Does anybody here worship Hecate? If so, would you be willing to share some of your experiences with her? I've been honoring her with blessings and offerings. Would like to know how she's made a difference in your life.
Since she is a part of the Greek faith I have a little knowledge of her and some resources which I will link below. Though I have never personally worked with her. But I hope you find these helpful all the same.
If im not mistaken I believe that she appears in Egyptian mythology as well, and may also be who the Wiccans refer to as The Three Headed Goddess (The Mother, The Maiden, and The Crone). I've started doing some cross cultural studies and they seem to share very similar domains and symbols, which is incredible considering the amount of years that have passed between the Egyptians, Greeks, and modern day Western society. I've a theory that She may be the same being, just outfitted differently as to adapt to a changing society. Please share anything you may find!
I'm about to vomit stories and theories and thoughts all over your topic, so just bare with me and you can totally opt out of reading this any time.
I've been actively practicing since I was fifteen, and I am twenty now. I have worked with Hecate since before my very first circle. I have always felt a draw towards her.
My Experiences
One the night of my fifteenth birthday, I held my first circle with six other people who were at my party- none of whom were pagan, but were willing to try new things. We went out into the forest with candles and salt (before I knew that pouring salt outside was bad for the plantlife) and began the ritual. We invited Hecate , the Christian God (I was transitioning to Wicca at this time), and several ancestors. During this circle's initial casting (I was still making my rounds, putting up the wall, for lack of a better term), some interesting things began to happen. My first circle, we were all visited by something we could all hear, but could not see.
Dark or not, the candles lit up a significant plot of the woods, and we could see out a few feet. As I began speaking the words, "Only positivity and positive things within the circle. Nothing negative is welcome," we started to hear something approaching. Now, in the woods of East Texas, at night, it could have been a bear, a mountain lion, a bobcat, a coyote, a wolf, a hog, a deer, or just a wild dog. Whatever it was, it was very big. The steps thudded, and you could hear it breathing.
Fifteen year old me told everyone not to run, because it was very tense. My explanation was this. If it's a predator, running will initiate a chase, so stand your ground. If it is something a little less physical, the circle will protect us.
It walked closer, and closer, until it was RIGHT there. It was so close, but you still couldn't see it. So I repeated myself, that no negativity was welcome. We held our ground, and a few seconds later, it took two or three more steps and then it was silent. It didn't walk away- we would have heard it, you know?
The rest of the circle was just emotional, and it was all such a rewarding experience. I have theories on what approached us, but it's hard to tell. I'm glad I called Hecate to the circle that night though.
I now maintain an altar dedicated to her, and offer Hecate's Supper to her every so often. I ask for her help in verbal ways. I pray to her. It can be simple things, but lately, I feel heard.
Magic shows itself in coincidences, and you learn to recognize magic after there have been so many coincidences that it just isn't possible. I work in the Laundry of a Holiday Inn, and clean an entire hotel's linens daily. Up to 90 rooms on non-holidays. When I get behind, I ask for help. And what happens is I'll zone out, and when I come to, I have a huge pile of folded laundry and no recollection of doing it. Sometimes, it is the smallest things.
I feel, honestly, that if I asked her for help now, she would. I would never simply take advantage of that, but I am grateful for her.
Honor her how you choose, but it doesn't always have to be uniform. People always go to their gods when they need something, but maybe you pray to her just to say thank you.
I feel blessed by her energy, her magic, and to have her within and without me. I hope you find a beautiful connection with her!
I have been worshipping Hekate for about three years now, above all gods but one, (Erebos, my patron). She has guided me through the hardest facets of my life, helping me to be a better person and protecting me from those who would bring me harm. When I first started at witchcraft, I wasn't very good. Much like my fellow commentor's experience with the towels, sometimes, if I'm having a difficult time grasping something, I will pray for understanding and 'zone out' for a while, and when I return there will be notes that I've written explaining concepts that before I couldn't grasp. She has inspired me to keep writing when I lacked any and all muse, she has comforted me through loss beyond anything I could tolerate alone, and has loved me through all my flaws and falls.
On the topic of people worshipping her as the Tri-faced goddess, she was indeed depicted this way in ancient times, though I find to me she appears as the Mother more often than the Maiden or Crone, in fact... I have never seen either of those aspects of her. Ever.
Hekate is an amazing teacher and a solace in times of worry, and I have dedicated a good portion of my life, (and will continue to do so), to worshipping her better.
