Also called Phoebus, Apollo Pythios, Apollo Paian, Loxias.
Their story
Apollo was born on the island of Delos, which was said to be the only land that would receive his mother Leto. While still young he killed the great serpent Python at Delphi and founded his oracle there, where the Pythia spoke his words. The temple bore the famous words "Know thyself".
Their day
Sunday. Apollo was identified with the sun in later antiquity, so Sunday, the day of the Sun, suits him well.
Best times to give to them
- the seventh day of each lunar month, his birthday
- the Noumenia, the first day of the month
- sunrise
- Sundays
- the Thargelia in late spring
What they like being given
- laurel leaves
- music or a sung hymn
- frankincense
- honey cakes
- fresh water or a libation of wine or grape juice
How to honour them
- Play or sing something for Apollo, even a single song, as an offering.
- Burn a laurel leaf on his day and ask for clarity.
- Keep your body and home clean as a simple act of purification in his honour.
- Read or write a little poetry and dedicate it to him.
How they can help you
- creativity and music
- seeing the truth of a situation
- healing and recovery
- self-knowledge
- bringing order to chaos
Symbols
- lyre
- laurel
- bow and arrows
- swan
- raven
Festivals
- Noumenia Monthly, on the first day of the lunar month when the first thin crescent is seen; the date here is only a typical example
Herbs linked with them
- Bay Laurel Laurus nobilis
- Frankincense Boswellia sacra
More Greek gods
- Zeus King of the gods and keeper of oaths
- Hermes Swift messenger and guide of travellers
- Hades Lord of the underworld and giver of wealth
- Dionysus Twice-born god of wine, theatre and ecstasy
- Poseidon Earth-shaker and lord of the sea
- Helios The all-seeing sun who crosses the sky
- Pan Goat-footed god of shepherds and wild places
- Ares The storm of battle