#carpo

SEE OTHER POSTS HERE

_ _. Lady Carpo

word-forming element meaning "fruit," from Latinized form of Greek karpos "fruit," from PIE root *kerp- "to gather, pluck, harvest."

Overview

KARPO (Carpo) was the goddess of the fruits of the earth. She was numbered amongst the Horai (Seasons). Karpo was worshipped in Athens alongside the goddesses Auxo (Growth) and Hegemone (Leader). Karpo (Fruiting) was probably originally just a title of Demeter as the goddess of the earth's fruits, just as Auxo (Growth) was a title of Persephone as the goddess of spring growth, and Hegemone (Leader) was a title of Artemis or Hekate as leader of the processions the Mysteries.

Goddess of

fruits of the earth, Autumn, harvest, order of time and nature, ripening and harvesting of produce, food, protector of the harvest, protector of agriculture, and protector of new deities

Art

Beyond Carpo's role and appearance in sculptures — as a beautiful young woman in robes — there's no other information about her. . She was typically depicted as bearing grapes or other fruits of the harvest.

Worship

Like her sisters, she was worshipped in Athens, it was also believed she was just an epithet of Demeter. The Horae (Thallo and Carpo) were worshipped at Athens, and their temple there also contained an altar of Dionysus Orthus (Athen. i. p. 38; comp. xiv. p. 656; Hesych. s.v. hôraia); they were likewise worshipped at Argos (Paus. ii. 20. § 4), Corinth, and Olympia(v. 15. § 3).

Offerings

Fruits, baskets, grapes, olives, and traditional offerings

Devotional acts

Harvesting, gardening, going outside, worshipping them, and honoring her

Symbolisms

Fruits, grapes, autumn, and baskets

Notes

- Ancient Greeks initially recognized only three seasons – Spring, Summer, and Autumn. Thus, initially, only three Horae represented the seasons of the year, as well as the stage of plant growth that marked off and measured each season

- They were closely associated with the Graces, the Fates, and the goddess Aphrodite and guarded the gates of Olympus. They were considered benevolent and kind, often bringing good things to the gods and humankind, and were connected to everything good and beautiful in nature

Sources

Theoi.com, grunge.com/1382092/carpo-greek-goddess-autumn/, historycooperative.org/horae-season-goddesses/ , https://carpoworld.com ,

Who is Karpo?

Seen as somewhat of a minor deity in mythos, Karpo (Καρπω) , also written as Carpo, is the Greek goddess or one of the Horae—goddesses of the seasons—representing Autumn and harvest. The ancients had varying ideas of the seasons and these ideas would change depending on where, when, and who you asked.

In some places, there were three seasons, and so there were three Horae. In other places, there were only two, and in others, there were four or five.

Despite being a minor deity in mythology, Karpo (along with the other Horae) had some big jobs to do. Horae were in charge of guarding Olympus, helping Helios, protecting young humans and newborn gods, as well as running the passage of time and ripening fruit!

Parents and Siblings

For parentage, there are two main pairings I’ve found:

Zeus and Themis (Hesiod)

Helios and Selene (Later in Roman myth)

For siblings the list could go on forever, as this list would change depending on the parents. Instead, I’ll list the other Horae:

Auxo

Thallo

(Originally the three seasons’ goddesses were the Auxo, Thallo, and Carpo. Later other Horae were added)

Lovers or Partners

None listed

Children

None listed

Epithets

Phthinoporon (a later iteration of the goddess of Autumn, who some say is the same as Karpo)

The Bringer of Food/Fruits

Damia (possibly)

Notes

Karpo comes from the Greek Karpos meaning “fruit” but her name could also mean “harvest” in the context of the Horae.

The Horae were mostly worshipped by farmers.

It’s possible the name Karpo started as an epithet of Demeter.

Karpo is also described as also having been a Charity by Pausanias

I have found one mention of a festival—Horaea, with no date or timeframe given.

The Horae were often found in the company of Aphrodite, the Muses, and Apollo.

Karpo specifically has been associated with Dionysus, Persephone, Hera, and Pan.

In early Athens, only Karpo and Thallo were worshipped. They were also worshipped at Argos, Corinth, and Olympia.

The Horae are also seen as protectresses of newborn gods and of youths and as such were mentioned in the oaths that Athenian youths would make in the temple of Agraulos

They are depicted as young maidens, often dressed lightly and covered in flowers. The Horae are pleasant and kind towards humans, neutral at worst.

Modern Deity Work

Not much is known about how the Horae were worshipped, so I have done my best to find some traditional offerings and correspondences as well as modern ones.

Correspondences

Rocks/Stone/Crystals

Gold, Carnelian

Herbs/Plants

Grapes

Most fruits but especially those from Ancient Greece such as pomegranates, raisins, and figs.

Olives

Animals

Hare

Lizard

Offerings

Wine

Grapes

Olives, olive oil

Flowers (+ flower garlands, flower crowns)

Honey

Jewelry

Acts of Devotion

Work in a garden or tend to plants

Appreciate the passage of time

Celebrate annual festivals or holidays related to the passage of time

References and Further Reading

History Cooperative - Horae

Theoi Project - Karpo

Theoi Project - Horai

Ancient-greece.org - Horae

World History - Horae