Cracking A Mystery: Hekate's Suppers and The Ritual Use of Eggs
As part of our ongoing project researching ancient Hekate's Suppers, we are cracking the mystery surrounding raw eggs as part of an otherwise fully prepared meal. Hekate's Suppers, also known as The Deipnon, were important rituals of purification and protection that were conducted in areas of the ancient Mediterranean. Eggs were a key feature in the ancient suppers left for Hekate at the crossroads. These suppers, which are sometimes referred to as The Deipnon (which means "supper") were part of the monthly ritual of propitiation to Hekate on the night when the moon was hidden (aka the modern new moon). "As is usually the case with offerings to the dead, the regular Hekates deipnon on the thirtieth of the month consisted of food. The specific articles, so far as they are mentioned, were magides a kind of loaf or cake, the shape and ingredients of which are not clear; the mainis or sprat; skoroda, or garlic; the trigJe, or mullet; psammeta, a sacrificial cake described by Harpocration as "somewhat like the psaista;" eggs, cheese, possibly the basunias a kind of cake." - Stephan Ronan, The Goddess Hekate. Eggs have a rich history throughout many religions and cultures, symbolizing life, purification, and rebirth. In ancient Greece and Rome, eggs were used for spiritual rituals, including offerings for the goddess Hekate. In particular, Hekate's Suppers included raw eggs as a means of both purification and protection from evil spirits. Eggs, as well as many animal based foods, were viewed as chthonic, which means they were connected to the underworld, and deities who were associated with it. Through the Christian tradition eggs are linked to the purification ritual of communion, and the resurrection of Jesus. In particular, Mary Magdalene was associated with eggs, particularly red ones. Today eggs still have spiritual significance and can be used to achieve spiritual transformation and protection. Watch this as a video with CC and searchable transcript HERE. View the PDF of the slides HERE. Eggs and Ancient Hecate Suppers: Exploring Symbolic Meaning and Use in Rituals Historical Practice Associated with Hecate 08:19 Dialogues of the Dead: Eggs, Purification and Hekate 15:49 Hekate Suppers: Protection and Purification of the Restless Dead 22:27 The Complexity of Hekate: Threatening and Philanthropic 30:18 The Unsettling Side of Hecate's Suppers, Rituals and Ancient Curse Tablets 37:57 Purifying Restless Dead and Pollution In Ancient Greek Religion 45:56 Cleansing Through Diet: A Portal to Ancient Practices of Purification 52:50 The Complexities of Purity: Exploring Orphism and Ancient Greek Dietary Practices 01:00:18 Understanding the Mythos and Misconceptions of Hekate Suppers 01:07:14 Connecting the Ancient Hekate Suppers and Practices to Lent 01:14:16 Purifying the Soul: A Comparison of Hekate Suppers and Christianity 01:21:31 The Fascinating Mythology of Mary Magdalene and the Red Egg 01:28:03 Eggs in Ancient Times: Unravelling Ancient Rituals of Protection and Cleansing