Hekate’s horns evoke so much, from power to a mystery that can’t be put into words. The history of her association with bulls is fascinating. The horns often place atop her head in ancient images are thought to have multiple meanings, from the obvious ones associated with bulls to the symbolic meaning of their horns. With the Taurus Full Moon on November 5, 2025 at 8:19 AM ET, the energy is ideal to explore the power of Hekate’s Horns.

Not only is Hekate shown with bull horns in images from antiquity to today, ancient texts evoked her using titles linked to the bovine, from Tauroropolos in The Orphic Hymn to Hekate, to the more sweet-sounding “Boopis,” or cow-eyed in other sources.

The Orphic Hymn to Hekate

Lovely Hekate of the roads and of the crossroads I invoke.
In heaven, on earth,
then in the sea, saffron-cloaked,
tomb spirit reveling in the souls of the dead,
daughter of Perses,
haunting deserted places,
delighting in deer,
nocturnal, dog-loving,
monstrous queen,
devouring wild beasts,
ungirt and repulsive.
Herder of bulls,
queen and mistress of the whole world,
leader, nymph,
mountain-roaming nurturer of youths,
maiden, I beseech you to come
to these holy rites,
ever with joyous heart,
ever favoring the oxherd.

(Athanassakis translation)

Yes, bulls are powerful. Seeing Hekate as Tauropolos (The Herder of Bulls) speaks to her mightiness - she controls the most powerful animals. Other epithets, such as “Tauromorphos,” give her bullish features.

Let’s unpack the symbolism of the bull to those ancients who linked her to these kings of the barnyard.

Connection: The Moon and The Womb

The bull’s horns were a symbol of both the moon and the womb, which were themselves entwined. The bull’s horns were a representation of the crescent moon, perhaps evoking Noumenia, the time when the first crescent appears after the dark moon when honoring Hekate through ritual suppers occurred. Hekate was not the only goddess who bore horns, though. Many expressions of The Great Mother Goddess from different cultures and times were adorned with them, such as Egyptian Isis.

The bull’s horned head resembles the uterus and fallopian tubes, the womb, so they were also a symbol of fertility, just like the moon. An interesting meaning that isn’t obvious, but once you see it, it becomes so potent.

In this charm from The Campbell Bonner Magical Gem Database, Hekate’s twin torches are evident, below them are what appear to be bull’s horns sitting on top of a very full womb. The word inscribed on the back may be “Eilytheia,” or Divine Midwife, which makes sense given the illustration on the opposite site. The great ouroboros, the serpent of life, surrounds the illustration.

Thus, those horns help us connect to the sacred feminine, with her characteristic awakening of intuition, emotions, and magic.

Intention: Being In Hekate’s “Herd”

The meaning of “Tauropolos” itself is multifaceted. There is the surface interpretation that she is powerful enough to control bulls, linking her to agriculture, and richness. To sacrifice a bull to Hekate was truly expensive. Not only in their value, which prize bulls still retain today, but in taking away the ability to create new cattle. Bulls, particularly black ones, were sacrificed in Hekate’s name in ancient times, although not unique to her unlike the black dogs who were only sacrificed to her. If you sacrifice a bull, that is because the deity you are honoring is so powerful that they are worthy of the greatest offering. This makes me consider my offerings. Do I truly make sacrifices?

The metaphorical meaning of “bull herder,” is that of Hekate as leading her followers. Bulls are strong-willed and intelligent animals, to guide them requires great wisdom, in addition to power. The line in the Orphic Hymn “ever favoring the oxherd,” is thought to reflect this dual meaning: she blesses the actual animals and their owners, and also those who honor her.

As one of Hekate’s bulls/witches, the choice is ours. We can roam away. Nobody can easily stop a determined bull. Or we can follow her with intention. Being in a herd also conveys a sense of community. How am I with intention being supportive to others?

Action: All Acts Are in Her Service

This leads to the final aspect of Hekate’s Horns I’m exploring in this article: what bulls actually do. We may have images of bull running or bull fighting that appear, yet bulls are generally peaceful animals. Often living a solitary life in service to their owner for the sake of creating more cattle. Pushing aside the weirdness of being a literal stud muffin, the symbolic meaning here is that as part of her “herd,” our task can be to continue the lineage. We honor Hekate through our lives. Whenever we show up with passion, kindness, and integrity, we honor her. Even if we are from the herd living a solitary life, we are still part of community. The times in which we live fracture that sense, it is our work to foster community and to be in her service.

The Witch of Enchantment has set up a fundraiser to help those in the U.S., which reminded me of how being in her service means more than sitting idly, sniffing flowers. That’s a Ferdinand The Bull reference for those who remember. We’re called into the herd to help. I put the link below in case you can. Ancient suppers were left at the crossroads for Hekate, with those who did so knowing that the food would be consumed by the less fortunate. Consider the donation an offering.

DONATE

Work, Steadiness, Embodiment: Qualities of Taurus

Characteristics: Acquisitions, calm, caring, determined, patient, persistent.

Traits and Themes: A structured environment with clear expectations is desired by Taurus, violations of these basic needs can result in avoidance. Typically, slow to warm up to new people and places, but once they are “in” they are in all the way. Excellent listeners. Taureans require predictability in order to thrive, so they are advised to avoid high risk situations with uncertain outcomes unless absolutely necessary. For example, Taurus does best in careers and relationships that are clearly defined and unlikely to change. This sign thrives in leisure time as much as at work, and greatly enjoys pursuing the finer things in life. They are often generous to family and friends, especially when it comes to gift giving and treating others to their passions like fine dining. With Taurus on the ascendant, there is likely to be a very strong ambition with growing self-confidence over the lifespan.

Gender: Feminine

Ruled by: Venus

Quality/Element: Fixed Earth

Temperature: Cold and dry

Additional attributes: Taurus needs both sexual fulfilment and emotion intimacy. They are disinclined to casual romance. Since they love pleasures of the body, food is very important to them, and there may be a risk of over-indulgence in this area, and potentially with other addictions.

The Astrology Highlights of The Taurus Full Moon on Nov. 5, 2025

Venus is of special consideration during the Taurus Full Moon, which she governs, because she is forming an important association with Jupiter, amplifying the beneficial vibes for these few days.

The full moon in Taurus on November 5, 2025, at 8:19 AM ET highlights the balance between everyday life and deeper mysteries, influenced by the opposition with Scorpio. It’s a time for planning and organization, as early November offers a calm celestial environment. With Mercury nearing retrograde and Mars in Sagittarius, expect some tension, while themes of rebellion and justice emerge. Those with Taurus or Scorpio placements, particularly in the sixth house, should pay attention to health and work matters as the full moon acts as a pause before more intense energies unfold. The Asteroid Hekate has moved into Sagittarius, for a quick direct drive through, so her “fiery arrows” may be working on us in the coming month.

LOOK BACK: TAURUS NEW MOON

Practice Notes: The Orphic Hymn, Root Work and Spirit Collecting

Work with The Orphic Hymn to Hekate to explore connection, intention, and action in your personal journey.

Grounded as they come, Taurus is an ideal companion for all earthy practices, from standing barefoot in the dirt to draw down the moon to doing “root work,” examining what we are carrying in ours, what longs to be sent back to the earth, and what we are manifesting. Work with plants of Taurus, such as rose and oak, to give steadiness and love, as you do this deep work.

A note about spirit collecting that came up in a funny way during the live Moon Day class on the Taurus Full Moon: tarot and oracle decks. Many of us personify the avid collector trait of Taurus in our vast collections of these spirited cards. Or books. Or botanicals. Looking around my office to see all the different accumulations of witchery typologies. At any rate, the Taurus Full Moon is a good time to reflect on all the “spirits” we are surrounded with. Illuminated Taurus delights in their pleasures, but shadowy Taurus veers into hoarding.

Hekate Tauropolos: The Horns of Power

The three of us had a far-ranging conversation about the meaning of Hekate Tauropolos, particularly her associations with bulls and horns, highlighting her role as the “herder of bulls” in the Orphic hymn. Bulls, revered in ancient Mediterranean cultures, symbolize fertility and life, reflecting Hekate’s identity as a mother goddess. Horns used in ancient iconography represented the crescent moon, and the female reproductive organs. The imagery of Hekate with bull horns represents strength and authority, while the concept of “ox herd” underscores her connection with devotees. The conversation also delves into the importance of sacrifice, mindfulness in engaging with powerful energies, and personal reflections on bulls’ behaviour, culminating in a rich exploration of Hekate’s ties to fertility and the divine feminine.

Taurus Full Moon Meditation

The Tauropolos meditation positioned at us the center of Hekate’s Crossroads, the convergence of the three worlds and selves, as we connected with her governance over the realms to bring a deep attunement within ourselves. Tauropolos connects Hekate to the crescent moon through bull’s horns, symbolizing majesty, power, and fertility. Beginning with The Orphic Hymn to Hekate as our invocation, which highlights her dominion over the underworld, middle world, and celestial realms, while also emphasizing her role as “The Herder of Bulls,” the meditation grounds us in her abiding power. Follow up the meditation with practices that honor the body and embrace sensual pleasure, aligning with the nurturing essence of Taurus moon energy.

However you are connecting to Hekate’s horns and the Taurus Full Moon, may you be blessed with connection, intention, and action.

Cyndi

keepingherkeys.com

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