Month: March 2018

Hekate and the Spring Equinox – #hekatelight

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Hekate

Photo © Melissa McNair / The Torch and Key

The Equinox is a time of balance and mediation; the day is marked by equal light and equal dark. Whether you are in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere, you are experiencing the turning of the season from Summer to Autumn or from Winter to Spring.

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, the Spring Equinox is almost upon us. Trees and shrubs are just now beginning to show the tiniest of buds beginning to form, slowly bringing what was once dormant back to life with renewed growth.

In my neck of the woods (northern New York), we still have a decent amount of snow on the ground; remnants of the few recent snow storms, with more on the horizon (the above photo is from last year; it will be more than a month, maybe not until May, before my daffodils once again are blooming!).

The month of March, for us anyway, has certainly been roaring like a lion. We’ve experienced three Nor’easters in less than 2 weeks, bringing with it significant snow and wind. Winter is not quite done with us yet, but, signs of spring are emerging. Birds have returned with their melodious morning bird song, and I can make out tiny buds forming on the tips of the branches on the massive oak trees on our property.

I find Hekate’s presence throughout the turning of the seasons, and the Spring Equinox is a time of renewal and rebirth. Persephone is returning to the world, after spending her allotted time in the Underworld with Hades. Hekate, with Her illuminating torches, assumed the role of Propolos and became Persephone’s guide on her return trip, bringing Spring, and life, with her.

Ever since the Winter Solstice, light has been slowly returning to the world. Little by little, we are being brought out of the darkness and into the light. Hekate as Phosphorus is calling and showing us out of the dark. We finally reach the point of the Spring Equinox where we have a balance of light and dark. Hekate, being a liminal goddess, is standing on that threshold and keeping things in balance.

This is another facet of Chaldean Hekate – Soul of the World, Anima Mundi (please see February’s #hekateworldsoul posts for more information on Chaldean Hekate). Hekate is the Creatrix of Light – the primordial flame that illuminates all. That sacred flame dwells deep within our souls and all creation, and is brought to life with Her call.

 

Community celebration of the Goddess Hekate and Light. #hekatelight www.hekatecovenant.com

© 2018 Melissa McNair / The Torch and Key

The Epiphany of Hekate – #hekateworldsoul

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voiceofthefire

Photo © Melissa McNair / The Torch and Key

Fragments 146, 147, and 148 of the Chaldaean Oracles, as revealed by Hekate:

Having spoken these things, you will behold a fire leaping skittishly like a child over the aery waves;

or a fire without form, from which a voice emerges;

or a rich light, whirring around the field in a spiral.

But that you will see a horse flashing more brightly than light,

or a child mounted on the swift back of a horse,

a fiery child or a child covered with gold, or yet again a naked child;

or even a child shooting arrows, standing upon a horse’s back.

If you say this to me many times, you will observe all things growing dark,

For the curved bulk of the heavens disappears and the stars do not shine; the light of the Moon is hidden and the Earth does not stand steady. All things are revealed in lightning.

But when you see the sacred fire without form,

Shining skittishly throughout the depths of the Cosmos,

Listen to the voice of the fire.

Source:

“Hekate Soteira” by Sarah Iles Johnston

Hekate in Magna Graecia: Akragas / Agrigento

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Agrigento/Akragas

Another major area that was settled by the Greeks in Sicily is Agrigento (also known as Akragas or Agrigentum), and the area is named “Valley of the Temples” due to the many temples that have remains in this area. The Valley of the Temples is a major tourist destination, attracting visitors from all over the world.

Agrigento was a very prosperous city, which rivaled that of Syracuse’s power and prosperity. Agrigento is located on the southern coast of Sicily, situated between two rivers. This area boasts many temples, including temples to Zeus, Hera, Heracles, Concordia (one of the best preserved temples in Magna Graecia), Castor and Pollux (the Dioscuri), Hephaestus, Isis, Asclepius, Athena, and of course – Demeter and Persephone, which was part of a temple to Chthonic deities.

The temple in Agrigento dedicated to chthonic deities, namely Demeter and Persephone, will also include Hekate, though Hekate’s associations may be a bit obscure. This trio of goddesses was frequently worshipped together due to their Eleusinian connections.

Today, the temple itself is actually partially buried under ground, with the church of San Biagio now standing above it. San Biagio – how he is known in Italy – is in other areas of Europe known by the name of Saint Blaise, and was known for being a “physician of souls”. Curiously, icons representing Saint Blaise depict him bearing two crossed candles. Other icons representing him show him in a cave surrounded by wild beasts. His feast day falls on February 3rd, the day after Candlemas (also known as Imbolc). Some areas of Europe also honor him on Candlemas itself. Hekate, as it is known, is most often depicted carrying a torch in each hand and is sometimes celebrated on Imbolc, due to Her epithet of “Phosphorus”, which means “light-bearer” or “light-bringer”.

The remains of Demeter’s temple dates back to approximately 470 BCE. The base of the original structure of the temple is still preserved and partly visible, and it measures approximately 30 by 13 meters. Other remaining, visible parts of this temple have been incorporated into the church, such as water spouts in the shape of lions’ heads that can still be seen today. Some of these may be found in the regional Agrigento museum. If you are familiar with the Chaldean Oracles, then this piece of architecture would be of great interest, as Hekate was said to at times appear in “lion form” in the Oracles. Other interesting archaeological finds from this temple include ritual vessels (kernoi) linked to Persephone (likely used for offerings), remains of oil lamps used for ritual processions, and remains of stone busts possibly depicting Demeter, though that has not been confirmed to indeed be Demeter.

Next to the Temple of Demeter, you will find a series of connected caves used for ritual purposes. The walls of this subterranean complex contain grooves for holding ritual offerings and votive statues. A connecting rock wall between the caves reveals an aqueduct, utilizing the natural underground waterway found there. This is an exciting find, because this ritual cave complex is believed to have been connected to Demeter’s temple and would likely have been considered a “gateway to the underworld”, similar to other temple sanctuaries found in Greece, most notably Eleusis itself. It is known that many cults belonging to Hekate in Greece used caves for rituals honoring Her, such as the Zerynthian caves in Samothrace.

Separately from Demeter, it is believed that Artemis was worshiped in Akragas as “Artemis Soteira”. “Soteira” is another epithet belonging to Hekate and means “savior”. Hekate is referenced as savior in the Chaldean Oracles and Sarah Iles Johnston has devoted an entire book on the subject, titled Hekate Soteira: A Study of Hekate’s Roles in the Chaldean Oracles and Related Literature. 3rd century coins depicting the head of Artemis as “Soteira” have been found.

Hekate and Artemis do share a couple of other epithets, including “Phosphoros” (“light-bearer” or “light-bringer”); “Propylaia” (“at the gate” or “before the gate”).

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Agrigento – Church of San Biagio on foundation of the Temple of Demeter – Wikimedia

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3rd century BCE coin depicting Artemis Soteira, found in Akragas

I hope you enjoyed this essay on Hekate in  Magna Graecia: Akragas/Agrigento.

© Melissa McNair / The Torch and Key

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