Hecate is a Titan, one of the gods who ruled the universe before the Olympians came to power. Zeus, the new king of the gods, respected Hecate so much that he allowed her alone to retain her powers after the fall of the Titans. Hesiod tells us that Zeus"gave her splendid gifts - to have a share of the earth and of the barren sea, and from the starry sky as well she has a share in honor, and is honored most of all by the immortal gods."

Hecate is primarily the goddess of magic, and was called upon by ancient sorceresses to empower their spells and rituals. As a goddess of the night, she is often depicted on ancient pottery bearing torches to guide mortals through the darkness.