Our first retreat is quickly approaching, and I am beginning to feel the painfully sweet excitement that comes with anticipation. We will be doing two rituals during the day, that I am writing and rewriting as we speak/ type. The first will be a bit of a down and dirty quick opening for the day. The second will be a full ADF rite to close everything down; a way to incorporate all the workshops of the day into physical action. I think I am more excited for the rituals then I am for the classes, but those are going to rock as well. In preparation I am making daily devotions and meditating on the deities we will be honoring on retreat day. I thought that maybe others would like to do this as well, so I figured a quick introduction to those we will be honoring might not be out of order.
Let us start with Metis, (Μῆτις), whose name means, "wisdom," "skill," or "craft". This powerful Titan of cunning wisdom is often times tied to Prometheus, as well as Zeus. Metis was the one who gave Zeus a potion to cause Kronos to vomit out Zeus' brothers and sisters. She is mother of Athena and Poros (creative ingenuity). We are honoring her in hopes that she will grant us wisdom and the skill to apply what will help us most. She is a skilled councilor to whom all the Gods listened to (well, before Zeus ate her), and I know I always need her help.
The second Deity we will be honoring is Prometheus (Προμηθεύς), whose name means forethought. Another Titan of clever thought, he is known for his intelligence, and as well as being a champion of humanity. In some stories, he and his brother, Epimetheus, worked together to create humanity out of clay.
Prometheus loved humans and wanted to give them the best he could. When it came time for the Gods and humans to agree what part of the sacrifices would go to the Gods and which to humans, Prometheus tricked Zeus into taking the inedible portion and leaving the good meat for the humans. Zeus punished the humans and Prometheus by taking away the gift of fire. This meant that prayers could not reach the Gods, for it was through the sacrifices to the fire that prayers reached the Divinities. The fire was also symbolic of technology and learning. Prometheus once again stood up for humanity and stole the fire from Zeus, returning it to the humans. The punishment Prometheus received for this action was severe, but not eternal. Eventually Zeus relented and allowed Herakles and Chiron to release Prometheus from the rock he was bound to.
Prometheus loved humans and wanted to give them the best he could. When it came time for the Gods and humans to agree what part of the sacrifices would go to the Gods and which to humans, Prometheus tricked Zeus into taking the inedible portion and leaving the good meat for the humans. Zeus punished the humans and Prometheus by taking away the gift of fire. This meant that prayers could not reach the Gods, for it was through the sacrifices to the fire that prayers reached the Divinities. The fire was also symbolic of technology and learning. Prometheus once again stood up for humanity and stole the fire from Zeus, returning it to the humans. The punishment Prometheus received for this action was severe, but not eternal. Eventually Zeus relented and allowed Herakles and Chiron to release Prometheus from the rock he was bound to.
Next, we have Epimetheus, (Ἐπιμηθεύς), whose name means hindsight, or after thought. Epimetheus is best known for his part in the Pandora story (in which his part is mainly to wed Pandora, and thus allows evil to enter the world through his wife), but he is also the co-creator and co-representative for humanity before the Gods. Les Amis, in his book, "Commemorating Epimetheus", speak of how it is Epimetheus that is credited with gifting with our knowledge of our dependency on each. It is through the gifts of Epimetheus that we humans understand the value of sharing, caring, meeting and dwelling and loving one another. It is through hindsight that we can see what is of most value, each other. This retreat is mostly about community, even as we build that community through the act of learning and celebrating together. I can not think of a better God to ask for help as we do this.
Last, but not least, we come to Athena (Ἀθηνᾶ). Athena has so many roles that sometimes it is hard to not to include her in everything I do. She is Goddess of crafts, women's work, democracy, war, and most importantly, reason combined with intelligent activity.
She is the daughter of Zeus and Metis, born fully clad in armor and screaming a battle cry that shook the heavens. Although, there are some myths out there that have her as the daughter of Cronus, and thus the sister of Zeus and Hera (This is based on a recorded myth written by Sanchuniathon, as saved for posterity by Eusebius).
I will admit that Athena holds a very special place in my heart and on my private altar space. She is the Goddess who opened the door of the Gods to me. She has always taken a special interest in me and we have a fairly powerful relationship.
RSS Feed