The Nymph of the Archers: Deipnon

Showing posts with label Deipnon. Show all posts

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Deipnon, Noumenia and Agathós Daímōn: The Transition from Month to Month in Hellenismos

Today marks the 3rd day of the month and thus signaling the end of the transition from one month to the next. The last day of the month and the first 2 days of the next month make up a special series of three days. A monthly festival - if you will - to celebrate the closing of one lunar cycle and the opening of the next. Each day symbolizes a different part of this transition. Today, I will explain this transition and what each day means and what is usually done on this day, as well as what I personally did due to my situational restriction.

Muse, sing of Artemis, sister of the Far-shooter, the virgin who delights in arrows, who was fostered with Apollo. She waters her horses from Meles deep in reeds, and swiftly drives her all-golden chariot through Smyrna to vine-clad Claros where Apollo, god of the silver bow, sits waiting for the far-shooting goddess who delights in arrows. And so hail to you, Artemis, in my song and to all goddesses as well. Of you first I sing and with you I begin; now that I have begun with you, I will turn to another song.

-Homeric Hymn IX

I will remember and not be unmindful of Apollo who shoots afar. As he goes through the house of Zeus, the gods tremble before him and all spring up from their seats when he draws near, as he bends his bright bow. But Leto alone stays by the side of Zeus who delights in thunder; and then she unstrings his bow, and closes his quiver, and takes his archery from his strong shoulders in her hands and hangs them on a golden peg against a pillar of his father's house. Then she leads him to a seat and makes him sit: and the Father gives him nectar in a golden cup welcoming his dear son, while the other gods make him sit down there, and queenly Leto rejoices because she bare a mighty son and an archer. Rejoice, blessed Leto, for you bare glorious children, the lord Apollo and Artemis who delights in arrows; her in Ortygia, and him in rocky Delos, as you rested against the great mass of the Cynthian hill hard by a palm-tree by the streams of Inopus.

-Homeric Hymn III