Pantheon

Greek

Associated Holidays

Día de los Muertos

Worshipped By

Mayans

Rituals for Worship

Burial Offerings of Food and Valuables

Bloodletting

Human Sacrifice

Key Points / Halloween Connection

- Greek goddess of witchcraft, the night and crossroads

Brief Bio

Hecate is often associated with Halloween due to her roles as the Greek goddess of witchcraft, the night, the moon, and the underworld, and her connection to crossroads and ghosts. Her connection to crossroads makes her a relevant figure for Halloween, a time when the veil between worlds is thought to be thin, and symbolic doorways are important. 

Offerings were given to her at crossroads, and she is frequently depicted with torches, a key, or other tools of the night. This makes her an fitting figure for the spooky themes of Halloween, as she also holds knowledge of herbs and poisonous plants.