CellsDividing Blog — magic
Hecate Meaning and Symbolism: Ancient Goddess of Magic
greek mythology hecate hekate magic mythology symbolism witch witchcraft

Hecate stands in the crossroads of myth and mystery: torchbearer, keyholder, guardian of thresholds, and goddess of witchcraft. Hecate is one of the most complex and captivating figures of ancient mythology. Her influence continues to thrive in modern spiritual and magical practices. Who is Hecate? Hecate (Hekate) is a goddess whose origins trace back to ancient Anatolia and Thrace, with possible roots in Carian or other Anatolian traditions. Her worship was integrated into Greek religion by the Archaic period (c. 8th–6th century BCE), where she was often associated with fertility and household protection. While Hesiod’s Theogony highlights her as a...
On Witches
history magic witch witchcraft

In 1485, a woman named Helena Scheuberin stood trial accused of witchcraft in the city of Innsbruck. She found herself in the middle of a witch hunt led by Heinrich Kramer, a 15th-Centrury inquisitor.Heinrich Kramer was a Catholic clergyman on a mission to investigate witchcraft and bring witches to justice. Pope Innocent VIII released a papal bull that recognized the existence of witches which had previously been debated. This granted Kramer the authority to persecute witches where he had once been denied in Germany. Kramer had an obsession with witchcraft, especially amongst women.Scheuberin likely was not a witch, but she...