Hekate Liminal Rites

A Study of the Rituals, Magic and Symbols of the Torch-Bearing Triple Goddess of the Crossroads

By: Sorita d'Este, David Rankine

Narrated by: Leslie Howard

Length: 4 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's Summary

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 provide 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.

©2009 Sorita d'Este and David Rankine (P)2021 Tantor

So much excellent info

I finished this book in just a day and a half. The performance by the narrator is excellent (I'll look for more of her reading, for sure). This book gives so much context for Hekate in history as well as for current/contemporary study. I look forward to listening to it again. Whether your interests are purely historical or if you are a follower of Hekate, this book is required reading. Wow, I'm really impressed and grateful for the hard work that the everyone put into this. Thanks all.

Hekate Liminal Rites

This was a well written, informative and intriguing book. I learned so much more about Hekate. I loved the connections made to her many names and origins. Thank you.

Crucial Starting Point For The Hekate Seeker

When people ask me what book they should read to learn more about Hekate, Sorita d’Este and David Rankine’s Hekate Liminal Rites is always my first recommendation. In my opinion it is the best historical crash-course on Hekate that there is. The authors cover Hekate throughout the ages from some of her pre-Greek origins to the Hekate of the Classical Era to Hekate Soteira of the Chaldean Oracles to Hekate of the Greek Magical Papyri. The power of this book is it’s broad scope and the authors’ ability to easily convey areas of research in an extremely understandable manner with a clear writing style.

The book covers some of her main symbols and animals and their significance, historical spells and offerings as well as devotes of hers both historical and mythical. Diving into the Greek Magical Papyri or the Chaldean Oracles can be difficult for someone new to Hekate. Works that focus on Hekate in one era of history like Hekate Soteira: A Study of Hekate’s Roles in the Chaldean Oracles and Related Literature by Sarah Illes Johnston or Hekate in Ancient Greek Religion by Robert Von Rudloff, while fantastic as well, can be a bit inaccessible, complicated and confusing for someone completely new to Hekate. The authors do a great job of providing a quick, accurate and informative platform for the seeker to have enough of a crash-course in these areas to start exploring other texts that dive a bit deeper on Hekate.