Each year around the middle of August here in the UK we experience the beautiful stellar experience that is the Perseids. This amazing phenomena is named after the constellation Perseus, from where the shooting stars seem to originate. At its height, which this year – in the UK – is around the 12th or 13th of August, it might be possible to see up to 60 shooting stars with the naked eye per hour – subject of course to clear skies, and being away from light polution will of course also help.
Those who are interested can read more about the Perseids at http://meteorwatch.org/2010/08/09/fun-facts-about-the-perseids/
So why do I link the Goddess Hekate to this meteor shower? Well, firstly there is a modern festival which seems to have taken root in the last few years (based on an interpretation of when a modern festival with some tentative links to Hekate, may have taken place) on the 13th of August each year. This falls in the middle of the Perseids each year, often around the time that it peaks in this part of the world. So that may, or may not be a coincidence.
Whilst Hekate is not specifically referred to as a “Stellar” goddess in the ancient world, she is described as having dominion over the “Earth, Sea and Sky” in the oldest known text which mentions her. Whilst the “sky” may be interpreted as many things, the most likely is that it is a reference to the stars. In this same text, that is the Theogony of Hesiod (circa 8th century CE, though some claim it is a bit later) we also find that Hekate is the daughter of the Goddess Asteria.
“Again, Phoibe came to the desired embrace of Koios. Then the goddess through the love of the god conceived and brought forth dark-gowned Leto. Also she bare Asteria of happy name, whom Perses once led to his great house to be called his dear wife. And she conceived and bare Hekate.” (theoi.com)
Interestingly, the name Asteria can be translated as both stellar or as a falling-star! Asteria was specifically linked to divination by stars (Astrology) and there are clear links between some of the associations given to Hekate in regards to divination in later times, and the attributes ascribed to her mother, Asteria.
John Canard in his essay “From Heaven to Earth” in Hekate Her Sacred Fires gives numerous further reasons for the connection, which he links to the cycles of life, death and rebirth – a thought I share with him, just as much as we share our love for meteorites – stones which have fallen to earth from the stars.
I wonder how many of you who celebrate the mysteries of the Goddess Hekate around this time of the year, for whichever reason, also link it to nature’s own fireworks display?
May you all dance in Her Sacred Fires, if that is your path,
Sorita d’Este
