46. Λικνίτου, θυμίαμα μάνναν.
To the Sacred Winnowing
Divine connection: manna
Λικνίτην Διόνυσον ἐπ’ ευχαῖς ταῖσδε κικλήσκω,
Winnowing[1] Dionysian[2] upon appointed prayers I call,
Νύσιον ἀμφιθαλῆ, πεποθημένον, εὔφρονα Βάκχον,
Nysian surrounded by abundance, all long for the wise Bacchian,
νυμφῶν ἔρνος ἐραστὸν ἐυστεφάνου τ' Ἀφροδίτης,
Aphrodite’s[3] nymphs[4] newly formed, lovely, fair-crowned
ὅς ποτ' ἀνὰ δρυμοὺς κεχορευμένα βήματα πάλλες
Once rose in the woods in a circling measured dance of youth
σὺν νύμφαις χαρίεσσιν ἐλαυνόμενος μανίηισι,
And in concert with the Grace’s[5] nymphs drove off mania
καὶ βουλαῖσι Διὸς πρὸς ἀγαυὴν Φερσεφόνειαν
And then counselors divine[6] led to glorious Phersephone[7]
ἀχθεὶς ἐξετράφης φίλος ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσιν.
Who carries the load of bringing to fruition beloved humans divine
εὔφρων ἐλθέ, μάκαρ, κεχαρισμένα δ' ἱερὰ δέξαι.
Wise one, come, blessed, gracious divine power, accept these offerings.
[1] The liknon is a broad winnowing basket in which grain is placed after threshing (beating). The grain is then throne against the wind to winnow the heavier grain from the lightweight chaff, literally “release (Λι) + core (κ).” The seed falls into the basket or to the ground ready for collection and the chaff is blown away by the wind. The chaff is the seed covering and lightweight stem of the plant. In some societies the threshing was accomplished by stomping on the grains and may have evolved into a ritualized threshing dance.
[2] Dionysos is the immortal God of wine and its effects. Followers of Dionysos/Bachhos are often depicted as wild dancers.
[3] Aphrodite is the immortal Goddess of sexual passion.
[4] Nymphs are beautiful young Goddesses who preside over a particular place in nature. In ancient Greece young girls were sometimes referred to as nymphs.
[5] The Graces/Charites are the immortal Goddesses who bestow unearned blessings.
[6] It is not clear who “Dios” refers to, a reference to a deiity.
[7] Phersephone is Persephone, the immortal Goddess of the afterlife and new life in Spring.
To the Sacred Winnowing
Divine connection: manna
Λικνίτην Διόνυσον ἐπ’ ευχαῖς ταῖσδε κικλήσκω,
Winnowing[1] Dionysian[2] upon appointed prayers I call,
Νύσιον ἀμφιθαλῆ, πεποθημένον, εὔφρονα Βάκχον,
Nysian surrounded by abundance, all long for the wise Bacchian,
νυμφῶν ἔρνος ἐραστὸν ἐυστεφάνου τ' Ἀφροδίτης,
Aphrodite’s[3] nymphs[4] newly formed, lovely, fair-crowned
ὅς ποτ' ἀνὰ δρυμοὺς κεχορευμένα βήματα πάλλες
Once rose in the woods in a circling measured dance of youth
σὺν νύμφαις χαρίεσσιν ἐλαυνόμενος μανίηισι,
And in concert with the Grace’s[5] nymphs drove off mania
καὶ βουλαῖσι Διὸς πρὸς ἀγαυὴν Φερσεφόνειαν
And then counselors divine[6] led to glorious Phersephone[7]
ἀχθεὶς ἐξετράφης φίλος ἀθανάτοισι θεοῖσιν.
Who carries the load of bringing to fruition beloved humans divine
εὔφρων ἐλθέ, μάκαρ, κεχαρισμένα δ' ἱερὰ δέξαι.
Wise one, come, blessed, gracious divine power, accept these offerings.
[1] The liknon is a broad winnowing basket in which grain is placed after threshing (beating). The grain is then throne against the wind to winnow the heavier grain from the lightweight chaff, literally “release (Λι) + core (κ).” The seed falls into the basket or to the ground ready for collection and the chaff is blown away by the wind. The chaff is the seed covering and lightweight stem of the plant. In some societies the threshing was accomplished by stomping on the grains and may have evolved into a ritualized threshing dance.
[2] Dionysos is the immortal God of wine and its effects. Followers of Dionysos/Bachhos are often depicted as wild dancers.
[3] Aphrodite is the immortal Goddess of sexual passion.
[4] Nymphs are beautiful young Goddesses who preside over a particular place in nature. In ancient Greece young girls were sometimes referred to as nymphs.
[5] The Graces/Charites are the immortal Goddesses who bestow unearned blessings.
[6] It is not clear who “Dios” refers to, a reference to a deiity.
[7] Phersephone is Persephone, the immortal Goddess of the afterlife and new life in Spring.
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