Hecate is an ancient and powerful Goddess that dates back to pre-Hellenic Greece, and quite possibly has ties to the ancient Egyptian frog-headed Goddess Heq and the Neolithic Mother Goddess.  In pre-Classical times Hecate ruled over heaven, earth and sea, and was said to preside over childbirth, magic, ritual, prophetic vision, death, the underworld and the secrets of regeneration.

In Classical Greek mythology many of her attributes were spit off and distributed to other goddesses while Hecate was relegated to the underworld as its Queen and the Guardian of the Souls.

During the 15^th to the 17^th century when the inquisition exterminated 9 million witches (80 % being women including young girls) Hecate degenerated into the shadowy haunting Queen of the Witches and became a symbol of the dark feminine.

In our Circle on November 12, 2010, we reclaimed Hecate and offered insight into the positive qualities of Her aspects.  As the Crone and the Guardian of the Crossroads Hecate is able to see the past and future as well as the present and can offer wisdom and guidance when important decisions need to be made.  In her aspect of Queen of the Underworld She presides over growth and transformation helping us to release what is no longer serving us so we can make room for the new.

Hecate, as Guardian of the Souls, lights the way as souls make their transitions through the veil into the land of the dead, which is a resting place where souls await rebirth.  As Mistress of Magic and Divination Hecate helps us use and master the mysteries to guide our growth and progress.  And as Guardian of the Unconscious, which is a modern aspect of Hecate, she is the Dark Goddess who assists us as we wrestle with our shadow and our egoic nature that keep us stuck in negative self-defeating behaviors, attitudes and beliefs.

During our ritual we circled three stations on a central altar.  We were given the opportunity to release into Hecate’s cauldron whatever behavior, challenge, relationship or issue that was blinding, binding, disorienting, or weakening us while we asked Hecate to purify and prepare us for rebirth.  Then we circled to the second altar and lit a candle asking Hecate for her guidance and clarity of vision, as well as for a favorable outcome.  At the third altar we withdrew from a womb of transformation a crystal bead representing a dream seed which we infused with inspiration and motivation for the goal or opportunity we were calling into our lives.  It was deeply moving ritual and thought-provoking ritual which offered opportunities for release and transformation.

For those who missed the Circle on Hecate you may visit my the Temple of Feminine Wisdom on my website (celebratedivinefeminine.com) to read more about Hecate and download the slide show presentation and guided visualization that are available. (a very nominal fee is charged)

Click here for information on upcoming In Her Name Circles.

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