Hekate

[RubyBlue]

Merry meet!

Hi, i'm new here, i think this board is lovely.

I just have a few q's if no one minds. Out of (seemingly) no where Hekate has come into my life. She seems to want my attention. I meditated a few days ago and Hekate was there. That could be because i have been constantly thinking of Her.

I must admit i am a little scared. I have heard lots of conflicting things about Hekate. Some say She is misunderstood.....some say She is very,very dark.

Could anyone help me out? Have i invited Her into my life without knowing? I'm confused and quite unnerved. :(

It may sound silly, but nothing bad will happen to me will it?

Thank you for reading.

[Mnemosyne]

MM, RubyBlue! :) Hhhmm, I don't know if you accidentally invited Hekate into your life. So many people try to get in touch with a deity, but have troubles. So perhaps you should see yourself as blessed to have a goddess in your life.

Yes, I see Hekate as kind of dark. Many people here work with Hekate. Check out this link.

http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4218&highlight=hecate

You'll find it very informative.

[Arduinna]

You might want to check out Hesiod's Theogony

http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/hesiod/theogony.htm

specifically starting at verse 404 (although Hekate isn't mentioned until 411). It talks about how Zeus honored her above all others and gave her glorious gifts and part of the heavens, sea and earth. He pretty much sings her praises.

In the story of Persophone they talk about how Hekate was a maiden friend of hers and that she went to Demeter to help her find her missing daughter. She is one of the few that can venture to Hades and return.

My work with her has been very enlightening and I don't see her as dark myself. She actually shines the light in the hidden places to discover things yet unseen, or that I've chosen to forget. I also don't see her as the crone that has been attribitued to her in more recent history. The artwork done of her in greek times does not show her as a crone in a triple gooddess archtype. Although it does sometimes show her with three faces, they are all the same face of a young maiden. Not an old crone.

I've found her to be more than willing to help, but be careful what you ask for you will very likely get it.

[catlin]

Be careful when you work with a Goddess like Hecate.

I usually work with Morrigan/Kali which are both considered as "dark". It is pretty likely that you will meet your shadow or will be confronted with situations in your life which may bring you to an edge, I mean which will challenge you to make you more enduring, tougher.

[Nina]

Hecate is my patron Goddess - I didn't chose her, she chose me. I like Aduinna's choice of phrase - I also find Hecate shines a light into dark places I don't want to go or am avoiding. She is very strong in my life when I am avoiding doing something I need to do, or when I need to change something. She is a very strong Goddess, and certainly loving, but it can sometimes be tough love.

However, over the last couple of years that I have worked with her, I find her strength and protectiveness wonderful, and the changes I have made in my life have been the right ones, however difficult they are.

When I become aware of the change that needs to occur, I always go to her in my meditation - I gain a great deal of comfort knowing that I have her at my side, even when the things I have to do are extremely difficult.

If she is calling to you, I really recommend taking a good look at yourself, your relationships, any situations you might be in that may need to change. She is very purposeful, and I doubt she would come to you unless she has a message.

Be strong, be respectful, and be thankful, and you shouldn't run into any problems.

[RubyBlue]

Wow, thank you for the very informative replies Mnemosyne, Arduinna, catlin, Nina.

Everything seems clearer now. There is one relationship that isn't too good -sometimes abusive and is not helping me at all. When i was in meditation, Hekate told me she "needed to do this" and pushed me, i fell off this edge thingy, and met my deceased dad, grandmother and grandfather. Can anyone relate to that? This is the only place where i could say this and not be carted away!

Also, will the excellent, life-line kinda relationships be safe and ok? And will my loved ones be safe and ok?

Thanks for the fabulous replies and thanks for reading this.

[Twilight Garden]

Originally posted by RubyBlue
Could anyone help me out? Have i invited Her into my life without knowing? I'm confused and quite unnerved. :(

It may sound silly, but nothing bad will happen to me will it?
I don't know if you have invited her into your life. I don't know how you have worked with her. Maybe there is something for you to learn or deal with and you need Her assistance.

Hekate is my matron. I work almost exclusively with Her. (I do work with other energies, just not as much as Her.) She is very dark in a sense. Her energy is thick and massive, far from a fluffy deity. She takes no sh!t and doesn't deal with it either. She will only put up with so-much from a person. BUT, With the right person, she can be a very kindred spirit and take your favor. If you are this person, she will help you grow in ways you never knew you would.

I can honestly say that she has been one of the best things to happen in my life. But I can also honestly say that I've met people who have worked very closely with her and felt that she may have been the cause of some very negative things, even tragedies, in their life.

You will have to figure this out on your own. I'm sorry. Nobody will truly be able to answer your questions except you and the gods. And I fully agree with Nina:
If she is calling to you, I really recommend taking a good look at yourself, your relationships, any situations you might be in that may need to change. She is very purposeful, and I doubt she would come to you unless she has a message.

[RubyBlue]

Thank you for the advice LunarMist.

I have to admit i am absolutley terrified beyond belief.

I'm terrified something bad will happen. I haven't invoked Hekate or anything like that. I haven't done any ritual or magick for a long time, well a year. I just don't know what to do. :(

[Amber Ravenstar]

Hecate has been my patroness since before I even had a name for the Pagan beliefs I was beginning to feel, way back when I was about 13. I have never felt any reason to fear her, quite the opposite, actually.
In all this time, I have never been able to see her truly in the Crone aspect. She's always been the Dark Maiden to me, a blend of sorceress and warrior energy, and more of a Big Sister than Mother figure.
One of the most powerful encounters I have had with her was in a dream years ago. We were in a room with a mirror, and when I looked into the mirror, in my reflection I wore her face and she wore mine. I woke with her voice singing in my ears; "I am you, and you are me. This is what I came to tell you."

[Mnemosyne]

Originally posted by RubyBlue

Also, will the excellent, life-line kinda relationships be safe and ok? And will my loved ones be safe and ok?



I don't know exactly what you are asking here. Do you mean is it safe to work with Hekate, and will your loved ones be ok if you do? As Catlin wrote always be careful when you are working with a deity.

Are you suggesting that Hekate is a bit harsh with you? Maybe she is teaching you to be tough. I know that darker goddesses teach people to gain more self-esteem and toughen up. Since I don't personally work with Hekate, I don't know though.

By the way, thanks Arduinna for posting the Hesiod references. I am such a fan of Hesiod. He really taught me about the Greek deities from a mythological point.

[Nina]

Originally posted by RubyBlue
There is one relationship that isn't too good -sometimes abusive and is not helping me at all. When i was in meditation, Hekate told me she "needed to do this" and pushed me, i fell off this edge thingy, and met my deceased dad, grandmother and grandfather.

Wow, just got the chills - the way Hecate came to me was when I was in an abusive relationship, and I wasn't facing reality, just thinking "If I can be a better person this won't happen anymore". Everything in my life fell apart - my finances, I lost my home, the support of my family - a very, very tough time. One morning, I woke up very early to hear my name being called. On my way to work, I simply decided never to go back home. I got back the support of my family, my work colleagues, and everything fell into place so quickly.

She can really give you a kick up the backside if you don't listen to her. She doesn't suffer fools gladly, but if She has decided that you need her in your life, She has seen something, an inner strength, perhaps, that you don't know you have.

She is with you for a reason. Don't be frightened of Her, She is not malicious or full of trickery. She is someone who always (to me, anyway) speaks the truth, even if it is a difficult truth. If you meditate and ask Her what is the right way to go, She will tell you. You don't have to follow Her advice - free-will and all that - but it's normally very good advice.

PM me if you want - and lots of hugs and energy your way.

[RubyBlue]

Once again, thank you everyone for your reply. They have been very helpful. :)


Mnemosyne, i'm sorry, i wasn't very clear. I was asking if my really good relationships (and the people in them) will be safe? I'm a little scared that something bad will happen to those people, and i need them in my life.

Thank you Nina and Amber Ravenstar also for your replies.

I'm sorry i'm firing so much questions at you all.

[Mnemosyne]

Oh, don't worry, I understood your question quite well actually. People in your life will be safe. After all, Hekate can bring good into an individual's life- just look at how the goddess helped Nina. If I were you, I would totally follow Nina's advice; she knows what she is talking about.

Also, do you guys think that Hekate is a goddess associated with Samhain? I do. RubyBlue, you should give Hekate good reverence next Thursday.

Brightest Blessings

[Twilight Garden]

Originally posted by Mnemosyne
Also, do you guys think that Hekate is a goddess associated with Samhain? I do. RubyBlue, you should give Hekate good reverence next Thursday. I very much associate Hekate with Samhain. It is one of my bigger celebrations. I do quite a bit of meditating and scrying around that time.

Also RubyBlue, I understand your fears, but I think they are probably something you need to face. Nothing is going to happen to your family that wouldn't happen reguardless of whether you are working with Hekate or not. Hekate just usually cuts the crap, so-to-speak. If anything was going to happen, it may happen quicker, and it could be something really great. (Who knows? She is a very rewarding deity.) Dark and powerful doesn't necessarily mean bad. I don't know how new this is to you. Knowing that could help explain a bit of your fear. Working with any deity can be very powerful or very weak depending on how you get on with that particular energy.

She has brought me many wonderful things and realizations. To me she is a fabulous energy to have around and as far as I can tell she will always be my protectress.

[Nina]

Mnemosyne - Samhain is absolutely a great time to honour Hecate.

Just like LunarMist says, it's one of my biggest celebrations. I have a lot to be thankful this year, and Samhan is the perfect time to go over the events (wow, the BIG events in my life!) of the last year. I'm getting so much better at SEEING what is really going on underneath the surface, and choosing the right way to deal with it.

Hecate is dark, she is powerful - you wouldn't find Her skipping through a meadow picking flowers! - but that doesn't mean She causes suffering. All my suffering in the past wasn't Her doing, She just hurried things along when She knew I wasn't going to do anything.

I've gone from being a frightened little girl with no self-esteem who EXPECTED to be treated badly, to a grown woman who realises that there is very little I can't deal with if I face it head-on. And with that realisation comes the one that I AM worth something, and that I deserve the happiness I have in my life. And I am happy! I may just have had a bit of a disappointment about the man that I had fallen in love with, but I have not fallen apart. He wasn't right for me, and I didn't cling on to the relationship and get even more hurt. I thank Hecate for the self-esteem I've got. So I'm single - so what? I have my family, my friends, my Goddess, and I've got you guys!!!

[Mnemosyne]

Originally posted by Nina

I've gone from being a frightened little girl with no self-esteem who EXPECTED to be treated badly, to a grown woman who realises that there is very little I can't deal with if I face it head-on. And with that realisation comes the one that I AM worth something, and that I deserve the happiness I have in my life. And I am happy! I may just have had a bit of a disappointment about the man that I had fallen in love with, but I have not fallen apart. He wasn't right for me, and I didn't cling on to the relationship and get even more hurt. I thank Hecate for the self-esteem I've got. So I'm single - so what? I have my family, my friends, my Goddess, and I've got you guys!!!

Ditto! I couldn't have said it better. I am glad that the goddess is helping you see your self-worth. I have just gone through the same thing as you. After some time of self-pity, I realized that I had to find happiness within my self and look for the best that life has to offer. During this time, I turned to another strong goddess, Athena. The goddess has really help me find the road to inner happiness.

Brightest Blessings.

[RubyBlue]

Originally posted by Mnemosyne


Also, do you guys think that Hekate is a goddess associated with Samhain? I do. RubyBlue, you should give Hekate good reverence next Thursday.


Thanks Mnemosyne, i had read that, but now i know for sure.
To be honest i have no idea how to honour Hekate. :(

Lunarmist..... i am very new to this - i did practice some magick and rituals last year, but they were pretty insignificant compared to this. I also lost my way from The Path and now i have been brought back to it. I am a total beginner, so everyone i hope you excuse my ignorance.

And thanks for giving me so much in your replies.
I have learned so much!

[Flar's Freyja]

Received this in an e-mail and thought it was a nice ritual to share. I couldn't get on last night to post it then, so I'm sorry that it's a little late.

Goddess of the Week

from: innergoddess@yahoogroups.com

November 7th is the night to honour Hecate, goddess for protection and fertility.

--------------------------

SUGGESTED MANTRA: INTUITION
Hekate is the crone witch goddess that shapes her subjects' lives
in ways not obvious from a conscious perspective. Her mysterious
magic steers you in the right direction at a time when you may feel you are at a crossroad.

SUGGESTED AFFIRMATIONS:
~ I am right here
~ I trust my instincts
~ Each moment shines on me
~ I stand in complete satisfaction
~ At this moment, I have all that I need
~ Today I choose my direction
~ I am choosing my path that is right
~ I can see the direction I need to take

Related essences: Myrhh
Related gemstones: Moonstone
Hecate completes the goddess triad of the Maiden (Persephone), the Mother (Demeter) and the Wise Woman (Hecate). She walks between the seen and unseen world but resides in neither, carrying a flaming torch so she can see where other can't - into the human psyche. She is accompanied by her dog (or horse), her sacred animals, and offers her magical protection in times of danger.If you have that sense of foreboding sitting in your solar plexus, it may be that you are standing at a crossroad, and are unsure about where you need to go next.

Rest assured that Hecate is walking alongside you, carrying her torch with which to guide you.To help you tap into your inner intuition (and therefore Hercate's mysterious magic), choose a divination tool you are comfortable with. Whatever you use to channel the divine power, whether it be crystals, cards, runes pendulums, tea leaves, psychometry (to name a few), use
Hercate's gentle, protective presence to understand images or
impressions presented to you. Have faith that the answer presenting itself to you is sourced directly from your intuition - acknowledge and honour the answer to guide you at the crossroads.

One tool is a pendulum - use a moonstone to connect with Hecate, ideally attached to a necklace or bracelet well worn by you. Ask "yes" or "no" questions. Firstly, ask three questions: 1) What is yes? 2) What is no? 3) May I ask some questions at this time? If you can feel the presence of Hecate, proceed to ask the questions you need to ask, and trust in your inner wisdom to interpret the answers.

[Mnemosyne]

Interesting info, Freyja! :thumbsup:
Did you try this divination today? If so, how did it go? I recall writing that Hekate is also celebrated on November 15. Perhaps I'll look for more info on this celebration.

The article brought up an interesting point about Hekate being part of the triad: Persephone is the maiden; Demeter is the mother, and Hekate is the Crone. (Some say that Artemis could take Persephone's place as the maiden.) I have also heard that Hekate is a part of a triad representing relationships. Hebe is the maiden; Hera is the wife, and Hekate is the widow. That Hekate is connected to some great goddesses. :)

[Flar's Freyja]

Yes, you did write that! :( No, I didn't do the divination last night but I'll very likely be doing it the next time I have time for a ritual. What really caught my attention was the list of affirmations.

I met Hekate last year at Imbolc when I participated in an Imbolc ritual. The High Priest felt moved to have me be the physical stand-in for Hekate as she transferred her reign to Brighid. The energy was so powerful that I was dizzy afterward and really had to work on grounding. Interesting how you referred to her as the widow. She's also the goddess of the crossroads and I thought that the encounter was due to the changes taking place in my life. I knew later that She was there to announce that she would be with me during difficult times with someone I had not yet begun a relationship with :) I wrote a prayer/poem about this experience a while back and posted it in Altar because I didn't want him to see it. I'm off to dig it up and will keep my eye out for info regarding the 15th.

[Flar's Freyja]

This was actually part of an automatic writing experience that I had while journaling:

Dark Mother
Ink flies across pages
Words not my own
This night you speak to me
Of a night long ago
When you possessed me
Yet left me in darkness
Wondering....

You write to me
With my own hand
You give me my task
Fear freezes my heart
Love warms it
Your words caress my soul
Comforting....

I am the Dark Mother
Of the crossroads
I stand with you
As you take his hand
Leading him to Summerland
Strength I will give you
Guiding......

Pain and darkness
Led me here
To this place of
Light and shadow
Your voice calls to me
Dare I accept?
Wavering......

I have made you ready
It is you I have chosen
Trust in me and
He will see all that is me
Within you and through you
And to both of you I give
Healing.

[Pan]

Quite popular, Hecate...

I'm still scared to death of her, but I've been trying to be brave. I've been *gulp* looking at her, but quickly away before she turns her head. I know she knows I'm looking... but actually seeing her eyes.. *shiver* How frightening.

I'm tryin' though! Like something's pulling me to work a little with her. But looking and working are two different things.. *shiver*

[tainted echoes]

i read the original post on this (havent checked the replies really) but i dont believe hekate to be dark. maybe because i dont see things as evil or good, but personally, i think everyone should be given a chance, including dieties. i also dont think anything is by accident, if she's been invited, it's because your subconcious called her. you never know..

[RubyBlue]

Originally posted by Mnemosyne
I recall writing that Hekate is also celebrated on November 15. Perhaps I'll look for more info on this celebration.



Mnemosyne, i read that Hekate is celebrated on Novemer 16th ... i got the info from http://www.hecate.org.uk/sacred.htm ... a link i think you gave me very early on in this post ... i think ...

Passing on the confusion ... :D

[Mnemosyne]

Thanks RubyBlue for clearing up the confusion. I went to some sites today and found out that Hekate is indeed honored on November 16th.

I found this interesting site.

http://pages.ivillage.com/sondaughter_hecate/sonsanddaughtersofhecate/id15.html

The author states that November 16 is the day that followers choose to begin following Hekate. Also, Hekate supposedly wanders the earth on this day and blesses all her followers. You guys can also call on Hekate on this night to help you with divination.

Take care!

[Flar's Freyja]

And it's a Saturday this time:

Ruled by Saturn. Spells to overcome obstacles, neutralizing harmful energy, binding and banishing. A day for protecting by blocking or pushing away negative forces.

http://www.branwenscauldron.com/magickal_days.html

Sounds like a powerful night to do divination AND magick with this powerful goddess to guide us and help us.

[Twilight Garden]

Originally posted by Loki Panwit
Quite popular, Hecate...
Seems that way lately. I've noticed quite a few people being "drawn to her" or the like. It's that time of year. Strangely it seems to have started early this year, like in the spring or something.
Originally posted by Loki Panwit
I'm still scared to death of her,... That's a bit funny because I'm apprehensive of both Pan and Loki. (hee hee, don't tell anyone though) :D

I think Hekate is a very complex, intriguing deity. I think she has many different sides. She shows what she knows you can handle or need. If you invite the darker sides of her into your life, you are sure to see them. If you don't want them, well... either she will or she won't, depending on what you need.

[wunjo]

I have been reading a lot about Hecate. Found an interesting site called Hecatescauldron.org that was very informative. I have never thought myself to be very intuitive or "intouch", and am wondering if She might be of help. I plan to call on her on the 16, (the day before my birthday) when I meditate. I don't know if I will be successful, as I've a very poor track record as far as meditating goes. If sincerety counts, perhaps She will choose to be my guide.

[Mnemosyne]

Happy Birthday, Wunjo! This weeks will be really special to you. Besides being your birthday, I sense that you will get a better understanding for Hekate. Thanks for reminding the members here that November 16th is a special day to honor Hekate. Think positive and keep on meditating! :)

[Mnemosyne]

It seems like there are loads of opportunities to honor Hecate in October and November. On November 30, it is a special day for Hecate. It's called Hecate at the crossroads. On this day, those who honor her, leave food out for her. I read about this day on loads of sites. These sites mention it briefly. Some are good Hecate sites. http://www.thewhitemoon.com/gallery/Hecate2.html

http://pages.ivillage.com/sondaughter_hecate/sonsanddaughtersofhecate/id15.html (I already posted this site, but I'm posting it again, since it has such great info. )