Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

"Larger Than Life"

The centaur Cheiron is known for his extensive knowledge and skill on all areas of life. He was a tutor of heroes, and as an archer, never met his match. He was universally admired while he lived, and his altruistic death added even more brilliance to his legacy. When he was accidently hit by a poisoned arrow by his friend, Herakles, he knew that he would be in agony for the rest of his immortal life. So, he closed a deal with Zeus: to trade his life for that of Prometheus, who was suffering eternal punishment. Zeus agreed, and put Cheiron in the sky as the Zodiac sign Sagittarius. People born under this sign are unlike any other, and somewhat larger than life… They are born to explore, and are on a perpetual quest for knowledge and experiences. Bouncing from one idea to the next, they may come across as somewhat superficial. And as they don’t spend time on pleasanteries, and are no fans of compromise, they could be a little too blunt for some. But when they go, they go all-in. All the time. Every time.​ Back to December overview.

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Birthstone: Turquoise

"A Lucky Charm"

The birthstones for December are all blue, and the most known one is the turquoise. This name, meaning “Turkish stone”, is fairly recent. In antiquity, the Greeks just knew it as “beautiful stone”, or “kalos lithos”. It was a coveted gem, for its prettiness and its protective powers. Until this day, horse riders decorate their saddles with it, to prevent them from falling off. As early as in ancient Egypt, turquoise was supposed to bring good luck. It was associated with Hathor, personification of femininity and motherhood. As such, the Greeks identified her with Aphrodite, goddess of love. An Egyptian myth tells about a young maiden from the pharao’s household, who had lost her turquoise necklace on a boat trip. She was so sad, that the king ordered his magician to split the waves in two. (Now, where have we heard that theme before…) The girl retrieved her necklace from the bottom of the lake. The king was delighted to see her so grateful, and promptly asked her to marry him. And thanks to her lucky charm, they lived happily ever after.​ Back to December overview.

 

December 01: World Aids Day

"Hypsipyle and the Women of Lemnos"

For the ancient Greeks, every disease was a curse from the gods, so compassion was out of the question, and repentence was the only cure. So, when the people of the cosy island of Lemnos were struck by a mysterious epidemic, they handled it accordingly. The disease only affected women, enveloping them in a foul smell wherever they went. Naturally, this had to be their own fault, so they were accused of all kinds of improper behaviour, humiliated, questioned, mocked, brutalised and beaten. And one day, all men sailed away, leaving their wives and daughters behind, hungry and vulnerable, to die a certain death. Still, they wouldn’t give up. Under the guidance of their young princess Hypsipyle, they rebuilt their lives. And ultimately, the men returned. With a cure, they dared to hope. Instead, they would be replaced by maidens, kidnapped overseas. Is it any wonder that the women fought for their bare existence? That they showed the men as little mercy as they’d received themselves? Scholars have been debating this issue for centuries… Fact is, that when the night was over and Lemnos was a widow’s island, the so-called curse was lifted. Back to December overview.

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December 02: World Futures Day

"The Oracle of Delphi"

Some of us aren’t really keen to know what the future holds, while others would really like to catch a glimpse of it. The ancient Greeks belonged to the second category, and they had at their disposal the perfect tool: the oracle of Delphi. It had been founded by the god Apollo, at the place that supreme god Zeus had declared to be the center of the world. It was Apollo who named the town after his favourite animal, the dolphin (“delphis” in Greek). To start up his project, he had to unalive a giant python, and in honour of this beast, the high priestess would be called “pythia”. She sat in the temple, next to a crack in the ground, inhaling sulfery damps. The pythia was never wrong, and if she was, she was misunderstood. Emperor Nero for example, thought he’d live till 73, because that was the number the oracle had warned him for. Instead, he was overthrown at thirty. By a 73-year old.  Or take Croesus, who made plans to invade Persia. “You will destroy a great country”, had been the prediction. Indeed, he did. His own. Back to December overview.

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December 03: International Day Of Persons With Disabilities

"Hephaistos/Vulcan, Divine Smith"

Some myths say that Hera threw her son Hephaistos (Vulcan in latin) off Mount Olympos, when she discovered he had a limping foot. Raised by ocean nymphs and skilled in smithing on the island of Lemnos, he took revenge on his mother by chaining her to a golden throne. He would only set her free if he got Aphrodite, goddess of love, for a wife. It could have been a great match, a union of talent and feeling, craftsmanship and intuition. But the marriage didn’t work out, as Aphrodite went for a wild and passionate ride with Ares, god of war. So, Hephaistos submerged himself in his work and his creations were universally admired. Without Hephaistos, no sun chariot for Helios, no thunderbolts for Zeus, no breastplate for Athena, no palace for Aietes, no love belt for Aphrodite. His absolute masterpiece was the armour for “the greatest of all time”, Achilles. It was faultless and it should have protected the boy, if not for the Fates, who had decided otherwise. Like so many things in Hephaistos’ life, this just doesn’t seem fair. Back to December overview.

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December 04: International Day Of Banks

"Tyrian Purple"

“Streets that gleamed with gold, inlaid with fine-cut stones…” That’s how the ancient Greeks imagined the Phoenician city of Tyre, now in Lebanon. It would have been built by Giants, offspring of earth mother Gaia, on the instruction of Herakles. For the Greeks, the city was at the origin of their civilisation, as it was the birthplace of princess Europa. She brought the rich culture of her ancestors to the isle of Crete, when she was abducted by Zeus (in the form of a bull, remember?) And while her son Minos established the Minoan civilisation, her brother Kadmos introduced the Greeks to the art of reading and writing. And seafaring, as Herakles had taught the Tyrians how to build ships. Furthermore, it were them, who had discovered the secret of purple, when a dog bit some seashell and had his mouth dyed in a shade of mauve. Tyrian fabrics were exported all over the world, but they carefully guarded their purple patent. It made their textiles so expensive, that only the ultra rich could afford them. So for the ancient Greeks, the colour of money wasn’t green. It was most definitely purple. Back to December overview.

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December 05: International Volunteer Day For Economic And Social Development

"Protesilaos and Laodamia"

Protesilaos and Laodamia had always been fond of each other, and were destined to marry. But when Protesilaos was invited to join the contest for winning the hand of beautifulo Helena, he drove off to Sparta in a heartbeat. It didn’t work out, so he returned to Laodamia, tail between the legs. She agreed to take him back, but warned him never to mention Helena’s name again. So he didn’t tell her about the oath he took – together with all the other suitors – to come to Helena’s rescue whenever needed. To Laodamia’s horror, he had to honour the oath, when Helena was abducted to Troy. Now, they all knew the prophecy, that the first one to set foot on Trojan soil, would be the first to die. So Laodamia made him swear to hold back. But it seems that all the others had made the same promise. In the end, Protesilaos decided he’d rather die a hero than live like a coward. Which was what happened. For his fellow Greeks, this was the ultimate form of volunteering, and it granted him great appraisal. Understanably, not from Laodamia. Back to December overview.

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December 06: Sinterklaas!

"Pelops with the Ivory Shoulder"

King Tantalos was one of the gods’ favourite humans. But the respect wasn’t mutual. For no other reason than putting the Olympians to the test, he cooked and served up his own son Pelops. No god would touch the dish, except for Demeter, distracted by grief for her missing daughter. Tantalos was sent to the Tartaros, to stand in a pool of water with a fruit tree just beyond his reach. Hence the word “tantalising” and “a tantalus cabinet”. Pelops was revived and became a famous hero – albeit with an ivory shoulder – giving his name to the Peloponnesos peninsula. If elements of this tale sound familiar, it’s because it’s incorporated in the legend of the children’s hero Saint Nicholas. He too saved some kinds from being fried, and as patron saint of children, subsequently built a splendid career, both in Europe and overseas. His sponsor deal with a major soda company involved sprucing up his background story, by adding reindeer, elfs, and a family home somewhere far North. And ugly sweaters, that too. Back to December overview.

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December 07: Civil Aviation Day

"Daidalos/Daedalus and Ikaros/Icarus"

The first civilian flight on record happened some five millennia ago, when king Minos (son of supreme god Zeus and the Phenician princess Europa), governed over the island of Crete. He was a ruthless ruler, whose power was based on fear, not in the least because of the horrific, children devouring monster Minotaur, kept in a labyrinth under the palace. This labyrinth was designed by Daidalos, famous craftsman and architect. He was credited with inventing carpentry itself and was the first to think of masts and sails on a ship. But since king Minos didn’t want to share his talent, Daidalus was a prisoner at the palace too. To escape his tower jail, he crafted a pair of wings, for himself and his son Ikaros, out af bird feathers and wax. And one day, they flew away. Unfortunately, Ikaros, young and excited, flew too high, too close to the sun… The wax melted, his wings fell apart and he famously crashed. The story is supposed to be a cautionary tale about hubris… but these days, the message doesn’t always come across. Back to December overview.​

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December 08: Winter

"Aurora Borealis"

In this dark time of the year, the Greek goddess of dawn, Eos, waited a long time to come out and open heaven’s gates for her brother, the sun. In the myths, she appears as a beautiful and sexy goddess, with lots of spicy adventures. But she knew just one true love: the Trojan prince Tithonos. The two made a harmonious couple, and lived happily in her magical castle. Unfortunately, with him being a mortal, Eos knew that her fairytale couldn’t last. So, she used all her feminine charm on supreme god Zeus, begging him to grant her lover eternal life. Surprisingly, Zeus didn’t even ask for as much as a little kiss in return. Years later, she realised the mean trick he had played on her, knowing full well that she had meant eternal youth, not merely life. Tithonos was aging. He would never die, but over the centuries he faded away, dried out and shrunk, until she had no choice but to turn him into a cicada, still longingly chirping at her every morning, when she makes her appearance. Beautiful as ever, and surrounded by the mesmerising patterns of light, that carry her latin name: Aurora. Borealis in the North, and Australis in the South. Back to December overview.

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December 09: International Anti-Corruption Day

"Hermes/Mercury and Battus"

When the god Hermes was growing up, he wanted nothing more than enter the select cycle of Olympian gods. As an illegitimate son of supreme god Zeus, he had always felt jealous of Apollo, his half brother with higher status. He cooled his frustration – and demonstrated his wit and cleverness – by teasing and tricking Apollo at every occasion. One day, when Apollo was distracted by love sickness, Hermes stole his whole herd of cattle. But he noticed a little late that he had been observed, by a passer-by, named Battus. In exchange for Battus’ silence, he offered him a nice cow. Battus swore that a piece of rock would talk before he would! Hermes, taking his own character into account, decided to put him to the test. In disguise, he promised Battus both a cow and a bull if he revealed the whereabouts of the lost herd. Contrary to what he had sworn, Battus did talk before any rock did. It’s only natural that Hermes promptly changed him into one. As a piece of basalt, he stands as a silent warning against corruption and bribery. Back to December overview.

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December 10: International Human Rights Day

"Artemis/Diana and Kallisto/Callisto"

Greek goddess Artemis liked nothing better than strolling the woods with her retinue of nymphs. One was her favourite: Kallisto, as nice as she was beautiful. These qualities didn’t escape the always wandering eye of Zeus, and he went for the most deceitful of disguises: the form of Artemis herself. How could Kallisto have resisted the charms of her most beloved friend? They shared a moment of intense joy and passion, but is was shortlived. Not only did Zeus leave her heartbroken, he also got her pregnant. Expelled from the fellowship, she had to deliver her baby all by herself. On top of that, a furious Hera took revenge, by changing her into a bearess. While her son Arkas grew up to be a skilled hunter, she wandered through the woods in loneliness. Until one day, when she accidently stumbled upon her son, and he took aim at her. It’s only then that Zeus finally intervened, and put them both in the sky, as Ursa Major, and Ursa Minor, the “bearess” and the “bear cub”, still pointing out the polestar today. Back to December overview.

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December 11: World Mountain Day

"The Olympians"

If you were asked how many Olympian gods there were, you would say twelve, right? Twelve is a powerful number, think of the apostles, the knights of the round table, or the signs of the Zodiac. Supreme god Zeus thought so too. His group of twelve was easily formed: his sister-wife Hera and their son Ares, his brothers Hades and Poseidon, and his sisters, Demeter and Hestia. Also included were his daughter Athena with his first wife, and the twins Apollo and Artemis with his sixts wife. He also invited Hermes, one of his illegitimate sons. In revenge, Hera added Hephaistos, a child she conceived all by herself. And twelve they were, living happily on Mount Olympos. But then, Aphrodite appeared, born from the foam of the sea, as a direct descendant of primary god Ouranos. And next, Zeus adopted Dionysos, his half human son with the princess Semele. Fortunately, Hades retreated to his fabulous treasures in the underworld. And dutiful Hestia ceded her place, and went to live among the humans. And so, they were twelve again. Back to December overview.

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December 12: International Day Of Neutrality

"The Heliastic Oath"

In the old days, a neutral justice system was guaranteed by voting on everything. Only by male citizens of course, who were provided with white and black pebbles (for “yes” and “no”) to put in an urn. Jury duty was taken very seriously, as is illustrated by the Athenian “Heliastic Oath”. "I will vote according to the laws, and concerning matters about which there are no laws by the most just understanding, and for the sake of neither favour nor enmity. And I will vote concerning the very matters about which the prosecution is, and I will listen to both the accusers and defendants, both of them equally. I swear these things by Zeus, Apollo, and Demeter, and may I have many good things if I swear well, but destruction for me and my family if I forswear." Clearly, cheating was a grave sin, but for the gods of course, the rules didn’t apply. When one of Herakles’ favourites, Myscelus, got into trouble, the god didn’t think twice about changing the colour of the pebbles in his favour. Well, at least, he kept up appearances. Back to December overview.

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December 13: Winter

The Pleiades, Sisters of Rain

In ancient Greece, marriages were first of all a way to move up in the world, and an unsuitable marriage was to be avoided. As a visible illustration of this, Greek parents pointed out the Pleiades cluster at the night sky. These stars were once nymphs, daughters of the titan Atlas. Attractive as they were, they had relations with the likes of Zeus and Poseidon and bore them gods and heroes. But they were also pursued by the formidable hunter Orion, taking advantage of the incapacity of their father, who carried the weight of the world. In the end, Zeus placed the sisters in the sky, but as Orion also got his place up there, it didn’t really solve anything. That’s why the Pleiades are crying, and they announce the raining season. All of them are bright and shiny, except for one, who’s not even visible to the naked eye. That’s Merope, the youngest, who married beneath her, to the mortal Sisyphus. He enraged the gods and suffered eternal punishment. The shame caused Merope’s starry light to fade away. Not an example to follow. Back to December overview.

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December 14: International Monkey Day

"Herakles/Hercules and the Kerkopes/Cercopes"

Vandalisme and young mischief are nothing new, though according to ancient Greek belief, the goddess Arete (“Virtue”) did her best to keep all youth on the straight and narrow. The myth of “Herakles at the crossroads”, depicted by hundreds of artists throughout the centuries, illustrates this. When Herakles (or Hercules) arrived at a fork in the road, two goddesses appear to offer him a choice. Kakia (“Vice”) shows him the path to a pleasant and easy life. While Arete wants to lead him to a difficult, but honourable, even glorious one. Encouraged by Athena, he ultimately decides for virtue and honour. Shortly after, he meets the Kerkopes brothers, the illustration of the life of vice, that he rejected. He’s offended by their nasty behaviour, and as a punishment, he ties them to a shoulder pole, slung over his shoulder, with their faces pointing downwards. But it didn’t deter them, so Zeus himself intervened, turning them into monkeys. It seems he got the idea, because “kerkopes” means “tailmen”. It’s the only time monkeys are mentioned in Greek mythology, but it has influenced our view on them until today. Back to December overview.

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December 18: International Migrants Day

"Tisamen in Sparta"

When king Lakedaimon ruled over the Peloponnesian region of Lakonia, he renamed the capital after his wife, Sparta. The kingdom always differed from other Greek cities, not in the least for its strict rules. Most of those were decreed long ago, by their revered lawmaker Lykourgous. The directive about citizenship was that it never should be granted to a foreigner. Yet, one institution was held in even higher esteem, and that would be the oracle. So, when the Delphian pythia professed that a certain soothsayer, Tisamen, would win five great battles, the Spartans wanted him in their camp. Tisamen asked for full citizenship, but that was a bridge too far. However, when the threat from neighbouring Persia became imminent, they had a change of heart and called him back. By then, Tisamen’s demand included his brother. The seer did guide his new home country to victory at Plataia, Tegeia, Dipaia, Ithome and Tanagra. The Spartans thanked him and honoured him with laurels. But they never forgave him for not being born a Spartan. Back to December overview.

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December 19: Holidays

"Hellebore Myths"

The Christmas Rose (known as “lenten rose” in some parts of the world), belongs to the hellebore family. The bright red flowers bring a splash of colour in the depth of winter. But its beauty conceals a toxic nature. Nowadays, no doctor would advise a dilution of hellebore as a medicine, but in antiquity, and especially in mythology, its use was widespread. The prophet and physician Melampous was famous for his hellebore potions, which he created in a small lab near the Anigros river. (As a result of his experiments, this stream still spreads a sulfuric smell.) Hellebore was believed to be ideal for purging the body from a surplus of black bile, the cause of “melancholy”. But if used without moderation, it can be lethal and at least one time, hellebore extract was used as a weapon. When the city of Kirra was under siege, their spring was poisoned with it. The Kirrans were struck with such horrific “never ending” gut problems that they were forced into surrendering. It was not a pretty sight. So far for the romantic image of the Christmas Rose. Back to December overview.

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December 20: Holidays

"Dionysos/Bacchus, Ampelos/Ampelus and Cissus/Kissos

In mythology, the plants ivy and vine belong to the same family. Both were once beautiful satyr boys, named Ampelos and Kissos. Both were attracted to young Dionysos, who chose Ampelos as his playmate. While they spent many happy hours together, Kissos watched them enviously, high up in a tree. At the time, none of them was aware that the Fates had destined Dionysos to be the god of wine. And even less that Ampelon was to become the key ingredient. When the moment had come, Ampelos’ life was cut short. His body, now transformed into a grapevine, lied aimlessly on the ground in a tangled heap. Dionysos, shocked and overwhelmed, had no clue what to do with it, let alone follow up with the wine making process. This was Kissos’ chance for his fifteen minutes of faim. As fast climbing ivy, he swirled himself around Dionysos' cane (known as “thyrsus”), to show the god how to train the plants. In lots of vineyards, ivy still sprouts, delicately encouraging the young vines to creep up and bear fruit. Back to December overview.

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December 21: Winter Solstice

"Phosphoros/Lucifer and Hesperos/Vesper"

The ancient Greeks lived under a sky full of stars, and they read them like a comic book. But some of their most visible and coveted ones, the Morning and Evening Star, are in fact the planet Venus. Especially in winter, when days are short, she shines brightly at dawn and dusk. In Greek eyes though, it wasn’t one planet, but two different stars, representing two different gods. Though myths vary, both could be the sons of Eos, goddess of dawn, and Astraios, god of stars. The Morning Star was called “Phosphoros” in Greek, and “Lucifer” in latin, meaning “light bringing”. (Your little matches are still doing just that, by the way.) As a “fallen star” (or god, or angel), this Lucifer would later make the transition to monotheism. Phosphoros’ (half) brother would be Hesperos, the Evening Star. His latin equivalent was Vesper, and his appearance officially announced the end of the working day. That would be around 5pm, and in monastic life, this is still the time for evening prayer. And some quiet stargazing, I suppose. Back to December overview.

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December 22: Holidays

"Artemis/Diana and Taigete/Taygete"

The nymph Taygete was one of the Pleiades, daughters of the titan Atlas and a member of Artemis’ retinue. Now, supreme god Zeus made it his objective to “meet” with each and everyone of them. When it was her turn, she called in the help of her patroness. Without giving it much thought, Artemis changed her into a hind. Not just any hind, but “larger than a bull, with bronze hooves”. She retreated to the region of Keryneia, and as she was Artemis’ sacred animal, nobody hunted her. Except for Herakles. As his third task, he had to capture it, without inflicting any harm. It took him more than a year and a journey all over the world, depicted on vase paintings and mosaics. The hind is easily recognisable, as it bears “golden antlers, like a deer”, on its head. Which is curious, because a doe bearing antlers was unknown in Greece. So, this particular myth has lead to a lot of speculation. Maybe the Caryneian hind was not a hind at all, but its cousin from the far North. And there you have it: a reindeer in Greek mythology. Back to December overview.

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December 23: Holidays

"Pan and Pitys"

As we all know, women are attracted to men with a sense of humour. This was also the case for the nymph Pitys, and that’s why she fell for nature god Pan. When they were together, their laughter sounded through the woods like a breeze of fresh air. It lifted the spirits of all forest creatures, but – how could it not? - also lead to jealousy. The god of the North Wind, Boreas, had been in love with bubbly Pitys for as long as he could remember and he resented Pan for seemingly effortless – and totally undeserved – enjoying Pitys’ affections. So, one day, he halted them in their steps. Hoping to impress Pitys, he uprooted a row of trees in one roaring gust. She was shocked at first, but when Pan puffed his cheeks the same way and imitated Boreas’ bellowing, she burst into laughter. Boreas didn’t take the insult well and went after her howling. She didn’t stand a chance, but earth mother Gaia intervened just in time. As a pine tree, Pithys still represents warmth, laughter and the festive atmosphere of the holidays. Back to December overview.

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December 24: Holidays

"Poseidon/Neptune and Chios"

The ocean rulers Poseidon and Amphitrite had a solid marriage, but sometimes, Poseidon needed space. At these moments, he would retreat to a remote island, obviously with some nymphs for relaxation. When he met a particularly breathtaking one, he was eager to ask her name, but she just smiled in silence. They shared some magical moments nevertheless, and when they parted, he knew he’d miss that smile. Not long after, a dolphin brought him a message, and without a word to frowning Amphitrite, he came swimming. It was the depth of winter, snow was falling, and there she was, in a humble stable, flanked by an ox and a donkey, and with a twinkling star above. “He needs a name,” she whispered, and handed him a baby boy. As a snowflake landed on its little nose, Poseidon grinned. “Chios – Snow – will be his name, and that of this island.” And when Amphitrite later wondered about that island with its wintery name, Poseidon smiled in silence, and thought of his little snowman. Back to December overview.

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December 25: Christmas

"Achilles, a Very Special Child"

The Greeks had long been waiting for the arrival of a very special child. According to a prophecy, the Oceanid Thetis would give birth to “the best of them all”. Her son would indeed gain fame as an icon of heroism. (Even the Austrian empress Sisi was a fan.) Yet, I can’t help wondering why. Achilles spent his youth preparing for his glorious destiny, but when the time came to go to war, he tried to escape his fate by dressing in girl’s clothes. He didn’t stop the sacrifice of a young princess, who had believed she was to become his bride. His contribution to the Trojan war consisted of ruthless loothing, and after nine years of that, he went on strike, because the king took his favourite concubine. Only when his friend took his place and lost his life in the process, he came out for revenge. And after unaliving the Trojan crown prince, he dishonoured his body. Today, he’s associated with the Achilles tendon. Isn’t it ironic that the “greatest of them all” is remembered for his one weak spot?... Back to December overview.

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December 26: Boxing Day

"Pandora, the First Woman"

At the dawn of mankind, planet earth was only inhabited by men. It were the gods who sent the first woman, not to keep the men company, but to punish them for their growing arrogance. The made her herself and called her Pandora, meaning “gifted by all”, because every god contributed something. But it could also mean “bringing gifts”, because that’s what she did. She carried with her a sealed jar, that had to stay closed at all time. It contained all kinds of hardship, but of course, nobody told her that. It’s generally believed that Pandora couldn’t resist opening it, out of female curiosity, with catastrophic consequences. Much like Eve in the bible, who is also blamed for all bad things imaginable. Ills and misfortunes, like anger, jealousy, disease and despair escaped into the world… Fortunately, Pandora closed the lid just in time, and a little remnant of hope remained. When life gets though, maybe you should look for it in your own little box. You’ll find it right next to that shiny bracelet, that tells Pandora’s story. Back to December overview.

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December 27: Winter

"Keyx/Ceyx and Alkyone/Alcyone"

When it comes to “happily ever after”, the Greeks had a slightly different vision than we do. The best one could hope for was to be put in the sky as a constellation, or to be turned into a plant, a mountain, a cloud, or an animal, for Greek mythology offers an endless variety of shape shifting. The story of Keyx and Alkyone is a beautiful example. Though the myths vary, it seems that Alkyone was the daughter of Aiolos, master of the winds, and happily married to Keyx, king of Trachis. Of course, such marital bliss couldn’t stay without consequences, and on a voyage overseas, Keyx drowned. Alkyone learned about his faith when he appeared to her in a dream, and out of grief, she threw herself in the sea. But the gods took pity on the couple – in their own weird way – and changed them into kingfishers. Every year, at the “halcyon days”, fourteen days of calm in the dept of winter, the two love birds build a floating nest. And father (in law) Aiolos restrains the winds and calms the waves, protecting his daughter and her little family from harm. Back to December overview.

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December 28: World Cinema Day

"Greek Gods in Movies"

It’s been stated that Greek mythology evolves around the same seven themes as contemporary stories. But how would the Greek gods feel about the handling of their legacy, especially on the big screen? We can assume that Hephaistos (Vulcan in latin) would be okay Decelber with his planet, as Poseidon would be with his underwater kingdom, and Prometheus with his rather impressive set of wheels. On the other hand, Athena would hate to be cast as a mother, and it would shock Demeter to be associated with a horror ship. Aphrodite would be offended for being portrayed as an empty headed blonde, while Herakles would be confused by the mix-ups in his story. The god of sleep, Morpheus, would feel sympathy for his name sharer, and Zeus and Apollo would chuckle to see these fierce dogs named after them. But whether the frightful. King of the underworld, Hades (Pluto in latin), would be equally amused? And the god of all things wild and rural, Pan, wouldn’t feel any connection with a naïve teen. He would with Tinkerbell though… Back to December overview.

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December 30: Holidays

"Apollo, the Incel God"

The holidays would have been challenging times for the Greek god Apollo. Though he was universally admired, he didn’t have that one unique quality to stand out. He was good at arts, but so were the Muses. He was smart, but outwitted by Hermes. He was associated with the sun, but it was Helios who brought the light of day. He was “radiatingly” handsome, but not as charming as Dionysos. In the myths he comes across as kind of an incell, frustrated and impulsive. He was prepared to shapeshift into a snake to have his way with a princess, he unalived the suitor of his sister out of possessiveness and two competitors in music out of jealousy. He put a curse on a girl that stood up to him, shot children to punish their mother, and a partner on suspicion of infidelity. No wonder sweet Daphne changed into a laurelbush and Boline threw herself in the ocean, rather than to put up with him. He found some caring company in Hyakinthos, but that was just a boy, carried away by the whole god-thing. And when he died, he left Apollo lonelier than ever. Back to December overview.

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December 31: New Year's Eve

"Chronos/Chronos and Kronos/Saturn"

Nearing the end of the year, let’s talk about time. “Father Time”, or “Chronos”, as the ancient Greeks called him. He turns the wheel of the Zodiac and makes time pass. Even in antiquity, he was confused with the titan “Kronos”, and he’s often depicted with Kronos’ sickle. The latter was the father of supreme god Zeus. His latin name is Saturn, hence the planet Saturn and Saturday. He rebelled against his father Ouranos and mutilated him (with his sickle). After which he threw Ouranos’ male parts in the ocean, where they created the goddess of love, Aphrodite. With Aphrodite rising from the foam of the sea, you could state that Kronos is responsible for creating love itself. His almost name-sharer Chronos on the other hand, could be blamed for love fading away, as allegorically illustrated in paintings called “Time clipping Eros’ wings” (Eros being the god of passion). With one year following another in “chronological” order, some of the passion may indeed slip away. But if the foundations are strong, love itself will last. Happy New Year! Back to December overview.