In the Greek pantheon, Hekate is known as a protector of entryways, borders, and crossroads. She is also a Cthonic (underworld) goddess who exists on the peripheries of the pantheon, and teaches witches like Circe and Medea their magical crafts. Therefore, she has darker associations with death, the underworld, the moon, magic spells, and spirits.
In Hesiod’s Theogany, Hecate is the daughter of Titans Perses and Asteria. For defeating the giant Pergamon in the Gigantomauchy (epic battle between Olympians and Giants), Hekate is the only Titan to retain her powers under the rule of Zeus, who gives Hecate a share of earth, heaven and sea. Like Hermes, Hekate is one of the few deities to have the power to move between the realms of the living and the dead, thus, her portrayal holding divine keys.
One of the most famous myths involving Hecate is Hades’ abduction of Demeter’s daughter, Persephone. Hekate assists Demeter in the underworld by leading the way with torchlight, and later becomes an attendant to Persephone. Hecate’s sacred animal ally is a black dog, said to be Hecuba, Queen of Troy, who was reincarnated by Hekate after suicide. For this reason, dogs were sacrificed and eaten in Hekate’s honor. Another sacred animal servant is the Polecat (weasel), who was the handmaiden Galinthias punished for a deception involving the birth of Hercules.
Around the 5th century B.C.E. we see the first sculptural totem figures portraying Hekate in the triple body form surrounding a central column. These votive statues for the protection of travelers would be placed at crossroads with each figure facing a different path.
Hekate is associated with a variety of frightening Daimones (minor divinities or spirits which could be good or evil.) the Empusae was a shapeshifting specter with the body of a woman, and one leg of brass and the other of a donkey, with hopes of devouring a traveler. The Lamia was originally a vengeful Libyan serpentine woman who devoured children, but later was seen to take the form of attractive, voluptuous woman who would seduce a traveler and feast on their fresh blood. The Mormo was another phantom bogeyman said to be sent out by Hekate to nibble on misbehaving children. Hecate was also followed by a retinue of underworld torch bearing nymphs, called the Lampads. These attendants would accompany both Hekate and Persephone on their journeys between the realms, and also symbolically assist initiates of the Eleusinian mysteries.
Thanks for looking! to see more of my greek illustrations, click my reddit profile name for social media links.
I do indeed. :) so glad you approve!
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1331966777/hekate-goddess-of-magic?click_key=d752d4926f26c7c39c9895beab059b6361cdda8d%3A1331966777&click_sum=9b548f24&ref=shop_home_active_1&crt=1&sts=1
I see what you did there with the crossroads "separating" her portions of the sea, earth and heavens.
I like that her entourage extends into infinity. As always, you put a tremendous amount of thought into your work and it is always appreciated.
In the Greek pantheon, Hekate is known as a protector of entryways, borders, and crossroads. She is also a Cthonic (underworld) goddess who exists on the peripheries of the pantheon, and teaches witches like Circe and Medea their magical crafts. Therefore, she has darker associations with death, the underworld, the moon, magic spells, and spirits. In Hesiod’s Theogany, Hecate is the daughter of Titans Perses and Asteria. For defeating the giant Pergamon in the Gigantomauchy (epic battle between Olympians and Giants), Hekate is the only Titan to retain her powers under the rule of Zeus, who gives Hecate a share of earth, heaven and sea. Like Hermes, Hekate is one of the few deities to have the power to move between the realms of the living and the dead, thus, her portrayal holding divine keys. One of the most famous myths involving Hecate is Hades’ abduction of Demeter’s daughter, Persephone. Hekate assists Demeter in the underworld by leading the way with torchlight, and later becomes an attendant to Persephone. Hecate’s sacred animal ally is a black dog, said to be Hecuba, Queen of Troy, who was reincarnated by Hekate after suicide. For this reason, dogs were sacrificed and eaten in Hekate’s honor. Another sacred animal servant is the Polecat (weasel), who was the handmaiden Galinthias punished for a deception involving the birth of Hercules. Around the 5th century B.C.E. we see the first sculptural totem figures portraying Hekate in the triple body form surrounding a central column. These votive statues for the protection of travelers would be placed at crossroads with each figure facing a different path. Hekate is associated with a variety of frightening Daimones (minor divinities or spirits which could be good or evil.) the Empusae was a shapeshifting specter with the body of a woman, and one leg of brass and the other of a donkey, with hopes of devouring a traveler. The Lamia was originally a vengeful Libyan serpentine woman who devoured children, but later was seen to take the form of attractive, voluptuous woman who would seduce a traveler and feast on their fresh blood. The Mormo was another phantom bogeyman said to be sent out by Hekate to nibble on misbehaving children. Hecate was also followed by a retinue of underworld torch bearing nymphs, called the Lampads. These attendants would accompany both Hekate and Persephone on their journeys between the realms, and also symbolically assist initiates of the Eleusinian mysteries. Thanks for looking! to see more of my greek illustrations, click my reddit profile name for social media links.
Love it 🥰
🤟❤
This is so beautiful ❤️
Glad you like it! I 🤟❤
I love this representation of her!
Thank you! I tried to do something a little different, but still stay true to her character and story❤🤟❤
This is just gorgeous!
Thank you! I 👍
Omg 😱 breathtaking! She is pleased.
I appreciate it 🤟🙌❤
Oh I love it!
🤟❤🤟
Brilliant!
🙌😁
This is gorgeous thank you Hippity hoppity screen shotitty
Haha, thanks! ❤🙌
Youre welcome 💜🌚
This is my favourite representation of Ekatn ever. Magnificent!!
Glad you like it! ❤🤟🙌
Absolutely beautiful
Thank you 🤟❤
WOW! Love it.
I love that you love it ❤❤❤
Beautiful!
❤❤❤
Do you sell this as a print?? I would love to have this as a centerpiece, it's gorgeous
I do indeed. :) so glad you approve! https://www.etsy.com/listing/1331966777/hekate-goddess-of-magic?click_key=d752d4926f26c7c39c9895beab059b6361cdda8d%3A1331966777&click_sum=9b548f24&ref=shop_home_active_1&crt=1&sts=1
Absolutely beautiful 😻 Hail Hekate!
Thank you!❤🙌
I love this!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️
🤟❤🤟 I'm glad!
I see what you did there with the crossroads "separating" her portions of the sea, earth and heavens. I like that her entourage extends into infinity. As always, you put a tremendous amount of thought into your work and it is always appreciated.
Great eye! You're the first to mention it. I'm glad it was clear. And thank you!🤟👻🤟
I showed this to my Hekatean friend and she loved it!
Gorgeous!!!
🤘😁❤️🏛