The triple goddess is a familiar symbol and figure in many pagan and Wiccan traditions.  Alexandrian, Gardnerian, Dianic and solitary followers of Wicca often honor this form.  To me the triple goddess can have two meanings.  For this week’s Pagan Blog Project post, I’d like to explore both.

Maiden, Mother & Crone

First I’d like to look at the modern interpretation of the triple goddess as the Maiden, Mother & Crone. Many well-known pagans such as Robert Graves, Ronald Hutton and of course, Aleister Crowley have written a great deal on the maiden, mother, crone aspects of the goddess.  Crowley actually focused the Crone aspect onto Hecate, calling her “the woman past all hope of motherhood, her soul black with envy and hatred of happier mortals.” And “a thing altogether of hell, barren, hideous and malicious, the queen of death and evil witchcraft” in his novel “Moonchild”.

The basics of the triple goddess from this perspective is that the Goddess forms and the moon forms mirror each other.  In that the waxing moon represents a new beginning and youth which would be evident in the Maiden.  The full moon would be power and ripeness, such as the round full belly of the Mother.  Finally the waning moon would be the dead, darkness and death which would be the final aspect, or the Crone aspect of the Goddess.

We can see this influence throughout much of modern Wicca and paganism through the art of Mickie Mueller for example. The follow photo is an image that reflect the Maiden, Mother & Crone aspect of the Goddess.

A few months ago I saw this picture show up on my news feed.  I was very familiar with Mickie’s work but I was not aware that she was hand painting items and dealing directly with her fans that so loved her work.  I watched the progress on this piece and was astounded as she shared new pictures each day.  I even watched as the new owner proudly shared the final product on Mickie’s page.  With the mass marketing and pagan supermarkets that have littered the internet I was extremely pleased to see how truly appreciated and how gracious Mickie was to her client.

Another example from Mickie, is this pendant which is based on the same Maiden, Mother & Crone aspect. 

To see more great work by Mickie Mueller please visit her shop at -  http://www.etsy.com/shop/MickieMuellerStudio

Triple Form Goddess

Another aspect of the triple goddess that I have encountered in my studies is the triple form goddess.  These are goddesses that are represented as having three forms, three heads or from the three ways.

Hecate is depicted throughout history as having three bodies.  She appears as three females of the same age, unlike the Maiden, Mother, Crone representation.  She appears to be a young woman and carries torches, rope and daggers.  She is often accompanied by dogs. 

This triple form of Hecate is said to be a representation of the areas of her dominion, the heavens, the earth and the sea.  Because she is said to be the night wandering goddess of the crossroads, the three forms are said to watch each direction. 

Antonine Imperium issued a coin in honor of Hecate (Hekate) available for purchase.  I found this coin online and decided to order one. Side one shows Hekate in her triple form with the inscription “Hekate Soteira” and the reverse has a crescent moon at the top, a key at the bottom and the minting information inscribed on the bottom.

I like to think of the triple formed goddess Hecate as watching in the three directions at the crossroads, torches held high to light the way.  I’ve tried several times to create my own Hecate Triformis.  Thus far I’ve only been able to come up with this abstract version. I’ll certainly keep trying.

 

Hecate Triformis - Owner & Artist - Sosanna Olson

May her mysteries be revealed in your dreams,

Sosanna

Hecate is a sometimes called a Greco-Roman Goddess, though she predates this era.  She is said to be the key bearer to the underworld.  Granted dominion over the heavens, the earth and the seas; she is associated with fire, light, moon, magic and witchcraft.  She is considered a goddess to the midwife and with the magic of necromancy.  Sometimes called the Goddess of the Witches, Hecate is often depicted as a triple form goddess.  Though tagged as the Crone by Aleister Crowley, Hecate is certainly represented by each stage of the Goddess including maiden and mother. 

In Mythology, Hecate, a Titan was favored by Zeus before all others and granted dominion over the Earth, Heavens and seas.  Hesiod referred to her as the only daughter of Perses and Asteria.  One of the more popular and my favorite Myth involving Hecate is the abduction of Persephone. 

The story goes; Persephone was abducted by the God of the Underworld – Hades, while she was out collecting flowers.  Demeter searched to find her daughter.   While she looked her sadness caused the world to fall into state where nothing could grow.   Hecate assisted Demeter by telling her that Helios, the Sun God sees everything and he should know what happened to Persephone.  

It wasn't until after Persephone was tricked into eating pomegranate seeds that she was found.  It was the rule of the Fates that if someone consumed food or drink in the Underworld, they had to stay there for all eternity.  A deal was made with the distraught Demeter that allowed Persephone to spend four months in the Underworld with Hades, and the rest of the time with her mother.  This is where the winter season comes from.  In her sadness for her missing daughter, Demeter mourns and nothing can grow on the Earth until she returns in the spring.

Hecate is the Goddess of the Crossroads.  It is thought that offerings made to her should be placed at a three way intersection.  Garlic, honey, mushrooms and eggs are placed with a flame.  The plate is left and it is said that one should walk away without looking back.  Hecate will decide who gets what is left for her and at times, it was thought that she fed the homeless and needy with her offerings.  The torch, the dog, the key and the dagger are often found in her representations. 

The willow and the yew tree are sacred to Hecate.  Black dogs are also associated with Hecate.  Being the Goddess of Witchcraft and necromancy, Hecate is often called upon to assist those traveling from the land of the living to the Underworld.  Many see her as the guardian to the Underworld and the holder of the key to the gates there.  Because of this association many call upon Hecate in their workings with the dead. 

Typically held on the 13^th of each month, Hecate’s supper is a ritual where eggs, fish, garlic, mushrooms and honey are left at a cross roads in her honor.  The Night of Hecate is November 16, while the Day of Hecate is considered November 30^th.  Modern festivals include an event held on the full moon in May called the Rite of her SacredFires, where Hecateans around the world participate in a ritual to honor the Goddess.

For many years I considered myself Wiccan and had no particular deity.  After working with Christian Day’s “The Witch’s Book of the Dead”, I began to research Hecate and found a connection with her.  I completed my dedication in January 2012 and now work my circles and rituals in her honor.

I've created a Shrine to Hecate on my blog found here and much of my published work around Hecate can be found in the quarterly publication called Askei Kataskei available for free download here.  I also have a board on Pinterest dedicated to locating images of the Goddess Hecate.

I spend a lot of time working with clay and created this piece below for Hecate.

I found this awesome ambigram on the web and had hubby clean it up, maybe I'll make it into a neat Tattoo.

Photo Credit - Elijah Olson

I'm extremely happy working with the Queen of the Witches today.  She speaks to me and I invite her knowledge into my soul every Tuesday evening.  

Namaste & Blessed Be

Sosanna

)O(

I have a copy of a variation of “The Charge of the Goddess” on my wall over my altar.  It’s been there for years and I usually recite it when I’m doing my full moon ceremonies.  Many years before my dedication to Hecate I would always see her name come out of the spiral as if to say, I am here.  Draw your energy from me. 

My first experience with drawing down came from the book by the same name, Drawing Down the Moon by Margot Adler.  A friend of mine was studying Religions of the World at ODU in Virginia and had this book as recommended reading.  He shared it with me and it was my first real introduction to Paganism, Witchcraft and Wicca. It is certainly worth reading.

~ NOTE I am not trained in any rites of the specific Wiccan Traditions and am a solitary follower of the Goddess Hecate. 

For my ritual I call the guardians and cast a circle in my sacred space.  I have a playlist that I use specifically for these types of rituals. 

Even though I do not practice Wicca, I can feel the connection between myself and the moon.  Being a follower of Hecate the moon is very important to many of the rituals that I hold for her.  I stand in front of my altar with candles blazing and call forth to the Goddess to give me the strength that she herself possesses.  I call to the moon to fill my body with the energy and power that it radiates.  With arms lifted high and moonbeams dancing across my body, I feel at peace with the universe and revitalized with the vivacity of the Goddess.

Namaste & Blessed Be

Sosanna

)O(