Aurelia's Myth
Beauty | Dogs | Classics
Jump To...
As Ovid tells us in the Metamorphoses, Daphne was a beautiful nymph with whom the god Apollo fell madly in love (lust). He chased her relentlessly, harassing the poor young girl until finally she cried out to her father (a river god) for help. Reminding her father that one other god allowed his daughter to remain an eternal virgin, she begged him to imitate Zeus, who allowed Artemis to remain forever young and untouched. The river god, hearing his daughter’s pleas, granted her this wish.
​
We forever remember Daphne as the Laurel tree, whom Apollo and the ancient Romans worshipped. The laurel wreath was used as a great symbol in ancient times. Statues of Daphne were adorned with them lending to the association between the nymph and beautiful hair.
The details of this story are best gleaned from Ovid himself. Read his poem (even if in English) and get lost in emotional desire so strong that it brought about the most sensory filled description of Daphne’s Metamorphosis.
​
Daphne’s beautiful hair inspires all the products designed for usage on hair. Also, the color association with Green amplifies her nymph status and metamorphosis into the Laurel tree. The fragrance when used harkens to a light, fresh and relaxing scent of Aloe and Clover (also very green)
​
Scroll down to….
Bk I:438-472 Phoebus kills the Python and sees Daphne
Read to the end of the story….
Bk I:553-567 Phoebus honours Daphne
​
Note: Phoebus is another name attributed to Apollo
​​​
Check out Bernini's Apollo and Daphne by clicking the image
​
​
​
You can find out more at Webster. Also check out Theo.com as they have some of the best information online!
​
​
​
​
​
Demeter: Goddess of the Harvest and Nourishment
Demeter, one of the twelve Olympian deities, is revered as the goddess of the harvest, agriculture, and fertility. Her influence extends over the growth of crops, the nurturing of the earth, and the cycle of life and death. Demeter's mythology is deeply intertwined with the ancient Greeks' understanding of the natural world and their agricultural practices.
Origins and Family
Demeter is the daughter of the Titans Cronus and Rhea, and sister to other major deities such as Zeus, Hades, Poseidon, Hera, and Hestia. She is often depicted holding sheaves of wheat or a cornucopia, symbolizing abundance and nourishment.
The Myth of Demeter and Persephone
One of the most famous myths involving Demeter is the story of her daughter Persephone, also known as Kore. According to ancient sources, including the Homeric Hymn to Demeter, Persephone was abducted by Hades, the god of the underworld. In her grief, Demeter wandered the earth, neglecting her duties, which caused crops to fail and a great famine to ensue.
Eventually, Zeus intervened and negotiated Persephone's return. However, because Persephone had eaten pomegranate seeds in the underworld, she was bound to spend part of the year with Hades and the rest with her mother. This myth explains the changing seasons: Demeter's joy during Persephone's return brings spring and summer, while her sorrow during Persephone's absence results in autumn and winter.
Worship and Cults
Demeter was widely worshipped across the Greek world, with significant centers of worship at Eleusis and throughout rural Greece. The Eleusinian Mysteries, one of the most important religious rites in ancient Greece, were dedicated to Demeter and Persephone. These mysteries promised initiates secret knowledge and a hopeful outlook on the afterlife, reflecting the themes of rebirth and renewal.
Symbols and Attributes
Demeter is associated with several symbols:
-
Sheaves of Wheat: Representing her dominion over agriculture and the harvest.
-
Cornucopia: Symbolizing abundance and nourishment.
-
Torch: Reflecting her long search for Persephone.
-
Serpents and Pigs: Often associated with fertility and the earth.
Influence and Legacy
Demeter's influence extended beyond agriculture; she was seen as a protector of marriage and the sacred law. Her nurturing qualities and connection to the cycles of life and death made her a central figure in Greek mythology and religion. Her legacy endures in modern culture as a symbol of the earth's fertility and the enduring power of a mother's love.
Hekate
Hekate is a fascinating figure in Greek mythology, often associated with magic, witchcraft, the night, and the moon. Her origins and stories vary, but she is generally depicted as a powerful goddess with dominion over the earth, sea, and sky. Here’s a rundown of her myth:
​
1. Origins and Worship: Hekate’s origins are somewhat obscure. Some sources, such as Hesiod’s "Theogony," describe her as the daughter of the Titans Perses and Asteria, giving her a divine lineage. She was widely worshipped, especially in Thrace, and held in high regard for her powerful and protective nature.
​
2. Goddess of the Crossroads: Hekate is often associated with crossroads, places of transition, and thresholds. Shrines dedicated to her were frequently found at crossroads, city gates, and doorways. She was believed to protect those who honored her at these liminal spaces.
​
3. Triple Goddess: One of Hekate’s most distinctive aspects is her triple form, representing her as a goddess of the three realms: the heavens, the earth, and the underworld. This triadic nature also symbolized her power over birth, life, and death. She is often depicted with three faces or three bodies, each facing a different direction.
​
4. Role in the Underworld: Hekate has strong associations with the underworld and is often linked with the goddess Persephone. According to the myth, Hekate assisted Demeter in her search for Persephone after Hades abducted her. Hekate then became a close companion to Persephone, accompanying her in the underworld and assisting with the navigation between worlds.
​
5. Magic and Witchcraft: Hekate is most famously known as a goddess of magic and witchcraft. She is often invoked in spells and rituals, particularly those related to protection, transformation, and the darker aspects of magic. Her symbols include torches, keys, and dogs, all of which represent her guiding and protective qualities.
​
6. Hekate's Deipnon: This monthly festival, held on the night of the new moon, honored Hekate. Offerings, known as "Hekate's Supper," were left at crossroads, city gates, and doorways to appease the goddess and seek her protection.
Hekate's mythological significance is vast and complex, embodying the mysterious and powerful aspects of the divine feminine. Her enduring legacy continues to inspire and captivate those who seek the mystical and transformative powers she represents.
​
​
Several ancient authors wrote about Hekate, each offering different perspectives and details about her myth and significance. Here are some notable ones:
​
1. Hesiod: In "Theogony," Hesiod provides one of the earliest mentions of Hekate, describing her as a powerful goddess honored by Zeus. Hesiod emphasizes her dominion over the heavens, earth, and sea, and her role in granting wealth and victory.
2. Homer: Although Homer does not mention Hekate directly in his epics, she is often associated with other chthonic deities and spirits of the underworld. Some scholars believe that the references to the underworld and magic in Homeric hymns indirectly allude to Hekate.
3. Apollonius of Rhodes: In "Argonautica," Apollonius of Rhodes describes Hekate as a goddess of witchcraft and sorcery. The character Medea, who is a powerful witch, is depicted as a priestess of Hekate and invokes her assistance in her magical rituals.
4. Ovid: The Roman poet Ovid mentions Hekate in several of his works, including "Metamorphoses" and "Fasti." In "Metamorphoses," Ovid highlights her role in the myth of Persephone, where she assists Demeter in searching for her daughter. In "Fasti," he describes the rituals and ceremonies associated with Hekate.
5. Pausanias: In his work "Description of Greece," Pausanias provides descriptions of various shrines and temples dedicated to Hekate. He notes her worship in places like Argos and Aigina and mentions the different forms of offerings made to her.
6. Aeschylus: In the play "The Eumenides," part of the Oresteia trilogy, Aeschylus portrays Hekate as an underworld deity who is associated with the Furies and the darker aspects of justice and retribution.
7. Diodorus Siculus: In his "Library of History," Diodorus Siculus discusses the mythology and worship of Hekate, noting her origins and her associations with magic and the underworld.
These authors contribute to the rich tapestry of Hekate's myth, highlighting her diverse roles and the widespread veneration she received in the ancient world.