In the pediment above the Main Gate is a group of sculptures representing the famous sorceress Circe (said to have had the power of turning men into swine) teaching her niece, the equally famous Medea, the arts of magic under the light of the full moon (represented in traditional fashion as a full circle with a woman's head in profile), while two hounds look on. Hounds are sacred animals to Our Lady, acting both as messengers and guardians. In fact, some authors gave Hecate herself the title of "The Great Bitch", and She was said to roam the countryside with a pack of dogs, seeking out the souls of the departed. While this might be a term that causes humor today, the title was one of deep respect or fear, depending upon the author. In certain respects, this symbolism also calls to mind the mythological concept of the Wild Hunt, so prevalent in other European pagan religions.
To the left of the main gateway is the shrine of Artemis. Throughout the classical period, Artemis and Hecate often shared temples and it was not uncommon for the attributes of both Goddesses to be interchanged. In fact, Artemis and Hecate are part of an ancient trio of moon Goddesses, with the third Goddess being either Selene, or Cybele. This triple Goddess will of course be immediately recognizable to Neopagans.
To the right of the gateway is a shrine to Hermes. Messenger of the Gods and the God of wisdom and illumination, Hermes is also traditionally known as the consort of Hecate and one of his epithets is the Lord of the Crossroads. In ancient times, special pillars, known as 'herms' stood at the crossroads and designated those places as being sacred to Hermes and Hecate. Offerings were routinely left at these herms out of respect for the two deities and as gifts to the spirits of the dead that had not found their way into the afterlife. Because of His importance to Hecate, Hermes' image also adorns the rooftops of the main gateway and the temple itself.