Unlike others, Hekate, the Queen of the Witches, stands at three way crossroads (as opposed to four) and protects those at the threshold of change. Beautiful and powerful, Hecate was the only Titan allowed to keep her power and Zeus himself shared the ability to give mortals anything they wished. She retained the right to refuse outright, which is probably one of the reasons she was referred to as a bitch. Sure, she was also represented as a three headed hound, but really?
Over the years her reputation was tarnished and she went from a creature of unimaginable power, glowing, and having desirable features to an old hag stirring a cauldron. The maiden and the mother stripped from her and her triple nature was washed away. Robbed of her rightful place, she slipped in obscurity, overshadowed by the Olympian gods that had become the trendy alternatives. In an attempt to rob Hekate, her attributes were divided among the newer goddesses; trying to break up her vast abilities. Her former kingdoms of earth, sea, and sky were divided into lesser moon goddess. It may be the original glass ceiling.
So why did the patriarchy go after her? The same reason it always does; power in the hands of women is dangerous. And when that female has the ability to deny the desires of mortals, the right to say no, she gets bullseye on her back right quick. The joke is on them; Hekate turned out to be a survivor.
A multifaceted goddess, she is known variously as the Queen of the Crossroads, the Queen of Witches, and the Queen of Ghosts. She kept that crown on her head despite the efforts to diminish her. A protector of all things newborn and a psychopomp for the dead, she guides the deceased to the afterlife without judgement; unlike all the glass house gods. Associated with the crossroads, a place of great magic, thresholds, and entrance ways, she is the protector of those traveling from one state of being to another. Her softer side is a goddess of the household and at her discretion bestows prosperity and protection to those that honor her. She often appears with two torches and holds a key to transformation. Without question her knowledge of herbs and poisonous plants, ghosts, necromancy, and sorcery added to the fears of the patriarchy.
Hekate is an intense goddess to appeal to but if she deems your request valid she is a powerful ally. Call upon her at the crossroads when you need the Bitch Queen at your back.
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Jacki Smith this the founder, enchantress and visionary of Coventry Creations. She started Coventy in 1992 and with her sister and business partner, Patty Shaw, they have taken if from the kitchen stove to an international company. Author, teacher, presenter, radio host, reader and healer, Jacki has dedicated her entire life to the mission of normalizing the words “Witch” and “Magic.”
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