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Apollon Phoebus - Apollo the Shining One
 By Serpens.
The golden god of the Greeks, Apollo is probably the epitomy of everything we think of as Hellenic. He is beautiful and graceful, strong and vigorous, artistic and athletic, a lover and a fighter. His sexuality - an important aspect of His nature - is one based upon love and attraction not gender. His is an ancient lineage stretching back to the Etruscans where He was known as Aplu and forward into our time where His image and name graces many modern things ranging from the Apollo space missions to website hosts to educational groups and more..
He is the son of Zeus and Leto, a mortal woman, and the twin of the divine Artemis. Many think of Him as a sun god but this is an error arising through confusion of Apollo with Helios (similar to the mix-up of Artemis with Selene). This probably came from His place as a deity of light. In reality His dominion lies in:
- healing and illness (god of the plague) and thus medicine. He also brings spiritual healing through purification of terrible sin
- archery
- settlers of new lands
- poetry, prophecy, and dance. He is also a god of inspiration and music and the leader of the Muses
- defender of the herds and flocks (a counterpart to His sister's rule over the wild animals)
- reason and order - in this He is the counterpart to Dionysus, a natural balance between the two being considered necessary to life
Apollo is a powerful god able to lift us up high and keep us safe. Those He loves who serve Him well are rewarded and honored by Him. But He is capable of great jealousy and rage - as evidenced in some of the acts He committed against those He once favored. Kassandra, beloved of Apollo, was given the gift of prophecy. When she rejected Him He cursed her so that none should ever believe her visions. Koronis was slain when she fell in love with another. Apollo skinned the satyr Marsyas alive for challenging Him to a musical competition (and then losing). We do well to keep faith with the god and not treat Him poorly.
Apollo's Festival - the Thargelia
This month it is the festival of the Thargelia and Apollo, being the protector of the crops, resides over this festival. The Thargelia is an annual Athenian festival celebrating the threshing of the grains. The actual date it was held varied as it was supposed to mark the end of the harvest in Thargelion (May/June) but the nominal dating is usually the 6th and 7th since those are the birthdays of Artemis and Apollo and thus especially sacred to him. There are two parts to the ritual - the purification and the offering:
Purification rituals should be held on the 6th. Traditionally the Pharmakoi (scape-goats) were whipped and driven from the city to take away evil. The Pharmakoi were two ugly men chosen to represent the people of Athens. One wore a necklace of black figs to represent the men and the other one of white figs as the women's stand-in. Prior to the beating they were feted and fed, thus attracting the attention of all evil and malicious spirits through their good fortune. Once the beating and driving away was complete, the Pharmakoi were stoned to death and then burnt. The ashes were ploughed into the fields to ward against disease and bring fertility. Unless you have a group with willing volunteers to play this role (and a lenient judiciary...) it is not easy to follow the traditional rites! I suggest that you do as I do - mold two ikons of air-drying clay the week before and garland those with hand-made necklaces of figs. If I can't obtain black and white figs (such as the Black Jack and White Genoa) I use paint to color them. These can be beaten, stoned, and burnt without breaking any laws. To increase the power of the ikons as representatives of your community think about adding a drop of blood or spittle from each person to the clay before molding it.
Over time the Athenians modified this ritual and did not actually kill the Pharmakoi but rather banished them. Sometimes actual goats or dogs were used. In any case it is a clear reminder to us that Apollo is not only the good god of music and healing. He is a powerful and dark deity as well and must be respected. Attempts to castrate Him of this darker side will only blow up in your face later when you least expect it.
On the 7th I make my First Fruits offering to Apollo in thanks for the guardianship He has provided through the growing season. This involves the Thargelos - a vegetable stew made of boiled grain and vegetables. It is important to select fine quality ingredients and even organic if possible. Not only are you thanking Apollo you are also offering propitiation so that He is less inclined to ruin the gathered harvest with excessive heat or pestilence. Root rot and diseases such as ergot lie within His power. On this day there would have been many singing competitions for the men and boys - something to consider if you decide to hold this festival. Decorate your threshhold with olive boughs bound with fine wool.
An interesting feature of the Thargelia is the use of the 7th by the Ancients as a day to formally receive adopted children into the family and clan. This day is the one when families become whole and of one blood - you may like to incorporate a private family celebration along these lines if you have adopted children. Or use this as a day to formally cement the bonds of friendship into those of family.
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