Saffron was associated with both Hekate and her cousin Artemis. In the Orphic Hymn to Hekate, she was described as “saffron-cloaked goddess of the heavens” 88. The Orphic Argonautica also listed saffron as one of the plants in Hekate’s garden 89. The phrase “saffron-dyed” was used three times in PGM CXXIII, in scections a, e and f, 90. A number of the titles in the charms are ones that were used for Hekate. PGM IV 2441-2621 listed saffron as an incense ingredient in a lunar spell of attraction which calls on Selene, Hermes and Hekate 90.
References:
88 Taylor, T. trans. 1792. The Hymns of Orpheus: 1 40. University of Pennsylvania Press. Theoi E Texts Available from: http://www.theoi.com/Text/OrphicHymns1.html (Atsma, A. 2000-2011) Accessed: 25 September 2013
89 Sanchez, T. 2011. The Temple of Hekate. London: Avalonia, pg 176.
90 Betz, H-D, ed. 1996. The Greek Magical Papyri in Translation. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
The Symbols of the Goddess Hekate
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