Prayer To Hekate, Goddess Of Witchcraft

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Prayer to Hekate can bring many miracles. As the goddess of witches, herbalism, crossroads, and more, Hekate’s blessings can bring many good things into your life.

Witches pray to Hekate by using offerings like garlic and keys, honoring her with some of her epithets, praising the goddess of witchcraft, and asking for her help. Witch chanting and prayer are two ways to use words and poetry in your witchcraft.

Hekate is the Greek goddess of witchcraft and magick, among other things. Prayer to Hekate can open many doors for an eclectic witch. In this role, she acts as a guide to all witches and those who practice magic.

Hekate is a goddess of magic who presides over all initiations, all rituals, all cultic practices and sacrifices. She is the power of destruction, the one who destroys the boundaries between gods and humanity and puts them back together again. Her reign is above all others.

Her name appears on many surviving curse tablets, accompanied by epithets like Chrysosandalaimopotischthonia (Goddess of the lower world wearing golden sandals and drinking blood). She was also known as “the Queen of Witches”, “Queen of Ghosts”, and “Queen of Heaven” among other names.

The Orphic Hymns open with a hymn dedicated to Hekate. She had great influence over the lives of the ancient Greeks and, later, the ancient Romans.

Hekate was one of the most important goddesses in Greece. She is mentioned often in the Orphic Hymns, and it is theorized that Hesiod was a devotee of this goddess. Hesiod gave her sweeping powers in the myths he wrote.

Anyone with interest in the occult should seek her blessing so that they might avoid her ire.

This ancient deity is an ally to all witches and helps to guide them to enlightenment.

Over time, this goddess will reveal mysteries to those who seek her help, but she requires regular offerings.

Orphic Hymn To Hekate

1. Ækátî (Ἑκάτη)

I call Ækátî of the Crossroads, worshipped at the meeting of three paths, oh lovely one.

In the sky, earth, and sea, you are venerated in your saffron-colored robes.

Funereal Daimôn, celebrating among the souls of those who have passed.

Persian, fond of deserted places, you delight in deer.

Goddess of night, protectress of dogs, invincible Queen. 5

Drawn by a yoke of bulls, you are the queen who holds the keys to all the Kózmos.

Commander, Nýmphi, nurturer of children, you who haunt the mountains.

Pray, Maiden, attend our hallowed rituals;

Be forever gracious to your mystic herdsman and rejoice in our gifts of incense.

HellenicGods.org

This Orphic hymn to Hekate is a great starting point for your worship of this divine goddess.

What are the Orphic hymns?

The Orphic Hymns, also known as the Orphic Fragments, were a collection of fragments from an ancient Greek anthology of poetry probably used in worship. These Greek hymns were written by followers of the mythical Orpheus. They were used in sacred rites and were believed to have been composed by Orpheus himself.

Orphism was a religious movement that flourished in Greece during the 5th century BC. It is considered one of the earliest forms of Hellenistic religion.

Why I Use Chants And Prayers

Some witches come to witchcraft and paganism after growing up in organized religion.

This background can make them unwilling to do anything that feels similar to those religions.

For this reason, many witches don’t use prayer in their practice.

However, over time, I have come to love prayer—especially prayer to Hekate.

I often use the Orphic Hymns as prayers and try to write my own from time to time.

It’s an exercise in creativity to think of new epithets for the deity I am addressing, a practice that I find quite fun.

Prayers and chants are a fantastic way to give thanks or ask for a deity’s favor.

Witch chanting is a simple form of magic that requires nothing but yourself.

You don’t have to say your prayer out loud; you can merely think it.

The most powerful prayers and chants I have written extol the deity’s virtues, offer a commitment to please the god, and then ask for that deity’s favor.

They don’t require all 3 parts, but I do try to include all 3.

About Hekate, The Goddess Of Witchcraft

She was very popular in the ancient world and is very popular today as well.

Shrines were placed in the doorways of homes and at the gates of cities to protect people from spirits.

She was worshiped in Athenian homes to bring her blessings and protection.

Her most important shrine was located in Lagina in ancient Caria.

Most important to note for those who want to devote themselves to her, she was most commonly worshipped in nature.

If you don’t like to be in nature, it may be hard to connect with her.

During new moons, a special meal should be made for her and the restless dead.

Hekate is a favorite goddess among modern witches. She is also one of the few ancient goddesses that has had an almost unbroken line of worship for centuries.

Her power over life and death, herbalism, religious mysteries, and necromancy has helped her to work her magic over humanity for a long time.

Hekate is actually a goddess from Caria, but the ancient Greeks saw her as a Greek goddess and not a foreign one.

Known as a goddess of magic, she is usually depicted as a triple goddess with three human heads looking in different directions.

Other times, she is depicted only as the crone part of the triple goddess or as a three headed dog.

Modern witchcraft and the ancients all see her as a goddess of medicine. Because of this, she has the epithet of Mother Of All. She heals us and guides us through life.

The Chant For Hekate’s Blessing

The purpose of this prayer to Hecate is to gain her blessing for your magic.

This will make all of your witchcraft more powerful and more likely to succeed.

I also regularly say this chant just to say thanks to Hekate, as she is one of the most important deities to me.

Glory to you, O Hekate

Goddess who guards our opportunities

Queen of magic and circumstance

Keyholder, beloved mother of witches

Hekate, guide me through blessed doors

Shut those that might lead to my destruction

Hekate, she who holds the keys to the realms of time

Hekate, the goddess of wisdom and fate

Who hears the whisper of prophecy

Goddess of mysteries

Take my hand, O goddess

Put all your knowledge into my palm

And let your magic flow through me

As you can see, this chant refers to some of Hekate’s many correspondences:

• Patroness of magic
• First among witches
• Goddess of gates and doors
• Divine keyholder
• Protector from evil

What Are Acceptable Hecate Offerings And Spells?

In the past, offerings to Hekate included sacrificing dogs.

Now, however, you’re more likely to offer garlic, keys, dog statues, herbs, meat, or anointing your doors with pleasant-smelling oils.

Hekate loves garlic offerings, so you can offer a clove or head of garlic for Hekate’s blessing.

One activity you can do as a way to honor Hekate is to locate the Dog Star in the night sky. Or you can work with the moon.

I’ve found many contradictory sources that say it’s best to work with Hekate during the dark moon, the full moon, and the waning moon. Regardless, she is associated with the moon and with night time.

Just make sure you do your work at night, at an appropriate moon phase for your spells.

Divination, healing, banishing, and cleansing rituals are best done with Hekate at night.

Leave your offerings by the door, as she is the goddess of doorways. Having a permanent altar by the door dedicated to Hekate will allow her to sift through your visitors. Hekate will banish those with ill intent while welcoming those that bring good things to you.

The ancients held huge parties in honor of Hekate and made foods that were associated with her. They would try to appease her and gain her favor with chicken hearts and honey cakes.

There is some suggestion that there was an ancient guild of women in Greece. They were dedicated to Hekate and were responsible for gathering poisonous or hallucinatory plants.

As a goddess of boundaries

Hecate was associated with borders and city walls. She appeared to be a mediator between mortal and divine spheres. Her cult titles include “The Queen of Crossroads” and “Queen of the Dead”“.

Apotropaic statues were used to ward off evil spirits. These statues were placed in front of doors and windows to prevent the entry of bad spirits. In Greek mythology, Hecate was a goddess associated with witchcraft, sorcery, magic, and the night sky.

She was the protector of witches and sorcerers. She watches over entrances, but also protects them. She stands in the road, watching people enter cities. In front of private homes, she protects the occupants.

Hecate is associated with keys and doors. She protects people with her torches. Her dog companions alerts people to danger.

Cult images and altars of the goddess Hecate were placed at three-ways crossroads. These places were considered sacred by pagans. 

Hecate’s Divine Duties

Hecate is the goddess of magic, witches, the night, light and ghosts. She is also the goddess of the moon and entrances.

Hecate was a powerful goddess who could easily cross over from the underworld into the physical world. She was also known as a frequent visitor of the crossroads. She had many epithets and cult names including: Enodia (she goes on the road), Trodia (she frequents the crossroads), and Propylaia(she stands at the gate).

Hecate is a goddess who represents night and darkness. She is also associated with magic and witchcraft.

The Three Faces Of Hekate

Hekate was also known as the Triple-faced Goddess because she had three different appearances depending on which aspect of her nature you were looking at. She could appear as a maiden, an old crone or a fertile goddess.

In some depictions, these three faces are different goddesses. In others they are all one and the same. All three aspects of Hekate have been associated with the moon. She represented the full moon, the half moon, and the new moon.

Hekate Of The Underworld

Hekate is the goddess of the underworld. In this role, she represents death and rebirth. She is often depicted in human form holding a skull. This symbolizes that death is inevitable.

Here is a prayer to call Hekate of the Underworld:

Come, O Hekate, queen of the underworld,

Guide of the dead,

Queen of Hades,

Mother of the departed spirits,

You who dwell beneath the earth,

You who live in the depths of the sea,

You who dwell in the hollow hills

Prayer To Hekate And Nyx

Hekate and Nyx are both associated with the night. They work together to control dreams and the dark of the night. Here is a prayer to invoke them together:

O Lady of the Night, Queen of Darkness,

Lady of Dreams, Mother of Dreams,

Nyx, come forth from your hiding place!

And Hekate, come forth from your cave!

Together we will watch over the dreams of mortals!

Prayer To Hekate And Zeus

Zeus and Hekate have a strangely amiable relationship. Zeus allowed the Titaness to keep all of her powers from the old order after the Titanomachy. In fact, he commanded all the deathless gods to revere and respect Hekate.

For a deity so closely linked to patriarchy and so obsessed with power, there is a mystery to be contemplated there. Why does Zeus show this goddess so much respect? Is it because she has no interest in power for herself but only wants to help other people? 

Here is a prayer to contemplate that mystery:

O Zeus, son of Cronos, lord of the thunderbolt,

O Lord of the lightning bolt, mighty Zeus,

You who rule over all, you whose hands hold the sky,

Father of the gods, you who are most powerful of all,

Even you bow your head to glorious Hekate.

Why do you honor this woman who has no desire for power?

Why do you honor her despite her lineage?

What can I learn from the devotion you show this Titaness?

How can I use this knowledge to better serve the deathless gods?

Prayer To Hekate And Artemis

Artemis is one of the goddesses that is often associated with Hekate’s maiden aspect. She is the daughter of Zeus and Leto. She is the virgin huntress goddess and patroness of the moon.

She is the goddess of wild animals, especially deer. She is also the patron goddess of archery.

Here is a prayer to Hekate and Artemis:

Great Hekate, queen among the deathless gods,

Goddess of the moon, goddess of the hunt,

You who are the mistress of the wild beasts,

As Artemis are called the perpetual Maiden Goddess,

I pray that you may guide me on my journey.

May I never forget the lessons you teach me.

May I always remember the ways you inspire me.

May I walk in the light of your wisdom.

Prayer To Persephone And Hekate

Persephone is the Greek daughter of Demeter, the mother goddess of agriculture. In the myth of Persephone’s abduction by Hades, Hekate is the one that helps to locate Demeter’s daughter.

In the myths surrounding the abduction of Persephone, Hekate plays an important role. She is the one that leads the search for Persephone. She is the one who finds the location of Hades’ kingdom. It is from these myths that Hekate receives her power as a psychopomp.

A psychopomp is someone who guides souls into the afterlife. The word comes from two words: psyche (soul) and pompe (procession). Psychopomps lead the dead through the underworld.

Here is a short prayer to Hekate about Persephone:

You, who dwell in the deep abyss,

In whose hand is death,

Who lives in the underworld,

You found the lost queen of Hades,

You guided her to save humanity from eternal winter.

Hekate, companion and friend of Persephone,

Guide me on my path.

May I never fear the darkness.

May I know where to find the light.

Prayer To Hades And Hekate

Hades is the god of the underworld. He is the ruler of the dead. He must interact with Hekate in her role as psychopomp. For this reason, it’s common to worship them together.

The following prayer was written specifically for Hades and Hekate:

Hear me, O Hades, king of the dead,

Lord of the underworld, ruler of the dead,

You who live in the dark places,

Work well with kind Hekate,

For she will help you bring back those who have died.

Hekate will be your companion in your work.

Hekate’s power will aid you in your task.

Prayer To Lilith And Hekate

Lilith is the first wife of Adam. According to some sources, she was created before Eve. When working with Lilith and Hekate together, Lilith is sometimes seen as part of Hekate’s darker aspect. Hekate is not all light and happiness, in fact she is tied to many different kinds of sacrifice, death, and battles.

This is a prayer to Lilith and Hekate:

O Lilith, Seductress, Temptress,

She who invades dreams,

Who works hand in hand with divine Hekate,

Hear my prayers to you,

Defeat my enemies and aid my goals,

Help me overcome my fears,

And protect me from harm.

Prayer To Hekate Soteira

The role of Hekate as savior is very important. She is often associated with the concept of salvation. This is because she can help people escape their earthly problems and grant them a blameless death.

Soteira means “to save” or “to rescue”. Here is a prayer to Hekate Soteiria:

Heavenly Mother, hear my plea!

I am but mortal and wretched.

Give me strength and courage to face my fate,

To make good use of my time here.

To guide me safely to my end,

So that I may join my ancestors.

Prayer Of A Witch To Hekate

Hekate has been called the Queen of Witches. There are several reasons why witches call upon her. She rules magic, the night, souls, ghosts, and divination.

The following prayer is dedicated to Hekate:

Great Goddess, Queen of Witches,

Queen of the Night,

My Lady of Mysteries,

Lady of the Underworld,

Goddess of Death,

Mother of Souls,

Protectress of Witches,

Mother of Ghosts,

Guardian of Diviners,

Protector of Travelers,

Giver of Dreams,

All-Knowing One,

Mistress of Fate,

Mighty Ruler of All Things,

Guide me always,

Lead me to safety,

Save me from danger,

Keep me safe from evil,

Watch over me,

Be with me always,

Love me,

Listen to me,

Look after me,

Take care of me,

And I will work eternally in your name!

Why Is Hekate Important?

In Greek mythology, Hekate was the goddess of witchcraft, war, sorcery, and the moon. Her cult spread throughout Greece and Rome, but may be even more ancient than that.

Signs From Hekate That She Heard Your Prayers

If you’ve prayed to Hekate, then there are signs that she heard your prayers. These include:

• The appearance of a black cat
• Seeing a rainbow
• Hearing random music
• Seeing black dogs
• Feeling warmth after prayer
• Having a dream about Hekate
• Getting an answer on a question you asked from an unusual source

Why You Should Try Hecate Invocation

It is my opinion that every witch should seek the guidance and protection of this goddess of witches.

She was a mighty deity in the ancient Greek religion, making her an equally powerful role model for modern women and witches. Her worship was spread throughout Greece, but she was also worshipped in other places such as Asia Minor. She may have originally been an Anatolian goddess. She was associated with Artemis, but this wasn’t always true.

I love working with Hekate, and I find her to be a kind goddess when treated with due respect.

Especially now that I am a mother, Hekate has taken an increasingly important role in my worship and ritual, and I am regularly asking her to protect my home and my son.

When I am making sigils, I will ask her to guide my hand so that my sigils may be more powerful.

This prayer is part of asking for that favor.

I hope that the chant in this post will help you call on Hekate for your spells and rituals!

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