GoodGod!
Meet the Gods: Apollo
As the sun begins shining a bit more each day, let’s turn to Apollo, the Olympian sun god.
In Greek mythology, there were twelve original Titans. Helios was god of the sun who was said to drive a chariot pulled by four horses, sometimes winged, across the sky.
According to theoi.com, “Helios was depicted as a handsome, usually beardless, man clothed in purple robes and crowned with the shining aureole of the sun.”
Slowly over time, Helios became viewed as being Apollo, one of the Twelve Olympians – the sun god who is the son of Zeus.
Most commonly associated as the god of healing and prophecy, the lute-playing Apollo was also the god of music. He was associated with poetry, art, archery, and medicine. He was given the gift of prophecy and was known as the god of oracles. Apollo was a messenger to the gods.
Apollo never seemed to age, remaining a model for physical perfection. He fathered many children – by both mortals and goddesses – and thus offered protection of the young. Myths claim he didn’t care what a lover’s gender was.
With his bow and arrows, Apollo killed the monstrous serpent Python and took possession of the oracle – just the first of his many accomplishments.
His twin is Artemis, and the two of them with their bows and arrows, became known as the Twin Archers.
Associations: music, all musical instruments – especially strings
Symbols: laurel wreath, the sun, bows and quivers of arrows, the number seven
Stones associated with Apollo: Amber, sapphire, sunstone
Plants: sunflower, lily of the valley, leaves of the laurel tree
Colors: white, gold, yellow
Scents: lily of the valley, frankincense, and myrrh
Animals: birds, deer, dolphin, dove, griffin, mice, swan, and wolf.
Apollo can be called on for guidance, healing, a prophecy, inspiration, and truth. Practice divination and pray in honor of him. Worship can include painting, dancing, learning to play an instrument. You might read the Homeric Hymns to Apollo, listen to Greek music, or offer him a libation, food, or incense.
This Invocation to Apollo written by Dante Alighieri appears at mythologyisforhipsters.weebly.com.
Phoebos Apollo, radiant and shining archer,
Pythian Apollo, Lord of Delphi and oracles,
Delian Apollo, Lord of the Island of Delos,
Delphinius, Averter of evil, Rescuer, Protector of strangers,
Divine healer, Far-shooter. Beautiful, terrible god of truth and light, I ask your presence. I call to you
To be here this evening and witness this rite.
Golden son of Zeus and Leto, Brother of Artemis,
Lord of the Hyperboreans most pious,
Averter of plagues, giver of foresight
I ask for your blessing of purity, your shining inspiration,
and your unparalleled song.
Apollo, brilliant one of far sight and beautiful voice,
Wine and honey I pour to you.
Ie, Paeon!
At geekpagan.com is this Prayer for Inspiration, one of the Prayers to the Gods of Olympus:
I call to you, bright Apollo, son of Zeus
and gentle-natured Leto, god whose many gifts
have enriched our lives, skillful maker of music,
crafter of words whose poetic might brings wonder
to the world of men. Shining Apollo, master
of the Muses, inspiration in art and song
is yours to give. I pray to you, O Phoebus,
touch my soul with beauty, touch my heart with light,
grant me the vision to transcend the self,
grant me the spirit to share what I see.
***
About the Author:
Lynn Woike
All my life I have known magic was real. As a child, I played with the fae, established relationships with trees and “just knew things.” In my maiden years I discovered witchcraft and dabbled in the black-candles-and-cemeteries-at-midnight-on-a-fullmoon magick just enough to realize I did not understand its power. I went on to explore many practices including Zen, astrology, color therapy, native traditions, tarot, herbs, candle magic, gems, and, as I moved into my mother years, Buddhism, the Kabbalah and Reiki. The first man I dated after my divorce was a witch who reintroduced me to the Craft, this time by way of the Goddess. For 11 years I was in a coven, but with retirement, I have returned to an eclectic solitary practice. When accepting the mantle of crone, I pledged to serve and teach. This is what I do from my skoolie – a 30-year-old school bus converted into a tiny house on wheels that I am driving around the country, following 72-degree weather, emerging myself into nature, and sharing magic with those I meet. Find me at thewitchonwheels.com, Facebook and Instagram.