The Many Epithets of Hekate

Last updated on: April 22, 2020 at 6:43 pm by Mat Auryn

The Many Epithets of Hekate 2020-04-22T18:43:41+00:00 Mat Auryn

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An epithet is an honorary and praiseful descriptive title used as part of a name. For example, Alexander The Great. In polytheistic religions, specifically that of Greece and Rome, an epithet was not only a praiseful description, but also a focus on a specific aspect of that divinity and their powers that you are petitioning for purposes related to that aspect. The following is a list I compiled of Hekate’s many historical epithets. These epithets come from the Greek Magical Papyri, The Chaldean Oracles, Greek poetry, hymns & myths and ancient inscriptions. A few of the epithets have unknown meaning. Other epithets are unverified but speculated to belong to Hekate. Either way – the epithets are definitely fitting for Her and I don’t think She’d reject them.

Image Credit: Pixabay | CC0 License

You will find as you go through the list of epithets of this ancient and vast goddess that many of the epithets are contradictory to others. Being a goddess with such an ancient history with many evolutions and having domain over so many realms, it’s only natural that for example, the Greek Magical Papyri epithets which tend to be darker are going to vary greatly from that of the Chaldean Oracles which view Her as a universal power and axis mundi and anima mundi.

This list would not be possible without the work of Sara Neheti Croft, author and artist of Knowing Hekate: A Spiritual Coloring Experience and Evensongs for Hekate: Poetry, Hymns, and Prayers particularly her posts here. Also the work of Leonardo at Voces Magicae, particularly his post here. I’m extremely thankful for their research, work and devotion. They did most of the actual research and compilation, I’ve just merged them into a master-list for easy reference. While this list is not complete by any means – it’s a great starting point for those who want to start working with Hekate’s epithets.

Abronoê ‘Gracious-minded’, ‘Providing Grace’, ‘Gracious’
Adamantaea ‘Unconquerable’, ‘Untamable Goddess’
Admêtos ‘Indomable’, ‘Unconquered’
Aenaos ‘Eternal’
Agallomenen Elaphoisi ‘Rejoicing in Deer’
Agia ‘Sacred’, ‘Holy’
Aglaos ‘Radiant’
Agriope ‘Wild-eyed’, ‘Fierce-faced’, ‘Savage-watcher’, ‘wild-voiced’
Agrotera ‘Huntress’
Aidônaia ‘Goddess of Hades’, ‘Of the Underworld”
Aimopotis ‘Blood-drinker’, ‘Murderer’
Aiônos ‘Eternal’
Aizêiοs ‘Vigorous’
Aktinochiatis ‘Radiant haired’, ‘With Rays for Hair’
Aktiophis [Of Unknown Meaning]
Alexeatis ‘Averter of Evil’
Alkimos ‘Powerful’, ‘Strong’, ‘Stout’, ‘Brave’
Amaimaketos ‘Unconquerable’, ‘Raging’, ‘Invincible’, ‘Unapproachable’, ‘Uncontrollable’
Ambrotos ‘Immortal’
Ameibousa ‘One That Transforms’
Amphiphaes ‘Circumlucent’
Amphiprosopos ‘Double-faced’
Amphistomos ‘Double-mouthed’
Anassa ‘Queen’
Anassa Eneroi ‘Queen of the Dead’
Androphonos ‘Killer of Men’
Angelos ‘Messenger’
Antaian Theou ‘She Who Meets’
Antania ‘Enemy of Mankind’
Aôroboros ‘Devourer of the Prematurely Dead’, ‘Devourer of the Untimely Dead’
Apanchomene ‘The Hanged One’
Apotropaios ‘Averting’, ‘Averter’
Aphrattos ‘Unnamed One’
Arêgos ‘Helper’
Archikos ‘Royal’
Ariste ‘The Best’
Ariste Cthonia ‘Best of the World’, ‘Best in the World’
Arkuia / Arkyia ‘Spinner of webs’, ‘Entrapper’
Arrhetos ‘Ineffable’
Astrodia ‘Star-walker’, ‘Star-Courser’
Atala ‘Tender’, ‘Delicate’
Atasthalos ‘Pretentious’, ‘Reckless’, ‘Presumptious’
Athanatos ‘Immortal’, ‘Of Immortal Fame’
Autophyês / Autopheus ‘Self-generating’. ‘Self-begotten’
Azonos ‘Without Borders’
Azostos ‘Ungirt’, ‘Without a Belt’
Baridouchos ‘Barque-holder’, ‘Skiff-holder’
Basileia ‘Queen’, ‘Princess’
Bolos ‘Far-Thrower’,
Boôpis ‘Cow-eyed’
Booporos ‘Ox-Herder’
Borborophorba ‘Eater of Filth’
Boukolos ‘Ox-Herder’
Brimô ‘Angry-One’, ‘Terrifying’
Buthios ‘Abysmal’, ‘Of the Depths’
Charopos ‘Ferocious-aspected’, ‘Fierce’, ‘Grim’, ‘Flashing’, ‘Bright, ‘Having blue-grey eyes’, ‘of the Sea’
Chthonia ‘Chthonic’, ‘Of the Earth”
Chrysôpis ‘Golden-faced’
Chrysosandalos ‘of Golden Sandals’
Chrysosandalaimopotichthonia ‘Goddess of the Lower World Wearing Golden Sandals and Drinking Blood’
Chrysostephanos ‘Golden-Crowned’, ‘Crowned with Splendor’
Chrysostephês ‘Golden-crowned’
Dadophoros ‘Torchbearer’
Dadouchos ‘Torch-bearer’
Daeira ‘The Knowing One’
Daidalos ‘Cunning’
Damasandra ‘Dominator of Men’, ‘Subduer of Men’
Damnamene ‘Means of Constraint’
Damnodamia ‘Subduer of Subduers’
Damnomeneia ‘Dominating Force’
Dasplêtis ‘Horror’, ‘Frightful-one’
Deichteira ‘Teacher’, ‘Revealer’
Deinos ‘Terrible’
Despoina ‘Lady’, ‘Mistress’
Dione ‘Goddess’
Doloessa / Doloeis ‘Astute-one’, ‘Subtle’, ‘Wily’, ‘Cunning’
Drakaina ‘Serpent’, ‘Dragon’
Eidôlios ‘Phantasmal’, ‘Ghostly’
Eileithyia ‘Nurse of Childbirth’, ‘Goddess of Midwives’
Einalian ‘Of the Sea’
Einodia Thygater Demetros ‘Daughter of Demeter, who is of the Road’
Ekklesia ‘Of the Assembly’
Ekdotis ‘Bestower’
Elaphêbolos ‘Deer-huntress’, ‘Shooter of Deer’
Elateira ‘Driver’, ‘Charioteer’
Ellophonos ‘Fawn-slayer’
Epaine ‘Awe-Inspiring’, ‘Glorious’, ‘Sublime’
Empousa / Empusa [Of unknown meaning, related to the monster Empusa and the idea of phantoms and specters]
Empylios ‘At the Gate’
Empyrios ‘Empyrean’
Enodia ‘Of the crossroads’, ‘Of the Roads’, ‘Of the Path’
Ephodia ‘Traveling Expenses’, ‘Provisions for the Road’, ‘Traveling Supplies’, ‘Resources’
Ephoros ‘Guardian’ ‘Overseer’
Epigeioi ‘of the Earth’
Epiphanestate Thea ‘the Most Manifest Goddess’
Epipurgidia ‘on the Tower’
Episkopos ‘Guardian’, ‘One who Watches Over’, ‘Overseer’
Epiteichea ‘The Stronghold’, ‘Fort’
Epi-tymbidia ‘Sepulchral’
Eranne ‘Lovely’
Erannos ‘Lovely’
Ergatis ‘Energizer’
Êrigeneia ‘Daughter of morning’, ‘Early-born’
Erôtotokeia / Erototokos ‘Bearer of love’, ‘Producing Love’, ‘Who Bore Love’
Eukoline ‘Good Tempered’
Eupatepeia ‘Noble-born’
Eurippa ‘Horse-finder’
Geneteira ‘Mother’
Genetyllis ‘Birth-Helper’, ‘Goddess of Childbirth’, ‘Midwife’
Gigaessa ‘Giant’
Gorgo ‘The Grim’, ‘The Gorgon’
Hecatoncheires ‘Hundred-handed’
Hegemonen ‘Guide’
Hêgemoye ‘Queen’
Helike ‘Revolving’
Hersechthonia ‘Speaking From Below’
Hexacheira ‘Of Six Ways’, ‘Of Six Hands’
Hiera ‘Holy One’
Hieros Pyr ‘Holy Fire’
Hipparete ‘Horse-Speaker’
Hippokyon ‘Mare Bitch’, ‘Horse Dog’
Hippoprosopos ‘Horse-Faced’
Hypolampteira [Of Unknown Meaning – possibly related to light or brightness]
Iocheaira / Iokheaira ‘Arrow-shooter’, ‘One who Shoots Arrows’
Indalimos ‘Beautiful’
Ippokyôn ‘Mare-Dog’, half dog/ half horse
Ippoprosôpos ‘Horse-faced’
Kalkaea ‘Wearer of High Boots’
Kalligeneia ‘Bearing Beautiful Offspring’
Kalliste ‘Fairest’
Kapetoktypos ‘Tomb-disturber’, ‘Causing the Noise of Lamentation’
Kardiodaitos ‘Heart-Eater’, ‘Feasting on Men’s Hearts’
Kareia ‘of Karia’, ‘Kraus’
Karko ‘Lamia’, ‘Child-Eating’, ‘Nocturnal Spirit’
Katachthonia ‘Subterranean’
Katakampsypsaychenos ‘Bender of proud necks’
Kelkaia [Of Unknown Meaning]
Keratôpis ‘Horned-faced’, ‘Horned Looking’
Keroeis ‘Horned’
Kthonia ‘Of the Underworld’, ’Of the Earth’
Kleidouchos / Kleidoukhos ‘Key-holder’, ‘Key-keeper’
Klôthaiê ‘Spinner of fate’
Kore ‘Maiden’
Kourotrophos ‘Child’s Nurse’, ‘Nurse of Youths’
Krataios / Kratais ‘Powerful’, ‘Dominator’, ‘Of the Rocks’
Krokopeplos ‘Saffron-Cloaked’
Kunolygmatos ‘Doglike Howler’, ‘Who howls doglike’
Kydimos ‘Glorious’
Kynegetis ‘Leader of Dogs’
Kynokephalos ‘Dog-Headed’
Kynolygmate ‘Howling Like a Dog’, ‘Who Howls Dog-like’
Kyôn ‘Bitch’, ‘Dog’
Kyôn Melaina ‘Black Bitch’, ‘Black Dog’
Kyria ‘The Powerful’, ‘The Supreme’
Laginitis ‘Of Lagina’
Lampadephoros ‘Lamp-bearer’, ‘Torch-bearer’, ‘Who Warns of Nighttime Attack’
Lampadios ‘Lamp-bearer’, ‘Torch-bearer’
Leaina ‘The Lioness’
Leontoukhos ‘Holding a Lion’
Leukophryne ‘White-Browed’, ‘Of the White-Browed Hill’
Limenitis ‘Harbor Goddess’
Limenitikos ‘Of the Harbor’, ‘Harbor Goddess’
Limenoskopos ‘Of the Threshold’, ‘Watcher of Havens’, ‘On the Harbor’, ‘Watching the Harbor’
Liparokredemnos ‘Of the Bright Headband’, ‘Bright-Coiffed’
Liparoplokamos ‘Brilliant-Braided’
Lochias ‘Protector of birth’, ‘Goddess of Childbearing’
Lykaina ‘She-wolf’
Lyko ‘She-wolf’, ‘Wolf-formed’
Maera ‘Shining’
Mageus ‘One who Kneads’ [Possibly related to Magi]
Makairapos ‘Blessed-one’
Medeousa / Medusa ‘Protector’, ‘Guard’, ‘Gorgon’
Meisopomenos ‘Laborer of the Moon’
Meisoponeros ‘Vice-Hating’
Megiste ‘Greatest’
Melaine ‘Black’
Melaneimôn ‘Black-clad’, ‘Wearing Black’
Melinoe ‘Soothing One’
Mene ‘Moon’
Moira ‘A Share’, ‘Fate’
Monogenes ‘Only Child’
Monoprosopos ‘With One Face’
Mormo ‘She-Monster’
Munychia [Of Unknown Meaning]
Nekuia / Nekyia ‘Goddess of death’, ‘Mistress of corpses’
Nerteria ‘Infernal’, ‘Subterranean’, ‘Nether One’
Nerterios ‘Infernal’, ‘Subterranean’, Nether One’
Nerteron Prytanin ‘Mistress of the Dead’
Noctiluca ‘Light of the Night’, ‘Night Shiner’
Noeros ‘Intellective’
Nomaios ‘Pastoral’
Nychia / Nykhia ‘Nocturnal’ ‘Nocturnal-One’ “Goddess of Night’
Nyktairodyteira ‘Night Riser and Setter’, ‘She that Rises and Sets by Night’
Nykteria ‘Of the Night’
Nykti ‘Of the Night’
Nyktiboos ‘Night-Shouter’, ‘Night-Crier’
Nyktipolos ‘Night-Wandering’
Nyktophaneia ‘Night-shining’
Nymphen ‘Bride’
Nyssa ‘Goader’, “Goal’, ‘Beginning’, ‘Turning Post’, ‘Ambition’
Oistrophaneia ‘Manifester of Madness’
Oistroplaneia ‘Spreader of Madness’, ‘Causing the Wanderings of Madness’
Oksyboê ‘Shrill-screamer’, ‘Shrieker’
Oletis ‘Destroyer’
Opaon ‘Follower’
Opheôplokamos ‘Coiled with Snakes’, ‘With Snaky Curls’
Oriplanos ‘Mountain-roamer’, ‘Mountain-Wandering’
**Oroboros ‘**Tail-Eating’
Ourania ‘Celestial’, ‘Heavenly’
Ouresiphoites ‘Wanderer in the Mountains’
Oxythymia ‘Gallows’, ‘Quick to Anger’
Paggennêteira ‘Mother of All’
Paiônios ‘Healer’
Pammêtôr ‘Mother of All’
Pandamateira ‘All-tamer’, ‘All-powerful’, “All Subduer’, ‘Master of all’
Pandina [Of Unknown Meaning – Possibly related to ‘whirling’ or ‘rotating’]
Pandôteira ‘All-giver’, ‘One who gives everything’, ‘Bestower of Everything’, Bounteous’
Pangaios ‘World-wide’
Panopaia ‘All-seeing’, ‘One who sees everything’, ‘Panorama’
Panta Ephepousa [Of Unknown Meaning]
Pantos Kosmou Kleidokhos ‘Keeper of the Keys of the Cosmos’
Pantrephô / Pantrophos ‘All-nurturing’, ‘All-sustaining’, ‘who feeds all’
Parthenos ‘Virgin’
Pasikrateia ‘Universal Queen’, ‘All-powerful’, ‘who dominates all’
Pasimedeonsa ‘All-guarding’, ‘All-protecting’
Pasimedousa ‘Ruling Over All’
Pasiphaessa ‘Wide-Shining’
Patrogenes ‘Father-Begotten’
Pege ‘Source’
Pege Psychon ‘Source of Souls’
Persia ‘Persian’ ‘Daughter of Perses’
Phaennô ‘Brilliant’
Phaesimbrotos ‘Bringer of light to mortals’
Phaethô ‘Radiant’
Pharaea ‘Of Pharaea’, ‘Daughter of Zeus and Pheraea’
Philêremos ‘Lover of Solitude’
Philoskylax ‘Lover of Dogs’
Phoberos ‘Terrible’, ‘Fearful’
Phoebe ‘Bright’
Phoinikopeza ‘Ruddy-footed’
Phôs ‘Holy light’
Phôsphoros ‘Light-bringer’
Phôtoplêx ‘Who smites with light’, ‘Who strikes with light’
Phroune ‘Toad’, ‘Frog’, ‘She-Toad’
Phthorênês ‘Ruin-Bringer’, ‘Corruptor’
Phylakê ‘Protector’, ‘Guardian’, ‘Who Keeps Watch and Ward’
Physis ‘Nature’ (personified)
Podarkê ‘Quick-footed’, ‘Fleet-footed’
Polyboteira ‘Generous Giver of Nourishment’
Polykleitos ‘Famed’, ‘Much Renowned’, ‘Far-Famed’
Polyplokamos ‘Of Many Tentacles’, ‘With Many Feelers’
Polymorphos ‘Many-formed’, ‘Of many forms’
Polyôdynos ‘Full of Pain’, ‘One who suffers much’
Polyônymos ‘Many-named’, ‘Of many names’
Potnia Theron ‘Mistress of Animals’, ‘Lady of Wild Beasts’
Presbeira ‘Ancient’, ‘Elder’
Prodomos ‘Of the Vestibule’, ‘Before the House’
Prothegetis ‘Leader’
Prokathegetis ‘She who goes down before’, ‘Leader’, ‘Teacher’, ‘Guide’
Promêthikos ‘With forethought’
**Propolos ‘**She Who Leads’, ‘Guide’, ‘Companion’, ‘Servant’
Propylaia ‘One Before the Gate’
Prothyraea ‘Before the Gate’
Prostistos ‘Primordial’, ‘The Very First’
Psychopompe ‘Soul-Guide’
Pyriboulos ‘Of fiery counsel’
Pyridrakontozônos ‘Girt with flaming serpents’
Pyriphoitos ‘Fire-walker’
Pyripnos / Pyripnoa ‘Fire-breather’, ‘Breathing Fire’
Pyrophoros ‘Fire-bearer’, ‘Torch-bearer’
Pyrtania ‘Invincible Queen of the Dead’, [Possibly related to ‘Council Chamber’]
Rêksipylê ‘Door-breaker’, ‘Gate-breaker’
Reskichthon / Rexichthon ‘Bursting forth from the Earth’, ‘Earth-Cleaver’
Rhododaktylos ‘Rosy-Fingered’
Rixipyle / Rexipyle ‘She Who Throws Down The Gates’
Sarkophagos ‘Flesh-Eater’
Skotia / Skotios ‘Somber’, ‘Of the Dark’, ‘Of the Gloom’
Skylakageia ‘Dog-leader’
Sôteira ‘Savior’
Speirodrakontozonos ‘Girt with Serpent Coils’
Stratêlatis ‘Leader of hosts’, ‘General’
Strophaia ‘Standing as a porter at the door hinge’
Taurodrakaina ‘Bull-Dragon’, ‘half bull/ half serpent’
Taurokarênos ‘Bull-headed’
Tauromorphos ‘Bull-formed’
Taurôpis ‘Bull-faced’
Tauropolos ‘Bull-Herder’
Taurôpos ‘Bull-aspected’
Tartarouchos / Tartaroukhos ‘Ruler of Tartarus’, ‘Controller of Tartarus’
Tergeminus ‘Of Triple-Birth’
Terpsimbrotos ‘Delighting men’, ‘One who delights mortals’, ‘Gladdens the hearts of men’
Tetrakephalos ‘Four Headed’
Tetraoditis ‘Of the Four ways’, ‘Of Four roads’, ‘Haunting Crossroads’, ‘Four-Road’s Mistress’
Tetraônymos ‘Four-named’
Tetraprosôpos ‘Four-faced’, ‘Four-Headed’
Tetraprosôpinos ‘Four-faced’
Thanatêgos ‘Death-Bringer’
Thea Deinos ‘The Dread Goddess’
Therobromon ‘Roaring like a Wild Beast’, ‘Of the City of the Beast’
Thêroktomos ‘Beast-slayer’
Thrinakia ‘Triple-pointed’, ‘Of three extremes’, ‘Triple’
Tlêtê / Tletos ‘Patient’
Triauchenos ‘Triple-necked’, ‘With Three Necks’
Triceps ‘Three-Formed’
Trikaphalos ‘Three-headed’
Trikaranos ‘Three-headed’,’Three-faced’, ‘Triple-headed’
Triktypos ‘Triple-sounding’
Trimorphos ‘Three-Formed’
Trioditis ‘Of the Three ways’, ‘Of the three roads’
Triônymos ‘Triple-named’
Triphthoggos ‘Triple-voiced’, ‘Having Three Voices’
Triprosôpos ‘Triple-faced’
Triva ‘Of the Three Ways’, ‘Goddess of Three Roads’
Tymbidian ‘Sepulchral’
Tymborychos ‘Gravedigger’, ‘Grave-Robber’
Zatheiê ‘Divine’
Zatheos ‘Divine’
Zerynthia ‘Of Mount Zerynthia’
Zônodrakontis / Zonodrakontos ‘Encircled by Serpents’, ‘Covered in Snakes’, ‘Intertwined with Snakes’
Zootrophos ‘Nourisher of Life’

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