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Hekate Liminal Rites - A historical study of the rituals, spells and magic of the Torch-bearing Triple Goddess of the Crossroads
 
 
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Hekate Liminal Rites - A historical study of the rituals, spells and magic of the Torch-bearing Triple Goddess of the Crossroads [Kindle Edition]

Sorita d'Este (Author), David Rankine (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
Print List Price: Ł12.99
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Product Description

Product Description

At the crossroads of life, death and rebirth stands the Goddess Hekate. Honoured by men, women and gods alike, traces of her ancient provenance reach back through the millennia providing clues about her nature and origins along the way. Depictions of her as three formed facing in three ways, sometimes with the heads of animals such as the horse, dog and snake hint at her liminal nature, as well as the powers she holds over the triple realms of earth, sea and sky.

The sorcery of Medea and Circe, the witchcraft of the women of Thessaly, the writings of philosophers such as Hesiod and Porphyry all provide glimpses into the world of those who honoured her. Her magical powers were considered so great that even King Solomon became associated with her, she was incorporated into Jewish magic, and merged with other goddesses including Artemis, Selene, Bendis and the Egyptian Isis. Whilst for some she was the Witch Goddess, for others she was the ruler of angels and daimons, who made predictions about Jesus and Christianity.

Wherever you look, be it in the texts of Ancient Greece and Rome, Byzantium or the Renaissance, the Greek Magical Papyri or the Chaldean Oracles, you will find Hekate. The magical whir of the strophalos and the barbarous words of the voces magicae carry her message; the defixiones, love spells and charms all provides us with examples of the magic done in her name. She was also associated with the magic of death, including necromancy and reanimation; as well as prophetic dreams, nightmares, healing herbs and poisons. The temples dedicated to her and the important role she played in the mysteries of Eleusis, Samothrace and Aigina all provide us with clues to her majesty. The popular shrines at the doorways of ordinary people, offerings left at the crossroads and guardian statues of her at the entrance ways to cities and temples all attest to her status in the hearts and minds of those who knew her mysteries.

In this book the authors draw from a wide range of sources, bringing together historical research which provides insights into the magical and religious practices associated with this remarkable Goddess. In doing so they provide an indispensable guide for those wishing to explore the mysteries of Hekate today.

Table of Contents
Foreword
1. From the Three-Ways
Literary Sources
2. In Her Service
Hesiod
Empedocles
Porphy
Circe
Medea
The Witches of Thessaly
Lampads
Hekate’s Vegetarian Followers
3. Sacred Eleusis
4. Images of Hekate
5. Voces Magicae
6. Charms from the PGM
List of Charms in the Greek Magical Papyri
Symbols from the PGM
Bear Charm
Charm of Hekate Ereschigal
7. Charms for Love
8. Defixiones
9. The Armour of Hekate
10. Glimpses of Initiation
11. Herbs & Poisons
Aconite
Ebony
Garlic
Mandrake
Oak
Saffron
Yew
Unspecified Herbs
Herb Gathering
12. Sacred Bronze
13. Iron Nails & Rings
14. Hekate & The Angels
15. Coins
16. From Sleep
17. Oracles of Hekate
18. Offerings
19. Hekate Suppers
20. Invocation
21. Hymns
Proclus Hymn to Hekate and Janus
Prayer to Selene for any operation
22. Animal Formed
Cow-Headed/Bull-Headed
Dog-Headed
Dragon-Headed
Goat-Headed
Horse-Headed
Serpent-Headed
23. Necromancy & Reanimation
24. Death Magic
25. Underworld
26. Black Dogs
27. Serpents
28. The Strophalos
29. King Solomon
30. Fusions
Artemis-Hekate
Bendis
Bona Dea
Brimo
Despoina
Ereschigal-Hekate
Isis-Hekate
Physis
Selene-Hekate
Bibliography
Index

Product details

  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 711 KB
  • Print Length: 194 pages
  • Publisher: Avalonia; Kindle Edition edition (11 Mar 2011)
  • Sold by: Amazon Media EU S.ŕ r.l.
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B004RUXOE8
  • Text-to-Speech: Enabled
  • X-Ray: Not Enabled
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #106,135 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

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More About the Authors

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Sorita D'Este
David Rankine

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Customer Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
7 reviews
4.3 out of 5 stars
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellant sourcebook 23 July 2009
By C. Norris
Format:Paperback
I have read many books on Hekate and this stands as one of my favourites. Some reviews on here state that it is nothing new and the information is available in various websites ,books etc.Although this may be true(personally i couldn't find some things online such as the link between vegeterianism and the priesthood of Hekate), it is highly successful in bringing this information together in a comprehensive,easy to understand book that is clearly well researched. I found ever chapter interesting but my favourites were 'Hymns' which includes Prayer to Selene for any operation,'Invocation' which includes a description of a summoning of Hekate, 'Defixiones'-a detailed description of binding curses and 'Charms from the PGM' which includes a list of charms in the Greek Magical Papyri'. There are some great mini-chapters regarding Hekates followers including Medea,Circe and The witches of Thessaly. I only wish some of the chapters had been a bit longer though it does contain an extensive bibliography which has introduced me to some books on Hekate that i had not discovered before. I think the difference between this and other resource books on Hekate is that it is written by people who have a working relationship with Hekate and genuinally enjoy writing about her. I feel that it has helped my own relationship with Hekate as well. I also recommend their other book Hekate-Keys to the crossroads' which included personal account of people who work with Hekate.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars a fantastic read 30 Aug 2009
By Vikki Bramshaw
Format:Paperback
'Hekate Liminal Rites' is a truly fascinating read. The authors' writing is extremely well researched, and draws upon both accurate and historical material throughout this work. However, unlike so many other historical studies, this little book also manages to evoke such a presence of Hekate that it is almost experiential; and I found it impossible to continue reading without first lighting a candle (or three!!) for this deity.

The book is a total of 30 chapters, and each chapter focuses on a specific aspect of Hekate and her place in history, religion, ritual and magic. The work draws upon various sources, including the Greek Magical Papyri and many playwrights, poets and scholars. An early chapter of the book focuses on Hekate's role in the ancient Eleusian Mysteries - and this was of particular interest to me. It was good to see this association being studied, as Hekate's role in relation to this particular mystery tradition is often over-simplified in modern interpretations of the rites.

The book moves on to discuss the role of Hekate as mistress of herbs and herb lore (in particular, the use of the baneful herbs) and lists herbs which were particularly associated with the Goddess, together with their uses in ritual and magic. There is also a section on historically recorded food offerings and libation. The authors also present an interesting account of vegetarianism in ancient Greece; however, they do not hide the fact that ritual sacrifice was also a big part of Hekate's rites - with domestic dogs and lizards both appearing on the Goddesses 'wish list' !!

'Hekate: Liminal Rites' defines the historical reasons behind Hekate's association with the crossroads, and death; a subject which, in my opinion, has been long-overdue.... Read more ›
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Accessible without dumbing down 22 Dec 2009
By Magin Rose
Format:Paperback
Liminal Rites is a triumph of passion and patient scholarship. Much more accessible than other works on this ancient goddess, this book is a treaure-house for anyone wishing to deepen their understanding of this complex and enduring deity.

As with other works by these authors it is clear that their intent is to illuminate the subject for the reader. The book is clear and intelligible but does not seek to simplify the subtleties of history nor to disguise interpretation as truth.
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3.0 out of 5 stars Hecate and its psychology 16 May 2013
By J. E. Lee
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
Thee text reads as an amalgamation of information without much discrimination. Almost the sort one would get searching the net...

The mysterious side of the goddess remains untouched, under a lot of words,

It may be that the text takes time to deal with?

G.
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4.0 out of 5 stars A serious study about Hekate 4 April 2013
By poursaid mehran
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
An interesting study of Hekate through history and also modern wichcraft practitioners.
The author had acces to a large amount of informations
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5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Reference Work! 10 Oct 2010
By Scarlet River
Format:Paperback
Sorita's work with the Goddess Hekate is unprecedented. Earlier this year she launched the unique Rite of Her Sacred Fires unto the world, followed by the anthology Hekate Her Sacred Fires. This book, which she co-authored with her occultist husband David Rankine is however my favourite work she has produced on Hekate to date.

It seems like someone should have done a book like this before, but the thing is they have not. The research goes into areas that other books on Hekate does not, and its clear that the authors must have been familiar with the other key works and instead of producing something to rival it they produced this book, which clearly compliments the work presented in the other books. It focusses on the areas of spiritual and magical practice, therefore making this a perfect book not only for scholars and students interested in learning more about the Goddess Hekate, but also for practitioners of magic today who want to be able to take inspiration from the ancient practices.

I myself have been interested in Hekate for many years and much of the material I found in here was completely new to me. The authors drew on their extensive knowledge of a variety of magical traditions in this book, which is truly a treasure for anyone interested in the Goddess of the Crossroads!

Let me also add, that the cover image by Joanna Barnum is stunning!
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Popular Highlights

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“The symbols of Hecate are wax of three colours, white and black and red combined, having a figure of Hecate bearing a scourge, and torch, and sword, with a serpent to be coiled round her“ &quote;
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As Propylaia (the one before the gate) she was an apotropaic guardian, averting evil and protecting those within. &quote;
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“Hecate also speaks of herself thus: ‘Do all anon: a statue too therein; My form - Demeter bright with autumn fruits, White robes, and feet with golden sandals bound. Around the waist long snakes run to and fro, &quote;
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