Hecate

When I think of Samhain I think of Hecate. But who is she? 

Hecate is a pre-Olympian Greek goddess who ruled over the realms of earth and fertility issues. She was a goddess of childbirth and was often invoked for rites of puberty. Over time she would become a goddess of magic and socery, a mother goddess and a goddess of ghosts and the spirit world. 

Hecate is a goddess of the crossroads and is often symbolized by a spinning wheel. She is often portrayed wearing the keys to the spirit world on her belt, accompanied by a three headed dog and surrounded by torches. 

Today many Pagans and Wiccans honor Hecate in her dark goddess form, though it would be incorrect to refer to her as a crone due to her associations with childbirth and maindenhood. Her role as a dark goddess probably derives from her connection to the spirit world, ghosts, the dark of the moon and magic. She is known as a goddess who should not be invoked frivilously or without intent. 

Correspondences:

Colors: Black, White and Purple

Stones: Black stones such as jet, onyx, black obsidian, Moonstone, black tourmaline, hematite and smoky quartz

Herbs/Plants: belladonna/nightshade, garlic, mints, mandrake, sandalwood, cypress, myrrh, patchouli, hemlock, wolfbane, azalea, lavender, monkshood, dandelion, Almond, Willow, and funerary trees, especially the yew, alder, and poplar (the yew is associated with immortality).

Hecate is good to invoke for divination, justice, protection, prophecy and self reflection. 

Just make sure that you really want the things you ask her for, because she will not hold back. :)

Blessings. 

Betsy