HECATE - ÆKÁTI - ΕΚΑΤΗ Advocate of the Virtuous
FOTO credit: rob koopman from Leiderdorp, Netherlands HellenicGods.org
Generalities Concerning Ækáti Ækáti - (Hecate or Hekate; Gr. Ἑκάτη, ΕΚΑΤΗ: "far-shooting" or "she who has far-shooting power") Pronounced: ĕ-KAH-tee. Ækáti is the daughter of Astæría (Asteria; Gr. Ἀστερία) and Pǽrsis (Perses; Gr. Πέρσης). [1] She is the mighty Goddess who is our greatest advocate in the pursuit of arætí (arete; Gr. ἀρετή), genuine virtue:
Ækáti is associated with the Ælefsínia Mystíria Ækáti is associated with the mythology of Ælefsís (Eleusis; Gr. Ἐλευσίς). Ækáti and Ílios (Helios; Ἥλιος) were the only witnesses to the abduction of Pærsæphóni (Persephone; Gr. Περσεφόνη). Feeling tremendous pity for the despairing Dimítir (Demeter; Gr. Δημήτηρ), Ækáti assisted her in her search for Pærsæphóni with flaming torches. After Pærsæphóni was reunited with her mother, Ækáti is now the great attendant of the Kóri (Core; Gr. Κόρη). Ækáti is a great Goddess of Light, yet she is associated with the Night In some ancient literature and in the beliefs of some contemporary polytheistic communities, Ækáti is a "dark" Goddess and a type of witch. This is a complete misunderstanding and a great sacrilege. Like all Gods and Goddesses, Ækáti is a being of immense light. There is nothing but enlightenment in this Goddess. If this is so, then why is Ækáti called Nyktǽria (Gr. Νυκτέρια), an epithet meaning "of the night?" It is because, like the great Goddess Nyx, Ækáti operates in areas that are generally unknown to mortals and inaccessible to the rational mind, hence they are hidden from us as though concealed by night. And it must be kept in mind that Ækáti is the daughter of Astæría, the starry one, and Pǽrsis, who is also connected with the stars and fire; therefore, even though her parents are connected with the night, they are of the stars, celestial bodies which give light, but which can only be perceived in darkness. One of Ækáti's epithets is phohsphóros (phosphorus; Gr. φωσφόρος), an epithet meaning "bringing light." Ækáti has hidden means to give help, but particularly when we cannot see our way through difficult problems; her name means, "she who works from afar." Ækáti is the Queen of Mayeia Ækáti nurtures the Virtuous Ækáti is the mighty advocate of the virtuous who holds our hands while we pray, delivering them to the Agathós Daimohn(Gr. Ἀγαθὸς Δαίμων) whose supplications are heard by the Olympian Gods. Why does Ækáti use the Agathós Daimohn to deliver our prayers to the Gods? Why does she not deliver them herself or, for that matter, why should there be an intermediate at all? Ækáti does this for its efficacy, because the Agathós Daimohn is a soul of great beauty who has given up a life to protect us. It is not at all unlike the familiar saying, "There is nothing more powerful than a mother's prayer." For the Gods cannot ignore the noble pleading of the Agathós Daimohn. When a person decides to commit to a life of virtue, the Gods take notice, as though their eyes open wide; and they move close to us and give help, for they know that this is a difficult road and they find such an endeavor beautiful. Ækáti is particularly interested in the souls of those who embark on this pursuit. She assists the suppliant and works alongside Athiná (Athena; Gr. Ἀθηνᾶ) who, according to the Orphic Rhapsodic Theogony (See The Fifth King), is virtue itself. The Orphic Hymn to Ækáti Please follow this link to a page which includes the ancient Greek text of the Orphic Hymn to Ækáti, the translation into English by Thomas Taylor, a transliteration for easy pronunciation, as well as a complete breakdown of the hymn, word by word. The hymn is a great vehicle to help those who worship to understand the mighty Goddess: The Orphic Hymn to Ækáti Please visit this page: The Epithets of Ækáti The story of the birth of the Gods: Orphic Rhapsodic Theogony. We know the various qualities and characteristics of the Gods based on metaphorical stories: Mythology. Dictionary of terms related to ancient Greek mythology: Glossary of Hellenic Mythology. Introduction to the Thæí (the Gods): The Nature of the Gods. How do we know there are Gods? Experiencing Gods
NOTES TO THE ESSAY ON ÆKÁTI: [1] Ἀπολλόδωρος Βιβλιοθήκη I.II.4, trans. J. G. Frazer in Apollodorus: The Library Vol. 1, Loeb LCL 121, Harvard Univ. Press (Cambridge MA and London, England), 1921; we are using the 1990 edition where this quotation can be found on p. 13:
This is also confirmed in Ἡσίοδος Θεογονία 411. [2] H. G. Evelyn-White translates this as "Earth and Ocean" but this is a mistake as the ancient text uses the word Οὐρανοῖ. This can be verified by comparing other translations and copies of the ancient text. Therefore, it should read "Earth and Ouranós." [3] Ἡσίοδος Θεογονία 411-452, trans. by H. G. Evelyn-White, in the book entitled Hesiod, The Homeric Hymns and Homerica, pp. 109-113, Harvard Univ. Press (Cambridge MA USA) and William Heinemann LTD (London England), Loeb Classical Library, 1914. We are using the 1936 edition.
The logo to the left is the principal symbol of this website. It is called the CESS logo, i.e. the Children of the Earth and the Starry Sky. The Pætilía (Petelia; Gr. Πετηλία) and other golden tablets having this phrase are the inspiration for the symbol. The image represents this idea: Earth (divisible substance) and the Sky (continuous substance) are the two kozmogonic substances.
The twelve stars represent the Natural Laws, the dominions
of the Olympian
Gods. In front of these symbols is the seven-stringed kithára (cithara; Gr. κιθάρα), the lyre of Apóllohn (Apollo;
Gr. Ἀπόλλων). It (here) represents the bond between Gods and mortals and is representative that we are the children of Orphéfs (Orpheus; Gr. Ὀρφεύς).
PLEASE NOTE: Throughout the pages of this website, you will find fascinating stories about our Gods. These narratives are known as mythology, the traditional stories of the Gods and Heroes. While these tales are great mystical vehicles containing transcendent truth, they are symbolic and should not be taken literally. A literal reading will frequently yield an erroneous result. The meaning of the myths is concealed in code. To understand them requires a key. For instance, when a God kills someone, this usually means a transformation of the soul to a higher level. Similarly, sexual union with a God is a transformation. The story of the birth of the Gods: Orphic Rhapsodic Theogony.
We know the various qualities and characteristics of the Gods based on metaphorical stories: Mythology. Dictionary of terms related to ancient Greek mythology: Glossary of Hellenic Mythology. SPELLING: HellenicGods.org uses the Reuchlinian method of pronouncing ancient Greek, the system preferred by scholars from Greece itself. An approach was developed to enable the student to easily approximate the Greek words. Consequently, the way we spell words is unique, as this method of transliteration is exclusive to this website. For more information, visit these three pages: PHOTO COPYRIGHT INFORMATION: The many pages of this website incorporate images, some created by the author, but many obtained from outside sources. To find out more information about these images and why this website can use them, visit this link: Photo Copyright Information DISCLAIMER: The inclusion of images, quotations, and links from outside sources does not in any way imply agreement (or disagreement), approval (or disapproval) with the views of HellenicGods.org by the external sources from which they were obtained. Further, the inclusion of images, quotations, and links from outside sources does not in any way imply agreement (or disagreement), approval (or disapproval) by HellenicGods.org of the contents or views of any external sources from which they were obtained.
For more information: Inquire.hellenicgods@gmail.com For answers to many questions: Hellenismos FAQ © 2010 by HellenicGods.org. All Rights Reserved.
|