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Libation to Hephaistos
Members of Hellenion offer libations to certain gods in specific months. March is the month to honor Hephaistos.
All participating will come to the ritual clean and pure from míasma. (Read about how you can prepare yourself here.) Each stops to wash their hands in the khérnips before entering the ritual area. However, there will be no further purifications for this short ritual.
As we will be holding this outside, we may not set up al altar. If there is to be one, it will be oriented toward the East, and be decorated with images of Hephaistos, and any other things pleasing to him. We will likely pour our libations directly on the ground, but if we are to use an altar, we will have a bowl for receiving libations, as well as sacred flame (candle) on the altar.
The priestess (or priest or other participant) says the following prayer to the god, while all lift their hands upward:
“Hear me, Hephaistos Klutós [famed], Hephaistos Polúmetis [of many skills], Hephaistos Khalkeús [smith] or by whichever names you wish to be called. Hephaistos, famed for inventions; with bright-eyed Athene you taught mortals glorious gifts throughout the world, mortals who before used to dwell in caves in the mountains like wild beasts. But now that we have learned crafts through you, Hephaistos the famed worker, easily we live a peaceful life in our own houses the whole year round. Be gracious, Hephaistos, and grant us success and prosperity!” (portions taken from the Homeric Hymn to Hephaistos)
At this point participants come forth with various libations of wine, water, milk, honey, olive oil, etc. As they pour their libation, they recite one of the following lines:
A libation in your honor, Hephaistos Periklutós, “very famous”
A libation in your honor, Hephaistos Klutómetis, “famed for skill”
A libation in your honor, Hephaistos Amphiguéeis, “the lame one”
A libation in your honor, Hephaistos Aithalóeis Theos, “sooty”
A libation in your honor, Hephaistos Polúphron, “ingenious”
A libation in your honor, Hephaistos Klutotékhnes, “famous artist”
A libation in your honor, Hephaistos Kullopodíon, “of the dragging feet”
The incense is lit and offered to Hephaistos. The priestess reads the Orphic Hymn to Hephaistos (#66).
Powerful and strong-spirited Hephaistos, unwearying fire
that shines in the gleam of flames, god bringing light
to mortals, mighty-handed and eternal artisan.
Worker, cosmic part and blameless element,
highest of all, all-eating, all-taming and all-haunting,
ether, sun, stars, moon and pure light;
for it is a part of Hephaistos all these reveal to mortals.
All homes, all cities and all nations are yours,
and, O mighty giver of many blessings, you dwell in human bodies.
Hear me, lord, as I summon you to this holy libation,
that you may always come, gentle, to make work a joy.
End the savage rage of untiring fire
since, through you, nature itself burns in our bodies.
(translation by A.
Athanassakis)
Any special requests or personal devotions are made at this time. Participants may step forward and make an offering of whatever they wish. A few words from the heart should be said out loud.
To conclude the ritual, a final libation is poured, while saying “Hail, Hephaistos, god of fire and crafts! Grant us your blessings, and we shall assemble in your honor again.”
Don't forget to sign the photograph form. Thanks for participating!
Photos are posted here.