HEC-ATE, the guardian at the "CROSSROADS." By A. Bernales

HEC-ATE originally was a Thracian deity which were, together with the Dacians and Illyrians, the most influence myth's forces in the prehistory of South Eastern Europe, beginning some 44,000 years BC until the appearance of the first written records in Greece as early as the 8th century BC.
Thrace is now a region bounded by the Balkan Mountains on the NORTH , Rhodo Mountains and the Aegean Sea on the SOUTH, and by the BLACK SEA and the Sea of Marmara on the EAST.

HEC-ATE, at first, the Hellenic Greeks found difficulties to fit her into their pantheon. Although she was not considered a part of the Olympian company, she had retained dominion over the SKY, EARTH and the UNDERWORLD. Zeus himself honored her so greatly that he always conceded to Hecate the ancient power of giving or denying mortals any desired gift.
She is described as a sensible deity and was known for her gifts of prophecy, her clear vision, and her knowledge of the magical forces and occult wisdom.
She was personified as the Dark Mother, like the Black Sea, in both the positive and negative senses. She can send demons to torment men's dreams, driving them mad if they are not prepared enough to cope with her; but to those who dare to welcome her, she brings creative inspiration. She is the ultimate advisor given the fact of her clarity in his vision from back into the past, through the present and on into the future
In ancient times as trade developed in the form of trade ships used to navigate the turbulent waters of the Black Sea, in the same symbolic way this deity dealt with mortal men from the very beginning, trading their souls.
The BLACK SEA was a busy WATERWAY on the CROSSROADS of the ancient world.
The Black Sea was sailed by Hittites, Carians, Thracians, Greeks, Persians, Cimmerians, Scythians, Romans, Byzantines, Goths, Huns, Avars, Bulgars, Slavs, Varangians, Crusaders, Venetians, Genoese, Lithuanians, Georgians, Poles, Tartas, Ottomans, and Russians. Also it was a significant naval theatre of World War I and II.

HEC-ATE blended as Dark Mother with the role of the Black Sea, both connected with death and regeneration. She stands at the triple CROSSROADS that exists at all levels of existence manifested as PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE;    BIRTH, LIFE and DEATH;    BODY, MIND and SPIRIT.