Hi I'm new!! A year ago I had a dream with the goddess Hecate in it!! She told me to follow the path she was making for me and everything would fall into place. I looked into this for a month and now I'm trying my hardest to get on this path!!!
Please help
What do I do? What do followers of hecate do? How do i please this goddess?
I worship Hekate as a household goddess. Start with familiarizing yourself with Greek Religion and house hold worship. "Hellenic Polytheism" and "Hellenismos" are good terms to search in Google. Those are terms used to describe the reconstruction of ancient Greek religion. While you do not have to covert to that religion, the information will help put the Goddess in context. Theo.com is a good source for information in regard to mythology.
When reading, just avoid any articles or books which do not reference any historical sources.
Understanding these ideas will help you grow your relationship with Hekate.
Yes you can become a Hellenist like Chenny said, but this is not the only way to idolize that goddess. I would look into her mythology and try to learn as much about her as possible. Learn what she likes and what she dislikes to make it easier for you to please her. Also what is this path you are talking about? Is it associated with her? Or are you just talking about the idea of worshipping her?
I did say they didn't have to subscribe to those religions. While her mythology is interesting, it's only part of the whole. If you don't look into historical worship and dealings, you're missing a large part of the puzzle.
When any being is referring to a path, they typically wish for you to do things that align yourself with them and their wishes. Typically, there are three things for them.
The first is to integrate them into your life. Items should be obtained in devotion, possibly a statue to care for in an altar or other items she may have been personified through.
The second is to include them reverence. Watching for deeds and events they may have orchestrated and thanking them for it. Sometimes the greater deeds you think they may be involved, may call for an offering that befits her. It can be anything, but typically the offering is sacrifice, meaning you give up something that is worth to you, to express your gratitude.
For instance, in biblical stories, those who would give up their animals for their sacred deity, were shown more favor than those who would only give first harvest. This is not to say they do not care, but one of these things is harder to obtain and replenish, and livestock tended to equate to one's wealth, more than their farmland. The offering can be anything that is of good value. Not something that is easily obtained, if you catch my meaning.
The third is usually living by that being's virtues and ideals. Take Athena for example, my matron goddess. She upholds the law she decrees, but she creates fairness and she expects true justice. Justice in the law is often fine, but she wishes to know the concept of what true Justice is, something our government would directly oppose. Today, a rapist may be someone who faces just a life in prison. To an Athenian court system, such a felon would face much more severe Justice, in probably execution. Things like this.
Each of the divine beings have attributes about them that they look in their followers. Zeus looks for strong fertile men who take ownership of their responsibilities in land. Ares looks for strong warriors or soldiers who know how to fight and protect themselves. So on and so forth.
Do the research and that path will become clear. If all else fails, ask them and listen intently, and, above all, patiently. Your answers will come.
I agree with the above except for the part that reduces gods to their spheres of influences. They are more nuanced than this. (For others) Keep in mind, you do not have to be called, berated, or asked by any being to give worship/service to them; devotion is a personal and moving thing. It doesn't have to be called upon to give; it doesn't have to be done to give proper worship/service and respect.
This is very true. They are much more than what I described. It should be noted I was giving the most basic details. Their quirks, personalities and their desires become known in time and are very complex beings.
It is also true that you should not feel forced to revere anything. Decisions they may want you to make, may be beyond your power or desires. Most are understanding...some ask for a lot beyond the standard relationship and then there are some that require nothing from you at all except you being you.
They can be tumultuous at best, bipolar at worse. Some can be out of touch with how human life is and need a casual reminder that you have your own goals, desires and limits.
Each relationship tends to be unique and different, though it is wise to know what you're getting into with some of them, who can be downright nasty.
