Deity introduction : Lady Hygieia (Ὑγεια)
» ․ 🍎 !! ˎˊ˗ Hellenic Goddess of hygiene and good health
Lady Hygieia (also Hygea or Hygia) is the Greek Goddess of hygiene. She was an attendant of Her Father, medicine-God Asclepios and a companion of the Goddess Aphrodite.
She was fathered by Lord Asclepios (God of medicine and son of Apollon) and Lady Epione (Goddess of soothing pain) according to Greek Lyric V Anonymous Frag 939 Erythrae Inscription and Suidas s.v. Epione.
However, in the Orphic Hymn 67 to Asclepius, She is said to be His wife rather than His daughter (More sources state that She is His daughter, but this is also there and up for interpretation, I suppose.)
In one source, She is the daughter of Lord Eros (God of love and sexual desire) and Lady Peitho (Goddess of seduction).
"In works of art, of which a considerable number has come down to our time, she was represented as a virgin dressed in a long robe, with the expression of mildness and kindness, and either alone or grouped with her father and sisters, and either sitting or standing, and leaning on her father. Her ordinary attribute is a serpent, which she is feeding from a cup." [Source: Theoi.com > Hygeia]
Originally a Goddess of physical health, Hygieia was eventually also identified with mental health (She is the 'giver and protector' of mental health) and was therefore identified with Lady Athena.
» ․ 🕯️ !! ˎˊ˗ Possible offerings;
~ Acts of self-care
~ Therapy (of any form)
~ Taking a bath (this is a good guide for anyone who wants to try it out but doesn't know how. Regular baths work to!)
~ Bath bombs, soap
~ Nightly hygiene rituals (brushing your teeth, washing your face, etc.)
~ Acknowledging and working through mental problems that limit your growth in both life and practice
~ Worshipping Asclepios (She is strongly linked to Her father and was often depicted or worshipped alongside Him)
Khaire, may your path bloom in prosperity, may the Gods be with you and have a nice day!
This post is in dedication to Lady Hygieia! She guided me through my nightly ritual last night and helped me actually do it properly, so thank You, Goddess of good health! :)
Let me know if you want any specific Deity--however, please keep to the Hellenic pantheon! Feel free to share your thoughts, and add to the list of possible offerings!
