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femme-witching · 2 years

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Orphic Hymn to Hecate Breakdown

1) “I call Einodian Hecate, lovely dame,

Of earthly, wat’ry. and celestial frame,

Sephucharl, in a saffron veil array’d,

Pleas’d with dark ghosts that wander thro’ the shade;

5) Persian, unconquerable huntress hail!

The world’s key-bearer never doom’d to fail

On the rough rock to wander thee delights,

Leader and nurse be present to our rites

Propitious grant our just desires success,

10) Accept our homage, and the incense bless.”

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Definitions

Einodian- ‘the one in the streets’ or ‘in the road’, referncing Hecate’s association with crossroads and being a guide to Demeter through the ‘streets’ of the underworld

Sephulchral- relation to a tomb; dismal and gloomy; referencing Hecate’s association with death, ghosts, and the underworld

Persian- daughter of Perses

Orphic- being associated with Orpheus or Orphism

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Line-by-line analysis

1) “I call Einodian Hecate, lovely dame,” is the reader or speaker’s acknowledgement of Hecate using her epithet “einodian” to evoke connection to her through her divinity over crossroads

2) “Of earthly, watr’y, and celestial frame” refers to Hecate’s residance over the sky, earth, ocean, and underworld. As a cthonic goddess Hecate resides in the underworld yet is not confined to it

She is associated with the sea due to Hekatean magic referenced in the Argonautica by means of the witch Madea. In some stories, Hecate is also named as the mother of the sea monster Scylla, and was commonly given fish as an offering.

Hesiod’s Theogony states that Zeus honored Hecate “above all others”, and gifted her with “a share of the earth and of the barren sea, and from the starry sky as well she has a share in honor...”

3) “Sephulchral, in a saffron veil array’d” identifies Hecate as a chtonic deity, and the saffron veil may be a suggestion of divinity and wealth due to the rarity of the spice in ancient Greece, though the original Greek translation suggests this veil is about earthly dwellings of souls or ghosts

4) “Pleas’d with dark ghosts that wander thro’ the shade;” describes Hecate’s role as the goddess of ghosts

5) “Persian, unconquerable huntress hail!” is a line of veneration to Hecate suggesting her strength as the daughter of the titan Perses, and the mention of being a huntress is based on a love of solitude

6) “The world’s key-bearer never doom’d to fail” acknowledges Hecate’s role as goddess of liminal spaces, and her association with keys, and title of the key-bearer

7) “On the rough rock to wander thee delights,” suggests Hecate’s authority over the underworld, or potentially her dominion over her share of earth

8) “Leader and nurse be present to our rites” venerates Hecate as both a powerful and nurturing goddess

Hecate tends to have very different roles for different devotees, as reflected through her epithets. Some common epithets for Her include: aimopotis (blood-drinker), kyria (the powerful), deichteria (teacher), and erranos (lovely).

9) “Propitious grant our just desires success,” asks Hecate to grant the devotee her blessings and favor

10) “Accept our homage, and the incense bless.” finally concludes the hymn by offering a final suggestion of veneration to the goddess

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A newer translation of the Orphic Hymn to Hecate has been created based more directly on the original Greek! To read more click here

I call Ækátî of the Crossroads, worshipped at the meeting of three paths, oh lovely one.

In the sky, earth, and sea, you are venerated in your saffron-colored robes.

Funereal Daimôn, celebrating among the souls of those who have passed.

Persian, fond of deserted places, you delight in deer.

Goddess of night, protectress of dogs, invincible Queen.

Drawn by a yoke of bulls, you are the queen who holds the keys to all the Kózmos.

Commander, Nýmphi, nurturer of children, you who haunt the mountains.

Pray, Maiden, attend our hallowed rituals;

Be forever gracious to your mystic herdsman and rejoice in our gifts of incense.

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If you got this far, thank you so much for reading! Blessed be!

#hecate #hekate deity #hekate #orphic hymns #orphism #hymn to hecate #analysis

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nyxshadowhawk · 8 months

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Hellenic Gods Fact Sheets and Hymns: Hecate

Other Names: Trivia, Brimo

Epithets: Anassa eneroi (queen of those below), Aidonaia (lady of the Underworld), Amibousa (she who changes), Atalus (tender, delicate), Borborophorba (she who feeds on filth), Brimo (angry, terrifying), Despoina (mistress), Eileithyia (of childbirth), Enodia (of the roads), Epaine (dread), Euplokamos (bright-tressed), Khthonia (of the Underworld), Kleidouchos (keeper of the keys), Kourotrophos (protector of children), Krokopelos (saffron-robed), Liparokredemnos (bright-coiffed), Nycteria (nocturnal; of the night), Nyctipolos (night-wandering), Perseis (destroyer/ daughter of Perses), Phosphoros (light bearer), Propolos (guide), Propylaia (the one before the gate), Scylacagetis (leader of dogs), Soteira (savior), Trikephalos (three-headed/of the crossroads), Trimorphos (three-formed), Trioditis (of the three ways), Trivia (of the three ways).

Domains: Witchcraft, magic, necromancy, ghosts, nightmares, death, initiation, the crossroads, gateways, passage between worlds, and the night.

Appearance: [My UPG] A tall (over 6’) woman, neither young nor old, with waist-length black hair, pale skin, prominent cheekbones, a heavy jaw, and intense green eyes. She is usually dressed in black folds molded into a simple dress or robes. She has a severe expression and an intimidating presence. She speaks with a low voice.

Sacred Days and Festivals: Eleusinia (22 Metageitnion). Nemoralia (August 13th-15th). Deipnon, last day of each (lunar) month.

Symbols/Attributes: Torches, keys, daggers, strophalos (iynx wheel)

Sacred Animals: Dog, polecat, serpent, horse, frog.

Sacred Plants: Yew, cypress, garlic, willow, hazel, black poplar, aconite, belladonna, dittany, mandrake, hemlock, asphodel

Elemental Affinity: Darkness, light, fire

Planet: Moon

Colors: Black, saffron, silver.

Crystals: Black onyx, hematite, obsidian, black tourmaline, moonstone, smoky quartz, agate, amethyst.

Incense: Myrrh, almond, cypress, camphor, saffron, mugwort, pomegranate.

Tarot Cards: The High Priestess, The Moon, Death

Retinue: Empousai, ghosts of the dead, dogs, Lampades (torch-bearing underworld nymphs)

Associated People: Witches (and other magic-users), the dead

Offerings: Bread, eggs, honey, garlic, menstrual blood, graveyard dirt.

Syncretized With: Artemis, Diana, Persephone, Eileithyia, Selene, Nephthys, Ereshkigal, Nicnevin, Heqet

Hymns to Hecate

Orphic Hymn to Hecate

Hekate Enodia, Trivia, lovely dame, Of earthly, watery, and celestial frame, Sepulchral, in a saffron veil arrayed, Pleased with dark ghosts that wander through the shade; Daughter of Perses, solitary goddess, hail! The world’s key-bearer, never doomed to fail; In stags rejoicing, huntress, nightly seen, And drawn by bulls, unconquerable, monstrous queen; Leader, Nymphe, nurse, on mountains wandering, Hear the suppliants who with holy rites thy power revere, And to the herdsman with a favoring mind draw near.

Hecate’s Hymn to Herself

I come, a virgin of varied forms, wandering through the heavens, bull-faced, three-headed, ruthless, with golden arrows; chaste Phoebe bringing light to mortals, Eileithyia; bearing the three synthemata [sacred signs] of a triple nature. In the Aether I appear in fiery forms and in the air I sit in a silver chariot, Earth reins in my black brood of puppies.

(From Porphyry’s lost commentary on the Chaldean Oracles, preserved by Eusebius of Caesaria in Praeparatio Evangelica. According to Porphyry, this hymn was composed by Hecate herself.)

Magical Invocation to Hecate

Approach, you of the netherworld, of earth, of heaven, Bombo! You by the wayside, at the crossroads, light-bearer, night-wanderer, Enemy of light, friend and companion of night, Rejoicing in the howl of dogs and in crimson gore, Lurking among the corpses and the tombs of lifeless dust, Lusting for blood, bringing terror to mortals, Grim one, Ogress [Mormo], Moon – you of many forms, May you come gracious to our sacrificial rites!

(Preserved in Refutation to All Heresies by Hippolytus)

Invocation to Hecate from PGM IV 2708-84

Come, giant Hecate, Dione’s guard, O Persia [daughter of Perses], Baubo Phroune, dart-shooter, Unconquered Lydian, the one untamed, Sired nobly, torch-bearing, guide, who bends down Proud necks, Kore, hear, you who’ve parted / gates Of steel unbreakable. O Artemis, Who, too, were once protectress, mighty one, Mistress, who burst forth from the earth, dog-leader, All-tamer, crossroad goddess, triple-headed, Bringer of light, august / virgin, I call you Fawn-slayer, crafty, O infernal one, And many-formed. Come, Hekate, goddess Of three ways, who with your fire-breathing phantoms Have been allotted dreaded roads and harsh / Enchantments, Hekate I call you

[…]

O Hekate of many names, O Virgin, Kore, Goddess, come, I ask, O guard and shelter of the threshing floor Persephone, O triple-headed goddess, Who walk on fire, cow-eyed BOUORPHORBE PANPHORBA PHORBARA AKITOPHI ERESHKIGAL / NEBOUTOSOUALETH Beside the doors, PYPYLEDEDEZO And gate-breaker; Come Hekate, of firey Counsel, I call you to my sacred chants.

#hecate #hekate #greek gods #greek goddess #hellenic paganism #hellenic polytheism #helpol #witchcraft #witchblr #hecate worship #fact sheets #orphic hymns #greek magical papyri

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wyldhunt · 1 year

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HADES II ↳ Melinoë — Μηλινοη, "Dark-Minded"

#supergiant hades #hades supergiant #hades 2 #hades game #supergiant games #melinoë #melinoe #mygifs #gamingedit #gamingdaily #there is really like Zero information on melinoe aside from that one orphic hymn she's in #so i really REALLY recommend yall go read that its really good and really short #but yeah trying to decide what to include that she has dominion over was hard #OVERALL her main deal is bringing nightmares and madness but she's also seen as kindly by her worshippers #and since she was born on one of the 5 underworld rivers she has a really strong affiliation with the underworld itself #basically in her actual greek canon she's the daughter of zeus who slept with persephone in the dual-form of plouton #(basically him and hades were merged as one being)#so she's often depicted with half her body being black an half her body being white as a show of her dual chthonic and heavenly nature #and i think that's what's up with her skeletal limb which i REALLY love if that's the case #BUT YEAH not much on melinoe honestly ! she's pretty much often thought of as a different title for hecate #or even the erinyes at times #so im really stoked to see what supergiant is gonna do with all the wiggle room they have to play with due to her lack of lore #im still pretty torn on whether or not i should have included the potential ''goddess of the moon'' for one of her domains #cos shes not like. Explicitly a moon goddess (granted neither is hecate but at least there's more backing that up for hecate)#but supergiant is obviously heavily leaning into moon motifs on her design but idk if thats because of melinoe herself #or because shes a student of hecate who HAS actual correlations to the moon/darkness #melinoe and hecate are so easy to conflate cos theres a lot of overlap for what they actually Do #all i know 100% is that melinoe brings madness and nightmares and has an entourage of spirits who wander the world with her

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artbyanca · 2 months

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Demeter and Hecate looking for Persephone.

#Demeter #Hecate #greek goddess #greek mythology #goddess of the harvest #goddess of magic #myth #mythology #hymn to demeter #theoi #pen and ink #illustration #drawing #art #artists on tumblr

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keysatthecrossroad · 11 days

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And to my holy sacrifice invite,

the pow’r who reigns in deepest hell and night;

I call Einodian Hecate, lovely dame,

of earthly, wat’ry, and celestial frame,

Sepulchral, in a saffron veil array’d,

leas’d with dark ghosts that wander thro’ the shade;

Persian, unconquerable huntress hail!

The world’s key-bearer never doom’d to fail

On the rough rock to wander thee delights,

leader and nurse be present to our rites.

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delightingintragedy · 8 months

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Day 2: Hekate Eidôlios

Lady Eidôlios, The delicate and Ghostly Queen Who stalks the liminal like a wraith, Flowing saffron garments loosely trailing behind. When mortals lose themselves in your realm It is you who places a cold and gentle hand upon their shoulder And leads them out without a word. I cannot describe your beauty, It's haunting, it's soft, it's wrathful. Everything ethereal and otherworldly is what you are. Mild, merciful, forgiving, Good-natured Queen of Ghosts, As she is what she rules. Please, beautiful Lady Eidôlios, Take my every admiration, Take my awe, and take my praise. For you remind me of all the souls I've lost, And they look lovely.

divider credit: [x]

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alsostheon · 10 months

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Orphic Hymn to Hekate

Hekate of the Roads, lovely dame,

Of Earthly, watery, and celestial frame,

Sepulchral in saffron veil arrayed

Pleased with dark ghosts

Who wander through the shade

Persian huntress, world’s key bearer we hail

On the rough rock to wander thee delights

Leader and nurse, be present to our rites

Propitious grant our just desires success

Accept our homage and the incense bless

Guide our fortunes, gift us with your grace

Daughter of Perses, mistress of silence

Goddess of moon and clairvoyance

Wanderer of the wilds, ever leading

Dogs and deer, and tides receding

Please hear our prayers, help us to be wise

Ὕμνος εις Ἑκάτην

Εἰνοδίην Ἑκάτην κλῄιζω, τριοδῖτιν, ἐραννήν,

οὐρανίην, χθονίαν τε, καὶ εἰναλίην κροκόπεπλον,

τυμβιδίην, ψυχαῖς νεκύων μέτα βακχεύουσαν,

Πέρσειαν, φιλέρημον, ἀγαλλομένην ἐλάφοισιν,

νυκτερίην, σκυλακῖτιν, ἀμαιμάκετον βασίλειαν,

ταυροπόλον, παντὸς κόσμου κληιδοῦχον ἄνασσαν,

ἡγεμόνην, νύμφην, κουροτρόφον, οὐρεσιφοῖτιν,

λισσόμενοις κούρην τελεταῖς ὁσίαισι παρεῖναι

βουκόλῳ εὐμενέουσαν ἀεὶ κεχαρηότι θυμῷ.

Húmnos eis Hekátēn

Einodíēn Hekátēn klḗͅizō, triodĩtin, erannḗn,

ouraníēn, khthonían te, kaì einalíēn krokópeplon,

tumbidíēn, psukhaĩs nekúōn méta bakkheúousan,

Pérseian, philérēmon, agalloménēn eláphoisin,

nukteríēn, skulakĩtin, amaimáketon basíleian,

tauropólon, pantòs kósmou klēidoũkhon ánassan,

hēgemónēn, númphēn, kourotróphon, ouresiphoĩtin,

lissómenois koúrēn teletaĩs hosíaisi pareĩnai

boukólōͅ eumenéousan aeì kekharēóti thumō̃ͅ.

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reno-matago · 2 months

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Sᴘᴏɴᴛᴀɴᴇᴏᴜs ᴍᴏʀɴɪɴɢ ʜʏᴍɴ !

I sɪɴɢ Hᴇᴋᴀᴛᴇ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴀᴜɢʜᴛᴇʀ ᴏғ Pᴇʀsᴇs, ᴘᴏᴡᴇʀғᴜʟ, ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʜɪʀᴅ, ᴛᴏ ᴡʜᴏᴍ Zᴇᴜs ɢʀᴀɴᴛᴇᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ɢʀᴇᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ʜᴏɴᴏʀs. O Tɪᴛᴀɴɪᴅᴇ, ᴅɪᴠɪɴᴇ, ᴅʀᴀᴘᴇᴅ ɪɴ sᴀғғʀᴏɴ, ᴡʜᴏ ᴡᴀɴᴅᴇʀs ᴀᴛ ɴɪɢʜᴛ, ᴡʜᴏ ᴡᴀᴛᴄʜᴇs ᴀᴛ ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴀᴛᴇs, Yᴏᴜ ᴛʜᴇ ɪᴍᴘʟᴀᴄᴀ��ʟᴇ, ᴡʜᴏ sᴇᴇs ғʀᴏᴍ ᴀғᴀʀ, ᴡɪᴛʜ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴅᴏɢs, ᴡʜᴏ sᴇɴᴅs ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴀʀʀᴏᴡs, O Gᴏᴅᴅᴇss ᴡʜᴏ ʀᴇɪɢɴs ᴏᴠᴇʀ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʀɪᴘʟɪᴄɪᴛʏ ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ, ᴡʜᴏ ᴘʀᴏᴛᴇᴄᴛs sᴀɪʟᴏʀs, ʙᴇ ᴀᴜsᴘɪᴄɪᴏᴜs ᴛᴏ ᴍᴇ, ᴀɴᴅ ɢʀᴀɴᴛ ᴍᴇ ᴀ ᴊᴜsᴛ ʟɪғᴇ, ғᴜʟʟ ᴏғ ᴡᴇᴀʟᴛʜ, ʜᴇᴀʟᴛʜ, ᴀɴᴅ ɢɪᴠᴇ ᴀ ʜᴀᴘᴘʏ ᴇɴᴅ ᴛᴏ ᴍʏ ʟɪғᴇ.

#hecate #hekate #goddess hecate #goddess hekate #hellenic polytheism #helpol #hellenic deities #greek goddess #power #goddess #hymn to the gods #hymns #religious hymns

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piristephes · 4 months

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Senhora que se envereda nas trevas Portadora da luz, dos começos e fins Já me encontro contigo neste mês findando A luz do outro breve se mostrando Rainha com Hermes na encruzilhada Hécate das bruxas, amiga da casa Venha hoje aqui, amada e honrada Sabendo que teu devoto agradece a estrada Que levou-o a ti, diante de teu altar Com amor no peito, singelo e sem par.

english:

Mistress who walks among the dark Light-bearing One, bringer of beginnings and endings I find myself with thee in this waning month The light of another soon shows itself Queen along Hermes on the crosspaths Hekate of witches, friend to my home Come closer here, beloved and honoured Knowing thy devotee, thankful for the road That guided them to thee, next to thy shrine With love on the chest, proper and of simple mind.

#hekate #hecate deity #hecate #hellenic polytheism #poem #prayer #devotional text #hymn

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homeric-hymnist · 3 months

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oh I see.everyone copying my abduction of persephone except that I give her two moms. cowards

#justice for hecate!!#hymn 2 to demeter #ovid. hey ovid. ovid. hey ovid. bitch

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ericswiftie · 1 year

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Prayer to Hekate 11-21-22

Good morning Great Goddess

Thank you for your love and your patience

You always watch over and guide me

Even when I don't know you're there

Your strength sees me through the hardest times

When my anxiety becomes too much

You are there to pull me through

Thank you for all you do

See me through today Dear Goddess

Guide my way and light my path

Help me not to dwell on past mistakes

But to focus on the path ahead

Guide me to make wise decisions

And I ask that you help me be smart in my interactions

Protect me from harm from those who may wish to hurt me

Place your shields of protection around me and surround me in your strength and power

I rest in your might and wield your darkness

Fill me with your Magick as you are the most Powerful Witch of Witches

Thank you for all that you do oh Goddess. My love for you is great and my devotion to you is strong.

I will always love and honor you

So Let it Be

#Hekate #Hecate #Goddess of witches #prayer to hekate #prayer #hymn #poem #dark goddess #witchcraft

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deathlessathanasia · 1 year

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"Then bright-coiffed Hekate came near to them, and often did she embrace the daughter of holy Demeter: and from that time the lady Hekate was minister and companion to Persephone." - Homeric Hymn 2 to Demeter 436 ff

#hekate #hecate #persephone #homeric hymn to demeter

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actually-the-antichrist · 2 years

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Two poems regarding the birth and untimely demise of Kore, not necessarily in that order.

"You would do it? Use your mother's sorrow, cash it for everyone's hope?" Nyx, black night, asked of the young maiden sat in the field of flowers.

"I would do it. I will carry full responsibility. I will go down to the underworld. I will connect the two realms by my never stopping footsteps. As for my mother. I will bear her sorrow. And her joy. For there is no life without death. No hope without horror."

"She will never forgive you."

"I do not need to be forgiven."

"You cannot possibly bear it!"

"I bear it all the same." Persephone replied.

"So you will have the child."

"I will have the child."

"You know what it is. To bring a girl into this world."

"I know."

"You won't be able to protect her! Not even if you could move the earth itself. From pain, from injustice. Not if it's the one thing you would give everything for. You won't be able to protect her in the end from everything that your mother failed to shield you from!"

"I know."

"But you will still have the child? Even if you know she will be hurt? The responsibility-You cannot possibly bear it!"

"I bear it all the same." Demeter, mother of all that grows on the earth, replied. Hecate shook her head. She simply could not understand it- Maybe that's why she would never have a child.

It was the time before all time. They would be here for thousands of years at least. Mother and daughter's pain. Mother and daughter and mother and daughter and mother and daughter.

In a field of flowers, Demeter cradles Persephone in her arms.

#here's my take on the Persephone story #and the hymn to Demeter #damn ive had this in me for a while #I knew always that if i wrote it ever it would either be a pure story without any pain or the most painful thing #there is no in between #there is no way to bear the sorrow but we bear it all the same #mother and daughter and mother again and again until this system breaks to the ground #which is never #Demeter #Persephone #Nyx #Hecate #I hope it was enjoyable to read at least #I could never understand the idea that horribly painful things should be made into art and then enjoyed by those who have not suffered it #but here we are #Hellenic polytheism #greek mythology

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violetmoondaughter · 2 years

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Hecate

I call Hecate of the Crossroads, worshipped at the meeting of three paths, oh lovely one. In the sky, earth, and sea, you are venerated in your saffron-colored peplum. Funereal Daimon, celebrating with the souls of dead Daughter of Perses, fond of deserted places, you delight in deer. Goddess of night, protectress of dogs, invincible Queen. Drawn by a yoke of bulls, you are the queen who holds the keys to all the Cosmos. Commander, Nymph, nurturer of children, you who haunt the mountains. Pray, Maiden, attend our hallowed rituals. Be forever gracious to your mystic herdsman and rejoice in our gifts of incense.

Εἰνοδίην Ἑκάτην κλῄιζω, τριοδῖτιν, ἐραννήν, οὐρανίην, χθονίαν τε, καὶ εἰναλίην κροκόπεπλον, τυμβιδίην, ψυχαῖς νεκύων μέτα βακχεύουσαν, Πέρσειαν, φιλέρημον, ἀγαλλομένην ἐλάφοισιν, νυκτερίην, σκυλακῖτιν, ἀμαιμάκετον βασίλειαν, ταυροπόλον, παντὸς κόσμου κληιδοῦχον ἄνασσαν, ἡγεμόνην, νύμφην, κουροτρόφον, οὐρεσιφοῖτιν, λισσόμενοις κούρην τελεταῖς ὁσίαισι παρεῖναι βουκόλῳ εὐμενέουσαν ἀεὶ κεχαρηότι θυμῷ.

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femme-witching · 2 years

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Orphism

Orphism was an ancient Greek mystic religion attributed to the writings of the poet Orpheus, as well as holding associations with the story of Orpheus and Eurydice. The fundamental beliefs of Orphism are based around Dionysian myth.

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Dionysus

Beyond being notorious for drunkeness and orgies, Dionysus’ primary myth is about his birth. His father, Zeus, was infamous for promiscuity, resulting in several offspring with deities and mortals alike. Dionysus’ mother, Semele, was one of those mortals and the princess of Thebes.

Zeus presented himself to Semele in the form of a young mortal man, but openly admits to Semele that he is the king of the gods. Trusting her lover and enjoying his company, Semele bragged to her servants that she was having an affair with Zeus himself. One of her servants began questioning the man’s identity, and convinced Semele to ask the so-called Zeus to swear to show her his true godly form.

Unbeknownst to Semele, the servant was Hera in disguise seeking to prevent Zeus from cheating. Furthermore, mortals would be killed by witnessing a god’s true form. Zeus swore to Semele that he would grant her her wishes, and showed her his true form. The light and heat radiated from Zeus’ body after transformation, blinding and burning Semele, causing her death.

Semele had been reduced to ash after witnessing Zeus’ godly form, however a fetus was left behind in pile of ashes. Zeus noticed the fetus and stored it in his thigh, allowing the fetus to grow into a developed baby.

After the baby had been developed he sprung from Zeus’ leg, producing the baby Dionysus, the god of wine, grapes, and esctasy.

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Orpheus and Eurydice

Orpheus was known for his extraordinary musical talent, poeticness, and beautiful singing voice. When he was singing in the woods, he caught the attention of a wood nymph, Eurydice. Eurydice was mesmerized by his singing voice and Orpheus was amazed by her beauty, and the two quickly fell in love. The young couple were indescribably happy together and deeply in love, and got married.

Shortly after the wedding, Eurydice was walking in a meadow and was bitten by a poisonous snake. The venom killed her in an instant. Orpheus soon found her body in the meadow and was overwhelmed by grief, and began his lamentation. Desperate to get his wife back, Orpheus went into the underworld, still singing his song of woe.

Moved by the emotion and beauty of his song, Hermes escorted Orpheus into the underworld and to the river Styx. Also moved by his song, Chiron- the ferryman of the dead- granted Orpheus access across Styx. Upon meeting Cerberus- the three-headed dog who guarded the underworld- Orpheus sang a soft, slow melody, putting Cerberus to sleep. Orpheus continued his grief-stricken hymn and entered the throne room of Hades and Persephone.

At first, the king and queen of the dead were taken aback to see a mortal in their realm, though they were softened with sympathy at Orpheus’ pleas. He told Hades and Persephone what had happened to his beloved Eurydice and begged for her return to the mortal realm. At that moment, the whole world was said to stand still in awe of his beautiful cries. Persephone, especially moved by his act of love, convinced Hades to grant Eurydice passage back to the land of the living, on the condition that Orpheus could not look at her until they were out of the underworld.

Orpheus was overjoyed by the prospect of seeing his wife again, and agreed to the gods’ criteria. Orpheus once again crossed the river Styx, and gradually led Eurydice out of the underworld. Having the long journey to let his thoughts fester, Orpheus began to wonder if Hades had tricked him and Eurydice wasn’t behind him at all. Due to his anxiety and impulsivity, Orpheus looked back at Eurydice just before they had reached the entrance of the mortal realm, and she was pulled back into the underworld.

Orpheus would never see Eurydice again until his own death. He swore off loving anyone else, dooming him to grief for the rest of his living days.

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What is Orphism?

Orphism was an ancient Greek mystic religion attributed to the writings of the poet Orpheus, as well as holding associations with the Orphic Hymns and the story of Orpheus and Eurydice. Orphism is believed to have originated around 700-600 BCE, where as Dionysus’ orphic mythology was recorded in Hesiod’s Theogony around 700 BCE, and the first documented telling of Orpheus and Eurydice is attributed to the poet Ibycus around 530 BCE. While Orpheus is sometimes referenced as the author of the Orphic Hymns, it’s important to note that they were written in the late Hellenistic or early Roman era (~300 BCE-200 CE), well after the origination of Orphism or the recording of Orpheus and Eurydice.

Orphism is based on principles of duality, especially in relation to life and death.

This duality is present in Dionysus’ birth myth as he is the only god born to both a deity and a mortal: "And Semele, daughter of Kadmos was joined with him [Zeus] in love and bare him a splendid son, joyous Dionysos,-a mortal woman an immortal son. And now they both are gods." - Hesiod, Theogony 940

The myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, though later than the origin of Orphism, is relevant to the mystic religion due to duality between life and death or between the mortal realm and the underworld. Orpheus is considered the only mortal to safely enter and return from the underworld.

Why is it relevant?

Orphism is intertwined with the Orphic hymns, a series of 86 poems devoted to gods of the Greek pantheon. Several of the known hymns are written to venerate cthonic gods, or gods associated with the underworld. The hymns and Orphism as a whole have an unusual focus on cthonic gods and the underworld, meaning Orphic texts are the few sources of documentation we have that describe how ancient Greeks viewed and interated with the underworld in religion.

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