The Horai are the immortal Goddesses of the Hours, of the time for something to naturally occur. They could as aptly be called “The Moments,” for example, when a bloom opens, when the grass turns green, when a fruit falls from the tree[1]. Literally “bring forth (Ὧ) + flow of (ρ) + arising (α) + divine power (ι).” 


The Horai are named in this Hymns and by Diodorus of Sicily as the three Goddesses Eunomia (Good Order), Dike (Justice), and Eirene (Peace)[2].

Translated by Catherine Proppe
April 29, 2015
 
43. Ὡρῶν, θυμίαμα ἀρώματα.
To the Horai
Divine connection: aromatics

 

Ὧραι θυγατέρες Θέμιδος καὶ Ζηνὸς ἄνακτος,

Horai, daughters of Themis’[3] and Zenos’[4] rule,

 

Εὐνομίη τε Δίκη τε καὶ Εἰρήνη πολύολβε,

Eunomia[5] and Dike[6] and Eirene’s[7] many blessings

 

εἰαριναί, λειμωνιάδες, πολυάνθεμοι, ἁγναί,

Springtime meadows flower in many blossoms pure

 

παντόχροοι, πολύοδμοι ἐν ἀνθεμοειδέσι πνοιαῖς,

Every color, all scents in blossoms’ central exhalations

 

Ὧραι ἀειθαλέες, περικυκλάδες, ἡδυπρόσωποι,

Horai eternally blooming, surrounding, cycling sweet faces

 

πέπλους ἑννύμεναι δροσεροὺς ἀνθῶν πολυθρέπτων,

Peplos[8] clothed in dewy blossoms much nurtured

 

ἁγνῆς Περσεφόνης συμπαίκτορες, ἡνίκα Μοῖραι

Pure Persephone’s[9] playmates when the Morai[10]

 

καὶ Χάριτες κυκλίοισι χοροῖς πρὸς φῶς ἀνάγωσι

And Charites[11] circle the chorus before light arises upon

 

Ζηνὶ χαριζόμεναι καὶ μητέρι καρποδοτείρηι·

Zenos bountiful life-medium and Mother[12] fruit-giving

 

ἔλθετ' ἐπ' εὐφήμους τελετὰς ὁσίας νεομύστοις

Come upon good utterances, complete hallowed new initiates

 

εὐκάρπους καιρῶν γενέσεις ἐπάγουσαι ἀμεμφῶς.

Fruitful in time, genesis august, above reproach.


[1] Pindar, The Odes of Pindar, Dithyrambs Fragment 75 (trans. Sandys):

"Clearly seen are the bright symbols of sacred rites, whensoever, at the opening of the chamber of the purple-robed Horai, the fragrant Spring bringeth the nectar-breathing plants. Then, oh then, are flung on the immortal earth the lovely tresses of violets, and roses are entwined in the hair…”


[2] Diodorus of Sicily, Library of History 5.73.6 (trans. Oldfather) (Greek historian C1st BCE) :

"As for the Hours, as they are called, to each of them, according as her name indicates, was given the ordering and adornment of life, so as to serve to the greatest advantage of mankind; for there is nothing which is better able to build a life of felicity than obedience to law (Eunomia) and justice (Dike) and peace (Eirene)."


[3] Themis is the immortal Goddess of divine law.


[4]  Zenos is another name for Zeus, the immortal God of lightning storms and the spark of fire/spark of life


[5]  Eunomia is the immortal Goddess of good order and lawful conduct.


[6]  Dike is the immortal Goddess of justice.


[7]  Eirene is the immortal Goddess of peace.


[8]  A peplos is a Greek robe.


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


[10]  The Morai are the immoral Goddesses of fate who determine a person’s “portion” of life.


[11]  The Charites are beautiful Goddesses of glory, abundance, and goodwill. Charites (Χάριτες) is usually translated as “Graces,” meaning something wonderful bestowed that one did nothing to earn, literally “foundation (Χ) + arising (ά) + flow (ρ) + of divine power (ι) + extended (τ) + essence (ες).”


[12] Mother is the immortal Goddess Demeter, the directing mother of life, also known as law-giver.

Translated by Catherine Proppe
April 27, 2015




83. Ὠκεανοῦ, θυμίαμα ἀρώματα.
To Ocean
Divine connection: aromatics
 

Ὠκεανὸν καλέω, πατέρ’ ἄφθιτον, αἰὲν ἐόντα,

Ocean[1] I call, father ever-flourishing of eternal reality

 

ἀθανάτων τε θεῶν γένεσιν θνητῶν τ’ ἀνθρώπων,

Immortally and divinely generating mortal humanity

 

ὃς περικυμαίνει γαίης περιτέρμονα κύκλον·

Waves edging Gaia[2], to the ends encircling

 

ἐξ οὗπερ πάντες ποταμοὶ καὶ πᾶσα θάλασσα

Out of thou come forth all rivers and all seas

 

καὶ χθόνιοι γαίης πηγόρρυτοι ἰκμάδες ἁγναί.

And in the earth Gaia’s springs flowing moisture pure

 

κλῦθι, μάκαρ, πολύολβε, θεῶν ἅγνισμα μέγιστον,

Release happily many blessings, divine pure majesty

 

τέρμα φίλον γαίης, ἀρχὴ πόλου, ὑγροκέλευθε,

Boundary of loving Gaia, architect of many watery paths,

 

ἔλθοις εὐμενέων μύσταις κεχαρισμένος αἰεί.

Come, kindly power mysterious, charitable, eternal.


[1] The immortal Titan God of the Ocean is the son of Ouranos (Sky) and Gaia (Earth). Ocean is the father of all the earth’s water in consort with the Titan Goddess Tethys.


[2] Gaia is the immortal Goddess of generative earth.

Translated by Catherine Proppe
April 24, 2015

 
60. Χαρίτων, θυμίαμα στύρακα.

To the Charites

Divine connection: storax, styrax

 

Κλῦτέ μοι, ὦ Χάριτες μεγαλώνυμοι, ἀγλαότιμοι,

Be open to me, O Charites[1], mighty-realmed, gloriously honored

 

θυγατέρες Ζηνός τε καὶ Εὐνομίης βαθυκόλπου,

Daughters of Zenos[2] and Eunomia[3] deep-bosomed

 

Ἀγλαΐη Θαλίη τε καὶ Εὐφροσύνη πολύολβε,

Aglaia[4], Thalia,[5] and Euphrosyne,[6] rich in blessings

 

χαρμοσύνης γενέτειραι, ἐράσμιαι, εὔφρονες, ἁγναί,

Delighting in generating loveliness, goodwill, purity,

 

αἰολόμορφοι, ἀειθαλέες, θνητοῖσι ποθειναί·

Variously formed, eternally abundant, longed for by mortals

 

εὐκταῖαι, κυκλάδες, καλυκώπιδες, ἱμερόεσσαι·

Possessing the cycles of the veiled handles of desire's essence

 

ἔλθοιτ' ὀλβοδότειραι, ἀεὶ μύσταισι προσηνεῖς.

Come, whole life givers, eternal mysteries lead to the signs.


[1] The Charites are beautiful Goddesses of glory, abundance, and goodwill. Charites (Χάριτες) is usually translated as “Graces,” meaning something wonderful bestowed that one did nothing to earn, literally “foundation (Χ) + arising (ά) + flow (ρ) + of divine power (ι) + extended (τ) + essence (ες).” The Charites are often associated with nature’s beauty, joyful festivities, and divine blessings.

On architectural renderings, the foundation is designated with an “X.”

Chaos (χᾱός) is defined by the Lexicon as meaning genuine, true, good. The Charites, then, are the Goddesses presiding over the natural outflow of this genuine, true goodness.

Chaos (Χάος) is named by Hesiod and others as the originating state of the universe. (Note that Proclus says that Chronos (Χρόνος), the immortal God of time, pre-existed Chaos. Both terms begin with the letter “X.”)

Chaos (Χάος) is the first state of the universe; the Pythagorean name for one. Webster’s includes in its definition of chaos, “the infinity of space or formless matter supposed to have preceded the existence of the ordered universe.”

Hesiod’s Theogony (ll. 116-117) describes Chaos (Χάος) as existing prior to everything else:

“Verily at the first Chaos came to be,

but next wide-bosomed Earth, the ever-sure foundations of

all  . . .”133

Earth is the ever-sure foundation. Choo- (χοο-) is a prefix meaning earth, literally “foundation entity.”

Chthon (χθών) means earth, “foundation divine.”

(Catherine R. Proppe, Greek Alphabet: Unlock the Secrets (2013), 126.)


[2] Zenos is another name for Zeus, the immortal God of lightning storms and the spark of fire/spark of life. Zenion (Ζήνιον) means rain-water. Zesis (ζῆσις) means vitalization.


[3] Eunomia is the immortal Goddess of good laws. The Charites are the daughters of the spark of life (father) and divine law (mother).


[4] Aglaia is the immortal Goddess of glory, splendor, magnificence.


[5] Thalia is the immortal Goddess of abundance, plenty.


[6] Euphrosyne is the immortal Goddess of good thoughts, goodwill, good cheer.

Translated by Catherine Proppe
April 9, 2015


10. Φύσεως, θυμίαμα ἀρώματα. 
To Phusis
Divine Connection: aromatics

Ὦ Φύσι, παμμήτειρα θεά, πολυμήχανε μῆτερ,

O Phusis[1], Mother of all, Goddess, much-mechanic[2] Mother

 

οὐρανία, πρέσβειρα, πολύκτιτε δαῖμον, ἄνασσα,

Ourania[3], honored elder, much-founding[4] power, Anassa[5]

 

πανδαμάτωρ, ἀδάμαστε, κυβερνήτειρα, παναυγής,

All-dominator, indomitable, Governor, all-light,

 

παντοκράτειρα, τιτιμενέα πανυπέρτατε πᾶσιν,

Almighty nursing force, all uppermost All

 

ἄφθιτε, πρωτογένεια, παλαίφατε, κυδιάνειρα,

Imperishable protogeneia[6], anciently spoken of exulted one

 

ἐννυχία, πολύπειρε, σελασφόρε, δεινοκάθεκτε,

By Night’s[7] multiply-pierced light-bearing[8] wondrously powerful grip

 

ἄψοφον ἀστραγάλοισι ποδῶν ἴχνος εἱλίσσουσα,

Silent starry galaxies’ footsteps trace whirling essence

 

ἁγνή, κοσμήτειρα θεῶν ἀτελής τε τελευτή,

Pure cosmic Mother of the Goddesses and Gods, unending to the end,

 

κοινὴ μὲν πάντεσσιν, ἀκοινώνητε δὲ μούνη,

Common to all, truly all essence, uncommon to the last, alone

 

αὐτοπάτωρ, ἀπάτωρ, ἐρατή, πολύμηθε, μεγίστη,

Self-fathered, without a father, lovely muti-legendary majesty,

 

εὐάνθεια, πλοκή, φιλία, πολύμικτε, δαῆμον,

Abundant blossoming weaver of affiliations’ much-blended knowledge

 

ἡγεμόνη, κράντειρα, φερέσβιε, παντρόφε κούρη,

Hegemonic[9] sovereign bearing life, all-nurturing Maiden,

 

αὐτάρκεια, Δίκη, Χαρίτων πολυώνυμε πειθώ,

Self-sufficient Dike[10], charming many-realmed Peitho[11]

 

αἰθερία, χθονία καὶ εἰναλία μεδέουσα,

Aitherial, earthly and of the sea, Medeousa[12]

 

πικρὰ μέν φαύλοισι, γλυκεῖα δὲ πειθομένοισι,

Bitter, indeed coarse, sweet from Peitho’s force

 

πάνσοφε, πανδώτειρα, κομίστρια, παμβασίλεια,

All-wise, all-giving conveyor, all-Basileia[13]

 

αὐξιτρόφος, πίειρα πεπαινομένων τε λύτειρα.

Augmenting nurturer, rich ripening everlasting Deliverer

 

πάντων μὲν σὺ πατήρ, μήτηρ, τροφὸς ἠδὲ τιθηνός,

All powerful Father, Mother, Nurturer, and Nurse

 

ὠκυλόχεια, μάκαιρα, πολύσπορος, ὡριὰς ὁρμή,

Bringer of swift birth, blessed, multi-seeded Horai[14] instigator

 

παντοτεχνές, πλάστειρα, πολύκτιτε, ποντία δαῖμον,

All-technician, mold-maker, multi-Creator, the seas’ power

 

ἀιδίη, κινησιφόρε, πολύπειρε, περίφρων,

Eternal motion producer, much experienced, fortress surrounding

 

ἀενάωι στροφάλιγγι θοὸν ῥύμα δινεύουσα,

Everlastingly circling, quick-flowing, whirling

 

πάνρυτε, κυκλοτερής, ἀλλοτριομορφοδίαιτε,

All-fluid circling-softly, ever-changing in form

 

εὔθρονε, τιμήεσσα, μόνη τὸ κριθὲν τελέουσα,

Splendidly enthroned honored essence, alone barley-perfecting

 

σκηπτούχων ἐφύπερθε, βαρυβρεμέτειρα, κρατίστη,

Sceptre-bearer above, deep-roaring mighty power

 

ἄτρομε, πανδαμάτειρα, πεπρωμένη, αἶσα, πυρίπνους,

Without tremor, all-dominator, fulfilling Aisa[15], breath of fire

 

ἀίδιος ζωὴ ἠδ' ἀθανάτη τε πρόνοια·

Eternal Zoe[16] and immortal Pronoia[17]

 

πάντα σοι εἰσὶ, τα πάντα· σὺ γὰρ μούνη τάδε τεύχεις.

All thou art to all. Thou gives alone here what is wrought

 

ἀλλά, θεά, λίτομαί σε σὺν εὐόλβοισιν ἐν ὥραις

But, Goddess, humbly, thou, together with whole life blessings in Season

 

εἰρήνην ὑγίειαν ἄγειν, αὔξησιν ἁπάντων.

Bring Eirene[18] and Hygeia[19] increasingly, let us meet.


[1] Phusis is the immortal Goddess of physics, of Nature, literally, “divinely-animated entity (Φ) + pure (ύ) + synchronized (σ) + divine power (ι).”


[2] Mechanic means designer, creator, engineer.


[3] Ourania is the immortal Goddess of the heavens.


[4] Founding means building, creating, founding a colony.


[5] Anassa means Queen, Lady, Ruler.


[6] Protogeneia means first-creator, first-generative.


[7] Night is the immortal Goddess of night.


[8]  A reference to the stars.


[9] Hegemonia means Queen, Leader, Authority, Ruler, Supreme Commander.


[10] Dike is the immortal Goddess of justice.


[11] Peitho is the immortal Goddess of persuasion and seduction.


[12] Medeousa means Guardian, Ruler.


[13] Basileia means Queen, Ruler.


[14] The Horai are the immortal Goddesses who control the seasons, the natural time for something to occur.


[15] Aisa is the immortal Goddess who dispenses each lot or destiny.


[16] Zoe is the immortal Goddess of life.


[17] Pronoia is the immortal Goddess of forethought.


[18] Eirene is the immortal Goddess of peace.


[19] Hygeia is the immortal Goddess of health.

29. Ὕμνος Περσεφόνης.

 

Περσεφόνη, θύγατερ μεγάλου Διός, ἐλθέ, μάκαιρα,

Persephone[1], daughter of mighty Dios[2], come, blessed one,

 

μουνογένεια θεά, κεχαρισμένα δ' ἱερὰ δέξαι,

Sole offspring of the Goddess, charismatic holy right hand,

 

Πλούτωνος πολύτιμε δάμαρ, κεδνή, βιοδῶτι,

Pluto’s much honored dame, cherished life-giver

 

ἣ κατέχεις Ἀίδαο πύλας ὑπὸ κεύθεα γαίης,

Held fast by Aidao’s[3] gates below in the depths of Gaia[4]

 

Πραξιδίκη, ἐρατοπλόκαμε, Δηοῦς θάλος ἁγνόν,

Praxidike[5], lovely-tressed Deeous'[6] daughter pure,

 

Εὐμενίδων γενέτειρα, ὑποχθονίων βασίλεια,

Eumenides’[7] parent, under-earth Basileia[8],

 

ἣν Ζεὺς ἀρρήτοισι γοναῖς τεκνώσατο κούρην,

Zeus’ secret offspring begotten daughter bride

 

μῆτερ ἐριβρεμέτου πολυμόρφου Εὐβουλῆος,

Mother of loud-thundering many shaped Euboulos[9],

 

Ὡρῶν συμπαίκτειρα, φαεσφόρε, ἀγλαόμορφε,

The Hours’[10] playful light-bearing glorious form,

 

σεμνή, παντοκράτειρα, κόρη καρποῖσι βρύουσα,

Solemn all-ruler, Daughter fruitful to bursting,

 

εὐφεγγής, κερόεσσα, μόνη θνητοῖσι ποθεινή,

Bright-shining, horned-essence, alone mortals long for,

 

ἐαρινή, λειμωνιάσιν χαίρουσα πνοῆισιν,

Spring meadow-dwelling rejoicing breeze

 

ἱερὸν ἐκφαίνουσα δέμας βλαστοῖς χλοοκάρποις,

Holy emerging light’s essence embodied in buds and green fruits

 

ἁρπαγιμαῖα λέχη μετοπωρινὰ νυμφευθεῖσα,

Snatched from the midwife’s bed in late autumn nymph divine

 

ζωὴ καὶ θάνατος μούνη θνητοῖς πολυμόχθοις,

Life and Death, lonely mortals’ many hardships

 

Φερσεφόνεια· φέρβεις γὰρ ἀεὶ καὶ πάντα φονεύεις.

Phersephone[11]  life-givng eternal and all slaying

 

κλῦθι, μάκαιρα θεά, καρποὺς δ' ἀνάπεμπ' ἀπὸ γαίης

I call blessed Goddess, send up fruit upon Gaia

 

εἰρήνηι θάλλουσα καὶ ἠπιοχείρωι ὑγείαι

Let Eirene[12] bloom and soothing-hands of Hygeia[13],

 

καὶ βίωι εὐόλβωι λιπαρὸν γῆρας κατάγοντι

And let lives whole-lived richly to old age for generations

 

πρὸς σὸν χῶρον, ἄνασσα, καὶ εὐδύνατον Πλούτωνα.

Before this chorus, Anassa[14], and good-powerful Plouton[15].

 


[1] Persephone, also called Phersephone, is the immortal Goddess of the afterlife and new life in Spring. Persephone means “all around (Περ) + synchronized (σε) + blood-letting (φόνη).” This may suggest that Persephone is invoked as a Goddess of battle, however, she is more often described as the personification of the divine Mother/Daughter relationship and the death and renewal of life. The “blood-letting” may refer to menstruation instead of or in addition to the connotation of slaying.


[2] Dios refers to Zeus, the immortal God of lightning storms and the spark of fire/spark of life.


[3] Aidao is the afterlife.


[4] Gaia is the immortal Goddess of generative earth.


[5] Praxidike is the immortal Goddess who exacts justice: the practitioner (Πραξι) of Justice/Dike  (δίκη).


[6] Deeous is Demeter, the immortal Goddess who directs the growth of the life on earth, the “Directing (Δη) + Mother (μήτερος).”


[7] The Eumenides, “Good Powers,” is another name for the Goddesses who avenge crimes and persecute wrongdoers.


[8] Basileia means Queen, ruler.


[9] Euboulos means “Good Counselor,” and is another name for the immortal God of wine and its effects, Dionysos. Some traditions relate that Persephone was Dionysos-Zagreos’ first mother (by Zeus) and that he was “torn to bits” and then given by Zeus to his mortal mother, Semele, in a drink, who was made pregnant. Semele subsequently was incinerated by Zeus’ divine fire. Zeus then sewed Dionysos into his own thigh to complete gestation.


[10] The Hours are the immortal Goddesses of the seasons, of the natural time for things to occur.


[11] Phersephone literally means bearing (Φερσε) + bloodshed (φόνεια). This may refer to her role as a Goddess of the afterlife and perhaps could refer to menstruation as well.


[12] Eirene is the immortal Goddess of peace.


[13] Hygeia is the immortal Goddess of health.


[14] Anassa means Queen, lady.


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