Encountering Hecate...
a peek into my new book on the goddess of Magick and Witchcraft
[Phoebe] bore also Asteria, whom it is good to speak of; of whom Perses later brought home to his great house to be known as his dear wife. There she conceived and bore Hecate, whom Zeus son of Kronos honoured above all others, granting her magnificent privileges: a share both of the earth and the undraining sea. From the starry heaven too she has a portion of honour, and she is the most honoured by the immortal gods. Even now, when an earthly man sacrificing fine offerings makes ritual propitiation, he invokes Hecate.
from Theogony, Hesiod, Pg 15, translated by M. L. West
Hecate calls out from the darkness. Her steps follow the sound of hounds, daughter of Titans, child of justice and destruction. She is a frequent ally of witches and magick makers, a being whose depth and dark resounds and requests something more. Hecate asks you to arrive clear and steady; she asks you to consider your power and its impact.
Unlike other deities in Greek mythology, Hecate is first mentioned by name in Hesiod’s Theogony. She’s not in the Iliad or the Linear B texts like other godds. She seems to come from the underworld of history, which may seem strange given that she is a goddess so widely celebrated, cherished, and feared. One would think she would be easy to trace, for her name appears in movies, plays, and books.
Scholars repeatedly note how challenging it is to pinpoint her beginning; however, perhaps that is the point.
A deity of the liminal spaces cannot arrive with clear answers. Perhaps it is better, after all, to remember that crossroads offer multiple ways to explore and travel. They offer choices and decision points. This goddess is not easily contained, explained, or controlled. Hecate arrives exactly, to paraphrase Tolkien, as she means to. And as she likes.
Hecate is one of the first deities I wanted to fall on my knees for. And I have. Again and again. I carry stones for her in my purse. I have an altar to her in the middle of my apartment.
She has heard my longing, my rage, and my grief.
She held them gently, as gifts and torches to guide my next steps.
She shakes weak foundations and illuminates dark skies.
I am honored to share some of the magick we’ve done together in this book, "Hecate: Goddess of Magick & Witchcraft.”
(And by the time this post comes out, I should be done with school for a bit. There’s so much more I have coming for you and me and love…)
in love and magick — Irisanya
Classes & Events
Pantheon: Stories of Love, Power & Magick from Greek Mythology - online - TBD
HEARTists Way: Connecting to Creativity & Inspiration - online - TBD
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Um, This post literally appeared in a Substack notification bubble as I researched what will be my 1st tattoo—a stropholos on my back—even now as my tattoo artist is en route…. No more confirmation needed, my dark mother 🖤
Hekate is one of my most cherished divine relationships! Can't wait to read your book!