The Evermore Grimoire: Mythology
Circe (Κιρκη) was an enchantress and goddess of sorcery who was also skilled in the magic of transmutation, illusion, and necromancy in Greek mythology. She lived on the mythical island of Aiaia (Aeaea) with her nymph companions. In Homer’s Odyssey, Circe is described as living in a mansion that stands in the middle of a clearing in a dense wood. Around the house prowled strangely docile lions and wolves, the drugged victims of her magic; they were not dangerous, and fawned on all newcomers. Circe also worked at a huge loom. She invited Odysseus’ crew to a feast of familiar food, a pottage of cheese and meal, sweetened with honey and laced with wine, but also laced with one of her magical potions, and she turned them all into pigs with a wand after they gorged themselves on it. Only Eurylochus, suspecting treachery from the outset, managed to escape to warn Odysseus and the others who had stayed behind at the ships. Odysseus set out to rescue his men, but was intercepted by Hermes (god of trade), who told him to use the holy herb to protect himself from Circe’s potion and, having resisted it, to draw his sword and act as if he were to attack her. From there, Circe would ask him to bed, but Hermes advised caution, for even there the goddess would be treacherous. She would take his manhood unless he had her swear by the names of the gods that she would not.
artwork by Yliade
