Hekate Dadouchos: She Who Lights The World

We don't know the dark like we used to. Before electricity our relationship to the dark was much differnt. There wasn't the extreme light pollution like today. The dark was...well, darker which made the stars brighter. If you've ever been out in the wilderness without a city nearby, you know that the stars are uncountable, we just can't see them like we could in the past. Each one of those stars a torch of their own.

Now imagine walking down a path or road at night trying to find your way on a moonless or cloudy night. That might feel much different than it does today, walking with your flashlight or driving down the road with your brights on or even driving down a suburban road with all the lights chasing all the dark away. I imagine it would feel a lot more frightening not being able to see so easily. It might be hard to see where you're going; the stones, holes, or ruts in your path. It might even be hard to stay on the path, Or would it?

Actually, when you stay in the dark, your eyes adjust to the dark. Pupil dilation and photoreceptors in the eyes help with this. Actually looking at something in your periphreiaml vision provides more photoreceptors. So, embracing the dark, helps illuminate it. There's an entertaining theory (and Mythbuster's actually tested this) that pirates may have worn eye patches on one eye to increase their night vision. Would they switch the patch from one eye to the other when moving on deck or below deck where it was much darker.? Maybe, There isn't any historical proof of this pirate theory, but it is an interesting analagy to our search for answers in our everyday lives.

This occurred to me when I was researching Hekate's epitaphs. Each epitaph resonates with me in a different way at different times in my life, One might scare me at one point and then as I change, or adapt and grow, I come to understand Her in new way. It is illumintating to how I have grrown. I'm different, maybe I've embraced some of my shadows and am no longer scared of that aspect of Her.

Not to be bleak but often the world is a little frightening and unsafe. This makes the face of Hekate Dadouchos, Torchbearing Goddess shine brighter than ever.

dais = torch

echo = to hold, carry

Hecate Dadouchos

"But when at last the tenth morn came to her with the light, Hecate met her, a torch in her hand. She came with a message, and told her story, saying

Revered Demeter, bringer of the seasons, giver of splendid gifts, which one of the gods who dwell in heaven, or which one of the mortal humans seized Persephone and brought grief to your dear spirit? I heard the sounds, but did not see with my eyes who it was. I tell you everything truthfully and in haste.

So spoke Hecate. She received no response from the daughter of beautiful-haired Rhea, instead she sped off with her, holding blazing torches in her hands...."

 "..Homeric Hymn to Demeter Source here

This touch that lights our way in the dark is like being in the safe warm glow providing comfort in times of darkness, for those who are in need of light to find their footing, a beacon to those who are lost, and a directing force to those who are trying to find their way.

As with many others, the torch comes up for me often on my path with Hekate. And today I'd like to break down a bit about the symbolism of torches. This is by no means an exhaustive list but it intrigued me and I thought I would do some research to share with the group. We all need a little more light in the world right now.

The torches of Hecate are a twin pair of magical torches. In vase pantings and statuaries you can find Hekate frequently holding twin torches. They are powerful magic torches and used for many reasons. We know Hecate holds torches. But what do they symbolically mean?

Used to catalyze one's own magic.

Fire and ceremony go together like peas and carrots. Ok, maybe that one doesn't work here but you know what I mean. Fire is elemental. We burn candles in our ceremonies and spells. It has power to it and a life of it's own. It consumes,

Lighting a fire.

Fire brings warmth, comfort and a way to cook our food and sustain ourselves. We use fire for many things in our mundane lives. It gives us comfort. We might not be lighting a fire-persay in our modern world but heat is still generated by a light flame or electricity.

Torches are used for light.

It might be a torch or flashlight, a light from your car headlights, or even the light from a light house, We have found ways to light our travels. And that is no different for Hekate. Her torches light the path. They help you see where you need to go. Have you found this in your life? I'd love to hear how in the comments.

And one of my favorite quotes from Emily Dickenson

"I am out with lanterns, looking for myself."

There is a funny story about this quote. She and her family had just moved, and she was making a joke. She wrote that she had lost her sense of self, her hat, and her coat in the shuffle, leaving her searching through the dark house. Emily was in a liminal space herself, and we

Torches provide protection.

They provide protection from the unseen forces, Fire can be scary to animals that may come into a camp or

To light the way along a path.

Torches were also weapons.

Historically, fire was a terrifying battlefield hazard, it could be used to frighten, intimidate, burn, and blind your opponent. Sometimes even a spear would be lit and used to brandish the light toward an enemy. (Hekate is also depicted as carrying a spear as well as torches.)

"O Sun our lord and sacred fire, the spear of Hecate of the roads, which she carries as she attends her mistress in the sky and as she goes up the sacred crossroads of the earth..." Sophacles "The Root-Cutters" See source here

Used for healing

Heat and cauterization, used to stop bleeding

Her torches have been equated to the planet Venus. ?

Torches: The Hag's Taper

I would be missing an opportunity here if I didn't mention a Hag's Taper. Mullein, or Verbascum thapsus is a plant of liminal spaces, forgotten spots and transitional areas. It is a plant that loves to grow on the roadside and in abandonded places. It has friendly, fuzzy leaves and a tall stalk with beautiful yellow flowers, that develop in it's the 2nd year. It can be found in most US states and I believe in most of Europe. You will find many seeds in this stalk. When you cut it, be aware that there will be seeds.

• Harvest the Mullein: Locate an open field where you might see some tall, dead stalks. The best time to harvest these may be in the fall after a frost but you can also find old stalks from the year before. Cut the stalk off, take off the leaves and use them for other medicinal or ceramonial ways, and hang to dry. Give them a month or 2 to dry before you start this process.

• Melt the Wax: Melt beeswax or other wax in a double boiler.

• Coat the Stalk: Dip the dried stalk directly into the melted wax, or use a spoon to evenly coat it with wax. Let it cool, Repeat the process a few times until the stalk is thickly coated in wax. (In the referenced post they talk about pouring the wax on the taper. You can try some different ways to do this.)

• Let it Dry: Give the wax some time to harden.

• Burn it: (But be safe), Outside in a place with sand or a safe place to stand it upright., push the base firmly into the ground before lighting.. And be aware of fire restrictions in your area.

Here is a great post on Hag Tapers

A poem to Hecate Dadouchos

(Pronounced da-THOO-hos)

The Dadouchos' Light

Lady of the three-way road,

Mistress of the night your torches glowed.

With serpents coiled and hounds at heel,

You transform the dark to guiding keel.

O Hecate, Dadouchos, shining bright,

Torch-bearer of the ancient night,

You light the path where shadows creep,

And watch the souls in silent sleep.

With keys to unlock hidden doors,

On earth, in heaven, and along many shores,

Guide me through the shifting haze,

And light my soul with your gently fierce blaze.