Aidonian's blog

To Aither (Aether), Fumigation from Saffron. O ever untamed Aither, raised on high, in Zeus’ dominions, ruler of the sky; great portion of the stars (astron) and lunar light, and of the sun, with dazzling lustre bright; all-taming power, ethereal shining fire, whose vivid blasts the heat of life inspire; the world’s best element, light-bearing power, with starry radiance shining, splendid flower; o hear my suppliant’s prayer, and may thy frame be ever innocent, serene and tame.”

AITHER:

Aithêr is the Protogenos of the Bright, Glowing, Upper Air. His name means Light/ Upper Air. His other name is Akmôn which means Untiring/ Anvil. There are two different spelling of his name. First the Latin one: Aether, Acmon and second the English: Ether. He is not only its God but also the personification of the upper air as opposed to the gloomy lower air of the Earth. His parents are Nyx and Erebos mentioned in the Theogony but Hyginus Pref mentioned Khaos as his parent. His mother Nyx (Night) drew the dark mists of Erebos across the sky beneath him to create night, while his sister Hemera (Day) drew away these mists to reveal his shining glow and bring the day. Night and day were regarded as independent of the sun in the ancient theogonies. He has several offspring but Hyginus seem to confuse him with Ouranos when saying that Aither has many children by Gaia. Hyginus is also our source for telling us that Aither is the father of Ouranos, Gaia and Thalassa by Hemera (his sister. But another source tells us that it is just Ouranos who is his child. And like Tartaros and Erebos, He too became the personification of his element and is mentioned in this way. In Hellas He might had shrines but no temples and probably no cult either. Protogenoi were not really honored like other Gods were. Seeing how there is a Orphic hymn to Him, could mean that He did receive some kind of cult that we have no record for. In the Orphic hymns, He is mentioned as the soul of the world from which all life emanates. As Akmon, Callimachus who calls Ouranos Akmonides is calling him the father of Ouranos. Eustathius in Alcman tells us that the sons of Ouranos were called Akmonidai.Its strange to see that both Gods are also called Akmon, furthering confusing which one came first, but theology teaches us that Aither came first before Ouranos, even though both are Protogenoi. In short, Aither is the personification of light itself but you also have other Gods who preside over light as well like Helios, Apollon, Hyperion & Theia, the latter being called the female counterpart to Aither as Aithra.

worship

Seeing how few sources we have for this, A.I. can be a helpful tool in this. It gave me the following: The essence of worshipping Aether is to acknowledge the divine, pure light and air that surrounds us, connecting to the primordial, cosmic, and heavenly, rather than focusing on complex,, or rigid, rituals. 

1. Offerings

• Incense: Light, airy, or sky-related scents are appropriate, such as Frankincense, Myrrh, or pine.
• Libations: Pour liquids that reflect the nature of the sky or light, such as white wine, water, or olive oil, while offering prayers.
• Symbolic Offerings: Items that are bright or relate to the atmosphere, such as white candles, clear quartz, or silver.
• Food: Simple, natural items, or perhaps baked goods, offered on an altar or in a clean, high place. 

2. Devotional Acts

• Appreciating the Sky: Simply stepping outside and acknowledging the sky, clouds, and light can be a form of devotion.
• Meditation and Prayer: Meditate on the concept of light or the vastness of the cosmos. Prayers can be simple and heartfelt, focusing on gratitude, seeking clarity, or honoring the “pure air”.
• Environmental Care: As a deity of the pure upper air, taking action to protect the atmosphere—such as reducing pollution, planting trees, or simply enjoying clean, fresh air—can be a devotional act.
• Study and Knowledge: Researching Greek cosmology and the role of the primordial deities (the Protogenoi) is a way to honor them. 

3. Setting Up a Space

• Altar Setup: A dedicated space is not strictly necessary but can help focus your efforts. Use white or silver cloths, and place items that represent air or light (feathers, crystals, incense burners).
• Timing: While there is no specific, historically recorded day for Aether, choosing a time when the sky is exceptionally clear or during significant atmospheric events (like sunrise/sunset) can feel appropriate. 

Sources:

Hesiod : The Theogony

Hyginus, Preface- Latin Mythography

Eustathius- Greek Lyric II Alcman