Translated by Catherine Proppe, September 1, 2015
81. Ζεφύρου, θυμίαμα λίβανον.
To Zephyros, the West Wind
Divine connection: libanon (frankincense)
Αὖραι παντογενεῖς Ζεφυριτίδες, ἠεροφοῖται,
The Aurai’s[1] all-birthgiving Zephyros[2], air-roaming,
ἡδύπνοοι ψιθυραί, θανάτου ἀνάπαυσιν ἔχουσαι,
Sweet-breathed whispers of mortal repose held fast[3]
εἰαριναί, λειμωνιάδες, πεποθημέναι ὅρμοις,
Spring meadows ripen in the sun to divine power moored
σύρουσαι ναυσὶ τρυφερὸν ὅρμον, ἠέρα κοῦφον·
Trailing, floating, delicately moored aereal effervesence.
ἔλθοιτ’ εὐμενέουσαι, ἐπιπνείουσαι ἀμεμφεῖς,
Come, kindly power, upon exhalations above reproach
ἠέριαι, ἀφανεῖς, κουφόπτεροι, ἀερόμορφοι.
Aerial, invisible, light-winged, air-formed.
[1] The Aurai (arising above (Α) + pure (ὖ) + flow (ρ) arising (α)ι) are the immortal Goddesses of “the Winds, swift daughters of Boreas…” (Quintus of Smyrna, The War at Troy 1.684, trans. Frederick M. Combellack, University of Oklahoma Press, 1968.) Boreas is the God of the north, of the north wind.
[2] Zephyros is the immortal God of the west wind and Spring renewal, literally: “spark (Ζ) + essence of (ε) + nature (φ) + pure (ύ) + flow (ρ)ου.”
Zephyros has a “fertilizing breath.” From: Book I. Matter and Space, On the Nature of the Universe, by Lucretius, translated by R. E. Latham, Penguin Books, Middlesex, England (1951).
“Through you [Venus/Aphrodite] all living creatures are conceived and come forth to look upon the sunlight. Before you the winds flee, and at your coming the clouds forsake the sky. For you the inventive earth flings up sweet flowers. For you the ocean levels laugh, the sky is calmed and glows with diffused radiance. When first the day puts on the aspect of spring, when in all its force the fertilizing breath of Zephyr[2] is unleashed, then, great [G]oddess, the birds of air give the first intimation of your entry; for yours is the power that has pierced them to the heart.”
[3] The west is considered the realm of the deceased because it is where the sun and stars set. It is also the source of the breath of new life in Spring.
81. Ζεφύρου, θυμίαμα λίβανον.
To Zephyros, the West Wind
Divine connection: libanon (frankincense)
Αὖραι παντογενεῖς Ζεφυριτίδες, ἠεροφοῖται,
The Aurai’s[1] all-birthgiving Zephyros[2], air-roaming,
ἡδύπνοοι ψιθυραί, θανάτου ἀνάπαυσιν ἔχουσαι,
Sweet-breathed whispers of mortal repose held fast[3]
εἰαριναί, λειμωνιάδες, πεποθημέναι ὅρμοις,
Spring meadows ripen in the sun to divine power moored
σύρουσαι ναυσὶ τρυφερὸν ὅρμον, ἠέρα κοῦφον·
Trailing, floating, delicately moored aereal effervesence.
ἔλθοιτ’ εὐμενέουσαι, ἐπιπνείουσαι ἀμεμφεῖς,
Come, kindly power, upon exhalations above reproach
ἠέριαι, ἀφανεῖς, κουφόπτεροι, ἀερόμορφοι.
Aerial, invisible, light-winged, air-formed.
[1] The Aurai (arising above (Α) + pure (ὖ) + flow (ρ) arising (α)ι) are the immortal Goddesses of “the Winds, swift daughters of Boreas…” (Quintus of Smyrna, The War at Troy 1.684, trans. Frederick M. Combellack, University of Oklahoma Press, 1968.) Boreas is the God of the north, of the north wind.
[2] Zephyros is the immortal God of the west wind and Spring renewal, literally: “spark (Ζ) + essence of (ε) + nature (φ) + pure (ύ) + flow (ρ)ου.”
Zephyros has a “fertilizing breath.” From: Book I. Matter and Space, On the Nature of the Universe, by Lucretius, translated by R. E. Latham, Penguin Books, Middlesex, England (1951).
“Through you [Venus/Aphrodite] all living creatures are conceived and come forth to look upon the sunlight. Before you the winds flee, and at your coming the clouds forsake the sky. For you the inventive earth flings up sweet flowers. For you the ocean levels laugh, the sky is calmed and glows with diffused radiance. When first the day puts on the aspect of spring, when in all its force the fertilizing breath of Zephyr[2] is unleashed, then, great [G]oddess, the birds of air give the first intimation of your entry; for yours is the power that has pierced them to the heart.”
[3] The west is considered the realm of the deceased because it is where the sun and stars set. It is also the source of the breath of new life in Spring.
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