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Libation to Hera
Members of Hellenion offer libations to certain gods in specific months. January is the month to honor Hera.
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.
Participants move about the altar in a counter-clockwise direction, and then place any offerings they have brought upon the altar. The altar is oriented toward the East, and may be decorated with images of Hera, and other things associated with her. A bowl for receiving libations will also be on the altar, as will a sacred flame (candle).
The priestess (or priest or other participant) says the following prayer to the goddess, while all lift their hands upward:
“Hear me, Hera Parthenos [virgin], Hera Zygia [uniter], Hera Akraia [of the heights], or by whichever names you wish to be called. We sing of golden-throned Hera, Queen of the Immortals, surpassing all in beauty, the sister and wife of loud-thundering Zeus. We ask that bless and protect our family (or families). Do this for us, and we shall assemble in your honor again.” (portions taken from the Homeric Hymn to Hera)
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, Hera Boöpis, “cow-eyed”
A libation in your honor, Hera Khera, “solitary”
A libation in your honor, Hera Pais, “maiden”
A libation in your honor, Hera Agreie, “of Argos”
A libation in your honor, Hera Leukolenos, “white-armed”
A libation in your honor, Hera Teleia, “accomplished”
A libation in your honor, Hera Gamelia, “of marriage”
The incense is lit and offered to Hera. The priestess reads the Orphic Hymn to Hera (#16).
“You are ensconced in darksome hollows, and airy is your form,
O Hera, queen of all and blessed consort of Zeus.
You send soft breezes to mortals, such as nourish the soul,
and, mother of rains,
you nurture the winds and give birth to all.
Without you there is neither life nor growth;
and, mixed as you are in the air we venerate, you partake of all,
and of all you are queen and mistress.
You toss and turn with the rushing wind.
May you, O blessed goddess and many-named queen of all,
come with kindness and joy on your lovely face.”
(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, glorious goddess, mother of the Immortals. We shall assemble in your honor again.”
Following the ritual there will be a shared meal.
2006 photos are posted here. 2007 ones coming soon!