Also called Hephaistos, Vulcan (Roman).
Their story
Hephaestus was born lame and, in one telling, thrown from Olympus by Hera, landing on Lemnos where the Sintians cared for him. In another, Zeus hurled him down for taking Hera's side and he fell for a whole day. He forged the armour of Achilles, the aegis, and the golden handmaidens who helped him walk. He was worshipped alongside Athena in Athens as a patron of craftspeople.
Best times to give to them
- The Chalkeia, the festival of bronzeworkers on the last day of Pyanepsion (October to November)
- The Hephaisteia, with its torch race
- Before starting a piece of handwork
What they like being given
- A candle or oil lamp kept burning while you work
- A small thing you have made yourself
- Olive oil
- Honey
How to honour them
- Dedicate a finished piece of craft, however humble, with a few words of thanks.
- Care for your tools as a devotion: clean, sharpen and mend them.
- Tend fire safely and never leave a flame unattended.
How they can help you
- Craft and making
- Patience with difficult work
- Finding worth despite being rejected
Symbols
- hammer
- anvil
- tongs
- forge
Sources
- Homer, Iliad 1.590-594
- Homer, Iliad 18.369-617
- Hesiod, Theogony 927-929
- Homeric Hymn 20, to Hephaestus
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