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.
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.
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