Hekate by Maxmillán Pirner, 1901
Few deities have forged the intimate link with magicians, witches and magical practitioners that Hekate has in her various manifestations. As the bonafide patroness of magic and witchcraft and goddess of liminality, Hekate has represented and embodied the sacred mysteries and arcane arts for millennia.
Hekate’s antiquity is indisputable with most scholars tracing her worship to a remote prehistory in Anatolia or Thrace.[1] Her largest cult center was in the southwestern Anatolian region of Caria where it is suggested that she was worshipped in the tradition of the Great Goddesses of Asia Minor.[2]
Regardless of her origins, Hekate first enters Greek mythology with unprecedented prestige and power. She is identified as one of the “old gods”, a Titan born from Asteria (titan of the night) and Perses (titan of destruction) who is readily accepted and even honored by the olympic gods. The first mention of Hekate is in Hesiod’s Theogony (8th C. BCE), where she is greatly favored by Zeus and retains her sovereignty over the earth, the heavens and the sea even after the Titans are overthrown.[3] From the Hellenic period onward, Hekate’s role begins to shift, her rulership over the realms is replaced by a focus on her liminal nature.[4] It is during this time that she emerges as the chthonic goddess of ghosts and magic with emphasized lunar and nocturnal aspects. She becomes intimately associated with the oracles of the dead and the practices of necromancy, psychagogoi and goetia.[5] [6] By the 2nd century CE, Hekate’s role is once again redefined within the metaphysical tradition of the Chaldean Oracles. This Chaldean Hekate is a super-cosmic entity identified as the Amina Mundi in a neoplatonic cosmology. She emerges as the ever-flowing ever-present feminine aspect of the divine, the ruler of destiny and savior of man.[7]
The Greek Magical Papyri presents us with invaluable insight into how the practicing magicians, priests, and sorcerers of late antiquity viewed and interacted with this formidable and mysterious goddess. We find that the Hekate of the PGM is indiscriminately merged with elements reminiscent of both the late Hellenic and the Chaldean Hekate…one may even argue that glimpses of that Anatolian Great Goddess shine through. It should be noted that Lewey interprets the Chaldean Hekate as being born from the magical tradition versus influencing it.[8] This is an interesting theory given the great importance endowed upon the goddess by the magical papyri in which essentially all the other Greek goddess are conflated with her. Among the most prominent are Selene, Artemis and Persephone who as aspects of Hekate come to represent her authority over the celestial, terrestrial and chthonic realms respectively.
The hymns and spells of PGM IV are perhaps the most revealing as they compose the majority of the extant mentions of Hekate in the magical papyri. In these texts she is paradoxically chthonic and celestial, frightful and beautiful, infernal and divine. She is described triple-formed and three headed as was customary in the Hellenic period, but in the same invocation she is also tetra-formed with the head of bull, a snake, a horse and a dog as described in the Chaldean fragments.[9] Hekate is hailed as ‘all-powerful’, ‘all-nurturing’, ‘all-giving’ and ‘all-guarding’ further echoing the Chaldean influence yet she never looses her dominance over the underworld and her terrifying and distinctly dark aspects. Her epithets speak for themselves, for she truly is the enigmatic goddess of many forms (polymorphos) and many names (polyônymos).
What follows are a couple tables that can be used as a reference for devotees of Hekate or practitioners of Graeco-Egyptian magic. The first table lists all the spells from the readily available Betz edition of the magical papyri in which Hekate is mentioned and briefly describes the intent of the spell.[10] The second table lists the epithets of Hekate found in the invocations and hymns of the PGM.
| PGM Spell | Notes |
| PGM III. 1-164 | Spell to deify a cat by drowning and make into a talisman/idol. Hekate is invoked together with Hermes and even as a syncretic Hermekate. |
| PGM IV. 1390-1495 | Love spell performed in necromantic setting (with the help of “those who have died a violent death”). Invoked by herself (also as Hekate-Persephone) for three days while making the initial offering at the place of death. Later invoked with many other Chthonic deities for a secondary offering. |
| PGM IV. 2006-2125 | Necromantic spell to bind a spirit of the dead to service. Hekate is drawn on a flax leaf “with three heads and six hands, holding torches in her hands, on the right side of her face having the head of a cow; and on the left side the head of a dog; and in the middle the head of a maiden with sandals bound on her feet.” |
| PGM IV. 2241-2358 | Hymn to the Waning moon. Though not mentioned directly, the hymn is without a doubt to Hekate (as Hekate-Selene) given the epithets, symbolism, and nominae magicae. |
| PGM IV. 2441-2621 | This spell is actually a series of smaller “slander” spells (of attraction, to send sickness, to destroy an enemy, to send dreams to others, and to procure a dream oracle). Hekate is invoked in the offering that precedes all the other spells. Here she is syncretized with Artemis, Persephone, Selene, and Aphrodite. |
| PGM IV. 2622-2707 | Another spell similar to PGM IV 2441-2621. “For it attracts in the same hour, it sends dreams, it causes sickness, produces dream visions, removes enemies when you reverse the spell, however you wish.” The phylactery for the spell is a heart-shaped magnetite carved with “Hekate lying about the heart, like a little crescent.” |
| PGM IV. 2708-2784 | Full moon hymn. In this case the petition is to secure the affections of a lover, but could be used for any form of petition or prayer. Hekate is once again identified with Artemis, Persephone and Selene. |
| PGM IV. 2785-2890 | Another hymn accompanying lunar offerings. Hekate is again associated with Artemis, Persephone and Selene. In this hymn there is a distinct Chaldean nature to Hekate who amongst omnipotent and cosmic imagery is called forth as “Mother of all things.” A protective charm accompanies this rite, it is to be a lodestone carved with ” a three-faced Hekate. And let the middle face be that of a maiden wearing horns, and the left face that of a dog, and the one on the right that of a goat.” |
| PGM IV. 2943-2966 | Love spell to cause a lover to “lie awake for me for all eternity”. In this spell it appears that Iope (Cassiopeia) is called forth to perform the deed through the authority and power of Hekate. |
| PGM XII. 1-13 | The maiden of the spell is Persephone; however that she appears at a crossroads holding two torches speaks to Hekate. This is an odd spell as the magician coerces the goddess by extinguishing her torches and only promising to relight them upon the petition being granted. |
| PGM LXX. 4-25 | Spell titled “Charm of Hekate Ereschigal agains fear of punishment.” As stated in the title, the spell identifies Hekate with the Babylonian underworld goddess Ereschigal. Seems like two disjoint spells in one. The first is to avert being caught by authorities, the second is to cause insomnia on a target. |
| PGM XCIII. 1-6 | Fragment, likely of a spell to acquire favor and victory. Mentions Hekate along with an blood offering. |
| PGM CXIV. 1-14 | Fragment of a protection spell from evil attacks and epileptic fits. Hekate mentioned, though her role is uncertain. |
| PGM CXVII. | Fragment of historical significance. It is is likely one of the earlier papyri of the collection and speaks to an already well established syncretic Greek and Egyptian tradition. Thought to be a love spell mentioning Hekate. |
The following table lists the epithets used for Hekate in her various forms throughout the PGM (i.e. Hekate-Selene, Hekate-Artemis, Hekate-Persephone, etc.). The epithets are only listed once per spell, so even if an epithet occurs multiple times in one invocation it will only be listed once. However, if the same epithet is used in multiple spells it will be listed in each so that we can see how frequent certain epithets are across spells. There are no epithets listed for PGM IV. 2006-2125 since the invocations are all nominae magicae and all direct references to Hekate are in the construction of the phylactery. Nor are any epithets listed from the fragmented papyri (PGM XCII, PGM CXIV, PGM CXVII). The epithets were taken from the Preisendanz edition of the PGM and cross-referenced with the LMPG and the LSJ; most of these -and versions thereof – have been published by modern scholars and can be found elsewhere online. [11][12][13][14][15]
The first column presents the epithets in the form in which they appear in the text (generally singular vocative), the nominative suffix is presented in parenthesis when it differs. The middle column contains the phonetic spelling of the nominative epithet in latin characters; and the third column, the English meaning.
| PGM III. 1-164 | ||
| ἂρκυια | Arkuia | ‘Spinner of webs’, ‘Entrapper’ |
| νεκυῖα | Nekuia | ‘Goddess of death’, ‘Mistress of corpses’ |
| PGM IV. 1390-1495 | ||
| τρικάρανε (ος) | Trikaranos | ‘Three-headed’,’Three-faced’ |
| νυχία | Nychia | ‘Nocturnal’ |
| κλειδοῦχε (ος) | Kleidouchos | ‘Key-holder’, ‘Key-keeper’ |
| πυριδρακοντόζωνε (ος) | Pyridrakontozônos | ‘Girt with flaming serpents’ |
| ἐνόδια (ος) | Enodia | ‘Of the crossroads’ |
| κύων μέλαινα | Kyôn melaina | ‘Black bitch’ |
| χθονία (ος) | Chthonia | ‘Chthonic’ |
| PGM IV. 2241-2358 | ||
| ταρταροῦχε (ος) | Tartarouchos | ‘Ruler of Tartarus’, ‘Controller of Tartarus’ |
| φωτοπληξ | Phôtoplêx | ‘Who smites with light’ |
| στρατηλατις | Stratêlatis | ‘Leader of hosts’ |
| ακτινοχαιτις | Aktinochiatis | ‘Radiant haired’ |
| λυκω | Lyko | ‘She-wolf’ |
| φῶς | Phôs | ‘Holy light’ |
| παιώνια (ος) | Paiônios | ‘Healer’ |
| πολυκλείτη (ος) | Polykleitos | ‘Famed’ |
| προμηθική (ός) | Promêthikos | ‘With forethought’ |
| νύσσα | Nyssa | ‘Goader’ |
| ποδάρκη | Podarkê | ‘Quick-footed’ |
| ἂμβροτε (ος) | Ambrotos | ‘Immortal’ |
| ἂλκίμη (ος) | Alkimos | ‘Powerful’ |
| περσία | Persia | ‘Persian’ |
| νομαίη (ος) | Nomaios | ‘Pastoral’ |
| χρυσοστεφής | Chrysostephês | ‘Golden-crowned’ |
| πρέσβειρα | Presbeira | ‘Ancient’ |
| σκοτείη (ος) | Skotios | ‘Somber’, ‘Darkness’ |
| Βριμώ | Brimô | ‘Angry-One’, ‘Terrifying’ |
| φαεννώ | Phaennô | ‘Brilliant’ |
| δείχτειρα | Deichteira | ‘Teacher’, ‘Revealer’ |
| εἰδωλίη (ος) | Eidôlios | ‘Fantasmal’, ‘Ghostly’ |
| ἰνδάλιμη (ος) | Indalimos | ‘Beautiful’ |
| αὐτοφυής | Autophyês | ‘Self-generating’ |
| βαριδοῦχε (ος) | Baridouchos | ‘Barque-holder’ |
| αἰζήιη (ος) | Aizêiοs | ‘Vigorous’ |
| ὀξυβόη | Oksyboê | ‘Shrill-screamer’, ‘Shrieker’ |
| ἂρκυια | Arkuia | ‘Spinner of webs’, ‘Entrapper’ |
| χαροπή (ός) | Charopos | ‘Ferocious-aspected’ |
| πάγγαιη (ος) | Pangaios | ‘World-wide’ |
| σώτειρα | Sôteira | ‘Savior’ |
| κλωθαίη | Klôthaiê | ‘Spinner of fate’ |
| πανδώτειρα | Pandôteira | ‘All-giver’, ‘One who gives everything’ |
| ἀγλαή (ός) | Aglaos | ‘Radiant’ |
| ἀρηγέ (ός) | Arêgos | ‘Helper’ |
| κύδιμη (ος) | Kydimos | ‘Glorious’ |
| ἂγια | Agia | ‘Holy’, ‘Sacred’ |
| λιπαροπλόκαμε (ος) | Liparoplokamos | ‘Brilliant-Braided’ |
| ζαθείη | Zatheiê | ‘Divine’ |
| τερψίμβροτε (ος) | Terpsimbrotos | ‘Delighting men’, ‘One who delights mortals’ |
| χρυσῶπι (ς) | Chrysôpis | ‘Golden-faced’ |
| λοχιάς | Lochias | ‘Protector of birth’, ‘Goddess of Childbearing’ |
| τλητή (ος) | Tlêtê | ‘Patient’ |
| ἀτάσθαλη (ος) | Atasthalos | ‘Pretentious’ |
| δαιδάλη (ος) | Daidalos | ‘Cunning’ |
| ἰοχέαιρα | Iocheaira | ‘Arrow-shooter’ |
| δράκαινα | Drakaina | ‘Dragoness’, ‘Serpentess’ |
| PGM IV. 2441-2621 | ||
| ίοχέαιρα | Iocheaira | ‘Arrow-shooter’ |
| ἐλαφηβόλε (ος) | Elaphêbolos | ‘Deer-huntress’ |
| νυκτοφάνεια | Nyktophaneia | ‘Night-shining’ |
| τρικάρανε (ος) | Trikaranos | ‘Triple-headed’ |
| τρίκτυπε (ος) | Triktypos | ‘Triple-sounding’ |
| τρίφθογγε (ος) | Triphthoggos | ‘Triple-voiced’ |
| θρινακία | Thrinakia | ‘Triple-pointed’, ‘Of three extremes’ |
| τριαύχενε (ος) | Triauchenos | ‘Triple-necked’ |
| τριοδῖτι (ς) | Trioditis | ‘Of the Three ways’, ‘Of the three roads’ |
| τριπρόσωπε (ος) | Triprosôpos | ‘Triple-faced’ |
| μάκαιρα (ρος) | Makairapos | ‘Blessed-one’ |
| θηροκτόνε (ος) | Thêroktomos | ‘Beast-slayer’ |
| νυχία (ος) | Nychia | ‘Nocturnal-one’, ‘Goddess of Night’ |
| δασπλῆτις | Dasplêtis | ‘Horror’, ‘Frightful-one’ |
| πολυώδυνε (ος) | Polyôdynos | ‘Full of Pain’, ‘One who suffers much’ |
| νυκταιροδύτειρα | Nyktairodyteira | ‘Night Riser and Setter’ |
| τριώνυμε (ος) | Triônymos | ‘Triple-named’ |
| άβρονόη | Abronoê | ‘Gracious-minded’ |
| φοβερα (ός) | Phoberos | ‘Terrible’, ‘Fearful’ |
| κερατῶπι (ς) | Keratôpis | ‘Horned-faced’ |
| ταυρόμορφε (ος) | Tauromorphos | ‘Bull-formed’ |
| φωσφόρε (ος) | Phôsphoros | ‘Light-bringer’ |
| ίπποπρόσωπε (ος) | Ippoprosôpos | ‘Horse-faced’ |
| κυνολὐγματε (ος) | Kunolygmatos | ‘Doglike Howler’, ‘Who howls doglike’ |
| λὐκαινα | Lykaina | ‘She-wolf’ |
| χθόνια (ος) | Chthonia | ‘Chthonic’ |
| ἂγια (ος) | Agia | ‘Sacred’, ‘Holy’ |
| μελανείμων | Melaneimôn | ‘Black-clad’ |
| παγγεννήτειρα | Paggennêteira | ‘Mother of All’ |
| ἐρωτοτόκεια | Erôtotokeia | ‘Bearer of love’, ep. of Aphrodite as mother of Eros |
| λαμπάδια (ος) | Lampadios | ‘Lamp-bearer’ |
| φαέθω | Phaethô | ‘Radiant’ |
| ἀστροδία | Astrodia | ‘Star-walker’ |
| δᾳδοῦχε (ος) | Dadouchos | ‘Torch-bearer’ |
| οὐράνια (ος) | Ourania | ‘Celestial’, ‘Heavenly’ |
| πυρίπνου (ος) | Pyripnoos | ‘Fire-breather’ |
| τετραοδῖτις | Tetraoditis | ‘Of the Four ways’, ‘Of Four roads’ |
| τετραπροσωπινή (ός) | Tetraprosôpinos | ‘Four-faced’ |
| τετραώνυμε (ος) | Tetraônymos | ‘Four-named’ |
| λιμενῖτις | Limenitis | ‘Harbor Goddess’ |
| ἐνόδια (ος) | Enodia | ‘Of the crossroads’ |
| νερτέρια (ος) | Nerterios | ‘Infernal’, ‘Subterranean’ |
| ὀρίπλανε (ος) | Oriplanos | ‘Mountain-roamer’ |
| αἰώνα (ος) | Aiônos | ‘Eternal’ |
| βύθια (ος) | Buthios | ‘Abysmal’, ‘Of the Depths’ |
| σκότια (ος) | Skotia | ‘Somber’ |
| βασίλεια | Basileia | ‘Queen’ |
| δεινή (ος) | Deinos | ‘Terrible’ |
| πανοπαῖα | Panοpaia | ‘All-seeing’, ‘One who sees everything’ |
| παρθένε (ος) | Parthenos | ‘Virgin’ |
| ταυροδράκαινα | Taurodrakaina | ‘Bull-Dragon’, half bull/ half serpent |
| ίπποκύων | Ippokyôn | ‘Mare-Dog’, half dog/ half horse |
| κραταιή (ος) | Krataios | ‘Powerful’, ‘Dominator’ |
| PGM IV. 2708-2784 | ||
| γιγάεσσα | Gigaessa | ‘Giant’ |
| μεδέουσα (ων) | Medeousa | ‘Protector’ |
| ἂδμητη (ος) | Admêtos | ‘Indomable’, ‘Unconquered’ |
| ίοχέαιρα | Iocheaira | ‘Arrow-shooter’ |
| περσία | Persia | ‘Persian’ |
| φροῦνε (ος) | Phroune | ‘Toad’, ‘Frog’ |
| εὐπατέρεια | Eupatepeia | ‘Noble-born’ |
| δαδοῦχε (ος) | Dadouchos | ‘Torch-bearer’ |
| ήγεμόυη | Hêgemoye | ‘Queen’ |
| κατακαμψυψαύχενε (ος) | Katakampsypsaychenos | ‘Bender of proud necks’ |
| ἐπίσκοπος | Episkopos | ‘Guardian’ |
| σκυλακάγεια | Skylakageia | ‘Dog-leader’ |
| ἐνόδια (ος) | Enodia | ‘Of the crossroads’ |
| πανδαμάτειρα | Pandamateira | ‘All powerful’, ‘Master of all’, ‘All-tamer’ |
| τρικάρανε (ος) | Trikaranos | ‘Triple-headed’ |
| φωσφόρε (ος) | Phôsphoros | ‘Light-bringer’ |
| έλλοφόνα (ος) | Ellophonos | ‘Fawn-slayer’ |
| δολόεσσα (ις) | Doloessa | ‘Astute-one’ |
| πολύμορφε (ος) | Polymorphos | ‘Many-formed’ |
| πυρίπνον (ος) | Pyripnos | ‘Fire-breather’ |
| τριοδῖτι (ς) | Trioditis | ‘Of the Three ways’, ‘Of the three roads’ |
| παρθένε (ος) | Parthenos | ‘Virgin’ |
| πολυώνυμε (ος) | Polyônymos | ‘Many-named’, ‘Of many names’ |
| φυλακa (ή) | Phylakê | ‘Protector’, ‘Guardian’ |
| βοῶπι (ς) | Boôpis | ‘Cow-eyed’ |
| πυρίφοιτε (ος) | Pyriphoitos | ‘Fire-walker’ |
| ῤηξιπυλη | Rêksipylê | ‘Door-breaker’, ‘Gate-breaker’ |
| πυρίβουλε (ος) | Pyriboulos | ‘Of fiery counsel’ |
| ῤηξιχθων | Reskichthon | ‘Bursting forth from the Earth’ |
| πασικράτεια | Pasikrateia | ‘All-powerful’, ‘who dominates all’ |
| παντρέφω | Pantrephô | ‘All-nurturing’, ‘All-sustaining’, ‘who feeds all’ |
| πασιμεδέουσα | Pasimedeonsa | ‘All-guarding’, ‘All-protecting’ |
| PGM IV. 2785-2890 | ||
| δέσποινα | Despoina | ‘Lady’ |
| τριπρόσωπε (ος) | Triprosôpos | ‘Triple-faced’ |
| φαεσίμβροτε (ος) | Phaesimbrotos | ‘Bringer of light to mortals’ |
| ἠριγένεια | Êrigeneia | ‘Daughter of morning’ |
| βασίλεια | Basileia | ‘Queen’ |
| τρικάρανε (ος) | Trikaranos | ‘Triple-headed’ |
| πολύμορφε (ος) | Polymorphos | ‘Many-formed’, ‘Of many forms’ |
| νυκτίβοη (ος) | Nyktiboos | ‘Night-Shouter’, ‘Night-Crier’ |
| ταυροκάρηνε (ος) | Taurokarênos | ‘Bull-headed’ |
| φιλήρεμε (ος) | Philêremos | ‘Lover of Solitude’ |
| ταυρωπος | Taurôpos | ‘Bull-aspected’ |
| ίοχέαιρα | Iocheaira | ‘Arrow-shooter’ |
| τετραοδῖτις | Tetraoditis | ‘Of the Four ways’, ‘Of Four roads’ |
| τετραπρόσωπος | Tetraprosôpos | ‘Four-faced’ |
| τετραώνυμε (ος) | Tetraônymos | ‘Four-named’ |
| τρικάρανε (ος) | Trikaranos | ‘Triple-headed’ |
| τρίκτυπε (ος) | Triktypos | ‘Triple-sounding’ |
| τρίφθογγε (ος) | Triphthoggos | ‘Triple-voiced’ |
| θρινακία | Thrinakia | ‘Triple-pointed’, ‘Of three extremes’ |
| τριαύχενε (ος) | Triauchenos | ‘Triple-necked’ |
| τριοδῖτι (ς) | Trioditis | ‘Of the Three ways’, ‘Of the three roads’ |
| ἐλαφηβόλε (ος) | Elaphêbolos | ‘Deer-huntress’ |
| νυκτοφάνεια | Nyktophaneia | ‘Night-shining’ |
| ἀθάνατος | Athanatos | ‘Immortal’ |
| καλλιγένεια | Kalligeneia | ‘Bearing Beautiful Offspring’ |
| πολυώνυμε (ος) | Polyônymos | ‘Many-named’, ‘Of many names’ |
| κερόεις | Keroeis | ‘Horned’ |
| ταυρῶπις | Taurôpis | ‘Bull-faced’ |
| γενέτειρα | Geneteira | ‘Mother’ |
| φύσις | Physis | ‘Nature’ (personified) |
| παμμήτωρ | Pammêtôr | ‘Mother of All’ |
| ἀέναον (ος) | Aenaos | ‘Eternal’ |
| δαμνομένεια | Damnomeneia | ‘Dominating Force’ |
| δαμασάνδρα | Damasandra | ‘Dominator of Men’, ‘Subduer of Men’ |
| δαμνοδαμία | Damnodamia | ‘Subduer of Subduers’ |
| λιμενῖτις | Limenitis | ‘Harbor Goddess’ |
| ἐνόδια (ος) | Enodia | ‘Of the crossroads’ |
| νερτέρια (ος) | Nerteria | ‘Infernal’, ‘Subterranean’ |
| ὀρίπλανε (ος) | Oriplanos | ‘Mountain-roamer’ |
| οὐράνια (ος) | Ourania | ‘Celestial’, ‘Heavenly’ |
| ἀϊδωναία | Aidônaia | ‘Goddess of Hades’ |
| νύχια (ος) | Nychia | ‘Nocturnal’ |
| σκότια (ος) | Skotia | ‘Somber’ |
| δασπλῆτις | Dasplêtis | ‘Horror’, ‘Frightful-one’ |
| ὀλέτις | Oletis | ‘Destroyer’ |
| ὀφεωπλόκαμε (ος) | Opheôplokamos | ‘Coiled with Snakes’ |
| αίμοπότις | Aimopotis | ‘Blood-drinker’ |
| ζωνοδράκοντις | Zônodrakontis | ‘Encircled by Serpents’ |
| θανατηγός | Thanatêgos | ‘Death-Bringer’ |
| καρδιόδαιτε (ος) | Kardiodaitos | ‘Heart-Eater’ |
| φθορηγενής | Phthorênês | ‘Ruin-Bringer’ |
| σαρκοφάγος | Sarkophagos | ‘Flesh-Eater’ |
| ἀωροβόρος | Aôroboros | ‘Devourer of the Prematurely Dead’ |
| καπετόκτυπε (ος) | Kapetoktypos | ‘Tomb-disturber’ |
| οἰστροπλάνεια | Oistroplaneia | ‘Spreader of Madness’ |
| PGM IV. 2943-2966 | ||
| τριοδῖτις | Trioditis | ‘Of the Three ways’, ‘Of the three roads’ |
| πανοπαῖα | Panopaia | ‘All-seeing’, ‘One who sees everything’ |
| PGM LXX. 4-25 | ||
| κὐων | Kyôn | ‘Bitch’ |
| δράκαινα | Drakaina | ‘Serpent’, ‘Dragon’ |
| ταρταροῦχος | Tartarouchos | ‘Ruler of Tartarus’, ‘Controller of Tartarus’ |
Notes
For Thracian origins see L.R. Farnell. Hekate’s Cult , in The Goddess Hekate, ed. Stephen Ronan (Hastings, UK: Chthonios Books, 1992) pp. 17-35.
For Anatolian origins see Stephen Ronan. Introduction , in The Goddess Hekate, ed. Stephen Ronan (Hastings, UK : Chthonios Books, 1992) pp. 5 – 10. See also, Stephen Ronan. Chaldean Hekate , in The Goddess Hekate, ed. Stephen Ronan (Hastings, UK : Chthonios Books, 1992) pp. 120 , 126.
Hesiod. Theogony. 400-430.
Sorita d’Este and David Rankine. Hekate Liminal Rites: A Study of the Rituals, Magic and Symbols of the Torch-Bearing Triple Goddess of the Crossroads. (London, UK: Avalonia, 2009).
Daniel Ogden. Greek and Roman Necromancy. (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 2001).
For Hekate in the goetic tradition see Asteroth, Lady of the Crossroads chapter in Jake Stratton-Kent. The True Grimoire: Volume 1 (Encyclopaedia Goetica). ( Scarlet Imprint, 2010). pp. 185-200.
Sarah Iles Johnston. Hekate Soteira. (Atlanta, GA: Scholars Press, 1990).
Hans Lewy. Chaldaean Oracles and Theurgy. (Paris: Institut d’Etudes Augustiniennes, 2011). pp. 361-365.
See discussion of Fragment XIX in Stephen Ronan. Chaldean Hekate , in The Goddess Hekate, ed. Stephen Ronan (Hastings, UK : Chthonios Books, 1992) pp. 105.
Hans Dieter Betz (ed). The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation: Including the Demotic Spells (Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Press, 1992).
Karl Preisendanz (trans. & ed.). Papyri Graecae Magicae Die Greiechischen Zauberpapyri. (Berlin: Verlag und Druck Von B.G. Teubner, 1928).
Luis Muñoz Delgado’s LMPG referenced from: http://dge.cchs.csic.es/lmpg/
LSJ, Middle Liddle, Slater, and Autenrieth lexicons referenced from the Perseus Digital Library: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/
Eleni Pachoumi. The Greek Magical Papyri: Diversity and Unity. (Doctoral Thesis, Newcastle University, 2007). Appendix 5. pp 151-160.
Theodor Hopfner. Hekate-Selene-Artemis und Verwandte in den griechischen Zauberpapyri and auf den Fluchtafeln. Pisciculi. F. J. Dolger zum 60. Geburtstage, Münster; Aschendorf 1939, 125-145.
Originally published on 17 April 2015 on the Voces-Magicae website