Hecate's Wheel symbol - Jade Sol Luna

[monsnoleedra]

Of the many things that have gained a current connection to Hecate one prevelent one is the so called Hecate's Wheel symbol.  Most claim it to be derived from a certain passage from the Chaldean Oracles ("Labour about the Hecatick Strophalus" verse 194), other's from a magical device used to cast or create a spell.  Yet what nearly all of these have in common is a certain lack of knowledge on the part of the practitioner as to what it entails or where it originated from.

However, Jade Sol Luna in his book HECATE, Death, Transition and Spiritual Mastery (second edition) presents an account I have not encountered before.  While I tend to disagree with his position and the findings or speculation it is a fairly well detailed layout.

There are six shadows (the six-points located in the center of Hecate's Wheel which reflect the six main desires that prevent realization, and the three worlds of gross, subtle and mental) that exist around the Heart Chakra and an ancient mystic worked with and through these energies.  The Goddess, women and love reflect the Heart Chakra and the shadows.
..
The six shadows of Hecate's Wheel around the heart are:
Pride
Sloth
Greed
Lust
Anger
Fear (Fear is the root of them.  Mystics must approach this one first!)

Source: Hecate, Death, Transistion and Spiritual Mastery (Second Edition), pg 40

 

This is the first of two books that the author has written on Hecate.  The second book HECATE II The Awakening of Hydra, refering to the awakening and rising of Kundalini.  Both frequently show up on referenced reading lists dealing with Hecate.

I have just started to read this particular book but the author presents the position that the Dark Mother Hecate is a pathway to God.  There is a lot of Hinduism and Christianity contained within his works.  Even equating Zeus to the Christian God at points.  Equating that the pathway of Hecate is used to remove Karma and Karmic debt that one has accrued.

Now the six-points to me seem to close to the seven deadly sins.  In many ways even contributing to a notion of "Sin" being a component facet of ancient pagan practices.  Citations so far are pretty much missing except to denote bolded passages that are utilized in his seminars.

While this may seem as in part review of the referenced books my main point is discussing the assignment of meanings to the various parts of his Hecate's Wheel symbol.  A layout that is far more detailed in identifying the component parts and what each represents than anything I have found on sites that propose to discuss Hecate's Wheel as a symbol representing the Goddess.

[Tana]

'Working through and with' those points, sounds awfully similar to working the Iron Pentacle in Feri tradition.

[Catherine]

Of the many things that have gained a current connection to Hecate one prevelent one is the so called Hecate's Wheel symbol.  Most claim it to be derived from a certain passage from the Chaldean Oracles ("Labour about the Hecatick Strophalus" verse 194), other's from a magical device used to cast or create a spell.  Yet what nearly all of these have in common is a certain lack of knowledge on the part of the practitioner as to what it entails or where it originated from.

However, Jade Sol Luna in his book HECATE, Death, Transition and Spiritual Mastery (second edition) presents an account I have not encountered before.  While I tend to disagree with his position and the findings or speculation it is a fairly well detailed layout.

 

This is the first of two books that the author has written on Hecate.  The second book HECATE II The Awakening of Hydra, refering to the awakening and rising of Kundalini.  Both frequently show up on referenced reading lists dealing with Hecate.

I have just started to read this particular book but the author presents the position that the Dark Mother Hecate is a pathway to God.  There is a lot of Hinduism and Christianity contained within his works.  Even equating Zeus to the Christian God at points.  Equating that the pathway of Hecate is used to remove Karma and Karmic debt that one has accrued.

Now the six-points to me seem to close to the seven deadly sins.  In many ways even contributing to a notion of "Sin" being a component facet of ancient pagan practices.  Citations so far are pretty much missing except to denote bolded passages that are utilized in his seminars.

While this may seem as in part review of the referenced books my main point is discussing the assignment of meanings to the various parts of his Hecate's Wheel symbol.  A layout that is far more detailed in identifying the component parts and what each represents than anything I have found on sites that propose to discuss Hecate's Wheel as a symbol representing the Goddess.

 
I haven't read the books but it sounds like the author is just using the symbol this way in his own practice. Does he site any historical references to it being used this way?

Funny you should bring this up. I was looking at a Hecate's wheel the other day and the thought occurred to me that maybe it represents the pattern of a dance. That's just speculation on my part, but I can see how a person might move toward and away from the circle, back and forth along the paths, maybe going around the circle to get to the next path etc. As soon as I have some time, I'm going to clear some space in my living room and see if it works.

[monsnoleedra]

I haven't read the books but it sounds like the author is just using the symbol this way in his own practice. Does he site any historical references to it being used this way?

No.  At this point in the book there are very few citations for anything.  Even looking to the index at the back there are very few cited things.  The ones that are there do not mention Hecate's Wheel in any way except for the passage from the Chaldean Oracles.

Funny you should bring this up. I was looking at a Hecate's wheel the other day and the thought occurred to me that maybe it represents the pattern of a dance. That's just speculation on my part, but I can see how a person might move toward and away from the circle, back and forth along the paths, maybe going around the circle to get to the next path etc. As soon as I have some time, I'm going to clear some space in my living room and see if it works.

The only movements i've ever been able to connect to the so called wheel occurs again in the Chaldean oracles where it infers the spinning of the strophalos about the head.

In Byzantine Magic by Henry Maquire it's said (by Psellos) the Strophalos known as Hecate's was a golden ball with characters written all over it, had a saphire in the middle, was swung by means of a strap made from a bull's hide, and was used during invocations.  Describing it as a 3d object.

One place I saw compared it to a dodecahedron in shape and purpose.  Other places I've seen it compared to a thurible (those items in catholic church that's carried by a priest suspended on a chian and used for incense during a service) but spun about the head vice carried like in church.

[Catherine]

The only movements i've ever been able to connect to the so called wheel occurs again in the Chaldean oracles where it infers the spinning of the strophalos about the head.

The version from sacred texts says Energize about the Hecatic Strophalus.
 
The quote you gave says "labor" and I could swear I read "dance the strophalus" somewhere...  I can't find that one though, and I can't remember where I read it or if it's just from my own head so, salt.

Anyway, "labor" and "energize" imply some kind of movement to me. Maybe while spinning the strophalos around your head? In any case, it's only speculation on my part, but I'm going to try it anyway. Without the spinning things around my head part.

[monsnoleedra]

The version from sacred texts says Energize about the Hecatic Strophalus.
 
The quote you gave says "labor" and I could swear I read "dance the strophalus" somewhere...  I can't find that one though, and I can't remember where I read it or if it's just from my own head so, salt.

It really depends upon which translation of the Chaldean Oracles you read.  I've seen "Labor", "Dance" and "Energize".  About the only thing for sure is to me it implies some sort of action or movement.  Yet all three can be implied to move something about the head.  I recall at one time I used to imagine the gymnast who did the dance with streamers over their heads and spinning.

Anyway, "labor" and "energize" imply some kind of movement to me. Maybe while spinning the strophalos around your head? In any case, it's only speculation on my part, but I'm going to try it anyway. Without the spinning things around my head part.

I'd like to know what you get if you don't mind.  I always had the sense of a procession, sort of like the Procession of the Key at Lagina.

[monsnoleedra]

'Working through and with' those points, sounds awfully similar to working the Iron Pentacle in Feri tradition.

I don't know to much abotu Feri.  Could you perhaps speak on it a bit if its not oath bound?

[Catherine]

I'd like to know what you get if you don't mind.  I always had the sense of a procession, sort of like the Procession of the Key at Lagina.

 
Sure, I'll share. It won't be happening for a while though, I need to have a little alone time and that could take a while.

[Tana]

I don't know to much abotu Feri.  Could you perhaps speak on it a bit if its not oath bound?

Not a problem, since I am not Feri and the stuff on the pentacles is as far as I know not oathbound. (Meaning, I don't know, if there is some more innercourt stuff about them, but you can find a lot information about them online and in books.)

Here is a link:
http://www.wiggage.com/witch/3souls.html