Also called Asklepios, Aesculapius (Roman).
Their story
Asclepius was the son of Apollo and the mortal Coronis, rescued from her funeral pyre and raised by the centaur Chiron, who taught him medicine. He became so skilled that he raised the dead, and Zeus struck him down with a thunderbolt for overturning the order of things. He was later honoured as a god, and his sanctuaries at Epidaurus, Kos and Pergamon drew the sick, who slept in the abaton hoping for a healing dream.
Best times to give to them
- The Epidauria, held in Athens during the Eleusinian Mysteries
- The Asklepieia, on the eighth of Elaphebolion (March to April)
- When you or a loved one is unwell or recovering
What they like being given
- Honey cakes
- Fresh water
- Incense
- A small clay or paper image of the part of the body needing healing, as ancient pilgrims left
How to honour them
- Pray for healing and then follow the advice of a qualified doctor; Asclepius works through good medicine.
- Before sleep, ask for a dream of guidance, and write down what you remember.
- Give thanks after recovery, as the ancient inscriptions at Epidaurus do.
How they can help you
- Illness and recovery
- Patience during treatment
- Those who care for the sick
Symbols
- serpent-entwined staff
- snake
- cockerel
- dog
Never use devotion in place of medical care.
Sources
- Homeric Hymn 16, to Asclepius
- Pindar, Pythian 3
- Pausanias, Description of Greece 2.26-27
More Greek gods
- Zeus King of the gods and keeper of oaths
- Apollo Lord of light, music and prophecy
- 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