HEKATE | Part I: From Archaic to Classical

[@VesperOfRoses]

I worship Hecate without being a devotee! We exist! I had a thing going on with her here and there during my time as an eclectic pagan but in my regular praxis as a Hellenic polytheist I generally only worship her once a month during the new moon and occasionally when I need help dealing with spooky stuff. Pro-tip: If you live at a house with a driveway, you have a crossroads!

[@FeltheBlithe]

so true! I use my driveway as a crossroads. Thank you for sharing your experiences with her

[@Lightless101]

This such a breath of fresh air and incredibly welcome, especially when everyone's UPG tends to override rational thought and dialogue. Adore this!

[@KatBlackthorn]

Thank you so so so much for doing this video. Hekate is probably one of the most misunderstood deities in polytheism.

[@FeltheBlithe]

There is sooooo much misinfo and conflicting ideas! (Even within antiquity)

[@KatBlackthorn]

@@FeltheBlithe yeah a lot of people are too lazy to research her history (what’s out there anyway lol). I do feel like she’s the most controversial deity in the Hellenic community (at least on Reddit). Hard core recons can sometimes get quite offended if she is misrepresented in their eyes. 😅 So I really appreciate you making this video basically stating that nobody TRULY knows her full story. It means a lot. Makes me feel a lot less crazy too. 🤣

[@rrainbow_jh4419]

I am one of those few who worship Persephone and Hekate together ^^ Thanks so much for this vid! I'm looking forward to part two~

[@jacobgale-garcia4816]

My sweet summer child. MANY worship the two together. Much love ❤️

[@youthurricane]

I couldnt handle myself with "would the real hekate please stand up". This is genius.

[@altunina]

you are underrated in the hekate worshipping community! as a student of ancient chinese literature and a friend of many classical western literature students i feel HOW much energy the making of the video and the researching process took!

[@FeltheBlithe]

Thank you very much! 😅 Definitely took a lot of me but well worth it

[@jessicaveylan4265]

Thanks for the video. I just started reading Sarah Johnston's book. I had never heard of Hekate but once from a lady I met a few months ago and I didn't think anything of it or look into her as it was not of interest to me. Fast forward a few months later and I was presented with two visions in the inner eye. One of a key in a folded up envelope. The next night a white tunnel as if traveling up a DNA strand. Every time I saw the tunnel or twisting I heard the words "Hekate's Tree". I am making some relationships to this experience and the opening of an energy center rarely spoken of but of a couple others sources. There was one individual who helped connect the dots. I believe the true mystics will start accessing much of the lost information. She is on a return for those of us that are not playing on the false aspects of her and are doing the inner work that allows her to come through. Anyway..... This is just my humble point of view.

[@embrisa9533]

Right! Persephone and Hekate are the ones i am devoting myself 222 🔥💚✨💜🔥

[@creacrea281]

Another great video! I love that you offered some insight into the complexity of Hekate. I had a few thoughts about some things you mentioned: 1. Being terrifying and being related to childcare are not mutually exclusive, just look at Kali Ma. I think Hekate can wield terrifying power as well as great concern for the welfare of children. In fact, being so fierce in protection would make her better at caring for children. 2. I have observed many modern worshippers of Persephone tend to interpret the myth within the context of Demeter being an overbearing mother and Hades being her true love that allows her best self to shine forward. I do think there is room for debate in the Hades/Persephone myth, but for those who interpret it as a love and empowerment story, the idea of having a "babysitter" (Hekate) is counter to that narrative. That's my opinion about why there isn't as many people worshipping them (Persephone and Hekate) together. Of course, that's not reflective of all, or even most, worshippers. It's based totally on my observation people within the community. 3. I love your emphasis of the point that Hekate does NOT need to have this super deep, singularly focused worship of her. I see so many practitioners saying that she "requires" such intense dedicated practice, and it just seems odd to me because that's not really how most Hellenic worship worked. Obviously, people should practice the way they feel is correct, so I'm not trying to discount that. Thanks for the video! I'm looking forward to part 2!

[@FeltheBlithe]

1. Agreed! There seems to be a unique crossover between gods of death and fear and gods related to child care. 2. I intensely dislike the reinterpretation of Demeter being "overbearing", I find it frankly extremely sexist and misses the mark of the the hymn entirely. Demeter and Persephone were inseperably worshipped together and we see their closeness and love throughout the hymn, and their love and grief is the basis of the Mysteries. But we also have literature about Hades and Persephone's love. I think both can be true. Thanks for the insights!

[@creacrea281]

@@FeltheBlithe I agree that the interpretation of Demeter being overbearing seems to miss the mark a bit, but I can't help but think that many people relate to the myth in that specific way in part due to many people having strained mother-daughter relationships, especially if the mother is overbearing. I think it's easy for many people to relate to Persephone in that way, and then ascribe the qualities of their own overbearing mothers to Demeter (a bit unfairly). It's hard to say if there's any real substance to that idea, but I've observed that sort of interaction and discourse, so I'm wondering if it's more prevalent than people realize that there is some degree of projection influencing the interpretation of the myth.

[@FeltheBlithe]

Yeah I definitely understand where the association is coming from, but to me there is a better expression than insulting and demeaning one of the most sacred and important relationships in the ancient Greek religion. I have a lot of issues with certain myth interpretations, especially when they claim to be about "empowerment" and end up still being sexist or problematic 😅

[@FeltheBlithe]

There's a lot of Demeter hate in helpol communities and it makes me sad 😔

[@creacrea281]

@@FeltheBlithe I definitely think the Demeter hate is unfair ☹ I don't think that she is without flaw, but I mean what deity is really? Especially in Greek myth, there are a lot of FAR more problematic deities that are given the benefit of the doubt, but then Demeter isn't for some reason* 🤷‍♀️ personally, I think the myth can mean many things. Maybe Demeter was a bit overprotective, or maybe she's doing what's best for her daughter. I think both can be true. Regardless, her grief is real and the love for her daughter is the most important message. I am just so disheartened by the people who act like Demeter was a control freak with no love for Persephone. It really takes away the beauty of that myth, in my opinion. I'm happy you are giving Demeter a fair view because it is definitely missing in many communities. *to clarify, I am referring to modern communities here.

[@rafaelfcf]

A small nit-pick, Hesiod was most likely born in Ascra, a village in Boeotia "close" to Athens. He's father is the one who actually comes from Cyme. While Homer is the one who lived across the Aegean sea in current Turkey.

[@astrologystrategist]

Love your humor and how you used music to make your point

[@GlowHurtHuman]

This makes me feel better about my lack of regular ritual surrounding her. I wouldn't really consider myself "witchy" at all or religious. I've been drawn to Hekate since about 15 years ago and she's popped up when I've needed her ever sense. It's weird how it happens but I feel like there's something to my bond with her. I think I'd like to incorporate more devotion but I also feel like I need a better grasp on the idea of deity worship to see if it's for me. Thank you for all the information. I thought it was just hard for me to find things about her because I'm less than qualified when it comes to research like this. I can't imagine the energy and focus you had to put into it.

[@FeltheBlithe]

thank you so much for the kind words! It was definitely so so so much research. but I felt that she deserved it

[@rowanlaverne]

I would love a part two. I really enjoy sourced deep dives such as this and they are hard to find. I just finished fortress of lugh's 2 hour hermes video. He verbally sources his information so that was interesting. I am working my way through the primary sources, but I'm dyslexic so its a slow process. In that vein, these are wonderful. Thank you for all the heart and soul you poured into this. I hope this week is less hectic for you. ❤

[@SimpleMandy]

Finally someone else mentions worshipping Hekate and Persephone together! I actually have an altar dedicated to both of them as it feels way way waaaaay off to worship them separately..

[@Ambina2]

Never clicked so fast! I needed this one.

[@PrecariousPorcupine]

I love your deep dive videos! ❤❤❤

[@CLM849]

Wow, such a wonderful point about her "fearful" archetype. I truly think the "fearsome" or spooky aspects of worship have a lot to do with ritual itself, less to do with how we should regard the gods theologically. The Egyptians used "fearful" as a description in ritual too, but now we know that had a deeper meaning to it, and was overall a positive thing.

[@FeltheBlithe]

Very true! We see this in the bible as well. "Fear" often times meant "strikes awe".

[@juniper3526]

You are one of my favorite youtubers!! Thank you for educating me on the ever confusing goddess hekate

[@MrBlazingup420]

Hekate sounds like Mari Mari lives underground, normally in a cave in a high mountain, where she and her consort Sugaar Maju meet every Friday (the night of the Akelarre or witch-meeting) to conceive the storms that will bring fertility (and sometimes disgrace) to the land and the people. Mari is served by a court of sorginak (witches), and is said to feed "on the negation and affirmation" (that is, on falsehood). Occasionally the figure of Mari is linked to the kidnapping or theft of cows. The presence of Christian priests in those myths may indicate that they are Christian fabrications or distortions of original material. Legends do not recount any kind of sacrifices offered to Mari. There is the Maqlu "Burning", a ritual to combat witches and demons, but it requires you to speak to the Queen of witches or the king of demons, to ask them to get their underlings to stop attack someone.

[@PaulKapow]

This is one of my new favorite videos on KZbin. 🙏 Thanks for making it.

[@Davlavi]

Yes Part 2 please.

[@Underworld-Dark-Moon]

A part two would be greatly appreciated 🙏

[@grouchygeek4176]

I knew you would be a good source for this particular goddess. Thank you for sticking to the facts!

[@1amjapan]

Wow, brilliant essay, thoroughly enjoyed and I learnt a lot. Hecate has become incredibly important to my practice, well done for organising so much evidence and explaining the tensions in it so clearly. Brilliant.

[@MrBlazingup420]

The Chief Ancestor was known as Pabilsag also known as Nergal, we call Pabilsag, Sagittarius, the location of The Golden Gate of the Gods, our black hole, center of our galaxy, where stars are born, they called Gods. In Irish, macalla means Echo, culu means Reverse, Culu "Her Message--Say There Is A Guest", play them in reverse, listen to what Macalla says, "Sagittarius--December", you find The Silver Gate of Man between Gemini and Taurus, with Orion's Club marking the center, at the tip of that club is where you find the Sun on the day of the Summer Solstice, this gate speaks too. Play "Say Oath--They All Rule--Beyond The Mist" in reverse, they echo "Gemini--Orion--Taurus", 90 degrees North, is the Gate Keeper Play "Way--I'll Open It--So They Go--See God" in reverse, they echo "August--Regulus--Denebola--Leo" "Her Mithras--Boy/Girl" played in reverse will echo "Virgo--September" Virgo is Latin for Virgin, a word hiding Man/Woman, 'vir' is Latin for man, 'gyne' is Greek for Woman, Virgin a Man/Woman, Virgo a Boy/Girl. Didn't many ancient heroes hide as women or was hidden in some way, You find the Sun next to a little bloody red spot in Sagittarius on the day of the Winter Solstice, called Spiculum meaning 'Spear', it hides a secret. In astrology, Sagittarius is the hips & thighs, Scorpio is the sexual organ, does that make out 13th sign the Womb, because, a Speculum is a tool used by doctors to look where babies come from, Sagittarius as Pabilsag, the husband of the First Physician, the Dog Headed Goddess Bau-Gula, mother of the god of rebirth. Play Spiculum in reverse, it echoes "Mother Cupps", after all, didn't you known, Sagittarius is shaped like a Teapot, but not Tea in the pot, Damu means Blood, but Relative too. If you didn't get your Ancestors are your Blood Relatives, Pabilsag and Damu, coming back to haunt you, the Red Heart of Scorpio, Antares echoes "She Raise Dead". the scorpion goddess Serket, whose tilted is "She who causes the throat to breathe".

[@madamewitch5407]

I would love a part 2. I thoroughly enjoy that you explore ALL aspects and are open about the fact that there are always going to be things we don't know. It's refreshing, because most info sources I have found are very cold and fast about how Hekate functions, should be worshiped etc. and its based in MMC foundation. You have such a talent for sharing information in a passionate, compelling and illustrative way. I hope you are compiling all this hard work and research into a book (since you've already cited sources) because if this is the way you speak about your research then it must be even better written. I know I'd buy it. Always enjoying your videos and the warm space you provide Xx

[@Rennat456]

I feel like it's only natural to have a complicated relationship with such a complicated deity haha great video, I def would love to see a part 2!

[@mushymystic]

Very well done. Enjoyed!

[@jkl5712]

Thanks for the video and information. Yes A Part II would be great.

[@tyson7687]

Very very he;pful. I can't wait for a part II!!!

[@FeltheBlithe]

Coming in about a month! 😊

[@kittym1730]

This was so great! I would love to see a part 2!

[@FeltheBlithe]

Part 2 will be coming up in March! 😊

[@mysticmoth1111]

Would love a part 2!

[@astrix1014]

She’s very important she as keys for a good reason she can open doors in life and in magick I hate the term “working with her” she’s brought me good luck in fact she done something that I thought was impossible and made it possible. Some advice to make magick work you need something like her to make it work.

[@terrysbookandbiblereviews]

Great video! I enjoy learning from your videos.

[@emcleverton]

That was most delightful, amiga

[@alexcypher4794]

Please do continue to Part 2

[@HadiyahTalar]

Nice Explanation !! better explained historically documented rather than channeled by the gods!!! 😀have you made a video on Hades and Persephone...?

[@FeltheBlithe]

I have not but they're definitely on my list!

[@elevatedarts1762]

Will you make a video on eleusis and the mysteries at some point? Would love to hear your perspective.

[@nikeestar]

This is an.excellent channel, Kudos to you @Fel the blithe And please do make a part 2 :)

[@dadevi]

Thanks for the info. I understand that this was posted 2 years ago, so what I'm about to say may no longer apply to your situation, as you may have already gained a greater understanding of Hecate. If you don't understand a Goddess or God, ask them for understanding. A Goddess as complex as Hecate will show you her most appropriate facet for your situation.

[@minionswag69]

what a wonderful video

[@lolafalana9144]

To me she's the Mother of all walks of life. Mother of many names ♡ traditions as well. Appearances I believe may very. Key is Faith in her that matters. She has many names. 📿📿📿🪔🪔🪔🌺🌺🌺 Thank you for educating those that watch n listen. Causing one to ponder more. At the end of the day it's how our own relationship with Her is. She's nowhere she's everywhere. ...I would love your feedback ❤ thank you.🍃🍂🍃🍃🍂🍃🍃🍂🍁 Simply by you speaking on her sharing the knowledge yo those that listen ...is an offering in itself.

[@JN-xt8sy]

Love your videos they’ve helped me so much on my research and journey 👍🏽

[@LewisEthridge_95]

Hekate is my goddess

[@myson999]

Very informative. Great Job 👌⚕🔱. Do make another video on this topic, if you can.

[@canadatreecare1281]

2nd video would be appreciated Thanks

[@jessicaveylan4265]

Inner chamber of my house may not be literal of house hold. I wonder if we can look at these ideas as not being literal. Right away when I heard inner chamber I think heart center and the house is the physical body. The heart center must be open in order to connect the lower energy center to the higher and that allows a safe journey when becoming open to more than we are in this human body and finding a balance between the two. This is the cross roads. This is Hekate's ability to help us in the journey to the "astral" back to embodiment. Again..... Just a theory.

[@ptah4611]

Fel, research Nike.

[@FeltheBlithe]

I'll add her to my list!

[@louderthanwordsInclusivity]

I’m curious about the theories of her possibly originating as an Asian worshipped deity? Was there any evidence of that or is that just like.. a thing that is said lol

[@FeltheBlithe]

I mean, Anatolia is Asia Minor, so...perhaps that's what people mean?

[@myson999]

Kali Ma in hinduism also is very similar to Hekate.

[@PaulKapow]

​@@myson999 no she is not

[@rooboatdeer22yu51]

I would strongly argue that this man took birth death and rebirth and may have turned it into this concept to restrict people. The maiden mother crone idea or archetype is still Vaild and could be applied to every being. If you stay in the academic realm and you don't step on your toes into working with archetypal Energies then it's a little hard to confirm. I'm very happy you made this video and I appreciate you and your work. Scholars shouldn't be an inaccessible knowledge is for everyone. I'd rather see an immature with good intentions than a "master" who couldn't care less in the worst way.

[@jimmorrison2657]

Do you really believe that these gods exist? Or do you just find the practices involved in all of this compelling? I am not making fun. I am learning Greek, so I am interested in all things about Greece. I have no idea if they exist or not, but I was just wondering what you think.

[@FeltheBlithe]

Belief and existence are very complicated and loaded concepts when it comes to gods. I view the gods as part of nature and nature as part of the divine. I also find the practices compelling and are what have clicked for me.

[@jimmorrison2657]

Fel the Blithe Ok, thanks a lot. Defo an interesting subject. All the best✌🏼

[@MrBlazingup420]

Hekate is associated with dogs, the She Goat star was too, known as the Dog headed Goddess Bau-Gula, mother of the Damu, the god of rebirth. I have something in common with both. A little short overview. If you go backwards 6,606 hours from my birth, which is 9 months, the stars realign, I was born under Alula it means First Born, on the clock of the face, the time is off by 7 hours from the birth time, when you align the stars to the birth time, the star at midheaven is the She Goat, the date is December 5th, the date of an ancient Festival of Faunus, associated with Pan, part of the Lupercalia, funny my name Weylyn means "Son of the Wolf". Alula is one of 3 sets of twin stars that form the Paws of Ursa Major, odd is Ursa Minor was known as The Dog's Tail, in Sumerian Ur means Dog, I know of no bears with long tails like the Ursa's, The She Goat was known as the Dog Headed Goddess Bau-Gula, the Sumerian word Ur-Gula means both Lion and Great Dog, odd too, my name Lewallyn means Like a Lion, and my last means Son of the Hound of Ulster. Where I was born, you can watch the sun rise off the top of Bear mountain Christmas morning, but at 12:00 Noon, Ursa Major Stands on the northern horizon by all 3 paws, at the same time the She Goat stands at midheaven. September 4th to 8th 2040 is the planetary alignment, the 8th is Mary's birthday, first day of the new Moon, my is the day of the Dark Moon, when all the planets align with Spica, hand star of Virgo, looking like a Spiculum (Spear), play "Spica" in reverse, you hear it echo "I Cupps", one of my family names, in Irish "Cupla" means Twin or Two, as in 2 Cups, or is it Dippers, my name Roger means "Famous Spear", in Sanskrit, Kala means Darkness and Time, the god Shiva was the Mahakala, whose is the Penis, the other hidden meaning of Roger, how odd, Mahakala, sounds a lot like McCullough, in Hebrew, Shive means 7, i moved 619 miles north, (6+1+9=16=7), now on the hour of birth, Tania is my midheaven star, the sister twin to Alula, what are the odds. 7 hour movement of the stars, lands on the Swine Star, known as Damu the Child, the son of The She Goat, it lands on the Eye of Draco, part of the World Plough, the head was the Seed Cup, the shape of the head, standing on the handle of the plough was the Wolf, protector of the Belly, Virgo is the Belly Button known as the Furrow, Damu is the God of Rebirth. Boo! do I scare you.

[@TheBestOne_hi_34]

What’s that moaning in the Background? Nice video though.