Aidonian's blog

Yesterday it dawned upon me that the 21ste of december is the day of the winter solstice, aka the Longest Night of the year or the shortest day of the year depending on how you look at it. I did know that it was that day, but the reason why it dawned upon me was in relation to my religion. I thought it would be a good idea to create a ritual to honor Those of the Night like Nyx, Erebos, the Stars, Aither, Selene & Helios. I know its a handfull. Why Erebos? A good question. I find peace and quiet in the darkness of the night. Its through Erebos and Nyx we gain introspection of our own soul and a better understanding of ourselves. Afterall They are the cosmic forces of the Night and Darkness. Its through Erebos that the light from the stars and moon reaches us, and eys our sun is also a star. In myth, Nyx was feared by all the Gods, even by Zeus. Such was Her power and presence. Through Erebos and Nyx we gain wisdom of our very nature as in the darkness of the night, we are confronted by our selves, our dreams, fears, etc… Its one of the reasons why i like running in the morning hours of the day. I start when its still dark out (especially during fall and winter) and end up home when its light. Seeing how the world wakes up from its slumber and night makes way for the day. Its a beautiful sight to behold.

the ritual

Best time to start this ritual is right before sunset. If possible of course. As i see it, best start with a opening prayer to Hestia to bless the offerings you are about to give to the Gods and your house of course. Recite the Orphic hymn to Her while lighting candles. I would say between 5 and 10 depending on how big your altar is. Be watchful of the candles so that your home doesn’t burn down.

Than start with the orphic hymn to The Stars.

To the Stars

incense—aromatic herbs

I call forth the sacred light

of the heavenly Stars,

with devotional prayers

I summon the holy daimones.

Heavenly Stars,

dear children of black Night,

round your thrones you move in circles,

you spin in circular ways,

O brilliant and fiery

begetters of all,

you do reveal fate,

everyone’s fate,

you determine the divine path

for mortals.

Wandering in midair, you gaze

upon the seven luminous orbits.

In heaven and on earth, ever indestructible

on your blazing trail,

you shine upon the darkness

of the cloak night wears.

Coruscating and gleaming,

kingly and nocturnal,

visit the learned contests

of this sacred rite,

finish a noble race

for works of renown.

Take a moment to reflect and than continue with the Orphic hymn to Aither, Protogenos of the Light and son of Nyx & Erebos as befitting seeing how its the shortest day of the year. His female counterpart is Aithra/Theia, Titaness of the Clear Sky, mother to Eos, Helios and Selene and wife to Hyperion, Titan of the Heavenly Light.When stars were born in the universe, Light (Aither) came into being. The Fumigation from Saffron is recommended to use. If you don’t have it, you are free to use something else.

To Aither

Yours are Zeus’ lofty dwelling,

endless power, too;

of the stars, of the sun,

and of the moon you claim a share.

O tamer of all, O fire-breather,

O life’s spark for every creature,

sublime Ether,

best cosmic element,

radiant, luminous,

starlit offspring,

I call upon you and I beseech you

to be temperate and clear.

Now we move on to Helios, the Titan of the Sun, son of Hyperion and Theia(Aithra), brother to Eos(Dawn) & Selene (moon).

To Helios

incense—pounded frankincense

Hear me, O blessed one,

eternal eye that sees all,

Titan radiant as gold,

Hyperion, celestial light,

self-born, untiring,

sweet sight to living creatures.

On the right you beget dawn,

on the left you beget night,

you temper the seasons

as you ride your dancing horses,

you rush, you rush very swiftly,

O fiery and bright-faced charioteer,

you press on your course

in endless whirl.

Harsh to the impious,

you teach good to the pious

as you hold the golden lyre,

the harmony of cosmic motion,

as you command noble deeds,

as you nurture the seasons.

Piping lord of the world,

fiery circle of motion,

life-bringing, coruscating,

life-giving, fruit-bearing, Paian,

eternal and pure father of time,

O immortal Zeus,

you are the clear, you are the brilliant,

you are the all-encompassing cosmic eye,

both when you set and when you shine your lovely and radiant light.

A paragon of justice,

O water-loving lord of the cosmos,

you guard pledges and ever the highest,

you do help all.

Eye of justice and light of life, O charioteer,

your screaming whip

drives the four-horse chariot on.

Hear my words and show

life’s sweetness to the initiates.

As it is the shortest day of the year, its important to honour Helios as well. If you wondering why not Apollon instead of Helios. Well my answer would be to keep Apollon for the summer solstice. Take a minute to reflect on this hymn and to meditate on Helios.

Now we came to the headliners: Nyx and Erebos.

Call Them by using Their names. Seeing how these Gods don’t have any titles and couple of other names, we don’t have much to use here.

Followed by the orphic hymn to Nyx. I tend to use dragenblood incense to offer to Them.

Orphic hymn to Nyx

I shall sing of Night,

mother of gods and men;

we call Night Kypris,

she gave birth to all.

Hear, O blessed goddess,

jet-black and starlit,

for you delight in the quiet

and slumber-filled serenity.

Cheerful and delightful, lover

of the nightlong revel, mother of dreams,

you free us from cares,

you offer us welcome respite from toil.

Giver of sleep, beloved of all,

you gleam in the darkness as you drive your steeds.

Ever incomplete, terrestrial,

and then again celestial,

you circle around in pursuit

of sprightly phantoms,

you force light into the nether world,

and then again you flee

into Hades, for dreadful Necessity

governs all things.

But now, O blessed one—beatific,

desired by all—I call on you

to grant a kind ear

to my voice of supplication,

and to come, benevolent,

to disperse fears that glisten in the night.

Seeing how Erebos doesn’t have a official hymn, you are free to compose one yourself for Him and of Nyx and recite it to Them. As it is the longest night of the year, its time to reflect on the past year and what it brought you and reflect on yourself of this past year.