do you feel the sunshine?

'Tis thine the world with harmony to join, for all things spring from thee, O power divine, Aphrodite

Bas-relief in plaster by Émile Morlaix (1937)

By Lizbeth Schreier

All praise to Leto, blessed among mothers, who brought forth fair twins, Artemis and Apollo, children mighty and shining bright. Leto, daughter of Coeus and luminous Phoebe, dark-veiled goddess, gentle and kind, friend of women who lie in childbed, of mothers who hold their babes at night, protector of youth, of all innocent ones, O Leto, great goddess who hears all prayers, I call to you with a grateful heart. I honor you, good and gracious Leto, I offer you my praise and seek your blessing.

Apart from her beauty, I find her interesting partially because Artemis’ aspect as a mother figure is something easy to forget about, considering her lack of male lovers, & her maidenhood, is a key part of her characterization, especially during the Hellenistic era. However, to me at least, her caring aspects are very important. She is said to care for children, & pregnant mothers, as well as animals & nature. She is a very empathetic goddess, & I feel like her depiction in Ephesus is evidence of that.

~I am the eye with which the Universe Beholds itself, and knows it is divine; All harmony of instrument or verse, All prophecy, all medicine, is mine, All light of art or nature; - to my song Victory and praise in its own right belong.~ Hymn of Apollo by Percy Bysshe Shelley Apollo Citharoedus from the Palazzo Altemps.

Spring tradition 🦌✨