84. Ἑστίας, θυμίαμα ἀρώματα.

To Estia  
Divine connection/incense: aromatics


Ἑστία εὐδυνάτοιο Κρόνου θύγατερ βασίλεια,

Estia[1], mighty Kronos’[2] daughter, Basileia[3],


ἣ μέσον οἶκον ἔχεις πυρὸς ἀενάοιο, μεγίστου,

Central midpoint of every dwelling, foundation fiery, eternal, majestic,


τούσδε σὺ ἐν τελεταῖς ὁσίους μύστας ἀναδείξαις,

Then in sync complete the initiation, make pure the mystae[4] presented,


θεῖσ’ αἰειθαλέας, πολυόλβους, εὔφρονας, ἁγνούς·

Divinity eternally blooming with many blessings, cheerful, pure.  


οἶκε θεῶν μακάρων, θνητῶν στήριγμα κραταιόν,

Dwellings’ divine, happy, mortal-sustaining power, 


ἀιδίη, πολύμορφε, ποθεινοτάτη, χλοόμορφε·

Eternal, multi-formed, endearing, budding form.


μειδιόωσα, μάκαιρα, τάδ’ ἱερὰ δέξο προθύμως,

Smiling, happy, extending holy welcoming connection,  


ὄλβον ἐπιπνείουσα καὶ ἠπιόχειρον ὑγείαν.

Whole-life inspiring and health[5] soothing. 

 
[1] Estia is Hestia, the immortal Goddess of the hearth and altar fire, the embodiment of the “essence.”


[2] Kronos is the immortal God of the Golden Age of peace, prosperity, and justice.


[3] Basileia means Queen.


[4] Mystae are initiates into divine mysteries.


[5] Hygeia is the immortal Goddess of Health.

57. Ἑρμοῦ Χθονίου, θυμίαμα στύρακα.

Hermes[1] of the Divine Foundation[2]
Divine connection/incense: styrax

Κωκυτοῦ ναίων ἀνυπόστροφον οἶμον ἀνάγκης,

Kokytos’[3] dwellers divorce from the path of Necessity[4]


ὃς ψυχὰς θνητῶν κατάγεις ὑπὸ νέρτερα γαίης,

Of Psyche’s[5] mortals, separated beneath nether Gaia[6].


Ἑρμῆ, βακχεχόροιο Διωνύσοιο γένεθλον

Hermes, the Bakchian chorus’ Dionysian’[7] offspring


καὶ Παφίης κούρης, ἑλικοβλεφάρου Ἀφροδίτης,

and the Paphian[8] son of curly-lashed Aphrodite[9],


ὃς παρὰ Περσεφόνης ἱερὸν δόμον ἀμφιπολεύεις,

Traversing Persephone’s[10] holy domain on every side,


αἰνομόροις ψυχαῖς πομπὸς κατὰ γαῖαν ὑπάρχων,

Dark-fated souls guide, pure Gaia’s beginnings


ἃς κατάγεις, ὁπόταν μοίρης χρόνος εἰσαφίκηται

Arise separately, when the Fated[11] Time[12] approaches.


εὐιέρωι ῥάβδωι θέλγων ὑπνοδώτειρα πάντα,

With good holy wand magical lull all to sleep 


καὶ πάλιν ὑπνώοντας ἐγείρεις· σοὶ γὰρ ἔδωκε τιμὴν

And arouse all from slumber. So then give


τιμὴν Φερσεφόνεια θεὰ κατὰ Τάρταρον εὐρὺν

Honored Phersephone[13], Goddess of pure Tartaros’[14] good flow of


ψυχαῖς ἀενάοις θνητῶν ὁδὸν ἡγεμονεύειν.

Souls, eternal mortal journeys lead.


ἀλλά, μάκαρ, πέμποις μύσταις τέλος ἐσθλὸν ἐπ' ἔργοις.

Yea, happily, guide the mystae[15] in fulfillment of good works. 

 
[1] Hermes is the immortal God of who serves as a medium of connection between the divine and the mortal. In this hymn he is depicted as the son of Dionysos (Wine) and Aphrodite (Love) (perhaps because wine and lovemaking make people sleepy). In other instances he is depicted as the son of Zeus (Sky) and Maia (Earth). This hymn focuses on Hermes’ role as a guide of souls in the afterlife and as well as the God who induces and wakes mortals from sleep. (Homer, Odyssey 24. 1 & 99 ff (trans. Shewring)) It seems to suggest that going to sleep and waking from sleep is a Hermes-led journey to the afterlife.


[2] Chthonian means the foundation (Χ) divine (θ), that is, Earth.


[3] Kokytos is a dismal river or lake in the afterlife where the souls of those who have committed wrongdoing wail and lament in pleas for forgiveness from those they have wronged. (Plato, Phaedo 112e ff (trans. Fowler))


[4] Ananke is the immortal Goddess of Necessity, here referencing the required punishment for unforgiven wrongdoing.


[5] Psyche is the immortal Goddess of the Soul.


[6] Gaia is the immortal Goddess of generative Earth.


[7] Dionysos is the immortal God of Wine and its effects.


[8] Paphian is an epithet of Aphrodite derived from her famous temple at Paphos on the island of Kypros.


[9] Aphrodite is the immortal Goddess of Love, of the urge to merge.


[10] Persephone is the immortal Goddess of the afterlife and new life in Spring.


[11] The Moirai are the immortal Goddesses of Fate.


[12] Chronos is the immortal God of Time.


[13] Phersephone is the immortal Goddess of the afterlife and new life in Spring.


[14] Tartaros is the deepest place beneath the earth.


[15] The mystae are initiates into the holy Mysteries.

28. Ἑρμοῦ, θυμίαμα λίβανον.

To Hermes
Divine connection/incense: libanon (frankincense)


Κλῦθί μου, Ἑρμεία, Διὸς ἄγγελε, Μαιάδος υἱέ,

Be open to me, Ermeia[1], divine messenger, Maia’s[2] son,


παγκρατὲς ἦτορ ἔχων, ἐναγώνιε, κοίρανε θνητῶν,

All-ruling, heart’s foundation, in contests ruling mortal


εὔφρων, ποικιλόβουλε, διάκτορε ἀργειφόντα,

Grace, diverse counselor, piercing silvery serpent slayer


πτηνοπέδιλε, φίλανδρε, λόγου θνητοῖσι προφῆτα,

With winged sandals, fond of men’s logic, mortals’ prophet,


γυμνάσιν ὃς χαίρεις δολίαις τ' ἀπάταις, τροφιοῦχε,

Gymnastically charming craftily then trickery-nurturing,


ἑρμηνεῦ πάντων, κερδέμπορε, λυσιμέριμνε,

Conveying all, profit-bringing, loosing care.


ὃς χείρεσσιν ἔχεις εἰρήνης ὅπλον ἀμεμφές,

The hand holding Eirene’s[3] implements above reproach,


Κωρυκιῶτα, μάκαρ, ἐριούνιε, ποικιλόμυθε,

Kore[4]-accompanying happily, wool-shrouded, with various-myths.


ἐργασίαις ἐπαρωγέ, φίλε θνητοῖς ἐν ἀνάγκαις,

Workers’ aid, loving mortals in Need[5]


γλώσσης δεινὸν ὅπλον τὸ σεβάσμιον ἀνθρώποισι·

Of glossy-tongued powerful implements of reverence human.


κλῦθί μου εὐχομένου, βιότου τέλος ἐσθλὸν ὀπάζων

Be open to my prayers, life-fulfilling good companion,


ἐργασίῃσι, λόγου χάρισιν, καὶ μνημοσύνῃσιν.

Work logic’s charm, and Memory’s.[6] 

 
[1] Ermeia is Hermes, the immortal God who acts as an intermediary (Μ) between deities and mortals.


[2] Maia is the immortal Goddess of Motherhood and parturition, closely associated with Mother Earth; literally, Maia is the medium (Μ) that connects the macro (Life) with the micro (life).


[3] Eirene is the immortal Goddess of Peace.


[4] Kore is Persephone, the immortal Goddess of the Afterlife and Spring renewal.


[5] Ananke is the immortal Goddess of Necessity, of what is needed. Hermes is the God of invention and eloquence, and as the saying goes, “Necessity is the mother of invention.”


[6] Mnemosyne is the immortal Goddess of Memory, Mother of the immortal Muses.

Translated by Catherine Proppe, April 14, 2014




62. Δίκης, θυμίαμα λίβανον. 
To Dike
Divine connection/incense: libanon (frankincense)


Ὄμμα Δίκης μέλπω πανδερκέος, ἀγλαομόρφου,

Eye of Dike[1], sing of panoramic sharp-sight, gloriously-formed,


ἣ καὶ Ζηνὸς ἄνακτος ἐπὶ θρόνον ἱερὸν ἵζει

At center, and Zenos[2] above, enthroned upon the holy seat


οὐρανόθεν καθορῶσα βίον θνητῶν πολυφύλων,

Of Ouranos[3] divine, purely seeing lives of mortals’ many tribes.


τοῖς ἀδίκοις τιμωρὸς ἐπιβρίθουσα δικαία,

Then arouse Dike’s vengeance, upon the weight of Justice


ἐξ ἰσότητος ἀληθείαι συνάγουσ’ ἀνόμοια·

Bring forth equally Aletheia[4] in sync with Nomos[5].


πάντα γάρ, ὅσσα κακαῖς γνώμαις θνητοῖσιν ὀχεῖται         

In every way, then, enlighten stilted minds’ mortal foundations,


δύσκριτα, βουλομένοις τὸ πλέον βουλαῖς ἀδίκοισι,

Discrete counsel powers, too then, a plethora of counsels give rise to Justice


μούνη ἐπεμβαίνουσα δίκην ἀδίκοις ἐπεγείρεις·

Alone, upon the basis of Dike, Dike arouse.


ἐχθρὰ τῶν ἀδίκων, εὔφρων δὲ σύνεσσι δικαίοις.

Enmity, then, arouses Dike, prudence in sync with Justice


ἀλλά, θεά, μόλ’ ἐπὶ γνώμαις ἐσθλαῖσι δικαία,

Then, Goddess, bring upon wise, goodly Justice,


ὡς ἂν ἀεὶ βιοτῆς τὸ πεπρωμένον ἦμαρ ἐπέλθοι.

Bring forth eternal well-being, through gentle power daily bring. 

 
[1] Dike is the immortal Goddess of divine Justice, balance: literally “two (Δί) + core/heart (κη),” that is, a) seeing two sides of an issue; and, b) bringing the scale into balance.


[2] Zenos is another name for Zeus, the immortal God of lightning storms and the male fertility principal.


[3] Ouranos is the immortal God of the Heavens.


[4] Aletheia is the immortal Goddess of Truth.


[5] Nomos is the immortal God of Divine Law.

Translated by Catherine Proppe, April 9, 2014




40. Δήμητρος Ἐλευσινίας, θυμίαμα στύρακα.

To Demeter[1] of Eleusis[2]
Divine connection/incense: styrax


Δηώ, παμμήτειρα θεά, πολυώνυμε δαῖμον,

Deo[3], all-Mother, Goddess of many realms, powerful


σεμνὴ Δήμητερ, κουροτρόφε, ὀλβιοδῶτι,

Seminal Demeter, child-nurturing, whole-life-giving,


πλουτοδότειρα θεά, σταχυοτρόφε, παντοδότειρα,

Wealth[4]-giving Goddess, corn-nurturing, in every way giving


εἰρήνηι χαίρουσα καὶ ἐργασίαις πολυμόχθοις,

Peace[5], Grace[6], as well as work’s many hardships,


σπερμεία, σωρῖτι, ἀλωαία, χλοόκαρπε,

Seeds heap the threshing floor, tender green fruit


ἣ ναίεις ἁγνοῖσιν Ἐλευσῖνος γυάλοισιν,

Here prevails purely in Eleusinos’ valley,


ἱμερόεσσ', ἐρατή, θνητῶν θρέπτειρα προπάντων,

In love, lovely, mortal-nurturing first in every way,


ἡ πρώτη ζεύξασα βοῶν ἀροτῆρα τένοντα

Here first yoking oxen to the plough’s neck


καὶ βίον ἱμερόεντα βροτοῖς πολύολβον ἀνεῖσα,

And living in love with mortals, richly blessed, eternally


αὐξιθαλής, Βρομίοιο συνέστιος, ἀγλαότιμος,

Increase blooms of Bromios[7], share your hearth’s gloriously honored


λαμπαδόεσσ', ἁγνή, δρεπάνοις χαίρουσα θερείοις·

Lamplight pure, and pluck all charms of summer.


σὺ χθονία, σὺ δὲ φαινομένη, σὺ δε πᾶσι προσηνής·

Together with earth, together from light, together from all, gentle


εὔτεκνε, παιδοφίλη, σεμνή, κουροτρόφε κούρα,

Good mother, child-loving[8], seminal, child-nurturing daughter,


ἅρμα δρακοντείοισιν ὑποζεύξασα χαλινοῖς

Your chariot dragon-pulled beneath the yoke’s bridle,


ἐγκυκλίοις δίναις περὶ σὸν θρόνον εὐάζουσα,

Encircle, whirl 'round thy throne’s arising essence[9],


μουνογενής, πολύτεκνε θεά, πολυπότνια θνητοῖς,

Single parent, mother of many, Goddess greatly honored by mortals


ἧς πολλαὶ μορφαί, πολυάνθεμοι, ἱεροθαλεῖς.

Here in many forms, with many flowers’ holy blooms.


ἐλθέ, μάκαιρ', ἁγνή, καρποῖς βρίθουσα θερείοις,

Come, happy, pure, fruits heavy with summer,


εἰρήνην κατάγουσα καὶ εὐνομίην ἐρατεινὴν

Eirene[10] bring in, and Eunomia[11] lovely,


καὶ πλοῦτον πολύολβον, ὁμοῦ δ' ὑγίειαν ἄνασσαν.

And Plouton’s[12] many blessings, close by with Hygieia[13] Anassa[14]. 

 
[1] Demeter is the immortal Goddess who directs earth’s generation and agriculture, literally directing (Δή) + Mother (μητρος).


[2] Eleusis is an ancient city near Athens on the fertile Rarian Plain famous for the Mysteries of Demeter and her daughter, Kore. Eleusis literally means “set free, liberate:” essence (ε) + loosen, release (λευσ).


[3] Deo means Demeter.


[4] Plouton is the immortal God of wealth and the afterlife.


[5] Eirene is the immortal Goddess of Peace.


[6] The Charites are the immortal Goddesses of Grace and Charm.


[7] Bromios is another name for Bacchos, the immortal God of wine and its effects.


[8] Paidophile means “lover of children,” a despicable modern-day euphemism for “child molester.”


[9] This describes the turning of the earth by a plough, Demeter’s throne is the earth.


[10] Eirene is the immortal Goddess of Peace.


[11] Eunomia is the immortal Goddess of Just Laws.


[12] Plouton is the immortal God of Wealth.


[13] Hygieia is the immortal Goddess of Health.


[14] Anassa means Queen, Lady.

Translated by Catherine Proppe, April 8, 2014.




73. Δαίμονος, θυμίαμα λίβανον.

To Daimonos[1]
Divine connection/incense: libanon (frankincense)


Δαίμονα κικλήσκω μεγάλαν ἡγήτορα φρικτόν,

Daimona[2], come forth, majestic commander of frisson,


μειλίχιον Δία, παγγενέτην, βιοδώτορα θνητῶν,

Gentle Dia[3], all-generative life-giver of mortality,


Ζῆνα μέγαν, πολύπλαγκτον, ἀλάστορα, παμβασιλῆα,

Zena[4] majestic, so unpredictable yet fundamental, all-Basileia[5],


πλουτοδότην, ὁπόταν γε βρυάζων οἶκον ἐσέλθηι,

Plouto-giving[6] upon Ge’s[7] swollen home of Selene[8] divine,


ἔμπαλι δὲ τρύχοντα βίον θνητῶν πολυμόχθων·

When completely stretched ragged by mortal life’s many hardships


ἐν σοὶ γὰρ λύπης τε χαρᾶς κληῖδες ὀχοῦνται.

In union generate pain then happily release the foundation in exchange.


τοιγάρ τοι, μάκαρ, ἁγνέ, πολύστονα κήδε’ ἐλάσσας,

Therefore then, happily, purely, many sighing cares release,


ὅσσα βιοφθορίην πέμπει κατὰ γαῖαν ἅπασαν,

Signaling life’s abortion, send in accordance with Gaia’s[9] whole


ἔνδοξον βιοτῆς γλυκερὸν τέλος ἐσθλὸν ὀπάζοις.

Expectation of life-sustaining sweetly completed, let goodness follow. 

 
[1] Daimonos means “divine power.”


[2] It should be noted that Daimona (Δαίμονα) literally means directing (Δ) + blood (αίμα).


[3] Dia means Deity.


[4] According to the Liddell-Scoot Lexicon, Zena is another name for Zeus, the immortal God of rainstorms and the male fertilizing principle, however, the female suffixes suggest a female deity. Zenion (Ζήνιον) means rain. Zesis (ζησις) means vitalization. Ze (ζη) is the imperative of zo (ζω) (life).


[5] Basileia means Queen.


[6] Plouto is the immortal God of the afterlife and wealth.


[7] Ge is the immortal Goddess of generative Earth.


[8] Selene is the immortal Goddess of the moon and is associated with the phases of menstruation and pregnancy.


[9] Gaia is another name for the immortal Goddess of generative Earth.

Translated by Catherine Proppe, April 7, 2014




26. Γῆς,
θυμίαμα πᾶν σπέρμα πλὴν κυάμων καὶ ἀρωμάτων.

To Ge[1]
Divine connection/incense: all seeds, plentiful beans, and aromatic spices


Γαῖα θεά, μῆτερ μακάρων θνητῶν τ' ἀνθρώπων,

Gaia[2] Goddess, Mother of blest immortals and humans,


πάντροφε, πανδώτειρα, τελεσφόρε, παντολέτειρα,

All-nurturing, all-giving, bringing all to fulfillment, in every way wondrous,


αὐξιθαλής, φερέκαρπε, καλαῖς ὥραισι βρύουσα,

Growing blooms, bearing fruit, calling-forth the Seasons[3] full to bursting,


ἕδρανον ἀθανάτου κόσμου, πολυποίκιλε κούρη,

Established immortally in the cosmos, with many diverse children,


ἣ λοχίαις ὠδῖσι κύεις καρπὸν πολυειδῆ,

Indeed, childbirth’s travail of pregnancy brings fruit of many ideations,


ἀιδία, πολύσεπτε, βαθύστερν', ὀλβιόμοιρε,

Eternal Goddess, much-reverenced, deep-hearted, whole life allotting,


ἡδυπνόοις χαίρουσα χλόαις πολυάνθεσι δαῖμον,

Sweet-breathing charming green sprouts’ much-blooming power,


ὀμβροχαρής, περὶ ἣν κόσμος πολυδαίδαλος ἄστρων

Rain-charmed; surrounded, indeed, by the cosmos’ countless fiery stars


εἱλεῖται φύσει ἀενάωι καὶ ῥεύμασι δεινοῖς.

Enveloping Phusis’[4] everlasting and flowing power.


ἀλλά, μάκαιρα θεά, καρποὺς αὔξοις πολυγηθεῖς

Yet, happy Goddess, fruitfully bloom prolifically, joyful Ge divine,


εὐμενὲς ἦτορ ἔχουσα, σὺν ὀλβίοισιν ἐν ὥραις.

Kindhearted foundation, synchronize whole lives in due season. 

 
[1] Ge is the immortal Goddess of generative Earth.


[2] Gaia is another name for Ge.


[3] The Horai are the beautiful immortal Goddesses of the Hours, the Seasons, the times for things to occur.


[4] Phusis is the immortal Goddess of Physics; of Nature.

Translated by Catherine Proppe, April 7, 2014


This is a hopeful hymn, acknowledging the cold winter wind and how it clears the way for Spring blooms.






80. Βορέου, θυμίαμα λίβανον.
Boreas[1]
Divine connection/incense: libanon (frankincense)


Χειμερίοις αὔραισι δονῶν βαθὺν ἠέρα κόσμου, 

Winter’s cold winds agitate profoundly Hera’s[2] cosmos,


κρυμοπαγὴς Βορέα, χιονώδεος ἔλθ’ ἀπὸ Θράικης 

Ice-cold frost covers Earth, Boreas’ snow descends from Thrace[3]


λῦέ τε παννέφελον στάσιν ἠέρος ὑγροκελεύθου

Releasing, too, all Nepheles’[4] steadfast aerial hydro-journey,


ῥιπίζων ἰκμάσιν νοτεραῖς ὀμβρηγενὲς ὕδωρ,

Fanning moist, damp, rain-born water,


αἴθρια πάντα τιθείς, θαλερόμματον αἰθέρα τεύχων 

Clearing in every direction, setting blooming ethereal creations


ἀκτίνες ὣς λάμπουσιν ἐπὶ χθονὸς ἠελίοιο. 

Shining forth from the lamp of earth’s Helios[5]. 

 
[1] Boreas is the immortal God of the cold North Wind. Just as depth to the base is conveyed by bathu- (βαθὺ-), so the deepest temperature of flowing air is conveyed by Borea (Βορέα), literally “base entity outflow.”


[2] Hera is the immortal Goddess of the Air. (Empedocles, Physics (7(6).2-3) and Poeta Philosophus (6.1).)


[3] Thrace is north of Greece.


[4] Nephele are the immortal Goddesses of the Clouds.


[5] Helios is the immortal God of the Sun.

55. Εἰς Ἀφροδίτην.

To Aphrodite[1]


Οὐρανία, πολύυμνε, φιλομμειδὴς Ἀφροδίτη,

Heavenly Lady[2] of many realms, smile[3]-loving Aphrodite,


ποντογενής, γενέτειρα θεά, φιλοπάννυχε, σεμνή,

Pontos-born[4], generative[5] Goddess, fond of all-night festivities[6], seminal,


νυκτερία ζεύκτειρα, δολοπλόκε μῆτερ Ἀνάγκης

Night’s joining[7] savior, enticement-weaving mother of Necessity[8]


πάντα γὰρ ἐκ σέθεν ἐστίν, ὑπεζεύξω δέ <τε> κόσμον

In every way, for out of thou’s essence, Zeus[9] above sows the cosmos


καὶ κρατέεις τρισσῶν μοιρῶν, γεννᾶις δὲ τὰ πάντα,

And rules the threefold Fates[10], originating from thou in every way,


ὅσσα τ' ἐν οὐρανῶι ἐστι καὶ ἐν γαίηι πολυκάρπωι

How many, then, within Ouranos’[11] hearths[12] and Gaia’s[13] many fruits,


ἐν πόντου τε βυθωι τε, σεμνὴ Βάκχοιο πάρεδρε,

Within Pontos’[14] depths, too? Seminal Bacchian[15], foundation of


τερπομένη θαλίαισι, γαμοστόλε μῆτερ Ἐρώτων,

Delightful festivities, wedding-providing mother of the Erotes’[16]


Πειθοῖ λεκτροχαρής, κρυφία, χαριδῶτι,

Persuasive[17] marriage-bed charms, hidden, grace-giving, 


φαινομένη, τ' ἀφανής, ἐρατοπλόκαμ', εὐπατέρεια,

Appearing in strength, then, disappearing. Lovely-plaited, nobly sired[18],


νυμφιδία σύνδαιτι θεῶν, σκηπτοῦχε, λύκαινα[19],

Dining with Nymphs[20]divine, scepter-bearer, new


γεννοδότειρα, φίλανδρε, ποθεινοτάτη, βιοδῶτι,

Generation-giver, fond of men, extending-desire, life-giving


ἡ ζεύξασα βροτοὺς ἀχαλινώτοισιν ἀνάγκαις

Center of Zeus-sown mortals’ unbridled necessity


καὶ θηρῶν πολὺ φῦλον ἐρωτομανῶν ὑπὸ φίλτρων·

And beasts’ of many species Eros[21]-manic under love’s spell.


ἔρχεο, Κυπρογενὲς θεῖον γένος, εἴτ' ἐν' Ὀλύμπωι

Come, Kypros-born[22] Lady of divine race, either from Olympia’s


ἐσσί, θεὰ βασίλεια, καλῶι γήθουσα προσώπωι,

Hearth, Goddess Basileia[23], or beautiful Ge’s[24] divine surface,


εἴτε καὶ εὐλιβάνου Συρίης ἕδος ἀμφιπολεύεις,

Or from sweetly frankincensed Syria’s seat attending,


εἴτε σύ γ' ἐν πεδίοισι σὺν ἅρμασι χρυσεοτεύκτοις

Or from Ge’s[25] fertile-plains’ with chariot of gold,


Αἰγύπτου κατέχεις ἱερῆς γονιμώδεα λουτρά,

Or Egypt’s foundational, holy, fertile waters[26],


ἢ καὶ κυκνείοισιν ὄχοις ἐπὶ πόντιον οἶδμα

Or yet with swans[27], carried upon Pontos’ swells,


ἐρχομένη χαίρεις κητῶν κυκλίαισι χορείαις,

Come, charming the sea-creatures in a circling dance[28],


ἢ νύμφαις τέρπηι κυανώπισιν ἐν χθονὶ δίηι

With Nymphs[29] delighting, cyan-blue, within earth’s two


θῖνας ἐπ' αἰγιαλοῖς ψαμμώδεσιν ἅλματι κούφωι·

Banks, and upon the shores’ sandy, salty reprieve.


εἴτ’ ἐν Κύπρωι, ἄνασσα, τροφῶι σέο, ἔνθα καλαί σε

Then on Kypros, Anassa[30], nurturing thou there the turquoise,


παρθένοι ἄδμηται νύμφαι τ' ἀνὰ πάντ’ ἐνιαυτὸν

Unifying, untamed Nymphs, too, rising all around, annually


ὑμνοῦσιν, σέ, μάκαιρα, καὶ ἄμβροτον ἁγνὸν Ἄδωνιν.

Hymned, together with happy and immortal pure Adonis[31].


ἐλθέ, μάκαιρα θεά μάλ' ἐπήρατον εἶδος ἔχουσα·

Come, happy Goddess, so lovely, appear and remain,


ψυχῆι γάρ σε καλῶ σεμνῆι ἁγίοισι λόγοισιν.

Psyche[32]-generating, with beautiful, seminal, pure words. 

 
[1] Aphrodite is the immortal Goddess who personifies the “urge to merge.” Her realm is the inexplicable power of sexual desire.


[2] Ourania (Οὐρανία) means “heavenly Lady, Goddess of the heavens.”


[3] Meidees (μειδὴς) means “smile,” literally “medium-of (μει) + connection (δὴς).” It is a pun for meedos (μῆδος), which means “plan” because of the contrivances lovers go through. Meedos (μῆδος) also means “genitals,” a favorite of Aphrodite, the Goddess of sexual love, for obvious reasons.


[4] Pontos is the primeval God of the Ocean. Aphrodite is said to be born of Ocean’s foam because one night when Ouranos, the immortal God of the Heavens, lay upon Gaia, the immortal Goddess of Earth, Kronos castrated  his father Ouranos and cast his genitals into the sea, from whence arose the sea’s foamy froth and the Goddess Aphrodite (Hesiod, Theogony 176). Aphros (ἀφρός) means “foam, froth,” literally “arising divinely-animated outflow-of entity.” Aphroneo (ἀφρονέω) means “to be silly, act foolish; thoughtless.” Aphrodite causes foolish, indefensible behavior. Note that the letter phi (Φ), literally “divinely-animated-entity,” figures prominently in words describing mysterious, inexplicable energy, such as light, sound, and love.


[5] Aphrodite is the geneteira (γενέτειρα), Goddess of generation, because she inspires the desire for sexual intercourse.


[6] Greek wedding celebrations last throughout the night.


[7] Zeukteira (ζεύκτειρα) means joining, a euphemism for intercourse. Zeus is the immortal God of rainstorms and the male fertilizing principle.


[8] Ananke (Ἀνάγκης) is the immortal Goddess of Necessity, that which is necessary, that which is required, “the universal generative cause” (Orphica, Theogonies, Fragment 54 from Damascius http://www.theoi.com/Protogenos/Ananke.html), as in, for example, the pain of childbirth.


[9] Zeus is the immortal God of rainstorms and the male fertility principle, literally “spark (ζ) + essence (ε) + pure (ύ).”


[10] The Moiroi are three Goddesses who oversee mortal fate: spinning, weaving, and cutting the threads of life.


[11] Ouranos is the immortal God of the Heavens.


[12] Hestia is the Goddess of hearth fires, altar fires; here, the Goddess of the fires of Ouranos, that is, the stars.


[13] Gaia is the immortal Goddess of generative Earth.


[14] Potnos is the primeval God of the Sea. http://www.theoi.com/Protogenos/Pontos.html


[15] Bacchos is the immortal God of wine and its inspirational effects.


[16] The Erotes are immortal Gods of love. http://www.theoi.com/Ouranios/Erotes.html


[17] Peitho is the immortal Goddess of Persuasion and Seduction.   


[18] Aphrodite is the daughter of Ouranos, the immortal God of the Heavens. In some traditions, she is the daughter of Zeus, the immortal God of rainstorms and the male fertility principle.


[19] Lu- (λύ-) means release, liberate. Kain- (καιν-) means new, fresh, innovative.


[20] A bride or  bridegroom were referred to as Nymphs.


[21] Eros is the immortal God of passionate love, a companion (in some accounts the son) of Aphrodite.


[22] Kypro- (Κυπρο-) means pregnancy precursor:  pregnancy (Κυ) + precursor (προ-). “The Kyprian” is an epithet of Aphrodite.


[23] Basileia means Queen.


[24] Ge is another name for the immortal Goddess of generative Earth.


[25] Ge is another name for the immortal Goddess of generative Earth.


[26] The fertile Nile River, basis of ancient Egypt’s culture and economy.


[27] Swans: sacred to Aphrodite.


[28] May refer to the “dancing” of dolphins and whales when they leap from the sea.


[29] Nymphs are beautiful young Goddesses who prevail over a particular location, such as sources of fresh water.


[30] Anassa means Queen, Lady, Ruler.


[31] Adonis is the dying and reborn God of Spring, beloved of Aphrodite.


[32] Psyche is the immortal Goddess of the Soul.