Hekate: Goddess of Witches – A Book Review

Hekate: Goddess of Witches

by Courtney Weber
published by Weiser Books – August 2001
224 pages
Trade paperback: $16.95, Kindle: $9.99

I like authors who are clear and up-front about what their books are – and what they aren’t.

I started reading Hekate: Goddess of Witches assuming it would be like Courtney Weber’s two previous Goddess-oriented books: Brigid: History, Mystery, and Magick of the Celtic Goddess (2015) and The Morrigan: Celtic Goddess of Magick and Might (2019). Both of those are what I call “experiential” books – they include some history and lore, but they’re mainly about how the author understands and relates to the deity in question. They’re guides to getting to know a Goddess not in the far past, but here and now.

In the first chapter, Courtney says that was her plan for this book too. But to borrow a phrase from our Jewish friends, humans plan and the Gods laugh. Hekate’s history and lore are both too broad and too interconnected to fit into neat and concise categories. And on top of that “Hekate simply wanted something different.”

As someone who worships and works with Gods who are not frozen in history but who are living persons moving in our contemporary world, I understand and agree.

So, what is this book? On page 12 Courtney says it’s “an exploration of what it means to be a witch, using Hekate as a model and a guide.”

After reading Hekate: Goddess of Witches I can assure you that’s exactly what this book is. And that’s a very good thing.

A very active Goddess

I have no relationship with Hekate. It’s not that I’ve been avoiding Her (as with a certain one-eyed Norse deity I’ve been telling “no” for quite some time). It’s just that I’ve been busy elsewhere. We included Her on our table of Greek deities at Denton CUUPS’ Pantheon ritual in 2019, where we invoked Her as “Lady of the Crossroads and Queen of Witches.” That’s about it.

But I pay attention to what goes on in the wider Pagan community, and I know that Hekate is one of the more active deities in our time – and She has been for quite some time. When I wrote The Great War in the Otherworld and in this World back in March, I asked followers of Hekate what they were seeing and hearing – their response was very similar to those of us who follow the Morrigan.

Whatever Hekate may have been in ancient Greece, in our time She is a Goddess of Witches. And more – few if any deities fit neatly into well-defined boxes – but first and foremost She is a patron of witches.

“Hekate is a Goddess of things that others fear, misunderstand, or even cast out of the mainstream world. … she reminds us of the magick in our blood.”

Witchcraft with – and for – Hekate

What is a witch? Courtney wisely avoids dogmatic definitions. She says “I appreciate the label of Witch being attached to feminism, art, and activism, but I personally define a Witch as someone who works with magick; that is, using spells, rituals, and connection with spirit to create change. This is the sort of Witch with whom Hekate has historically shared a connection.”

I’m in strong agreement. I do not call myself a witch (for now) but my practice is very witchcraft-adjacent. Those who find meaning and power in the aesthetics of witchcraft are welcome to do so. But I define witchcraft as unauthorized magic – magic of which the mainstream society does not approve, either because they believe it is immoral or because they believe it is impossible. Witchcraft works through correspondences and contagion, through the manipulation of energy, and through the intercession of Gods and spirits.

Hekate’s intercessions are rarely of the “make it all better” variety. Most often they present themselves as a crossroads. You have a need? Here’s an opportunity that’s relevant to your need. Yes, it’s scary. No, the outcome isn’t certain. Now, what’s your choice? Make it and don’t look back.

What is this book?

This is the story of one witch’s relationship with Hekate: how Courtney dedicated herself to Hekate, how Hekate helped her out in some difficult situations, and how She put Courtney to work doing what needed to be done. As such, it’s an example of what working with and for Hekate can involve.

It’s the story of Hekate: the Torchbearer, the Keeper of the Keys, the Goddess of the Crossroads, the Goddess of Ghosts, and perhaps most importantly, a dangerous Goddess. “No matter how a modern witch categorizes Hekate, baneful or beneficent, one consistent truth is that she is a dangerous Goddess.” A dangerous Goddess makes for dangerous witches – and what use is a witch who isn’t dangerous?

It’s a book of prayers and devotions, offerings and invocations, spells and charms, rituals and curses. I did mention “dangerous” didn’t I?

Who should read this book?

This is first and foremost a book for witches: experienced witches, new witches, and those who think they might want to become a witch but aren’t sure. It presents a witchcraft grounded in the mythology of Hekate, but also grounded in an active devotional relationship with Her.

It’s also a book for devotees of Hekate, whether they practice witchcraft or not. This is not the definitive book on the history and lore of Hekate, but what’s here is good – it could be your introduction to Hekate. But even if you already have an established relationship with Her, this book will help you understand how She’s moving in our world – how She’s promoting Her values and virtues in the wider world.

Mainly, it is what it says it is: “an exploration of what it means to be a witch, using Hekate as a model and a guide.”

For those who care about such things, Weiser sent me a review copy of Hekate: Goddess of Witches. Courtney and I discussed a review when the book came out – it took Weiser’s publicity department until a couple months ago to get me a review copy. In any case, I don’t review books differently based on how I get them. This is my honest opinion: this is a very useful and inspirational book for witches and for devotees of Hekate.