Hecate is a goddess with a very complex and mysterious origin since her attributes changed over time, and she was assimilated with other goddesses.
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In the beginning, she was represented as a simple deity (not triple). In Greek mythology she was the daughter of Asteria and Perses, a direct descendant of the generation of the Titans and independent of the Olympic pantheon.
But during later periods, Hecate’s triplicity became more apparent. In the Greek esoteric writings of Egyptian inspiration related to Hermes Trismegistus and in the magical papyri of the Late Antiquity, Hecate was described as having three heads: one of a dog, another of a snake and another one of a horse. Hecate’s triplicity was later expressed in a more Hellenic way, with three bodies instead of heads.
Hecate’s Attributes and Symbolism
Hecate was usually depicted holding a pair of torches or a key. She was associated with crossroads, entrances, magic, witchcraft, knowledge of herbs and poisonous plants, ghosts, necromancy and sorcery.
Unlike Artemis, which represented the moonlight and the splendor of the night, Hecate represented its darkness and its terrors.
It was believed that, on moonless nights, she wandered the earth with a pack of ghostly and howling dogs that preceded her appearance. She sent night terrors to humans, and also apparitions of ghosts, especially to children and women trying to scare them.
At various times, wild areas, forests, borders, city walls, crossroads and cemeteries have been associated with Hecate.
Hecate In Modern Times
As a “goddess of witchcraft”, Hecate has been incorporated in various systems of modern witchcraft, Wicca and Neopaganism, in some cases associated with the Wild Hunt of Germanic tradition, in others as part of a reconstruction of specifically Greek polytheism, in English also known as “Hellenismos”.
In Wicca, Hecate has in some cases become identified with the “Crone” aspect of the Triple Goddess.
Hecate as a Triple Goddess 
The 3 aspects of the Moon are associated to three Greek goddesses:
- The Crescent Moon, represented by Artemis (the Maiden), also known as “Diana” in Roman mythology.
- The Full Moon, represented by the Selene (the Maid), also known as Luna.
- The Waning Moon, represented by Hecate (the Crone), also known as Trivia.
Other Names for Hecate
Hecate was known by a number of bynames:
- Apotropaia (that turns away/protects)
- Chthonia (of the earth/underworld)
- Enodia (on the way)
- Klêidouchos (holding the keys)
- Kourotrophos (nurse of children)
- Krokopeplos (saffron cloaked)
- Melinoe
- Phosphoros, Lampadephoros (bringing or bearing light)
- Propolos (who serves/attends)
- Propulaia/Propylaia (before the gate)
- Soteria (savior)
- Trimorphe (three-formed)
- Triodia/Trioditis (who frequents crossroads)
Hecate Invocation Chant 
Light a black candle during this devotional.
This Hecate invocation ritual was inspired by the Orphic hymn to Hecate from the late Hellenistic (ancient Greek) period. Summoning Hecate with a chant can be useful within a justice spell, a protection ritual and other types of spellwork.
Learn more about Hecate in this lesson: Hecate: Goddess Symbols, Offerings & Myth.