thank the gods! everlasting and forever eternal. protectors of mankind, healers of woe, governors of the earth, sea, and sky. we rejoice in your blessings!
🏹God of music, art, healing, the Sun/light, prophecy, archery, and poetry
🏹Symbols: bow and arrow, the lyre, palm tree, laurel wreath, cypress tree
🏹Sacred Animals: python or other snakes, hawks, mice, crows, wolves, cicadas
🏹Colors: different shades of yellow and orange (especially gold)
🏹Crystals: Sunstone, citrine, carnelian, amber
🏹Most Important Myths:
-His birth, alongside his twin sister Artemis
-Slaying Python with his arrow
-Punishing Niobe for disrespecting his family
-Death of Hyancinthus
-His obsession with Daphne
-Beating those who challenge him in music (both Pan and Marsyas)
🏹”Don’t take the myths too literally” understanding
Among those who take the mythology at face value, Apollo has one of the better reputations of the gods. He was idealized as the god who represented the “civilized” picture of Ancient Greece. So, he is often not as extreme as his counterparts are depicted. Yet, he does have a few tales where he can seem particularly harsh. This is usually in regards to arrogance, rudeness or entitlement from others. His violent or vindictive responses to these offenses are symbolic of how excessive or misplaced ego has always been frowned upon in Hellenism. Apollo is, in actuality, a very gracious, level, dignified and warm being. He is really kind and serene but if he has to put you in check, he will; firmly but lovingly.
In the myth involving Daphne, where he pursues her so relentlessly that she turns herself into a tree to get away from him, the takeaway is not to see Apollo as a “creep” of some kind. My take on it is that there is a message here about how passion can override reason. Apollo is known as being very logical and civil, most of the time. But, his desire for Daphne brought another side out of him. This was the ancient writers’ way of saying that no being can escape the intense pull of love and desire (Eros, the ruler of these forces, is the one who made Apollo fall for her). Also, I think there is a tragic irony in the golden boy who seemingly wins at everything not being able to get what he wants, showing even the most gifted or fortunate souls are also let down at times.
🏹Devotional Acts: listening to music, pursuing music as a hobby or career, practicing an instrument or your vocal abilities, sunbathing (don’t forget your sunscreen) or just getting out of the house on a warm day, taking a trip to a warm destination (especially if it’s winter), learning archery, learning Tarot, doing Tarot readings, writing or reading poetry, dedicating poetry to him, drawing or painting pictures of him (he loves this more than most gods)
🏹Assistance and Support:
-Apollo is highly sought after when it comes to assistance in artistic endeavors, particularly music. If you’re a singer/songwriter/musician, he can help you in lots of ways, like coming up with song ideas or getting better at your craft. Apollo is like a diligent teacher in this way, so he will push you to live up to your full potential and will expect you to be dedicated. If you’re not willing to put in the effort, you might not get much from him. He doesn’t want you to just have “passion”. Apollo will guide you to develop discipline and consistency. His major lesson here is that raw talent and passion will go to waste if you are not putting them to good use.
He can also be a significant resource if you write poetry or are a visual artist of some kind (painter, illustrator, sculptor, etc)
-Apollo is quite the jock, as well, and I have found that he can help people in athletic endeavors. But, instead of something like football or basketball, he can assist you in sports that are a little more niche: track, tennis, martial arts, wrestling, and, of course, archery. So many of his myths hinge on his physical prowess and his victories over others. (He even beat Ares in a wrestling match, which is no small feat!)
Apollo’s athleticism is more about a quick, lithe, one-on-one sense of competition. This is why he has a certain dominion over these types of sports. Boxing is another one he is highly associated with, largely due to the myth of him beating the giant king Phorgas in a boxing match.
-If you are feeling under the weather, Apollo can help accelerate your healing process. Although praying to him can play a part in alleviating symptoms, it will still be important for you to take your medicine and, if needed, go to the doctor. He can also guide you in terms of developing healthier lifestyle habits.
-Apollo just brings good vibes. He is the embodiment of light, after all. A lot of people who work with him do so just because he makes them feel good. I have found that, outside of his more obvious functions like being a god of music, he is kind of a general mood-booster. You can call on him to brighten up your day, help you experience life more positively, or feel more self-confident and self-assured. He won’t encourage you to be blindly happy. As positive and enthusiastic as he can be, he also has a more sensible and temperate side. He is like the smart big brother who looks out for you and cheers you up but without letting you become foolish or delusional. He is not about “toxic positivity”. He guides you toward truly empowered positivity.
-Speaking of combating toxicity, Apollo is a wonderful source of Divine Masculine energy. However you identify, Apollo can help you tap into your masculine side in a healthy and even sensitive way. People who are more masculine and work with him/are connected to him typically have an ease with their feminine side while still being very masculine.
(Although he is said to be androgynous, Apollo’s half-brother Dionysus is much more gender-bending. Apollo is more like the athletic pretty boy, in my experience)
-Interestingly, Apollo is often very associated with male beauty, even though he is not an official beauty deity. Anyone who is male-presenting can ask for his assistance in feeling more attractive or charismatic, as well as help with seeing their beauty or putting more effort into their appearance without fear or shame.
Yes, Aphrodite could definitely be called on for this. But, I feel Apollo can more specifically help men feel okay with being beautiful, instead of conforming to the “ruggedly handsome” or overly masculine ideal. He is like the patron of the pretty boys.
-Apollo can obviously help when it comes to solar magic, if that is something you practice or are interested in. He also can be a major support in divination. As the god of prophecy, anything from Tarot to scrying to pendulum readings are right up his alley. He will help you develop and trust your intuition and if you possess clairvoyance or claircognizance, he can awaken/strengthen these gifts alongside you. Those who have these psychic abilities may feel an especially strong bond with Apollo.
🏹Additional Note
-I like to call Apollo a “two for one” god because he is usually either accompanied by or accompanying Artemis or Dionysus or both. They are both his siblings. Artemis is his twin and Dionysus is the yin to his yang. People who work with Apollo usually (though not always) end up developing a strong bond with one or both of these deities. The reverse can also happen. You may be very connected to Artemis or Dionysus and then realize that Apollo is showing up in your life in a major way.
kaledo-art
romaincrisis
dailybridgerton
origamiaround
vaporwave
ellievsbear
