Hekate's Liminal Rites: A Study of the Rituals, Magic and Symbols of the Torch-Bearing Triple Goddess of the Crossroads

by SORITA D'ESTE

Paper Book, 2009

Status

Available

Call number

292.211

Collection

Publication

AVALONIA, 2009.

Description

Wherever you look, be it in the texts of Ancient Greece and Rome, Byzantium or the Renaissance, the Greek Magical Papyri or the Chaldean Oracles, you will find Hekate. The magical whir of the strophalos and the barbarous words of the voces magicae carry her message; the defixiones, love spells, and charms all provide us with examples of the magic done in her name. She was also associated with the magic of death, including necromancy and reanimation; as well as prophetic dreams, nightmares, healing herbs, and poisons. The temples dedicated to her and the important role she played in the mysteries of Eleusis, Samothrace, and Aigina all provide us with clues to her majesty. The popular shrines at the doorways of ordinary people, offerings left at the crossroads, and guardian statues of her at the entrance ways to cities and temples all attest to her status in the hearts and minds of those who knew her mysteries. In this book the authors draw from a wide range of sources, bringing together historical research which provides insights into the magical and religious practices associated with this remarkable goddess. In doing so they provide an indispensable guide for those wishing to explore the mysteries of Hekate today.… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member Loptsson
An excellent work which gives a very wide view of Hecate throughout her years of worship. They pull from literature as well as historical resources including the Greek Magical Papyri and Chaldean Oracles. Some of the chapters are repetitive in their usage of sources and definitely could of been
Show More
longer, but it is a definitely good place to start your research, then you can check the resources yourself. I definitely enjoyed the chapters on Defixiones, Hecates Garden and Fusions with other goddesses. The only think I absolutely didn't like was the resource notes didn't include page numbers simply "such and such book", which means one must pour through the entire resource in order to find the information to check up on them. This is definitely one to have on the bookshelf!
Show Less
LibraryThing member Sorita
This is the Kindle Edition of Hekate Liminal Rites, which I co-authored with David Rankine.
LibraryThing member SumisBooks
A wonderful collection of rituals, rites and stories regarding the goddess Hekate. This book is very well cited and their sources are always listed where the reader can find them easily (either in footnotes or in the back of the book). The authors even went as far as to cite certain passages that
Show More
came from different reading sources.
The book itself reads rather flat as though the authors are presenting just straight facts, however let's be real, that is exactly what this book is. It gives great historical accounts of the goddess Hekate, her many counterparts, as well as her many cohorts.
With the way this book is written it may be a little bit boring for just the casual reader. I would definitely suggest REALLY wanting to read this book before picking it up as the information is a little dry. However very good nonetheless.
Show Less

Language

ISBN

9781905297238

Similar in this library

Page: 0.4721 seconds