Description
Hekate (known as Trivia in Rome) is the Greek goddess of the Magick, spells and Witches, while also associated with crossroads, the moon, graves, ghosts, night and light. Although she does not have a direct relation to vampires as a goddess of witches, night and the moon she obviously appeals to vampires who are magickal practitioners. Originally her first recorded appearance was as a major deity of the sky, earth and sea in the 8th century BCE in Hesiod’s Theogony. After the rise of Christianity in the 2nd - 3rd centuries CE she was considered a Soteria the Mother of Angels and the Anima Mundi (Cosmic World Soul).
Historically Hekate is presented as a three form or three faced goddess, which is not to be confused with the triple goddess of Maiden, Mother and Crone. Her symbol is a key and she was always travelled with a pack of dogs. She has the symbol of the torch which comes from her decent into the underworld to look for her Demeter’s daughter Persephone who was abducted. The three faces are theorized to be able to look in all directions on the crossroads and represents choices of directions. Special pillars called Hecataea, erected in her honor stand in ancient crossroads to protect from evil spirits for weary travelers.
Working with Hekate for vampires is very natural as her being the goddess of the night and moon. She is most powerful during the new moon and this is where most rituals are done in her honor. Altars to Hekate by vampires may have her traditional colors of red, black and silver with statues to the goddess, blood red candles, and dark stones. Hekataion, are small shrines dedicated to Hakate can be as simple statue with her looking to the three directions. Hakate is an ancient deity with many aspects and although she is not a vampiric entity there is often much worship of her from the vampire world, thus great crossover between the two realms.
