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5.4.1: Hecate

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    279551
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    As the oldest and most mysterious goddess, Hecate [HEK-uh-tee] was an earthly goddess of the night and magic. Her particular duties were linked to the shades (dead souls) of the underworld and with sorcery, magic and witchcraft. To balance those darker elements, another purview of hers benefited farmers: knowledge and command of “the dark secrets of the reproductive earth,” which may have positioned her to witness the abduction and rape of Persephone (Leeming 174), making her an important character in Demeter’s search and recovery of her daughter and the return of spring.

    Headless Greek marble statue of the goddess Hecate
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Ancient Greek marble statue of Hecate, 2nd century BC from the Temple of Artemis at Aulis. Hecate was frequently associated with the cult of Artemis and their names are frequently linked. In an anachronistic version of the Sacrifice of Iphigenia, Artemis rescues the girl at the moment of her death and transforms her into Hecate. This statue, which is missing the head and arms, ironically exemplifies the silencing of her ancient symbolic power. New Archaeological Museum of Chalcis, Greece. (Photo by Deiadameian, CC BY Wikimedia)
    Three-headed marble statue of the goddess Hecate
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Hecate, 3rd century AD, Yalvaç. Representing the triple nature of the goddess--night, death, and witchcraft or curses, magic and witchcraft--Hecate is a study of contrasting elements: crossroads, gateways and passages; the night sky and light in darkness/lunar lore, childbirth and childcare (despite being childless herself), spirits of the dead, the sea and the wilderness, and healing and toxic plants. In more modern times, she is claimed as a goddess of witches--as in Shakespeare's MacBeth. (Photo by Dosseman CC BY Wikimedia)

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