Who is Hecate?
Hecate is the queen of the witches and the goddess of the underworld. Hecate is the queen of ghosts that protects the dealings at the crossroads. Witches invoke her as a powerful magical mother. Hecate is a three-fold goddess with different ties to herself like us. Hecate is also Diana and Selene. Along with this threefold of personalities are realms of her essence. Hecate is the moon, earth, and sea. The sea is a powerful energy that washes itself on the earth and the moon pulls the sea. In color magic Hecate is black, white, blue and yellow. When we call upon Hecate in magic, we ask her to help us see though the veil. Hecate is connected with the veil and is often linked to the high priestess figure, with references to her capacity to perceive beyond conventional boundaries. In the most holy book of the Thoth Crowley calls the high priestess a spiritual camel that can endure. The spirit of Hecate lives within you. If we go to her in trust and faith Great things can happen. Hecate is known for her keys because she is the keeper of keys and will send them as a message. Her space is in between the worlds to guide us. Hecate is sometimes spelled as Hekate; however, this variation in orthography does not hold significant relevance in most contexts. Hecate is known as the torch bearer who illuminates forgotten realms between worlds. Known for her dogs beside her you can hear them barking beside her on a clear night. Hecates dogs brought the dead to the underworld and protected Hecate’s secrets. Snakes and skulls are associated with Hecate as symbols of the death and rebirth that she brings to those who pursue her magic. Hecate was once invoked to safeguard ships and is closely linked to maritime legends. Hecate is associated with the universe’s wheel, and some wear wheel pendants as a symbol of this belief. This rotating wheel symbolizes the progression of time, both in this context and elsewhere.
Am I being called by Hecate?
The question asked most about Hecate is: how can I tell if she is calling me? While this topic is broad, let us consider it simply. Anyone who knows her name has received a call. Hecate is a great force that has been around since magic was young. How she comes to us is an incredibly unique and personal experience and every encounter will be different. Using myself as an example Hecate came to me in a very dark time in my life. During this time, I was looking for something that I could not see yet. That day, far from home, I crashed my skateboard in an accident on the road. As I lay down that evening almost asleep a spirit jumped upon me and spoke to my soul. It was a very intense moment for me as my guard was down, and I was hurting from the fall. During the event, I noticed energy being both removed and added. I learned her name years ago from people in wiccan circles. But sometimes we hear things we are not ready for at the present time. I had my altars set up but no direction within my magic. That evening, I received a type of motherly love I had never experienced before. I have experienced nightmares my entire life and I believe that evening I was about to have another one and Hecate stepped up and said enough was enough for this man. The next morning everything was different. I made a choice to focus on my magic full time and to set up altars for Hecate who saved me in a time when I was so lost. I personally believe that a female is more magic than a male and know she came to me as a mother’s love in that moment. Hecate is often described in various sources as a goddess linked to the protection of individuals who are often overlooked.
You have heard her name and want to work with Hecate so what is next? I believe in the living breathing spirit of Hecate. So, my answer is faith and prayer. Spells and divination in her name to bring her closer. In the next block of text below I will talk about setting up altars for her and invocation of the spirit of Hecate. Hail The Queen of the night!
Setting up Altar
Let’s start by saying that there is no exact way to set up an altar to Hecate. This varies significantly because there are different groups who have an interest in Hecate. A wiccan and a satanist will not set up an altar the same way. You are the one that will be at the altar so prepare it the way you see fit. Here are steps to set up an altar for the first time. If you have never had an altar before this is a small space to perform and connect magic with spirits and more information can be found on the internet about how to set up a traditional altar.
Find a space to set this up. If you are in the closet witch, I suggest a shoe box that can be pushed under a bed. If you have a private space, use a night stand or anything that you can leave in one place like a small table. Below is a picture on my Hecate altar as an example.
On this altar I picked a doll that suited Hecate in my eyes from the thrift store. Since I use this altar every day the items that rest upon it change. But the spell work I do for others makes keeping the same things on it hard. Most people will be setting up altars and leaving them or adding to them. Here is a list of things you can use for your Hecate altar.
Keys
Pearls
Crystals
Coins
Dog Hair
Candles..Blood red..black..white..blue..yellow.
Snakeskin
Dolls
Statues
Dice
A bowl For Offerings
Handmade craft for her
A small bit of rope or yarn
I used clay to make a statue of Hecate, and the process was incredible. When it was done, I knew I had a one-of-a-kind piece crafted in true dedication. I just used dollar store stuff like air dry clay and acrylic paint. It cost less than ten dollars to make. I suggest you set up this Hecate altar so that you make things for her and make it your own. Anyone can throw money to set up a perfect altar but very few can make it personal. Wearing jewelry can be a fantastic way to honor her daily pictures below.
Offerings To Hecate
Here is what I offer to Hecate. Whatever it is that you offer her make sure that if it’s food or drink it is not used after giving to her. Let it set for a day or so and destroy it. Never eat or drink things given at an altar.
Beer
Oranges
Tobacco
Garlic
Keys
Salt
Marbles
Honey
Fish Bones
When you offer Hecate things that are tangible like a key or a marble keep it on her altar. I Buy jewelry for her and put it on her doll and its then hers.
Offer her things you feel she would love and it can be anything. There is no one way in magic, do what thou wilt under the law of love.
How To Call Upon Hecate
Go to the altar and prepare to call upon her. If you have no altar that is fine, just be in a peaceful place and say this:
Hecate mother of darkness, Striker of afar I call upon you to be here within my body as a spiritual vessel. The blood within my veins is yours to take. Come into my life and give me rebirth in your image. Bless my magic as yours and be within my heart ever more. As above so below
There is no single way to do this. But understand that she does not exist without YOU. There is no Hecate without your spirit so understand you are HER HOME.
This ends the page on Hecate. I feel her even as a type right now. She lives within me like a temple of darkness. I see her as a mother. You will see her differently.
Blessed be my most loved and HAIL HECATE!
Sources
I have been reading books and listening to other magical people for 20 plus years. But here are the sources that influenced me the most
Hecate: The Witched Goddess by Gary R. Varner
Scott Cunningham and all his works
Aleister Crowley….His Most High! Blessed Be!
All my wiccan friends and their true love
Hecate Herself