MagickalArts

(en)LIV(en)ING with the Muses:The Hymns of Polyhymnia

 

(Image: Sculpture from the State Hermitage Museum)

This is the Sixth posting of the (en)LIV(en)ING with the Muses Series

Each time I have lost myself in the beauty of music, Polyhymnia has been whispering in my ear. Her name is derived from the Greek, “poly” meaning “many” and “hymnos” which means “praise. Her name is alternately spelled Polymnia. She is attributed with many gifts and depending on the territory of Greece that she oversaw, her garb and visage was adapted. Her primary creativity flowed through music, song and dance and in the more traditional sense she became the muse specifically of religious hymn and praise.

Unlike her sisters, Polyhymnia was depicted as more pensive in her demeanor and of an almost meditative and spiritually charged seriousness.

She was a daughter of Zeus and Mnemosyne, the Titan Goddess of memory and remembrance as well as attributed as the inventress of language and words. What more beautiful expression of her mother’s gifts than to be the child that brings adeptness and creativity to the sacred words of devotion and hymn.

Polyhymnia was consort of Oeagrus, the King of Thrace. In some myths he and Calliope or Clio were the parents of Orpheus. In others, Polyhymnia is appointed as the mother of Orpheus. This gives testament to the cross over and threads of community that the Muses held. All having many of the same gifts, but their expression and who they were attached to in the mortal realms meant that as mothers or aunts, the shared the parenting of many of the offspring attributed to one muse or another.

In other myths she is identified as the mother of Triptolemus, the first priest of Demeter and inventor of agriculture and working the lands. This birth was by her union with Cheimarrhus, the son of the Greek God Ares.

(Greco-Roman mosaic from Vichten C3rd A.D.. National Museum of History and Art)

The Greek Historian, Diodorus Siculus writes…

“Polyhymnia, because by her great (polle) praises (humnesis) she brings distinction to writers whose works have won for them immortal fame…” 1.

Not much has been written of Polyhymnia, in contrast to her sisters. Nonetheless, she remains a muse whose essence continues to flourish with each writing and composition of any work of devotion. So the next time you are inspired by song or feel the rising of your Soul’s desire in response to music’s harmonious flow, offered up gratitude to Polyhymnia as she whispers gently in your ear.

The next post will focus on the Muse, Urania and her Gifts of Astronomy

References:

1. Diodorus Siculus, Library of History books III-VIII (trans. Oldfather) (Greek historian C1st B.C.).

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About the Author:

Robin Fennelly is a Wiccan High Priestess, teacher, poet and author.

She is the author of:

 

The Inner Chamber, Vol. One

It’s Written in the Stars

Astrology

 

The Inner Chamber, Vol. Two

poetry of the spheres

Qabalah

 

The Inner Chamber, Vol. Three

Awakening the Paths

Qabalah

 

A Year With Gaia

The Eternal Cord

 

Temple of the Sun and Moon

Luminous Devotions

Click on Image for Amazon Information

 

The Magickal Pen, Volume One

A Collection of Esoteric Writings

 

The Elemental Year

Aligning the Parts of SELF

 

The Enchanted Gate

Musings on the Magick of the Natural World

Click on Image for Amazon Information

 

Sleeping with the Goddess

Nights of Devotion

 

A Weekly Reflection

Musings for the Year

 

Her books are available on Amazon or on this website and her Blogs can be found at: Robin Fennelly 

 

Follow Robin on Instagram & Facebook.