16. Ἥρης, θυμίαμα ἀρώματα.
To Hera, Goddess of Air*
Divine media: aromatics
Deep blue essence of the vaulted throne, air-formed godhead,
All-ruling blessed Hera, Dios’ partner in bed,
Psyche-nurturing breath, mortal foundation, gentle
Mother of rainstorms, wind-nurturer, giving birth to all,
Separate, for thou, and not the whole, determines life’s nature,
In union, for all mixes by means of sacred air,
All, for all four realms are ruled solely by your regime,
Winds, sounds, motion’s power, and every stream.
And so, blessed Goddess, many-named Basileia over all,
Come, kindly power, bring your countenance, beautiful, joyful.
Notes:
*“And first the fourfold root of all things hear!--
White gleaming Zeus (Ζεύς), life-bringing Here (Ἥρη), Dis (Ἀϊδωνεύς),
And Nestis (Νῆστις) whose tears bedew mortality."
-Empedocles, Poeta Philosophus (On Nature) 6.1-3
Also, Plutarch, Isis and Osiris 32 and Virgil, Aeneid I.42-45
Dios, Zeus, God of the spark of lightning and spark of fire, spark of life
16. Ἥρης, θυμίαμα ἀρώματα.
Κυανέοις κόλποισιν ἐνημένη, ἀερόμορφε,
Ἥρη παμβασίλεια, Διὸς σύλλεκτρε μάκαιρα,
ψυχοτρόφους αὔρας θνητοῖς παρέχουσα προσηνεῖς,
ὄμβρων μὲν μήτηρ, ἀνέμων τροφέ, παντογένεθλε·
χωρὶς γὰρ σέθεν οὐδὲν ὅλως ζωῆς φύσιν ἔγνω·
κοινωνεῖς γὰρ ἅπασι κεκραμένη ἠέρι σεμνῶι·
πάντων γὰρ κρατέεις μούνη πάντεσσί τ' ἀνάσσεις
ἠερίοις ῥοίζοισι τινασσομένη κατὰ χεῦμα.
ἀλλά, μάκαιρα θεά, πολυώνυμε, παμβασίλεια,
ἔλθοις εὐμενέουσα καλῶι γήθουσα προσώπωι.