February Stories
Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
The Big Picture
The most mentioned story behind the Zodiac sign Aquarius, is the one about the abduction of Ganymedes, the handsome prince of Troy. Attracted by his unparallelled beauty, supreme god Zeus sent his eagle to fetch the boy and bring him to the Olympos. He would serve as a cup bearer, and according to the myths, was quite happy in his celestial surroundings. Even today, he’s still in Zeus’orbit, as one of the moons circling around Jupiter. Like Ganymedes, an Aquarius is curious and seemingly blending in just fine. But their adaptability is superficial. In fact, Aquarians are the most non conformist and progressive signs of the Zodiac. Humanitarian and socially motivated as well, constantly planning the revolution. Every Aquarian is a rebel at heart. Always focused on the big picture – and notoriously hardheaded – they can come across as detached, even distanced from everyday life and relationships. But when they get their space and don’t feel reined in, they make spirited, passionate, reliable and caring companions. Back to February overview.
Birthstone: Jasper
Stone of Iaso, Goddess of Remedy
The gem jasper is mentioned as a birthstone for february. Since ancient times, jaspers are revered for their healing powers, easing physical and emotional trauma. They are very popular as chakra stones, and besides that, they are beautiful gems, that come in lots of colours and patterns. In antiquity, green jasper was the best known, and as such, it’s even mentioned in the bible. Red jasper originated from the blood of the earth goddess, and was therefore linked to fertility. It should ease the pain of childbirth, if tied to a woman’s thigh. The viper jasper, with its snake like pattern, was believed to protect from snake- and spider bites. In Greek, the stones are called “iaspis”, which brings to mind Iaso, daughter of medicine god Aspklepios and goddess of remedy. Together with her sisters, she would oversea a patient’s healing process. A job that wasn’t the most romantic one, according to a quote from a popular theatre play: “And Iaso blushed when the patient passed gas…” She would have treated his flatulency with jasper, for sure. Back to February overview.
Birthstone: Amethyst
"Not Drunk"
One of the birthstones mentioned for the month of February, is the amethyst. In the classical world, it was one of the most popular gems, as it prevented hangovers. The name is Greek and literally means “not drunk”. In an ancient tale, wine god Dionysos chase a nymph, called Amethyste. In desperation, she asked Artemis, virgin goddess of the hunt, for help. Artemis turned her into a pure, white stone. Did it anger Dionysos, that she was out of reach. Or did he feel sorry at the sight of her, frozen in cold rock? Fact is that he poured his finest wine over it, colouring it purple and making it one of the most coveted gems, with very broad claims of health. The ancients would use it for drinking vessels, to avoid intoxication. Soldiers would carry it as protection. And in a bishop’s ring, it points to reasonableness. Others would wear it because it dissolves negativity, enhances memory, relieves insomnia, reduces pain, eases headaches, and treats injuries and all kinds of disorders. Or because it’s pretty. And shiny. Back to February overview.
February 01: Winter
Chione, Goddess of Snow
Winter in ancient Greece was short and usually mild, but every now and again, snow would fall. This would be the doing of the snow goddess Chione, daughter of the Nile god and an ocean nymph. As a young maiden, Chione would play with her friends alongside her father’s riverbanks. She was blissfully unaware of the hungry eyes, that followed her wherever she went. But one day, she strolled just a little too far from the river that had always protected her. The farmer boy, who had been spying on her for years, took his chance, and assaulted her violently. Her world was shattered, she felt humiliated and ashamed, and she couldn’t bear to see herself in the shining surface of her father’s stream. So, the Nile god turned to supreme god Zeus for help. Zeus instructed Hermes to turn her into a snow cloud. And until this day, when Chione feels overwhelmed, and can’t bear to see the reality of the brutal world that we live in, she covers it with a layer of snow. Back to February overview.
February 02: Candlemas
The Pancakes of Demeter's/Ceres
When Persephone, young daughter of Zeus and Demeter went missing, it was a sad time for both the goddess and mankind. Demeter was beside herself with fear and sorrow. Her best friend Hekate, goddess of witchcraft, lent her two magical torches to enlighten her quest, and she dwelt around the world, looking in every cave and cavern. In vain. She forgot all about her duties as goddess of fertility and harvest, and a cold and harsh winter set in. The meadows laid barren under a cover of snow, the trees were leafless and on the frozen fields, nothing could be sown or planted. In an effort to help the goddess, the people on earth also lit their candles and joined her in her search. They marched in procession and brought sweet flat pastries to her temple as comforting sacrifices. Demeter didn’t find her daughter, because she had been abducted to the underworld. But millennia later, this time of year, people all over the world still walk in candle lit processions. And also, to the joy of many, they still bake Demeter’s comfort food. Back to February overview.
February 03: Love Month
Romantasy in Ancient Greece
In ancient Greece, a book, or “biblos” consisted of a number of scrolls, put together in a box, called “capsa”, hence “caption”. They were destined to be recited out loud and especially romantic novels were popular. Take “Leukippe and Clitophon”, famous for the “kiss by intermediary”. (The lovers place their lips at the same spot on a cup, thus “drinking kisses to one another”). And famous for the oldest trick in the book: the use of a retractable sword. Another one is “Chloe and Daphnis”, in which prince charming Daphnis engages in whining and blaming others, while Chloe comforts him and does most of the heavy lifting. Five of these novels have survived until today and are recently rediscovered. One is even mentioned by Nobel Prize winner Alice Munro. The format prescribes abandonement, misunderstanding, jealousy, scandal, enslavement, extreme weather, piracy, wild animals, curses, abduction, trial, slander, shipwreck, torture and poisoning, not necessarily in that order. And of course, a happy ending. Back to February overview.
February 04: International Day of Human Fraternity
Prometheus, the Philanthropist
After the Titan and Giant wars, the dominance of the Olympian gods was well and truly established. But there was nothing to reign over, because the earth was destroyed and desolate. So Zeus and his nephew Prometheus made little figurines of clay in all colours to serve as subjects. Unfortunately, most of them didn’t survive the baking process, so they were left with puppets in shades of white, yellow and brown. Athena blew life into them, and it was satisfying to see how well they did, those little men, working together to build shelters and hunt for food. Zeus even felt a little threatened by their quick development. So he ruled that at least, they should never have the use of fire. Prometheus went behind his back and was gruesomely punished, gaining him the title of “philanthropos”, meaning “caring for humanity”. Well deserved of course, but a little sad for women like Iphigenia, Alkestis or Polyxena, who also endured suffering and brought the ultimate sacrifice for the greater good. No title for them. Back to February overview.
February 05: Love Month
The Belt of Aphrodite/Venus
When we hear the term “girdle of Venus”, maybe some contraption from the Middle Ages comes to mind, designed to restrain women in absence of their husband. In fact, the goddess of love, Venus in latin, Aphrodite in Greek, would be horrified by the idea. Her belt, or “cestus”, was crafted by her husband Hephaistos, as a wedding gift, and served the complete opposite purpose. It induced feelings of love and passion with gods and humans alike. She wore it as an ornamental band to accentuate her curves. At the famous beauty contest between the three goddesses Hera, Athena and herself, it was enough to lift her dress and show her girdle, to be crowned the winner. Sometimes, she would lend it out, and even supreme goddess Hera made use of it once, when she needed to distract Zeus’ attention from the Trojan war. To make sure that humans are reminded about the power of true love, Aphrodite left her love belt in the sky. You can spot it at the horizon, in pinkish colours, right before sunrise and after sundown. Back to February overview.
February 06: Love Month
"Aphrodite's Trees": The Story of Philemon and Baukis
The most beautiful ancient lovestory must be the one of Philemon and Baukis. This myth is unique, because they are neither young nor beautiful, neither rich nor of divine descent. Just two ordinary people living an ordinary life. Most part of it lays behind them, but they manage, supporting and comforting each other. Now, they’re surrounded by arrogant and selfish people, and one day, supreme god Zeus takes notice. He decides to an incognito visit, to check if his golden rule of “xenia” (hospitality) is followed. He’s been sent away by all, except by Philemon and Baukis. In a rage, Zeus floods the region, and grants the elderly couple a favour. What they ask, is to grow old and die together. So it happens, and at the end of their lives, they transform into trees, with two sturdy trunks and one entangled canopy. What’s intruiging about this tale, is what these two people must have lived through, to be so devoted to one another. So intruiging, that I decided to “fill in their lives”. Read the whole story in “Aphrodite’s Trees”! Back to February overview.
February 07: Love Month
Men form Mars, Women from Venus
Difficulties in relationships are often compared to the differences between the planets Mars and Venus. But the gods these planets refer to, Ares and Aphrodite, were seen as the ultimate power couple. They weren’t married – at least not to one another – but the bond between them was strong. As the Greeks were masters in concretising abstract subjects, their love story is illustrated by the children they got together. Their first born would be Eros, god of passion, because physical attraction is wat brought them together. Passion then developed into deeper feelings. Really deep feelings. A jealous Ares ran away from the battlefield once, to get Aphrodite out of her husband’s smithy. (Hilariously, the myths add that he feared that the soth “would dirty her pretty face”). It must be around this time, that the twins Deimos (fear) and Phobos (panic) were born. But in the end, the unrest settled, and their daughter, Harmonia (Concordia in latin) brought stability and trust. And proof that even if you’re from different planets, harmony is achievable. Back to February overview.
February 08: Love Month
How Eros/Amor got a Brother
This month of love, let’s talk about Anteros. He’s one of those Greek gods you might never have heard of, though we all need him in our lives. He belonged to the Erotes, winged gods of love from the retinue of Aphrodite, and he was the brother of Eros. Eros was born out of the passion between Ares, god of war, and Aphrodite, goddess of love. But as he was an illegitimate child, he didn’t grow up in a family with siblings. And every now and again, that left him feeling sad and lonely. Aphrodite felt sorry for him and just like that, she bore him a companion, Anteros, god of reciprocated and selfless love. While Eros was exuberant and impulsive, Anteros stood for stability and trust. The brothers were really close, and where you saw one, you would expect the other. According to the myths, with Anteros by his side, Eros stood tall and strong, but left on his own, he would litterally shrink and become a child again. Because only when it comes from both sides, can love mature and blossom. Back to February overview.
February 09: Love Month
How Hylas stood up Herakles/Hercules
When Herakles encountered king Theodamas, he was at a low point in his life, and filled with anger towards the whole world. Almost without thinking, he stopped the royal chariot, slaughtered one of the bulls pulling it, and ate it. When the king objected, he did the same to him, except for the eating. But his mood changed when he met the king’s son, Hylas. What a lovely boy he was! Totally enamoured, he took Hylas under his wing, and together, they embarked for the Argonaut expedition. At first, Hylas felt proud to have such a famous companion, but soon, he realised that the life of a mercenary wasn’t for him. One day, when the ship had moored for the night, he went to fetch water. Kneeling by the pond, he noticed an alluring nymph, reaching out to him. “Dive in,” she whispered. “Take the jump…” He couldn’t resist. A desperate Herakles looked for him for weeks, but Hylas hid on the bottom of the pond, in the warm embrace of his nymph. And until now, his offspring comes out when the moon is full, and they dance in the waterlilies. Back to February overview.
February 11: International Day of Women and Girls in Science
Why is Hera not a Planet?
It’s hard to figure out the logic behind the naming of the planets in our solar system. They represent – quite randomly – four generations of gods. We have two primordial ones: earth (or Gaia) and her spouse Ouranos. Then their son, Saturn (or Kronos). Also second generation is Venus (or Aphrodite), as she sprung directly from the male parts of Ouranos. (Let’s skip the how for now.) Jupiter (or Zeus) and his brothers Neptune (or Poseidon) and Pluto (or Hades) make up for the third generation, the Olympians. Although Pluto was stripped from his planet, just like he was stripped from his Olympian seat. No planet for their sisters, Hestia or Demeter. Instead, there’s a jump to some offspring: Mars (or Ares), which could be acceptable, as Zeus’ legitimate son. But why Mercury, and neither Artemis, Apollo nor Athena? And even more incomprehensible: where is Juno (or Hera)? Not only Zeus’ sister, but also his wife and supreme goddess. Allow me to make a suggestion: how about Junopiter? Surely that planet is big enough for both! Back to February overview.
February 12: Love Month
Eros/Amor and Psyche: Body and Soul
Princess Psyche’s beauty equalled that of love goddess Aphrodite, and people traveled far and wide to admire her, bringing gifts and asking for advice. Much to the real Aphrodite’s dismay, so when her son Eros decided Psyche should be his bride, she was livid. She wasn’t at all ready to be a mother in law, let alone of this little golddigger. Before even considering giving her blessing, she assigned the girl some impossible tasks. And much like in well known tales, in Psyche’s darkest moments, she got help. From little ants, a stone tower, and even from Zeus’ eagle. In the end, it was Zeus who saved the day, with self-interest in mind, as usual. Eros should assist him in his amorous escapades, and he would make Psyche “goddess of the soul” and facilitate the marriage. The union between Eros and Psyche was one between body and soul, or passion and mind. Their daughter Hedone (Voluptas in latin), is the proof that it was enjoyable too. Her name means pleasure (hence “hedonism”), which says it all, doesn’t it? Back to February overview.
February 13: World Radio Day
About the Lyre and the Flute
It was the cleverest god of all, Hermes, who invented the highly appreciated lyre. Freshly born, he crept out of his mother’s grotto and immediately showed his true nature by stealing Apollo’s cattle. To appease his half brother, he crafted an instrument from a tortoise shell and some cords. Apollo totally forgot about his cows and played it ever since. Another popular instrument was the aulos-flute, played by the satyrs in the retinue of Dionysos. One of them, Marsyas, became quite a virtuoso and made the fatal mistake to challenge Apollo to a music contest: flute versus lyre. He might have won too, if not for a petty demand of Apollo: to play their instruments upside down. This of course didn’t suit the flute and Marsyas was flayed alive. Now, the aulos was originally designed by Athena, but she hated how playing it distorted her face. It’s been said that young Alkibiades of Athens abandoned his music lessons altogether “in honour of Athena”. Well, as an excuse, it certainly beats the homework eaten by the dog. Back to February overview.
February 14: Valentine's Day
Looking for our Other Half
“Once, there were three kinds of humans, a male kind, a female kind, and one that combined both genders. Their shape was round, with four hands and four legs, and two faces on a rounded neck. But they were wicked and tried to attack the gods. In order to make them weaker, Zeus cut all of them in two. Apollo healed the wounds, and smoothed out the wrinkles, except for a few around the stomach and the navel. Now, since their natural form had been cut in two, each one longed for its own other half. This, then, is the source of our desire to love each other. A man who is split from the double sort runs after women. Women who are split from a woman, however, pay no attention at all to men. People who are split from a male are male-oriented. And so, when a person meets the half that is his very own, then something wonderful happens: the two are struck from their senses by love, by a sense of belonging. Why should this be so? It’s because, as I said, love is the name for our pursuit of wholeness, for our desire to be complete.” (Plato, 4th century BC) Back to February overview.
February 15: Love Month
Pomona, Goddess of the Candy Apple
The candy apple, (“pomme d’amour” or “love apple” in French) reminds us of Pomona, the Roman goddess of apples. She was a dedicated gardener, and not interested in the world outside her gate, let alone in love. She looked like a fresh and shiny apple herself, with a healthy blush from working outside, which the fertility god Vertumnus found irresistible. As a god of seasons, he was a master in changing his appearance, and he tried every disguise, from farmer over winemaker to fisherman, but he got nowhere. Until he entered her garden in the guise of an old woman, and pointed out the vine, winding itself around a tree. “It can only grow and produce grapes when it’s safe and supported, you see? So why not take a husband who will support you in whatever you wish to undertake?” And with a touch of magic, there he stood before her. Now, Pomona was a practical girl, and she saw the benefits of joining forces. So, she said yes. They built their paradise garden together and every year, they harvested a thousand little apples. Back to February overview.
February 16: Love Month
Who enamoured both Odysseus and his son?
When the Greek hero Odysseus returns home after his odyssey of twenty years, he gives his wife an account of his adventures. But he leaves out his encounter with Nausikaä, princess of Phaiakia, who found him at the beach after a shipwreck. He had met with nymphs, witches, queens and amazons, but Nausikaä was different. She was young but wise, nice but classy, pretty but modest, and above all, sincere. He had really, really liked her, but had never acted on his feelings. Eventually, he had left her shores, which had less to do with longing for home, than with respect for this special lady. If only she had been a few years older… So he doesn’t mention her to his wife. But he does tell his son, Telemachos, about her. And in the youngster’s mind appears a picture of this girl, in the bright colours of his father’s description. Sweet, elegant, ravishing and kind, everything a man would wish his bride to be. So Telemachos sails off to Phaiakia, and instead of the father, Nausikaä ends up marrying the son. Eagerly, according to the myths. Back to February overview.
February 17: Love Month
How Hera/Juno distracted Zeus/Jupiter
One of the most coveted scenes in Homer’s account of the Trojan war, is when Hera ventures to distract Zeus’ attention from the battle field, in order to give the Greeks some respite. Most gods favoured one side or the other, and she hated the Trojans, because the Trojan prince Paris had denied her the title of “fairest goddess”. (She wasn’t known for her graciousness in defeat.) Zeus – almighty or not – was defenseless to the one power she had at her disposal. She lent Aphrodite’s love belt, though she hardly needed it. Isn’t it primarily self confidence that makes a woman irresistible? And irresistible she was. She diverted Zeus in the most pleasant way, giving the Greeks the chance to regroup. It’s a remarkable episode in Homer’s Iliad, and a coveted subject for artists. And plagiarists, like Nonnus of Panopolis, whose novel contains exactly the same scene, in a very different war. With Zeus just as eager before their encounter, and just as aggrieved afterwards. And with Hera shrugging: “All is fair in love and war.” Back to February overview.
February 18: Global Drink Wine Day
Methe, Revered Goddess of Drunkenness
According to the ancient writer Pausanias, “humans are as much raised up by wine,… as any bird is by its wings”. This rather rosy view on wine and its effects, was taken from Dionysos himself (Bacchus in latin). Wine was for him what duct tape is today: it solved everything. The god fought some battles in his lifetime, and one of his favourite tricks was to change a river in wine, and launch an attack, when the enemy was out cold. And when his beloved companion Hymenaios got fatally wounded, it was with wine that he brought him back to life. Dionysos would travel in the company of Methe, goddess of drunkenness. Yes, they had one, and today, her name is recognisable in even more addictive substances. Methe’s son, Botrys, is well known in vineyards, as the fungus Botrytis, that creates delicately sweet wines. At every party, the ancients would chant: “Let us sing of Bacchus… Thanks to him, drunkenness is brought forth, grace is born, pain takes rest and trouble goes to sleep.” Hmm, at least the grace-part is debatable. Back to February overview.
February 19: Love Month
The Great Flood
Even at the very dawn of mankind, love was a powerful force. It was the force that kept humanity from being extinct, when Zeus sent a terrible flood, that should have ended all life on earth. If not for two people, who were righteous and brave, and above all, shared a profound love. They were Deukalion, son of Prometheus, and Pyrrha, daughter of Pandora, first woman ever. Prometheus warned them to build a vessel. (All resemblances with other stories are no coincidence.) When the water pulled back, they were all alone, wondering how to populate the earth again. It was the wise titan Themis’ advice, to “throw the bones of their mother over their shoulders.” Pyrrha suggested that “their mother” could be “mother Earth”, and therefore, the “bones” had to be rocks. Deukalion’s rocks became men, and Pyrrha’s women. While they swarmed out to every corner of the world, the couple also got a son together. That would be Hellen, the ancestor of all the Greeks (hence “Hellas”). So we all descend from love, isn’t that nice? Back to February overview.
February 20: World Day of Social Justice
How Lady Justice Quit her Job
Social Justice wasn’t of particular concern to the ancient Greeks, despite the fact that Zeus appointed his own daughters to encourage it. The Horai (“Seasons”), were his offspring with his second wife Themis, titan-goddess of divine order. They kept the hours of the day in motion, and the seasons changing. They also tried to keep mankind on the straight and narrow, an ungrateful task. They come in different shapes and sizes, sometimes four, sometimes nine, but mostly three. Their names also vary, but commonly named are Eirene (or Pax), goddess of peace, Eunomia, goddess of lawful conduct and Dike (or Iustitia), goddess of justice. The latter is the best known and her blindfolded image, holding the sword and scales of justice, can still be found in most courthouses. Which is ironic, because Dike actually resigned. She couldn’t cope with the indifference of mankind, and left her job. (Her scales are still out there, as the constellation Libra.) None of the Olympians blamed her for her move, wich says a lot, doesn’t it? Back to February overview.