The last Grain Festival of the year, Skira/Skiraphoria had two main focuses in celebration. These two focuses go hand-in-hand. One being Athena's triumph over Poseidon as the patron of Athens, and the second being Demeter's mystics regarding the harvest.
Skiron held major signficance as not only a precinct, but a place for Athena Skiras, Poseidon Pater, Demeter and Kore. Women were known during this festival to parade the streets, the only time of the year they were allowed to gather together in public. They ate garlic to ward of men (and husbands) as this day was one withheld from intimacy.
Because of this, Skira is regarded mainly as a festival for women. Women also casted piglets, dough figures of snakes and male genitalia, and pinecones into megaron, or a chasm. This then would be gathered once again at Thesmophoria. This cycle can be tied to the Grain part of the festival. Even as the year was coming to a close, the women were the ones to ensure the cycle begun properly once again in the next year to come.
Priests and priestesses engaged in mystics at the previously mentioned precinct. Plutarch mentions this as a "sacred plowing". This could be read placing significance on thanksgivings over a feast or a blessing of the last harvest of the year. Many read it as both.
With this ritual one to Athena as the patroness of Athens was said. Her victory over Poseidon for the city was acknowledged. A priest of Helios also attended, suggesting a blessing for good weather for the crops was also said at the sacred site.
Young men also participated in the festival in celebration. It is said races occurred to a shrine of Dionysus. The winner would partake in a wine-like mixture of wine, honey, olive oil, cheese and grain. Athena Skira was asked to bless this mixture.
It is during this time that we Modern Hellenes might take place a feast of grain, meat and dairy. Acknowledgement of Lady Athena's victory should be celebrated, bringing in the good harvest for her patron city with a prayer to Lord Helios, Lady Demeter and Lady Kore.
Mixture from Thesmophoria
Prayers to Athena, Demeter, Kore and Helios
Khaire Athena! Khaire Demeter! Khaire Helios! 🦉🌾☀️
