Month: August 2020

Hekate in Magna Graecia: Locri

/ The Torch and Key: Melissa M. / 1 Comment

 

Locri

Locri was a Greek colony of Magna Graecia, located in the Calabria region of southern Italy. Locri was the site of a great sanctuary to Persephone – worshipped as a protectress of fertile marriage. Pinakes (or plaques) unearthed at this site depict Persephone as “Queen of the Dead”, residing in Hades. Hundreds of votives, plaques, and other artifacts were found in the temple remains, dating back to about the 5th century BCE. The images depicted on these items tell Persephone’s story as it is described in the Homeric Hymn to Demeter and Eleusinian Mysteries, including pottery tablets depicted Persephone and Hades, sitting side by side on their thrones as King and Queen of the Underworld.

The sanctuary dedicated to Persephone in Locri (also known as Locri Epizefiri) was described by Diodorus Siculus as one of the most famous of the sanctuaries in Magna Graecia. Persephone’s temple featured a propylaia, and possibly had underground rooms for chthonic rites. Based on archaeological findings, it is believed that the Eleusinian Mysteries were re-enacted here.

Outside the temple walls was another location for rituals – the Cave of the Nymphs, also known as the Grotta Caruso. Here, women would undergo katabasis (underworld journey); caves are a common location for rituals involving chthonic deities. Excavations of this site revealed stairs leading down into a subterranean area containing a natural spring basin used for ritual bathing, complete with an altar. Niches were set into the walls for votive offerings. Some of the votives uncovered included figurines of women, many of which were triple-headed (triform).

A very interesting archaeological find was discovered within Persephone’s temple – a pinake of a winged female daimon. This brings to mind the earlier mention of Angelos – the winged messenger/angelic chthonic deity who is identified with both Hekate and Artemis. Winged deities who travel between the worlds are typically messengers or guides of the dead and departed souls.

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Temple of Persephone remains at Locri – from Wikimedia

I hope you enjoyed this essay on Hekate in  Magna Graecia: Locri.

© Melissa McNair / The Torch and Key

Sources:

Hekate & the Perseids

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T15.1Asteria

Asteria, Athenian red-figure amphora C5th B.C., Museum of Fine Arts Boston

“Also she [Phoebe] bore Asteria of happy name, whom Perses once led to his great house to be called his dear wife. And she conceived and bore Hecate whom Zeus the son of Cronos honored above all. He gave her splendid gifts, to have a share of the earth and the unfruitful sea. She received honor also in starry heaven, and is honored exceedingly by the deathless gods.”

-“Theogony”, Hesiod

Hesiod’s Theogony is the oldest written account of the Greek Gods, and Hekate is described as being honored by Zeus above all others in this story. The Theogony also names Asteria and Perses as Hekate’s parents. Asteria was a Titaness; she ruled the  starry skies and her name means “starry one” or “falling star”. Perses was a Titan as well, and was the God of Destruction; his name means “Destroyer”.

The Perseids

The Perseid meteor showers are an annual stellar event that begins around the third week of July and typically peaks the second week of August, around the 10th or 11th and lasts a few days. The peak dates for 2020 are August 11th-13th. The meteors originate from the Perseus (a derivative of Perses) constellation. Because Perses is Hekate’s father and Hekate’s mother Asteria is associated with falling stars, the days that the Perseids are peaking are a wonderful time to honor Hekate (and Her parents).

Star Gazing

I love the night sky. Each evening before bed, I go outside and just soak in the beauty of the dark night. I gaze at the sky, and take note of every star twinkling like night’s own torches. I raise my hands to the sky, recite a portion of an Orphic oath from the Petelia tablet:

“I am a child of Earth and Starry Heaven, but my race is of Heaven alone”

From there, I utter words honoring Hekate, her role as guardian of the Heavens (as apportioned to her by Zeus in the Theogony), and recite epithets, chants – whatever I am moved to speak at that moment. There is no script, there are no written rules. Most often I will see a shooting star while I am speaking, or after I am done. I always humbly accept that as a sign that my words and offerings were received favorably and with gratitude. In turn, I express my own gratitude for Hekate’s recognition and presence.

That is my nightly ritual before I go to bed. Doing this each night feeds my soul like nothing else. It is a very fulfilling part of my devotional practice. When the Perseids are at peak, I spend more time outside, chanting and gazing in wonder at the night sky while this magical stellar event takes place.

© Melissa McNair / The Torch and Key

Sources:

  1. https://www.theoi.com/Khthonios/Hekate.html
  2. https://www.theoi.com/Titan/TitanisAsteria.html