Day 4 - Favorite Myth or Myths About Hekate
http://www.elfwood.com/~maja666/Hecate.3529252.html
I, of course, love the story of Hekate's role in leading Persephone back to Her mother, Demeter, after Her abduction by Hades. Hekate leading Persephone with Her torches is an image that inspires me to follow those torches that light the way to the Mysteries. However, the myths of Her involvement in witchcraft and necromancy, Her association with Medea, are my favorites. Medea, in my opinion, is a dedicated priestess to Hekate. To choose one myth is difficult, I do like and am inspired by them all.
"As a rule she [Medea] did not spend her time at home, but was busy all day in the temple of Hekate, of whom she was priestess." - Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 3.250
"[Medea curses Jason who plans to abandon her and marry Glauke:] 'By the goddess I worship most of all, my chosen helper Hekate, who dwells in the inner chamber of my house [household shrine], none of them shall pain my heart and smile at it! Bitter will I make their marriage, bitter Kreon's marriage-alliance, and bitter my banishment from the land!" - Euripides, Medea 396
Hekate is shown in many different ways, some not very nice while others are more palatable to most. Certainly Her role as a protectress and nurse to children is quite at odds with the Goddess who teaches witchcraft and poison making.
"Queenly Deo [Demeter] wandered over the earth with flaming torches in her hands [after the abduction of Persephone] ... But when the tenth enlightening dawn had come, Hekate, with a torch in her hands, met her ... [and] sped swiftly with her, holding flaming torches in her hands. So they came to Helios (the Sun), ... and stood in front of his horses" - Homeric Hymn 2 to Demeter 19
"Propitiating the only-begotten Maiden (Koure mounogeneia) [Hekate] with a midnight offering ... Brimo [Hekate], nurse of youth (kourotrophos), Brimo, night-wanderer of the underworld (nyktipolis khthonie), Queen of the dead (anassa eneroi)." - Apollonius Rhodius, Argonautica 3.840
Blessings Nine!
“Medea” by Anthony Frederick Augustus Sandys, 1868
The myth I am most familiar with,the story of when Hekate reunited a mother, Demeter with her daugher, Persephone. I have the most respect and honor for Hekate as she repeatedly assists women in distress. Another example of these traits, author, Ffiona Morgan wrote about during Hallows, when her truck broke down, 5 men stopped to assist, but Ffiona called upon Hekate to assist. At that moment Ffiona felt empowered with the knowledge from Hekate that prevented her from being an another rape victim. Hail to Hekate!
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