Hecate: Working with the Greek Goddess of Witchcraft & the Crossroads
Known as the Queen of the Night, Goddess of Witchcraft, and Queen of the Crossroads, Hecate is one of the many rulers of the spirit world. She guards the divide between life and death and serves as an intermediary between the living and the spirits of the dead.
One of her most recognizable symbols is the key, and for good reason: she owns the universal skeleton key, the one that unlocks the gates to all realms.
She’s also one of the oldest goddesses in the world and may have originated in what is now Georgia on the Black Sea, or in western Turkey. The Greeks knew her as a Titan’s daughter and as the handmaiden and confidant of Persephone, Queen of the Dead.
As the Queen Witch, Hecate is a shape-shifter. She often appears as an older woman or a black dog. Sometimes she shows up as a crone, other times as a seductive woman. She chooses whichever form suits the situation best.
She may also wear snakes in her hair, or appear as a snake herself, so watch where you step once you start working with her! She is often depicted as the triple goddess or a goddess with three faces. This can be the maiden, mother, and crone, or as a woman with three animal heads: a dog, a horse, and a lion.
The last day of every month is dedicated to Hecate, and November 16th is Hecate’s Night. This evening celebration centers on shadow work, transformation, spiritual release, and shedding old habits and patterns.
How to Work with Hecate
When seeking justice: Call on Hecate when you seek justice for women and girls, especially those who have been sexually assaulted. She has been invoked for centuries when justice is sought but has yet to be served.
For granting wishes: Hecate is incredibly powerful. She can grant or deny any human’s wish, a power she shares only with Zeus, which is a big deal. But she’s an ancient goddess, so a word of caution: be careful what you wish for!
When you're at a crossroads: She is literally the guard of the crossroads, so when you have an important choice to make, call on her to help you decide what to do.
When you need healing: Hecate is also a healing goddess. As an advocate for women and girls, she can be called upon for help with fertility, especially if you want a daughter. The ancients petitioned her when all other medical interventions failed to cure an illness. She is also known for ushering a petitioner into a painless and quick death.
For protecting dogs: The dog is one of her primary symbols, and she is powerfully bonded to them. A pair of dogs often accompanies her when she comes to you in human form. If she arrives without them, she may circle you like a canine. You can call on Hecate to protect your dog familiars, or even the wild canines around your home.
When dealing with ghosts: Finally, Hecate can banish ghosts. If a pesky spirit just won’t leave your home, petition her for help. She can also cause ghosts to “infest” a space, so if a place is particularly full of them, she might be behind it.
Hecate’s Correspondences at a Glance
Want to create an altar for Hecate? Here are the symbols and ingredients that correspond to Hecate. Pick the ones that resonate with you:
Animals
- Dogs
- Snakes
- Toads
- Dragons
- Cats
- Stork
- Colors
Gemstones & Metals
- Silver
- Gold
- Pearl
- Sapphire
- Ruby
- Obsidian
- Jasper
- Moonstone
Colors
- Black
- Red
- White
- Blue
- Yellow
Herbs & Plants
- Myrrh
- Cinnamon
- Mugwort
- Safflower
- Thyme
- Mullein
- Garlic
- Lavender
- Mandrake
Offerings
- Honey (especially Lavender Honey)
- Eggs
- Garlic
- Croissants/Crescent-shaped breads
- Candles
- Incense
- Images of Dogs (especially black dogs)
- Offerings on behalf of dogs, like donating to a rescue
Other Symbols
- Key
- Torch
- Star & Crescent Moon
- Cauldron
- Knife
- Broom
- Crossroads
- Wheels
Ready to work with Hecate? Scroll down to find signature ritual supplies to support your work. Hecate is ready to work with the witch who’s ready to work on both sides of the veil.
