Today I'm celebrating the sacred marriage, hieros gamos, of King Zeus & Queen Hera. May their anniversary bring blessings to all of us.
Invoked as: Zeus Teleios & Zeus Herkeios and Hera Teleia & Hera Oikos.
The libation was water. The offering in the center is a bouquet of heart and flower shaped gummies my mother gave me. I didn't have the energy to offer the incense, but even just the stick smells nice.
“With that the son of Cronus caught his wife in his arms and under them now the holy earth burst with fresh green grass, crocus and hyacinth, clover soaked with dew, so thick and soft it lifted their bodies off the hard, packed ground… Folded deep in that bed they lay and round them wrapped a marvelous cloud of gold, and glistening showers of dew rained down around them both. And so, deep in peace, the Father slept on Gargaron peak, conquered by Sleep and strong assaults of Love, his wife locked in his arms.”
—Iliad, 14.413-421, translated by Robert Fagles
Rundown of the altar: my statues of Zeus and Hera on a golden plinth, standing in front of my "wedding portrait" (done by the INCREDIBLE @coloricioso). The incense is lotus oil. To the right are flowers in the flame colors associated with brides (and priestesses of Juno) in my Wifey water bottle from my wedding. To the left is a replica hydria depicting Zeus and holding peacock feathers, which my husband gave me for our household altar. In front is an altar box where I keep random love notes my husband gives me, also holding my wedding jewelry. The whole thing is scattered in lotus petals and olive leaves which I am definitely not going to sweep up and make into a tea out of curiosity.
My husband joined me under my veil to drink a toast to the anniversary couple 🥰
Let your nuptial hymns, your nuptial songs, greet him and his wife! ‘Twas in the midst of such wedding festivities that the Moirai formerly united Olympian Hera to the King Zeus who governs the gods from the summit of his inaccessible throne. Oh! Hymen! oh! Hymenaios! Rosy Eros with the golden wings held the reins and guided the chariot; 'twas he, who presided over the union of Zeus and the fortunate Hera. Oh! Hymen! oh! Hymenaios!
Celebrating Theogamia (southern hemisphere) with some Aristophanes. Joyous Theogamia to you all!
Which calendar are y'all using that tells you Theogamia was yesterday? I thought I'd finallyyy got a handle on the festivals this year but my calendar has it as being tomorrow 😭 I missed it again 😭
Hi! Since Theogamia is coming up within the next few weeks, I wonder if you have any ideas on how to celebrate it :0
I usually celebrate Theogamia on the last day of January, but this year, I'm attempting to keep up with the reconstructed Athenian calendar!
I'm going to keep my practice of celebrating the Bath of Hera Parthenos on the eve of the Theogamia, the details of which I'll elaborate in case anyone wants to celebrate that with me :)
I carry Hera's idol from her altar to a specially prepared bath, which I make in a concrete bowl that I bought specially for the occasion. I burn incense for the lady and sing hymns/listen to music while I bathe her. I give her additional offerings in the way of libations and food and wrap her in a clean towel when the incense burns out. At that point, I dry her and carry her back to her spot on the altar (next to Zeus 🫶).
Trouble shows itself to me when it comes to actually celebrating the Theogamia. I celebrate it differently each year and haven't found a way of celebrating that fully satisfies me. I pour libations, burn incense, and hymn Hera and Zeus, but not much else. :,)
Therefore, I open the floor to anyone who wishes to share their way of celebrating the Theogamia!
The festival happens in three days, and I'm also strapped for ideas... 😵💫
Today, I celebrated Theogamia! I didn't do much to celebrate because I had a rough day, but honestly, I think it's really the thought that counts - putting in the effort that you can, even if it doesn't seem like much.
So, I'm doing what I can and making a post about the world's literal power couple.
Despite what some people say, Zeus and Hera are wonderful deities. They are both so kind, understanding, and fierce. There is an inherent fire of passion that burns brightly within them both. In Zeus, you can see the lightning in his eyes. In Hera, you can see a white flame burning in her heart. They are powerful, capable, and mature - more so than some people seem to give them credit for. And together, they rule Olympus with strength and grace, expertly tackling every issue that comes their way. They maneuver through obstacles as easily as wind blows through the trees. Their every movement, every action, never ceases to impress and amaze me, dazzling me like a child watching a magician. It's magic when they're on their own, and when they're together, it's spectacular.
Hera and Zeus are awesome. I love and appreciate them a lot, and I want to congratulate them on their marriage this Theogamia and express my gratitude for their reign of benevolence, elegance, and expertise. I adore them, and although I couldn't do much today, I hope they know that.
Praise be to Hera and Zeus, Queen and King of the Gods and of Olympus itself! 👑⚡🦚💜💛🤍
Though not much is known about how the ancient Greeks celebrated Theogamia, what we know for sure what they celebrated. Theogamia (meaning marriage of Gods,) is the celebration of the union between Zeus and Hera, specifically Zeus Telios and Hera Teleia, both epithets to basically indicate that they are married.
Theogamia takes place on the 27th of Gamelion (roughly mid-February.) This month became an ideal time to marry. and though, as mentioned, we don’t know much about how they celebrated, we do know that a large feast was involved. While it was likely celebrated all over Greece, we know for sure that it was popular in Athens.
How can you celebrate?
Theogamia is like Hellenic Polytheist’s Valentine's day. At least, that’s one way you can interpret it in a modern age. You can use this day to celebrate and honor your own relationship, treat it like you would an anniversary or Valentine’s Day. If both you and your partner are in agreement, you could even plan to have your own wedding on this day(or in this month.)
It doesn’t have to only be a romantic festival, however, as you can make preperations to celebrate Zeus and Hera’s union instead. Make a feast to honor Them as the patron Gods of marriage.
Though not much is known of the traditional celebrations- and thus, not much can be said about how to celebrate these days- that means that we have a little more breathing room. Get creative and brainstorm, make the holiday your own! Whatever you think may be a good way to celebrate, do it.
Theogamia is the festival of sacred marriage, specifically between Lord Zeus and Queen Hera. Their epithets worshipped during this day were Zeus Teleios (Marriage rites) and Hera Teleia (Adult Women, Marriage, Marital Harmony, Protector of Women in childbirth).
Theogamia is said to be the anniversary of Lord Zeus and Queen Hera's marriage.
A lot is unknown about Theogamia in regard to how the ancients celebrated. What we do know is that this day occurred around mid-February. The epithets of both Hera and Zeus indicate marriage. It is a prime time to marry, as it under the watch of both King Zeus and Queen Hera. We do know, however, that Theogamia was celebrated with a large feast.
To celebrate in modern times, you can celebrate both romantic and platonic relationships in you life and in the Theoi, specifically King and Queen. Hymns can be found here.
You may also find it a good time to propose or get married, plan marriage or start a relationship. While this month celebrates longstanding love, it is important to celebrate knew love as well.
me in greek class yesterday : i have not done any of the exercises and i still don’t know my verbs BUT. do you keep up with the attic calendar ?? do you know which day it is today ??? in a few minutes the sun will set and we’ll be the 27th Gamelion… it’s Theogamia !!! (no one but me was excited. WHY are they all learning ancient greek if they don’t care about the rituals 😔)
Ge, mother of all, approached the Gods
Asking them in a rumbling tremor
"O white-armed Hera, daughter of Rhea, do you take as your husband
the mighty and young Zeus, son of Kronos, the Titan-King?"
The Goddess moved her head in accord, a smile shared with her
God most beloved
An eternity in a bond, a sollid conection formed.
Her voice, as a singing cuckoo, filled the heavens with
Certainty and majesty, her pure regality.
"I do"
portuguese:
Gê, Mãe de Todos, aproximou-se dos Deuses
Perguntando-lhes em um tremor estrondoso
"Ó Hera bracinívea, filha de Réia, você toma como seu marido
o poderoso e jovem Zeus, filho de Cronos, o Titã-Rei?"
A Deusa moveu a cabeça de acordo, um sorriso compartilhado dela com o
Deus mais amado
Uma eternidade em um vínculo, uma conexão sólida formada.
Sua voz, como um cuco cantando, encheu os céus com
Certeza e majestade, sua pura realeza.
"Eu aceito"
May the divine marriage of Zeus and Hera, our King and Queen, serve as a joy to all. May you receive Their generosity in your own marriage, and may you and your spouse be blessed.
Orphic Hymn 14 - Hymn to Zeus
O Zeus much-honor'd, Zeus supremely great, to thee our holy rites we consecrate,
Our pray'rs and expiations, king divine, for all things round thy head exalted shine.
The earth is thine, and mountains swelling high, the sea profound, and all within the sky.
Kronion king, descending from above, magnanimous, commanding, sceptred Zeus;
All-parent, principle and end of all, whose pow'r almighty, shakes this earthly ball;
Ev'n Nature trembles at thy mighty nod, loud-sounding, arm'd with light'ning, thund'ring God.
Source of abundance, purifying king, O various-form'd from whom all natures spring;
Propitious hear my pray'r, give blameless health, with peace divine, and necessary wealth.
Orphic Hymn 15 - Hymn to Hera
O Royal Hera of majestic mien, aerial-form'd, divine, Zeus' blessed queen,
Thron'd in the bosom of cærulean air, the race of mortals is thy constant care.
The cooling gales thy pow'r alone inspires, which nourish life, which ev'ry life desires.
Mother of clouds and winds, from thee alone producing all things, mortal life is known:
All natures share thy temp'rament divine, and universal sway alone is thine.
With founding blasts of wind, the swelling sea and rolling rivers roar, when shook by thee.
Come, blessed Goddess, fam'd almighty queen, with aspect kind, rejoicing and serene.
A little late because my calendar apparently had it a day or so later than everyone else's 🙃 but I still observed it at least and gave some offerings of dried flowers to celebrate the marriage of the king and queen 👑