Courtney Weber, Hekate: Goddess of Witches. Newburyport, MA: Weiser Books, 2021. ISBN: 9781578637164.
I admit upfront that I picked up this book out of curiosity. My solitary eclectic path, which I am starting to make peace with the idea, often takes interesting turns, and as a librarian I am always curious to learn new things. This book sat on my queue for a while until one day I knew I had to start reading it. I started it, and I could not put it down. I have plenty of other esoterica book I want to read, but I knew I had to read this one now, and as I read it I felt it drawing me in. As I kept reading these words by the author resonated:
"If you've been called to this book, Hekate is already reaching out to you. She will reveal herself in a personal way, but the hope here is for the book to provide context" (13).
The book certainly succeeds in providing a context. To be honest, I did not quite want the book to end. I know I will be rereading it, hoping to keep learning. I was very moved reading the book. I am not quite sure what message the goddess brings me, but she is bringing me a message. I just need to listen better, offer the time to allow for discernment and reflection.
The book is arranged into nine chapters starting with Meeting Hekate in Chapter 1 to history, lore, and the goddess's various aspects plus rituals and activities. The book also includes notes and a bibliography to help readers trace sources and find further reading to keep learning.
The author states this is a book for both beginners and experienced practitioners. As she writes:
"It is meant for both the novice and the seasoned practitioner. I urge you to come to this work with an open heart and mind. This work is personal and explorative. Take your time with it and see what it has for you. What I offer about Hekate and magick might not always resonate with you. I strongly advise keeping a journal as you explore the topics in this book, writing down thoughts and observations" (12).
I always find it encouraging when an author suggests journaling as part of the study. Anyhow, I cannot speak about those with experience, but I can assure others this is an excellent book for beginners. It is accessible and engaging. The author's writing and her encouraging tone keep you reading. In addition, throughout the book she provides rituals and practices to help you apply what you are learning as well as help you decide if this is a journey for you. If the journey is for you then great; this book is a great start. If the journey is not for you, this is still an excellent resources for any pagan or other person who wants a solid, scholarly, and accessible book about Hekate. Having read it, this is a book I want in my personal shelf.
I recommend the book for public and academic libraries. Public libraries that already collect pagan and esoteric materials will want this one. It's accessibility is a plus for readers. Academic libraries may want to add it as well. It certainly stands up with other pagan and esoteric academic materials. This is one I would order for our academic library.
5 out of 5 stars.
Additional reading notes:
On what is a witch today:
"Today, a Witch can be a person of any gender and its classification is broadly defined. As more people become less trustful of the religions of their childhood, they are feeding their souls with herbs and chants, and looking for guidance in the rain, moon, sun, and tides" (10).
I am not sure I could claim the label of "witch," but it is swiftly becoming my path, or part of it at least along with the Divine Humor. In the Divine Humor I find labels are not as important. You do your studies, your craft, your magic, and then see if it works or not, adjust accordingly. In time I am sure, or I feel it may be likely, I'll find something bland and generic in terms of labels so I can just go with the flow, but that is another thought for another time.
The goddess may manifest the Divine Humor a bit, at least in the uncertainty part, or as we used to say back home, "el hombre propone y Dios dispone," or as I've heard it said in English, "man (or person) plans, and God (or your deity of choice) laughs.
"When we bring Hekate into our lives, we must know that, like the moon, she will change plans we had for ourselves" (11).
What the book needed to be according to Weber:
"With so many people identifying as Witches, this book needed to be more than just Hekate's myths and personal practices. While you will find those things within these pages, you'll also find an exploration of what it means to be a Witch, using Hekate as a model and guide. While there are no rules about who can be Witch, there are certain experiences that will prove to strengthen the understanding of being a Witch and therefore strengthen the magic" (12).
On being/identifying as a witch and family. The following quotes resonated strongly with me after certain recent revelations of certain gifts in my family line came to light. Such were not spoken about back in the day; I wrote notes on this previously in my personal journal. Anyhow the quotes from the book:
"Perhaps you had psychic gifts, had dreams that could come true, or experienced visits from spirits in the night. The family might have known about your gifts and even joked about them from time to time, but never questioned them" (34)
and,
"Other Witches say they were part of the side of the family who does 'that stuff,' while the other side of the family 'doesn't do that stuff and goes to Church,' and the two sides never speak at all.
Maybe other reasons set you apart from your family. Maybe you were bookish while they were sporty. . ." (34).
I certainly am the bookish one in the family, and it somewhat does set me apart.
Witchcraft knows no age:
"Finding Witchcraft knows no age. Being a Witch is not confined to a single gender, race, or religion. Witches are in every corner of every faith and culture, taking different forms and reflecting what is scary and out of reach for the dominant culture. Even within that, our Witchcraft will shape and evolve, just as the moon does, and just as Hekate does" (35).
Much of the family chapter resonates with me as I am coming to my path and work late in life, some might say very late in life. At times I knew or felt I was different, but I could not or lacked the resources to fully know. . .until now, and I am still learning.
On witches and darkness:
"A Witch does not have to love the darkness, but they must be at least familiar, even if not comfortable, with darkness before they too can hold a torch for another" (53).
and,
"Witches need to routinely go to places that are uncomfortable to learn more about magick, which is its own descent into darkness. Sometimes, that uncomfortable place is literally dark" (54).
On magickal places:
"Hekate, if we let her, will help us find the right magickal places for us. Sometimes, just visiting these places, without performing any rites at all, will help us bring ourselves home to our Witchy selves, particularly in times when have felt less magickal due to stress, trauma, or otherwise. Finding and forming a relationship with a magickal area is essential for a Witch. This is particularly important if you are unable to do magick in your own home" (67).
For me locally, there is a certain spot where a trail becomes a three-way crossroad that feels magical. It is a place I've done some of my magic and cartomancy in.
The goddess Hekate is, among other things:
"Hekate is a goddess of things that others fear, misunderstand, or even cast out of the mainstream world. She shows us comfort in the darkness. She shines a light on the places we need to heal. She can also show us the depths of our wickedness, highlighting our own powers to hurt or destroy. She reminds us of the spirits who have gone before us, connecting us to the lessons they leave behind" (98).
More on what witchcraft is:
"Witchcraft is a way to give power back to the disempowered, or reconnect with that power when it is taken from us" (113).
Don't bother with those who mean you harm:
"Hey, Witchy friend: I'm here to tell you that you don't have to give your magick away, prove your power, or give any time to people who harm you" (118).
This book qualifies for the following 2025 Reading Challenge:
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