to delve deeper into her mythology, but as some have already pointed out, most sources pay only a passing glimpse and assign her directly into the crone category.