Priestesses of Hekate
April 7, 2011
Priestess of Hekate
Circe (Kirke), the mighty hag in the Odyssee (Homer) was believed to have been a priestess of Hecate too.
Medea was also a priestess of Hecate and a mighty witch which is told in the Argonautica-Book. She called upon Hecates name in Colchis and Corinth to guide her:
Medea then going from chamber to chamber in search of her sister, for Hera detained her within that day; but beforetime she was not wont to haunt the palace, but all day long was busied in Hecate's temple, since she herself was the priestess of the goddess.
Medea as a mighty witch:
"Son of Aeson, thou wilt despise the counsel which I will tell thee, but, though in evil plight, it is not fitting to forbear from the trial. Ere now thou hast heard me tell of a maiden that uses sorcery under the guidance of Hecate, Perses' daughter. If we could win her aid there will be no dread, methinks, of thy defeat in the contest; but terribly do I fear that my mother will not take this task upon her. Nevertheless I will go back again to entreat her, for a common destruction overhangs us all." (ll. 475-483)
And again:
"My friends, this indeed is left us at the last. But I deem that there will come to you some timely aid from my mother. Wherefore, eager though ye be, refrain and abide in your ship a little longer as before, for it is better to forbear than recklessly to choose an evil fate. There is a maiden, nurtured in the halls of Aeetes, whom the goddess Hecate taught to handle magic herbs with exceeding skill all that the land and flowing waters produce. (THE ARGONAUTICA BOOK III , here: ll. 523-539)
Medea as priestess of Hecate, worshipping her with sacrifice:
For Medea bade them land and propitiate Hecate with sacrifice. Now all that the maiden prepared for offering the sacrifice may no man know, and may my soul not urge me to sing thereof. Awe restrains my lips, yet from that time the altar which the heroes raised on the beach to the goddess remains till now, a sight to men of a later day (THE ARGONAUTICA BOOK IV(ll. 241-252).
In all myths of Goddess Circe, She is known as powerful Sorceress and Enchantress of magick. With flaming red hair She is portrayed brewing and offering potions with wand in hand, flying on a magick staff or holding a crystal ball. She lived on the enchanted island of Aeaea off the coast of Italy, where she lured sailors with Her song. It was said by many the island itself was magickal as it's name was the same backwards as it was forward and once upon Her shores the sailors would be lost forever. Goddess Ceres took many lovers and many a tale warned of their fate as swine after She had her fill of them.
| In translation Circe means falcon and in many myths She is associated with the bird of prey. It is said She would circle her victims as She enchanted them and offered Her potions of hallucinations. Tales of trees dancing and the ground shaking to confuse and distort the path kept many a sailor from grounding on Her Island. How Goddess Circe must have laugh as she toyed with any who dare challenge the sanctuary of the Goddess. Other stories told about Goddess Circe marrying a Prince to gain ruler-ship over a kingdom near the Black Sea then poisoning him to rule alone. Once Her subjects discovered Her crime Goddess Circe fled in exile to an enchanted island where she lured and was scorned by many lovers. One lover who scorned Her for another woman resulted in Her wrath turning him into a woodpecker and yet another tale resulted in the other woman being turned into a serpent. The most famous tale of all is of Odysseus, hero of Homer's epic poem, who with his crew was sent into uncharted waters by the wrath of Poseidon while returning home from the Trojan War. Of course the tale is spun not in favor of the Goddess Ceres but Odysseus. It is said his men were turned into swine and only by winning the heart of the Goddess was he able to convince Her to undo Her evil magick and free his men. Of course the story goes on to tell of the many children Goddess Circe bore with Odysseus and the journey he was allowed into Hades under Her guide. Great wisdom was Odysseus granted on a journey that would have been impossible without Her magick. A little controversy there in opposition of the evil or good of Goddess Ceres. In other myths not only did She turn men into beast but women who foolishly crossed her into serpents as well. We can only believe this must be the words of those who feared Her powers opposed to other myths where immorality came with the transformation and it was shape shifting and magick that was witnessed. The women not serpents at all but Priestesses under Her training. Other tales of Goddess Circe tell of a compassionate Goddess whose beauty was intoxicating as She sat upon a throne in a purple robe and golden veil singing and weaving. Many describe Her Island as paradise and Her attendants as nymphs or priestesses who tended the plants and flowers of Her herbarium. That it was as Avalon, a sanctuary to all that sought the Mysteries. As Witches tonight let us embrace the powerful Goddess and Sorceress that is Goddess Circe. She who could darken the heavens by hiding the moon or the sun behind summoned clouds, She who could give illusion to Her enemies and have men lust after Her as pigs and She who tended the Maidens in the mysteries of witchcraft. Goddess Circe has withstood the twisted tales of time as Goddess has in Her many aspects, let us embrace Her power to choose and protect her fate. Let us mirror her choice to live in magick and enchantment for the mysteries are ours as daughters of Goddess Circe. As Goddess Circe spins Her magick let us be reminded of the magick of potions and incantations we possess. As She would ride upon Her magick staff let us take to the astral planes on our broom and tend our own enchanted island. that lives within our breath and heart beat. |
Posted by Lady HestiaMoonFire. Posted In : Beneath the Veil
