Also called Hekate, Trioditis, Phosphoros, Propylaia, Kleidouchos.
Their story
Hesiod praises Hecate above almost all others, saying Zeus honoured her with a share of earth, sea and sky. In the Homeric Hymn to Demeter she heard Persephone cry out and went with Demeter, torches in hand, to seek her. Afterwards she became Persephone's companion and guide.
Their day
Monday. In modern practice, Hecate is often honoured on Monday, the day of the Moon, with which she was linked in late antiquity.
Best times to give to them
- the dark moon at the end of the lunar month (Hekate's Deipnon)
- crossroads at night
- Mondays
- when crossing a threshold such as a new home or job
What they like being given
- a small meal of bread, eggs, garlic or cheese
- honey cakes
- garlic
- candles or torches
- myrrh or other incense
How to honour them
- Clean your house thoroughly before the dark moon and offer Hecate a small meal on her Deipnon.
- Keep a small shrine or image of her near your front door to guard the home.
- Light a candle for her when facing a difficult choice.
- Give to a shelter for the homeless or for dogs, echoing the ancient custom of feeding those in need.
How they can help you
- difficult choices and crossroads
- protection of the home
- transitions and new beginnings
- magic and spiritual study
- guidance through dark times
Symbols
- twin torches
- keys
- dogs
- the crossroads
- the strophalos (spinning wheel)
If you leave a Deipnon at a real crossroads, choose food that wildlife can eat safely and leave no litter or wax behind.
Festivals
- Hekate's Deipnon Monthly, on the last day of the lunar month just before the new moon; the date here is only a typical example
Herbs linked with them
- Garlic Allium sativum
More Greek goddesses
- Hera Queen of heaven and guardian of marriage
- Athena Grey-eyed goddess of wisdom and craft
- Artemis Lady of wild things and the hunt
- Aphrodite Foam-born goddess of love and beauty
- Hestia Goddess of the hearth and the home fire
- Demeter Mother of the grain and the harvest
- Persephone Queen of the underworld and the returning spring
- Selene The moon herself, driving her silver chariot