Constellation Ara: the altar

 Welcome to part three of the constellation series. I think I forgot to mention that I'm basing this series off of the works of ancient Greek astronomer Ptolemy. He set out forty-eight constellations, based in Greek myth, of which some are still recognized to this day, and others got broken up or otherwise rearranged or added in the years that followed. The next is Ara: the altar. It's still a recognized constellation.

The constellation represents a very important item in Hellenic mythology: the altar used by the Olympic Gods to swear a vow of allegiance before they went to war against the Titans. The nearby Milky Way represents the smoke rising from the offerings on the altar. I have described the Titanomachy (Τιτανομαχία) or War of the Titans, which would last ten years and end with the victory of the Olympians and the incarceration of Kronos--and all who supported him--in Tartaros, before. The moment all of it began, was forever immortalized in the constellation Ara.

In another Greek myth, Ara represents the altar of King Lycaon of Arcadia, on which he sacrificed Arcas, son of Zeus and his own daughter Callisto. He then serves his grand child to Zeus as a meal, to test Him, and is turned into a wolf for his hubris. Zeus' anger then causes the death of fifty of Lycaon's sons, as they are struck down by lightning bolts. The tale isn't pretty and I prefer the first explanation.

Ancient Hellenic navigators believed that, if the Ara constellation was the only one visible in a cloudy sky, this was a sign of storm at sea.

Ara was visible in the skies of the ancient Hellenes, but due to the precession of the equinoxes the constellation was progressively displaced towards the south, becoming an austral and invisible circumpolar constellation for the zone of the Mediterranean cultures. The altar is visible at latitudes between +25° and −90°. It is best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of July.

• Saturday, December 19, 2020
  Arcas astronomy Callisto Constellation series Kronos Lycaon Mythology 101 Ptolemy Tartaros Titanomachy Zeus

Constellation Ara: the altar

Welcome to part three of the constellation series. I think I forgot to mention that I'm basing this series off of the works of ancient Greek astronomer Ptolemy. He set out forty-eight constellations, based in Greek myth, of which some are still recognized to this day, and others got broken up or otherwise rearranged or added in the years that followed. The next is Ara: the altar. It's still a recognized constellation.

The constellation represents a very important item in Hellenic mythology: the altar used by the Olympic Gods to swear a vow of allegiance before they went to war against the Titans. The nearby Milky Way represents the smoke rising from the offerings on the altar. I have described the Titanomachy (Τιτανομαχία) or War of the Titans, which would last ten years and end with the victory of the Olympians and the incarceration of Kronos--and all who supported him--in Tartaros, before. The moment all of it began, was forever immortalized in the constellation Ara.

In another Greek myth, Ara represents the altar of King Lycaon of Arcadia, on which he sacrificed Arcas, son of Zeus and his own daughter Callisto. He then serves his grand child to Zeus as a meal, to test Him, and is turned into a wolf for his hubris. Zeus' anger then causes the death of fifty of Lycaon's sons, as they are struck down by lightning bolts. The tale isn't pretty and I prefer the first explanation.

Ancient Hellenic navigators believed that, if the Ara constellation was the only one visible in a cloudy sky, this was a sign of storm at sea.

Ara was visible in the skies of the ancient Hellens, but due to the precession of the equinoxes the constellation was progressively displaced towards the south, becoming an austral and invisible circumpolar constellation for the zone of the Mediterranean cultures. The altar is visible at latitudes between +25° and −90°. It is best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of July.

• Thursday, October 11, 2012
  Arcas astronomy Callisto Constellation series Kronos Lycaon Mythology 101 Ptolemy Tartaros Titanomachy Zeus

PBP: Nymphs, Naiads and other nature spirits

An often forgotten part of Hellenismos, Hellenic myth and Hellenic religion in general is the worship of nature spirits. This group of divine and/or supernatural creatures was worshipped by many local cults back in the olden days, sometimes more actively than the worship of the Olympic Gods. This was especially true in the more rural areas.

The most famous of the nature spirits are the Nymphs. The term Nymph means 'bride' and although these creatures rarely married, they were certainly desired. Nymphs are the divinities of the natural features of the landscape. Nymphs are always female and there are many kinds. Amongst others there are the: Alseid, Auloniad, Aurai, Crinaeae, Dryads, Eleionomae, Epimeliades, Hamadryads, Hesperides, Leimoniades, Limnades, Meliae, Naiads, Napaeae, Nereids, Oceanids, Oreades, Pegaeae, Pegasides, Pleiades and Potamides. Their male counterparts are Centaurs, Sileni, and Satyrs. Dryads, for example, are Nymphs of the trees (especially oak trees). Naiads are are Nymphs of the oceans, Oreads are nymphs of the mountains and Epimeliades, for example, protect flocks (or a specific flock) of sheep.

In Hellenic mythology, nature spirits are rarely featured. When they are featured, the female nature spirits are usually chased, or even sexually molested by Gods or Satyrs. What Satyrs do is, of course, legendary. It is interesting to note that Nymphs are often revered side by side with the Gods who chase them and they share shrine space easily. The two are connected and usually enjoy the company of the other party. Examples include Dionysos, Apollon, Pan, Poseidon and Hermes. Goddesses who are closely associated with Nyads and other nature spirits are Artemis, Callisto and Aphrodite.

Certain Nymphs--Naiads, Nereids and Limnades especially--are known for their healing powers. The waters they guards are often used in potions or used to wash away the disease with. Other Nymphs are known for their ability to gift the supplicant with prophetic powers. Those thus touched by a Nymph are called Nympholepts. Nympholepts were on the fringes of society in ancient Hellas but it were these men and women who tended the shrines for the Nymphs; an important task. Nympholept has several meanings; it can be someone who has prophetic powers, as gifted by Nymphs, like just discussed. It was also used as a term to describe those who were seen as possessed by the Nymphs and as a term for the priests and caretakers of the shrines of the Nymph cults.

The worship of nature spirits is easy; when you visit them at their home--an especially old oak tree, a lively stream or a bee visited meadow--you can leave them offerings. Suitable offerings are a bit of water from your flask, shiny things like coins or honey. Especially honey is closely related to nature spirits--Nymphs in particular--as they were often assumed to taken the form of bees to interact with us. 

A certain animistic worldview can be seen in the worship of nature spirits. It's one of the major links between Paganism and Hellenismos and yet, very few Hellenics actively partake in this type of worship or use it as a bridge. When I was young, I used to talk to trees and bushes. The rustling in the leaves reminded me of words. When I discovered Paganism, I made connections with trees or areas I felt were inhabited with something more than organic matter. I was never much of a tree hugger in the new age sense, but I know that some natural features are home to beings who are worthy of our respect. I will make the worship of nature spirits an active part of my practice and I hope others do as well; if not to honor these beings than to bridge the gap between Paganism and Hellenismos. That might be more important than we realize. 

• Friday, July 13, 2012
  Aphrodite Apollon Artemis Callisto Dionysos Dryads Hellenismos 101 Hermes Mythology 101 Naiads Nymphs Pagan Blog Project Pan Poseidon