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In Greek mythology, Hecate was known as the goddess of ghosts and the underworld. She was commonly depicted alongside two ghost dogs.

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Paintings and sculptures showed her with having three heads to represent her role as the guardian of crossroads, her three heads being titled "Maiden, Mother and Crone"

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Even though she was considered a lesser God, Hecate the only Titan who retained control under Zeus' reign.

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Hecate: Procession to a Witches Sabbath - Wellington Collection

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Jusepe de Ribera (1591-1652) This is not typical of Ribera’s style and is thought to be from his early period before 1620. Although born in Spain he moved ot Italy and lived in both in Rome and Naples. It is…

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Seen as a protector as a Goddess of crossroads and boundaries

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Being also known as the Goddess of Witchcraft brought fear to many

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While she did not have many shrines, those that were made were created to protect the household from any witches or witchcraft

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She was seen as something to be feared more than revered

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Her powers and strength transcended that of the mortal realm

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Miracles, magic and the power of prophecy are common themes in Waterhouse's art. More specifically, the notion of woman as enchantress is one that recurs in images such as Circe Offering the Cup to Ulysees (1891, Oldham Art Gallery) and Hylas and the Nymphs (1896, Manchester City Art Gallery). His oeuvre also includes a number of middle-eastern subjects, in which he drew on the work of contemporary artists such as J.F Lewis (1805-76) and Lawrence Alma-Tadema (1836-1912), rather than on actual experience. This is one of Waterhouse's earlier works, and reflects his fascination with the exotic.

The woman in this picture appears to be a witch or priestess, endowed with magic powers, possibly the power of prophecy. Her dress and general appearance is highly eclectic, and is derived from several sources - her hairstyle is like that of an early Anglo-Saxon; and her dress is decorated with Persian or Greek warriors. In her left hand she holds a crescent-shaped sickle, linking her with the moon and Hecate. With the wand in her right hand she draws a protective magic circle round her. Outside the circle the landscape is bare and barren; a group of rooks or ravens and a frog - all symbols of evil and associated with witchcraft - are excluded. But within its confines are flowers and the woman herself, objects of beauty.

The meaning of the picture is unclear, but its mystery and exoticism struck a chord with contemporary observers. When the picture was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1886 the critic for the Magazine of Art wrote 'Mr Waterhouse, in The Magic Circle, is still at his best - original in conception and pictorial in his results' (quoted in Hobson, p.37).

Further reading:
Anthony Hobson, J.W. Waterhouse, Oxford 1989, pp.37-8, reproduced p.36.
Christopher Wood, Victorian Painting, London 1999, pp.236-242.

Frances Fowle
December 2000
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'The Magic Circle', John William Waterhouse, 1886 | Tate

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'The Magic Circle', John William Waterhouse, 1886

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Part of being the Goddess of crossroads and boundaries meant she could cross the lines and go between the living and the dead

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Often depicted carrying torches

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Detail of Hecate from a painting depicting the return of Persephone from the underworld.

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Known for her expertise in magical herbs and substances

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In the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, Hecate found Persephone after her capture by Hades

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With her torch, she led Demeter through the underworld

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She was not an evil Goddess

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Possibly the most multifaced of the Gods, she possessed both light and dark attributes

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The Ballad of the Witches' Road (Sacred Chant Version)

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The Ballad of the Witches' Road (Sacred Chant Version)

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The multifaceted Maiden, Mother and Crone