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The Hekatæon
The Hekatæon is in essence a Hymnal to Hekate: an ecstatic work dedicated to the Maiden-Serpent-Wolf, and manifested by her divine grace. Forged by the author's personal journey, this grimoire maps out a series of serpentine windings that lead the reader through a labyrinth of songs, spells, chants and invocations to the very throne of the Queen of Crossroads herself.
Directly inspired by Mediterranean myth, classical literature, and the sorcerous workings of late antiquity (to include the Greek Magical Papyri and related material), The Hekatæon is a unique compendium that fearlessly sets forth a treasure-trove of magical and devotional tools by which the devotee may ally herself with the chthonic spirits that grant the power, protection, and gnosis of Hekate.
The Hekatæon was created as an act of devotion, and is meant to be used as such. To that end it contains four sections which allow the Reader to enter Hekate's service by enlisting the aid of three spirit allies, creating nine sacred tools of art, learning the arcane meaning of Hekate's twenty-seven epithets, and accessing the latent powers of the titans, the dead, and the earth itself through the workings of thirty-three spells.
Once opened, the book leads each reader inexorably down the Forked Path, gradually initiating those walking its serpentine roads into increasingly complex workings which involve the formation of pacts with intermediary spirits, the consecration of god-filled idols made from the skulls of dogs, serpents and goats, and the evocation of beings such as the chthonic solar daimon BAXYXSYXYX (the "Son-of-Darkness-Soul-of-Darkness") to perform various sorcerous workings of nocturnal, ophidian and even baneful nature — and much, much more.
Directly inspired by Mediterranean myth, classical literature, and the sorcerous workings of late antiquity (to include the Greek Magical Papyri and related material), The Hekatæon is a unique compendium that fearlessly sets forth a treasure-trove of magical and devotional tools by which the devotee may ally herself with the chthonic spirits that grant the power, protection, and gnosis of Hekate.
The Hekatæon was created as an act of devotion, and is meant to be used as such. To that end it contains four sections which allow the Reader to enter Hekate's service by enlisting the aid of three spirit allies, creating nine sacred tools of art, learning the arcane meaning of Hekate's twenty-seven epithets, and accessing the latent powers of the titans, the dead, and the earth itself through the workings of thirty-three spells.
Once opened, the book leads each reader inexorably down the Forked Path, gradually initiating those walking its serpentine roads into increasingly complex workings which involve the formation of pacts with intermediary spirits, the consecration of god-filled idols made from the skulls of dogs, serpents and goats, and the evocation of beings such as the chthonic solar daimon BAXYXSYXYX (the "Son-of-Darkness-Soul-of-Darkness") to perform various sorcerous workings of nocturnal, ophidian and even baneful nature — and much, much more.
368 pages, Hardcover
Published February 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 1, 2019
Not since "The Temple of Hekate" by Tara Sanchez has there been such a complete grimoire published within the Hekatean current. There were so many connections between my own personal gnosis and the research-informed praxis presented throughout the text of The Hekataeon , I kept having déjà vu . I slowly savored the recollections of revelatory sorceries Hekate showed me all those years ago (i.e. witches ladder, bloodmagick, creating a iynx, specific mudras and sigils). I could not just read this thing. I was compelled to take my time, roll it around my mouth a little… savor and try all the things before moving on. Jack Grayle is brilliant in his delivery, as few books of practice do this to me; motivated by excitement only to be stopped in my tracks. A gasp, a hot breath and I enveloped expectations with a sensuality not usually experienced with books. This is the book I wish I had read years ago, instead of struggling to absorb the Hekate current alone…cobbling together bits and pieces of random visions.
The text is organized in three books. The first is ‘Book One: The Call’; as a beginning it guides the reader through collecting and consecration of tools, learning prerequisite invocations culminating with the transition from Reader to Devotee. In ‘Book Two: White Flame‘ of The Hekataeon presents to the witch a devotional practice taking place over the course of 28 days transforming the Devotee into a Adapt. ‘Book 3: Red Blade’ is where the meat and action of the grimoire really starts to take off with an introduction to Hekate’s beasts and workings of a sorcerous nature; the transition from Adapt to Initiate becomes more intensified. It is only as the Initiate approaches ‘Book 4: Black Moon’ where the question of Hierophant, or Priesthood, becomes somewhat convoluted. I am always skeptical of books which claim to train Priests as this is not the traditional way of becoming appointed…as becoming a Priest includes an in-person ritual of ordination. If anything the last rites involved in this book sets one upon the path to receive the blessings of Hekate to pursue that particular path of devotion, but to truly be sanctified in Her service, as any other Priesthood, it takes a Priest to make another Priest.
That being said, I love how "The Hekataeon" is so practical and consistent. For example, there is not some new way to purify for every single fucking ritual...the instructions are clear. I was honestly hesitant to move forward in my reading without having tried the rituals and spells firsthand. The book itself asks to be ‘activated’ with the Reader’s own blood, creating a bond of physical and spiritual connection so few will actually do. Grayle speaks directly to the reader, giving the book a life of it’s own… a companion and guide. Also the assumption of the Witch being a She was lovely to experience in a serious magickal grimoire; the overly masculine assumptions or even gender neutral language is weary.
Usually I prefer the bhakti path of devotional work accompanied with theurgic principles, in comparison to traditional grimoire magick…but this was a text combining both. Making connections with not just Hekate but other compatible Deities and Spirits; including Pasiphae, Medea, Dionysus, Helios and, of course, Hermes. My personal work with Hermes and Hekate came to a standstill once I left the urban landscape for the woods. Combining the 2 deities as Grayle presents in the very last book of The Hekataeon is both clever and understandable. Hermes and Hekate are incredibly similar in their relationships with humans; friend, guide, lover. Without giving too much away, let’s just say it ends in a sabbatic orgy of Gods and Goats.
The invocations truly speak to my own praxis, as inspirited rhymes come easily to the tongue creating mystical melodies of heartsong. Grayle captures the raw liminal passion of informed hymns which only comes from years of devotion. Juxtaposed imagery and dark sensuality drip with the blood of stones, bones and savage poetry.
The text is organized in three books. The first is ‘Book One: The Call’; as a beginning it guides the reader through collecting and consecration of tools, learning prerequisite invocations culminating with the transition from Reader to Devotee. In ‘Book Two: White Flame‘ of The Hekataeon presents to the witch a devotional practice taking place over the course of 28 days transforming the Devotee into a Adapt. ‘Book 3: Red Blade’ is where the meat and action of the grimoire really starts to take off with an introduction to Hekate’s beasts and workings of a sorcerous nature; the transition from Adapt to Initiate becomes more intensified. It is only as the Initiate approaches ‘Book 4: Black Moon’ where the question of Hierophant, or Priesthood, becomes somewhat convoluted. I am always skeptical of books which claim to train Priests as this is not the traditional way of becoming appointed…as becoming a Priest includes an in-person ritual of ordination. If anything the last rites involved in this book sets one upon the path to receive the blessings of Hekate to pursue that particular path of devotion, but to truly be sanctified in Her service, as any other Priesthood, it takes a Priest to make another Priest.
That being said, I love how "The Hekataeon" is so practical and consistent. For example, there is not some new way to purify for every single fucking ritual...the instructions are clear. I was honestly hesitant to move forward in my reading without having tried the rituals and spells firsthand. The book itself asks to be ‘activated’ with the Reader’s own blood, creating a bond of physical and spiritual connection so few will actually do. Grayle speaks directly to the reader, giving the book a life of it’s own… a companion and guide. Also the assumption of the Witch being a She was lovely to experience in a serious magickal grimoire; the overly masculine assumptions or even gender neutral language is weary.
Usually I prefer the bhakti path of devotional work accompanied with theurgic principles, in comparison to traditional grimoire magick…but this was a text combining both. Making connections with not just Hekate but other compatible Deities and Spirits; including Pasiphae, Medea, Dionysus, Helios and, of course, Hermes. My personal work with Hermes and Hekate came to a standstill once I left the urban landscape for the woods. Combining the 2 deities as Grayle presents in the very last book of The Hekataeon is both clever and understandable. Hermes and Hekate are incredibly similar in their relationships with humans; friend, guide, lover. Without giving too much away, let’s just say it ends in a sabbatic orgy of Gods and Goats.
The invocations truly speak to my own praxis, as inspirited rhymes come easily to the tongue creating mystical melodies of heartsong. Grayle captures the raw liminal passion of informed hymns which only comes from years of devotion. Juxtaposed imagery and dark sensuality drip with the blood of stones, bones and savage poetry.
May 26, 2021
A fascinating testimony of personal gnosis. Grayle presents what could be called by now somewhat of a modern occult classic, being a comprehensive curriculum of a mostly solitary approach to this fierce but popular chthonic goddess. The author doesn't degrade the deity to the objectified dark-fluff-bunny of your petty desires next door. Instead he paints a multifacetted picture, firmly rooted in ancient sources while never reeking of a intellectually simplistic, reconstructionism. A fascinating achievement, at least out of my relative distance since this is not my path.
January 1, 2025
Jack Grayle describes his book as an act of devotion, an "ecstatic work dedicated to the Maiden-Serpent-Wolf, and manifested by her divine grace." The Hekatæon is inspired, poetic, and interpretative but also extrapolated. Grayle offers an impressive collection of hymns, chants, prayers, and instructions for making sacred tools, rituals, gestures, and sigils to bridge ancient beliefs and conventions with modern practices, even if it's sometimes a bit of a stretch. Grayle admits that, while steeped in tradition, The Hekatæon is neither scholarly nor a Reconstructionist work.
You could work your way through it slowly, enact its rituals, and let it take you from a seeker heeding Hekate's call to a Hierophant in this particular occult magical current that involves grave dirt, animal sacrifice, animal skulls, blood magic, and necromancy. You could also read it and let it inspire your Craft without adopting everything in it.
The Hekatæon is not for everyone, and I don't recommend it for beginners, but it is one of the most thoughtful books about Hekate on the market.
My review is based on the first edition of The Hekatæon, published in 2019.
You could work your way through it slowly, enact its rituals, and let it take you from a seeker heeding Hekate's call to a Hierophant in this particular occult magical current that involves grave dirt, animal sacrifice, animal skulls, blood magic, and necromancy. You could also read it and let it inspire your Craft without adopting everything in it.
The Hekatæon is not for everyone, and I don't recommend it for beginners, but it is one of the most thoughtful books about Hekate on the market.
My review is based on the first edition of The Hekatæon, published in 2019.
January 8, 2022
Perhaps the most used modern grimoire and certainly the best grimoire dedicated to Hekate.
January 14, 2025
The first part of the book is a series of nine rituals. We are asked to make some oracle stones, put them in a bag, and draw one out, either a dark stone or a light. This will determine whether we can continue the path! If we can't pull the correct stone, we have to wait a few days and start again, and then if we fail the third time, we can not continue and need to look elsewhere!! If we are lucky enough to have the go-ahead from the oracle stones… we can continue with the other verses alowing the reader to enter Hekate's service by enlisting the aid of three spirit allies, creating nine sacred tools of art, learning the arcane meaning of Hekate's twenty-seven epithets, and accessing the latent powers of the titans, the dead, and the earth itself through the workings of thirty-three spells. The complex workings involve the formation of pacts with intermediary spirits, the consecration of god-filled idols made from the skulls of dogs, serpents, and goats. Overall, I really enjoyed the book, and if you're serious about being an initiate to Hekate and willing to put in the hard work, this book is for you.
November 30, 2022
I have the 2021 version & I love the book content but the book construction needs much improvement. My rating is for the content but the construction 1 star. If the book was near $50 instead of near $100 it would be 2 star construction.
December 23, 2023
This book was not for me.
November 30, 2025
What a gift! But how it terrifies me.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews