Hekate Liminal Rites: A Study of the Rituals, Magic and Symbols of the Torch-bearing triple Goddess of the Crossroads
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At the crossroads of life, death and rebirth stands the Goddess Hekate. Honoured by men, women and gods alike, traces of her ancient provenance reach back through the millennia providing clues about her nature and origins along the way. Depictions of her as three-formed facing in three ways, sometimes with the heads of animals such as the horse, dog and snake hint at her liminal nature, as well as the powers she holds over the triple realms of earth, sea and sky. The sorcery of Medea and Circe, the witchcraft of the women of Thessaly, and the writings of philosophers such as Hesiod and Porphyry, all provide glimpses into the world of those who honoured her. Her magical powers were considered so great that even King Solomon became associated with her, she was incorporated into Jewish magic, and merged with other goddesses including Artemis, Selene, Bendis and the Egyptian Isis.
Whilst for some she was the Witch Goddess, for others she was the ruler of angels and daimons, who made predictions about Jesus and Christianity. Wherever you look, be it in the texts of Ancient Greece and Rome, Byzantium or the Renaissance, the Greek Magical Papyri or the Chaldean Oracles, you will find Hekate. The magical whir of the strophalos and the barbarous words of the voces magicae carry her message; the defixiones, love spells and charms all provide us with examples of the magic done in her name.
She was also associated with the magic of death, including necromancy and reanimation; as well as prophetic dreams, nightmares, healing herbs and poisons. The temples dedicated to her and the important role she played in the mysteries of Eleusis, Samothrace and Aigina all provide us with clues to her majesty. The popular shrines at the doorways of ordinary people, offerings left at the crossroads, and guardian statues of her at the entranceways to cities and temples all attest to her status in the hearts and minds of those who knew her mysteries.
In this book the authors draw from a wide range of sources, bringing together historical research which provides insights into the magical and religious practices associated with this remarkable Goddess. In doing so they provide an indispensable guide for those wishing to explore the mysteries of Hekate today.
About the Author
More Details
- Contributor: Sorita D'Este
- Imprint: Avalonia
- ISBN13: 9781905297238
- Number of Pages: 194
- Packaged Dimensions: 156x234x10mm
- Packaged Weight: 280
- Format: Paperback
- Publisher: Avalonia
- Release Date: 2009-03-30
- Binding: Paperback / softback
- Biography: "Bring it to Life, Bring it to Light, Bring it to Love, Bring it to Truth" . Sorita d'Este is an author, researcher and publisher who manifests her knowledge and passion for the Mysteries through her work.Her research and writing pushes at the boundaries of Western Esoterica and beyond, often questioning and challenging the status quo and inspiring others towards experiential mysticism with firm foundations build on lessons learned from history, standing positively in today and looking with enthusiasm towards the future. She passionately believes that it is possible to manifest creativity, positivity, love and enchantment through the creation of independent, free-thinking and more spiritual communities, with firm foundations in truth, natural balance and generosity. She is the author of more than 20 published books, including Hekate Liminal Rites, Artemis Virgin Goddess of the Sun and Moon, Visions of the Cailleach and The Isles of the Many Gods. She has also edited 6 anthologies, including Hekate Her Sacred Fires, Priestesses Pythonesses and Sybils and Horns of Power. Her work has also been published in numerous books, magazines, journals and part-works. For a more complete list of her published work, see Bibliography in the Books section.When she is not writing herself, nor walking the liminal boundaries in the gaps between civilisation and the wilderness, she works as a publisher, bringing the work of others into print. She is the founder and owner of Avalonia, a small independent publisher of books on magic, myth and folklore. Avalonia's mission is to expand the esoteric horizons by publishing books which pushes at the boundaries, presenting fresh and new research on a wide range of subjects, authors published by Avalonia include David Rankine, Jan Fries, Paul Harry Barron, Katie Gerrard, Kim Huggens, Christopher Alan Smith, Jim Baker, Marion Pearce and Georgi Mishev. You can find out more by visiting www.avaloniabooks.co.uk
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