August 13th... A Day to Thank Hecate--M. Henry

Many of us are called to by the Lady, some of us are called by one name.  Me... I am often called by the Lady Hecate.  She is known as the Goddess of Witches and of magic, the Dark of the Moon, and the threshold of the Underworld.  She walks along the roadways and counsels the living and the dead.  She is ancient, complex, and complicated.  Hecate, a Greek Goddess, can grant mortals anything they wish...or refuse.  She is the Queen of the Night, and those who seek her protection can move safely in the darkness.  She is generous to her supplicants and is the voice of wisdom, divination, and dreams.  Her link with the toad symbolizes fertility and her help in childbirth.  The knife she carries can cut an umbilical cord or the silver thread of life.  Her totem is the crow and owl.

She was/is a powerful Goddess.  In triple guise with Demeter and Persephone, she was the doorkeeper at Eleusis, the most famous of Greek mystery schools.  However, at the school she did not take the role of the Crone, but of the Maiden.  It is only by the Middle Ages she fully assumed the role of the Crone or Hag.  Hecate is the keeper of the triple crossroads and director of the path for the dead in crossing the River Styx.  Because She carries the torch through the dark half of the year, the dark night before an New Moon is appropriate for her rituals.  There are many days to celebrate Hecate, Samhain, November 16th, May 3rd, December 31st, January 8th...and the reason I am passing tis information ... August 13th.  This date falls this friday on our calender. 

Autust 13th: Celebration of Hecate of the Moon.

On August 13th, Hecate can be called upon for protection of crops from devastating storms.  It is also a day for Hecate's pleasure.  Yes, this was a day to ask for protection of crops that filled our tables; however, I also consider all those things which I nurture...such as my child,  family, job, etc...these are my crops as well. Also...the storms, like the crops, is not always that which comes from the sky...but that which causes pain and suffering.

Hecate, Dark Moon Mother, wise one; who knows the secret ways,
I receive the gifts in joy and in solemnity.
Always will I treasure these.
Always will I remember their teachings.
I light a candle in Your honor and in thanks for your protection and wisdom.
Blessed Be!

Til we meet again... Remember, be gracious, be safe, and Harm None.
(special thanks to K.D.S. for research on this subject)