Also called Old Man of the Sea.
Their story
Proteus is an ancient sea-god of Egypt's Pharos island who herds the seals of Poseidon. In the Odyssey, Menelaus, advised by Proteus's daughter Eidothea, hid among the seals and seized him at noon. Proteus became a lion, a snake, a leopard, a boar, water and a tree, but when held fast he told Menelaus how to get home.
Best times to give to them
- At noon at the shore, when he was said to rest
- When you need an answer that keeps slipping away
What they like being given
- Shells
- Seawater
- Fish-shaped bread
How to honour them
- Hold a hard question steadily, as Menelaus held Proteus, until the answer comes.
- Reflect on the changes you are going through and what stays the same.
How they can help you
- Adapting to change
- Getting to the truth of a matter
- Persistence
Symbols
- seals
- water
- changing forms
The English word protean comes from him.
Sources
- Homer, Odyssey 4.351-570
- Virgil, Georgics 4.387-529
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