The Temple of Cybele

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The Goddess Hecate

By Priestess Jean

Like so many other ancient deities, our knowledge of the goddess Hecate comes to us from the Greeks. The explanation for that is quite simple. Following the Trojan War, which occured around 1200 BCE, the great civilizations of the Bronze Age collapsed, and the Greeks became the dominant power in the region. Their records survived fairly well, however those from the earlier times were mostly destroyed during the war.

According to the Greeks, Hecate is a pre-Olympian goddess... a granddaughter of the Titan god Coeus. Her mother was an Amazon (Asteria) , and she is also a first cousin to Artemis and Apollo. In addition, she is classified as a chthonic deity. All of these factors tend to indicate that Hecate was of Near Eastern origin, and entered the Greek pantheon prior to the Trojan War, during the Mycenaean period.

The Theogony , a religious text written by the Greek author Hesiod around 800 BCE, tends to confirm the age of Hecate. In it, the author speaks of her as being very well established at that time, and portrays her as a benevolent Mother Goddess archetype.

Based on linguistic evidence, most historians seem to feel that Hecate comes originally from Caria , on the west coast of Turkey. If that is correct, it's quite interesting... since the temple of Ephesus is located in Lydia, just a few miles north of the border with Caria. Last month we showed a connection between Ephesus, Cybele and Artemis... could there be also be some connection with Hecate ?

It is well-known that the worship of Hecate was extremely popular in Caria, especially in Hellenic times. She had a major sanctuary located at Lagina , built before the Trojan War, where she was often served by both female and transsexual Priestesses, in much the same way as Artemis and Cybele. Indeed, her worship seems so similar that many scholars see her as simply another incarnation of the Great Mother.

As with Artemis, the fact that we find statues and carvings depicting Hecate and Cybele standing side by side clearly shows that they were regarded as seperate deities. Although, in our modern view, we tend to regard them as aspects of a single Great Mother Goddess, apparently the ancients did not. So what did they perceive as the difference between them, and why was Hecate originally created ?

Having no reliable archeological evidence, I can only offer the following theory. Hecate has been found in Thrace since very early times. Thrace is located in a "crossroads area", through which many ancient armies have marched... and consequently, it has experienced almost constant warfare. Since Thrace was a close ally of Lydia and Caria, it seems possible that Hecate was created in either Ephesus or Lagina, in much the same way that Artemis was... to honor an ally, and bring them strength in battle. Hecate's title, "guardian of the crossroads", makes perfect sense in that light.

Later in the classical era, Hecate evolved into a darker deity. Although her original sacrifice animal was the dog (Thracians ate dog) they began to make human sacrifices, usually of captured enemy soldiers. The Greeks also did this on occasion... it was similar to an execution. In addition, attemps to invoke the goddess to harm their enemies probably established a reputation of sorcery and black magic among her followers.

Based on that, Hecate eventually became a goddess of witches in medieval Europe... and today, she has evolved into a popular deity in Wiccan circles (no pun intended). Many modern people mistakenly refer to Hecate as a triple goddess , however that concept (like Wicca) is less than 100 years old. Hecate has been shown facing in three directions simply because as guardian of the crossroads she must always be watchful.

In her original form, Hecate was a benevolent Mother Goddess archetype. Much like Artemis, she had some martial aspects... she was a huntress, often shown with weapons, but she was also a protector of children. It's unfortunate that people have transformed Hecate into such a frightening and sinister entity, but by knowing the facts about this famous ancient goddess, we can feel her warmth and beauty in the way she truly deserves.

Bright Blessings,

Priestess Jean

An Encounter with the Great Mother

By Priestess Michelle

While my family was asleep, a deep and powerful urge came over me, and in the depths of a bottomless doubt, I surrendered myself to She who is the All Mother. Dressed in white linen of a Grecian style, I let myself be over taken by the greatest calling anyone could experience, the calling to the Priestess-hood. I lit the alter with many candles, and offered pine incense, rose and milk; and while humming a sweet tune, I was soon electrified with emotion and prayer ! The words flowed effortlessly as I thought only of Her.

The things that were shown, and the things that were described are almost impossible to put into words... I remember being overcome by darkness, and then a BLAST of light that shook the bottomless sea of pre-existence ! There She was, naked and beautiful, the very center of such an amazing sight.

She danced and gave birth to all known and unknown life. She then graced me with a sacred knowledge that explained the greediness of men and the desecrations of temples and shrines. She explained unto me certain duties, responsibilities, destinies and of future trials, errors and victories. She blessed me with a knowledge of certain ritual styles that are best for me, along with many others.

Just as I began the conclusion of the mediation and ritual, as the peak was just descending, I felt a surge of electrified energy go through my entire body ! It was so powerful that it made me feel disoriented and I had to lie down for a few minutes. However, the feelings of "making contact" were still fresh in my memory and I continued to have a certain high for many hours into the night.

Ever since then, I have felt no doubt in my mind of Cybele’s existence. She has and continues to answer my prayers and speak to me in many different ways. She is my sanity when the world around me caves in. She is my strength when I am overtaken by weakness. She is my life when the numbness of death sets in on those saddest days of over-contemplation. She is the Holy Mother, who graced me and my family with the gift of New Life (i.e. my daughter), She is the Queen of Heaven and Earth who bows down to no mortal or god... She is the loving mother and fierce protector... She is my most trusted friend, advisor and matron; and I am honored to be Her Priestess.

Blessings to you and yours !

Forever more,

~Pr. Michelle~