Aidonian's blog

This year marked the first time i participated in a religious festival called Heliogenna. It went great. I enjoyed it and felt closer to the Gods by doing it. Not that before i didn’t feel close to Them. I did. A religious festival is something else than ordinary prayer or honouring the Gods.

What is Heliogenna?

Its a modern festival designed by a American around 2006 to honour the death of Phaeton, the son of Helios.

Phaeton was the son of a mortal woman and Helios. In his town, nobody believed him that he was the son of a God. In the end, he was fed up of the ridicule and he visited his divine father. He asked his divine father for a favour. Helios swore by the river Styx that he would grant it, no matter what. Something he would soon come to regret. Phaeton asked his divine father if he ride the chariot that rode across the heavens. Helios knew that no mortal would be able to handle that kind of power.

Read more: Heliogenna festival

Unfortunatly Helios was right. halfway Phaeton lost control of the chariot. The sun came closer to the Earth. According to this myth, this is how the people of Africa got their darker skin colour from. A good explanation as any, I suppose. Anyway Zeus stepped in and destroyed the chariot to save the world from destruction.

This festival honours the death of Phaeton, son of Helios. The myth demonstrates that mankind is not ready to control forces of nature.

I also think that the myth shows that you shouldn’t let ego guide your decisions. He wanted to be able say that he rode the son across the skies. Without proof, who would believe him.

This festival not just honours him, but also his divine father Helios who mourned the loss of his son. The festival is divided in thee parts, and each part lasts about three days.

Nine Day Festival

Sunset, Day 1-3: December 17-19
Night, Day 4-6: December 20-22 (Solstice on day 5, the 21st)
Sunrise, Day 7-9: December 23-25

Three Day Festival

Sunset, Day 1: December 20
Night, Day 2: December 21 (Solstice)
Sunrise, Day 3: December 22

Two Day Festival

Sunset: December 21, solstice day
Night: December 21, solstice evening and night
Sunrise: December 22, from sunrise

Up and now, I never really participated in any festivals. This festival was rather simple and easy.

Here can you find a two day outline for the same festival.

A festival for Aidoneos & Persephone?

Anyway, this festival has got me thinking about creating one for Aidoneos (Haides). Since He doesn’t participate in many myths, its not easy to base it off. Than again, it doesn’t need to base on any myth. His most famous myth is the one where he abducted Kore and through her marriage to Him, She was transformed into Persephone. No, its best to make it about Honouring Him and Persephone instead of letting the focus be the story of Her abduction.

I would let the festival last only three days and to burn two candles each night to the end, if possible. Fire safety comes first. I would let it take place from 29/10 to 31/10. So the outline would be, burn two candles, two different colours preferably. Burn styrax incense and read hymns, Homeric or self made. The first day the Homeric one, than self made ones.

If anyone has any ideas, feel free to share them in the comments?