Finding the power in Myth: Hecate, Goddess of Illumination

Stéphane Mallarmé (1842-1898), Hecate, Greek Goddess of the Crossroads (1880), drawing engraved in ‘Les Dieux Antiques: Nouvelle Mythologie Illustrée’, Paris, location not known. Wikimedia Commons.

20th century psychiatrist and psychotherapist Carl Jung emphasized the profound importance of examining the unconscious as a means to achieve psychological growth and self-understanding. He believed that the unconscious mind holds not only repressed memories and instincts but also a wealth of archetypes, symbols, myths, and creative potential that shape our behavior and perceptions.

Reaching Beyond Conscious Thought.

Jung introduced concepts such as the shadow, representing the hidden or denied aspects of the Self, and the collective unconscious—a shared reservoir of human experience and wisdom. By exploring the unconscious through techniques like dream analysis, active imagination, and reflection, Jung maintained that individuals could confront and integrate these hidden aspects of their psyche. This process of integration, which he called individuation, leads to a more balanced and whole personality, where unconscious content is brought into conscious awareness, reducing inner conflicts and fostering greater self-realization and harmony in life.

Active Imagination, Tread Lightly.

Active Imagination serves as a bridge between the unconscious and conscious mind, revealing symbolic content that represents crucial unconscious material. As Jungian analyst and scholar Robert A. Johnson noted:

Active Imagination is a dialogue that you enter into with the different parts of yourself that live in the unconscious. In some ways it is similar to dreaming, except that you are fully awake and conscious during the experience … you allow the images to rise up out of the unconscious, and they come to you on the level of imagination just as they would come to you in a dream if you were asleep … NB: Be sure that there is someone available for you to go to our call in case you become overwhelmed by the imagination and can’t cut it off. [1]

By exploring and interpreting these different parts, archetypes, and symbols, individuals can uncover their personal myths and embark on the journey of individuation.

Hecate

Enter Hecate, The Ancient Greek Goddess Intuitive and Psychic Wisdom.

In ancient Greek religion and mythology, Hecate was a complex and multifaceted goddess associated with magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts, and necromancy. Often depicted holding torches and keys, she serves as a guardian of the crossroads, where she offers guidance and protection to those traveling through life's uncertain and dark paths. Hecate's domain extends to the underworld, where she is seen as a powerful intermediary between the living and the dead. She is also revered for her role in the myth of Persephone, aiding Demeter in the search for her daughter. Hecate's attributes and roles have evolved over time, blending elements of light and darkness, making her a symbol of mystery, transformation, and the esoteric.

As Jungian analyst and feminist Jeanne Shinoda Bolen, MD writes:

Hecate is a goddess of intuition. Her three-way perspective allows her to see the connection between past, present, and future. This ability to see patterns that link past situations or relationships and present circumstances is an intuitive way of perception … [as] the goddess at the threshold of major transitions, she is embodied by the midwife who assists at births, and by women how help ease the passage of the soul as it leaves the body at death. Metaphorically, Hecate is an inner midwife, whose perspective aids us when we birth new aspects of ourselves. She helps us let go of what is ready to die: outmoded attitudes, outgrown roles, whatever elements in our lives are no longer life-affirming. [2]

Ambiguity, Courage, & Wisdom.

Hecate is associated with ambiguity, transition, and the search for meaning in the face of uncertain and embodies the liminal spaces where choices and transformations occur. She presides over thresholds and intersections, symbolizing the profound moments of decision that define human existence.

Moreover, Hecate’s dual nature as a figure of both light and darkness resonates notion of embracing the full spectrum of human experience. She represents the acceptance of life’s paradoxes and the integration of both fear and potential. In this way, Hecate becomes a powerful symbol, embodying the courage to face the unknown, the wisdom to make conscious choices, and the resilience to find meaning in the journey itself.

Hecate can bring empowerment and self-agency to women through her symbolism, attributes, and the lessons derived from her mythological narratives. As a goddess associated with magic, witchcraft, and the crossroads, Hecate embodies independence, wisdom, and the ability to navigate life’s complexities.

Finding Inspiration in Hecate.

Symbol of Independence and Strength.

Hecate is often depicted as a solitary figure who possesses great power and knowledge. Her independence can inspire women to seek their own paths, make autonomous decisions, and assert their strength in various aspects of life.

Guardian of Transitions and Choices.

As the goddess of the crossroads, Hecate symbolizes the importance of choice and personal agency. She empowers women to recognize their ability to make decisions, even in difficult or uncertain situations, and to take control of their destinies.

Source of Wisdom and Intuition.

Hecate’s association with magic and the mystical realms underscores the value of intuition, inner wisdom, and the unseen forces that women can tap into. This encourages women to trust their instincts, explore their spiritual side, and use their innate wisdom to guide their actions.

Embracing Complexity and Duality.

Hecate embodies both light and darkness, life and death, which resonates with the multifaceted nature of women’s experiences. This duality teaches women to embrace all aspects of themselves, including their shadows and strengths, leading to a more integrated and empowered sense of self.

Role Model of Empowerment in Myth.

In myths, Hecate often acts as a powerful ally and guide, such as in the story of Persephone’s abduction. Her role in assisting Demeter to find Persephone highlights her supportive nature and the strength women can derive from solidarity and mutual support.

Encouraging Resilience and Transformation.

Hecate’s presence at the crossroads and her connection to the underworld symbolize transformation and the power to overcome obstacles. Women can draw inspiration from her resilience and ability to navigate challenging transitions, using these experiences as opportunities for growth and empowerment.

Rituals and Practices.

Modern practices honoring Hecate, such as rituals and meditations, can provide women with tools for self-empowerment. These practices often focus on setting intentions, protection, and invoking Hecate’s guidance, helping women to cultivate a sense of control and purpose in their lives.

Meditations & Active Imaginations.

By embodying Hecate’s attributes and drawing lessons from her mythology, women can find strength, wisdom, and empowerment to navigate their own journeys with confidence and agency. Like all of us in different periods of our life, Hecate stands at the crossroads.

Shinoda Bolen shares this Active Imagination prompt:

Ask yourself: ‘What have I learned about life from my own experience?’ and “What truth do I need to face?’

Connecting to our inner Self, we can gain inspiration from ancient archetypes and mythological figures such as Hecate as we bravely navigate our own paths, accept the weight of our choices and the responsibility of creating our own essence.

Notes

[1] Johnson, R.A.(1989). Inner Work. Using Dreams and Active Imagination for Personal Growth. New York: Harper One.

Jung, C. G. (1991). The archetypes and the collective unconscious (R. F. C. Hull, Trans.; 2nd ed.). Routledge.

[2] Shinoda Bolen, J. (2001). Goddesses in Older Women: Archetypes in Women Over Fifty. New York: HarperCollinsPublishers

At a Crossroads?

I invite you to walk alongside me as your guide, while you explore your dreams, inhibitions, disappointments, unconscious fears and desires, choices, and purpose in life. In this compassionate space, you learn to discover your own answers and, thereby, reconstruct meaning in life, enhance personal cultivation, and improve personal and relational well-being.

I invite you to contact me for a 30-minute consultation, so we can learn more about one another.

Image: @peteris_gertners

Certified Dialogue Therapist & Real Dialogue Specialist.

Lisa A. Rainwater, PhD, MA (couns), LCMHC, CCMHC, CCTP, CT is the owner of Rainwater Counseling in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where she provides depth psychotherapy and relational attachment and grief counseling to individuals and couples. She earned a master’s in German Studies from the University of Oregon; a master’s in Counseling from Wake Forest University; and a doctorate in German and Scandinavian Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Lisa is a Certified Thanatologist through the Association of Death Education and Counseling and is seeking certification in Grief Therapy as Meaning Reconstruction at the Portland Institute for Loss and Transition. She is a Certified Dialogue Therapist for Couples and Real Dialogue Specialist. Lisa holds certification in Jungian and Post-Jungian Clinical Concepts from the Centre of Applied Jungian Studies.

She is licensed to practice individual and couples, psychotherapy in North Carolina, Colorado, and Wisconsin.

As a Real Dialogue Specialist, she consults across the country.