Friday, 24 July 2026

Review: Hecate, Goddess of Magick & Witchcraft

Hecate is the goddess of the crossroads. She stands with torches to light the way in darkness. As Irisanya Moon writes in Pagan Portals - Hecate, Goddess of Magick and Witchcraft, she's thought of as being among the witchiest  of goddesses, and is invoked by the "weird sisters" in Shakespeare's Macbeth. 

I read Pagan Portals - Hecate because I always enjoy Irisanya Moon's books. She has a lovely style of writing and offers accurate historical research as well as practical ways of working with goddesses as modern pagans while referring to ancient practice too. However, I soon realised that this is the book I needed to read now, and Hecate is the goddess I need to work with because I'm at a crossroads in my own life. 

Next month - Augtust 2026 - I will start receiving my state pension. I could, technically, retire, but I'm not in a standard job. I'm a freelance writer and teacher of magical workshops. I love doing those things, but writing and teaching have never earnt me huge amounts of money. I've had to be frugal and sometimes take on paid work because I desparately needed the cash even though I would rather have spent the time doing other things. My state pension will give me a bit more financial security. 

I have no desire to stop writing, but I can afford to be more choosy about what I write. Writing a book is a big commitment. Part of my crossroads means deciding whether to propose another Pagan Portals book or concentrate on another novel following on from my first that was published, Erosion.  A practical magic book would sell more copies, but fiction writing is where my heart lies.

Hecate is the right goddess to ask for help in choosing the path forwards. Inspired by Irisanya's book, I'll be lighting a candle, scrying, and asking the help of the goddess to show the way.

But, that's enough of my own life story. Here's the synopsis of Pagan Portals - Hecate from publisher Moon Books' website:

"Hecate waits for us at the crossroads, torches in each hand. The goddess of land, sea, and sky is wise and wondrous, terrifying and holy. Triple-faced Hecate does not tell us the way; she shows us what can happen when we step into our power. With practices, trances, spells, and immersive exercises, you can build a relationship with Hecate: light-bringer, gate-breaker, and star-walker. The Goddess of Magick and Witchcraft inspires, guides, and grants safe passage in the darkest moments."

About the author

Irisanya Moon is a writer, witch, teacher, poet, and Reclaiming initiate who has practiced magick for 20-plus years. She blends grounded, graceful, and radically authentic facilitation to inspire transformation and liberation at the personal and collective levels. Her previous books include Pagan Portals titles on Reclaiming Witchcraft, Aphrodite, Iris, Norns, Artemis, Circe, Hestia,  and The Muses.

You can view Pagan Portals - Hecate on Amazon.

(Please note: I earn commission from some links)

Previous related posts

https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/07/pagan-eye-hekate-at-feminine-power.html

https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2026/02/book-endorsement-muses-calling-to.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/02/interview-irisanya-moon-reclaiming.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/08/book-review-pagan-portals-norns.html
https://www.badwitch.co.uk/2025/01/book-review-pagan-portals-circe-goddess.html

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