honorthegods: Beginning at sundown today, the 27th of Gamelion (which falls on 10 February this year
honorthegods: Beginning at sundown today, the 27th of Gamelion (which falls on 10 February this year), Hellenic polytheists celebrate the festival of Theogamia, the anniversary of the marriage of Hera to Zeus.Long ago, after the Titanomachy, the great war between the gods and the Titans, Zeus fell in love with Hera. The goddess rejected his attentions because he was already well-known for having many dalliances with goddesses and nymphs. Determined to win her heart, Zeus transformed himself into a cuckoo and appeared to her in a rain storm in a bedraggled and pathetic condition. Hera felt compassion for the poor creature and caught it to be her pet. Zeus made himself amusing to her and enjoyed her attentions. When it became clear that Hera had become fond of the cuckoo, Zeus chose an auspicious moment to reveal his true form. Hera admitted her love for him but explained that, as goddess of marriage, she could not merely become his lover - they would have to swear a solemn oath to remain loyal to each other, even when they disagreed or if their passion for one another should fade, because discord between the rulers of the gods would be reflected throughout the universe. Zeus, his judgement perhaps clouded by ardor, acquiesced to these conditions.They were wed in the beautiful Garden of the Hesperides, where Gaia created the orchard of trees bearing golden apples to honor them. Zeus and his Queen then journeyed to the Island of Samos (some say Crete) for their honeymoon, which lasted three hundred years. Their children are Ares, god of war, Eileithyia, goddess of childbirth, and Hebe, goddess of youth. This occasion is a good time to reflect that lasting partnerships don’t “just happen”, whether for humans or for deities. Long-term relationships require unlimited amounts of patience, respect, compassion, and dedication from each participant. In the same way the commitment of Hera and Zeus to their marriage preserves the stability of the cosmos so, too, the dedication of human partners ideally creates a comforting and safe refuge in their home for family and friends.“For there is nothing better than this: when two people maintain a household together, of one mind; a great woe to their enemies, and joy to their friends.”- Homer, The Odyssey ✦⊶⊶⊶⊶⊶༻*✿*༺⊷⊷⊷⊷⊷✦ Image information: Base: Red-figure column krater painted by the Syriskos Painter; Attica, Greece, 480-460 BCE. The image depicts Iris pouring an offering to Zeus, enthroned to her right, and clasping the hand of Hera, enthroned to her left. Collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston- http://www.mfah.org/ (X). Image license: Pulic Domain.I applied a filter to the photo, changed the background, and added a stock border with flowers. -- source link