[This issue, we sit down for a quick interview with prolific author Irisanya Moon. Here, she discusses her new book about Hecate; the research that went into it; and her upcoming projects.]

Eternal Haunted Summer: Your new book about Hecate will be released by Moon Books in July. First, congratulations! Second, how did this book come about? Why a book about Hecate?

Irisanya Moon: Thank you so much! 

What’s interesting to share is that the first piece I wrote for Moon Books about Hecate was for the Naming the Goddess anthology back in 2013/2014. Over time, I’ve written about other deities, but at some point, I realized there was more to say about Hecate. She’s been mentioned a few times in other Pagan Portals, and other Moon Books authors have written some terrific books about her. But, there wasn’t a Pagan Portals book for her. And, thankfully, the opportunity came up — and Hecate is now my thirteenth book with Moon Books. 

Hecate is always a popular being in witchcraft spaces, often seen as the shadow work deity, but also a justice bringer. And while every timeline has opportunities to demand for justice from oppressors, the timing seems all the more potent. We are at a crossroads, and Hecate’s wisdom seems more important than ever.

EHS: What sort of research went into Pagan Portals: Hecate? Big stacks of books? Long conversations with devotees?

IM: The more I write about mythology, the more books I have and turn to. I typically pull out all of my books, find places where the deity is mentioned, and then build a book from those sources. First, I go to myth translations and then to books about related sources and then to books about interpretations of those translations, as well as books by my peers in the pagan space.

My hope with my books is to inspire conversations among devotees, which includes myself. 

EHS: Which one fascinating factoid did you absolutely have to include? A piece of sacred lore or a ritual practice?

IM: What’s interesting to me, and possibly others, arrived in the book I wrote about the Greek pantheon (Pantheon: The Greeks). In a chapter called, ‘They Might be Titans,’ I talked about how Hecate is a Titan deity due to her parentage. And even after the battle between the Titans and the eventual Olympians, when the Titans are banished, Hecate holds onto the Titan title because Zeus reveres her so much.

Also, the fact that Hecate is not a strictly Greek deity is something of note that I unpack in this book.

EHS: Hecate is most often identified as a Goddess of Witchcraft. But if someone has no interest in magic, is She still an important Goddess to get to know? Who else might want to build a relationship with Hecate aside from magic practitioners?

IM: I’m not sure you can avoid magickal practice, as I think it’s in every breath, word, and experience of being a human. If a person doesn’t want to do spellwork or ritual, Hecate is also a wise one of discernment. Her imagery of crossroads and torches, for example, offer opportunities for self reflection and collective activism. By learning her stories and deepening into your reaction to those pieces of her mythology, you can empower yourself and others to action.

EHS: What other projects are you working on?

IM: My biggest project in this moment is my postgrad program (Master of Writing, Editing and Publishing) at the University of Queensland. I just finished my first semester, which has been challenging and fulfilling in the best ways (and unfortunately made me fall very behind on things like this interview!). I’m also thinking ahead to my dissertation and eventual PhD work, which will be inspired by my work with love and mythology.

Outside of that, I’ve just finished and am now co-editing a co-authored book on neurodivergence in witchcraft for Llewellyn (should be out in late 2027).

Next up with Moon Books is Athena: Goddess of Wisdom and War in late 2026 and a new Aphrodite book (When Aphrodite Calls: A Journey into Love’s Mysteries) in early 2027 (UK and US). I have two more books (Dancing with Devotion and Zeus) beyond that, but I don’t know their publication dates. 

As I settle into my new home and schedule, I plan to come back to teaching online, so go to my website to know when that’s happening!