Artemis And Hermes And Metamorphoses

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Intertwined with many stories of the ancient Greek gods is the theme of transformation. Many gods transform themselves to appear to humans or transform for their own personal purposes. Beyond simply physical transformation, some gods and goddesses are innately connected to transformations. Beginning with their specific Homeric hymns, both Artemis and Hermes have unique ties to fluidity, movement and transformation. In honoring theses immortals and in rites to them, transformation is clearly evident. The Hermaea and the rites to Artemis at Brauron are both full of metamorphoses. Artemis’ fluid transition between goddess and huntress and Hermes’ mercurial nature link both of them to transitions such as comings of age for both genders, travel and the passage from life to death; in the rites to them it is clear that transformations are an uncertain time that requires guidance and role models.
In the scheme of the Olympian gods, both Artemis and Hermes have their places. Artemis is one of Zeus’ daughters. She and her twin brother, Apollo, were born to the goddess Leto on the Island of Demos. Leto was struggling to find a place to birth her twins because she had offended Hera. She are her brother Apollo are very closely tied to each other; both of them are very fond of bows and arrows and Artemis is associated with the moon and Apollo with the sun. Artemis is the goddess of the hunt, of wild animals, and of childbirth. Hermes’ is the youngest of the established Olympians, born of Zeus and the nymph Maia, the daughter of Atlas. Hermes was born is a secluded cave, so Hera never knew Zeus had been with his mother. Hermes is the god of shepherds, travelers, merchants and tricksters and also the messenger of the gods and of Hades. After each...

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...s transition from child to adult. Amongst all of their immortal duties, both Artemis and Hermes took time to help the young.
Artemis and Hermes have transitions intertwined with who they are and how they are honored. Artemis’ nature is one that shifts with transitions, from nurture to cold-heartedness. In honoring her, young girls focused on her fluid nature with sacrifices of Artemis’ wild animals and transformations to the bears of Brauron. The Hymn to Hermes is full of transitions, both metaphorical and real; Hermes grows from a lying child to a mischievous but decently honest adult and from a young god to a grown Olympian. The Hermaia and other more daily rites to Hermes all capitalized on Hermes’ domain over transitions of many kinds. Transitions are inherently unstable but an immortal hand can provide just enough stability for a small reduction in stress.

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