#karpo

Karkat x Shrimpo !

O goddesses, goddesses of autumn, thy who stands besides the high gods and carries out the seasons

Karpo and Phthinoporon, bringers of autumn how I praise your name and your graces.

As the trees start to die, leaves turn an orange hue, and the weather becomes chiller I start to feel you

Young and youthful, smart and kind, protectors of young and new gods I sing you this song give heed to this prayer

May you continue to guide this seasonal change with all your grace and love.

I praise you two to be

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

mythology moodboards | karpo

greek goddess of the fruits of the earth

Vous avez envie d’un luminaire plutôt moderne et original ? Éclairage-Luminaire vous propose de découvrir l’applique KARPO W. Celle-ci est en forme d’œil et est disponible en coloris blanc.