Path of Light

For example, I was in the woods - as I so often am - and stopped to say a prayer to Apollo and Artemis. I invoked their twin nature and referenced the python myth. I praised their youth and thanked Leto for birthing them. I finished my prayer and opened my eyes.

With my first step, two young snakes crossed my path. I've seen snakes before of course, but never two young ones at the same time, oddly enough, and I hadn't seen them when I first came down the path minutes before or before I started my prayer.

Now, I could take this as a sign from Apollo and Artemis; two snakes, representations of both Python and the twin nature of Apollo and Artemis. My prayer was heard and appreciated.

Or

I could smile at the pure coincidence. Snakes live in the woods after all, and it is the season where babies of all kinds are out and about. Isn't the world neat?

Thomas Taylor, 1792

I call Einodian Hecate, lovely dame,

Of earthly, watery, and celestial frame,

Sepulchral, in a saffron veil array'd,

Pleased with dark ghosts that wander thro' the shade;

Persian, unconquerable huntress, hail!

The world's key-bearer, never doom'd to fail;

On the rough rock to wander thee delights,

Leader and nurse be present to our rites;

Propitious grant our just desires success,

Accept our homage, and the offering bless.

Apostolos N. Athanassakis, 1977

I call Hekate of the crossroads, wayside goddess, lovely one,

of earth, of sky, and of the sea, O saffron-robed one,

tomb-dwelling one, reveling in the souls of the dead,

daughter of Perses, lover of solitude, joying in deer,

nocturnal one, lady of dogs, unconquerable one,

beast-roarer, cloaked one, of irresistible purpose,

oxherd, key-bearer, mistress of the whole world,

leader, nymph, mountain-roamer, nurse of youths,

maiden, I pray to you, to my sacred rites

come ever with a gracious heart and joyful mind,

you who delight in the fragrance of offerings.

Santuariolunar, 2023

Lovely Hekate of the roads and crossroads I invoke;

In heaven, on earth, and in the sea, saffron-cloaked,

Tomb spirit, reveling in the souls of the dead,

Daughter of Perses, haunting lonely places, joying in deer,

Night-wandering, dog-loving, unconquerable queen,

Roaring beasts, wrapped darkly, of unbreakable will,

Keeper of herds, key-bearer, mistress of all the world,

Leader, nymph, mountain-wanderer, nurturer of youth,

Maiden, I call to you at my sacred rites,

Come ever with kindness in your heart and joy in your mind,

praise athena and hephaestus of skillful hands. praise you gods of hand-crafted art, of raw materials taking shape. praise you steadfast gods, who bring focus, who see each project to its end.

In times of struggles, it is on Hermes I fall.

In times of triumph, Hermes stands with me, tall.

In times of weakness, Hermes helps with the haul.

...

perspective changes everything, amiright?

🏛️The Twelve Olympians🏛️

That Dionysus trend on Twitter which I never posted, lmaoo

🏛️The Twelve Olympians🏛️

🏛️The Twelve Olympians🏛️