I praise bright-eyed Nemesis, daughter of dark-cloaked Nyx,
Nemesis who watches, who knows whenever
we have done harm, who makes certain that all evil
is punished, that all who are guilty receive their due.
Swift-winged Nemesis, bearer of the apple branch,
in days of old were you well honored, goddess,
by those who suffered the losses and pains of love;
many were the false-hearted lovers who felt your wrath.
Fair-minded Nemesis, just one, unyielding one
you are the firmest foe of cruel and violent men,
you are the avenger of the wronged, the disperser
of right reward. Nemesis, I honor you.
Archives
Persephone
Persephone, glorious goddess, fair one
with hair that flows like ripened grain, eyes that catch
the clear blue sky, a smile sweet yet shadowed,
O light-footed one who dances in flowered fields,
I praise you. Persephone, lovely one who knows
the feel of sun on skin, who knows as well the press
of cold stone against warm flesh, in the world
of the living, no maid is so alive as you.
In the world of the dead, Persephone, you reign
as queen, crowned with riches unsurpassed, enthroned
in splendor, honored above all others. Goddess,
child of the earth, bride of the darkness, I honor you.
Zeus
Zeus of the lightning-strike, Zeus of the sturdy oak,
we hear you in the clash of thunder, we see you
in the bright-lit night, we feel you in the air,
in the exhilaration of the storm. I praise you,
O god whose will it is that the clouds gather low
in the sky, whose gift of rain pulls life from the earth.
Great Zeus, friend of those who wander the world,
of those who are ever again among strangers,
friend of those who rely on the honor and virtue
of others, I praise you, O god of the righteous
whose wrath falls on those who prey on the exile
and the outcast, the recluse and the solitary.
Zeus of the prophets, Zeus of many oracles,
kindly one whose words we hear in silent voices
or see in the throw of the bones, whose messages
we know by their truth alone. I praise you,
O god who is the source of all visions and signs,
of all that is foretold by mortal seekers and seers.
Agathos Daimon
I call to you for favor, my own good spirit,
my Agathos Daimon, my companion through life.
From the day of my birth you have walked next to me,
turned me from all evil, kept me safe from those
who would do me harm. In days of old, kind spirit,
you received offerings of strong wine, you were honored
at great banquets and in the home. Faithful one,
unfailing guardian of my luck, I turn to you
for counsel when I am in doubt, for direction
when I am uncertain. Mild and helpful spirit,
I thank you for your guidance, I thank you
for your blessings. Agathos Daimon, I honor you.
Ariadne
Ariadne of the winding way, wise one
who knows the shortest path may not be the best,
daughter of old Crete, you have seen the fall of cities,
you have seen the death and the resurrection of faith,
you have lived many lives and begun many journeys.
Clever girl, your wit and wile break open any
mystery, solve any puzzle, answer any riddle.
Best beloved of wine-soaked Dionysos,
you lead the maenads in their dance, ever circling,
ever inward; you face the unknown with no fear,
knowing that whatever may be, you are its equal.
Ariadne, you lead at once with head and heart,
you open your whole self to what may come. Goddess,
I thank you for your blessings and your many gifts.
Hypnos
Gentle Hypnos, child of night-dwelling Nyx,
master of far-flung Erebos, far beyond
the path of the sun, I honor you, I thank you
for your blessings. Dark is your hall, O Hypnos,
dark and deep; red are the poppies that grow
at your gate. Young and fair you are, O Hypnos,
so beautiful in repose. Kind and good you are,
O brother of death, O granter of rest
to the weary, of respite to those whose need
for your comfort is desperate and dire. Hypnos,
fair-browed one whose gift of sleep restores us
to ourselves each day anew, I praise you.
Hades
Great Hades, master of the dark afterworld,
honored host of our beloved dead, husband
of fair-haired Persephone, holder of the riches
of the deep earth, eldest son of full-hearted Rhea
and Cronus of the shining sickle, I praise you.
Hades, kind one, unyielding one, gracious granter
of respite to the suffering, of welcome
to those who have passed from our world, I thank you
for your gift of shelter and hospitality.
Eris
I praise comely Eris, daughter of dark-cloaked Nyx,
wrathful one who knows her own worth, who knows the purpose
of conflict and rage, who knows that there are times
when vengeance is the proper response, when anger
is fitting. Eris, spirit of discord, spirit
of strife and of striving, spirit of rivalry,
in times of old it was well known that yours
is a world of nature and need, that you see well
the struggle within us. Eris of the battlefield,
Eris of the golden apple, I honor you.
Athena
Bright-helmed Athena of the steady gaze,
mistress of many skills, bearer of much knowledge,
ever-insightful one who cherishes reason,
who holds wisdom dear. Athena of the aegis,
spear-shaker, holder of the Gorgon shield, war-maid
who steps into battle with lightness and grace
as if it were dance, the clash of swords ringing
like cymbals to your ears. Athena who rewards
the clever and the brave with fair fame, friend of those
who face the world with open eyes and guarded heart,
for those who make their own luck will find their fortune
grows strong and stronger. Goddess, I praise you in all things.
To Eileithuia
Kind Eileithuia, goddess most dear to mothers,
goddess most ancient, goddess most necessary,
I praise your name, I honor your calling.
Eileithuia, in Crete were you well honored.
Lady of Amnisos, within the deep earth
your temple lay of old, within the deep earth
did you receive offerings of cakes and sweet honey.
Bearer of torches, bringer of new life
into the bright world, Eileithuia, I praise you.
Underflow 