Hekate, Artemis, Venus, Aphrodite... (and then?)... is there a connection?

[jjsuntsu]

I believe the thread title speaks for itself... but I'd like to add link's to relevant information and just to remind all you, I don't know the answer to this question yet and the search for the answer is just beginning but I know I am heading in the right direction to naming my Goddess who has had so many throughout history throughout different cultures.

*Hekate - Angelfire.com*
http://www.angelfire.com/moon2/thiasos_hades/Hekate.html

This is just the first site and already I found a connection between Venus also being Hekate as her initial role was being the Torch Bearer which is coincidentally close to the same meaning as The Lucifer (Venus) Latin translation "Bringer/Bearer of Light" as the Planet Venus is the first object that appears to be a Star that appears at night then slowly disappears throughout the night to reappear again before dawn signaling the soon arrival of the Sun hence the "Bringer/Bearer of Light" meaning of the word Lucifer.

*Hekate/Hecate - tripod.com*
http://zer0dmx.tripod.com/gods/hekate.html

Once again the mentioning of "Light Bringer", I assume all the easy sites to find will say the same thing?

[Nyktelios]

I believe the thread title speaks for itself... but I'd like to add link's to relevant information and just to remind all you, I don't know the answer to this question yet and the search for the answer is just beginning but I know I am heading in the right direction to naming my Goddess who has had so many throughout history throughout different cultures.

*Hekate - Angelfire.com*
http://www.angelfire.com/moon2/thiasos_hades/Hekate.html

This is just the first site and already I found a connection between Venus also being Hekate as her initial role was being the Torch Bearer which is coincidentally close to the same meaning as The Lucifer (Venus) Latin translation "Bringer/Bearer of Light" as the Planet Venus is the first object that appears to be a Star that appears at night then slowly disappears throughout the night to reappear again before dawn signaling the soon arrival of the Sun hence the "Bringer/Bearer of Light" meaning of the word Lucifer.

*Hekate/Hecate - tripod.com*
http://zer0dmx.tripod.com/gods/hekate.html

Once again the mentioning of "Light Bringer", I assume all the easy sites to find will say the same thing?

Aphrodite Genetullis was a goddess associated with childbirth and apparently received sacrifices of dogs under this aspect, connecting her with both Hekate and Artemis. Her epithet, Pasiphaessa ("wide-shining"), associated her with the moon. She also had titles emphasizing her chthonic aspect, like Melainis ("black one"), Skotia ("of the dark"), Epitumbidia ("among the tombs"), and Persephaessa, like Persephone, the Queen of the Underworld.

Greek deities were not originally part of a single pantheon, as many of them came from different localities and were incorporated into a pantheon common to Greek culture in general as they came into contact. Hekate I believe came from Thrace, Artemis from Arcadia, and Aphrodite from the Near East via Cyprus. This might explain why there is so much overlap when it comes to these deities commonly considered distinct. They may have each originally been their respective community's representation of fertility and female procreative power in the universe, both the generative and the destructive aspects of this power. Since Aphrodite came from more sensual Oriental cultural origins, she became the ideal of eroticism and beauty in the Olympian system. Artemis had a wild and maidenly character, so she became the archetypal virgin. Twelve gods is a lot, as Egyptian cities typically had a triad of chief deities, and I think in Sumerian tradition there were seven main gods (there were others, but I mean in terms of principal gods recognized by everyone). Since Greek religion had so many main gods, it's not surprising that they became rather two-dimensional (Zeus as patriarch, Hera as chaste wife, Demeter as nurturing mother, Apollon as noble young man, Poseidon as god of the sea, etc.), as originally they were probably very similar, and more universal in function than they were before becoming part of a crowded system of gods with overlapping influence.

[Fier]

like Melainis ("black one"), Skotia ("of the dark")

My understanding of these epithets is that they refer to night, that being the time that humans generally make love.

Epitumbidia ("among the tombs")

Do you know where and why She gained this title? I've heard it from a few places but not with any details. I've also heard "grave-digger" (though I forget the title) and Androphonos (killer of men). My best guess is that love (either for another human or for glory and fame) drives men to war and death.

[Nyktelios]

My understanding of these epithets is that they refer to night, that being the time that humans generally make love.

I've read the same about "Skotia", although "Melainis" is a title she shares with chthonic Demeter, and could connect them to the Furies.

 

Do you know where and why She gained this title? I've heard it from a few places but not with any details. I've also heard "grave-digger" (though I forget the title) and Androphonos (killer of men). My best guess is that love (either for another human or for glory and fame) drives men to war and death.

I don't know, to be honest. I figured it was a survival from early periods from before she was the Greek ideal of love and beauty, and had dominion over both life and death. Sex, fertility, and death always seem to go hand-in-hand with each other, anyway. They depend on each other.

I have to admit, I really dislike when all her epithets are always interpreted to relate to love in some way. For example, "Aphrodite Ourania" was interpreted by Plato in the late Classical period to be the deity of celestial, spiritual love, in contrast to "Aphrodite Pandemos", goddess of common lust. "Ourania" literally means "of the sky" (as "Ouranos" is the sky god, son-cosort of earth mother Gaia, and explains why Hesiod said Aphrodite was born from his genitals), and before Plato, it referred to Aphrodite as a sky goddess like her Near Eastern equivalents Inanna/Ishtar/Astarte, as Inanna's name is thought to literally mean "lady of heaven" in Sumerian. Aphrodite Ourania was considered the eldest of the Fates in Athens, and people would make offerings to her for blessings in marriage. She was a far more important and universal deities than later Greek intellectuals and modern interpreters of myth would have people believe.

[Fier]

I have to admit, I really dislike when all her epithets are always interpreted to relate to love in some way.

I dislike when they are simplified down to lust and sex. Love, I think, is a great unifying force of the Universe. Maybe 'attraction' would be a better term. The attraction that brings together celestial dust to form stars. The attraction that brings together two organisms to reproduce and create life. The love for fame, glory, and acceptance from peers that drives humans to strive for greatness and become more.

All those things, I understand Aphrodite to represent.

For example, "Aphrodite Ourania" *snip* and before Plato, it referred to Aphrodite as a sky goddess like her Near Eastern equivalents Inanna/Ishtar/Astarte, as Inanna's name is thought to literally mean "lady of heaven" in Sumerian.

See my thoughts above on love and attraction. I agree with you. I've been very interested in exploring Her more in her celestial and heavenly form. I feel that she is older than the other Olympians.

Aphrodite Ourania was considered the eldest of the Fates in Athens, and people would make offerings to her for blessings in marriage.

I haven't researched Her connection to the Fates yet. Thanks for giving me that earworm.

She was a far more important and universal deities than later Greek intellectuals and modern interpreters of myth would have people believe.

Agreed. BTW, do you have a blog? I'd be interested in reading more of your thoughts and personal practice w/r/t Aphrodite.

[Nyktelios]

Agreed. BTW, do you have a blog? I'd be interested in reading more of your thoughts and personal practice w/r/t Aphrodite.

 
Oh, thanks. I don't have a blog, although I have thought about writing one. I just figured I wouldn't have enough to write about, and that nobody would care about what I had to say, anyway :p

Oops, and I meant she's a more important and universal *deity*, not *deities*. My proofreading skills aren't very good.

[jjsuntsu]

Once again the mentioning of "Light Bringer", I assume all the easy sites to find will say the same thing?

The point I'm seeing is that the connections between Hecate, Artemis, Venus, Aphrodite, Ishtar... (And then?)  is that Hecate's primary role was to be the "Bearer or Bringer of Light" which in Latin translates into being "The Lucifer" and "The Lucifer" is a Title, not one of the Devil's names or a Rebellious and Jealous Arch-Angel that tried to overthrow God to take His place and was defeated and cast out of Heaven (Though there is some truth to the this story about their being Angels and Arch-Angels here on Earth as well as Demons, Fae and Spirits.), "The Lucifer" Title was given to the planet Venus out of respect for Hecate because of the Natural "Pentagram" formation it makes (Which is a sign of her Intelligent design behind the Universe!) and because it's the first object which is the brightest next to the Moon you see at night that throughout the night disappears to once again reappear before dawn signaling the soon arrival of Light (The Sun) which is why Hecate/Venus is called the "Bringer/Bearer of Light" or "The Lucifer"

Now where did Hecate/Venus come from, what created her if she created our Universe... and this is where... "I Zeus step in and say, stop it Taurus, you're going to make people think about a Single God that created us the Minor-Gods such as I, King of the Minor-Gods Zeus and my Queen Hera and the rest of the gang where each of us Minor-Gods was allowed to Create a Universe and use the tools that were Created by our Creation to figure out who/what Created the possibility of us Minor-Gods being able to Create Universes and life being able to be Created within them to evolve and solve the mysteries of each Universe within our Multi-Verse ultimately solving the riddle of why I look up to Hecate The Lucifer!" (Someone Says*Okay, my lips are sealed!*)

On a side note... All Arch-Angels and Angels bear the mark of "The Lucifer" (Hecate/Venus) which is the "Pentagram" and have Astrological Birth Dates that can identify who they are, well... it is possible isn't it?

*E Nomine Lucifer*

[veggiewolf]

...

 
Just a question, here: if, for you, everything boils down to aspects of the Light Bringer, why aren't you a Luciferian?

[jjsuntsu]

Just a question, here: if, for you, everything boils down to aspects of the Light Bringer, why aren't you a Luciferian?

I was for a while but as I continued my research about the origins of Religious, Spiritual Faiths and Mythology I found something else I would rather believe in, which is the ways of Celtic Druidism. It's impossible to follow this path to a T due to the times we are currently living in, but I am working on remembering as much as I can about the Old ways of a Celtic Druidism and building my own improved version of it for the 21st Century and beyond.

This includes having a close connection with Nature and the Otherkin (The Non-Human Animal Kingdom!) which dwell in it and learning how Technology can help figure out the secrets that we've long forgotten about Astrology, Numerology and Palmistry.

Also, I see things as their being a Single God that created existence (For education and entertainment!) and then the Minor-Gods (The Arch-Angels!) such as Zeus (And all the other Names he's been known by!) King of the Minor-Gods and his Queen Hera (And all the Names she's been known by!) and the rest of the Minor-Gods where each of them were allowed to Create a Universe and guide and use the tools (Human's and the other Races of the Multi-Verse!) that were Created by their Creation to figure out who/what Created the possibility of physical existence and the Minor-Gods being able to Create to do the things they can do and Create Universes and with life being able to be Created within them to evolve slowly over time and solve the mysteries of each Universe within the Multi-Verse ultimately solving the riddle of why even the Minor-Gods look up to Hecate, The Lucifer and respect her Symbol The Pentagram!

[Fier]

such as Zeus and his Queen Hera to Hecate

 
So do you work with any Celtic gods?

[SkySamuelle]

I was for a while but as I continued my research about the origins of Religious, Spiritual Faiths and Mythology I found something else I would rather believe in, which is the ways of Celtic Druidism. It's impossible to follow this path to a T due to the times we are currently living in, but I am working on remembering as much as I can about the Old ways of a Celtic Druidism and building my own improved version of it for the 21st Century and beyond.

This includes having a close connection with Nature and the Otherkin (The Non-Human Animal Kingdom!) which dwell in it and learning how Technology can help figure out the secrets that we've long forgotten about Astrology, Numerology and Palmistry.

Also, I see things as their being a Single God that created existence (For education and entertainment!) and then the Minor-Gods (The Arch-Angels!) such as Zeus (And all the other Names he's been known by!) King of the Minor-Gods and his Queen Hera (And all the Names she's been known by!) and the rest of the Minor-Gods where each of them were allowed to Create a Universe and guide and use the tools (Human's and the other Races of the Multi-Verse!) that were Created by their Creation to figure out who/what Created the possibility of physical existence and the Minor-Gods being able to Create to do the things they can do and Create Universes and with life being able to be Created within them to evolve slowly over time and solve the mysteries of each Universe within the Multi-Verse ultimately solving the riddle of why even the Minor-Gods look up to Hecate, The Lucifer and respect her Symbol The Pentagram!

 
Just a question: why it is that you make a point to write the verb to 'create' always with a capital C? Is your so uniquely personal perception of this multiverse (vaguely reminiscent of that Fringe tv series's conception of reality) seeing the act of the creation as something even more peculiar ?

I am very amused.

And confused. I thought you had said that in your mythology Hekate was the one goddess that created the universe and left behind that pentagram design to prove it?:whis:

[jjsuntsu]

So do you work with any Celtic gods?

 
Such as Balor (Zeus/Odin/Jupiter...), Danu (Hera/Ceres..) and Brighid (Aphrodite/Venus...)!

I've spent much time connecting dots and debating about the Minor-Gods as to what their names all have been throughout history in different cultures!

[jjsuntsu]

Just a question: why it is that you make a point to write the verb to 'create' always with a capital C? Is your so uniquely personal perception of this multiverse (vaguely reminiscent of that Fringe tv series's conception of reality) seeing the act of the creation as something even more peculiar ?

Never heard of that TV series before, so no... but maybe, I'd have to watch and compare and I spell Created with a capital C just because I like to, nothing more to it than that... lulz :p

I am very amused.

Good, wouldn't want you to be board!

And confused. I thought you had said that in your mythology Hekate was the one goddess that created the universe and left behind that pentagram design to prove it?:whis:

Hecate is the Creator of the Universe we reside in, so yes, she is our One God!

[Juni]

Such as Balor (Zeus/Odin/Jupiter...), Danu (Hera/Ceres..) and Brighid (Aphrodite/Venus...)!

I've spent much time connecting dots and debating about the Minor-Gods as to what their names all have been throughout history in different cultures!

 
If you see all these entities as being the same, with just different names in different cultures, then why do you identify yourself as a Celtic druid?

[jjsuntsu]

If you see all these entities as being the same, with just different names in different cultures, then why do you identify yourself as a Celtic druid?

 
A name is just a name... as long as you know the Origins of whom you believe in that should be good enough, also, just because I've tied together and connected the dots and know the history of the origins of us and the Minor-Gods doesn't make me any less of a Celtic Druid who just uses the names of the Celtic Gods and Goddess's, is the root traditions that determine what path you classify yourself as and the reason I relate the most to the Celtic ways is the Irish in my blood and the way I see the Story of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table which is a reference to the Constellations and the King of them!