Hecate

Hec·ate

noun \ˈhe-kə-tē, ˈhe-kət\

Definition of HECATE

: a Greek goddess associated especially with the underworld, night, and witchcraft

Origin of HECATE

Latin, from Greek Hekatē

First Known Use: 1567

Hecate

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Greek goddess of magic and spells. She probably originated in Asia Minor. Hesiod held her to be the daughter of the Titan Perses and represented her as the bestower of wealth and the blessings of daily life. She witnessed the abduction of Persephone by Hades and assisted in the search for her. Pillars called Hecataea were erected at doorways and crossroads to ward off evil spirits. She was sometimes depicted as three bodies back to back, so that she could look in all directions at a crossroads.