From Hesiod to Sabrina ~ The Evolution of the Goddess Hekate

Titans were the symbol of primal, terrible power, the representation of chaos, tamed and defeated by the Order of Olympus. Yet; not all Titans were these terrible forces of nature who couldn't stop their wrath and fury, like some others, Hekate chose the right side.

Hekate is a great example of how unlike other Titans; she calculated the change of the world and joined the winning side. Instead of fighting in a mad battle with the forces of chaos, she chose the balance she’s well known for and she was rewarded for her decision to join Zeus. Between birthright and insight of a collapsing world, she saw forward into the new cosmos and was rewarded with dominance over every realm of it.

Hekate is thriving in the space between worlds and in the case of the Olympians against the Titans she correctly chose the New Gods and she continued to be working with them throughout their stories of success and agony.

The people loved her too, as society changed, established sophisticated cities and local worship, Hekate inevitably entered people’s hearts. From temples at Thessaly, Asia Minor and Athens, to the humblest of homes and every childbed, Hekate was there to preside over courts, games, wars and rites of passage for the people who looked up to her for protection, magical aid and guidance.

Her evolution continued for hundreds of years and even when the classical world started to change as new religions from the East rose and established themselves, she remained, evolved further in the mindeye of those who practised theurgy and found her greatest role as the Cosmic Soul, the Membrane in-between the realms of existence.

And as the Ancient World collapsed, she became this dark Goddess of the dead, demonised by the Christians who changed the established relationship with the dead, she was held responsible for terrible deeds and unleashing demons, howling from Hell along her hounds.

And yet, her eerie three-formed figure remained, survived throughout the millennia and her powers inspired global literature while her many roles were depicted in paintings and later on; contemporary art.

In the modern world, she is one of the fastest growing Goddesses in terms of worship from modern devotees and a prominent figure in popular culture. More and more museums are unearthing their treasures associated with Hekate. Academics are researching her many connections with other Gods and countries are exploiting their archaeological findings since the interest for the Goddess Hekate has spiked.

All in all, Hekate is a goddess of resilience who faced many different challenges and enemies that other Gods and their cults were consumed by. In the modern world, she has a very similar worship like the one she used to have in Classic Athens: as a domestic deity who keeps her connections to the underworld and the realms beyond the human comprehension while she is being given new attributes and roles that may or not may suit her so much. This tendency only shows the human need for further embracement of a Goddess who accepts and rules over all her children, the benevolent and the marginalised ones, alike.