"Hypnos (Sleep) swiftly flew to Pasithea's couch. From slumber woke all nations of the earth."
- Quintus Smyrnaeus, Fall of Troy 5. 395 ff (trans. Way) (Greek epic C4th A.D.)
Yes, that's right, it's finally here - let's talk about Lady Pasithea; one of the younger Kharites (Graces); the goddess of rest, relaxation, and hallucinations; and the wife of Lord Hypnos.
Now a small disclaimer !! I am not an expert. I am not a religious authority. Nor am I a professional of any kind. I simply love researching and I love the gods. So if you have anything you'd like to add to this lil info post, or you find any faults, please don't hesitate to let me know! Without further adieu, let's go.
A Younger Kharite (Graces):
"Hera answered him [Hypnos god of sleep] : ‘. . . I will give you one of the younger (hoploterai) Kharites (Charites, Graces) for you to marry, and she shall be called you lady; Pasithea.’"
- Homer, Iliad 14. 231 ff (trans. Lattimore) (Greek epic C8th B.C.)
In the Iliad itself (xiv. 269) Pasithea is called one of the younger Charites, who is destined to be the wife of Sleep, and the plural Charites occurs several times in the Homeric poems. (Od. xviii. 194.)
One of the swiftshoe Kharites (Charites) [namely Pasithea] . . . in a forest not far off she saw the madness of Lyaios (Lyaeus) [Dionysos] her father. She wept for sorrow and tender affection, and tore her cheeks with her nails in mourning."
- Nonnus, Dionysiaca 33. 4 ff
"Hera answered him [Hypnos god of sleep] : ‘. . . I will give you one of the younger (hoploterai) Kharites (Charites, Graces) for you to marry, and she shall be called you lady; Pasithea.’"
- Homer, Iliad 14. 231 ff (trans. Lattimore) (Greek epic C8th B.C.)
"[Pasithea] one of the swiftshoe Kharites (Charites, Graces) was gathering the shoots of the fragrant reeds in the Erythraian garden, in order to mix the flowing juice of Assyrian oil with Indian flowers in the steaming cauldrons of Paphos, and make ointment [or perfume] for her Lady [Aphrodite]."
- Nonnus, Dionysiaca 33. 4 ff (trans. Rouse) (Greek epic C5th A.D.)
Goddess of Rest, Relaxation, Hallucinations, and All Altered States of Consciousness:
There isn't many excerpts on Pasithea as a goddess of rest, relaxation, and hallucinations. This idea comes from Her being the wife of Hypnos and Her associations with Him and His domains. As well as one of the interpretations of the meaning of Her name; "Aquired-sight" or "Aquired-goddess". I'll add some commentary as well as some excerpts that can be interpreted to support this idea.
Pasithea as the wife of Hypnos, god of sleep and dreams, may have been envisaged as the goddess of hallucinations and hallucinogenic drugs. Her name is difficult to translate--the prefix pasis can be translated equally as "all", "possessed" or "acquired" and the suffix thea as "sight", "seeing", "contemplation", "goddess" or "divine". Translating it as "Acquired-Sight" may suggest a goddess of hallucination, however, in the story of the Iliad, where Hypnos acquires her from Hera in exchange for certain favours, the "Acquired-Goddess" meaning is quite apt. The name pasithea was also given to some unidentified "magical" plant, perhaps even an hallucinogenic. Hypnos was himself associated with poppies and opiates.
- Commentary from theoi.om
The notion that she was “acquired sight” is presented as evidence that she was a source of hallucinations. It is known that Pasithea’s name is also found in the world of botany; there is a specific plant called Pasithea that may have been known for causing hallucinations.
The other prominent interpretation of her name is that it means “acquired goddess” and this meaning has evidence in the story of how she became wed to Hypnos. It is also worth mentioning that her connection to Hypnos may have also meant that Pasithea was associated with rest and relaxation; indeed, some interpret her divine portfolio to extend to rest, meditation, hallucination and other states of altered consciousness.
- Greek Gods & Goddess
Wife of Hypnos:
Then in turn the lady ox-eyed Hera answered him : ‘Hypnos, why do you ponder this in your heart, and hesitate? Or do you think that Zeus of the wide brows, aiding the Trojans, will be angry as he was angry for his son, Herakles? Come now, do it, and I will give you one of the younger (hoploterai) Kharites (Charites, Graces) for you to marry, and she shall be called you lady; Pasithea, since all your days you have loved her forever.’
So she spoke, and Hypnos was pleased and spoke to her in answer : ‘Come then! Swear it to me on Styx' ineluctable water. With one hand take hold of the prospering earth, with the other take hold of the shining salt sea, so that all the undergods who gather about Kronos (Cronus) may be witnesses to us. Swear that you will give me one of the younger Kharites, Pasithea, the one whom all my days I have longed for.’
- Homer, Iliad 14.231 ff (trans. Lattimore) (Greek epic C8th B.C.)
He also says that Hypnos was a lover of Pasithea, and in the speech of Hypnos there is this verse :--‘Verily that he would give me one of the younger Kharites.’
- Pausanias, Description of Greece 9. 35. 1 (trans. Jones)
"Hypnos (Sleep) swiftly flew to Pasithea's couch. From slumber woke all nations of the earth."
- Quintus Smyrnaeus, Fall of Troy 5. 395 ff (trans. Way)
"[Hera commands Iris summon the god of sleep Hypnos :] ‘Promise him Pasithea for his bride, and let him do my need from desire of her beauty. I need not tell you that one lovesick will do anything for hope.’
At these words, Iris goldenwing flew away peering through the air . . . seeking the wandering track of vagrant Hypnos (Sleep). She found him on the slopes of nuptial Orkhomenos (Orchomenus) [i.e. the home of the Kharites (Charites)]; for there he delayed again and trailed his distracted foot, a frequent visitor at the door of his beloved Pasithea . . .
[Iris disguised as Nyx, Hypnos' mother, spoke to the god :] ‘I have heard that you want one of the Kharites (Charites, Graces); then if you have in your heart an itch for her bedchamber, have a care! Do not provoke Pasithea's mother, Hera the handmaid of wedded love!’"
- Nonnus, Dionysiaca 31. 103 ff
"Has Eros (Love) perhaps flicked you also with the cestus, like Eos (the Dawn) once before?--Ah, I know why your cheeks are pale : shadowy Hypnos (Sleep), the vagabond, woos you as a bridegroom woos a maid! I will not compel you if you are unwilling; I will not join Hypnos the blackskin to Pasithea the lilywhite!’
When Aphrodite had said this, the Kharis weeping replied : ‘O mother of the Erotes (Loves)! O sower of life in the everlasting universe! No herdsman troubles me, no bold desire of Hypnos (Sleep). I am no lovesick Eos (Dawn) or Selene (Moon)."
- Nonnus, Dionysiaca 33. 4 ff
Epithets:
Given how little we know about Pasithea, all of these epithets and titles come from me, looking at the above excerpts, and coming to conclusions based on how She has been refered to in them.
Pasithea the Lilywhite
Beloved Pasithea
The Younger Charite
The Aquired Goddess
Swiftshoe Charite
Of Rest / Relaxation
Offerings:
Excluding traditional / universal offerings, some things you could offer / devote to Pasithea are:
poppies
lilies
flowers (any)
pillows
couches (imagery of)
plushies
any medications that you take
meditation
taking some time out of your day to unwind
breathing exercises
worshipping / honouring Her family
worshipping / honouring the Kharites
Resources:
Who was Pasithea? Pasithea, pronounced “pa-si-they-uh,” was a minor goddess in Greek mythology and was one of younger members of the Charite
Pasithea is one of the Charites, the goddess of rest and relaxation and wife to Hypnos, the god of sleep in Greek mythology.
The Charites or Graces, were three ancient Greek goddesses of grace, beauty, adornment, joy, mirth, festivity, dance and song. They were att
Pasithea was one of the ancient Greek Charites (Graces) and the wife of Hypnos, god of sleep. She was probably the goddess of rest and relax
