Are you looking into working with a deity? Do you feel particularly drawn to Hecate's figure? If you are approaching a big breakthrough, she might be calling you.
Get to know Hecate
Hecate is one of the lesser-known Greek goddesses. The abilities attributed to her in Greek mythology are many, and they are mysterious. That is why, even nowadays, some myths around her present her as an evil goddess. Certainly, some of her powers and characteristics can be associated with the Underworld. However, some of her domains undoubtedly belong to the realm of life. She has extensive powers and many divine duties. She is considered to be the goddess of the night, light, childbirth, ghosts, necromancy, and the moon. Today, we know her mainly for being the goddess of magic and witchcraft.
According to mythology, her divine duties include ushering souls from the physical world to the underworld and vice-versa. She is, therefore, a liminal goddess. As such, she was given the title of goddess of gateways and borders. In this aspect, those “in-between” spaces are under her domain. She is also called the goddess of crossroads. To represent this, she is frequently represented as a triple goddess. For example, she is most commonly seen as a triple feminine figure, or as a woman holding a three-headed dog.
Hecate’s calling
Hecate is known to call people even when, more often than not, some witches are afraid of working with her. she may call you despite you knowing very little about her -or even if you do not know her at all. This goddess tends to be persistent and does not care about the resistance or inexperience of those she wants to call.
As we know, Hecate’s domains include crossroads. Not unexpectedly, she often calls people who are going through major life changes. This is why she is believed to call pregnant and dying people predominantly. She also likes calling young witches, as she likes to teach her craft using old-school methods. This is, of course, not true for everyone. You might be invited to work with her at any age.
However, if you are standing at any kind of turning point, she might lend a hand to help you. It might come across as an inconvenient time to embark on something new. But she will empower you to burn bridges leading back to those things that no longer serve you.
This is a deep, internal process. When something inside you starts breaking, her power seeps through the cracks and starts lighting up your soul. But Hecate is loud about what she wants. The work might be inward, but she will not leave room for doubt. If she wants to call you, you will notice subtle, yet unmistakable signs from her. You just have to pay attention.
6 signs Hecate is trying to get your attention
- Black dogs
Dogs are sacred to Hecate. They are her animal companion and she is frequently depicted with one. Repeatedly coming across large, black dogs can be a signal from her. However, this sign can manifest in different ways. For example, you might hear dogs howling or barking a bit too frequently. If these sounds seem to come out of nowhere, they might be her hounds calling you.
- Keys
Hecate is the goddess of gateways, and keys are one of her symbols. Of course, we handle keys on a daily basis. But if you unexpectedly come across keys while running errands, or find a long-lost bunch of keys, it might be a sign.
- Torches
In most representations, Hecate is holding torches. This is related to her soul-guiding and gate-keeping duties. Unlike keys, torches are not frequently seen in our daily life, so spotting one without actively seeking it could be a sign.
- The number 3
Hecate is often represented as a triple female figure. This is the representation of crossroads, one of her domains. In Greek mythology, she is also connected to the three realms of the Cosmos: earth, sea, and sky. Therefore, 3 is a sacred number when it comes to Hecate. If you notice it around you often, take note. It could be a message from this goddess.
- Crossroads
Hecate will likely call you when you are standing at a crossroads. But not only metaphorically! If you have a strange experience while standing at a crossroads, especially in a forest, pay attention. A symbol, a vision, a channeled message… that could be her calling.
- Symbols
Sometimes, the calling is even more obvious. If straightforward symbols, like Hecate’s wheel or triple moon imagery, appear around you repeatedly, she might be trying to call you.
What to do when you are called by Hecate
Receiving these signs from Hecate herself might be overwhelming. Maybe you sense that she’s trying to get through, but you are not completely sure. That is normal, especially if you have never worked with deities before.
At this point, being open to signs is more effective than actively looking for them. If you suspect that Hecate wants to work with you, taking notes might be useful. Keeping a detailed log of these signs will make them tangible and can help you understand them better. Write down if they are present in dreams or real life. Mention every symbol you notice. If you have a vision, jot down any other elements present. If you are undergoing any kind of change in your life, explain that, too.
Of course, it is difficult to discern what is really a sign. However, this is when faith comes into play. Remember that Hecate works from the inside out. If you have an unexplainable gut feeling, you are most probably correct. Trust her guidance and she will show you the right direction.
First steps working with Hecate
If you are ready to start working with Hecate, you can start small and work up progressively. Here are some ideas to start your journey.
- Include her in your altar
Having her picture on your altar or lighting a candle for her is a good place to start. You can add elements as your confidence grows.
- Work with Moon cycles
You can start by cleaning your home during a Full Moon as a cleansing ritual. Make sure to intention your actions.
- Help animals
Hecate is deeply related to Nature and animals in general. Even when she is mostly seen around dogs, other animals like snakes and polecats (similar to ferrets) are also included among her symbols. Working in your local shelter or with strays is a nice way to connect with her.
- Take care of your plants
This is a rather easy way to start understanding Hecate’s work. She is an herbalist and honors medicinal herbs and plants in her craft. Learning to work with these elements can take long study sessions. However, bonding with your houseplants is an easy starting point.
- Do shadow work
Hecate is the connection between light and darkness. She walks in life, death, and anything in between. Working with your shadow will spark a close connection between you and this wise, mysterious goddess.
- Practice green witchcraft
Devote time to including herbs and elements from Nature in your practice. Not only will you feel closer to Hecate. You will also learn a new craft.
Have you received Hecate’s calling? What were your signs? Share your experience with the community in the comments!
I’m part of a group on fb for witchcraft and they mentioned Hecate. I got this feeling that I can’t explain in my body. I started looking her up. My dog randomly started barking at 620 thus morning ( same morning I say her name on a fb post). It was like my dog wanted me to follow her to check out what she was barking at. Then at work and still the same day I saw 3 ducks in water swimming. It’s winter time they should be somewhere warmer is what I told myself. I also decided to try and find a witches knot necklace for someone, the one I was considering had a key. So I’m taking it those are signs.
I’ve had dreams of a large black dog/wolf since I can remember. It’s always been the same scenario and when it looks at me I’m frozen. In more recent years (I’m just getting into witch craft and following my pagan path this past year or so), I’ve crossed paths with dogs. I have a bleeding heart when it comes to animals, dogs especially. My husband and I have 5. So when a dog crosses my path(not in the normal everyday way, like youre on a walk and someone is walking a dog), I take notice. The last 3 years I have had so many instances of finding dogs or them finding me. I was driving home one morning from work and I was passing through a very rural area and out of a field walks the most beautiful red nose pitty I’ve ever seen. I stopped and he came right to me. We sat for a little bit and I called the number on his tags and waited until the owner called me back. He was safely returned home. On another occasion, I was driving down the road that leads into my town, I look over into the cemetery and there is a dog running the same direction I’m driving, looking right at me. So of course I stopped and got her where she needed to be. Another day I was just cleaning the house and my dogs kept barking (which sometimes they just do) but I kept feeling a pull to look outside. Once I did, I saw 2 tiny black puppies in the snow. They were across the street behind a neighbors house. I ran outside to get them because it was the middle of winter. I brought them inside and kept them until I could find them homes. Another time driving home from work I found another dog, got her back to her owner. She had been missing for days and no one had seen her but she just appeared in front of me. I thought it was really strange. She’s even gone through my husband to reach me. One night him and his friend were driving around looking for good fishing spots (out in the middle of no where by the river) and a dog walks right out of the weeds in front of them. My husband called me and said what do I do? I said what do you mean what do you do, you bring her home! So he did and we also kept her until we found her a good home. Just the other day I nabbed my friends runaway dog. We had a puppy who unfortunately was very sick and we weren’t aware until it was too late. She was about 9 weeks old when she passed. I was absolutely heart broken. We buried her in our back yard and adopted her sister who was the only one in the entire litter who had survived. A week or so after her passing, I felt something nudge up against my leg, when I looked there was nothing there but I know it was our pup checking in.
The moon and its cycles have always been interesting to me. I’ve become a little more focused on them though, at first not understanding why but now I’m starting to. I started learning and working with herbs before I even knew what was happening.
For awhile I thought I was losing it, with all the odd stuff that was happening. But I am glad to know that is all has purpose and I thank you for sharing your knowledge.
I am new to accepting and being open with my beliefs. I read this and I do believe I have been with more than a few of these. She is doing her work well and I cannot unsee things now.
Dogs barking all the time.. out of no dogs I can see. Keys.. everywhere more than I ever ever remember having. Saw a stray dog on Christmas eve evening.. surely would have been hit by a car.. returned it to its owner. Triple goddess symbology literally everywhere
About 7 years ago I she came to me in a dream Wich was an onset to being awoken spiritually. I didn’t realize it was her until a month ago. In my dream I was about to enter into this huge magical store or building of crystals and candles and spiritual items. I had 2 girlfriends with me. There was an old lady with long white hair sitting on the ground in front of the doorway. She stopped us and told us we had to have a certain blood to enter. So we all cut our finger s and had to smear on this board she had. My friends could not enter. But she said to me “you have the correct blood, you may enter.” So then a few days later in earth life I found out I have RH negative blood and am Basque decent from Mom’s side and every woman in a line has this rare blood that I call magic blood. Basque is the 2nd largest witch-hunt ever. And it’s this info that made me start looking into the Metaphysical and become spiritual and completely destroy all my old xtian beliefs that I really didn’t believe anyways. But then I was awake Ed by being taken out of my body and put into my Merkabah and shown the true reality of the universe. Now I go to a bad ass conscious based school and am learning all this energy and intuitive work. And I believe. That Hecate’ was the old crone in my dream hence she was at a doorway and she allowed me to enter. Gave me the keys per say because of my blood Wich is related to my long family history of witches. And I also have moved into a house where I’m the mother of all these cats in the neighborhood and they are all black and white but the one who is my cat now all the time is full black with tiny white marks here and there. His name is Sabel. Does anybody think that it’s her. I know it was but wow. It hit me like a ton of 🧱.. I kept seeing stuff about her everywhere the last year or so and have been reading all about her. Then I was like omigodess!!! Yes!!!
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