Hypnos Deity Guide
Don't doze off while reading this!
Who is Hypnos?
Hypnos is known to be the Greek God of sleep, however, he is more notably the personification of sleep.
Parents and Siblings
Hypnos’ mother is Nyx, personification of night, and he has no father i nsome mythology, though in others his father is Erebos—personification of darkness and Nyx’s consort.
His twin brother is Thanatos, the personification and god of peaceful death.
Geras, god of old age
Other siblings include: Moros, Keres, Momus, Oizys, Hesperides, Moirai, Nemesis, Apate, Philotes, Eris, Styx, Dolos, Ponos, Euphrosyne, Epiphron, Continentia, Petulantia, Misericordia, Pertinacia
Lovers or Partners
Pasithea, one of the Graces (or Charities), personification and goddess of altered states of consciousness. She was promised to him by Hera
Children
With his wife Pasithea, Hypnos had a group of sons called the Oneiroi, or “The Dreams”. These include
Morpheus, who shows human images in dreams.
Phobetor (or Icleus), who shows animals in dreams.
Phantasos, who shows items mad of the elements in dreams.
Some say that Hypnos has “a thousand sons”, each representing different shapes of dreams
Epithets
Somnus
Sopor
Hypnos the Bountiful
Notes
Unsurprisingly, the term “hypnosis” comes from the God’s name—stemming from the Greek Húpnos, which literally means “sleep”.
Similarly, the term “insomnia” comes from the same root word as his Roman name “Somnus”. Somnus meaning “sleep”, insomnis meaning “sleepless”.
In mythology, before there was light, the sun, and the moon, there was darkness. Hypnos and his brother Thanatos lived together in a cave that was full of poppies and various other sleep-inducing plants.
Some people believe that the Oneiroi are siblings of Hypnos, sons of Nyx, instead of offspring of Hypnos.
Aergia is the personification and goddess of sloth and laziness, she is an attendant of Hypnos.
Since Hypnos isn’t considered a “major” deity of the Greco-Roman pantheon, there isn’t much information as far as traditional offerings and correspondences.
Hypnos is often depicted in art as having wings.
Modern Deity Work
Correspondences
Disclaimer - Not all of these are traditional or historic correspondences nor do they need to be. However, any correspondence that can be considered traditional will be marked with a (T).
Rocks/Stone/Crystals
Amethyst
Hematite
Labradorite
Obsidian
Smoky Quartz
Herbs/Plants
Poppy Flower (T)
Poplar Tree (T)
Chamomile
Lavender
Heather
Generally herbs that support sleep
Animals
Songbirds (T)
Offerings
Incense (T)
Libations (T)
Moon water (or just water)
Candles
Olive Oil (T)
Wine (T)
Milk (T)
Honey
Milk and honey together! (as this is an old sleep aid)
Symbols
Poplar branch (dipped into the Lethe river)(T)
Horn of Opium (T)
Poppy stem/flower (T)
Inverted torch (T)
Spiral
Acts of Devotion
Sleep well, practice good sleep hygiene, honor your sleep and protect it! Your sleep is important!
Read or write poems about Hypnos (T)
Research him and his mythology
Keep in mind that these are only some ideas for offerings and correspondences! Items and activities that connect you to her in a more personal way are just as good, and often better, than those you find on the internet. As with any relationship, feel it out, ask questions, and be attentive and receptive!
References and Further Reading
Hypnos - Theoi Project
Hypnos - Greekmythology.com
Hypnos - Britannica
Shrine of HypnosHymns and Prayers to Hypnos - Theoi Project