Hekate: Goddess of Witches

by Courtney Weber

Learn the myths and legends behind this beloved goddess plus practices and suggestions for making Hekate part of your spiritual path.

Courtney Weber (author of Brigid and The Morrigan) offers an informed, accessible journey through the lore and history of Hekate, the ancient goddess of crossroads, ghosts, and witchcraft, and reflects on Hekate’s relevance today. Tools and techniques for incorporating this goddess into your personal journey round out the book.

Similar to her other works, Weber strikes a balance between the scholarly and the spiritual. Her exploration of Hekate combines solid research with practical, modern applications. The spiritual content is accessible to anyone with an interest in witchcraft, regardless of their faith or background.

Each chapter focuses on a different aspect of Hekate, exploring original mythology, historical context, and contemporary connotations, concluding with spells and personal rituals. The final chapter is a grimoire full of rituals, offerings, and other practices designed to help readers align themselves with this extraordinary goddess. The book also explores magickal ethics, what it means to be a witch in the twenty-first century, and best practices for successful witchcraft.

Genres: Witchcraft, Nonfiction, Mythology, Spirituality, Audiobook, Paganism, Occult

224 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2021

Reviews

[Kristy Marquez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm going to start by saying I am super critical of these books, so sorry.

I feel like this book couldn't decide if it was a 101 or not. For a 101 it contained too much information without enough beginner base. For an advanced book, it spent too much time on the basics and not enough time explaining the advanced information. She often provides facts without telling you what time period she is referring to and so the information feels out of place and or sounds wrong. It doesn't mean it is wrong, but if you are talking about Hekate's worship in later Roman times but begin in ancient Greece and don't really make that distinction then it sound like the Roman times information falls under ancient Greece. Its lack of transitions like this that make it harder for a new Hekate reader to understand.

Overall the book was full of some good information, but I did also feel a disconnect between the author and the information. I would have liked a little more about her own personal work with Hekate vs the in spot moments of worship that she scatters throughout the book.

While not the worst book on Hekate I have read, it will not be on my newbie reader list.

[Finuala · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not quite a two.

I don't know who the intended readers are for this book. On one hand, it's quite simplistic so it comes across as an introductory book; on the other hand, there are too many errors for a beginner to be expected to recognise. The most egregious was Pavlov's Hierarchy of Needs*. Really?! Ugh, no! If you have strayed into an unfamiliar area, you really should employ an editor who is competent enough to spot such errors. The other thing that annoyed me greatly is that there is no mention of Heqet at all. The origin of Hekate was discussed, so that's not the reason. Even if you don't believe that the Egyptian goddess of childbirth is the likely origin of Hekate, surely you must discuss to dismiss? This is what I mean: this clearly can't be a Hekate 101 because of the gaps of knowledge and the scattered nature of what *is* present; it clearly isn't for an advanced practitioner either.

Cannot recommend.

*It's Maslow. I mean, seriously, look it up and check you have your facts correct before you publish.

[Latasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Learned a lot from this book and can t wait to get started working more actively with Hecate. Woot woot!

[JuLee Vajgrt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Would not recommend. Reads like a high school research paper. And there are factual errors. There is no “Pavlov’s hierarchy of needs”. It’s Maslow. No confidence that this author knows what she’s talking about.

[Edric Unsane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with history, and magic, this book on the Goddess Hekate didn’t disappoint this reader. I liked how the book flowed together seamlessly and how it culminates as a giant testament to the Goddess of Witches.

Definitely a good book for beginners and intermediate learners who are interested in Hekate.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful intro to Hekate. I loved the writer's personal anecdotes and her reflections upon this practice. The spell and ritual examples were really useful.

[Heather myfriendsdontread · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the perfect Hekate book in my opinion.

Often the information I find about her is way too vague and repetitive or way too overcomplicated and overwhelming.

This book felt like a sweet spot, it gave me a bit more and made me feel more connected to her, without being too much. There wasn’t super long rules and spells, or conflicting information at every turn. I wasn’t left scratching my head. And it wasn’t the same stuff I’ve heard a thousand times in every TikTok video.

I particularly appreciate how the author included other Hekate myths, outside of the abduction of Persephone which I’ve heard an insane amount of times.

I feel like this is a must read for those interested in Hekate.

[Sas UrbaneHexe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really, really love this book. Courtney Weber is a great author. This book (like her book about the Morrigan) is very well written an full of well researched information.
It's a book about Hekate and it's a book about witchcraft and being a witch. Courtney does a great job retelling the old myths and how this great goddess has been worshiped through the ages on one hand and than on the other hand she beautifully brings Hekate into the here and now.
And like i already said, this book is not only about Hekate, it's also about being a witch and witchcraft itself. It's about "my" kind of witchcraft. It's the kind of witchcraft that is inclusive, that is accessible and down to earth. A witchcraft that is for your self, but that also encourages you to get involved with the world and the people around you, that encourages you to stand up for yourself, but also to take responsibility as a part of the society.
I absolutely recommend this book to every witch out there.

[Adam · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is mostly on me, I went into this thinking it was a book on the history of Hekate worship and associated myths.

It does have some of that, but it is primarily a manual on how to invoke Hekate as a Witch.

I am not a Witch.

[Descansar Literario · Rating 3 out of 5]

Villana de una historia mal contada...

En este libro, la autora nos guía en un recorrido profundo para comprender quién es Hécate, una deidad poderosa y enigmática de la mitología griega. A lo largo del tiempo, se le ha representado de múltiples formas:
• Diosa de la muerte que protege las almas en el inframundo. Símbolos: el perro negro, el látigo y la daga.
• Guardiana de las encrucijadas y diosa que ayuda a quienes experimentan transiciones.
• Diosa poseedora de las llaves y portadora de la antorcha.
• Su poder se extiende sobre la tierra, el mar y el cielo, y se le considera una protectora poderosa.

Estos aspectos son explorados por Courtney, quien no solo nos presenta a Hécate como una figura mitológica, sino también como un símbolo de espiritualidad. ¿Es una deidad oscura? ¿O una guía protectora? Este libro nos invita a cuestionarlo y descubrirlo a partir de las leyendas e historias de Hécate.

Cada capítulo de este libro explora a profundidad todos los simbolismos de Hécate, su importancia en la mitología, su repercusión en la actualidad y las influencias que ha tenido en la vida de la autora.

El libro también ofrece herramientas prácticas: hechizos, oraciones y rituales que pueden ser incorporados en tu vida si deseas iniciar un camino de brujería o profundizar tu conexión con Hécate. Algunos de los hechizos que encontrarás incluyen: protección antes de viajar, hechizos para atraer el dinero, protección del hogar, limpieza de negatividad, protección para alguien que te importa, entre otros.

Ideal para quienes buscan un acercamiento espiritual desde el respeto, la historia y la práctica consciente.

Opinión personal:
La mitología griega siempre me ha parecido interesante, principalmente por las múltiples interpretaciones que puede tener, pero también por las lecciones que se pueden aprender de ella.
Y en esta ocasión se trata de Hécate, la diosa de las brujas, pero su participación dentro de la mitología es muchísimo más que eso. Me encanta que el libro explora muchos de los orígenes que se le atribuyen a Hécate y su papel dentro de la mitología.

Al considerarla la diosa de las brujas, muchas personas pueden asociarla con lo oscuro o con la maldad, pero creo que la autora ha sabido abordarlo increíble, planteándola como cualquier otro dios: con momentos buenos y momentos malos.

También se explora el uso de la magia para cosas positivas o negativas, pero siempre haciendo hincapié en la importancia de practicarla de manera consciente, y de explorarla hasta donde tú te sientas cómodo, reconociendo que es una forma de acercarte a la espiritualidad.

Este libro puede interesarte si crees que tienes el don o sientes el llamado de las brujas. Y si ya formas parte de esta comunidad, también te puede aportar mucho si quieres conocer más detalles sobre Hécate, explorar sus simbolismos y aprender cómo conectar mejor con ella.

Muchísimas gracias a Nirvana Libros por enviarme este ejemplar.

[El_bookle de Miroslava · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alguna vez has estado desesperado y nostálgico?

Les traigo un libro diferente y personal de la autora quien muy joven y atravesando
una mala racha en su vida encuentra a Hécate la diosa de las brujas y en ella encuentra no solo un ser mágico y espiritual si no también una gran experiencia para su vida. Así es como a través de tradiciones, leyendas y su historia conecta con Hécate quien ayuda a personas expertas en la materia y a principiantes a través de este libro, conocerás su historia, hechizos y rituales para conectar con ella y explorarás la ética de la magia y como se puede ser una bruja en la actualidad.

Leer este libro ha sido totalmente diferente para mi y revivir la experiencia personal de
la autora en estas páginas ha sido muy grato, no soy practicante de la brujería pero nunca me he cerrado a leer acerca de ningún libro y este es uno de esos casos en donde el libro me ha sorprendido, como novata en esto puedo decirte que es un libro muy fácil de leer, es ligero y explica bastante bien todo lo que debes hacer para lograr conectar con la diosa, así que si estás empezando en este tema y no sabes por donde iniciar este libro es para ti 😉✨

Al final del libro contrarás un grimorio con rituales y ofrendas por ejemplo: Ritual para aumentar la fertilidad, para alejar los celos, para persuadir a un amante a regresar entre otros ó simplemente para hacerle una ofrenda a Hécate.

Un libro muy interesante con una diosa en toda la extencion de la palabra llena de magia y poder que sin duda te atrapará.

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Un bucle sin fin de lecturas y libros 📚 🤗

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good introduction to Hekate, though I was a little turned off by all the "she may be" or "May have been" or "could be seen as" in the book. It was almost like the author was hedging her bets when it came to what Hekate was associated with in case that didn't work out for the reader. There also was some repetition in the text, but that might be because people like to chapter skip, and Courtney wanted to ensure the reader had all the information about each myth in case they didn't read from start to finish. I agree with other reviewers who indicate that the book sort of oscillates between being for beginners and being for practiced witches. But all in all I thought it was a good book about this goddess and her various aspects.

One thing of note: under one spell she mentions that items may be poisonous so to be careful with them, but then suggests leaving them unprotected at a crossroads. This could be dangerous to animals in the area, and I'm surprised it was suggested.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great balance of history, mythology, personal annotations, and an overall guide on connecting with the goddess. I enjoyed the rituals, prayers, and incantations and found them all to be very useful. I can definitely say I learned a lot from this book, and I only wish I had found it sooner.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Katrianna Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

All in all, this was quite an educational book to read all about the Greek mythological history. Hekate, being the daughter of Zeus, also had plenty association with other Greek gods and goddesses, so there were plenty side stories sprinkled through the book of other well known figures.
Although I enjoyed the majority of this book, I did find Weber repeating herself over and over. All through the book, she would mention a lot of the same thing over and over which became a little boring. She was knowledgeable enough to write on Greek history, but her delivering of that info wasn't quite polished up or well rounded. I feel 3 stars is acceptable! I would definitely still recommend to anyone who is interested in reading more on the esoteric, Greek mythology or in occult knowledge in general.

[Ashlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing book about a great goddess, there were a few times that I got emotional whilst reading the book. Helped develop a connection to Lady Hekate. I appreciated that Courtney wasn’t afraid to go deeper and talk about the darker aspects of Hekate and witchcraft which is amazing. As a Hellenic Polytheist I do believe that Courtney did this book justice and respectfully represented Hekate perfectly. The history and myths along with personal experiences with some spells was a nicely structured and easy to read.

[Michele Dechert · Rating 1 out of 5]

I kept trying to force myself to finish this book because I really want to learn more about the Goddess Hekate. Unfortunately it just isn't something that can keep my attention. The writing just didn't keep me invested & after putting this aside for millionth time I just decided to DNF.

[Vanessa Sumner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t think this book was really for me. There were some interesting parts, for sure, and I liked the personal anecdotes very much. This author is open and vulnerable with her readers, which I appreciate so much. She’s been out of the broom closet for a long time but it’s still hard to put oneself out there in this way.
The things that didn’t resonate with me:
1. I don’t have much religious trauma as I wasn’t raised Christian. I struggle to relate to the author’s history with her childhood religion and how she seemed to think witchcraft was going to be a replacement for that. She went all out with the organized coven, a hierarchy, ritual magick, rules etc which is just not for me. I don’t understand jumping into the frying pan from the fire so it was almost frustrating to read about.

2. She writes about some rules regarding working with Hekate that I find patently ridiculous. I’m currently learning about Greek ethnic religion on the Living Hellenism podcast and, like me, these two Greek practitioners (one is a Priest and the other is a Priestess, both in Greece) both assert that Hellenistic religion is a living, fluctuating thing. That the rituals, spells, and rules adopted in ancient times are not necessarily appropriate for current times. And not only that, but Western practitioners often mix up hymns and traditions with a thousand years separating them and use them in the same rite. My particular gripe with this book is the author’s insistence that “…what is a Witch without the employ of ghosts and spirits?” Ummm what? A witch can do whatever the hell they want to do. THAT IS THE POINT. If they want to work with the dead and spirits, cool. If they don’t, cool. This, again, is a rule she is putting on witches. I really, really don’t like that. Also, she feels strongly about working with one’s ancestors and I cannot abide that. Working with ancestors can be destructive to a person’s emotional state and is not safe for many, many people. Myself, for sure, but also my coven mate whose ancestors belonged to an ultra conservative Christian cult (federally identified as a cult and dismantled via a shoot out). My coven mate is a gay, two-spirited person (he is partially of Indigenous descent and this is the phrase he has chosen), pagan witch. His patron deity is Hekate. Imagine Hekate asking him to work with his ancestors!! Hekate is a protector of misfits, damnit. She has never asked him or me to work with our ancestors. She has helped me work with the 3,000 people murdered as witches as a form of ancestors in Scotland, but that’s different. It really gets my goat when humans assume that deities require all the same things from their petitioners. It’s so short sighted and dangerous. If I had to look at photographs of my family every day on an altar, I would literally start drinking again. It’s not safe.

3. I didn’t like the “most witches this, most witches that” aspect. Like, most witches prefer doing spell work at night. The fuck? I am a day time creature. My solar plexus is on fleek. I need that juicy sunlight. My coven mate goes to bed at 8:30 pm. His spellwork is often done on Sunday afternoons. When I taught witchcraft classes, we did everything during the day. I do generally feel called to work with Hekate at dusk, that is true. But she’s been with me on daytime hikes, on a walk through Edinburgh at noon to leave an offering at Edinburgh Castle where 3,000 people were murdered as witches, etc. She is by no means a night-time-only goddess so it’s just wrong to say she is.
I’m not expecting anyone to read this; I wrote this for myself to remember what I thought about it. Other people may adore this book and the reviews show that some people liked it very much. I found it to be average and limited.

[Jason (Enzo's Blue Jay) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This book is all around Tiktok as the "must-read" for new witches and Hekate worshippers. As a baby witch and a worshipper of Mother Hekate myself, I'd say while the author did have good information, it seemed she mixed more of her own experiences than actual information.

Yes, experiences help us see her perspective of things and can help us learn from her mistakes or find ourselves achieving somewhat similar accomplishments, but the book was written in a way she had an autobiography and a few excerpts from other witches. Information popped up here and there about Hekate mid-way through or after a story. I sometimes found it a little confusing. I won't say it isn't a good book, because her stories were entertaining and sometimes educational, but if you're looking into Hekate maybe this shouldn't be the first book you pick up. Read about her myths, try to research her on your own before going straight to somebody else's PERSONAL experiences with her.

[Callie Pey · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot of info in this book for someone diving into learning about Hekate. For the more experienced devotee, there isn't much to be learned new here, and there is even some information that is flawed. What I did appreciate was her emphasis on not insisting that her practice is the way, merely an option. She offers the reader a lot of angles to consider and places to enhance not just a relationship with Hekate but with any deity. Easy read, modern conversation on ancient and old practices, well sectioned.

[Rosa Celiberti Ribera · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muy completo y asequible, aunque en algunas partes creo que mezcla suposiciones con hechos históricos. Comprendo que las cronologías son complejas, pero afirmar con rotundidad algo difícilmente comprobable seguramente no es la mejor opción.

[Baroness · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant witchy story.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful introduction to the Witch Goddess. The bibliography and notes are extensive for further research, and I am looking forward to learning and exploring more about Hekate.

[TamaraO · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I had this book when Hekate first came to me. Since I've been a follower of hers for a while now, there was barely anything new, but it was nice to read through it. It's a nice refresher, especially when you haven't felt your witchiest lately. Whether you've been a long-term devotee, or you're just noticing the first signs I think this book will bring you joy.

[Janssen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for a little more history on the goddess herself, but enjoyed the infusion of practices people do to call her in!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of good information, history, and rituals.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Changed it up with some non fiction. Always been interested in Hekate so this was nice for some background information and basic knowledge!

[Linka ✨ · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 25%.

I just didn't connect with the story and the overall structure of the book.

[Natalia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good flow and very informative!

[Shay Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

This would be 5 stars if it wasn't for the personal stories didn't care for those. Everything else 5/5