#Elaphebolia

[aceofcupsbiggestfan]

Elaphebolia

~ 6 Elaphebolion ~

The Athenian and Phocian festival of Elaphebolia celebrates Artemis Elaphebolos, Artemis the deer slayer.

Not much is known about the day besides that offerings were made to Artemis on this day, along with rites to her.

Traditional Offerings:

Honey Cakes

Sesame Cakes

Food in the shape of stags

Deer Imagery

Traditional Acts:

Learning Artemis Myths

Hunting

Caring for daughters

Hymns and Offerings to Artemis

Khaire Artemis ! 🦌🏹🌿

#hellenic polytheism #hellenic witch #hellenism #hellenic deities #hellenic polytheistic #hellenic worship #hellenistic #theoi #helpol #artemis #lady artemis #artemis festival #elaphebolia

[verdantlyviolet]

My Artemisia ἀρτεμίσια 🏹

The myths of Artemis surrounding Argos indicate she has a far larger sphere of influence than I yet give her credit. She is Peitho, the goddess who persuaded Hera to free the girls who slighted her from madness, but also she who influenced the jury to acquit Hypermnestra for betraying her father. On the road to Arkadia she is Orthia, of the steep mountain pass. Yet still too is she in the agora beside the temple of her brother, as Zeus gave her domain of the wilds and access to cities’ agorai (Callimachus).

For now I celebrate the Artemisia with what little we know of the Athenian Elaphebolia, with Artemis as goddess of the hunt and the wilds, by camping with my dog out in the bush.

(Campsite muddy from spring rain)

Then there is the ἔλαφος. This is a cheesecake made on the festival of Elaphebolia, of wheat-flour, and honey, and sesame.

-Deipnosophists 14.55 Athenaeus

But Plato, in his Phaon, says— The mullet is not wholesome for the nerves, For it is sacred to the chaste Diana, And all excitement hates. But Hegesander the Delphian says that the mullet is accustomed to be carried about in the Artemisia, because it is accustomed diligently to hunt out and destroy the sea-hares, which are poisonous animals; on which account, as it does this to the great benefit of mankind, the mullet as a huntress is considered sacred to the goddess who is also a huntress.

-Deipnosophists 7.126 Athenaeus

(Preserved meat and waxed hard cheese on bread thins)

Artemisia (ἀρτεμίσια) one of the great festivals celebrated in honour of Artemis in various parts of Greece, in the spring of the year. We find it mentioned at Syracuse in honour of Artemis Potamia and Soteria (Pind. Pyth. II.12). It lasted three days, which were principally spent in feasting and amusements (Liv. XXV.23; Plut. Marcell. 18). Bread was offered to her under the name of Λοχία (Hesych. s.v.). But these festivals occur in many other places in Greece, as at Delphi, where, according to Hegesander (Athen. VII p325), they offered to the goddess a mullet on this occasion; because it appeared to hunt and kill the sea-hare, and thus bore some resemblance to Artemis, the goddess of hunting.

(Gnawing on a tasty bone)

#Artemisia #festivals #oikothen #Elaphebolia #Artemis

[diana-thyme]

Greek Gods 101: Artemis

Artemis is a Goddess of hunting, wild animals, childbirth, the wilderness, archery, youth, healing, and disease. Excluding the universal offerings, some common offerings include:

Depictions of the Moon

Moon Water

Lavender

Bows

Arrows

Flowers

Moss

Honey

Photos or Figurines of Animals

For devotional acts, some activities that can be done for her include:

Learning Archery

Going Hunting

Taking Care of Animals

Taking Care of Youth

Moon-Watching or Stargazing

Learning About Wildlife Conservation

Taking Care of Stray Animals (Giving Them Water, Putting Out Food, Bringing Them to Vets, Etc.)

Volunteering at an Animal Shelter

She is celebrated in 6 Athenian holidays:

Elaphebolia

Delphinia

Mounykhia

Thargelia

Artemis Agrotera/Kharisteria

Bendideia, maybe

#artemis #artemis goddess #hellenism #helpol #deities #hellenic #hellenic polytheism #hellenic community #hellenic pagan #hellenic polytheist #hellenic deities

[delightingintragedy]

I know people who pray to the gods, mainly Ares, Athena, and Aphrodite I've seen, for protection from impending war, or to protect those near the war zone, I'd also like to add that you can pray to or work with Artemis under this epithet:

"Artemis Elaphêbolos is the stag-killer, the shooter of deer, the huntress, who relishes the chase. She's the slayer of prey, both animal and human, and in ancient Hellas, she guarded Hyampolis and the surrounding cities from the horrors of war."

Source: Baring the Aegis: The Modest Festival of Elaphebolia

#hellenic #hellenic polytheism #hellenism #helpol #hellenismos #epithets #artemis #quotes

[princesmeadow]

To Lady Artemis for Elaphebolia!

I'm a bit late to the show, but im here

Traditionally, you would set out deer shaped cakes for the sharp shooting Goddess, but perhaps my music will do to play while you eat!

#lyre harp #helpol #hellenic festivals #hellenic pagan #lyre music #witchblr #paganblr #witch blog #pagan blog #lyre player #artemis deity

[coinandcandle]

Artemis Deity Guide

The Romans knew her as Diana, she is the goddess of the Moon, the hunt, the wildlife, as well as mothers and maidens.

Who is Artemis?

Most associated with the moon and wildlife, Artemis is also known to be a goddess who reigns over childbirth, as she helped deliver her own brother soon after she herself was born. She lends a hand in the cycles of nature and the wild creatures within it.

Unlike her more extroverted brother, Artemis prefers wildlife and nature rather than hanging out with other deities. That being said, she seems to have a soft spot for humans.

She is a virgin goddess, sworn to chastity of her own will.

Parents and Siblings

Zeus is her father, her mother is Leto

Apollo is her only full sibling.

Ares

Dionysus

Hermes

Hephaestus

Heracles

Minos

Perseus

Rhadamanthus

Athena

Persephone

Eileithyia

Hebe

Eris

Helen of Troy

The Graces

The Muses

Moirae

Lovers or Partners

Orion, though not all myths agree that they were romantic partners, some believe that they were hunting partners or close friends.

Children

None

Epithets

Diana

Phoebe

Selene, the personification of the Moon, is different than Artemis but her name still became an epithet during the Hellenistic period.

Artemis Orthia

Agrotera (“she of the hunt”)

Keladeinē (“strong-voiced”)

Parthenos (“virgin”)

These included Hekatēbolos and Hekatē (“far-shooter”)

Hekaergē (“far-worker”)

Iocheaira (“she of the showering arrows”)

Delia, referring to the island where her and her brother were born

Sōteira (“savior”)

Phōsphoros (“bringer of light”)

Eileithyia (in her capacity as a goddess of childbirth)

undefined

Artemis Daphnaia

Festivals/Holy Days

Elaphebolia

Charisteria/Kharisteria

The Munichia

The Brauronia

The Laphria

Thargelia.) Her birthday, the sixth day of the Greek month Thargelion, which would be May 24th in the Gregorian calender. (Apollos is the day after hers)

Artemisia

Notes

Artemis also held domain over initiation rites for everyone--male and female historically, though with progressive society, I mean "everyone" as in everyone. All genders included--when entering new life phases; i.e. child to adult, virgin to spouse, spouse to parent, and so on.

From literature we know that the twins didn’t immediately start out as deities of the moon and sun respectively.

Eileithyia and Hecate were mistakenly identified with Artemis and thus their names were occasionally epithets of the Goddess.

Modern Deity Work

Correspondences

Disclaimer - Not all of these are traditional or historic correspondences nor do they need to be. However, any correspondence that can be considered traditional will be marked with a (T).

Rocks/Stone/Crystals

Moonstone

Pearl

Silver

Clear quartz

Amethyst

Selenite

Opal

Herbs/Plants

Cypress (T)

Laurel (T)

Palm tree (T)

Mugwort or any other plants in the Artemisia family!

Amaranth

Lilies

Chamomile

Wildflowers

Animals

Boar (T)

Deer (Doe and Stag) (T)

Heron (T)

Bear (T)

Symbols

Bow and arrows (T)

Quiver (T)

Spears

Lyre

Crown, usually of foliage, sometimes metal with a crescent moon

The Moon (T)

Offerings

Any of the items or iconography of the things listed above

Art of or that reminds you of Artemis (T)

Meat, especially if you've hunted it yourself (T)

A lock of your hair (T)

Olives, olive oil, olive branch (T)

Honey (T)

Water (T)

Baked goods

Fruits and nuts, especially if foraged by yourself

Moon water

Acts of Devotion

Take care of and respect the nature around you

undefined

Take up animal-focused activism

Hunt (ethically, of course!) (T)

Listen to or create music that reminds you of her.

Read/sing Hymns to her (T)

Honor her mother and Apollo; in literature they both held much love for their twin and their mom.

Research her history and mythology

Take care of children or donate to children’s shelters

Keep in mind that these are only some ideas for offerings and correspondences! Items and activities that connect you to her in a more personal way are just as good, and often better, than those you find on the internet. As with any relationship, feel it out, ask questions, and be attentive and receptive!

References and Further Reading

Artemis - Mythopedia

Mythopedia has huge lists on either page for further reading on both Artemis and Apollo.

Artemis - Wikipedia

Artemis - Theoi Project

More Epithets here and here

Artemis - Greekmythology.com

Myths of Greece and Rome; Artemis (Diana) By Jane Harrison (via Sacred-Texts)

Fun Fact about Coin: I learned a little late in the game that the “guardian angel” that had been with me since I was young was in fact Artemis. Though I haven’t worked with her for some time now.

#deity deep dive #deity work #deity guide #artemis #artemis deity guide #diana #pagansim #hellenism #hellenic polytheism

[rayrex0fartemis]

Artemisia: The Holy Days of Artemis

In Ionia and Crete had their New Year’s on the spring equinox, the month Artemisios (Artemision in Ephesus), which is associated with the Zodiac Aries. Later during the reign of Augustus, the New Year’s was changed to Libra, the month of his birthday.

Regarding festivals and celebrations, according to Mary Galvin in her “BIOΣ ~ APTEMIΣ” described common elements of Artemision festivals were “…eating and drinking, singing and dancing, precessions, competitions and sacrifice were common activities despite local variations…” (Vol.1-1, page 243). Night time festivals for Artemis were quite common.

The 6th day of every month is devoted to Artemis. Also in Ephesus, every night of the full moon and new moon is an Epiphany celebration that featured an appearance from Artemis to people celebrating.

Artemision

Zodiac: Aries; Spring Equinox; 2023: March 20th – April 20th

Also known as Artemisios. The New Year starts off with a bang! In ~162 AD it was declared that the month, named after Artemis is sacred and no public business will be allowed.

An annual pan-Ionian festival, “Ephesia”! It was held at Panionium from the 6th to 5th centuries BC, then it was moved to Ephesus. Nocturnal festival full of competitions and banquets involving the youth. It was also characterized by choral dancing and other musical competitions. Women and children were also especially encouraged to participate.

Artemisia festival. Month long festival with processions, sacrifice, music, dancing, and competitions. It featured a torch race and winners dedicated their success to Artemis.

A marriage festival was featured in Xenophon’s Ephesian Tales. Young men and women from and around Ephesus choose their spouse. After the young adults found their partner they’ll dress up in elaborate and colorful clothes and go on a procession to the Temple of Artemis. They are accompanied with music and dancing, sang hymns to Artemis with her images surround the procession. At the Temple they newlyweds confirmed their marriage with a sacrifice to Artemis.

The beginning of Spring marks the opening of the port of Ephesus after it was closed during winter. At the harbor an image of Artemis was brought from the Artemision and cast it into the water. They believed that her power would protect sailors, navigators, and people traveling on the sea. Artemis Ephesia was known as the “Queen of the Sea”.

Numerous other festivals were observed throughout the month making the entire month practically a “Holimonth”, as the days were called “Holy Days of Artemis”.

Richard Oster states: “We can be sure that this was one of the largest and most significant celebrations in Ephesus’ liturgical calendar”.

The observation of the month was taken very seriously, even Roman officials weren’t immune to criticism when some of them were seen as impious towards Artemis’ holy days. The numerous festivals brought many tourists that brought significant income to Ephesus.

Lastly, on the sixth day the there’s the Elaphebolia. Hyampolis celebrated their victory against the Thessalians, thanks to Artemis. People enjoyed offering and eating deer-shaped cakes with honey and sesame.

Notes taken from:

Riteveld’s Artemis of the Ephesians

Mary Galvin’s BIOΣ ~ APTEMIΣ

2023 Dates: https://www.yourzodiacsign.com/calendar/2023/

#artemis #greek gods #ancient rome #diana goddess #roman history #anatolia #asia minor #ancient greek #roman mythology #classical mythology #classical period #hellenism #ephesus #ionia #greek mythology #ephesians

[thegodsaremyhome]

Hellenic Festivals Masterlist

(I’ll add the links as I go)

-Attic Calender post-

-Monthly Holidays-

♡ Noumenia ♡ Agathos Daimon ♡ Hekate’s Deipnon

-Yearly Holidays-

♡ Adonia ♡ Anthesteria ♡ Aphrodisia ♡ Chloia ♡ Diasia ♡ Dikhomenia ♡ Dionysia ♡ Elaphebolia ♡ Genesia ♡ Haloa ♡ Kallynteria ♡ Khalkeia ♡ Kronia ♡ Plynteria ♡ Proerosia ♡ Pyanepsia ♡ Thalysia ♡ Thargelia ♡ Theogamia

#masterlist #resource

[catnip-reed]

My calendar, translated to our modern calendar for ease.

January:

• Not included. Started my translation in February.

February:

• 1st - Imbolc

• 3rd-6rd - Lenaia

• 11th - Libation to Aphrodite

• 14th - Valentine’s Day

• 18th - Theogamia

• 20th - Hekate’s Deipnon

• 21st - Noumenia

• 22nd - Agathos Daimon

• 23rd - Veles and Lucifer’s Day of Worship

• 24th - Aphrodite, Hermes, Loki, and Freyja’s Day of Worship

• 25th - Dionysus and Prince Seere’s Day of Worship

• 26th - Ares’ Day of Worship

• 27th - Apollon’s Day of Worship

• 28th - Melinoe and Hades’ Day of Worship

March:

• 1st - Zeus, Hera, and Egeria’s Day of Worship

• 3rd-5th - Anthestaria

• 11th - Libation to Hephaistos

• 15th - Diasia

• 17th - St. Patrick’s Day

• 21st - Ostara

• 22nd - Hekate’s Deipnon

• 23rd - Noumenia

• 24th - Agathos Daimon

• 25th - Veles and Lucifer’s Day of Worship

• 26th - Aphrodite, Hermes, Loki, and Freyja’s Day of Worship

• 27th - Dionysus and Prince Seere’s Day of Worship

• 28th - Ares’ Day of Worship / Elaphebolia

• 29th - Apollon’s Day of Worship

• 30th - Melinoe and Hades’ Day of Worship / Asklepia

• 31st - Zeus, Hera, and Egeria’s Day of Worship

April:

• 1st-8th - Dionysia ta Astika

• 8th - Pandia / Libation to Artemis

• 9th - Easter

• 20th - Hekate’s Deipnon

• 21st - Noumenia

• 22nd - Agathos Daimon / Earth Day

• 23rd - Veles and Lucifer’s Day of Worship

• 24th - Aphrodite, Hermes, Loki, and Freyja’s Day of Worship

• 25th - Dionysus and Prince Seere’s Day of Worship

• 26th - Ares’ Day of Worship / Delphinia

• 27th - Apollon’s Day of Worship

• 28th - Melinoe and Hades’ Day of Worship

• 29th - Zeus, Hera, and Egeria’s Day of Worship

May:

• 1st - Beltane

• 5th - Cinco de Mayo

• 6th - Mounykhia

• 9th - Olympeia

• 13th - Libation to Apollon

• 20th - Hekate’s Deipnon

• 21st - Noumenia

• 22nd - Agathos Daimon

• 23rd - Veles and Lucifer’s Day of Worship

• 24th - Aphrodite, Hermes, Loki, and Freyja’s Day of Worship

• 25th - Dionysus and Prince Seere’s Day of Worship

• 26th - Ares’ Day of Worship / Thargelia

• 27th - Apollon’s Day of Worship / Thargelia

• 28th - Melinoe and Hades’ Day of Worship

• 29th - Zeus, Hera, and Egeria’s Day of Worship

June:

• 8th - Bendideia

• 10th - Libation to Zeus

• 14th - Kallynteria

• 15th - Plynteria

• 18th - Hekate’s Deipnon

• 19th - Noumenia

• 20th - Agathos Daimon

• 21st - Veles and Lucifer’s Day of Worship / Arrephobia / Litha

• 22nd - Aphrodite, Hermes, Loki, and Freyja’s Day of Worship

• 23rd - Dionysus and Prince Seere’s Day of Worship

• 24th - Ares’ Day of Worship

• 25th - Apollon’s Day of Worship

• 26th - Melinoe and Hades’ Day of Worship

• 27th - Zeus, Hera, and Egeria’s Day of Worship

• 30th - Skira

July:

• 2nd - Bouphonia and Dipoleia

• 4th - Independence Day

• 8th - Libation to Athena

• 18th - Hekate’s Deipnon

• 19th - Noumenia

• 20th - Agathos Daimon

• 21st - Veles and Lucifer’s Day of Worship

• 22nd - Aphrodite, Hermes, Loki, and Freyja’s Day of Worship

• 23rd - Dionysus and Prince Seere’s Day of Worship

• 24th - Ares’ Day of Worship

• 25th - Apollon’s Day of Worship

• 26th - Melinoe and Hades’ Day of Worship

• 27th - Zeus, Hera, and Egeria’s Day of Worship

• 30th - Kronia

August:

• 1st - Lammas

• 2nd-3rd - Synoikia

• 10th-17th - Panathenaia ta Megala

• 12th - Libation to Hermes

• 17th - Hekate’s Deipnon

• 18th - Noumenia

• 19th - Agathos Daimon / Herakleia

• 20th - Veles and Lucifer’s Day of Worship

• 21st - Aphrodite, Hermes, Loki, and Freyja’s Day of Worship

• 22nd - Dionysus and Prince Seere’s Day of Worship

• 23rd - Ares’ Day of Worship

• 24th - Apollon’s Day of Worship

• 25th - Melinoe and Hades’ Day of Worship

• 26th - Zeus, Hera, and Egeria’s Day of Worship

September:

• 1st-4th - Eleusinia

• 2nd - Other Major Gods’ Day of Worship

• 6th - Hera Telkhinia

• 9th - Demeter and Persephone’s Day of Worship

• 11th - Zeus Epoptes

• 15th - Hekate’s Deipnon

• 16th - Noumenia

• 17th - Agathos Daimon / Niketeria

• 18th - Veles and Lucifer’s Day of Worship

• 19th - Aphrodite, Hermes, Loki, and Freyja’s Day of Worship

• 20th - Dionysus and Prince Seere’s Day of Worship / Genesios

• 21st-22nd - Mabon

• 21st - Ares’ Day of Worship / Artemis Agrotera

• 22nd - Apollon’s Day of Worship

• 23rd - Melinoe and Hades’ Day of Worship

• 24th - Zeus, Hera, and Egeria’s Day of Worship

• 27th - Demokratia

October:

• 2nd - Epidauria

• 7th - Libation to Hades

• 9th - Feast for Native Ancestors (Indigenous Peoples’ Day)

• 12th - Spirits (Nymphs, Spirits of the Home, etc.) Day of Worship

• 14th - Libation to Poseidon

• 15th - Hekate’s Deipnon

• 16th - Noumenia

• 17th - Agathos Daimon

• 18th - Veles and Lucifer’s Day of Worship

• 19th - Aphrodite, Hermes, Loki, and Freyja’s Day of Worship

• 20th - Dionysus and Prince Seere’s Day of Worship

• 21st - Ares’ Day of Worship / Proerosia

• 22nd - Apollon’s Day of Worship / Oskophoria / Pyanepsia

• 23rd - Melinoe and Hades’ Day of Worship / Theseia

• 24th - Zeus, Hera, and Egeria’s Day of Worship

• 26th-28th - Thesmophoria

• 31st - Halloween

• 31st-2nd - Día De Los Muertos

November:

• 31st-2nd - Día De Los Muertos

• 11th - Libation to Ares

• 14th - Hekate’s Deipnon / Khalkeia

• 15th - Noumenia

• 16th - Agathos Daimon

• 17th - Veles and Lucifer’s Day of Worship

• 18th - Aphrodite, Hermes, Loki, and Freyja’s Day of Worship

• 19th - Dionysus and Prince Seere’s Day of Worship

• 20th - Ares’ Day of Worship

• 21st - Apollon’s Day of Worship

• 22nd - Melinoe and Hades’ Day of Worship

• 23rd - Zeus, Hera, and Egeria’s Day of Worship / Thanksgiving

• 24th - Pompaia

December:

• 9th - Libation to Dionysus

• 13th - Hekate’s Deipnon

• 14th - Noumenia

• 15th - Agathos Daimon

• 16th - Veles and Lucifer’s Day of Worship

• 17th - Aphrodite, Hermes, Loki, and Freyja’s Day of Worship

• 18th - Dionysus and Prince Seere’s Day of Worship / Plerosia

• 19th - Ares’ Day of Worship

• 20th - Apollon’s Day of Worship

• 21st-22nd - Heliogenna

• 21st - Melinoe and Hades’ Worship / Poseidea / Yule

• 22nd - Zeus, Hera, and Egeria’s Day of Worship

• 23rd - Rural Dionysia

• 24th - Christmas Eve / Feast of the Seven Fishes

• 25th - Christmas

[brookston]

Holidays 3.16

Holidays

Austin 3:16 Day

Black Press Day

Curlew Day

Dandelion Day (French Republic)

Day After Dumbstruck Day

Day of the Book Smugglers (Lithuania)

Everything You Do Is Right Day

Freedom of Information Day

Goddard Day

Gumby Day

Halabja Massacre Anniversary Day (Turkey)

International Macaque Day

Latvian Legion Day (Latvia)

Liberty Day

Lips Appreciation Day (a.k.a. Love Your Lips Day)

The Lord’s Day

My Lai Day

National Archer Day

National Curl Crush Day

National Panda Day

National Red Cross Instructors Day

National Vaccination Day

No Selfies Day

Panda Day

Rachel Corrie Day

Rocket Day

Shattered Citadel Day

Stone Cold Day

St. Patrick’s Eve

Tell A Mockingbird To Shut Up Day

Vitamin C Day

West Point Day

Wild Spring Flower Festival (India)

World Theatre of the Oppressed Day

Young Careers Action Day (UK)

Food & Drink Celebrations

National Artichoke Hearts Day

National Lumpia Day

3rd Saturday in March

Digital Cleanup Day [3rd Saturday]

Girl Scout Sabbath [3rd Saturday]

International Sports Car Racing Day [3rd Saturday]

Maple Syrup Saturday [3rd Saturday]

National Corn Dog Day [3rd Saturday]

National Quilting Day [3rd Saturday]

National Tequila Day (Mexico) [3rd Saturday]

Recorder Day (a.k.a. Play the Recorder Day) [3rd Saturday]

Save the Florida Panther Day (Florida) [3rd Saturday]

World Blender Meetup Day [3rd Saturday]

World Whisky Day [3rd Saturday]

Worldwide Quilting Day [3rd Saturday]

Independence & Related Days

Aquedneck Constitution Day & Name Change to Rhode Island (1641)

Babikiria (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Republic of Long Island (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Festivals Beginning March 16, 2024

Armageddon Expo (Tauranga, New Zealand) [thru 3.17]

Bacchanalia begins (Ancient Rome)

Bay Area Travel & Adventure Show (Santa Clara, California) [thru 3.17]

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival (Wilmington, North Carolina)

Capitol Market Green Chili Shootout (Charleston, South Carolina)

Hebron Maple Festival (Hebron, Connecticut) [thru 3.17]

Lewiston Sugar Festival (Clewiston, Florida)

MoCCA Arts Festival (New York, New York) [thru 3.17]

New York Maple Weekend (New Your statewide) [thru 3.17 & March 23-24]

Pecan and Wine Festival (Camp Verde, Arizona) [thru 3.17]

Popsicle Bridge Contest (Seattle, Washington)

Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry (Virginia City, Nevada)

Shrimpalooza (Homosasa, Florida)

St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Atlanta, Georgia)

St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Chicago, Illinois)

St. Patrick’s Day Parade (New York, New York)

St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Norfolk, Virginia)

St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival (San Diego, California)

Strumica Festival (Strumica, North Macedonia)

Sugar Camp Days (New Carlisle, Indiana) [thru 3.17]

taste Washington (Seattle, Washington) [thru 3.17]

Feast Days

Abbán (Christian; Saint)

Agapitus

Argei (Ancient Rome) [also 5.14]

The Day After Dumbstruck Day (Shamanism)

Dionysus' Day (Ancient Greece)

Elaphebolia (Festival of Artemis; Ancient Greece)

Epictetus (Positivist; Saint)

Feast of Bacchus (Ancient Greece)

Feat of the Hand of God (Goddess Iusaas or Iussaset at the Temple of Edfu; Ancient Egypt)

Finian Lobhar (a.k.a. Finian the Leper; Christian; Saint)

Great Cosmic Mother-of-All and You Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Hammerhead Doozer (Muppetism)

Hercules Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Heribert of Cologne (Christian; Saint)

Hilarius of Aquileia (Christian; Saint)

Jean-Antoine Gros (Artology)

Julian of Antioch (a.k.a. of Cilicia; Christian; Saint)

Kinky Underwear Day (Pastafarian)

Lady of the Lake Day (Celtic Book of Days)

Rosa Bonheur (Artology)

Saturday of Souls, Second (Eastern Orthodox) [57 Days before Easter]

Urho (Christian; Saint) [Finnish Americans & Canadians]

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Lucky Day (Philippines) [34 of 71]

Tomobiki (友引 Japan) [Good luck all day, except at noon.]

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [20 of 57]

Unglückstage (Unlucky Day; Pennsylvania Dutch) [12 of 30]

Very Unlucky Day (Grafton’s Manual of 1565) [15 of 60]

Premieres

The Absent-Minded Professor (Film; 1961)

Beatrice di Tenda, by Vincenzo Bellini (Opera; 1833)

Children of Dune (TV Mini-Series; 2003)

China Syndrome (Film; 1979)

Dog Watch (Disney Cartoon; 1945)

Ghost in the Shell (Film; 2017)

The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, by Victor Hugo (Novel; 1831)

Justified (TV Series; 2010)

La Petite Parade (Modern Madcaps Cartoon; 1959)

The Man on the Flying Trapeze (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1934)

Memento (Film; 2001)

Merry Mannequins (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1937)

Mickey’s Service Station (Disney Cartoon; 1935)

Pink Pistons (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1966)

The Saga of Windwagon Smith (Disney Cartoon; 1961)

The Scarlet Letter (Novel; 1850)

Thaïs, by Jules Massenet (Opera; 1894)

1776 (Broadway Musical; 1969)

Thank You, Jeeves, by P.G. Wodehouse (Novel; 1934) [Jeeves, #5]

Tomb Raider (Film; 2018)

Tops in the Big Top (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1945)

The Trumpeter of Krakow, by Eric P. Kelly (Novel; 1928)

Tweety and the Beanstalk (WB MM Cartoon; 1957)

21 Jump Street (Film; 2012)

Wings of Life (Documentary Film; 2011)

You Only Live Twice, by Ian Fleming (Novel; 1959) [James Bond #12]

Today’s Name Days

Eduard, Herbert (Austria)

Euzebija, Hilarije, Julijan (Croatia)

Elena, Herbert (Czech Republic)

Gudmund (Denmark)

Heero, Herbert, Herbi (Estonia)

Ilkka (Finland)

Bénédicte (France)

Herbert, Rüdiger (Germany)

Christodoulos, Ioulianos (Greece)

Henrietta (Hungary)

Eriberto, Ilario, Taziano (Italy)

Gabriels, Guntars, Guntis (Latvia)

Henrika, Norvilė, Vaidotas (Lithuania)

Gudmund, Gudny (Norway)

Abraham, Cyriak, Henryka, Herbert, Hiacynt, Hilary, Izabela, Oktawia (Poland)

Sabin (Romania)

Boleslav (Slovakia)

Abraham, Abrahán, Heriberto (Spain)

Gilbert, Herbert (Sweden)

Savina (Ukraine)

Bailee, Bailey, Baylee, Bayley, Melisa, Melissa, Melita, Melyta, Millicent, Millie, Missy (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 76 of 2024; 290 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 6 of week 11 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Nuin (Ash) [Day 28 of 28]

Chinese: Month 2 (Ding-Mao), Day 7 (Ji-Mao)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025)

Hebrew: 6 Adair II 5784

Islamic: 6 Ramadan 1445

J Cal: 16 Green; Twosday [16 of 30]

Julian: 3 March 2024

Moon: 50%: 1st Quarter

Positivist: 20 Aristotle (3rd Month) [Tacitus]

Runic Half Month: Beore (Birch Tree) [Day 7 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 87 of 89)

Week: 2nd Week of March

Zodiac: Pisces (Day 27 of 30)

#calendar #Holidays

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 3.16

Holidays

Austin 3:16 Day

Black Press Day

Curlew Day

Dandelion Day (French Republic)

Day After Dumbstruck Day

Day of the Book Smugglers (Lithuania)

Everything You Do Is Right Day

Freedom of Information Day

Goddard Day

Gumby Day

Halabja Massacre Anniversary Day (Turkey)

International Macaque Day

Latvian Legion Day (Latvia)

Liberty Day

Lips Appreciation Day (a.k.a. Love Your Lips Day)

The Lord’s Day

My Lai Day

National Archer Day

National Curl Crush Day

National Panda Day

National Red Cross Instructors Day

National Vaccination Day

No Selfies Day

Panda Day

Rachel Corrie Day

Rocket Day

Shattered Citadel Day

Stone Cold Day

St. Patrick’s Eve

Tell A Mockingbird To Shut Up Day

Vitamin C Day

West Point Day

Wild Spring Flower Festival (India)

World Theatre of the Oppressed Day

Young Careers Action Day (UK)

Food & Drink Celebrations

National Artichoke Hearts Day

National Lumpia Day

3rd Saturday in March

Digital Cleanup Day [3rd Saturday]

Girl Scout Sabbath [3rd Saturday]

International Sports Car Racing Day [3rd Saturday]

Maple Syrup Saturday [3rd Saturday]

National Corn Dog Day [3rd Saturday]

National Quilting Day [3rd Saturday]

National Tequila Day (Mexico) [3rd Saturday]

Recorder Day (a.k.a. Play the Recorder Day) [3rd Saturday]

Save the Florida Panther Day (Florida) [3rd Saturday]

World Blender Meetup Day [3rd Saturday]

World Whisky Day [3rd Saturday]

Worldwide Quilting Day [3rd Saturday]

Independence & Related Days

Aquedneck Constitution Day & Name Change to Rhode Island (1641)

Babikiria (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Republic of Long Island (Declared; 2019) [unrecognized]

Festivals Beginning March 16, 2024

Armageddon Expo (Tauranga, New Zealand) [thru 3.17]

Bacchanalia begins (Ancient Rome)

Bay Area Travel & Adventure Show (Santa Clara, California) [thru 3.17]

Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival (Wilmington, North Carolina)

Capitol Market Green Chili Shootout (Charleston, South Carolina)

Hebron Maple Festival (Hebron, Connecticut) [thru 3.17]

Lewiston Sugar Festival (Clewiston, Florida)

MoCCA Arts Festival (New York, New York) [thru 3.17]

New York Maple Weekend (New Your statewide) [thru 3.17 & March 23-24]

Pecan and Wine Festival (Camp Verde, Arizona) [thru 3.17]

Popsicle Bridge Contest (Seattle, Washington)

Rocky Mountain Oyster Fry (Virginia City, Nevada)

Shrimpalooza (Homosasa, Florida)

St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Atlanta, Georgia)

St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Chicago, Illinois)

St. Patrick’s Day Parade (New York, New York)

St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Norfolk, Virginia)

St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival (San Diego, California)

Strumica Festival (Strumica, North Macedonia)

Sugar Camp Days (New Carlisle, Indiana) [thru 3.17]

taste Washington (Seattle, Washington) [thru 3.17]

Feast Days

Abbán (Christian; Saint)

Agapitus

Argei (Ancient Rome) [also 5.14]

The Day After Dumbstruck Day (Shamanism)

Dionysus' Day (Ancient Greece)

Elaphebolia (Festival of Artemis; Ancient Greece)

Epictetus (Positivist; Saint)

Feast of Bacchus (Ancient Greece)

Feat of the Hand of God (Goddess Iusaas or Iussaset at the Temple of Edfu; Ancient Egypt)

Finian Lobhar (a.k.a. Finian the Leper; Christian; Saint)

Great Cosmic Mother-of-All and You Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Hammerhead Doozer (Muppetism)

Hercules Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Heribert of Cologne (Christian; Saint)

Hilarius of Aquileia (Christian; Saint)

Jean-Antoine Gros (Artology)

Julian of Antioch (a.k.a. of Cilicia; Christian; Saint)

Kinky Underwear Day (Pastafarian)

Lady of the Lake Day (Celtic Book of Days)

Rosa Bonheur (Artology)

Saturday of Souls, Second (Eastern Orthodox) [57 Days before Easter]

Urho (Christian; Saint) [Finnish Americans & Canadians]

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Lucky Day (Philippines) [34 of 71]

Tomobiki (友引 Japan) [Good luck all day, except at noon.]

Unfortunate Day (Pagan) [20 of 57]

Unglückstage (Unlucky Day; Pennsylvania Dutch) [12 of 30]

Very Unlucky Day (Grafton’s Manual of 1565) [15 of 60]

Premieres

The Absent-Minded Professor (Film; 1961)

Beatrice di Tenda, by Vincenzo Bellini (Opera; 1833)

Children of Dune (TV Mini-Series; 2003)

China Syndrome (Film; 1979)

Dog Watch (Disney Cartoon; 1945)

Ghost in the Shell (Film; 2017)

The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, by Victor Hugo (Novel; 1831)

Justified (TV Series; 2010)

La Petite Parade (Modern Madcaps Cartoon; 1959)

The Man on the Flying Trapeze (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1934)

Memento (Film; 2001)

Merry Mannequins (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1937)

Mickey’s Service Station (Disney Cartoon; 1935)

Pink Pistons (Pink Panther Cartoon; 1966)

The Saga of Windwagon Smith (Disney Cartoon; 1961)

The Scarlet Letter (Novel; 1850)

Thaïs, by Jules Massenet (Opera; 1894)

1776 (Broadway Musical; 1969)

Thank You, Jeeves, by P.G. Wodehouse (Novel; 1934) [Jeeves, #5]

Tomb Raider (Film; 2018)

Tops in the Big Top (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1945)

The Trumpeter of Krakow, by Eric P. Kelly (Novel; 1928)

Tweety and the Beanstalk (WB MM Cartoon; 1957)

21 Jump Street (Film; 2012)

Wings of Life (Documentary Film; 2011)

You Only Live Twice, by Ian Fleming (Novel; 1959) [James Bond #12]

Today’s Name Days

Eduard, Herbert (Austria)

Euzebija, Hilarije, Julijan (Croatia)

Elena, Herbert (Czech Republic)

Gudmund (Denmark)

Heero, Herbert, Herbi (Estonia)

Ilkka (Finland)

Bénédicte (France)

Herbert, Rüdiger (Germany)

Christodoulos, Ioulianos (Greece)

Henrietta (Hungary)

Eriberto, Ilario, Taziano (Italy)

Gabriels, Guntars, Guntis (Latvia)

Henrika, Norvilė, Vaidotas (Lithuania)

Gudmund, Gudny (Norway)

Abraham, Cyriak, Henryka, Herbert, Hiacynt, Hilary, Izabela, Oktawia (Poland)

Sabin (Romania)

Boleslav (Slovakia)

Abraham, Abrahán, Heriberto (Spain)

Gilbert, Herbert (Sweden)

Savina (Ukraine)

Bailee, Bailey, Baylee, Bayley, Melisa, Melissa, Melita, Melyta, Millicent, Millie, Missy (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 76 of 2024; 290 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 6 of week 11 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Nuin (Ash) [Day 28 of 28]

Chinese: Month 2 (Ding-Mao), Day 7 (Ji-Mao)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025)

Hebrew: 6 Adair II 5784

Islamic: 6 Ramadan 1445

J Cal: 16 Green; Twosday [16 of 30]

Julian: 3 March 2024

Moon: 50%: 1st Quarter

Positivist: 20 Aristotle (3rd Month) [Tacitus]

Runic Half Month: Beore (Birch Tree) [Day 7 of 15]

Season: Winter (Day 87 of 89)

Week: 2nd Week of March

Zodiac: Pisces (Day 27 of 30)

#Holidays

[hellenistic-prince]

Artemis Festivals and Rituals

Elaphebolia: this festival honors Artemis as the huntress of deer. It was held on the 6th day of the Ancient Greek month of Elaphebolion, which is modern times translates to around late March-early April festivities included Artemis being offered elaphoi

Kharisteria: meaning “Thanksgiving”, was in giving thanks.  a nice “Thanksgiving” feast would be appropriate for anything that you might feel thankful for.  It was celebrated traditionally around September 18th

[d-asklepiades]

Religious Fervor

Before about two days ago, I’d never prayed to Artemis. Never did an offering to her, never read much about her, never pursued any sort of connection. But apparently it was a festival day for her a few days ago, so I did a small libation of water. Idk why, but I just wanted to break down and cry. It was so strange and so intense.

I’m usually on guard against like getting myself too worked up, and I was pretty nonchalant about this offering...but holy shit lol.

Idk, I’ve heard members of all kinds of religions describe it, and I always thought it was bullshit, even when I was a Xian lol.

Idk if that intense emotion was her “reaching out to me” or “a sign” (and I am inclined to be very skeptical), but it was fukin something lol

It’s like, I get so worked up over Plato and reading Orphic fragments and the academic side of things, and judging the uwu Hellenism on Tumblr...that I sometimes forget this is a religion with real gods :3

#hellenism #artemis #elaphebolia

[mitosenespanol]

Elaphebolia

Artemis o Artemisa es una de las deidades más antiguas del panteón griego. Como la mayoría, se cree que su culto viene del extranjero; los griegos tuvieron un importante intercambio de dioses con los fenicios, mesopotámicos y egipcios. 

Artemisa es una diosa relacionada a los ciclos de la luna, por lo tanto también a la  Agricultura. Sin embargo, su principal actividad es la caza, por lo que el día  de del mes Elaphebolión (correspondiente al 5 de marzo) se honra a Artemis Elahpebolios “matadora de ciervos”. 

Pese a la importancia de Artemisa desde tiempos muy antiguos, la fiesta de Elaphebolia perdió popularidad: generalmente la fiesta más importante le da su nombre al mes corriente, pero las fiestas consagradas a Dioniso eran tan importantes que acapararon a toda la población griega. No obstante, el mes conservó su nombre.

La aristocracia era quien realizaba sacrificios de venados para honrar a Artemisa, pero con la expansión de la agricultura, los ciervos y venados se ocultaron en las montañas haciendo muy difícil el poder encontrarlos. Los griegos sustituyeron los sacrificios con pasteles de miel y cereal con forma de ciervo.

Notas:

En la imagen: Dibujo de Artemisa tomado de un kylix ático de figuras rojas hecho por Douris. El dibujo fue hecho por Dugald Sutherland MacColl. 

Lee mitos de Japón aquí

FAQ

www.mitosenespanol.tumblr.com

Los mitos, antes que todo, son manifestaciones psíquicas del alma humana… - Carl Gustav Jung. Lee mitos.

#elaphebolia #artemis #artemisa #greek goddesses #dioses griegos #diosas griegas #carl gustav jung #jung #mitos griegos #mitología griega #mitos y leyendas #religiones #religiones antiguas #art #ancient art #greek art #agricultura #luna #moon phases #galaxy #stars #illustration #elaphebolion #hellenic #greek #greece #grecia #hellas #hellade #ancient greece and rome

[moonkissedmeli]

Artemis [Greek, Olympian]

A page from my grimoire.

Goddess of: the Wild Mountains, the Crescent Moon, Girls, Childbirth & Midwifery, Weaving, & the Hunt.

Zodiac sign: Taurus; her birthday is May 6th

Planet: The moon, specifically the crescent moon

Lineage: Daughter of Zeus & Leto & sister of Apollo.

Primary cult centres: Brauron, Delos, Ephesos, & Sparta

Artemis is one of the most ancient deities in the Greek Olympian pantheon. Her name is of an unknown etymology & her origin rests in earlier, pre-Greek mythology.

Artemis was the Goddess who looked after young girls. The Arkteia, young girls who imitate she-bears, are protected by Artemis and eventually offer their childhood to her when they move into motherhood.

Artemis is the lion among women. She can spare their lives in childbirth, or she could take it away. The clothes of women who died in childbirth were left as offerings, much like the hunter would leave a pelt for the Goddess when he had a successful hunt. Likewise, when women had successful childbirth without much pain, they would consider this the work of Artemis & leave blankets for the Goddess. She assisted her mother, Leto, painlessly birth Apollo, Artemis’s twin brother.

Artemis is a virgin & is the only Greek Goddess to wear a short tunic, symbolic of her perpetual maidenhood & almost boyishness. However, she is a virgin by choice - representative of her fierce independence & autonomy. In fact, some say Artemis was the only Goddess to never be kidnapped or raped.

She has 20 Amnisides Nymphs as her handmaidens & 60 daughters of Okeanos, all aged 9 in her choir. She chose these as part of 12 wishes granted to her by her father. All of her companions remained virgins.

Artemis had various men interested in her & this never worked out well for the men. The river god Alpheus, Bouphagos, Siproites, Actaeon, Orion, &The Aloadaes are among the men that have loved or wanted her. These men often threatened her with rape or kidnapping. However, she was afraid of none of them & usually killed them, had them killed by animals, or turned them into animals. Sometimes it was some combination of the three.

Artemis can teach us wildness, independence, and a love of nature. She protects women, children, and anyone who exhibits exceptional self-sufficiency or who defies cultural gender roles. As a goddess of transitions, she helps us pass from one state to another. As a bringer of light, she can illuminate our lives and help us find our way.

In ancient Greece, cities prayed to Artemis before battle when the situation was a matter of life and death. When the options were to be victorious or be destroyed, they prayed to Artemis for survival. When they won, they would sacrifice in excess to her. Artemis can help us face whatever life throws at us. She teaches us how to adapt, survive, and never just be the sum of others' expectations.

Festivals & Worship

The 6th day of each month is sacred to Artemis.

Artemisia: Modern festival of Artemis where anything goes, celebrating freedom & modern inspiration. Celebrated on June 6th.

Elaphebolia: festival held in Athens & Phocis during Elaphenolion [March-April]. Modern Hellenistic practitioners observe Elaphebolia as a holiday which falls on the sixth day of that month. [March 1st in 2020]. Cakes made from flour, honey, & sesame in the shape of stages were offered to the goddess.

Mounikhia: 16th of the month of Mounichion of the Athenian calendar. Was created to commemorate the victory of the Greek fleet over the Persians at Salamis. Cakes w/ candles were offered to the goddess & young girls dressed up as bears.

Kharisteria: Festival of Artemis at Athens to thank her for their survival of the Persian assault at Marathon. Celebrated on 6 Boedromion [September/October].

Mounykhia: 16 Mounkyhion [April/May]. Festival to Artemis as a light bringer.

Brauronia: Festival to Artemis at Brauron & an initiation festival for young girls.  At this festival, girls & maidens dance in their bear masks w/ phallus' strapped to them. The dance was slow & solemn as it was meant to imitate bears. Baskets of figs were also carried. The earliest participants actually wore bear skins; however, they were switched to Krokoton dresses. The dresses were short, saffron-yellow chiton, at the end of the festival they shed their dresses to symbolize maturation. Offerings found here are many, but include spindles, spindle whorls, loom weights, epinetra, textiles, & garments. Celebrated every 4 years.

Thargelia 6-7: May 6, which is the birthday of Artemis & Apollo.

Symbols

All animals, as she is the mother of all animals. Particularly, deer/stag, bear, goat, boar, buteo hawk, dog, horse, fresh water fish & ground dwelling birds.

Bow, arrows, & torch.

The crescent moon.

Colors: silver, white, red, green, turquiose

Offerings

Cypress, asphodel, amaranth, palm tree, mug wort, birch, wildflowers, female goat [drawing/toy/etc; I don’t really condone giving an actual goat, lol], toys from girls before their wedding, clothing [from women], garlands, statuettes of soldiers, clay masks [bear, rites of passage], moonstone, frankincense, fruit, music & dance, work & tasks, honey, port, incense [woodsy]  game meat, & pelts.

Crystals

Moonstone, pearl, clear quartz, silver, turquoise, emerald & diamond.

How to Worship

Offerings, caring for the natural world & animals.

Support women's and all gender equality, supporting LGBTQ+, and trans rights and equality.

Spending time in nature.

Show gratitude to the natural world & its gifts, including using natural resources in witchcraft if you practice or any other creative hobby you may have.

Work, any kind of work. Dedicate it to Artemis. Create her things to offer her.

Knitting, sewing, crocheting, etc. Artemis as one of the goddesses of weaving so you can dedicate anything you make to her. Likewise, you can use knot magic with her.

Epithets

Agreia/ Agrotera – Of the Wild, Huntress

Brauronia – Of Brauron, Caretaker of Girls

Delia – Of Delos

Hegemone – Leader, Ruler

Karytis – Of the Walnut Tree

Keladeine – Noisy or Sounding

Kynthia – Of Kynthos

Leukophryne – White Brow

Limenia – Protector of Harbors

Limnatis – Of the Marsh

Lokheia – Protector of Women in Childbirth

Mounykhia – From Mounykhia

Parthenos – Virgin

Phoebe – Light Bringing

Phosphoros – Bringing Light, Shinning

Potnia Theron – Mistress of Animals

Soteira – Savior

Sources

“The Myth of the Goddess: Evolution of an Image” Anne Baring and Jules Cashford

“The Oxford Classic Dictionary” Simon Hornblower

“Encyclopedia of Greek and Roman Mythology“ Lucas Roman

“Artemis” Theoi.com

“Artemis” Wikipedia

“Artemis” Britannica

#hellenism #artemis #hellenic #artemis devotion #dieties #witchcraft #goddess #worship #grimoirepage #melitta

[thegrapeandthefig]

Festivals we know (almost) nothing about - Part 1

Once in a while, it's good to remember that none of our calendars are complete. This is much more obvious with non-Attic/Athenian calendars, and anyone who decides to jump into attempting to reconstruct the cultic calendar of Delphi, Delos, Sparta, Argos etc. will know exactly what I mean, as they are painfully fragmentary (not to mention the ones that are completely lost).

Because of the contrast between the fairly well-preserved Athenian calendar and the others, we often forget that Athenian calendar we know about is only "well-preserved" but by no means complete.

Back in January, I decided to make an user-friendly calendar and I had to make several choices about how to keep it simple. One of those choices was to get rid of obscure festivals, especially when their date or content is unknown or highly speculative.

The downside of my project is that it further solidifies this illusion of completeness. This is why I'm making this post: here's the list of Athenian festivals we know by name that haven't made it into my calendar for the reasons mentioned above. Emphasis on "know by name", because there's probably a few we completely lost as well. This list likely isn't going to be exhaustive either (took out deme-specific festivals, hero worship, battle commemoration festivals etc. + I probably forgot stuff).

Note 1: This will be cut in parts of 10 festivals because there's really a lot.

Note 2: The aim isn't to tell people to add all of those holy days and festivals to their calendar, that would be way too much for a single person. Rather, this list is meant as inspiration for worshippers, especially those who have relationships with less widely worshipped deities.

The Adonia

Date unknown but probably happened in the summer. We actually have decent information on this one, aside from the date issue. It was primarily a festival for women. A few days before the festival, they would go plant young sprouts of lettuce and other garden plants and cereals on the rooftops. The sprouts, being left out in the sun, would quickly die, which was meant to represent the tragic short-life of Adonis. On the day of the festival, the women would come back on the roof to cry and mourn the death of Adonis.

For a complete study and contextualization of this festival, see "The Athenian Adonia in Context: The Adonis Festival as Cultural Practice" by Laurialan Reitzammer.

The Aiora

A swinging festival of unknown date, though there is debate about it being part of the Anthesteria. The Aiora was probably connected to the death of Erigone.

The Amarysia

Pausanias is our only source of a cult to Artemis Amarysia in Athens (Description of Greece 1. 31. 5):

"Amarynthus is a town in Euboea, the inhabitants of which worship Amarysia, while the festival of Amarysia which the Athenians celebrate is no less splendid than the Euboean. The name of the goddess, I think, came to Athmonia in this fashion and the Colaenis in Myrrhinus is called after Colaenus."

We have no further information for this cult in Athens specifically.

The Anthesphoria

This one is tricky to fit in the list, because we have very little proof this was ever celebrated in Athens, and most of our sources on the festival trace back to Sicily, even though there are indications it was held in other parts of the Greek world. It was a festival of the flowers focusing around Persephone and Demeter. It was probably held in early spring, if we take into consideration the common stem between Anthesphoria and Anthesterion (anthes = flower), the Attic month of February-March, which alludes to the abundance of flowers during this time of the year.

For a more complete post on this festival, see @verdantlyviolet's breakdown. For a study, see "Hera’s Lettuce Women and the Peculiar Uses of Flowers, Fruit and Vegetables in Ancient Greek Festivals for Women" by Lucinda Guzman (Master's thesis)

The Arrhephoria

Festival held in honour of Athena and Pandrosus, date unknown but it seems to have been linked to the Acropolis.

The Asklepieia

Probably a set of two festivals to Asklepios, one occuring in winter (between the Lenaia and the City Dionysia, so roughly between January and March/April) and another roughly six months later, between the Eleusinia and the Thesea. At this point, it is believed that the latter actually is known under the name of Epidauria, which was celebrated on Boedromion 17 or 18 (around September). Whereas the first festival would fit with an observance to Asklepios known to happen on Elaphebolion 8. It was probably at those two festivals that doctors would make their sacrifices to the god.

The Diisoteria

Two dates are known for this festival to Zeus Soter and Athena Soteria, as there are indications this festival has been changed over the centuries. The original date was Skirophorion 30, the last day of this month (somewhere between June and July, most likely - which also happens to be New Year's eve for the Attic calendar). According to R. Parker, the date was moved in the 4th century BC to be earlier in the month, before Skirophorion 11. A decree from the 2nd century BC indicates Asclepius and Hygieia were also added to the list of recipients.

The Elaphebolia

Festival to Artemis, probably in the month of the same name (Elaphebolion - March/April). We can assume it was held on the 6th day, but we have no certainty. The preparation of ‘deer’ cakes (probably in private houses?) attested by Athenaeus is all that we can be sure of.

The Galaxia

Festival in honor of Cybele, the Mother of the Gods. No date known. For the occasion was offered a golden bowl with ‘galaxias’, a mixture of barley flour and milk.

The Genesia

Festival celebrating the dead, most likely dead parents. It was held on Boedromion 5 (late August - early September). Details are blurry, it's possible this was mostly a private, familial celebration. If there was a public rite distinct from private commemorations, we do not know where it was held.

_______________________

Unless stated otherwise, most of the information is taken from Parker R., Polytheism and Society at Athens, 2005

#obscure festivals #hellenic polytheism #hellenic polytheistic #hellenismos #hellenic festival #hellenic revivalism #hellenic reconstructionism #hellenic gods