In the Dream: House of Hecate

In this installment of “In the Dream” I am revisiting a spread that was created by a friend of mine many years ago (13 to be exact!) in an attempt to interpret the following dream: 

In the dream, I decided to visit a witch-friend of mine to see if she ccould help me solve a problem. The only way to get into her house was to float up over the roof and call her name, which I distinctly remember was "Hecate." It was the middle of the night and very dark. I floated up over the house and called her name a few times. The roof (which was flat) opened at the middle, kind of like sliding doors, so I could descend into the house.

As you may already know, Hecate or Hekate is a goddess in Ancient Greek religion and mythology. She is the goddess of magic, witchcraft, the night, moon, ghosts and necromancy. Her name means "worker from afar" from the Greek word hekatos. In statuary Hecate was often depicted in triple form as a goddess of crossroads.

HOUSE OF HECATE TAROT SPREAD

Layout

……..1…..…

2……………3

1. This represents an area of my life where I have come to a crossroad.

2. This represents a way in which I can step back and look at this situation with a new perspective (fresh eyes)

3. This represents a way in which I can forge ahead.

For this reading I am using The Book of Shadows (As Above) Tarot by Barbara Moore, with artwork by Gregorz Krisinsky, Simone Gabrielli, Franco Rivolli, Pietro Scola di Mambro, Sabrina Ariganello, and Alessia Pastorello (Lo Scarabeo).

1. This represents an area of my life where I have come to a crossroad.

MAIDEN OF WATER

As Barbara Moore so correctly observes in the guidebook that accompanies this deck, “Although the Element of Water is considered passive, it often feels very powerful.” I tend to view Water as “receptive” rather than “passive.” That just feels more appropriate to me. In any case, I love the young girl splashing in the water, playing with a dolphin. There are many things this card could represent in terms of “an area of my life where I have come to a crossroad.” Expressing emotions, communicating with my subconscious, connecting to others in a healing, meaningful way.

2. This represents a way in which I can step back and look at this situation with a new perspective (fresh eyes)

MAIDEN OF AIR

The Maiden of Air calls attention to my words and thoughts, world view, philosophy, and outlook on life. Like the Maiden of Water, she encourages a joyful, spontaneous approach. Certainly looking at a situation with fresh eyes can mean re-examining or analyzing the way I think about it, even the way I “talk to myself” about it. Am I sharp and divisive or uplifting and refreshing?  

3. This represents a way in which I can forge ahead.

MOTHER OF EARTH

When the Mother of Earth “forges ahead,” she does so with determination, consideration, and purpose. She does not run or “leap before looking.” She manifests the feelings and thoughts referenced by the Maidens of Water and Air, seasons those feelings and thoughts, and turns them into real-world results. At the same time, she moderates and gently manages that maidenly, immature energy, nurturing and encouraging growth.

I am, quite honestly, blown away by the fact that this reading -- named after the goddess Hecate, who is often depicted in triple form -- called forth three female characters, two Maidens and a Mother. Wow. The crossroads in question seems to exist at an emotional or subconscious level that can be brought into the light by communication between my conscious mind and subconscious mind. The practical, grounded energy of the Mother of Earth can bring the result of that communication into the physical, material world, where it can thrive.